Hawaii International Practicum 2014 - jolaine

My Hawaiian Experience

KPT - International PracticumJolaine Timpano

Physical Setting of 0 to 3 Classroom

▪ Small room divided into different developmental areas by shelves

▪ Plenty of toys, books, pictures, wall décor, etc. for the children to use as learning tools

▪ A table used for eating and group/structured crafts and activities

▪ My creation of the room is on the right

Ch

ildre

n's

C

ub

bie

s

Bathroom

Change Table

Play Area (Divided into small sections through the set up of shelves and toys)

Table (Eating, Crafts, Activities)

Literature Area (Quiet Area/Carpet Area)

Crib

Play Area (Baby Section)

Entrance

Sin

k

Physical Setting of 3 to 5 Classroom

▪ The room was larger than the 0 to 3 classroom but set up very similar

– Shelves set up accordingly to divide the classroom into different areas (block centers, dress up centers, carpet center, book center, etc.)

– Lots of toys, books, activities, games, pictures, and wall décor for the children to use as learning tools

– 3 tables for eating or activities as well as smaller tables for the children to use at various centers.

– My creation of the room is on the left

CU

BB

IES

Music Center

Book Center

Carpet Time Area

Centers(Block

Center, Dramatic

Play Center, Craft

Center)

Door to outside for water table.

Baathroom

Sinks/Washing Area

Tables Set Up for Snacks and

Activities

Role of Caregiver in the Classroom

▪ Provide the necessary meal times and nap times.

▪ Interact with the children and ensure the children interact with each other in various play experiences

▪ Ensure the environment is safe, sanitized, clean, educational, etc.

▪ Assist with toileting, diapering, etc.

My Role in the Classroom

▪ Observe and learn from the children

▪ Play and interact with the children

▪ Help the teacher with any extra things they may need

Similarities to my other Practicums

▪ In all my practicums I was able to interact hands on with the children

▪ It didn’t matter where I was placed, I always found the children super cute.

▪ Everywhere I was placed, their were a variety of cultures, behavior types, and personalities among the children

Differences to my other Practicums

• My role was a little more complex in my other practicums, I had specific tasks that needed to be completed (activity outlines)

• The teachers in Canada were able to use me with more prepared outline than in Hawaii

• In Canada I found that the practicum placements I was at were more organized and structured compared to the ones in Hawaii

Positive Influenes towards my Future

▪ I learned some new teaching strategies such as:

– Write the child’s description on their picture as well as the date

– Model the behaviours you want seen (eat with the children)

– Allow the children to dish their own meals out

– Split into two groups (one at story time and one at craft table) rather then a huge group at one activity (less chaotic)

Positive Influences Towards my Future (Continued)

▪ I was able to experience what it is like to work in a toddler room

▪ I got the opportunity to work with staff that have a different frame of mind than I do

Lasting Friendships were made.

Connection to Course Material

▪ Cultural Professionalism: Compared to Canada, the dress code wasn’t as strict

▪ Exceptionalities: In Canada, all students that need aid support are provided a hands on aid worker with the child all the time.

Many memories with classmates at the sunsets were made!

Connection to Course Material (Continued)

▪ Sensory: The centers in Hawaii and Canada were very similar such as water tables, play grounds, paint, etc. They had a variety of toys and activities in all my practicum sites to ensure lots of sensory opportunities for the children.

▪ Curriculum: The classrooms in Hawaii had certain curriculum aspects that were taught week by week. For example, when I was there their theme was trees. In Canada, the programs I worked at had theme weeks as well.

Some Things I Experienced

▪ It took some time to develop a relaxed professional/personal working relationship with one teacher. I didn’t feel as comfortable as I should have until the atmosphere relaxed near the end of the week.

▪ Another teacher that I worked with had lots of neat personal experiences to tell me about which was very interesting for me.

▪ In general the teachers were all very welcoming, talkative and made me feel a part of their work routines.

Some Things I experienced (Continued)

▪ Working in a low income area was also a huge eye opener for me because I was able to get a glimpse of their every day life. The houses seemed very small and “ghetto”.

▪ While on practicum I experienced “the other end of a food drive”. It was heart breaking to see all the families and young children that have to live their lives dependent on food drives. It was a huge eye opener for me!

A trip to sea life park to meet up with the CYC’s

The Long Bus Rides

▪ Riding the bus was an experience. It was interesting to see all the different people but challenging to sit through the hour long bus ride every day.

My Personal Philosophy

▪ Every child is unique and has their own story that plays a role in the behaviours

▪ Patience plays a huge role in a successful day.

My Hawaiian Experience

Outside of my Practicum

Mr. Mike’s Class

• I had the opportunity to sit through one of Mr. Mike’s classes which was neat for me.

• I was able to see what its like to attend college in Hawaii and got to explore the campus

At the Luau

▪ The luau (party) was a very cool experience for me.

▪ We were able to experience the true Hawaiian culture for one

night.

▪ We met a very interesting tour guide named Cousin Kay, who

gave me both a shell lei and a real flower lei.

Surfing & Snorkelling

• I love water sports so surfing was a very fun and

exciting experience for me.

• I was a little unsure about snorkelling but I am glad I decided to do it because I

got to see some sea turtles.

My Hiking Experiences

The lighthouse hike was very memorable because

we got stuck walking down in a rainstorm!

Hiking up diamond head in the heat was quite the challenge but the scenery

was very neat.