First day in a kindergarten class

The day started off well. I was nervous as hell and still carrying all the bad experiences from my last practicum with me. So, I asked the associate teacher if I could introduce myself because my last associate teacher briefly introduced me as "the student teacher". I tried to help out as much as I could. However, for the most part today was an observation day. I did read a story to them called "a gift for Mothers day". I also helped conduct show and tell. I think I was off to a good start. At the end of the day, I knew it would come up, she asked why I failed. She came to the conclusion herself that it was a personality clash. I felt bullied in my last practicum and my faculty advisor did not support me. It was very disappointing. Yet, I am glad to be in a kindergarten class. I do not know fully what she expects of me. So far, I have been looking over notes to try to prepare.

The morning started out with me introducing myself. The kids also got a chance to speak about their weekends. The kids then had to do a worksheet titled "where I would like to go" in which they had to circle one of the three: a beach, a theme park or a community park and draw and give one reason why. After they finished up, some children worked on their picture frames for Mothers day and the other children got to play at the many different centres. Then it was nutrition break. My AT and I were on duty in the grade 1 classes. The school is big and has many different rooms, I like the kindergarten hallway. There is a big choochoo train on the wall, lots of animals and art work. Afterwards, the kids had library and computers. I met my new associate teacher Peter. He seemed a lot less arrogant than Frank. I almost wished that I had him from the very beginning. After computers was nutrition break and recess. Then there was show and tell which I helped out with. The day ended with gym. A girl Molly had an accident. All the parents are asked to bring extra clothes in a bag, in case of an accident. Connor acts wild, especially around Cole and I learned that William is autistic. I would have never been able to tell.

Tomorrow is like the first day all over again because it will be a new class (the blue group), I have to think of a better way to introduce myself. The important thing to remember is to relax. I need to not think about my past failures and when all is said and done, I will write a letter about my last faculty advisor and how he failed me.

I don't like to harbour bad feelings, but I would like a glowing report this time. I was given a bad hand the last two times. I will try to avoid that this time. I need to get along with this associate teacher.

At my in laws and Markus had a fever tonight. I wish I could be with him, I have asked my husband to take the day off tomorrow. Markus needs rest. It has been a horrible month of March and April for sickness. One day, I could write a book about the past few months.

Starting my 4th teaching practicum tomorrow

I start in a Kindergarten class tomorrow at Driftwood Public school in Kitchener. I am staying in Cambridge with my in laws. I am nervous because I failed my third practicum. I do not think I should have failed. It was obvious she was going to fail me after the first few days because of a personality clash. I tried to prevent it by handing my lesson plans for the week in one full week in advance. However, she always came up with an excuse why it was not good enough. In the report, she stated that some lesson plans were not handed in. I could not please this older woman. Since there is not checklist at Western to go by, she had the power to fail me. In any case, I am repeating my practicum and I have to get along with this associate teacher for sure. This is my last chance. I got my nails done today. Markus got his first haircut at Melonhead. So, I believe I am prepared for tomorrow, I have my list of questions that I want to ask.

It is now after 10pm and I have to wake up at 6:30am, so it is time to drift off to bed. Good night.