For this week, I’ve started planning and writing out my virtual lesson for my first placement, Cynthia Murphy, third grade section. As of now, I have completed most of my planning backwards model and my script for my Google Slide presentation. The next step for my lesson is to add the images that correlate with each step, as well as record my reciting of the script and add it to the presentation. On Sunday, I also had my second spring class meeting with my Practicum class. It was refreshing to see my fellow peers once more during this time of self-quarantine. Hearing their progress on their second lesson plan not only makes me feel slightly at ease at the position I’m in with mine, but it also reminds me just how connected us as teaching artists really are.
By sharing our ideas and progress with one another, I feel more connected with my peers, and inspired by what they have come up with. During our meeting, we also talked about splitting ourselves into four separate groups and giving critiques to one another while we continue to work on our lessons. This way, we could see each other’s progress and give our own comments on it. I think that this is a great way to improve our lessons. Furthermore, it’s a good opportunity to get to know our peers even more. My next meeting with my instructor is on Friday. Until then, I plan on hopefully acting out my lesson and creating my own example for the presentation.
On another note, I want to reflect on how I feel about my lesson’s overall message. Recently, both my placement and instructor have noticed tiny hearts on windows in their towns. This may be in light of the current pandemic, to give a sign of hope and appreciation to the community. Now that I’m having students create their own hearts, I hope that this will make someone’s day. With this heart lesson, I desire that the receivers will feel slightly less alone and or depressed during these troubling times. I’m excited to go forward with this lesson, and now that the virus is starting to slightly settle, there may be a light at the end of this dark long road.