a suggestion

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Home : 2002 : March : 10

a suggestion
By j

I have not had a similar experience, and it is clear that your student teaching experiences are somewhat different compared to what happens here in the United States, but as a cooperating teacher for various student teachers,
I have a couple of questions for you: If your practicum only lasts three weeks at one grade level and then you move on, how can you be expected to get to know the students, master manangement, and teach an effective lesson? The time seems to short! Nonetheless, if your situation is as stands, then I wonder if it would be feasible to let your next teacher know that management has been

identified as an area of needing improvement for you and ask him/her to make suggestions BEFORE you even start teaching on how you can be more effective in management. For example, as you prepare for your first lesson, ask your cooperating teacher--what would you suggest I say or do to get everyone's attention before I begin this lesson? Then ask, how should I react if the following happens: then identify some management issues that you feel you would like some help on. That way you are letting your cooperating teacher know immediately that this is an area you are determnined to work on and would appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow from it. Then look at this last experience as a learning tool--keep trying and experimenting until you find what works for you. It is possible to be friendly but firm with students and that should be your goal. Ask your cooperating teacher to show you the way. Having said that, go back and look at your evaluations. Are they a checklist of certain teaching styles/management skills or is it just a narrative type of summary? If it is a checklist, go back and look at those areas with the lowest rankings and talk to your cooperating teacher about how you can build upon those skills in this last experience. ALSO look at your evaluation and find those areas where you received high rankings-- were your objectives clearly stated? was your lesson interesting? I am sure you have some positives in your lessons that deserve to be noted! Good luck in your last experience--be honest with your cooperating teacher, go in with a game plan to improve in management (if you think that is what is holding you back) and give it your best shot. Not everyone who goes through a practicum experience "shines"--sometimes the best teachers are the ones who struggle through, give lousy interviews (nerves), etc., but when given the chance to take control in their own classroom they find their niche and fly! You will too!