Practicum Plans & Progress

First of all, this semester has been wonderful. I really enjoy working with my students and my host teacher has been extremely helpful. She allows me to work with the students every single day; it has truly been a learning experience!

One of my learning goals is to initiate activities more effectively and efficiently in the classroom. I have implemented this learning goal by introducing and completing the daily grammar warm-ups and writing into the day with the students since my second day in the school. Initially, I struggled to get the students settled in as they entered the classroom, but gradually (with the help of my teacher) I've learned ways to keep the class on task and ensure that they begin working as soon as class begins.

Another learning goal I set for myself at the beginning of the year was to utilize various instruction methods in the classroom. In addition to regularly practicing co-teaching strategies like one-teach, one assist and supportive co-teaching, I also planned and completed a lesson using stations. The students practiced revising and editing in one station, using transitions in the next, and finally completed silent reading in their third station. The lesson went really well and it was really interesting to practice a different style of teaching, especially with the help of another teacher in the classroom. I've certainly grown more comfortable in my ability to use different methods/strategies for instruction.

I have made great progress in completing the activities on my practicum plan. My host teacher and I regularly review the required assignments, and because I get to work with the students every day that I am there, it seems that most of the assignments/requirements just fall into place. Although there are some assignments I still have to complete, (for example, the video assignment), I feel confident in my development thus far as a participant at Suncrest Middle School.