I completed my first Practicum experience in the Spring Semester of 2016. I was placed in a first grade classroom at Northridge Elementary School. During this practicum experience, I was able to work with a great group of students and a wonderful teacher, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to join this first grade class. I learned so many things in these two short weeks for example; how to present lesson plans, how important time is, and a lot about effective classroom management. This was the first time I finally understood what my teachers meant when they say teachers have different teaching styles. There are four first grade classrooms at Northridge, and the four teachers teach the same things, however each classroom had different classroom management strategies, a different organizational structure, and teaching methods.
In conclusion, practicum 1 enabled me to gain insight into what ideas I would use in my future classroom and what kind of teacher I want to be. I will be completing Block II practicum in October 31- November 4 and December 5-9. I am so excited for more action in the classroom!