OISE Postings

Please note that I have commented on the following blogs:
Matt Midgely - http://mattmidgley.blogspot.com/
Catharine Norman - http://thequarternote.blogspot.com/
Maryem Tollar - http://marsteacher.blogspot.com/
Janice Lee - http://janicemlee.blogspot.com/

Thank you.

So long, farewell...

Well, Friday was the final day spent at my practicum school.  Throughout the day my students made me several beautiful cards and gave me many hugs.  It was during these moments that I realized the struggles we go through with students, for example, discipline problems, getting them to do their work, and more; often cause us to forget the big picture. Deep down, all of my students were sweet and caring.  I received notes from students in my class that I would have never thought would care that I was leaving. and one of them actually made my eyes well up with tears in front of the class.  After this, immediately everyone started giving me hugs, even the boys that were often too “cool”.  It made me realize that in those moments where I felt frustrated or wanted to throw in the towel, I needed to remember look past the situation and realize the good in my students and the potential impact that I can have on their lives if I persevere.

As I walked my students out of the classroom one last time, this time in a huge blob with everyone trying to wrap their arms around me, I realized how rewarding teaching can really be and felt very special. At the end of the day, I left feeling thankful for the time I was able to spend with my wonderful grade four/five students and reflecting upon all that I had learned over the past month.  I am really going to miss my students and am sad that I will not be around to see them continue to grow and progress throughout the school year.     

Breakthrough!

On the Monday of the last week of practicum, I had an exciting breakthrough with one of my students.  Unfortunately, during my step days this particular student was one that I was not looking forward to spending my first practicum with.  He was the type of student that would often bring other students down with him whether it was through talking when he was not supposed to or being really silly at inappropriate times.  

During my time in his class, whenever an in class, individual, assignment was handed out, it didn’t matter what subject it was for, he would sit there and stare at his blank page for the ENTIRE period.  Even at times when I would stand over him and watch him, he would pretend to start writing and then immediately put down his pencil when he thought that I wasn’t looking anymore.  I tried sitting down beside him and working one on one with him and he still could never bring himself finish the task at hand.  It was like he didn’t care or he was afraid of trying, my associate teacher thought that he was actually gifted and afraid of success.  I’ll never know.

It was during a science lesson on Habitats that I was teaching, where I saw an instant turn around in the student.  I had really tried in my planning time for this lesson to include lots of examples and time for students to be able to practice the concepts together as a group with me before I sent them off to complete their in class assignment.  Some how, I sparked something in this student during the lesson and he was started raising his hand when I would ask questions.  I called on him at least three times and tried to be as encouraging as a could with him, I was so excited that he was finally participating!  When it was time for the in class assignment, he was one of the first to be finished and got all of the answers correct.  

A couple of days later, when I presented my “All About Me” lesson to the class, I had a similar experience with him.  I had the students write a journal entry about someone they admired and he wrote an entire page in his journal.  He entry was thoughtfully written as well.

I’m not sure what it was that caused a change in this student, but I realized that I misjudged him during my step days.  I wish that I could have continued on in his class and working with him.  I think that he has a lot of potential.  I will remember this lesson I learned, when I am in my future practice.

Sick :(

In the third week of practicum, my Associate Teacher and I had the misfortune of catching the nasty, cold that was making its way through our classroom.  Complete with a headache, stuffy nose and sore throat, I was miserable; so naturally, my tolerance level was pretty low.  I always try to make an effort to be upbeat and encouraging with my students, but this time I was strict, short and running out of patience.

It was in reflecting upon this experience that I realized I had always thought classroom management, routines and structure were for the students benefit so that they knew what was expected of them, felt secure and avoided disciplinary issues. However, I realized that classroom management is not only in place for students, it’s for your sanity as a teacher too!  If I train my students to know how to walk in a straight line, quietly down the hallway, I won’t have to continually shout at them to stop talking to friends and stand one behind the other.  If I put routines in place in my classroom, it will hopefully often avoid chaos from ensuing in my class and me having to yell to get everyones attention and tell them to stop talking.

I realize that no one is perfect, and that my students are only kids, they are going to slip up from time to time, but if I put routines and structure in place they will make my job easier.  I will be able to hopefully cover more material in my class, provide my students with the structure and stability they need and provide a more meaningful experience for my students.

Thoughts on my time so far as a student teacher...

I can hardly believe that I am already half way through my practicum!  It seems like just yesterday I was anxiously awaiting to hear where I would be placed and now here I am, just two weeks left.

I have to say that my time at my school has been interesting.  I am teaching in a grade four/five class and I cannot get over the difference that just a year makes in students.  The majority of my grade fours are so sweet, innocent and caring and I really enjoy the time I spend with them.  The grade fives on the other hand, I've had a hard time connecting with.  Maybe it's just me, but I've found some of the boys, especially, to have an attitude and they don't seem to take correction very well.  I can understand them not wanting to listen to me maybe, but even whenever their classroom teachers tells them to stop talking, etc. they roll their eyes, try to defend themselves, and say bad things about her behind her back, etc.  It's been pretty difficult for me.  I'm having a bit of a hard time managing them and find that I sometimes will even turn a blind eye to what they're doing because I know that they won't listen to me anyways.  Isn't that awful?  Any thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks for taking the time to read this! :)

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