And the Practicum has Begun!

If feels as though it was just yesterday that I was requesting my application to apply to Lesley. I remember talking to a close friend about the process and she was invaluable. And here I am a couple years later and entering my practicum. Time flies when you're having f...uh...when you are busy morning until bedtime.

Officially, my practicum began on January 21st, 2014. Luckily enough for me, I was able to take a spot as an intern at The Maria Baldwin Elementary School and begin earlier - December 2nd to be exact. Thus, this first entry should be considered more of an early summary of what has been going on.

• I am in a second grade classroom. Actually, I am in two second grade classrooms. Monday, Tuesday, and half of Wednesday I am with the ELA specialist who administers reading workshops. Second half of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I am with the mathematics specialist. Both teachers undertake writing, and when time allows, science, and social studies. After almost two months in the classes there has been very little science and zero social studies.
• Memorizing forty-one names was not easy.
• The school itself features students who speak thirty-five different languages. My classes feature several ELL's and inclusion students.
• From day one I have been working individual with students and in small groups.
• The class has been 100% my own for a day and a half when the ELA specialist had to be out. The students were excellent but things were hectic. Being on my own during that time, I knew that teaching was the best career choice I have ever made.
• I have been given guided reading groups. I have browsed the available books for the reading groups in the literacy library and created comprehension questions. The ELA specialist was very impressed with my work. Language arts have always been my specialty as reading and writing are my passions.
• I have attended staff meetings and CPT sessions.
• I have helped organize portions of an all school assembly.
• On my second day I had to start covering morning breakfasts for sixty students -  this will be every other month for the whole school year.
• I have had to cover-up the demise of a loved class pet.
• I have resolved student conflicts and emotional outbursts.

Overall, it has been a very busy start to my practicum. And I imagine it will get even busier. The list above is probably not even close to complete. Perhaps I will add-on pieces to each blog entry should things come to mind. For now though, that is all Ihave to share as I have a lengthy list of readings ahead of me, as well as a three to five page paper.