Practicum Experience
For my Professional Semester 1 I was placed in Lethbridge, Alberta at Our Lady of the Assumption. It is a Catholic school, grades Kindergarten through 6. I taught in a grade 1 class.
During this practicum I taught:
Science- the full Senses unit
Social Studies- lessons from the Belonging and Community unit
Physical Education- the full Dance unit
Math- introduction to Patterns unit lesson
English Language Arts- a writing lesson
Religion- a lesson on the Nativity story
This practicum lasted 5 weeks, and as a student teacher I taught, observed, and assisted with teaching. What I enjoyed most about this experience is when I would incorporate my drama background in my lessons by role playing and singing songs to teach the curriculum or capture their attention.
School website: https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/assumption/
During this practicum I taught:
Science- the full Senses unit
Social Studies- lessons from the Belonging and Community unit
Physical Education- the full Dance unit
Math- introduction to Patterns unit lesson
English Language Arts- a writing lesson
Religion- a lesson on the Nativity story
This practicum lasted 5 weeks, and as a student teacher I taught, observed, and assisted with teaching. What I enjoyed most about this experience is when I would incorporate my drama background in my lessons by role playing and singing songs to teach the curriculum or capture their attention.
School website: https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/assumption/
Sample Lesson Plans
"Senses send messages to the brain" lesson
This lesson was simple but went well in terms of the students grasping the concepts learned. I tried to reach all different ways that the students could learn by:
-having the grade ones review by copying my hand motion signs of the 5 senses (kinetic)
-singing a song as review (musical)
-drawing arrows on a worksheet to the brain (visual)
-reading scenarios outloud for students to choose what sense they think they would use
The last learning activity is what made the lesson successful. For the activity, I would read out different scenarios like "petting a cat" or "listening to music" and a student volunteer would have to choose which sense they they would use and tape the sense onto the picture of the brain. I think it was effective because the students would understand that our senses send messages to our brains. This lesson taught me that students can learn even when the lesson plan is simple.
This lesson was simple but went well in terms of the students grasping the concepts learned. I tried to reach all different ways that the students could learn by:
-having the grade ones review by copying my hand motion signs of the 5 senses (kinetic)
-singing a song as review (musical)
-drawing arrows on a worksheet to the brain (visual)
-reading scenarios outloud for students to choose what sense they think they would use
The last learning activity is what made the lesson successful. For the activity, I would read out different scenarios like "petting a cat" or "listening to music" and a student volunteer would have to choose which sense they they would use and tape the sense onto the picture of the brain. I think it was effective because the students would understand that our senses send messages to our brains. This lesson taught me that students can learn even when the lesson plan is simple.
messagestothebrainlesson.docx | |
File Size: | 19 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Slideshow of the highlights of teaching the Senses unit for grade one science class:
Goals for Professional Semester 2
1. For PS2, I want to focus my attention on exceptional learners and how I can create a successful learning environment for them. I want to learn how to help them so they can learn the best they can in the classroom. I want to find the best strategies for certain learning and intellectual disabilities. I want to make a difference to help them feel someone cares about them, as an individual and a learner.
I will write more about the exceptional learners in my reflections. As well, I will look at materials in the library to help with specific types of exceptional learners.
I think I can always learn in this area but will know I have reached this goal when I feel I have met the needs of my classroom in my second professional semester.
2. Another goal I have for PS2 is to become familiar with technology skills in the classroom. Particularly, I want to start learning simple Smartboard uses.
I will try to use the smartboard in my lectures more often to become more familiar with the Smartboard. As well, I will make a date to use the Smartboard at the university to explore the uses of the Smartboard.
I will know that I have achieved this goal when I feel confident and comfortable enough to not be worried about how my lessons will go using the smart board.
I will write more about the exceptional learners in my reflections. As well, I will look at materials in the library to help with specific types of exceptional learners.
I think I can always learn in this area but will know I have reached this goal when I feel I have met the needs of my classroom in my second professional semester.
2. Another goal I have for PS2 is to become familiar with technology skills in the classroom. Particularly, I want to start learning simple Smartboard uses.
I will try to use the smartboard in my lectures more often to become more familiar with the Smartboard. As well, I will make a date to use the Smartboard at the university to explore the uses of the Smartboard.
I will know that I have achieved this goal when I feel confident and comfortable enough to not be worried about how my lessons will go using the smart board.