Week 10-

Presentations and that's a Wrap!!!

Toady's class, was the best yet. I must admit, I felt relax , happy and driven to work. No pressure, no over whelming feelings today. Despite of the workload for the other subject area and having a life outside of UTT. I was ready and prep to work, practicum sure brought out a different side of me. A more driven and energetic me (Merissa), so far I'm loving it
  About Today's class, Presntations

Lets just say mission accomplished!

# Team Work- 

# Hard work + Determination = Success!

# BestClassSince GEOG 4011- 2017 Br. Babb.

# Dynamic Rocks.

Also I must say hearts off to Dr. Babb, for her always pushing us to our Max and allowing us to find ourselves. Even though it was a heck of an journey, it was well worth it.
This course has help me, to conqueror all my doubts of completing such workloads and survive,just kidding.

Truly it was a rough start, but after all the journey was indeed an memorial one. Furthermore, it helped me to strength my confidence level and content area, addition to develop my professionalism within and out of the classroom. I'm grateful for the effective teaching strategies and knowledge I gain. Furthermore, this course a better a more reflective person and prospective teacher.

#grateful for this journey.

Week 9... Last Week of PRAC.........

I must admit  this week  was hectic!

Nevertheless, my experience was awesome!

For the past two weeks, I've learnt so much about my self and my capabilities!

I grow, to conqueror every fear, of misconceptions

Increase on My confidence within the classroom

Strengthen  my content

Coping/Functioning well under pressure.

Having to work  under pressure and unfortunate surprise (being ask to Teach when not schedule to, without any preparation and a TextBook in hand, also where the subject area was History) was really a challenge for m within my last week stay. I cope with this situation well, in that I mentally prepared myself to deliver my best. Fortunately, I had previous knowledge and well lets just say, God guided that class. At first I underestimated myself, but as I stood in front of the class room with my Q- cards and prepared questions, that Teacher's Instinct just kicked inn. 

However must in fact all my classes I should was an enlightenment!

Generally, I enjoyed every moment stating from the hectic(be place on the spot), challenging(decrease in teaching session as a result of school actives), the good moments (Everyday was awesome), the bad moments (when technology decides not to function, that God for the backup plans), the emotional ( to say good bye) and generally every moment was a pleasure.

Once again my relationship among my students and I was so indescribable, it was really an emotional moment to say farewell till January. So anxious for January's PRAC!!!!   

Also Hearts of to my associates, who were also there, they truly support through out the  journey.

My perspectives, about this practicum was not less but success and indeed it was! 

Week 8 Practicum....... Awesome.....

Once again Practicum week 2, was yet another great experience

I must say I did enjoyed  this week''s Practicum.
No Pressure, No Stress, Just A Positive Mindset All The Way Through......
Although, I was challenge by the many interruption of classes and much students being absent, this affected my Lessons. In that they were either push back and taught as a later date or not being taught at all.  However getting this exposure I was appreciative of, because when I soon entire the System, this is something I would definitely encounter. I was told by a Teacher at the school, " A as Teacher, you always prepare for more but expect less" This I saw once again in reality.
I felt most welcome and confident within the class room, especially Standing as the Teacher!
This has help me to reflect on the years three years spent at The University of Trinidad and Tobago, it has me asking myself, "Are you positive this is your Passion and choice of Career". Once again I pledge YES, with utmost confidence.
Honestly as time goes by for the past two weeks, while teaching, observing my peers and sitting inn  Teachers classes, I gain some other teaching strategies and exciting ways to make learning interesting for today's generation. This I was appreciative of.
Unfortunately during this week I had No Aha Moments, but is Hoping to experience at least one before this practicum finishes.
Also the comments and feedback from my Practicum Instructors, Cooperative Teachers and my peer, were Not surprising to me. In that even thought what they have seen was well done, these still areas for improvement and sharpening up. This is something I am always open to and appreciated of.

week 7: PRACTICUM 4001

                     FINALLY!!!!

PRACT 4001

First and for most, Practicum is my Best Course, both Academically and by personal choice!

This Year's practicum, I must say started off hectic as usually, but nevertheless as the days went by, everything were fluent. I sincerely enjoys Practicum especially at the school assigned too, because their some much that I can relate and adapted to. 

Practicum over the past years and to date, has tremendously transformed meinto the prospective teacher I am aspiring to become, yet there's always a need for reshaping and perfection, which I am always opened too. 

This week, has been a hectic one in that as prospective teacher, we're often told, "Prepare More but Except Less" I never really consider this as a motto, because a Prospective Teacher/ Register Teacher, it all comes down to us to make that decision and abide at it. However this week I saw this actually came to a reality, that of ( the holiday Diwali),frequent activities and extreme weather of Rain,

 which lead to quite a few disruption towards class time; where classes were extremely low in number of students, and not being allow to fully carryout your planned lessons. Nevertheless, I manage to maneuver around the challenges, by trying to fill in where some of my classes had free periods. So this was a Plus for me!

So far I haven't had any "Aha moment", but as times goes by I enjoying my Practicum 400.

As for, I felt in the classroom, as usually I don't a confident issue, however, one challenge I am often threaten by, would be time management. this is something that I've struggled with from time to time. I began to address this issue critically, that of timing myself for each objective,active and assessment. Thus far, as at for this week I saw Some Improvement, so this is sometime I am currently working on.

Generally, I felt quite relax and welcome in front the classrooms as the Teacher as for my content areas, its acceptable, however I am striving for excellence!! I often do ask for feedback from the co-operative teacher, which is sometimes "  Well Done!/ It was Nice, for a Change/Good Job/There's a Little need for improvement/" These feedback, has contributes significantly towards my development as a Prospective Teacher  and also towards my reflection as a Individual.

I am soooooo, excited and looking forward for the next up coming Two weeks!!!!!!

12th October, 2017.Week 6............ Driven by the Winds: Enthusiasm

                                                                O What a Great day!

Today's class, I would say was the best since, I feel so relax and motivated probably because I am a kinesthic Learner an is often driven by high levels of enthusiasm. 
This session has truly inspired me to never give up, on wanting to pursue a B'Ed in Meteorology at some point of my life, despite of what society says. I was driven by the passion and dedicating that was portray in today's class, this has prompt me to keep striving.  At first I was a bit confused/ challenged, however all misconception was clarified and thoroughly explained. This, I am driven by. It was so amazing to see everyone working cooperatively, where our lecturers and guest (Ms. Ali) were assisting us to really grasp this skill and contents.
I personally had, Several "Aha Moment", mainly because this was something new to me, that of Sketching the map and actually understanding it. 
Once again this session was a Amazing!!!

Week 4...Coriolis Effect

26th September, 2017

Reflection:

                                                   The  Circulation!

Today's  class was yet another interesting one, it began with a trip down to memory lain. Even thought it was a good activity to begin the class, not all the time students are willing to work along. Personal I thought it was stimulating, in that it helped me to recalled quickly and surprisingly I had executed well. Even thought I'm sometimes overwhelm within the class; both mentally and physically drained, I often try to push myself because I also see my potentials, while functioning sometimes at my worst!

In today's class, I've seen how us as prospective teachers, we tend to often limit and deprive yourself as to pushing and striving for nothing but excellence.


Yes, the cycle of continuous learning is frequently occurring, but hey, I (prospective teacher) took up mantle to become one of society's elected, to mold and shaped the future generation. My point is, regardless of how I feel within the classroom, at the end, it all relies on me to make the difference.

Furthermore, class was well parked!
 Content and Activities on the Coriolis Effect. I must admit at the began of the topic I was well focus and driven. However during the lecture, at one point I began to get confused.😩 Fortunately at the end of the class,my peers were able to assist me in catching up. Thank God for Great group members.😇
 Some where in between I had experience an "Aha moment" in comprehending how the processes of the Coriolis Effect actually  functions and Hurricanes . This I was very appreciated of.
Also it has come a norm for us, to be presenting at ever class, which is great for us to exercise our presentation skills and improve in areas where necessary! Don't get me wrong, I acknowledge and appreciated how our instructors sees us and truly strives to seek our best potentials in and out of the classroom, however this is really overwhelming at times for some of us!  Sometimes I find this challenging for me, especially on mornings, went I haven't had breath-fast, this sometimes makes me uncomfortable to function.

I Sincerely have a passion for Geography! This course thus far has reminded me as to why. (Fascinating and Driven)
I enjoy and appreciated  the content, teaching strategies and activities being conducted within the classroom both from instructor and peers. I has help me to development in specific area (Preparations, Questioning skills and Attitude as a Prospective teacher).

week 3: Atmospheric Processes

19th September, 2017.

Reflection #3.

                          Intensification of the Atmosphere!

In today's class  much was taught, I most admit as the weeks patiently goes by, this course is becoming intense,especially with all the work loads. Today was one of those days for me, moods and stress.I felt a bit overwhelm with all the actives, yet I strive to push myself. 

 What I found a little challenging at first, was to critically analyses, Can snow exists on the equator? even though I was confident that it Can not exist, after to days session, I proved myself wrong.

 As a results of my peers contribution in the defense that Yes snow can exist on the equator, you really do learn a lot from your peers.

Also the used of a simulation was demonstrated, that of  the earth goes around the sun and the sun goes around the earth. Funny this was a bit of a Aha moment for me. In that of used this demonstration to better illustrate how the process occurs. I was excited and is hope to one day practice this in one of my lesson to come. This lesson has captivated my interest, significantly, which has push me to future study this process. In doing so I stumbled along this images, which i found quit
 interesting.

.

I am often fascinated by the used of diagrams within the classroom to explain processes, also with the use of Think Pair Share and generally discussion/ debates, primarily because I consider myself to be more a kinesthetic/ Visual learning. Generally today's class was yet another stimulating one, just a bit overwhelming. However i am more than capable of conquering and be being successful at this course.As usual I appreciate the group working and ice breakers.

Week 2. REFLECTION: The Atmosphere

12th September, 2017.

THE   ATMOSPHERE.

Reflection:

Today's class was a well structured and pack with actives, this I found to be quite enthusiastic yet simulating for me.  Honestly I enjoyed the group actives, however at one point I began to get a little exhausted, something I'm not so much accustom too. I've come to realize, while in my last year at this institution, yet  I am not fully capable of carrying out a variety of actives/ group work within the classroom,. This has help to to reflect on my weak area that definitely needs to be check and improved on. Note to self, at the end of this course, I would like to portray and deliver some of the creative teaching strategies and techniques that I was expose to and had experienced. I found It very stimulation for students,  also I   would apply it to the various types of learners within my classroom.

Thus far, I must admit  I am a bit overwhelm at time in this course, however I understand that there is must to be cover/ done for us the Perspective teacher to become that skilled practitioner.  I have mentally condition myself to strive for excellence and great success within this course and my final year.

One strategy I admire, was that as  Perspective Geography teachers, we must adapt and master the skills of sketching to explain diagrams and its processes, this was definitely reinforces in today's class. This I also will endorse within my classroom, so to  I believe this skill is a key principle of Geography. However I was challenge just a little, in the explaintion of  the diagrams while presenting diagram, so therefore some work need to be addressed in this  area.

Even thought today was my second class, I saw the importance of the continuous group work and was great appreciates of it. We can learn so much from our peers.

Generally, today's class was yet another "aha"for me!

What About Today's Class?    💭

In regards to the content of today's lesson, It was mostly of a revision/ recapping lesson, that of the Atmospheric Energy and the percentages of absorption but the earth and atmosphere  after  the reflect of radiation/ heat from the sun, this was new knowledge to me. Also my peer and I had concerning questions on this topic, however we all brainstorm an came up with our little conclusion and presented it to the class.  Furthermore the study of the Greenhouse effects along with heat transferring were really a "aha" moment for me, because there were much interesting information that was gain. This has made me more conscious about atmosphere and its processes.

Here are some diagrams I found Interesting.

Heat Transfer into and through the Atmosphere

Greenhouse Effect

Week 1: Reflection.

Reflection For 5/09/2017

                                                            First Session!

For the Love of Geography!

Even though I was extremely excited, yet a bit nervous knowing that I would be taught by another Skilled instructor, it was definitely a fascinating and honorable privilege to be working with Dr. Babb for the completion of this program. Firstly, from the beginning, my expectations from both my instructor and this course were driven towards adventure and adapting new skilled, indeed it was for my first session with her.  I truly appreciated all her classroom interactions, activities and her expectation for us; For a three hour session it was well spent! This session focus on a recapping of our previous knowledge, which was somewhat interesting as to, Wow I really do needed this refreshing. Nevertheless, it was an excellent strategy to begin the class with,  apart from the earlier ice breakers, which I found quite interesting.

Generally the session was stimulating, in that it drove us (students) to critically think and recall.

Also I learned a few new method of strategies and applicable resources that would contributed significantly towards future lessons, that I believe my students would also appreciate. This session was really an enthusiastic one, and is looking forwards towards the rest of the year!