Kindergarten AideAt — Fairmont Private School, North Tustin Campus

During the practicum experience, the student's responsibilities will expand beyond general classroom support and include more instructional and professional duties.

The student will have opportunities to actively observe and participate in both small-group and whole-group instruction.

The student will implement developmentally appropriate learning activities aligned with kindergarten standards.

Student will assist with assessing student learning and supporting differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners.

Additionally, student will take on responsibilities such as preparing lesson materials

This practicum placement will allow the student to strengthen his/her skills in curriculum implementation, assessment practices, and instructional decision-making 

Tasks:

Assist in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate learning activities aligned with kindergarten standards.

Support and occasionally lead small-group instruction in areas such as literacy, math, and social-emotional learning.

Observe and participate in whole-group instruction, including morning meetings, read-alouds, and academic lessons.

Prepare instructional materials, learning centers, and classroom resources to support daily lessons.

Assist with differentiating instruction by providing targeted support for students with varying academic and developmental needs.

Support assessment practices by collecting student work samples, documenting observations, and helping monitor student progress.

Reinforce classroom routines and apply positive classroom management strategies to maintain a productive learning environment.

Collaborate with the supervising teacher through regular communication, reflection, and instructional planning discussions.

Provide individual student support during independent work time, interventions, or enrichment activities.

Participate in professional responsibilities such as reviewing curriculum materials and reflecting on instructional decision-making.

Training:

During this placement, the student will receive ongoing training and support to help facilitate the learning outcomes. This will begin with an initial classroom and school orientation, including an overview of daily routines, expectations, and kindergarten instructional practices. The student will participate in job shadowing and guided observation of both whole-group and small-group instruction to better understand effective teaching strategies and classroom management. Weekly scheduled check-ins with the supervising teacher will provide opportunities for mentoring, feedback, and reflection on instructional responsibilities. The student will also receive training through the provision of lesson materials, work samples, and modeling of developmentally appropriate activities aligned with kindergarten standards. Additionally, the student will be supported in learning assessment practices through teacher-guided discussions and participation in informal student progress monitoring. This combination of orientation, mentorship, observation, and hands-on practice will ensure the student is prepared to grow professionally throughout the internship experience.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities aligned with kindergarten standards.

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to support and lead small-group instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of kindergarten students.

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to assist with assessing student progress through observation, informal assessments, and teacher-guided evaluation tools.

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to apply effective classroom management strategies and support a positive learning environment.

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to collaborate professionally with the supervising teacher to prepare instructional materials and contribute to daily classroom routines and decision-making.