First Week - Journal 2

My practicum at such started on Thursday, September the 5^th. At first, I was kind of nervous because it was a new environment for me with new kids and also, different teachers who were going to be evaluating me each class. Unfortunately, those nervous were shown in my late arrival that specific day which gave me a very hard time because what I had planned for the class couldn’t be achieved at all. However, I tried to manage the time left to make the most of it and in the end, students were happy. The following week, I only had a class with third graders, so this time I made sure to arrive earlier so that I could have enough time to organize all the materials I will need for the class and it worked. Nonetheless, that day I hadn’t slept very well so I wasn’t feeling that energetic and the students noticed it, but regardless of that, I did my best to make the class entertaining for them. The only bad thing was that at the end of the class when I asked them if they have liked the activity some said they didn’t so I was a little bit disappointed.

However, I didn’t give up and the next day, I arrived even earlier than the day before and as I had a class with both grades, I mean, second and third graders, so I prepared everything and I even had a 10-minute break while I wait for my first class to start. Second graders are amazing, I felt completely comfortable with them and they were all so attentive and participative in the class, making questions here and there that in the end they really ended up learning something and I was really happy. On the other hand, with third graders, as they are a little a bit older than the other kids, they are more talkative and active. Besides that, they have a better level of English which is great but they seem not to be really into English, I mean, they work and do the activities but I think one of my duties here with them, it’s to find ways to find this subject enjoyable for them and that they felt that what they are learning can be used in their daily lives.

My last day of class was only with second graders and it was great because we sang and we worked on some worksheets that they enjoyed and at the end of the class both they and I learned from each other and I went home satisfied with what I did that day. But besides that, I know I have a lot to learn from this, although I have come to enjoy teaching it is still very challenging for me. However, I have been studying this past 4 years for this, so I am here now and I am planning to make the most of it and try my best, as I always do.