Thursday, April 3, 2014

Blog Post 9 Final reflection


Time flies! It seems to me that we just had our first CAPES! night with students not long ago, but actually we have come to an end of this semester’s lab. But children’s life and learning experiences continue with or without CAPES! As well as my practicum go on.

I remember myself feeling lost in the woods at the beginning of the lab. It was during the first time of lesson planning, when everyone was left, I sat on the floor with an IPad in front of me, had no idea what to prepare for the next night. Thanks for Jerilyn, she took me to the store room and gave me some suggestions for the next lesson plan. And Dr. Williams waited for me patiently until I finished the plan. As the lab went on, I realized I just need to try out various ideas and design different activities to see how they work. Some activities worked really well with some children; others did not go that smooth. But the key point is to TRY.

Without trying, one can never improve planning skills and guidance strategies in teaching. Without trying, one cannot move forward and discover potential talents in learning and development. It was interesting in the last lab at the rock wall place; I witnessed two totally opposite reactions from two children. L, a very obedient and caring child was so afraid of height, had an unhappy moment when he was “forced” to get up the rock wall. While, M, the boy I was assigned to that night, for his very first time, went all the way up to the wall excitedly. How different! However, I find the same element in both cases. For L, every step he makes in order to move up on the rock wall is a big challenge. If L keeps on trying and not giving up, he might make a big improvement in the future. On the other hand, we had found a potential talent that M had! M is good at rock climbing. He is a fast learner and physically strong for this sport.  

Playback the entire experience in CAPES! I am appreciate for the opportunities I was given to work with many individuals; the chances of seeing the differences from every one of them, and implementing different ideas and strategies in the practicum. Interacting with children, I believe for many of CAPES! students,  CAPES! foster positive attitudes of experiencing new environments and taking challenge to finish some tasks, which will contribute to their future life- long learning .  

 

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