Last week

Time flew by.  This week students came up with amazing (take my  word for it) First Nations artifact presentations.   They all made a model of their artifact and described it.  Here are some pictures:

I couldn't believe all of the work that the students put into making their models! Many were very resourceful with the materials that they used.

Art projects turned out well.  Students finished off their Woodland style oil pastel animals.  Take a look:

The learning wall was complete on my very last day:

I'm glad I took so many pictures!

Here are the blogs that I've commented on:
Week 1- Samantha
Week 2- Khushbu
Week 3- Lindsay
Week 4- Carolyn

Week 3

I can't believe that time has passed by so quickly.  Students are working on their culminating activity for the "First Nations Peoples of Canada (before European contact)" unit.  They have all chosen a First Nations artifact and completed research for a descriptive paragraph to be handed in next week.  Next week, they are all going to create an advertisement and a model of the artifiact to present in class for Friday!

In Math, I've begun the unit on fractions.  I've been using pattern blocks and fraction circles on the projector.  Students have been solving problems involving fractions on individual whiteboards.  I've learned that small whiteboards are very handy (and reusable) to see what students understand.  Also, using a few examples and explaining them very well has proven to be more effective than using many examples. I have to admit that I can tell that not everyone loves fractions but at least one student said, "Yes!" when I brought out the whiteboards for Math. 

I've taught some Art lessons and Phys Ed lessons (when my AT was absent).  I've recognized that these two classes are associated with being "fun" so my goal is for students to enjoy these classes- while following the rules, of course.  Time to prep for the last week.   

Enjoy your last week of practicum!

Week 2

This week, students worked on their own origin stories.  They were to write a story to explain why certain animals have certain characteristics.  After a lesson on quotation marks and story maps, students were given the chance to write.  What was interesting was that I had to create a checklist and rubric to assess the writing.  With the help of my Associate Teacher, I was able to identify exactly what my expectations were for the origin stories.  For the assessment, I gave the students a checklist and a rubric. 

In Math, students worked on coordinates and scatter plots.  To work on coordinates, students played a game similar to Battleship that I entitled Battleshape.  To create scatter plots, students measured their own armspan and height.  What I've noticed is that students really like to draw with marker on large graph paper.  The only downside is that there isn't enough time to analyse everybody's work.  Students contribute a lot to the analysis and the discussion; they practically do the work for you!

There was also a volleyball practice and a dance this week.  Students could hardly sit still from the excitement.  Surprisingly, students danced.  It was a lot different from what I remember when I was in grade 6.  Time to relax and prepare for the second block of practicum.  Have a good March Break. 

Week 1

The week has been full of stories!  I've been able to teach origin stories from First Nations peoples in Canada: Turtle Island, The Raven and the First Men, Why Rabbit Turns White in Winter, Why Dog is Man's Best Friend....  I'm trying to devise lessons with more that Think Pair Share in order to get students talking about the stories that we are reading.  One of the ideas that my AT suggested was having the student dramatize the text.  It worked very well.  Today we had a story bonanza where students presented their story through retelling, reflecting and drawing.  Next week, students will write their own origin stories.  I can't wait to read them.  The Learning Wall is looking pretty bare.  I wonder what it'll look like in the end?

Students are going through the Health unit and I've been able to answer a few questions from the Question Box.  It's fascinating to see how curious they are about their body and puberty. It isn't my idea but the Question Box (students can leave anonymous questions on post-its) is a great idea to open up conversation. 

I've also taught some Math classes.  Graphing has been fun.  Students have graphed data from surveys completed in class and data that has been provided.  In order to remind students of certain criteria, we've created success criteria for graphs.  It was amazing to see one group actually check their graph against these criteria. 

I feel like I've been through classroom management training; I've learned so many techniques: clapping, countdown, lights off and a rock bin reward system (students earn rocks for good behaviour- when the rock bin is full, students can get a free period).  During free time, I've sat in on French and Music classes.  I've also seen the Photography Club in action.  Now to prepare for week 2.  To be continued....

And that is the end of first practicum

I'm going to miss everybody....
 
Sorry I don't have any pictures to show of the artwork that I mentionned in previous posts.  Some examples are now hanging up in the hallway of the 2nd floor of Glenview P.S.  Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera.  Take my word for it: the final product was awesome.  Some students put more work into the project than others but it was a very rewarding experience for me to see a project through from beginning to end. 

I was able to go through RE and IR regular verbs with the students.  It's amazing how learning can be masked when you make a game out of it (3 teams, individuals conjugate the verb with the given subject, 2 points for a correct individual answer, 1 point with the help of the team; really everybody wins).  My goal is to teach French especially and I learned a lot.  I know that I don't like worksheets. It takes more time to plan but  I prefer it when students are interacting and teaching each other.  In the end, I want lessons to be fun.

Best moment of practicum: Today I heard a student sing the chorus to a French song that I used in a lesson 2 weeks ago.  As long as that student keeps on singing, I'm still at Glenview....

Responses during practicum:
Week 1: Winzie
Week 2: Lauren
Week 3: Emily
Week 4: Kelly

Back to Visual Arts this week

Well, I 've been in charge of teaching colour as one of the elements of art.  After going over: primary/secondary/tertiary/complementary colours, tints and shades, I made an Andy Warhol inspired art project where students are to demonstrate their knowledge of colour. 

Students were to create a symbol to represent themselves (to meet the criteria of understanding and interpreting symbols in the grade 7 art curriculum).  Symbols were to be copied four times.   Using pencil crayons, colours were to follow the following guidelines:

1.  the first symbol must be a primary colour
2.  the second symbol must be a secondary colour
3.  the third symbol must be a tertiary colour
4.  the colour outside must be the complementary colour of the symbol
5.  the fourth section must show a tint and a shade

As an extra rule, only primary colours, black and white can be used.  Thus, colours must be mixed.  

This week, everybody has been finishing their rough copy (I evaluate the colours for understanding of terms) and starting their good copy.  Hopefully, I'll be able to post some pictures of everybody's hard work next week when good copies come in.

Week 2

So, I've been teaching French this week.  I actually enjoy teaching grammar.  I've been teaching the conjugations of ER regular verbs in the present tense.  I've tried to be creative with the activities: ER verb flashcards, rock paper scissors using ER flashcards for DPA, ER verb sentences gallery walk and a fill in the ER verb activity using music.   I guess what I 've found most challenging is simplifying the material to the level of French of the students.  As creative as I want to be, I have to remember that there are limitations.  Still, I've enjoyed experimenting this week.

I'll be returning to Visual Arts next week.  I can't wait to see everybody's final product and I look forward to marking 90 art projects....  I've also signed up to help with the beginning of the school yearbook.  We'll see what that entails.

I hope you are enjoying your experience thus far.