Jeff Williams

ED 2500 Reflection Two- January 27th and 29th

Although I have only had two days in my practicum class so far, I am really starting to
get a feel for its routines, organization and some of the needs of the students. My TA has told me
that I am in a wacky, wonderful classroom. And though that might prove to be a challenge, she
reassured me that such a classroom is a great place to learn because over the course of my
practicum I will have a chance to see lots of different situations and needs.
The classroom is laid out in an interesting way. Rather than having straight rows of desks
there are five groups of five desks. On Thursday my TA was telling the kids that on the first of
February the classroom layout will change, in a process that I presume happens at the beginning
of every month. The students suggested different ways ie lets make a 3 table group! I thought
it was great that the students were allowed to make suggestions in terms of the classroom layout
because it increases their level of involvement. At the back there are two bigger desks which
serve as both a deterrent and a quiet place. My TA told me that some students ask to work on the
back desks because they like it better back there, and some people might get sent back there if
they are distracting. The back desks also serve as a place where the students can work one-onone with their teacher or an aide to get help with their work. In terms of other layout there is a
science corner which has, among other things a real taxidermy puffer fish!! The walls also have
student work on them. Right now the students are creating their own shops, and one student was
excitedly telling me about his bicycle parts store (but its not on the wall yet).
The morning routine is the same every day. There is one student who is given certain
responsibilities for the day, whether that be handing out papers or whatever else. They are also
responsible for writing the date and the weather on the board. My TA also has a morning
meeting with the students where they draw a 3x3 grid and in each box draw/write something
about the day. Tuesday was hat day, for example, so the students drew a hat in one of their boxes.
They are also given a daily question. My TA told me that the morning meeting serves to ease
both student and teacher into the day. It is a way to have a casual chat before things really get
underway. The whole school is participating in a program called one book, one school in
which all of the classes read the same book (in this case it is called Ida B.) and in their agendas
the students were asked the daily question what is your favorite part of Ida B.? They also write
down other necessary information for the parents- on Thursday they were asked to write that
there was no school the following day.
My classroom has a number of students who have learning or other difficulties. Some just
crave attention and others reflect their home lives through their behavior. One student was
dealing with a divorce at home and I noticed that he, in particular, acted out. If and when he
starts making inappropriate remarks or gestures my TA and her aides are very quick to address it
so that he does not distract the other students. Another student in the class also has difficulties, I

Jeff Williams

found her to be a sweetheart. She has some difficulties and frequently just blurts things out.
Before the class, my TA said that sometimes just standing beside this student would make her
feel as though she was getting enough attention and so I did throughout the morning on Tuesday
and Thursday. I can really see that she has a passion for learning though. On our way back from
music on Thursday she insisted on holding my hand which I though was funny. The classroom
has several aides in the room to help with troubled students. One of them is permanently there. I
asked her some questions and she told me that sometimes the student she primarily works with
gets frustrated because he wants to be perceived as normal. On both Tuesday and Thursday I
got to work one-on-one with some students. In Thursdays English lesson I was asked to write
down one students story while he spoke it to me. My TA told me that he has some really good
ideas but gets stuck when it comes to writing them down. I think that the presence of the aides
and the dictation of this students fairy tale serve as examples of how my TA is working to ensure
that every student can succeed regardless of their strengths.
The classroom is diverse in other ways too. There are some people of Jamaican descent
and of Asian descent. There are 13 boys and 9 girls. There are book worms, and people who
dont like school at all. There is a girl who reads at a grade 8 level, and one who got 3/10 on his
spelling test. All of these factors surely affect the decisions Miss TA makes and it definitely
makes for a rich place for me to learn in. However, on Tuesday I was a little nervous about the
diverse needs. I was thinking to myself that I really want to be able to do well and not appear to
be struggling. However, by Thursday I had digested what my TA told me if you can survive this
you can survive anything. Also by Thursday I had a bit of an understanding of who all of the
students were and what they needed. So, ultimately my nervousness was short lived and now I
am excited that I get to experience a more diverse classroom than many others might, AND I will
become a better teacher for it. The kids are all great. Both times I have left has been a struggle
because I get bombarded with hugs on my way out. I wish I could just tell them I have 20
minutes to get to my next class- on the other side of town. (Just kidding ). All-in-all I feel like
my first week went really good. I do have lots to learn but my TA is full of techniques that I
could potentially be using in my own classroom one day. I look forward to learning more.