Hi everyone! We did this amazing exercise in our final PED3150 class today. Our Professor asked us to write about things we learned, things that challenged us, things to prepare, and advice for students taking Teacher's Ed next year for their first year. The answers that came from this exercise we quite amazing! So I thought for today's blog post to write my own version of this chart as a self-reflection of my first year as a teacher candidate.... Prepare: - Prepare to pick a cohort (may I suggest ICI?) - Prepare to be spending a lot of money (whether that be for supplies for a body biography or for Timbits for your classmates) - Prepare to have a lot of reading (even if you say to yourself "What am I reading again" after staring at the textbook for over an hour) - Prepare to throw all your original thoughts about teaching out the window because the experience of being in a classroom with tiny children is so much different than what you imagine - Prepare to be pushed to be the best teacher you can be. Challenge: - It is a challenge to get up early in the morning for an 8:30 class. Become a morning person as quickly as you can. - It is a challenge to keep up to date on readings and assignments. Time management skills are crucial to have and you will put them to use quickly. - It is a challenge to have a perfectly thought out, amazingly written lesson plan "crash and burn." It hurts the spirit to see hard work sometimes fly away, but it is the ability to be flexible and accept things won't always go as planned that will take you far. - It is sometimes a challenge to collaborate. Those collaboration skills are so key for later in this career, so make the best of it. Learn: - I learned that the Dollar Store is the BEST PLACE ON EARTH! Teaching is very expensive, so always borrow resources or go to Dollarama. - Teaching can be very time consuming, so make sure you create a balance between school and life. When you leave school, leave it totally. It is important to make time for friends and family. - Your classmates are your best resources. Ask questions! Ask for lesson plan ideas! Ask for advice! These classmates will soon become your best friends. - Your personal health matters the most, so make sure to take time away for yourself. - Sometimes the kids need a little TLC. It's okay to stop what you are doing and take some time for them. The bond we create with these kids is very strong. We can make a difference in these children's lives. Advice: - Go to Math Camp. It was the best decision I ever made. Not only did I got into school with more confidence in my Math skills, but I made first connections with other students who were just as nervous about starting Teacher's College as I was. Instant best friends! - Take all the constructive criticism well. It is not a personal dig or a "you really suck" moment. It is a teaching moment. We are all lifelong learners, so take any feedback and learn from it. It will make you a better educator. - Go online! There are tons of amazing resources available for you! On that note, your classmates are amazing resources (see point above ^^) - Take the time to go to extracurricular activities and spend time together as a class outside of school. Don't let school consume your life. - Your classmates will turn into friends and your class will become a family. Create those memories now and they will last a lifetime. I hope you enjoyed my fun blog post. I wish all my fellow teacher candidates the best summer vacation. You all deserve this much needed break :) Of course, I will try to update the blog over the summer time, so be on the lookout and follow me on Twitter @cstar12 where I will post blog updates and share other materials throughout the summer. My Twitter will be linked to the button below, so click to follow! Happy Summer everyone! Can't wait to share my Year 2 adventures :) Take care, Miss. Starkey :) TEACHER'S EDUCATION- ICI COHORT - SECTION A&AA
CLASS OF 2017 :)
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Hello everyone!
Long time, no posting! I am planning to update my blogs more frequently, so be sure to visit for more updates. This blog post contains the link to one of my final assignments of my first year of Teacher's College. For our PED3113 Science class, we were tasked with creating two unique Science activities that blended Science together with another subject area. For my first activity, I created a unique spin on Drama by mixing it with Science concepts in "Science Theater." My second activity blends Science with Physical Education, encouraging teachers to "Take a Nature Walk" with their students. I hope you enjoy reading my Activity Sketches by clicking on the link below. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kxsvBcqqAVyTl-rL8SmX6KYwrSjz2cYdSha95UWQobU/edit Please comment below and let me know what are some other cross-curricular activities you have in mind. Also, any and all feedback is welcomed! Make sure to follow me on Twitter @cstar012 for updates on Teacher's College and preparing for Year 2 :) Until next time, Miss. Starkey :) |
AuthorCaitlin Starkey is a Teacher Candidate from the University of Ottawa. She loves to read, watch movies, and drink lots of hot chocolate. These blog posts are a glance at her lesson plans, personal reflections, and ramblings about everyday observations. Archives
February 2017
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