It Looks Differently from Behind The Scenes

A few weeks back, Dr. Besnoy informed us that the real job of teachers starts after the students have left the classroom. I can see this, now. I can also see that the same holds true for before the students arrive.

In my previous Practicums, I'd basically only seen the classroom work; I'd not seen all that goes on behind the scenes. This semester, however, I've been given a glimpse behind the curtain. These teachers work so incredibly hard behind the scenes, so that what goes on in front of the scenes work so well. Until this semester, the whole "team" thing was essentially a concept in my mind. My current Practicum team teachers have given that concept a form in my mind and breathed life into it.

I've been able to sit in on team meetings, but today's meeting was particularly poignant. They have on student with special needs who has been causing severe problems for himself and a couple of other students. Usually, the morning meeting involves the 4 core subject teachers. This morning the special ed. teacher was involved as well. They laid out on the table a series of interventions that were designed to help make the atmosphere more conducive for learning for all of the students involved. They even went so far as to jostle the schedules of the disruptive boy and his main cohorts, so that they were separated. This was not an easy task, yet these five teachers put in the work and the juggling. They spoke of meeting with the student (who has been so problematic) and his father. It sounded as though they had put in an enormous amount of work, yet they did it in a stoic manner.

While they were disassembling their schedules to separate these students, the Principal popped in on the meeting to inform the team that a pair of brothers at the school have had the power turned off at their home. He then proceeded to tell the teachers about the supreme effort this school has gone to to help out as best they can. The cafeteria has sent home food. The gym has offered the use of the showers. And there is one particular teacher, who has done some of the boys' laundry.

Yep, I'd say there is a real TEAM at my Practicum placement. And I have been thoroughly impressed with it!

Interesting Lesson

My teacher did a really cool lesson today. They've been studying Egypt and they had to bring in a bar of soap. They had to pick an Egyptian theme and carve it into the soap. Some did really cool carvings of pyramids, heiroglyphics, etc. They did the activity outside and had soap everywhere - but it was a good time. They learned how difficult it was to write back then and they got to explore something they thought was interesting in Egyptian history. I thought it was cool. My teacher is letting me copy all of his lesson plans for my "collection" which I think is awesome because I have gathered some neat ideas!

Observed Lesson Plan

Last Thursday I had my observed lesson plan. I felt that it went very well...so well that I stayed until 1 o'clock so I could teach 4 classes instead of 2. I was a lot more at ease this time because I was prepared with my own lesson plan, materials, and resources compared to my 1st taught lesson plan when I followed the 'History Alive!' teacher's manual. It was interesting to witness on a first-hand basis the difference from one class to another especially when you're teaching a class for the first time all year. The first three classes did an excellent job taking part in my entire lesson plan and review game. However, when I taught the fourth class it was an entirely different situation. I went from having two students with IEP's in each of my first three classes to having seven students with IEP's in my fourth class. It was an entirely new scenario...one that I have never been in. The students tried to screw around, didn't want to take part in the intiating activity or the review game., and were very disrepectful. Luckily, my cooperating teacher stayed seated at his desk, instead of intervening, and gave me the opportunity to handle the situation myself. I immediately got control of the situation and classroom. The students realized that I wanted to have an enjoyable class but I also meant business at the same time and that their poor behavior would not be tolerated. In the end, the lesson plan went very well for all four classes and the students were well prepared for their upcoming test.

Teaching on Thursday!

On Thursday I will be teaching a lesson that will be observed by my professor. Last really during this time I was not that nervous, but this year it is a different story. I am really nervous and i cannot think of anything to teach. I am sitting here still thinking of how to teach Canadian Culture. Who would think a topic this board could be so hard? I feel that my brain is just in a freeze mood and will not let me think anymore. If anyone could help or have any ideas on how to teach this it would be greatly appreciated!