For my first practicum I have been placed at Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary, down the road from Jack Miner Elementary School, in Kingsville. Because of the work-to-rule actions being taken by the public school board teachers, I had anticipated that perhaps and alternative placement would be possible, but I could never have imagined this. We are told our subject of focus through this placement is Curriculum Development, so myself and 7 other candidates, all but two also in J/I, have run with it and tried to make the best of a ducking miserable situation.
I know curriculum is an important part of teaching, but what can I possibly be expected to learn about it without instruction, simply by being told, "Go develop a curriculum"? Surprisingly, there are a few things I have learned.
Of most importance, I have learned people do not listen. As a teacher I know, repetition and checking are necessary as kids' minds indubitably wander, but adults are no better! The frequency with which my associate teacher has instructed us on what he wants only to then hear one of my co-teachers ask a question about a subject already explicitly covered has really stumped me. People do not listen. Add cell phones and laptops to the mix and its a shambles.
This has meant that when we have work to complete as a team, we have all surely heard only our versions of what is expected. Disagreements ensue at best and at worst work has to be completely redone and time is wasted all because we have not heard the same things. It has been an extremely trying endeavor.
When faced with this again three key points I will remember:
1. Do not relay information or make requests of peers (or students) when you do not have their undivided attention.
2. Check that they have understood once you have instructed on something by asking them to paraphrase what you have said.
3. Do not assume that people have the same standards of courtesy to listen when someone is speaking as you may have. Assume they don't, in fact.
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