We started the day by separating the cohort into two groups so both Dave and I could run a few games designed to develop teamwork and communication skills. My first group engaged in:
- Circle story
- Hey, what are you doing?
- Evolution
to get warmed up. These activities (and more) can be found in this file:
Then, we played:
- Tanks
- Alligator Pond Game
Guidelines for these games (and more) can be found in this document created by TCs from a previous year’s cohort:
In Dave’s session, you had a go with:
Potluck
Thanks to everyone who brought an item to share as part of this delicious smorgasboard.
Preparing For A Successful Practicum
We started with a free write on your expectations and segued into a setting out of the big picture of the Tuesdays Prac… and beyond. Here are the key dates:
- Education 315, the Tuesdays Practicum, consists of 6 school visits on Tuesdays beginning October 18th and finishing November 22rd
- Education 323, the Two Week Practicum, takes place Tuesday, January 3rd to Friday, January 13th with students in the schools full-time
- Education 419, the Long Practicum, runs from Monday, March 26th to Friday, June 22nd
Next were presentations on The Exemplary Middle School and SRL in the Middle Years. Here’s that info:
At long last, we asked you to give us your practicum preferences. The information we requested is shown in this one-page slideshow:
Then, after outlining some the goals of EDUC 315: The Tuesdays Practicum:
Dave took some time to outline some of the key expectations we have of you in terms of professional conduct. Here’s the PPT slideshow:
To wrap up, we had some fun as you created and presented professionalism role plays, short skits demonstrating no and yes examples of how a TC should conduct herself in a middle school setting.
Hopefully, at the end of today’s lesson you feel more comfortable facing the challenge that is your first foray into the field as part of your teacher education program.
’til next time.
– Lawrence