Teacher Candidate Expectations EDUC 321 January 3-14, 2011

Things to do/know in advance:

• Review the UBC Practicum Guidelines; the EDUC 321 Evaluation form and this list to know what you are expected to do.

• Please send your FA a copy of your timetable with the subjects you will be teaching.

• Show your SA your lesson sequence and 2 lesson plans on or before Dec.10th. (We will be reviewing these with you on Dec. 1st on campus.) Be open to suggestions for modifying plans. Speak with your SA to make certain that you are both “on the same page” about expectations for the practicum, e.g., your teaching load. Ask your SA for suggestions as to how you might assist in the classroom during the time you are not teaching during the practicum.

• Attendance at your school during the practicum is imperative. If you will be absent, please call in advance to let both your SA and FA know.

• Learn your timetable, including special events/pull out times /visits/ assemblies, etc. You’ll need to update this near the end of December before schools close.

• You should be at the school at least 30 minutes prior to the start of each day to help set up, prepare for the day, review plans with your teacher, etc. It is not acceptable to arrive or leave at the same time as the students.

• You are not allowed to be used as a Teacher/Employee On Call. Your teacher needs to be in the school at all times. If your teacher leaves the classroom, please be aware of where he or she is and what to do in case of an emergency.

• Your School Advisor and Faculty Advisor will observe your lessons and give you feedback orally and in writing. They will co-develop your final evaluation and invite you to contribute a self-evaluation.

• You will be required to keep an EDUC 321 binder at your school at all times. Please prepare this so it is ready to go on the first day. Leave this binder in an easily accessible place so that your advisors may look through it at any time. Please divide it into sections:

a. General information (class list, calendar, timetable, etc.)
b. Overview and lesson plans
c. Assessment/ observations of students
d. School advisor observations
e. Faculty advisor observations
f. New ideas and tactics
g. Management/ transition activities
h. Professional development connections /strategies
i. Your reflections and/or samples for e-portfolio

Preparation for EDUC 321

Create a series of lessons for the 10-day practicum. Lesson plans need to be submitted at least one day in advance for the School Advisor to review. When the Faculty Advisor will be observing a lesson, please send the plan at least one day in advance to her as well.

Expectations for EDUC 321:

• Teach an average of one complete class or one hour per day.

• Help lead routine activities (e.g., calendar time, exercise breaks, library, etc.)

• Spend time with your School Advisor, helping with marking, preparing for next day, organizing the room, etc.

• Reflect on your daily lessons (e.g., what went well; what to alter; and lessons learned) – write them down or print and include in your EDUC 321 binder.

• Be aware of your communication skills (verbal and non-verbal).

• Be aware of students’ behavior when you’re teaching – “withitness”.

• Know the school’s emergency procedures (medical, fire, earthquakes).

• Observe teaching strategies used by your School Advisor (see suggestions below).

• Network with other teachers (spend time in the staff room getting to know others).

• Help with supervision and staff duties.

• Keep notes of your strengths, areas of improvement, and areas requiring attention; you will be asked to self-evaluate at the end of EDUC 321.

• Become involved in the life of the school, e.g., attend staff meetings, a PAC meeting, Pro-D days, School-based team meetings, and Staff Committees.

• Discuss your EDUC 418 teaching load with School Advisor (long term and short term planning) and choose a date to meet again in February and March to share units/plans, discuss ideas, etc.

Suggestions to help with your practicum:

• Spend time with your School Advisor at his/her convenience, discussing issues that you are unsure of, helping prepare materials for next day, marking, etc.

• Continue to observe and note classroom management strategies and lesson design.

• Make a list of students with special needs, modified programs, IEPs, etc.

• Observe students during class and at play, who they play with, how they interact.

• Listen to the feedback you get from your Advisors. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from either one.

• Be prepared and eager to help (“Be seen to be keen!).

• Collect evidence/material for your e-portfolio.

Continue to observe lessons taught by your School Advisor

1. Objectives: try to practise writing the objective of the lesson from watching what is being taught – then check after with your SA to see if you were right.

2. Lesson design: introductions, scaffolding, student engagement, conclusions

3. Types of assessment and evaluation ( how? when? individual/group? peer/self?)

4. Procedures: handing out materials, extra activities, student support, and transitions to next activity/class, washroom, etc.

5. Classroom management & types of reinforcement used (e.g., intrinsic/extrinsic, praise/encouragement, consequences, etc.)

6. Modifications for students with special needs and advanced students.