How will I practice my desires and values of teaching?
How would I put my ideas into action in the classroom?
What are some of the challenges I face in the process?
What worked in my practicum classroom and why?
How will I plan and organize the curriculum?
Unit and Lesson plans
- I would start off the year by getting to know my students and creating a safe and caring learning environment. I would discuss the classroom rules with the students and incorporate their input into the creation of our classroom environment.
- I would explain my expectations of them for the year (that I know they are capable of achieving their goals and dreams and that I will challenge them where appropriate) therefore not every student will be working on the same things throughout the year.
- I will create a trusting, friendly, and supportive relationship with my students so they know they always have someone at the school they can talk to.
- I would always want to include concepts such as respect for diversity, to think critically, to be conscious of our environment, to challenge one another, to overcome fears, and to succeed in the goals you set for yourself. I would do this through authentic and engaging learning experiences such as hands on activities, outdoor explorations, real world applications, and student-led inquiry-based projects.
What are some of the challenges I face in the process?
- Some challenges would be teaching in a manner than may be inconsistent with what my students are used to. I may face resistance or dislike for this different approach to learning from my students, parents, and fellow colleagues.
- Classroom management may also be a challenge by allowing students to set their own learning goals and/or working independently with their peers as the teacher acts more as a support network than a top-down instructor. Keeping students on-task and engaged will always be something I would strive to achieve.
- Planning and differentiated instruction may also be a challenge due to time, organization, and creativity. Eventually, however, I believe that differentiated planning will come naturally and easily to me once I understand my students' learning needs and levels.
What worked in my practicum classroom and why?
- Lessons that were enjoyable, authentic, and rich were always a success. When the students were having fun and eager to participate, their learning came naturally. Incorporating the new and big ideas into song, dance, creative writing, or art was also a great way to review key facts with students in a new, more meaningful, and engaging cross curricular manner.
- For example, after a unit on Insects where the students had to write factual and creative pieces, label diagrams, sing songs, build insects with blocks, create 3D insect art, observe the life cycle of the butterfly in the classroom, and read fiction and non-fiction stories, I took them outside with digital cameras and they had to document insects in their natural habitat. The students transformed into such thoughtful, caring, and mature scientists and took amazing photographs. They were so dedicated to the task at hand that behavioural and management issues disappeared. I was so proud of them and for the end of the year, I presented a PowerPoint to them with all their photographs they had taken along with various projects they had completed throughout the Insect Unit. I could tell they were very proud of themselves as I was of them!
- I also created an Environmental Unit where students learned what they could do to help protect the environment. This Unit coincided with Earth Day and for one lesson I used the stories 'The Lorax' and 'Wump World' for the students to have a more engaging and exciting introduction to the concept of destruction of Planet Earth. Students had to compare and contrast the two stories and then choose what story was their favourite and why. The final product included a wonderful drawing and a deep understanding of what can happen when humans harm our environment.
- See lesson plan and student work examples below.
How will I plan and organize the curriculum?
- For the year, I would love to do a monthly theme that encompasses all subject areas within that theme (Math, Socials, LA, Science, Art, PE, etc).
- I would want to always have hands on and engaging activities for my students that touch upon real world experiences and their prior knowledge.
- I would like to take the students outdoors whenever possible and to incorporate movement throughout the day.
- I would want to include various forms of media that would aid learning and capture my students attention.
Unit and Lesson plans
3d_insect_art.docx | |
File Size: | 115 kb |
File Type: | docx |
insects_worksheet.docx | |
File Size: | 49 kb |
File Type: | docx |
science-_larva_lesson.docx | |
File Size: | 158 kb |
File Type: | docx |
social_studies_plan_format.docx | |
File Size: | 94 kb |
File Type: | docx |