Here are the accounts of my first experienced navigating my Grade 8 Applied Skills, Textile classroom: 
The Great 8’s are my pride and joy as they continue to grow me as a teacher. They are rambunctious and bright. As Mrs. W said, a number of the boys are also very immature for their age. Yet they are eager to learn, and I am trying a number of creative methods and standard classroom management tools. The students are listening, doing a solid clean-up and for the most part, doing the task at hand. I will continue efforts to keep them on task.
In the Great 8 class, a few of the boys mentor the others and assist them, while three additional boys require extra assignment, as they are ahead of the pack. I am developing mini projects they can do semi-independently when done the day’s lesson.
At one point, one of the students mentioned we should have music in the class and I said. Yes, classical music (calming) they all looked at each other and I, and we laughed. I think they had other music in mind!
And the following week….
My Great 8’s are a source of pride this week, as they continue to grow me into being a better teacher. I had two very good classes with them and plan to finish strong promoting their success. We got a lot done today and they were on task. It was very rewarding. A number of students rose to the occasion. As I guide them, and manage them as teacher and team captain, we are meeting our goals. If we keep this up, super-do! S has become an indispensable leader in the class assisting his other classmates. M is doing quality work and grow his confidence. I work with him, however I see he is capable and encourage his independence. Again it is the person, and adapting their abilities to the task at hand. Thanks to Mrs. W for being part of the team too! And for her tips.
In the end, the students completed the boxer shorts, learned something about textiles and sewing and more importantly, gained new awareness and confidence about themselves and others. Walking down the hallway hearing ‘Hi Miss Q! and knowing they are well on their way, testing their teachers and their wings. It makes me smile.
On the last day of my practicum, we all enjoyed ice cream cones as a treat before I said, “good-bye!”
