In addition, interns serve as useful role models for the children by making evident the value of education and by displaying the qualities that have enabled them to become successful young adults. Although some interns have worked effectively with younger children, it is at the upper elementary grade levels that children tend to benefit the most from the intellectual skills that interns bring to the classroom. Interns typically devote about six hours per week to work in the classroom. In addition to the time spent in the classrooms, interns attend regular internship meetings in which they discuss their classroom projects and activities.
Interns also keep analytical journals in which they describe and evaluate the work they've done.
They also write a final paper reporting on the work they've done and analyzing it in the light of suitable readings. Interns should register for Philosophy 396, Teaching Internship, for 4 credits. Emphasis on group reading aloud and discussion and individual coaching to develop skills in identifying structure and meaning, and understanding and evaluating reasons and conclusions. The following lists are not meant to be exhaustive, but provide an idea of some of the kinds of units or projects that are appropriate. For information on the experiences of past interns with these projects consult the journals of past interns.