I GOT AN EMAIL FROM RICHARD LAVOIE!

As I mentioned in an earlier post of mine, I was first introduced to Dr. Richard Lavoie's work on Special Education and learning disabilities in my second year of university. I was instantly drawn to his enthusiasm as an educator, and to the powerful messages that he was offering to individuals working with students with …

Some more Alt Prac reflections

Now that my Alternative Practicum block is coming to a close, I felt the need to take a few minutes to share what I have learned. I have had the opportunity over the past three weeks to immerse myself in the world of assistive technology, and I am very thankful for this experience. While I …

My Alt. Prac. Experience So Far

Now that I'm into the second week of my alternative practicum, I thought it would be a good idea to make a quick post detailing what I've been up to so far. I am currently completing my alternative practicum with my local Learning Disabilities Association branch, working in their assistive technology program. Assistive technology (according …

How this Placement has Changed my Life

As my final strictly reflective post, I have decided to write a brief overview about what I have taken away from my most recent practicum block. Compared to my other experiences, I personally feel as though this placement provided me with the greatest amount of self-knowledge and overall development as a new teacher. That is …

My very last day as a student teacher

This past Friday, I woke up feeling as I have on any other typical practicum day. Hopeful, yet in desperate need of coffee, and excited for the plans in place for the day ahead of me. However, as the morning progressed and one instructional period blended into the next, it began to dawn on me …

Our Most Successful Circle Session

Now that my practicum is finished, I am left with a plethora of memories, moments, and lessons, and five separate sets of observations from my Action Research Project (which explores the use of Circle Process in the classroom). In reviewing my notes, it is blatantly obvious which of the circle sessions was the most successful …

My Most Challenging Day of Practicum and What I Learned from it

Almost two weeks ago, I was faced with the most challenging and emotionally charged day of practicum that I have personally ever experienced. Although it has been a little while since these events first occurred, I have been prolonging this post because I wanted to give myself some time to decompress from the day's tension, …

What do teachers REALLY do on P.A. Days?

What do the teachers do when P.A. Days are called? As a student, this question would cross my mind from time to time over the course of the school year. "Do they get the day off too?" "Is it like a long weekend for everyone?", I would wonder as I slept in and spent most …

A Brief Reflection of My First Direct Lesson

After a first two weeks of unexpected circumstances, bus cancellations, long weekends and lots of busy days, I finally was able to present my first lesson to the class on Thursday afternoon. To say I was excited and nervous simultaneously would be a colossal understatement. I was buzzing with energy as I opened the PowerPoint and …

Circle Time in the Classroom: Session #1

For my Action Research Project this year, I have decided to implement circle process as both an instructional tool and a classroom management strategy. After hearing of the breadth of research supporting the use of circles in the classroom, I was highly intrigued, and curious to see if it would work with the Grade 6s …