Classes

I am feeling like I am not learning from some of the classes I am in and most students would agree. I talked to last years students and they said for the student placement that you are learning on the fly. I hate not knowing what is going to happen especially when this placement is going to reflect my teaching. I understand that this is going to be my first placement but I feel as if I should be prepared or learning how to deal with lesson planning. I know sometimes you are going to have to review past concepts or spend extra time on a subject but why are they telling us this in class. Some of the subjects covered in class is common sense like for example do not touch or stare at children inappropriately or there will be consequences. They keep talking about lesson and unit plans and the curriculum but they never actually get us to do a plan and hand it in to see if we are on the right track. You can talk about anything in theory and students will think its easy but if you actually get the students into the classroom or doing projects than you will actually see how much they know and what they need to improve. I feel that there has been poor planning for the classes I am in now and that the orientation and special prep class for student teaching is a waste.