Below is my original personal growth plan goals for PSIII. I feel that I didn't fully meet my goal of increasing my knowledge of student assessment and evaluation strategies as much as I had wanted to this term. However, I do feel that I have learned a great deal. My mentor teacher was a treasure chest of resources. I made a lot of my own assessment tools (worksheets, projects) based on a few of the resources that I saw in her binders, in addition to the use of online resources. I have found that Pinterest is quickly becoming a great tool for educators to share their ideas and experience. I focused mainly on formative assessments to keep me informed about how students were learning, what information and activities "stuck" in their brains, and what information they were able to speak about. It was very encouraging to see students engaged and asking questions using the knowledge they learned about various science topics when we had guest speakers. Personally, I found this was a great experience and chance for me to see how the things we've learned had been synthesized and translated in their minds. Further feedback was received when the guest speakers themselves were impressed by the knowledge of these young Gr.3 girls! One of many proud teaching moments! I've tried to incorporate formative assessment methods that cover a range of learning types as much as possible. Worksheets often have a written and drawing part, and students are also encouraged to answer questions orally. Through hands-on projects such as building towers out of newspapers in groups, I got a good sense of the students' understanding of concepts, their teamwork, and problem solving skills. We had a mini post-activity discussion about things that went well, things that may not have worked, and what adjustments they could make to be successful next time. The next day after they had thought about it, we did a written reflection about their thoughts. It has been very interesting observing and reading everything these brilliant Gr.3 minds have done this term!
In terms of the second goal, I feel like the relationships I have made this year with my students and their parents were very successful. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience teaching in a private school setting where I got to meet every students' parents. Near the beginning of term there was a teacher information night where parents were invited into our classroom. I had the opportunity of sharing my professional inquiry project with them and received a lot of encouragement and support. During parent-teacher interviews, I had another chance to check in with them about their child's progress in terms of our architecture design project. The feedback I got from them has been a great source of motivation for me. It is always nice to hear that students love you and talk about the cool things we do even at home! It is even better when their parents say that they've done further research at home on various topics we learned in class because the girls were really interested. I started off the year intending to maintain a class blog which would be updated once a week, but I know that parents already got a weekly newsletter from the school and that they didn't check the blog very often so I decided to focus on other planning aspects. I saw parents daily so it was simple to update them through conversations.
My relationship to students has become very special and warm. They feel safe and important in my presence and do not hesitate in telling me when they're having problems with other students. They do respect me but sometimes I feel that they see me more as an older sister and become too playful while I'm trying to teach. After reminding them that they need to show me the same respect they show their other teachers, their behaviour has shown improvement. Classroom management is an area that will always need fine-tuning and lots of thought. What works with one group of students may not work for another. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to teach in a private all-girl's school.
Both of the goals listed below will carry over to my next teaching assignment, wherever that may be. It is comforting to know there are many resources available in terms of assessment and evaluation. This practicum was unique in that it was like a teaching partnership with my mentor teacher. We were both present and acted as each other's assistant. I have made so many wonderful connections this term with the other teachers and staff of the school. I will miss not seeing them every day!
In terms of the second goal, I feel like the relationships I have made this year with my students and their parents were very successful. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience teaching in a private school setting where I got to meet every students' parents. Near the beginning of term there was a teacher information night where parents were invited into our classroom. I had the opportunity of sharing my professional inquiry project with them and received a lot of encouragement and support. During parent-teacher interviews, I had another chance to check in with them about their child's progress in terms of our architecture design project. The feedback I got from them has been a great source of motivation for me. It is always nice to hear that students love you and talk about the cool things we do even at home! It is even better when their parents say that they've done further research at home on various topics we learned in class because the girls were really interested. I started off the year intending to maintain a class blog which would be updated once a week, but I know that parents already got a weekly newsletter from the school and that they didn't check the blog very often so I decided to focus on other planning aspects. I saw parents daily so it was simple to update them through conversations.
My relationship to students has become very special and warm. They feel safe and important in my presence and do not hesitate in telling me when they're having problems with other students. They do respect me but sometimes I feel that they see me more as an older sister and become too playful while I'm trying to teach. After reminding them that they need to show me the same respect they show their other teachers, their behaviour has shown improvement. Classroom management is an area that will always need fine-tuning and lots of thought. What works with one group of students may not work for another. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to teach in a private all-girl's school.
Both of the goals listed below will carry over to my next teaching assignment, wherever that may be. It is comforting to know there are many resources available in terms of assessment and evaluation. This practicum was unique in that it was like a teaching partnership with my mentor teacher. We were both present and acted as each other's assistant. I have made so many wonderful connections this term with the other teachers and staff of the school. I will miss not seeing them every day!