Teaching Practicum, Week 4 and 5
The first and third week were not that complicated, and all I did was observed the class take down notes, interact with students, and plan for lesson #1 with my CT. Basically, I was doing my usual things as a Para.
Teaching Day
For Lesson#1. Fortunately, I worked with an excellent CT and outstanding 3rd-grade students. During the observation weeks, I observed that there are days that the class doesn't go well as expected, but I think I could manage it. However, my first day of teaching did not go as fluent as I expected. I can say that my instruction was a little bit topsy turvy. My level of confidence had something to do with this, and because of that, my instruction was not well organized and clear. I did not anticipate those things would happen during outdoor activity. We were doing the jumping rope activity to investigate what parts of the body will react when they jump rope. Although, I did well addressing the learning differences by bringing dumb-bells hand weights for those who could not jump. However, the dumbbells were not enough for the number of students that could not jump. I should have consulted my CT to avoid a situation like this.
In lesson#2, I would say I was more ready and confident as far as my instruction because I know my lesson content. I noted what I did wrong during the first teaching experience to avoid them in my next teaching experience and considered my CT and TA's comments and suggestions to become better each time I teach. In both lessons, I would have clarified my students' purpose and learning goals. However, I did well on presenting examples to see what the end products looked like. Also, I allow students to learn from each other by using the "Talk to your Partner" strategy. I used visual aids/powerPoint to present my lesson, and I realized the power of visual aids in helping students grasp content.
Instructional Practices
I incorporated these instructional practices, the Graphic Organizer, Essential Question, Activating Strategy (Canva Slides), Relevant Vocabulary, into one lesson. I like utilizing them because it provides me with the flexibility to meet individual learning needs. The Canva slides were beneficial to organize my lesson, and I think we had fun while learning. Next time, I will try to practice the "limited lecture" to engage students more in some types of activities. Although we did the "talk to your neighbor," but I still feel that I did all the talking because we ran out of time for the activities that I prepared for that day, such as the "Quiz Trade" and the "Exit Ticket." Effective time management skills are keys to increasing the focus and productivity of both teacher and student, and I will keep that in mind.
Science Instruction looks like
I did 45 minutes of Science, and I began my instruction with a question for students to wonder and followed with an active investigation. We went outside to investigate which part of the body moves when a person jumps rope. I saw all students actively engaged. Some are jumping rope, lifting the dumbbells, and some are watching and doing the investigation part. My lesson objectives were not 100% achieved because of my poor time management skills, but 45 minutes for an exciting subject for me is not enough.
I experienced a lot of challenges that day. First, students were not focused, maybe because they have a new teacher and saw I was filming them. Second, I did not realize that more than two could not jump rope, so my two dumbbells were not enough; third, I heard some complaints from students that I should not bring just two dumbbells. Lastly, one student was crying because he was not working well inside his assigned group.
Next time, I would focus more on the learning environment; it should be learner-centered and assessment-centered, share clear outcomes and feedback.
Lesson Planning
The first lesson I did was science (Counting Bones). Planning a lesson plan is not an easy task. However, I was able to create a great lesson plan with the support of my CT And PE teacher for allowing me to borrow jump ropes for our outdoor activity.
My lesson plan looks great on paper but did not go according to plan because I ran out of time. Next time I will either stick to my goal or adjust my lesson plan according to the student's needs. I know it is not going to be easy, but with more practice, I will progress.
I am looking forward to my next lesson. I hope I will do it right this time.
Assessment
During my teaching practice, I mainly did the informal or the formative form of assessment. I raised questions that can be answered by investigation. For example: Which part of the body move when a person jumps rope". I like using formative assessment because it's easy, simple, and most of all, there are no right or wrong answers. I did remind my students that it is okay to make mistakes to promote student thinking and a positive learning environment and growth mindset. "Formative assessment is truly assessment for learning" (Joyce Tugel)
Strengths and Opportunities for Growth
I think my ability to build good working relationships with both students and adults (My CT.) is my strength in the classroom. I love watching my students follow my direction; I think being a Para in that class helps me a lot; the established rapport is there, so it's not that challenging when it comes to classroom behavior management . Also, I have a good working relationship with my CT; we collaborate and work together as a team. My creativity also helps me a lot to motivate my students to learn for growth opportunities.
I still have a lot to develop and work hard. Time management is one of them. I need to work with my time management so that I can follow my lesson goal, more training on designing a course or lesson begin by determining the learning outcomes. My instructional practice also needs more improvement.
Instructional Practices I liked and Question
Instructional practices I have observed that I like were I model as I teach. I had fun doing writing on the board and projecting my paper as I wrote. I also like the "talk to your shoulder partner," it is a fun and interactive way to teach a lesson, and I think students love it too. I had fun watching students collaborate and are involved in the class. I also like when I integrate technology, such as Canva slides, smartboards, and projectors. I remember how ineffective lesson#1 was without utilizing visual aids. I should have known this because it has been mentioned in one of our modules that each student is a unique individual; some are visual learners and need a little something more.
I am glad I decided to use Canva slides for my lesson, it enhances my class, and I am happy that my CT likes it too. She said that it was helpful and organized. I tried to implement inquiry-based learning, though I needed more practice to enhance this instructional practice. Still, I found this practice was enjoyable, and it was really appealing to students' curiosity. I love how their eyes looked like when I asked them, "what do you wonder, what do you notice" question.
The "let the student teach" instructional practice sounds exciting, and I wonder how this practice will look like in third grade.
