I spent my PSI teaching a grade 4 class in Alberta. The class challenged me to plan and execute classroom management like I had not seen in other practicums. I was teaching Math, Science and Drama during this practicum and it was a blast. I never would have thought a drama major could teach science or math so comfortably by the end of my practicum.
In Math, the students pursued the coveted "Geometry Olympics" trophies. The students were learning about geometric solids and how we see them and use them in our day to day life. During this unit we explored the school, spent time manipulating shapes, defining their properties, and built great structures using geometric solids made of play dough and straws. The students had the opportunity every week to show their competence in geometric solids by building things such as a castle, school, or playground using nothing but geometric solids we had defined in class. This unit was one of the most fun I have ever had, and I cannot wait to revamp it and apply it to future classrooms. During my practicum I also assisted with the Christmas Concert. We were preparing students for the "Santa's Holiday Playlist" to be performed twice before Christmas. My job was often to take groups of students to work on acting, voice and movement on stage. My work included developing our Motown elves, our back country reindeer, and assisting jolly old saint nick himself.
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In Science, the students explored Light & Shadows. Our primary goal was to figure out how light worked and how we use it everyday. We also would like into the transparency of objects, the formed shadows, and how to manipulate the light and the shadow. During this unit the students often had games of manipulation using the Smart Board in the classroom. They were given the opportunity to create light, bounce light, create shadows, and record their findings. We also had weekly short quizzes that the students would help plan. If they believed a word to be important, they would add it to our board of words we should know and what it meant. We would discuss these words every day before class so every student had the chance to learn them.
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