Laura M.
Cameron
Randel
Emily
Monday, 28 November 2011
Goodbye Glenview :(
Well, its over. No more going in to face new challenges and realize limitless possibilities every morning. I must admit I am quite sad to be leaving and am worried how I will react to be being back at OISE fulltime.
My last week was amazing. I really feel that I have built solid relationships with the faculty at Glenview and my fellow TC's. Early morning pickups will always be my favourite memory of my Practicum. Such an incredible opportunity to share, make suggestions, and just feel that there were others who were going through the wide range of emotions that I did.
Most imprtantly I feel that I made a significant contribution to the lives of my students. I was amazed and really touched by the reaction of all of my students to the news that I would be leaving Glenview. I got so many nice cards and a basketball signed by my team. Some of the students that I had spent extra time with were especially grateful. Really an unbelievable experience to know that you had such apositive effect!!!!!!
One of the most imprtant things I learned this week was the importance of an effective transition. As I had been teaching pretty much the full slate of classes my AT needed to be brought up to speed, specifically, about the progress of all our students and all my marking needed to be done. It was vital that I did this because there were several issues that I discovered while marking that are crucial for my AT to know. A couple of examples- several students had yet to submit assigned work, and I had devised special programs/expectationss for students that were experiencing difficulties that my AT needed specifics about. Also, I had a set of twins in one of my English classes that had essentially plagarised their work, by simoply splitting the work at home and copying each others work....verbatim!!! It was also really important that I leave my AT thinking that I was responsible and had finished and met of all his expectations.
All in all this was an unbelievable experience that has gone a long way to reassuring me that my decision to go to OISE and become a teacher was the right one. I have never felt such a sense of purpose before and look forward to the next challenge.
Simon
My last week was amazing. I really feel that I have built solid relationships with the faculty at Glenview and my fellow TC's. Early morning pickups will always be my favourite memory of my Practicum. Such an incredible opportunity to share, make suggestions, and just feel that there were others who were going through the wide range of emotions that I did.
Most imprtantly I feel that I made a significant contribution to the lives of my students. I was amazed and really touched by the reaction of all of my students to the news that I would be leaving Glenview. I got so many nice cards and a basketball signed by my team. Some of the students that I had spent extra time with were especially grateful. Really an unbelievable experience to know that you had such apositive effect!!!!!!
One of the most imprtant things I learned this week was the importance of an effective transition. As I had been teaching pretty much the full slate of classes my AT needed to be brought up to speed, specifically, about the progress of all our students and all my marking needed to be done. It was vital that I did this because there were several issues that I discovered while marking that are crucial for my AT to know. A couple of examples- several students had yet to submit assigned work, and I had devised special programs/expectationss for students that were experiencing difficulties that my AT needed specifics about. Also, I had a set of twins in one of my English classes that had essentially plagarised their work, by simoply splitting the work at home and copying each others work....verbatim!!! It was also really important that I leave my AT thinking that I was responsible and had finished and met of all his expectations.
All in all this was an unbelievable experience that has gone a long way to reassuring me that my decision to go to OISE and become a teacher was the right one. I have never felt such a sense of purpose before and look forward to the next challenge.
Simon
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Third Week Thoughts
Its nice to be settling into a groove. I am really getting to know not only the students that I see regularly but students in the halls too! All my students are asking if I'm going to get a job at Glenview next year... that I should...and I should be their teacher! What a fantastic compliment!!!! Its very rewarding to knnow that I've had a positive influence!
My AT is giving me more and more freedom and trusts me to handle the students and provide engaging lessons. I think the confidencee in me stems from my adherence to time management and week long planning. He gave me a blown up schedule which he encourages me to use to lay out the lesson progression i plan, and also to track what I have done with what class. It has proven to be an invaluable tool....maybe even the most important thing I will take away from this experience.
Couple specifics about this week. It was a pretty short week. I was away at a Baskteball tournanment on Wednesday. The girls did very well (3-1) but I experienced some frustration on Thursday when I found out that my AT had failed to asssign the homework that I had planned to give them. The lessson I had planned for Thursday was dependent on that work being assigned. I was forced to think on my feet and juggle my planned schedule (the calendar helped immensely). The lesson went well enough and I will survive!
Of course Friday was a PA day and I sat in on some interviews. My AT really interacted well with the parents relaying any positives or conceerns in a respectful and helpful way....no blame was assigned and strategies were talked about.
I felt a little overwhelmed at points this week. So much to keep track of...marking...lessons...practices...games....I have a completely new respect for what teachers do!!!
Looking forward to the last week
My AT is giving me more and more freedom and trusts me to handle the students and provide engaging lessons. I think the confidencee in me stems from my adherence to time management and week long planning. He gave me a blown up schedule which he encourages me to use to lay out the lesson progression i plan, and also to track what I have done with what class. It has proven to be an invaluable tool....maybe even the most important thing I will take away from this experience.
Couple specifics about this week. It was a pretty short week. I was away at a Baskteball tournanment on Wednesday. The girls did very well (3-1) but I experienced some frustration on Thursday when I found out that my AT had failed to asssign the homework that I had planned to give them. The lessson I had planned for Thursday was dependent on that work being assigned. I was forced to think on my feet and juggle my planned schedule (the calendar helped immensely). The lesson went well enough and I will survive!
Of course Friday was a PA day and I sat in on some interviews. My AT really interacted well with the parents relaying any positives or conceerns in a respectful and helpful way....no blame was assigned and strategies were talked about.
I felt a little overwhelmed at points this week. So much to keep track of...marking...lessons...practices...games....I have a completely new respect for what teachers do!!!
Looking forward to the last week
Sunday, 13 November 2011
My Second week at Glenview
WHAT A GREAT WEEK!!!!
I really am strating to get comfortable here at Glenview. My AT is amazing!!! He is giving me such amazing feedback and is really a fantastic mentor. I don't know how Serge and Caroline did it but they matched with me perfectly!!! So a little thank you to you two!!!!
Couple of major things to talk about. My AT has stressed the importance of incremental discipline and allowed me to put it into practice. Essentially he stresses a 5 stage approach to inndividual management and 3 stage approach to classsroom management. First the individual management.
1. Invisible discipline- proximity; eye contact; snapping of fingers at a specific student; hand motions
2. Square off- speak directly at a student..."Mike are you finished?"
3. Choices- "Mike...get back to work or I will move you to another area of the room"
4. Made the choice- student does not react to your previous direction....has made the choice....move the student
5. After school- if student still is causing problems then bring them in after school to write a reflectionn on their behaviour
Group Management;
1. the all important pause...sometimes followed with "I'll wait"..."or we can waste my time...but I will use yours if I have to..."
2. sacrificial lamb- a rough term i know...but the sentiment works.....if the class still will not settle down...pick one student who is misbehaving and make focused directed commentts at that one student as an example to other students...
I found that these techniques are extremely effective...and allow for consistentcy and fairness....all very important.
Now for a few specifics about my classes....
I have a student, we ll call him George, he can be a little difficult. He distracts other students, doesnt do much of his work, and challenges my authority subtly. I was forced to move him on Monday. He went to sit in a group where he apparently had an issue with another one of the boys at the table. This other boy, who is much bigger than him, had apparently kicked him in the head over lunch. George was very upset that no one had listened or taken him seriously. So while the other students were doing independent work I spent a few minutes listening to his story and then got the other side of the story from the bigger boy. He admitted that there had been an incident. So I moved George again and put him at a table group with his friends for next class. The next class George was engaged and participating. He offered a fantastic response to a question I had posed. It was such a huge turnaround!!!! I learned that just by listening to a students problems in an honest and fair way can have long lasting positive affects on that students performance. It was amazing to see such a turnaround!!!
I have another student, we ll call her Angie, who is one of those "to-cool-for-school" students. Her work, when iit gets done, is incomplete and of poor quality. I am really trying to get her involved. whenever she does have an answer to a question I always pick here to share....this has started to get her a little more on board. Also I nnoticed that she liked to draw....so I brought in a selection of different colour dry erase markers and let her be my white board recorder....she picks the colours and style that she wants to record the homework in. This simple process has opened Angie right up. She now asks me questions and seeks me out for help when even last week she would just sit there doing nothing. Its incredible to me that just a small thing like markers can have such a positive effect.
One last refelction, I have another student who I have recently figured out is dealing with stress and anxiety to such an extent that he has begun to see a therapist. This kid is really positive and nice but has problems getting work done. So I have done a couple of things. First before he went home on Friday we met and built a list of all the work he still has to get done to catch up. I stressed that he needs to get the work done but that he doesnt have to get it all done this weekend. Also, because this student is THE student AV guy I ask him to help me set up all the technology in the classsroom, even thoughh I know how to do it, just to give a positive experience and a feeling of worth. He's responding wonderfully.
All inn all a great week.....really don't want to leave!!!!
More next week
I really am strating to get comfortable here at Glenview. My AT is amazing!!! He is giving me such amazing feedback and is really a fantastic mentor. I don't know how Serge and Caroline did it but they matched with me perfectly!!! So a little thank you to you two!!!!
Couple of major things to talk about. My AT has stressed the importance of incremental discipline and allowed me to put it into practice. Essentially he stresses a 5 stage approach to inndividual management and 3 stage approach to classsroom management. First the individual management.
1. Invisible discipline- proximity; eye contact; snapping of fingers at a specific student; hand motions
2. Square off- speak directly at a student..."Mike are you finished?"
3. Choices- "Mike...get back to work or I will move you to another area of the room"
4. Made the choice- student does not react to your previous direction....has made the choice....move the student
5. After school- if student still is causing problems then bring them in after school to write a reflectionn on their behaviour
Group Management;
1. the all important pause...sometimes followed with "I'll wait"..."or we can waste my time...but I will use yours if I have to..."
2. sacrificial lamb- a rough term i know...but the sentiment works.....if the class still will not settle down...pick one student who is misbehaving and make focused directed commentts at that one student as an example to other students...
I found that these techniques are extremely effective...and allow for consistentcy and fairness....all very important.
Now for a few specifics about my classes....
I have a student, we ll call him George, he can be a little difficult. He distracts other students, doesnt do much of his work, and challenges my authority subtly. I was forced to move him on Monday. He went to sit in a group where he apparently had an issue with another one of the boys at the table. This other boy, who is much bigger than him, had apparently kicked him in the head over lunch. George was very upset that no one had listened or taken him seriously. So while the other students were doing independent work I spent a few minutes listening to his story and then got the other side of the story from the bigger boy. He admitted that there had been an incident. So I moved George again and put him at a table group with his friends for next class. The next class George was engaged and participating. He offered a fantastic response to a question I had posed. It was such a huge turnaround!!!! I learned that just by listening to a students problems in an honest and fair way can have long lasting positive affects on that students performance. It was amazing to see such a turnaround!!!
I have another student, we ll call her Angie, who is one of those "to-cool-for-school" students. Her work, when iit gets done, is incomplete and of poor quality. I am really trying to get her involved. whenever she does have an answer to a question I always pick here to share....this has started to get her a little more on board. Also I nnoticed that she liked to draw....so I brought in a selection of different colour dry erase markers and let her be my white board recorder....she picks the colours and style that she wants to record the homework in. This simple process has opened Angie right up. She now asks me questions and seeks me out for help when even last week she would just sit there doing nothing. Its incredible to me that just a small thing like markers can have such a positive effect.
One last refelction, I have another student who I have recently figured out is dealing with stress and anxiety to such an extent that he has begun to see a therapist. This kid is really positive and nice but has problems getting work done. So I have done a couple of things. First before he went home on Friday we met and built a list of all the work he still has to get done to catch up. I stressed that he needs to get the work done but that he doesnt have to get it all done this weekend. Also, because this student is THE student AV guy I ask him to help me set up all the technology in the classsroom, even thoughh I know how to do it, just to give a positive experience and a feeling of worth. He's responding wonderfully.
All inn all a great week.....really don't want to leave!!!!
More next week
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Week 1
Wow....what a first week! So many new faces and new challenges and not enough time in the day!
I've been all over the place this week. In the classroom I've been teaching grade 8 history, a chapter on colonial attitudes towards Confederation. The week went pretty well. Started the week with a review of material covered by a supply teacher last week by using a Venn diagram on the board and inviting students to add colnies into the "for" or "against" Confederation and explain why each colony goes where it does. The next day we started preparing for an oral presentation on colonial attitudes. I started by getting student input into an Anchor chart listing the expectations for the presentation and the different roles for group woork. The next day the students were divided up into groups to prepare with presenations to follow. I definitely would change the way I organized it in the future. Instead of asssigning different roles (researcher, recorder, presenter, etc...) i would have divided the work load differently (one student responsible for population of a colony, another for defence, etc..) The presentations went well though. Just finishing my marking now! I also wrote my first test this week....students are taking it on Wednesday.
Management is certainly an issue but not as pressing as I thought it might be. My students respect me and II have certainly made an effort to connect with them and have learned a lot about them and their individual needs or habits. This to me is why I am not having serious management issues, well, that and that I'm a large man. Mr. B. has alos given me a lot of good advice on some techniques I an use (voice fluctuation, varying tones, the all important pause and wait for silence)
The one thing that I am finding a little frustrating is just how much time I have to spend explaining instructions and expectations to my students. It wastes a lot of teaching time.
More next week
I've been all over the place this week. In the classroom I've been teaching grade 8 history, a chapter on colonial attitudes towards Confederation. The week went pretty well. Started the week with a review of material covered by a supply teacher last week by using a Venn diagram on the board and inviting students to add colnies into the "for" or "against" Confederation and explain why each colony goes where it does. The next day we started preparing for an oral presentation on colonial attitudes. I started by getting student input into an Anchor chart listing the expectations for the presentation and the different roles for group woork. The next day the students were divided up into groups to prepare with presenations to follow. I definitely would change the way I organized it in the future. Instead of asssigning different roles (researcher, recorder, presenter, etc...) i would have divided the work load differently (one student responsible for population of a colony, another for defence, etc..) The presentations went well though. Just finishing my marking now! I also wrote my first test this week....students are taking it on Wednesday.
Management is certainly an issue but not as pressing as I thought it might be. My students respect me and II have certainly made an effort to connect with them and have learned a lot about them and their individual needs or habits. This to me is why I am not having serious management issues, well, that and that I'm a large man. Mr. B. has alos given me a lot of good advice on some techniques I an use (voice fluctuation, varying tones, the all important pause and wait for silence)
The one thing that I am finding a little frustrating is just how much time I have to spend explaining instructions and expectations to my students. It wastes a lot of teaching time.
More next week
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