When I first started my practicum, I really did not know what to expect. I kept thinking to myself, "Man, Ms. Bobbi is really challenging me with FIRST GRADE!" I also kept thinking about how much of a challenge Ms. Bobbi had told us that teaching first grade was. But I kept reminding myself that if teaching is really my passion, then the grade level should not make a difference. The observations really helped me because it let me see what type of students I would be working with and it let me look at some of the skills they had and I how I could work with that in my lessons.
The first few days were a little nerve wracking but as the days went on, I learned to love it more and more. My students had to learn to adjust and so did I but we managed and they got comfortable with me. In the beginning, it was tough because the students weren't too sure about me. As they got comfortable, it got easier. Just like any other classroom, my students had their days. Some days seemed tougher than others but for the most part the days with my students were great.
Into my second week of practicum, I had to leave island for a while. My mentor teacher had told the class that I had an emergency and I had to leave island for a few days. The students thought they had done something wrong to make me not want to come back. When I got back and my mentor teacher was sharing this with me, I was so saddened so I made it a point to clear that up before our lesson began. I assured them that it wasn't their fault I had left for a while but it was for something that needed to be taken care of.
Towards the end of my practicum, my students started to ask questions about how long I'd be there and if I was going to follow them on to the second grade. This was hard for me because when I told them that I only had a few days left, they seemed really sad. I explained to them that this was a training for when I became a real teacher and had a classroom of my own. I also told them that I enjoyed my experience with them and would miss them very much!
With the cullminating activity the kids were very anxious to write the letters. I told them to write it to someone who they were thankful for like a mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, brother, sister or any other relative. I was surprised to get notes from my students but I was also very touched!
Over all, the experience was an amazing one! I enjoyed every practicum day, and yes even the tough and stressful ones! I truly do miss my students and I will always miss them.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment