The last week is coming, and I'm getting a little weepy. Parting IS really such sweet sorrow though, because I'm excited to be finished to and regain a social life. I'm terribly lonely. At least I have my cooperating teacher to talk to. We are going to have to make a plan for keeping in touch. I will miss her.
This past week we finished off our studies with patterns. I feel like the children understand...for the most part and are well equipped for grade one as long as the concept is reviewed throughout the year. I am proud that I was able to teach them something. We did our celebration of learning this week and the students brought in their parents to show them their skills, and many of the displays were taught by me. Well, I was pleased as punch at the response from the children and the parents.
This practicum has been wonderful. Mainly because I would come up with an idea, run it by my cooperating teacher and she would say " let's try it!" I had so many opportunities to try things and experiment, some were a little complex, but most worked wonderfully. However, I would not have been able to pull off very much of what I accomplished without the help of my EA's. I know that if I was on my own in a classroom, I would have to calm down activities and keep them as simple as possible or I would not have successful activities at all. They would be quite chaotic I'm sure. I love my EA's!
One of my favorite things to do with students is dress up and come in as a guest, but I know from experience, that you must have someone in the classroom who can keep the conversation going. Someone who knows the rules and can help the students keep their composure, and who can offer suggestions to the "stranger" in the classroom. Without this person, the "guest" is without order and the students know it and chaos can ensue. Therefore, to dress up and bring in a guest speaker, is a two teacher job.
This week in regards to our small child with autism, I took an effort to see what the staff around me was already doing. It seems that they have currently pulled the child from his class and given him his own classroom...which is a closet with a whiteboard and desk in it. His mother seems fine with this change, and is now only coming in for afternoons twice a week to ensure he is behaving. The situation is a tricky one, as the grade five teachers are already trying to figure out how they'll be able to deal with the situation next year. And, no one knows how he's going to survive in junior high. The principal is at a loss, but is in constant communication with the boys mother, and for now, everything seems to be at an acceptable stand still. Unfortunately, the student is not integrated any longer into his class, with the exception of gym and recess.
Next week, I was going to talk about how I would deal with the situation, what is my point of view if you will. Honestly, I'm not sure. If I was the parent, I would send my son to a school that could accommodate his needs and give him the most effective and caring education. I know that would not be where he is. And being in the school's position, I'm thinking they're doing all they can legally. We have to take him if that's what parents want, and he's in his own space now so he no longer irritates and distracts or hurts his peers. I'd day they've handled the situation well.
It seems this is the last entry and the end of my cheery little blog. So long, farewell, aufwiedersehen, and goodbye -- at least for now.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Entry #6
This week was nice and short, which would have been a treat had I not become deathly ill with fever. It's such a shame to lose time off. However, I was able to get to a remembrance day ceremony in my community which I was grateful for. I take the day quite seriously.
With this day off, we ended up also have a short teaching week. Things went very well. I worked on patterns with my students, and was surprised to find that the class who we felt might take longer to grasp the concept, had it almost instantly, whereas the class who is academic and often quick with concepts, is still having trouble and I need to teach yet another lesson to reinforce the concept. It just goes to show you that you never really know what children can do until you let them try. I loved it!
We also wrote report cards this week. My cooperating teacher is such a treasure. She allowed me to write some comments, and we talked through all of the marks together. I really felt like my input was heard. We finished them off on Friday evening, and then went for a late night bite to eat. I am enjoying this practicum teacher altogether too much. In two weeks, I'll say goodbye and I won't know what to do with myself! ha ha.
In other news, Our school has decided to offer the mother of our student with Autism an ultimatum. She may come in and sit with him in school and see how he behaves, or else, he will be sent home after a three strike process. So, mom decided to come in. I find it very interesting to watch her with him. I've attempted to make some connections with her and build a bit of a relationship. One day this week we actually had a very nice conversation about things not related to her son. I am beginning to understand though that she does not want to move him because she trusts the people at our school, which is very nice, however, this little boy is not happy here, and I cannot understand how she doesn't want to see him happy. But, she seemed very pleasant overall, so, I cannot judge and will simply sit back and say, I do not understand, but so be it.
With this day off, we ended up also have a short teaching week. Things went very well. I worked on patterns with my students, and was surprised to find that the class who we felt might take longer to grasp the concept, had it almost instantly, whereas the class who is academic and often quick with concepts, is still having trouble and I need to teach yet another lesson to reinforce the concept. It just goes to show you that you never really know what children can do until you let them try. I loved it!
We also wrote report cards this week. My cooperating teacher is such a treasure. She allowed me to write some comments, and we talked through all of the marks together. I really felt like my input was heard. We finished them off on Friday evening, and then went for a late night bite to eat. I am enjoying this practicum teacher altogether too much. In two weeks, I'll say goodbye and I won't know what to do with myself! ha ha.
In other news, Our school has decided to offer the mother of our student with Autism an ultimatum. She may come in and sit with him in school and see how he behaves, or else, he will be sent home after a three strike process. So, mom decided to come in. I find it very interesting to watch her with him. I've attempted to make some connections with her and build a bit of a relationship. One day this week we actually had a very nice conversation about things not related to her son. I am beginning to understand though that she does not want to move him because she trusts the people at our school, which is very nice, however, this little boy is not happy here, and I cannot understand how she doesn't want to see him happy. But, she seemed very pleasant overall, so, I cannot judge and will simply sit back and say, I do not understand, but so be it.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Entry #5
This has been a wonderful week. I cannot express how wonderful all of my weeks have been to date. With all of last weeks hype with Halloween, it was nice to have a bit of a relaxing time. It was a nice week, though, not without it's hiccups. I ended up dressing up like a bear and visiting the students in my class as a guest speaker to assess them on what they knew about bears. It was brilliant! They loved it, and I saw very quickly who had answers and who did not. They were also on their best behaviour, as I was a guest. Lovely lovely day!
In our school we have a fair amount of Caucasian students. In my classes, out of fourty children, I have only one non-Caucasian student. She is of first nations Cree background, and often tells me stories about her family and their activities together. She is certainly being taught Cree traditions in detail, and I love it because she is some of the only multicultural exposure that my children might see, so we are sure to share stories, and explain traditions in a very positive light.
This week I also sat down and did some research on Autism spectrum disorder, realizing that it is difficult to pin point anything at all about autism. Some children are healed based on diet, and others become worse. Some children can live and function normally, and some are so dangerous they need to be pulled right out of society. I did know that already, I have worked a great deal with children who have Autism and am not completely ignorant on the subject, but my research was a little discouraging, as it did not offer much hope. There was very little in the way of advice, unless there was money involved or parents helping, or a diet change, and clearly, I am in no position to have any of those things happen, my relationship at the school is not yet strong enough for me to start a petition. And therefore, I feel trapped and unable to offer any help of guidance to this tricky situation.
In our school we have a fair amount of Caucasian students. In my classes, out of fourty children, I have only one non-Caucasian student. She is of first nations Cree background, and often tells me stories about her family and their activities together. She is certainly being taught Cree traditions in detail, and I love it because she is some of the only multicultural exposure that my children might see, so we are sure to share stories, and explain traditions in a very positive light.
This week I also sat down and did some research on Autism spectrum disorder, realizing that it is difficult to pin point anything at all about autism. Some children are healed based on diet, and others become worse. Some children can live and function normally, and some are so dangerous they need to be pulled right out of society. I did know that already, I have worked a great deal with children who have Autism and am not completely ignorant on the subject, but my research was a little discouraging, as it did not offer much hope. There was very little in the way of advice, unless there was money involved or parents helping, or a diet change, and clearly, I am in no position to have any of those things happen, my relationship at the school is not yet strong enough for me to start a petition. And therefore, I feel trapped and unable to offer any help of guidance to this tricky situation.
Entry #4
Well, It has sure been fun attempting to write my blog up in the few short hours that I have at home. I do not get much Internet access while in this small town, my home computer does not have it, and the school has not actually given me an access code, so I have to work on things over my teacher's personal file. So, I have been keeping my journal on paper, and I will write it out for my adoring public today.
This week, as with most, has been wonderful. I am having so much fun, learning a great deal, and feeling very much in control of my life. It is awesome. In our classroom, we do not have much technology at all. In fact, we only use the photocopier, and a listening center for technology. Granted, I feel that despite their youth, these wee ones can learn the computer and should have at least a little exposure to it, though, many of them do have access to computers at home. Our school is planning to build a new building in the next two years in which each classroom will have a smart board, and I'm guessing that kindergarten will incorporate the new technology with great enthusiasm.
As far as my research on our special needs boy is taking me, It seems that there is a very nice program specially for Autistic children roughly a half hour away, and a mere ten minute drive would lead to a school that has a division program, which I do not always condone, however, for this little guy, he needs some one on one help. Both of these schools should be options, and would be within his district, however, without parental consent, no plans for change can be made.
This week, as with most, has been wonderful. I am having so much fun, learning a great deal, and feeling very much in control of my life. It is awesome. In our classroom, we do not have much technology at all. In fact, we only use the photocopier, and a listening center for technology. Granted, I feel that despite their youth, these wee ones can learn the computer and should have at least a little exposure to it, though, many of them do have access to computers at home. Our school is planning to build a new building in the next two years in which each classroom will have a smart board, and I'm guessing that kindergarten will incorporate the new technology with great enthusiasm.
As far as my research on our special needs boy is taking me, It seems that there is a very nice program specially for Autistic children roughly a half hour away, and a mere ten minute drive would lead to a school that has a division program, which I do not always condone, however, for this little guy, he needs some one on one help. Both of these schools should be options, and would be within his district, however, without parental consent, no plans for change can be made.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Entry #3
Well this week was even more fun than last week, I'm enjoying teaching, I'm enjoying the children, and I'm feeling more and more ready for this job...but I love kindergarten so much, and was not as excited about the other grades, so I'm still debating.
As far as the classroom goes though, I'm loving all of the stuents in the classroom. The parents are very much involved, we often have two in a half day which is wonderful. We put them to work and have them working with the kids as well. I feel like the interaction between my cooperating teacher and myself is better than I could have asked for, and it's wonderful.
As far as my plan for the understanding of the student in question who has trouble with behaviours due to autism. I di ask the student how he feels about school. The answer was unfortunate. He does not like school. He does not like teachers, and he does not enjoy the other children. I was saddened by this, so I asked him what might make school better and he didn't have any answers. I am excited to progress to next week and learn more about this disorder.
That's all for this week.
As far as the classroom goes though, I'm loving all of the stuents in the classroom. The parents are very much involved, we often have two in a half day which is wonderful. We put them to work and have them working with the kids as well. I feel like the interaction between my cooperating teacher and myself is better than I could have asked for, and it's wonderful.
As far as my plan for the understanding of the student in question who has trouble with behaviours due to autism. I di ask the student how he feels about school. The answer was unfortunate. He does not like school. He does not like teachers, and he does not enjoy the other children. I was saddened by this, so I asked him what might make school better and he didn't have any answers. I am excited to progress to next week and learn more about this disorder.
That's all for this week.
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