Reflective zone: Be warned

As I have mentioned, I am on placement at the moment. I have realised that it makes sense to do a daily reflection, thinking over the things I have learned. I reflect best by putting it in words, either on paper or screen. So I have decided: why not bore whoever might happen across this little blog with more details of my learning! Because I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes, I am starting this way too late and will only be able to reflect on 5 of the 10 wintry days this way. Here goes.


cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo shared by CaptPiper

Today disappeared super quickly, as have the others, and I am sad to think that this placement is going to be over before I am ready for it to be. I only taught one lesson today. It was one I planned myself sticking with the TLs theme of children in stories. I read "Imagine" to them, my favourite Alison Lester picture book. I then had them lay on the floor, with peaceful music playing, and to imagine a place that would make them happy and relaxed. They then drew beautiful pictures of their places. Even though time was tight, I was really happy with how this lesson went. I love the idea of using books to encourage children to use their imaginations. I think imagination is so important, and needs to be fostered. As I have been doing in my other lessons, I had the children do their borrowing etc first. I feel that it is more tidy this way as a lesson, though it may make the time a little bit tighter. I am beginning to think that perhaps I should once again try to do it the other way around.

Today I was very excited to be able to help one of the teachers with a technology matter! She was talking about referencing pictures, and I told her about FlickrCC and showed it to her as well as the TL. They were very interested and it was a nice feeling to be able to share some of the wonderful things I have learned this year. I also gave her this blog address so that if she thinks it would be helpful she can learn about Greasemonkey and how to make it easier to attribute images like I have.

I covered a new kind of book today (learned to cover paperback and hardcover books last week): the book with a dust jacket. The covering is so simple and clever; I found it a very exciting experience! Easily amused, I know.

I spent some more time doing the basic library processes using "Alice". Hoping to have confidence and understanding before I come back on Friday to a new operating system - "Oliver". I feel reasonably confident doing the processes, but not confident in my ability to retain the information in the long term at this stage. I am hoping if I do need to use these operating systems again I will have some support. I am concerned that I am not getting practice with OASIS which is the system I will be using in terms 3 and 4, but I'm sure I will pick it up.

What else happened today... I shared my homemade soup and it appeared to be a hit - I hope they weren't just being nice! I made one more tree to decorate the windows with, and the kids made lots more snowflakes (and mess). Pretty wintry classroom here we come. Oh, the TL showed me the budget she uses, and I will be able to get a copy of it to use in the future which is great. And I finished the day with a bit of food/sleep deprived delirium - I hope my reputation isn't ruined!

Looking forward to another fun day in the library tomorrow :)