Primary/Junior
School Research Assignment #5
Jan. 27, 1999

primaryHM.gif (1098 bytes)

Hi everyone,

Below is the message I've sent to the schools re next Wednesday's PJ Focus Day. Your assignment is listed there. Note that for "diversity" and "assessment" you may want to include your own ideas about how these could be addressed differently. As we discussed in class, you should collect "evidence" of your work in the 3 areas described. The order in which you do the work is up to you. Consider which topics require your associate's input and which don't. A report is not needed for our Feb. 3 class. Bring your "evidence" to our Feb. 17 class; we'll share then. Also for Feb. 17, please submit a brief (2-3 pages) summary of your work in the 3 areas from the Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 Focus Days. Hope you have a good day at your school tomorrow. Cheers. John

Memorandum

To: All Associate Schools and Teachers

From: John Mazurek, Instructor, PJ Experience, Toronto East Preservice Option, OISE/UT

Re: PJ Focus Day, Wednesday, January 27, 1999.

Greetings,

This is a reminder that PJ candidates assigned to your school will be visiting next Wed., Jan. 27, morning only. This will be this will be their second visit within a week. Please see the earlier message re the Jan. 22 Focus Day. On Jan. 27 and during next session (the morning of Wed., Feb. 10), the candidates will focus on three aspects of teaching and learning in the classroom and school:

1. Diversity: What aspects of diversity are evident in the student population (the assigned class, as well as the school as a whole)? (Diversity includes gender, race, ethno-cultural background, religion, academic abilities, etc.) How is this diversity reflected in classroom and school practices?

2. Assessment: How does the associate teacher handle assessment? (Possible topics: tracking methods, formative assessment, remediation, student self-assessment and peer assessment, use of commercial resources (e.g., manuals) in the process of assessment, paper-and-pencil instruments (e.g., tests) and other forms of performance assessment, portfolios, preparation of report cards, communication with parents, impact of board/ministry expectations re assessment, greatest challenges in the assessment process, etc.).

3. Preparation for the Practicum: What are the projected topics to be covered in each subject during the practicum? What teacher and student resources are or could be used? Are there any special events (for the class or school-wide) planned for this period? What information re class and school routines, student profiles, etc. needs to be taken into account when planning lessons and activities? NOTE: INFORMATION RE: SUGGESTED WORKLOAD FOR CANDIDATES DURING THE SECOND PRACTICUM WILL BE  AVAILABLE TO ASSOCIATES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Thank you for sharing your expertise in these areas with the candidates. Your continued support of teacher education is appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by Scribe or phone (416-923-6641, ex 2636).

Primary/Junior
School Research Assignment #5
Jan. 27, 1999

primaryHM.gif (1098 bytes)