Tips for Block/Practicum Placement PDF

Tips, Suggestions, and Guidelines for Your Block/Practicum Placement This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC  Getting There If you need help with connecting to a carpool buddy, let me know ASAP so I can send you the peers who are at your school Leave in enoug...

Tips, Suggestions, and Guidelines for Your Block/Practicum Placement This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC  Getting There If you need help with connecting to a carpool buddy, let me know ASAP so I can send you the peers who are at your school Leave in enough time to get to your school 5-10 minutes before you must be there to allow for traffic, weather, etc. Notice where to park – if you didn’t hear about this from your CE use visitor or staff parking https://pixabay.com/photos/land-vehicle-car-travel-road-trip-2564197/ R-E-S-P-E-C-T From the syllabus… “Every teacher, like every student and every human, is unique and has their own way of moving through the world. To foster a positive and constructive learning environment, it is essential for all students to approach their placements with a spirit of openness… We only see a portion of the whole picture and our job is to observe, participate, and NOT judge. “Every teacher, like every student and every human, is unique and has their own way of moving through the world. To foster a positive and constructive learning environment, it is essential for all students to approach their placements with a spirit of openness. This includes avoiding judgmental attitudes towards their host teachers. Embracing openness allows for richer learning experiences and promotes a collaborative atmosphere where everyone can benefit from diverse perspectives since you may be with a teacher whose style is different than yours. Know that you can and will still learn from them. Our host teachers are dedicated and hard-working professionals and are opening their classrooms to you as a welcomed guest so you can learn and grow as an educator. Please act accordingly and honor this opportunity by treating your host teacher with respect and courtesy.” Think it, don’t say it…. If you need to talk about something you see or experience in your placement that might seem unsettling, make you feel uncertain or uncomfortable, or is strongly “not the way you would do it” keep it in your head while at your placement and don’t voice this to others while there. Later, if you wish, reach out to me so we can talk about it. CONFIDENTIALITY IS ESSENTIAL!  Interact with the students as appropriate and Reflect on what you are observing and take notes as “food for when possible. This the start of relationship thought”. Notes on paper not on your devices! building. Remember you are another teacher (in-training). Be friendly but not their friend. Engagement is key! Don’t look bored Professionalism is also key! Present or uninterested – body language and yourself in appearance and behavior Nuff said….. facial expressions can tell so much. as a teacher. Before The First Visit Get a notebook and writing instruments (pen, pencil) to take with you for note taking Print the timesheet from Canvas (last link in Assignments) and take it with you to have your CE initial each time you go to your placement. Do this at the end of the day before you leave. Make sure you have directions to your school (use nav on your phone, if needed – Waze, Google Maps, etc.) Decide what you are going to wear and have it ready for the next day Prepare a lunch or take money to purchase lunch at school Take a water bottle to keep hydrated GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP! The First Visit Arrive early or on time. Late arrival sets a negative first impression. Show enthusiasm for being there! It’s natural to be nervous but also remember you have been invited to the school and this classroom, and they want you to learn and have a positive experience. Get to know the “lay of the land” by observing and asking your CE how you can be a part of the classroom (e.g., read with students, circulate during independent work time, etc.) Use good judgement about when to talk to your CE and/or ask to help (not during instruction) Ask about the CE interview guide and video permissions later in or at the end of the day when you get your timesheet initialed Tips For Participation If CE is not providing whole group instruction, be on your feet; circle the room and support students if this is OK with your CE Ask “How can I help?” before CE begins content lessons Interact with students during start of day, recess, lunch, end of the day – “Friendly but not a friend” Volunteer to do things you can do (ex. take attendance, line them up, read a story) Actively observe, take notes, write questions Watch children, what routines do they follow? Watch teacher and children. How do they talk to each other? Watch teacher to teacher interactions. What is your perception of collegial relationships?  Food For Thought: Placements Take time to reflect when you go back over your notes Consider how the day relates to topics from this course and others; what connections can be made? Did something unexpected happen? Did you learn something new you want to try as a teacher? What questions do you have that you want to bring to class? Tips for Taking Notes Zero in on key moments/interactions (teacher to student, student to student, student to activity) Don’t try to write down everything that is happening in the room; focus on smaller interactions and things that seem to matter. Choose what you think is “notable” for later discussion or reflection. Spend some time taking note on the environment of the room (set up, wall materials, physical resources, etc.) Take note of daily organization of time/schedule Look for common pedagogical and management strategies – what is your CE’s “teaching style”? Most Importantly….. Learn, Learn, Learn! And…Enjoy the Experience! This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC