Blogs I Responded to...

1) Alyssa
2) Sai
3) Cameron
4) YiLin

Week 4: Wrapping it Up!!

My unit did not go the way I planned it to be but I think it was a success. With the help of my AT and Alison I managed to incorporate different subjects, such as drama and art into Canadian history. I had students create tableau presentations for significant groups of people living in New France and I taught students to fold origami animals that early explorers and settlers would see when they arrived in Canada to decorate the classroom with. Students also managed to complete their newspaper article (culminating actively) for me to mark this week. 

Overall, I had a wonderful practicum and after being with two grade 7 classes with a majority of them being boys, my classroom management skills has definitely gone up to the next level. I also feel a lot more comfortable teaching subjects I have no/little experience in.

Week 3: ... Back to School

Students were very excited for history this week because I started incorporating technology into my lessons and we were slowly moving away from just using the textbook. Several students even asked my AT if we could have two history periods from now on instead of one on certain days. Even my AT and I were surprised when we heard their request. I also gave my students their first history test this week and I learned that before giving a test I have to make sure students are prepared and students who missed class before the March Break are caught up. To help students remember and review important history facts I played a jeopardy game with them as the test review. I also provided students a list of study topics and review worksheets to help them prepare for the test. 

After I marked the tests, around 25 out of 80 students scored lower than 60%. At first, I panicked about it but my AT told me that this was normal and that I should not be surprised.