CFE

Community Field Experience (CFE):

I am completing my CFE at Stratford Hall in Vancouver, BC.  Stratford Hall is an Independent coeducational school located on the East Side of Vancouver.  At Stratford Hall there are approximately 500 students with two classes per grade ranging from 16-22 students per class.  Stafford Hall is one of only a few International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum schools (K-12) in Canada; authorized to teach to the Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP), and the Diploma Program (DP).  At Stratford Hall all students learn Spanish.

The MYP building is unique in that it has glass walls and flexible learning studios.  The PYP building also has an open concept; with two grade one classrooms sharing with two grade four classrooms.  This allows for multigrade socialization through buddy reading and end of the day games between the fours and the ones. The PYP also has pavilions which are used for presentations and can provide a more quite space for students to work in small groups or ono-on-one with a teacher.

Week One:

My first week has been a completely new experience for me.  I completed my long practicum in grades 9-12 and this week I have spent most of my time with the Grade 1’s!  While obviously very different I am so thankful to have this opportunity to better understand the differences between the secondary and primary age groups and acquire some new teaching strategies for the younger grades. Through observing and helping out I have learned a lot about the primary years.  The grade one class I’ve spent the most time with is a very energetic and diverse group of students.  They are very bright, enthusiastic, and funny.

The environment around Stratford Hall is very pleasant.  All the teachers are extremely friendly and welcoming, and have encouraged me to come into their classrooms at any time.  Every Tuesday morning there is a staff meeting before school to discuss the past and future events and collaborate with the other teachers.  The amount of collaboration at this school is very impressive.  I was shown the school’s program, where the yearly and daily unit and lesson plans are created and can be edited by all staff members working with these students.  For example, the grade 1’s are completing a unit of inquiry on stories, therefore their physical education classes are incorporating this unit into their classes by telling stories through dance.  I have been assisting the PE teachers with this dance unit.

Both grade 1 classes are working together on a Spanish play.  I was able to help with their rehearsals this past week.  They will be performing in front of their parents and caregivers next week.

Starford Hall incorporates technology into the classroom in a variety of ways.  For example, in the grade 1’s Pavilion they use a smart board and projector to listen to music, play games, watch videos etc.  One popular resource the teachers used, called GoNoodle, offers “free brain breaks to get the wiggles out.”   The grade 1’s favourite video that they love to sing and dance to is called “Pop-See-Koo.”

I was also able to attend the grades 4-7 Track and Field meet at UBC on Wednesday.  The day was spent encouraging and organizing students for their many events.  It was a beautiful day and the students did very well; everyone had a great time.  I particularly enjoyed working with the high jump students.  I can appreciate the work and organization that the athletics coordinators and teacher must do to make successful an event such as this.

On Thursday I observed the grade 7’s Outdoor and Experiential Education (OEE) class.  They were having a debate on the legalization of marijuana.  Obviously this topic is extremely controversial and has been in the media in Vancouver a lot lately.  However, the grade 7’s did a great job of presenting both sides of the argument, and I could tell the had spent a lot of time researching their arguments.  Following the debate they had a guest speaker from an addictions foundation come in and present to them information regarding addiction.  The presentation was very informative and covers many of the learning outcomes from the health and wellness units of OEE.

Here are some picture I took during my first week:

Track meet at UBC

Track meet at UBC 

Kelso’s Choice help children problem solve.

Everyone has a “carpet spot.”  Teacher can call on coloured rows.  

One student per week fills in the calendar, and then goes over with the class.

Printing Resource – Handwriting Without Tears.

Re-telling stories using dioramas.    Learner Profile

Everyone has a job .   Cubbies.

Week Two:

This week was very busy and a lot of fun. I observed the Junior School (grades K-7) assembly. A few of the grade 7 students led the assembly and did a wonderful job. Both the Junior and Senior schools meet every Monday morning for an an assembly. Parents are welcome to stay, and many did. Following the assembly I observed one of the grade 3 classrooms and assisted in their “the final y rule” spelling practice as well as their book reports on “Charlotte’s Web”. Stratford Hall utilizes the “Orton Gillingham” approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling. This approach is phonics based. I also learned about the “Give Me 5” obedience chart to help refocus students when you need their attention. Following this I spent a class in grade 6 French, where they were translating and answering questions about an email in French. Finally I spent the end of the day with the grade 5s reviewing and assisting them in their preparations for the grade 5 exhibition this coming Thursday. The exhibition is a research based project they have been working on in small groups for the past 6 weeks. They will be presenting their findings to the school and their families, as well as reflecting on the process during and after the exhibition.

Every Tuesday morning there is a Junior and Senior school Staff meeting at 7:50 am, I attended the Junior school meeting. I spent the majority of this day with the grade 1’s. I helped them with their portfolios. Student-led conferences are coming up next week, and the students will be showing their portfolios to their parents. A portfolio is a requirement of the IB program for the primary grades. In the afternoon the ones had their Spanish play; which went very well. The grade 1 teachers were very thankful to have had help during this busy event. Many parents and family members were in attendance and the students were very excited and proud.

I also worked one on one with a few different students. I had students read to me out of the classroom in a quit place. They seem to really enjoy and benefit from this individualized learning opportunity. I also took part in the “classroom meeting” a time when students are encourages to share (without naming anyone) a problem and classmates are encouraged to offer solutions and thoughts to help each other solve conflicts. At the end of the day I got to assist the children in the PYP library. They all love to read books in the library and then they have “book exchange;” a time when they all get their library cards and sign out new books to take home.

After school every couple weeks there is a staff meeting from 3:45-5. I attended the Junior School staff meeting. Some topics of interest with the primary years are the end of year DRAs (Developmental Reading Assessments) students are given a letter from A-Z. A being beginning and Z being the most advanced. Most of the after school staff meetings at Stratford have a focus. This weeks focus was on social and emotional learning (SEL). One popular program is called “Mind-up.”

On Thursday I attended the grade 5 exhibition. All the presentation that I listened to were very well done, and it was interesting to see how excited the students were to share their hard work! I need the week by assisting the grade 2’s with their summative assessments. They are to choose a myth, legend, or fairytale and describe the most important parts of the story as well as think of any connections they may have: text to text, text to self, text to media, or text to world. They finished by drawing a picture of a scene that they will be recreating in 3D. I adapted this summative to meet the needs of one student by videotaping answers.

 Junior School Assembly Library Library   Kindergarten Response”bee”litiesDRA Wall

Week 3:

Monday was another Junior School assembly. The “Casa Libro” has been reopened in the school library; it is a fancy restaurant for “book tastings”. (Picture) A few of the staff members put on a skit to introduce the concept to the kindergarteners and to get the other students excited about going to the Library. The skit was very funny and the students classes that I observed in the library seemed to really enjoy their “book menus.”

This week are the student-led conferences. I stayed after school and observed a few of them from the grade 1 class. The concept is new to me, however, the conferences went very well. The room was organized and students had a checklist of stations and activities to do in 30 mins. The students really did lead the conference and they were excited to show their parents their portfolios (a compilation of their work from the beginning of the year), play a math game, explain their units of inquiry, and showcase their story telling dioramas. In the student led conference the parents get to see what their children have been doing and the teacher is their to facilitate the meetings or for the parents to ask any questions to.

I also marked some contraction worksheets for the grade 2’s.

I spent a day with the grade 6’s as I went on their OEE sailing excursion to Jericho Beach. There was a light breeze which made for a perfect day for beginning sailors. The sail boats we used fit three to a boat; I was on a boat with two grade 6 girls and we all took turns performing and operating different jobs on the boat. It was neat to learn about all the different parts of the boat and when and how to turn etc. The students at Stratford are lucky to have the opportunity to experience so many different kinds of activities such as sailing that many schools are unable to finance.

I got the opportunity to learn more about the OEE program. The OEE director told me more about the structure of the program and some of the fridge but not less important learning outcomes such as enabling students to develop a love and appreciation for the outdoors. I accompanied the grade 9s to their ocean kayaking lessons at Deep Cove. Once there, the students changed into their wetsuits and got into groups of 5 or 6. Each group had an instructor; this was their 3rd lesson and they were learning how to tip the kayak on its side without it flipping over, stabilization techniques, as well as practicing capsizing, and releasing themselves from the kayak. Next week, after their 4th lesson, the student will earn a level one kayaking certificate. Level 1 provides the skills and knowledge necessary for day-long sea kayak trips and indicates competence to paddle at sea. The grade 9 s will soon be going on a 3 day kayaking and camping trip in June. Deep Cove is a beautiful area, and great place for learning to kayak. It is sheltered so it is very calm and students are able to practice techniques in the safety of the calm waters without currents and waves, and with the supervision and assistance of their instructors and teachers.

I was very fortunate to attend a full day field trip to Grouse Mountain with both of the grade 2 classes. Each teacher/teacher candidate was responsible for a group of 5 students, a few parents volunteered their time as well. This field trip is extremely well done as the guides at Grouse are teachers or retired teachers; they know how to talk to the younger students while making the excursion both fun and educational. The day started with a visit to “Alpha” the timber wolf the resides in captivity on Grouse Mountain. The students also got to see some of the teeth that had been pulled from Alpha’s mouth, which they thought was pretty cool! Afterward we all took the aerial tram up the mountain and walked to the long house where we heard stories, sang, danced, played the drums, and learned about the Squamish people. From their the group saw the two rescued Grizzly Bears “Coola” and “Grinder.” The guide provided a lot of interesting information on the bears and bears in general. After lunch we split into two groups and learned about animal adaptations, and matched foot prints, and skulls to the correct animals. We then saw an owl and got to watch a movie on the grizzly bears before taking the tram back down the mountain. This trip was very informative and the students leant a lot of valuable information. This field trip was timely planned as the grade 2’s just began their new Unit of Inquiry on animals.

Another unique program offered at Stratford Hall in the Circus class. Circus is offered as choice program to students in grades 9 and 10 in the “Big Top”. The Big Top is a large room that houses a rock climbing wall, as well as ropes, trapezes, silks and other equipment necessary to run a circus class. I observed a circus class, and one student even taught me how to juggle! These students are very talented, and watching this class was very neat.

 Caterpillars for the Gr. 1’s Insect Unit Casa Libro  Casa Libro  Water Fall Kayaking   Me Kayaking

 

 Casa Libro “Book Tasting Menu” Sailing Jerico BeachKayaking Deep Cove  Alpha the Timber Wolf   View from the Gondola up Grouse Carvings on Grouse Grizzly Bears Coola and Grinder

Final Comments:

I have enjoyed my Community Field Experience Immensely. From my CFE I have discovered that my strengths as teacher are be open-minded to trying new activities and strategies with my classes. From working with the primary years I think another area that I have grown in would be my patience and classroom management. From my experiences I think that students learn better though inquiry, and through balance. Many classes are using mindfulness techniques that help with finding this balance. Students also learn from their surroundings I truly believe getting outside is beneficial for both the students and the teachers.

During my time at Stratford I was able to meet many wonderful students and staff and form connections with many of them. I think that my CFE has helped me grow as a teacher and shaped my practice. I believe the CFE to be a valuable component of the Bachelor Education program and recommend it’s continuation for years to come.