Practicum Experience
Kindergarten
My first practicum placement thrust me into a class full of energetic and inquisitive young students. It was a joy to guide, and be guided by these young, inquiring minds as they explored the environment and activities in the classroom. Highlights from my time included:
- read alouds on the carpet
- playing with numbers, patterns, and puzzles
- building towers with plastic cups
- music making with student-made pan flutes and composing songs with jars filled with water
- exploring buoyancy at the water table and building boats
Grade 3/4
My second placement was a creative and free flowing classroom. The class had frequent access to technology which enabled me to help students with their research skills and writing. As well, I was able to follow up on my research interests and teach the mathematics units for the duration of my placement. My math programme included:
- hands-on use of manipulatives to illustrate addition and subtraction
- use of multiple problem solving strategies
- mental math strategies
- math talks
- small group discussion
- formal assessment
