Practicum and Community Leadership Experience

Practicum Overview

Over the course of the Bachelor of Education degree program, you will gain practical, hands-on experience through 19 weeks of practicum in a variety of Ontario classrooms. Whether you choose the primary/junior, junior/intermediate or intermediate/senior division, we will ensure that we provide you with placements that fulfill the requirements of your program and the requirements of the Ontario College of Teachers.

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Lesson Planning Templates and Samples

Thorough planning is the key to delivering effective lessons to your learners. You are expected to complete detailed lesson plans, using the Nipissing University Lesson Plan Template, for every lesson you are responsible for teaching. 

Teacher candidates in the Schulich School of Education are required to use the applicable Nipissing University Lesson Plan Template(s) below for all lessons as outlined in the Overall Expectations included in the applicable Practicum Handbook. Please note that a number of different Kindergarten lesson plan templates/exemplars are here being shared. Please consult with your Associate Teacher and/or your Faculty Advisor to see which Kindergarten plan would be most relevant to use for any particular instructional session.

Planning for Kindergarten

Planning for Grades 1-12

Kindergarten Resources

EDU Kindergarten Supports (Click Here)

TVO Lesson Resources, Kindergarten materials (Click here)

Lesson Plan Exemplars

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Community Leadership Experience

In your second/sixth year, use the knowledge and skills you have acquired within the BEd program, in a 60-hour community leadership experience placement. Experiences have included placements in local organizations such as museums, outdoor education centres, correction centres, and private schools. Whether implementing existing programming or developing new and exciting programming for a community organization, this is your opportunity to explore the teaching and learning opportunities that exist outside of traditional classrooms. 

Check Handbook below for more info:

Community Leadership Experience Handbook 2024/25

Read the requirements here:

  • A minimum of 60 hours of service completed in year two/six of the BEd program
  • The placement must have a connection to human development and service to the community.
  • The placement must include a teaching/learning component where teaching skills can be applied.
  • The placement must be unpaid
  • The placement must be completed within Ontario
  • Cannot be completed within Nipissing University
  • The placement must not be completed within an organization where the teacher candidate has previously worked or volunteered
  • The placement supervisor cannot be an immediate or close family member of the teacher candidate
  • Placement hours must be arranged according to the needs of the organization and/or the site supervisor
  • The placement may not be completed in a publicly funded school board
  • The placement may be completed remotely, upon approval from the Practicum Office

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Role of the
Associate Teacher

Learn more about the role and responsibilities of the Associate Teacher and access valuable supportive documents and resources.

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Associate Teacher
Incentive Program and Awards

In an effort to recognize exemplary associate teachers, an Associate Teacher Award was established in 2013.