Week 8

This week we spent time with production again it is great to see the progress the kids are making. Next week they are performing and we will be there helping for the matinee and the evening show doing hair and make up. 

I also got to view the seniors doing technology this week which was great to see. They are making solar ovens and learning about insulation, double glazing, reflections and heat.

I spent Wednesday in my practicum class and I helped them to get organised for the open day for the parents. I really enjoyed this because I got to help the children publish some of their writing which was about the bird feeders I had made with them. They had written about the 5Rs in their writing to which was great to see.

Term 3: Week 7

This week I went and viewed technology at Herataunga Intermediate. I found this a very interesting and  informative experience because I am in a primary school so I haven't previously had the chance to view  technology in action before. I also found it interesting that they split the boys and girls into their own classroom in a couple of cases. 

While at school this week I got the chance to do some more work with the production. Even making a sequin waist coat at one point! It's really good to see the production come together after the time we have spent with our individual groups in the afternoon.

I spent time watching the children do technology at a junior level also. I found it interesting the way they were able to grasp the concepts of force and motion through the making of a marble track. It was practical and enjoyable and they did it in pairs so I also got to see what kids worked well in pairs and what children still struggled with this.

 

Term 3: Week 6

This week I really enjoyed taking a lesson in Te Reo Maori. I had the opportunity to teach children how to say hello, introduce themselves and introduce their parents. It was great for all of us to work together on pronouncing ion and in such a supportive and positive environment. We finished with a song Tutira Mai Nga Iwi and we learnt the actions to it as well. The children definitely found the song their favourite part and I even had to children come up the front and model the actions on the last run through of the song.

This week I also really enjoyed taking a group of children for a writing lesson at a year 6 level. It was my first time doing this and it was really interesting to see the change in the way they write at year 3 compared to year 6. 

Term 3: Week 5

This week I was in a year 6 class and also back in my practicum class. I have found it easier to work with the year 6's the more experience I have with them. They have a very different attitude to school and learning compared to the year 3's that I spent the last 3 weeks with. 

I loved going back into my practicum class again. I had the opportunity to teach again which I had really been missing and it was so nice to go in a class where in knew the routines and had established relationships with the children. I really enjoy experiencing other classes but I really missed being in a class where I had relationships and enough knowledge of the class to be able to comfortably teach and fit in with the classes culture.

I really enjoyed the group lesson I took with ESOL children the first lesson was hard because we had to build a relationship with the children first but I found by the second lesson they were happy to share parts of their culture with me. It was really interesting and informative as well as a great opportunity to form relationships with more children within the school. I found it far to learn about other children's cultures within a casual learning environment.