Journal 1

  • Creating the Learning Environment
    o How are learning materials stored, organized, and distributed?
    o What are the class structures and routines? How do these impact the learning environment?
    o What do you notice about the classroom community, school climate, and culture?
    o How are physical spaces arranged and used for student learning?

Journal 2

  • Planning for Teaching and Learning
    o Discuss the curriculum planning process with your mentor teacher. What does this process look/sound/feel like for them?
    o What do your mentor teacher’s daily/weekly/long term curriculum plans look like?
    o Help the teacher prepare learning materials during this and subsequent visits.
  • Creating the Learning Environment
    o How do teachers demonstrate care for their students?
    o Where in the room does the teacher “teach” from?
    o How does your mentor teacher monitor and respond to student needs, interactions, and engagement?

Journal 3

  • Developing Professionalism
    o Pay attention to explicit and implicit attributes of professionalism evident in the context of your field experience placement. How are expectations of professionalism in your current school similar and/or different to other schools you have visited (or attended)?
  • Creating the Learning Environment
    o What methods and strategies does your mentor teacher use to create an effective learning environment?
    o While observing students, what do you notice about the relationship between the environment and learning?
  • Facilitating Student Learning
    o Consider leading opening and closing exercises or routines during this and subsequent visits. Make a plan with your mentor teacher.
    o Take note of the various questioning techniques used to facilitate learning?
    o Observe teacher presence, projection of voice, use of language, and pacing. What do you notice about your mentor teacher in relation to these categories?

Journal 4

  • Developing Professionalism
    o How does your mentor teacher engage in ongoing professional learning?
  • Planning for Teaching and Learning
    o Find connections between the classroom activities and the BC Curriculum. How do you see the Core Competencies, Curricular Competencies, and Content being included in the classroom and school?

Journal 5

  • Planning for Teaching and Learning
    o Which teaching, learning and assessment strategies are used to support acquisition, meaning-making and transfer of learning?
    o Discuss with your mentor teacher about how they find ways to be inclusive of diverse learners.
  • Facilitating Student Learning
    o Take note of teaching and learning strategies used to help students understand concepts, make-meaning, and develop skills.
    o Take note of formative assessment in action. Which assessment methods and strategies are commonly used to make student learning visible, provide feedback and encourage self/peer assessment?

Journal 6

  • Developing Professionalism
    o In what ways does your mentor teacher demonstrate flexibility and adaptability?
    o What does collaboration look like? Who is involved (staff, students, parents)?
  • Facilitating Student Learning
    o In what ways does your mentor teacher facilitate independent and collaborative learning opportunities?
    o Observe and discuss how technology is used to enhance student learning? What are the strengths? What are the challenges?

Final Reflection

  • Share which part of your SMART goals you achieved and what you are still working on
  • Discuss how ongoing reflection influences decision-making and transforms practice
  • Share how you demonstrated professionalism during this field placement
  • Set goals for your next field experience