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.