Kirstie's+Practicum+Blog


 * September 14, 2011**

After my first practicum visit, I ‍‍‍‍found the classroom environment to be extremely welcoming and a safe place for the children to learn and play together. I was pleased to see that the set up of the activity centers had altered since I was in this classroom last semester- this way the children who returned to this classroom again would experience it in a new way than the previous year. ‍‍‍‍

The children who were in this classroom last year remembered me and were glad to have me back- which made me feel welcome and like I had made a difference and left an impression from working with them last semester. Surprisingly, even the new children were somewhat talkative to me and asked me to help or play with them.

Because I had been in this classroom before, I had an idea of what their daily schedule was like. However, I was never in this room after their first center time ended in the early morning. By staying with the children until the afternoon, I was able to experience almost their whole day with them (it was a bit hectic though because it was school picture day). I found their schedule to be developmentally appropriate because it focused on center play, library time, and multiple trips to the playground. I can't wait to go back on Monday! "**‍‍‍‍We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing**" ‍‍‍‍ -George Bernard Shaw



**September 28, 2011** This week was my third practicum visit and I am noticing a growing attachment between the children and myself. In order to get to know the children better, I try to spend time during center time, snack, lunch, the playground, and walking to different areas of the school with different children. I also try to spend my time with them on their level- sometimes literally. ‍‍‍‍When talking to or interacting with the children, I sit with them or bend down to be at their eye level. Another bonding method that I love is instead of spending all of our time outside on the playground standing with the other teachers, I also spend time playing with the children (usually I don't have much of a choice because the take my hand and pull me with them!). ‍‍‍‍

I now know something or multiple things about the children- which makes me feel like I have a connection and relationship with each of them because we can talk about things we have in common or I can mention subjects that I know they have an interest in. Many of the children- both boys and girls- have an interest in Thomas the Tank Engine. Also, what they are going to be for Halloween is currently a hot topic- on boy suggested that I be ‍‍‍‍Wonder Woman ‍‍‍‍because he is going to be the Green Lantern! I love becoming closer with my students and being able to pick up conversations that have somewhat of a depth because we have subjects to bond on. I can't wait for next week!



** October 5, 2011 **

This week at my practicum, I did my first lesson with the children! I was a bit nervous that the children wouldn't respond as well as I was hoping- but it turned out

great! For my lesson, I chose the book "Peanut Butter and Jelly" and read them the book. One of the boys got excited because he was familiar with that book and

gave us a summary of it before I read it. The children found the book to be silly and we enjoyed talking about the silly pictures along the way. We then used the "

Peabut, Peanut Butter- Jelly!" song that we did in class. One of the little boys was having a difficult day so he did not want to do the movements, but all of the other

children were giggling and saying the words along with me. I feel that overall my lesson was a success! The teachers even planned it so that the snack that day (I

did my lesson right before snack) was crackers with jelly, which tied in nicely! media type="youtube" key="Z3ZAGBL6UBA" width="425" height="350"

As for the goal that I set for myself before I began my practicum- which is to work with each child one on one- I feel that I accomplish that during almost every visit.

Like I mentioned last week, I always try to spend individual time with each child to get to know him or her, but I also take time to work with each child as well.

Whether it's making a robot costume in the art center, reading a story in the rest center, making playdoh pancakes, or building a block bridge over a frog pond- I

make an effort to be wih each child. I enjoy spending time with the children because they are all so unique and intelligent and creative. They students open my eyes

and teach me so much every time I am with them.

** "A child is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to be lit." **** - Hebrew Proverb **