Vince Cancilla Rocky Ridge Ranch Reflection

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Pre-Student Teaching Observation Reflection

EDU 667 Dr. Ahuna

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Best Practice Focus
!

In terms of class management, a best practice I observed with the other teachers was

that they talked to students who were causing disruptions, pulling them aside one-onone, and implemented consequences for misbehaviour. Since we were paying to be at the
camp and renting the cabins, we had to observe the owners house rules and guidelines for
the venue. Students were held to a strict standard of respect and myself and the other
camp advisors were consistent with enforcing these guidelines. One consequence included
not being able to participate in the hockey tournament.

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Setting
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This is a ranch

that

offers horse riding lessons and other outdoor activities,

camping, cabins, sports, swimming, music, and more.

The students were of a diverse range

from ages 14-20, both male and female (majority male), and there were also many camp
advisors and other adults present as well. Events included organized tournaments and
competitions with sports; chapel; and other character building activities like learning
about breaking in horses.

!Description
!

This was meant to be a fun getaway with the students from Pelham Park, and as

such the activities consisted less of formal curriculum

activities and sports.

and teaching and more of fun

I engaged in playing sports and other tournaments (hockey, soccer,

etc), and attended morning chapel with the students. In the evenings there was a time of
music and dramatic skits that were presented on a particular theme. I and the other camp
advisors were there to support and encourage the students, build deeper friendships, and

Vince Cancilla Rocky Ridge Ranch Reflection

have fun.

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Lots of food and meals were provided and engaging in clean-up activities and

chores was part of the regiment for the camp.

!Analysis (Connections/Links)
!

This experience connects with what Ive been learning in Virginia Batchelors
class about planning a field trip with an awareness of your demographics. Most of the kids
were from downtown Toronto, and they were very unused to a rural, camp setting. Some
really enjoyed it and others found it boring. Learning to engage the students who didnt like
the change of environment was challenging, and it would relate to how I might plan a field
trip with more awareness of this potential pit-fall.

!!
Applications
!

There would be a strong application of this experience in terms of getting involved in

extra- curricular activities and building relationships with students.

The use of sports and

competitions to foster teamwork and have fun is a good tool to bring to a class, and I can see
the benefit in getting out of the classroom environment into nature as well. This would be a
good team-building exercise.