I also had the opportunity to help the development co-ed basketball team as an assistant coach during my PSI. Every Wednesday afternoon for an hour, during my scheduled prep time, my fellow PSI and I would help two PSIII's run basketball practice. The development team was Grades 6-8, which gave me a great opportunity to get to know other Grade 6 students, as well as Grade 7 and 8's. This was also a great opportunity for me to work on classroom management techniques. I was able to help run drills, instruct students, as well as individually help students with specific basketball techniques; such as lay-ups, dribbling and shooting baskets from different lines. While I do not have a large sports background, this gave me the chance to learn new things, as well as learn different teaching techniques. I also had the chance to meet two PSIII students and make connections with them, while also observing their teaching/coaching methods. It was great to be able to form relationships, not only with the students, but with other practicum student teachers. Having a good community within practicum has been very beneficial for me as I feel comfortable with the PSIII's, my fellow PSI, my TA, as well as other faculty members. Having a large group of people I feel comfortable asking questions to as well as observing was a great way for me to learn new techniques. Feeling comfortable in my community also helped me have the courage to try different classroom management techniques, as I was not scared to make a mistake, and instead was able to view mistakes as learning experiences.
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During PSI a few of my students asked me to attend her basketball game against a local school, St.Francis. It was a great feeling to see how happy the girls were when I arrived at their game with my fellow PSI, Nicole. We stayed for the whole game and had the opportunity to congratulate the girls on their hard work after the game finished. It was a very rewarding experience to see how happy the players were to see their two student teachers outside of class supporting something they love. The coach also came by and told us how much it meant to them that we showed up, which made it all the more worth it. Having the opportunity to be placed within the city of Lethbridge is something I have been very grateful for throughout PSI and I was able to create meaningful connections with my students by attending their after school activities and games. |
Two days before my last day of practicum one of my students made me homemade rice crispy treats and brought them to me as a goodbye/Christmas gift. Receiving this gift made me feel great, as this student thought of me while making his other teachers Christmas treats. This gift was another affirmation that I had built positive relationships with my students |
On my final day of practicum I gave each student a hand written note attached to a candy cane. I chose to write each student a note that included one thing I like about them, one thing they do well, and I ended each note saying 'thank you for welcoming me into your classroom! Always believe in yourself and always read! Happy holidays'. I felt that giving each student a note that was written specifically to them with descriptive attributes about them as people and learners was very beneficial. By adding in personal details of memories we shared, inside jokes we had, or fun activities we did together it made every student truly feel as though I cared about them over the 5 weeks I was here. For some students they may read the note once and throw it out. However, for other students this may have been a huge deal to have an adult notice something positive about them. It was great to see how excited they were to see the specific things I remembered about them!
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