Oh how I loved working with the first graders this morning! Mrs. B's class is by far one of the best classes I've seen! She is a marvelous teacher, and her students adore her. The room is covered from head to toe with posters on the weather to posters on writing. Student creations line the walls and desks. Each desk has it's own crayon tray...for the creative minds that sit at it.
I was able to help out 6 or 7 students this morning with their reading. Some struggled and others did very well. At first they seemed a little wary of me, but by the time recess rolled around they were almost begging me to play with them. We went to computer time, and P.E. together and they were showing off as much as possible. One little boy gifted a leaf and stick to me. I will keep it as a trophy of the trust I gained from him.
There was only a few small discipline incidents, all of which came when I was walking with the students to P.E. or during P.E. Someone said something that hurt C.'s feelings, and then S. was hit by a jumprope that hit her during P.E. They were sweet though, and apologized when I told them that it wasn't a very nice thing to do.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Elementary Ed
Week 3 1.5 hrs
Today I was able to work with some more children, I believe that I now have 4 students that I am tutoring. I did a brief introduction of a new book that they will be reading along with (to a recorded version). This should help improve their reading skills because they can hear the words that they don't know. The book is about the Moon, and I had several excited young people when we were done reviewing it.
Ms. B is one of the nicest teachers I've ever met. She has a great way with keeping the class in control. She will count down from 5 to 1 whenever she is needing to get their attention. This is a fantastic way of keeping in control of the class, but not being controlling.
Week 4 1.5 hrs
I just love working with these 5th graders. They are always a delight to listen to, and it is exciting to see them learn so quickly. We went over the next book, all about endangered animals. They were so excited to learn about the kokapoo, an endangered bird who doesn't fly.
It's interesting to note the difference in reading levels in the students that I work with. Some are struggling to read 3rd grade materials, while others can read those same books easily. I'm beginning to see that there is a delicate balance to keeping a class room on the same level, when really, each individual has their own needs, and differs from other students in so many ways.
Week 5 1.5 hrs
Tutoring in reading again. I am beginning to sense that I've been able to give these students over the past few weeks has helped them, they seem to more confident at least when they read. They aren't afraid to ask questions or comment on the reading. I think that they have begun to trust me :D
One of the boys I am working with said something interesting to me today. He said that he wasn't a very good reader, and that he struggled with some of the harder books. When I asked him which book he had been having trouble with he said, quite dejectedly, "The Hobbit". I
almost chuckled, but checked it and let him know that the best way to read The Hobbit was to work up to it, read chapter books first and then keep reading. Eventually he'll be able to do it. I love his ambition though.
Week 6 1.5 hrs
I almost didn't go to the elementary school this morning. I've had a lot to deal with the past couple of weeks and I was just feeling down. But before I went to bed I realized that those students who I have been working with are expecting me to be there to help them. How could I ignore that?
In truth, what I did at the school this morning was nothing spectactular, nothing life changing. But in a way it still was. I was there for those students, to be a stable force in their lives this week.
Week 7 1.5 hrs
Today was presentation day, where each "group" from class presented on the book that they have been reading for the past month. The students were so creative in their projects, I was truly impressed. I saw a lot of great team work going on in the room as they were preparing to present. Some students took charge and helped to organize their presentation, giving each classmate an assignment. Some presented while others held the poster, or in the case of one group, they all presented different parts of the story.
I have learned a lot from my 10 hours in the fifth grade. I now have an idea of how a class room runs, and the different kinds of structure needed to accomplish different tasks.
Presentations
Today I was able to work with some more children, I believe that I now have 4 students that I am tutoring. I did a brief introduction of a new book that they will be reading along with (to a recorded version). This should help improve their reading skills because they can hear the words that they don't know. The book is about the Moon, and I had several excited young people when we were done reviewing it.
Ms. B is one of the nicest teachers I've ever met. She has a great way with keeping the class in control. She will count down from 5 to 1 whenever she is needing to get their attention. This is a fantastic way of keeping in control of the class, but not being controlling.
Week 4 1.5 hrs
I just love working with these 5th graders. They are always a delight to listen to, and it is exciting to see them learn so quickly. We went over the next book, all about endangered animals. They were so excited to learn about the kokapoo, an endangered bird who doesn't fly.
It's interesting to note the difference in reading levels in the students that I work with. Some are struggling to read 3rd grade materials, while others can read those same books easily. I'm beginning to see that there is a delicate balance to keeping a class room on the same level, when really, each individual has their own needs, and differs from other students in so many ways.
Week 5 1.5 hrs
Tutoring in reading again. I am beginning to sense that I've been able to give these students over the past few weeks has helped them, they seem to more confident at least when they read. They aren't afraid to ask questions or comment on the reading. I think that they have begun to trust me :D
One of the boys I am working with said something interesting to me today. He said that he wasn't a very good reader, and that he struggled with some of the harder books. When I asked him which book he had been having trouble with he said, quite dejectedly, "The Hobbit". I
almost chuckled, but checked it and let him know that the best way to read The Hobbit was to work up to it, read chapter books first and then keep reading. Eventually he'll be able to do it. I love his ambition though.
Week 6 1.5 hrs
I almost didn't go to the elementary school this morning. I've had a lot to deal with the past couple of weeks and I was just feeling down. But before I went to bed I realized that those students who I have been working with are expecting me to be there to help them. How could I ignore that?
In truth, what I did at the school this morning was nothing spectactular, nothing life changing. But in a way it still was. I was there for those students, to be a stable force in their lives this week.
Week 7 1.5 hrs
Today was presentation day, where each "group" from class presented on the book that they have been reading for the past month. The students were so creative in their projects, I was truly impressed. I saw a lot of great team work going on in the room as they were preparing to present. Some students took charge and helped to organize their presentation, giving each classmate an assignment. Some presented while others held the poster, or in the case of one group, they all presented different parts of the story.
I have learned a lot from my 10 hours in the fifth grade. I now have an idea of how a class room runs, and the different kinds of structure needed to accomplish different tasks.
Presentations
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