Well.... its been two weeks and my, does time fly....
For my last practicum, I was working with grade 6 students at Westwood Middle School. This time around I am working with both grade 7 and grade 8 students at Runnymede Public School. Although it is only a couple years between these grades, the difference seems much greater.
First off, I noticed that students took a lot longer to warm up to me being in their classroom, and seemed hesitant to approach me. Another major difference that I've noticed is in terms of their behaviour. At this point, students are trying to test their boundaries and see just how much they can get away with. I had been presented with the opportunity to be in charge of the classroom on a number of occasions while my associate teacher was away. Although a supply teacher was always present, they were mostly there as support while I was able to take charge of the classroom.
For me, this proved to be one of the greatest learning experiences so far. It was only after being in that position that I gained respect from the students and came to fully appreciate the role of the teacher in the classroom and the school.
I totally agree, I found this to be true for me as well! I feel like now towards the last two weeks is when kids are really starting to warm up to me. It seemed a little more difficult to get through to some of the girls, but in the end I found that with patience and respect towards them it was easy breezy!!! I have been given great opportunity from my AT as well, as sometimes he does step out during my lesson to give me total control and that has provided me with plentiful experience as well. I am actually super sad that it is all going to come to an end soon!!
ReplyDeleteI am creating even more friendships with the students now because I will be coaching volleyball and soccer! They are all super excited that I will still be coming back to do that!!!
Hope your last week is going to be great!!!
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI posted something way back in the second week of practicum, but behold, it seems to have disappeared! Just in case you didn't see it, I had wanted to mention that I think the difference between what you would have experienced with a younger grade, and what you get with grade 7-8, is a natural difference. Kids at this age are certainly more concerned about what their friends think of them than what the teacher thinks of them, whereas with younger grades, they want to be close to the teacher too.
I also wanted to mention that I had lots of supply teacher experiences during practicum, and I also really enjoyed how it gave me the opportunity to take charge in a more comfortable way; knowing that I actually had a better handle on where the class was than the teacher who was coming in cold turkey gave me confidence to step forward and direct.
Anways, hope that the rest of your experience was great!
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI agree we truly appreciate the role of a teacher when we are allowed to take on the full responsibility of the classroom. My associate teacher was sick for couple of days and therefore I had the responsibility of the classroom. Although it is nice to have the AT around but to a certain extent I enjoyed being given the responsibility as I think that it is the real test of our abilities. Students give us more respect and we can check our classroom management. I enjoyed the feeling of having the class to myself :).
See you soon!
Khushbu