Week 1

 
  Well it certainly was a whirlwind of a week.  My first two official days at practicum were spent sharing the gym with other classes.  The floor of the gym that we're usually in was being resurfaced, so we moved in with the other Phys Ed teacher.  At least 60 kids running around each class - needless to say, it was a little crazy at times.  For each class we had, we played a game called four corners.  Basically, as one of the Phys Ed teachers explained it to me, Four Corners is a way of getting around the ban of dodgeball.  They are able to justify it because in addition to throwing balls at the other team and hitting them to sit out - yes it was elimination - they set up four pylons at each corner of the gym with balls balancing on top.  The "object" of the game is to hit the balls down on your opponents side before they knock yours down, although kids were still going for the head shots most of the time.  I'm not too sure how I feel about this activity - at least about it being played for 2 days straight... On the one hand, some classes were having a blast and were totally engaged and cheering for their teammates to go on which was amazing to watch, but on the other hand, some kids were basically begging to get hit with the ball so that they could sit out - and that's not what a Phys Ed class looks like, or sounds like to me.

  We finally got to move back into our gym on Wednesday which meant that I could start teaching the lessons I had prepared weeks ago (I was super keen on creating a great Volleyball unit with tons of TGfUs).  I was surprised to feel extremely nervous for my first lesson.  I've coached kids at various levels my whole life, but this felt different and I was definitely nervous.  My first lesson went alright.  I thought that the toughest part for me would be my voice - or lack thereof - but it was actually the transition between drills and activities.  I completely took for granted that the kids would understand when I said get a partner and sit of line x.  Well that was learning experience #1 - break it down completely, and when you feel like you've done that, break it down some more.

  As the week progressed, I started to settle in and get to now the students and my style of teaching more.  The true test and learning for me was Friday when my teacher was away.  My first lesson went really well.  It was with the Behaviour/LD/MID class and they loved it, as did their teachers who come for support.  I felt really good about my lesson and my teaching after that point... but then came 6C.  That was rough.  I spent more time disciplining than I did teaching them how to do a bump.  I ended up having to sit them down and have them sit in silence for a good 5 minutes because I couldn't take it anymore.  I felt really bad about having to do that and it totally goes against my teaching method and philosophy but at the same time, it was good to find out that I have that in me if the need be.  7B in the afternoon with 35 kids hopped up on god knows what they ate wasn't much better.  Same thing - less action, more discipline.  I was happy to end of the day with a good lesson and more control over the classroom management.

  I learned more in that one day that I have in a long time.  And more than that, I was able to bond with a few of the teachers as they sensed my frustration and offered me great advice - one teacher even had a talk with 6C and some of the students came up to me and apologized afterwards for their (mis)behaviour.    Friday taught me two valuable things.  The first is how hard it must be to be a supply teacher, and the second being how important it is to set the ground rules with your class from the start once you have your own class.

  Despite my trying day Friday, I am eager to get back into the class tomorrow!

Most Meaningful Takeaways for the Week
1 - BREAK IT DOWN
2 - Set ground rules and REPEAT
3 - Use all of the supports you can around you
4 - Make classroom management a non-factor otherwise you won't be doing much teaching at all