10.19.12
I am now always excited to go in my practicum and because of this I cannot handle my requirements. We had exams yesterday and it would be my first time not being able to review. After I went home, I prepared my notes for the exam and then suddenly it was already 4am. I fell asleep in the table.
Moving on with my experience for the day, it was very heartwarming. My pinkroot students know my name already and I was there for just 2days! They like me reading stories with them, especially my PM class. So every after circle time nit would be free time it means they can play with the different learning areas already. Instead, they get me from art area because some students are to do art time while others candor free play. They will get me and give me a book. It is always touching that they trust you.
I still did the singing in the circle time. This time I got comfortable with my singing skills. It is very rare and I disregard that fact. Note to self-have confidence in yourself may it be your fear.
I also experienced my first PTC. Although I just observed. In addition, everything went well. My head teachers are nervous because it would be their first PTC of the quarter. It is always like that feeling nervous when it is the first but later on, it will pass. In addition, before you knew it you are done with your PTC. This is what I have learned in my first PTC. Just like my daily routine, my practicum might be a new task for me but I know I will get through this. Especially when I visited the Blue room, it was very heart melting event. The students know me and hugged me. Since there were new students in the room, the other students would run towards me and hug me saying, “Our teacher” I could cry literally. I asked them what my name is and they knew it! Well some but still! I was moved by my own emotions.
10.17.12
Today is first day of my circle time. I was scared because one of the reasons that limit me to my course is singing. I do not know how to sing in front of people. I really lack self-confidence. However, my head teachers helped me with my circle time. Of course, I should continue my circle time with my lack of confidence in myself. Everything went well with both of my classes
In my AM class, Teacher A. maddened the discussion but I was not prepared because it was only the singing routine is what we have discussed. I manage to get through with it with the help of my head teachers. We discussed a recall about the ducks. I showed them the different parts of the egg, the egg white and the egg yolk. The children were very eager to have a look on the cracked egg. I can see how interested these children are and how believe that they are little adults.
For my PM, Teacher A and talked about that I will be the one to lead the singing with the students. It is very important that you communicate with your co-teachers. At time, we will need their help and they will need ours.
I love the students. They are so jolly, curious and all. I like what I am doing.
10.15.12
Today I was assign in Pink room. 2-3years old define the classroom surroundings. It was a new environment for me again because when we did rotation I didn’t had the chance to experience the pink room so here is the chance. I need to learn how to adapt easily. I need to have the confidence and not be intimidated.
The children in this room is more approachable. They want to play but I need to hear them be awesome of them cannot speak clearly yet. We need to encourage these children to use their words if they need something.
My AM class was alright. We had a teacher who visited and helped us all the way. She was very strict. She can be very friendly and also a strict person to the child. She knows what she is doing. She handles the rowdy children smoothly and scary for me. We did art work this day and it was about ducks.
My PM class was different from myAM class. They can speak fine but there will always be a time that it wont be clear. It was my second time to witness a hurts and hugs report and this time, I was the one who saw it. Here, we prepared ourselves for the home visit on Monday. The class did an artwork for the parents of the owner of the house.
My day ends with helping my head teachers, all of them. The PTC is near and every teachers are preparing for it.
10.12.12
Everything went well. I was prepared for the things I need to accomplish for my practicum classes.
I was my first time to create an activity for my PM class. I was so confused with their topic because since I am only there for 3 days I don’t know what the students already know but just bits of bits. Anyways, I prepared a puffer fish art activity for them. They have to past the spikes on the puffer fish to be safe from the predators.
Everything went casually. The teacher wants me to do story telling and so be it. Art Time, a piece of cake. What I need to improve on is that to have a nice throat while doing story telling because it creeps my students. I was not feeling well ever since I strarted practicumming.
I got a pleasing comments from my head teacher and the shadow teacher. I hoped everything will be fine to my next practicum day. I always feel anxious. :(
Help me Lord, God. :) I trust you. :)
10.10.12
I was really busy this day or the week rather. I am piled with homework Anyway what happened for my practicum was just another day passed. It was fun hearing them say my name but just for my PM class. My AM class are so rowdy my energy was easily drained from them. Although My PM class I am scared of my head teachers so I need to get my energy back fast. Also I do not have a break time so From 8-2:30PM Everything is all about kids. I love them but I do not like it when they don’t know my name. I am such a kid hater. :((
Anyway, For my AM clas, my teachers are very approachable. The students are rowdy and this time I get to reprimand a student. In a good way. I talked to him one on one for the mistakes that he did. I always remember what my professors would say ” always give them the reason why it is a bad thing” and so I did. There was also a time where the girl students were calling me because the boys are fighting with them. those little actions make me wanna continue everything even when you are very tired.
My PM class, it was only one head teacher, a shadow teacher and me. So it was a bit fine with me because what could get wrong. Actually nothing. I just knew the secrets of the the students like they don’t like their classmate who has a special need. It burns the objective of an inclusive school it is. It was my first time to be spank in the face by a child. I understand it by the way. He has a special need and I was kind of like prepared for it. I do know what they dooo from class but I never expected it to happen to me this fast. Anyway it was fun to experience such a thing.Also there will always be a time where a teacher will get mad at you. Not me ofcourse to a his students not violating his profession it was just a time out for the child who are very rowdy at that time. I did not imagine him giving a child a time out chair.
At the end, ofcourse I still have an assignment.
10.8.12
This day I felt comfortable in what I am doing. When they ask me to do art time or story telling time, I accept it immediately. Of course, my anxious feelings are still there but I trust God. I appreciate how my teachers trust me these past few days. I lack self-esteem and they knew it because I tell them. I lack self-esteem but I can still do it. The effects are seen at the end. Like I get depress or so. My teachers motivate me and I feel embarrassed. One of my teachers approached me and says that they are sorry if they are not talking to me that much because they are just busy with the coming PTC. Actually, my teachers are more serious than the others are. Although it did not really bother me. They still talk to me when I ask them questions so I do not really understand why she said that to me. I think they are very approachable and fashionably wonderful teachers.
Eventually I started to feel less tensed than before. My AM teachers entrusted me with their sunshine report. It would be my first formal “anecdotal report.” In class, we have done anecdotal records but it was just for fun and some is made from group works. My teachers say that their sunshine report is very easy and can be done in less than 10 min. Their sunshine report is per week, they have to pass it to the head directress, and then to be printed and to be put on the child’s folder and that folder serves as one of the teacher-parent collaboration. The parents will read anything found in their child’s folder. For my first sunshine report, I will handle three children. I think everything will go well.
In addition, this day, I decided that the students will learn what my name is. I found it unfair but I just look at it as a challenge. What I did was every time they want me to do something for them they should know my name so; eventually gradually they know my name. When some of my students know my name, it is very flattering. Some may still mispronounce, take time to pronounce, etc my name. It was all fine as long as it is a win-win factor.
Week1: The learning environment of a classroom is very essential to the knowledge the child will acquire. It affects the learning instruction. In my practicum site, it was very well planned. The areas are well arranged to reach each child’s capabilities. There are at least five learning centers to be found namely, Reading center, Science center, Dramatic Play center, Art Center, Manipulative Center and Circle area inside the classroom. The school is a play-based approach but it is currently adapting the project-based approach. The students learn by playing and by experience. In connection to the learning environments the school, *insert name of school here learning environment is appropriate to the school’s philosophy and for the child.
Basically they follow a routine have access to the different learning centers. There first activity time is a center time. They basically starts a day with it. It is located at the center of the classroom. It has a blue carpet at the center with the students name on top. They have a calendar and a weather chart for center time. The students should sit on their name when it is center time. They sing and dance in this area. The center area is can also be their reading center. With the same procedure, the students have to sit on their name when the teacher will read them a story. The books have their shelves may it be a big book or normal sized book. Beside the reading center is the area for drying the student’s art outputs. Below it is the science area. It has a fish aquarium where the assigned student will be the one to feed the fishes during their snack time. It also has materials like prism, bells, drums, and stuff. Below it also is the manipulative area. It has blocks, gems, thinker toys, etc. The students are allowed to use the stated materials only when it is free play. The materials are also used for Math assessment. Beside it is a long table. My teachers in the PM class make sure they are all seated together so that their bond will get stronger every day. They talk about their interest during this time of the day. They also used the long table for art time. In addition, there is a double-sided easel for painting. Beside the long table is the dramatic center, it has princess costume and a role-playing costumes in addition of a mirror. It is also complete with kitchen set toys. Below it is the cubbyholes for the students’ bags and shoes. Described are the four sides of the classroom but there learning does not stop there.
In addition, for their routine is there active play area located just when you enter the school. They do not actually have an outdoor area because seeing the geography of the school; it is a very civilized area. In this case, their pretend outdoor area is their active play area. It has a very big playground enclosed by a plastic grass. They include the smelling of the grass after they go rowdy learning in their active playtime. When the child has an “owie” (hurt himself) there are first aids prepared for them this includes the ice for their “owie” Everything is just in order in this school. They are prepared for any circumstances they encounter.
10.3.12
Today is the start of rapport building to the students. It is very important to have a good communication with the child because there will be the start of a good relationship. In addition, seminars that I have been through approves at it.
This week is the start of their assessment because their PTC is near already. In addition, this day was suspended because of the hard rain though we continue our classes because some students are already inside the school and the administration does not want other make-up classes.
For my AM class, was assign to do art time. It was easy for me because I have done it before with my PM class. All I have to do is to let the child create any thing he likes using the cut out shapes. After that, the child will describe to me what head done and as the student teacher in charge, I will record it and write it at the back of the child’s paper. I provided the materials for this activity. I always ask my head teacher if s/he has assignments me. Since their only difference in their curriculum is the period, usually they have the same activity done in a different day or time. Also it depends on the interest of child. There outputs are placed in a portfolio and that serves them their authentic assessment to be presented in the PTC itself. Before my AM class ended, we had another assessment to do. Teacher M. assigned me to do the rote counting for the group of boys in another table. At first, they were doing well and then since we are counting 1 to 50, their attention was easily diverted. I have to work it away where their attention will be drawn back to me. I used blocks to continue their counting and they wanted to build a tower so every time they count the blocks it has been placed to form a tower. Although I got their attention at first it did not end it up all the way. Teacher Mi. helped me with the group of boys that I handle. We just ended up on time.
For my PM class, I was in charge of storytelling time. I was very scared or I cannot label my emotions. It would be my first time storytelling in front of real children. Usually I have done it in front of my ECED classmates for my demo teaching. Due to the suspension, there are only six students who are present. Although it gave me a relief, I was still scared of what will happen. Nonetheless, I did my storytelling and I should only read one book but the students want another one until it was time for active play. At the endow the class, I ask my head teachers for comments and critics for what I did. I was scared to ask them because some of my teacher as I said in my first journal very intimidating-positive way of intimidating. It was my first time to talk to her hat long. My teachers’ comments were that I did well, it was a good thing I interacted with the students, and it was a soothing also that I listened to the students what they have to say. Teacher C. recommended that I can show around the book and I did well. There are only few to comments because everything went well. Because this, they will handle me with full trust the other routine.
Everything well and it was fun handling the kids.
10.1.12
Horray for my 1st week in my practicum site. :) I prayed for good vibes and contentment happen This day is the first day of the month. The day of my constant Blue room. I need all the guts to face my fear”est” room. Oh life. I have the hard time to get acquainted with everyone. I lets me realize if this is what I want to be. Trust me I do want to be a teacher but a public school teacher. I think it was hard for me because the students here are very into each other already. They do not need a new playmate. They do not need other the assistance they need more as the other rooms need it.
For my AM class, everything was just sooo noisy. You can see the sets of friends and the outcasts. The teacher already knew who the sets of friends are. This is the seating arrangement goes. The sets of friends need to be with each other or else “it will be the end of the world” according to teacher M. In a routine, you will never know what the students will do. The teacher should be able to handle everything (soo much for a wonder hero). What the teacher did was a timeout for the child. The activity was paused for a while until that students is behave. I saw how hard it is to handle these little adults. Even if you are well prepared you will never know what will happen. Just like the movie that had never been continued. The kind of materials. It was not that appropriate for the students because it is too small and not sturdy enough for there rowdiness.
For my PM class, everything was in order. Hello world for my environment adaption. Teacher C. does not want to let her students have the assistance but only the basic ones. Ok my work was lessen. :| I do know that I am a student-teacher but I cannot just intrude myself into the school. First of all I am not an expert. I have my problems in my self that I am to scared to teach the students. There routine and curriculum is just so in tack that it cannot have changes. As if the storm signals is also included in their curriculum leaving them not cramming and stuff. I think I am just so intimidated with the teachers. They are sooo awesome. I feel the lowest of all while beside them. ( can you see how I’m intimidated by them it is not there fault that they are awesome it me! :( ).
At this point, Teacher J. gave me a task. I am in charge for the art center! Hooray! :)) I did this because it will be part of their portfolio. Since this week is an assessment week. I ask the student to tell me the story of their painting/s. I wrote it down in their paper as I let them dry in the rack. It was hard for me to memorize their names. :( And their clothes should not get dirty. Soo many students yet you are only one. Actually 3 in our classroom but not all schools are fortunate like my practicum site. I hope actions will be done with this ind of educational system.
Tomorrow, I will do my 1st story telling for my PM class. Now, I think I am scared but Oh well. I’v done story telling before. But I think I am scared for this time around. :( WHy does my learnings get so blocked away when I get intimidated. :( Until next time. :)
Just got back from the civilization! :)
9.28.12.
This day iwas my 3rd day of practicum. I was assigned in the yellow room. Everything went well. It’s soo nice to see those little adults run around. Age 2 will describe them best. As for this class, it has a shorter time of the day. It was funny because the first activity is circle time. The teacher in charge sung the daily routine songs. Suddenly, one of the child fell asleep. The teacher let him fall asleep and it was my first time to see the hugs and hurts report. Let’s just say that is the form used to report the accidents done with/of the student. In this day an accident happened while the students were playing. I am talking about 2 years old playing inside a small classroom just suitable for the yellow students. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this but let’s just say what happened with the child is an irony. (Yes, my mind is from the liberal). Not exactly but oh well. Every student is rowdy enough to cry at everything.
This day the students created a pizza-emotion where they will design their own pizza hat kind of emotion they like to design. Of course the students got excited and yet they did not created the emotions and ate the raw ingredients so the teacher and I kept on “No, not yet.” on the child. I saw how the cultural factor is implemented. The teacher already knew what the students are not allowed to eat because of their religion or just because their parents said so. In that case we just followed the rules.
I am now amazed how the teachers can handle them so smoothly. They use songs to get their attention and let me just say they are attentive as the song goes on. I must prepare myself to learn those songs so that I will be able to catch up with them. Adapting to this kid of environment is hard but I hope as the days goes on everything will feel comfortable and let myself get out. God has a plan and I will trust him always.