Practicum Blocks and Expectations

BLOCK A (Fall) - 4 Weeks

BLOCK B (Winter) - 5 Weeks

As with Block A, Teacher Candidates observe class routines and individual students, participate/lead daily routines.  However, as part of their planning and implementation, Teacher Candidates are now expected to also begin the process of effective unit planning.  They should be teaching roughly two lessons per day by the latter part of Block B.

BLOCK C (Fall) - 5 Weeks

Block C is a unique practicum in the respect that TCs first join their class for four days at the start of the school year (observational only, no evaluation for this time), in order to observe class routines in the context of school year start-up.  They then return to the same classroom in November and plan and implement at least two lessons per day, including unit planning as part of their planning process. Candidates at this point are also encouraged to experience other aspects of the school environment, such as through observing special needs classes, resource room, library, etc., and/or being involved in a co-curricular capacity in some way.

BLOCK D (Winter) - 5 Weeks

This is the final practicum for Teacher Candidates in our program, and their teaching should represent the culmination of their experiences in Blocks A, B and C. As such, by the latter half of Block D, it is expected that all Teacher Candidates will be teaching a full teaching load (either with one AT, or split between two ATs).  Candidates should be demonstrating the ability to plan and implement units of study, and should demonstrate a commitment to the school environment outside of the regular classroom.