Today, Raegyn and I had the opportunity to teach two very different classes the same Science lesson. The first trial, with a classroom full of a variety and clashing personalities, did not go well, but it was an opportunity to learn. While teaching the lesson, we did not give students the experiment steps or know how to bring their attention back for a class discussion afterwards. During 2:15 recess we were able to debrief in which we made a powerpoint to visually show the steps and expectations. This was a huge help! I haven't been able to see the clear benefits of having a visual to accompany verbal teaching before.
This week I learnt how to wait for middle years students to refocus as a whole group as last week we made that our own goal to practice. I've noticed that management strategies, such as clapping, doesn't work well for this age group. This week Raegyn and I are co-teaching ELA, which has always been my favourite subject so I am super excited! We plan to do modelled and shared reading with Harry Potter to practice reading strategies (connections to self, text, world; questioning; noticing comedy; etc).
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On the second day of pre-internship I was already much more comfortable with the environment and the students.
The schedule was similar, ELA (read to a partner, work on writing essays, and word work - handwriting practice). I made so many connections to these teaching strategies from ELNG 317, which I was thrilled about! Afterwards, was French, which, lucky for my partner and I, we used this time to go over our lesson with our cooperating teacher. I feel that I am useless in French class due to the nature of the lecturer-student dynamic, and because I do not know French. During lunch, the three of us planned our Science lesson for next week, we're going to make a model of the water cycle, which they just started. I'm excited to teach a Science lesson because it puts me out of my comfort zone (I don't consider myself very good at science and I never have enjoyed it), and it also relates to my ESCI 317 lesson assignments about weather for Grade 5. But mostly, I am looking forward to the opportunity to teach a subject that I find difficult with a colleague/class mate/good friend. After lunch we taught our Career Education lesson, which went well for our first real lesson, ever. We did well to follow the plan of questions and activities. The activity went well, the students were engaged and came out of their comfort zone a little and were eager to learn, especially as part of the compliment activity; students were very eager to receive compliment notes from peers. The only concern I have is that it is difficult to actually teach students. I have no problem planning a million activities to relate to outcomes, but I'm finding it difficult about how to make those experiences meaningful so that students learn what they need to learn. Then, we observed two science lessons, with our Grade 7/8 class and the other Grade 8 class. I have not heard or seen anything about Treaty Education or Indigenous culture while being in this school today or last week, so I am curious as to if this will change. I am very lucky to have this opportunity and in such a great school with great teachers to look up to. Today was my first day at W.F. Ready as part of my pre-internship experience. I felt nervous and anxious on the short 5 minute drive there and while walking up to the school, but I really had nothing to fear! My co-operating teacher has a lot of knowledge that I am as eager to take in as he is to tell. The 7/8 students in the class are engaged, yet very social, learners, and I am up for the challenge, and the fun, because I can tell that the students will be fun to get to know and form relationships with. Throughout this experience, I do want to focus on the professional goals assigned, but I also want to make relationships and set clear guidelines/expectations. The co-op teacher stressed this lots as well so I am motivated to improve these aspects! My partner, Raegyn Fulmek, and I started our day with a fun introduction activity; we brought a beach ball with written questions on it which we used to throw to one another and the question that the right thumb touched was the question that person had to answer. This game went well and the students seemed to enjoy it. The rest of the day we observed ELA (Creative Writing about Thanksgiving theme, Word Work - handwriting, and reading aloud), French (quiz, TedTalk on why bi-linguism is important, and flash card phrases), Health (digital literacy video and worksheet), Social (did not observe) and Science with two classes (went over a quiz with 8s. Finished gummy bear science experiment in salt, sugar, vinegar, water to practice scientific method with 7/8s). At the end of the day I read aloud to students and stopped as modelled reading, a connection I made to ELNG 317 this semester! Some questions that I asked were; what does "Ignorance is bliss mean?, "What did I just read?" in which it took 2-3 tries for students to get it and "Who 's parents tell them to get good marks lots?" These students surprised me throughout the day how engaged they can be, and I'm even more excited about teaching middle years than I was before! I already cannot wait for next week! |
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