Liz's+Practicum+Blog

Lizz's Practicum Blog

9/14/2011

==== My expectations for the practicum are to learn how to do hands on lessons with the children, understand what goes on in this Montessori school compared to a preschool classroom in a public school (have had experience in one), and better understand different styles of learning with each individual child. I have noticed during the few hours I was there these students are very independent and willing to learn from the teacher and even their class mates. One child loved the objects that you put things from one containter into another (water from what pitcher into the other, rice in one bowl to another, and marbles from one fish onto another). In the Montessori classroom it is "learn at your own pace" in a public school classroom it is "move with eachother". The Montessori room is good for children because learning at your own pace can give them encouragment and the public school may be discouraging if a student is unsure of what is being taught at the time. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ I am excited to see what happens throughout the school year with each individual child and how the classroom may be. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍====

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my best friends nephew "children have our hearts"

Blog #1 - My way of getting to know the children- The first two weeks I was there I sat back and watched the children as a whole group, then did some individual observations to better understand them. Now I am interacting with the children from art projects to math activites, seeing them succeed in their daily projects is a thrill. The three year olds are fun to be around because they just want to play the four year olds are all on their own projects and is determined to finish so much by the end of the school day. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍All of the students as a group is interesed in Ms Lauries books and songs, individually they all have seperate topics that interests them such as reading, math, art, and social studies. 9/20/11 ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ Blog #2 - There is a child in the room entered half way through the first 9 weeks. He was having troubles adjusting to the enviornment, he was constantly leaving the room, setting his self away from the class, and not doing work or eating his meal. One reason being he was never in a daycare or preschool before this and is an only child. He had no interaction with other children because he parents had him in the house all the time. So in order to get him in the "independance" stage the teacher was trying to slowly help the child adjust to the school such as changed his schedule, he only came half a day, had one on one lessons with him to engage him more, and had another student he was always "looking up to" sit with him at lunch. This eventually got him to calm down a little and better understand school is important. A way to help the student out the teacher could have the parent send in something small that was meaningful to the student. When he would get upset have him take it out of his pocket and rub it through his hand. Another way I would help him adjust is have him start off with half days and eventually move to full days. I would help him by have students interact with him in just the play they have throughout the day. Having something like this will help a child realize they will be leaving at some point with someone who cares about them. 12/1/11

Blog#3 - After reflecting on my goal I have realized I am learning how to make the lessons very hands on and much more interesting for students. This carries out the lesson more and helps students learn in a different way. In a Montessori school the learn at their own pace where as a public school they have to get so much finished in a day, this is a big advantage for all students that go to the Montessori because they can engage in lessons much more due to the fact there is a "dead line" to have things finished but not right away. I have also realized how all students have a unique/different way of learning so the teacher must try to make adjustments to all of their ways. To engage each and every student the teachers made the lesson so all students understood and wanted to do it. One lesson I did had the students very involved and excited, we were talking about height, I drew a big tree and leaves. We all measured ourselves and the talked about everyones special place on the tree. 12/1/11

Blog #4 - If I could change anything in the room I would probably open up the kitchen more so that all of the students could eat in the same place. All of the students interact with eachother at lunch the most and feel like they are talking over objects to. Or I would walk them over across the hall which has a large table in the room. Another idea I have would be add more desks for them, they all want to be at a desk at the same time and there is not enough in the room. This will give them the option of what lesson they would like to get done at the time (if the students want to do the same which happened a lot during my hours) then they could work at the same time. The room is large enough to make these adjustments and would be very convenient. 12/1/11  Throughout my education at not only Carlow but also LBI, I have experience in several rooms, so being in a Montessori classroom was different and very interesting to me. I was expecting to see like a public and catholic room like I have been, but I definitely walked away from an eye-opening experience!‍‍‍‍‍ The kids were wonderful, as well as the teachers! They were all so different and unique and it was such a great joy getting to know them. It was amazing to see the children grow in that short period of time and have a special bond with each of them…it’s so encouraging to know I have taught them and they remember the differet ways besides there "daily routine". Preschool students actually teach us from play and their work. We all are different but still have the same intention, that is what they all taught me thought the time I was with them! All children deserve the right to a great education and teaching them through experiences, touch, taste, feel, and other direct ways helps expand their knowledge and creates an excitement for them.

"There is in every child a painstaking teacher so skillful that he obtains identical results in all children in all parts of the world. The only language men ever speak perfectly is the one they learn in babyhood, when no one teaches them anything." -//-Maria Montessori//

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