I am doing my second practicum in a grade 8 class. It is quite different than my first practicum in a grade 6 class due to the huge jump in content, larger focus on grades, and sensing students' anxiety towards entering high school. I have been fortunate to be paired with an associate teacher (AT) who is experienced and has a great rapport with students. More than his manner of teaching, I am realizing that a teacher's personality is really fundamental to help the class function. The AT is quite balanced and ensures he hits both sides of the spectrum: he's laid back and lenient on deadlines and class rules but still holds high expectations in terms of the success criteria. Additionally, he has a passion for reading which he brings to the classroom as there are huge collections of books all over the class which cater to different level readers, different themes/topics, and for both genders. Moreover, he dedicates a whole period (~50 minutes) on Fridays to reading in which both the students and the teacher simply read.
Observing this style of teaching, I have learned a whole lot in a short period. I found the right level of discipline and leniency which suited my classroom management strategies and still made me approachable. I realized that being approachable is so important for a teacher's personality as it brings students towards you as they open up more, ask more questions, and share deeper personal experiences rather than you, as a teacher, trying to probe that out of students. I am teaching a unit on circles for Math, and it was interesting when even the 'class clown' told me that he can estimate the circumference of the hoop while we were playing basketball! As well, a simple thing like smiling, which is often forgotten among adults, really makes a huge difference. Like my AT's passion is for books, my passion is for world issues (human geography), hence many of my lessons directly or indirectly touch upon comparing resource distribution, political circumstances, and human development among 'More Economically Developed Countries' (MEDC/developed countries) and 'Less Economically Developed Countries' (LEDC/developing countries).
Two key things I've learned thus far:
(1) Be approachable (+ smile)
(2) Share your passion
Observing this style of teaching, I have learned a whole lot in a short period. I found the right level of discipline and leniency which suited my classroom management strategies and still made me approachable. I realized that being approachable is so important for a teacher's personality as it brings students towards you as they open up more, ask more questions, and share deeper personal experiences rather than you, as a teacher, trying to probe that out of students. I am teaching a unit on circles for Math, and it was interesting when even the 'class clown' told me that he can estimate the circumference of the hoop while we were playing basketball! As well, a simple thing like smiling, which is often forgotten among adults, really makes a huge difference. Like my AT's passion is for books, my passion is for world issues (human geography), hence many of my lessons directly or indirectly touch upon comparing resource distribution, political circumstances, and human development among 'More Economically Developed Countries' (MEDC/developed countries) and 'Less Economically Developed Countries' (LEDC/developing countries).
Two key things I've learned thus far:
(1) Be approachable (+ smile)
(2) Share your passion
Dear Sai, I just wanted to say that I'm having a similar experience in my current practicum. My last practicum was in a Grade 6 class and I am currently in a Grade 8 class and how you described your AT also reminded me of my AT. More than that, I found your blog entry extremely insightful. Sometimes it's easy to forget the important stuff, so thanks for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteHey Sai,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how much a teacher's personality can change the dynamic in the classroom! It can make a student feel safe or shut down or feel smart or inadequate. I think between our observation blocks on the first week of school and all of our practicum experiences, it's really interesting to see those differences. and then of course to look at ourselves and see what aspects of our own personalities are bringing our students out of their shells or back into them.
Also think its cool that your teacher reads to the students every Friday. So necessary! What kinds of stuff does he read to them?
Hi Sai,
ReplyDeleteI also felt a dramatic change from my 1st and 2nd practicum. I think that esp. for older students teachers really need to connect with them. I find that even just asking about their weekend or how they are feel about something really helps the teacher get to know a student.
My AT also gives her students time to read in class. She would give students 10-20 mins on certain days and I find it very beneficial to the students. It not only helps students relax and it also calms them down before my AT or I teach a lesson.