Closed

Well seeing as Gibbsonburg was closed this week I don't have much to write about. So I guess I'm just going to go a little more in depth about what happened last week. The biggest thing that I noticed was just how energetic the kids were, there was not a single second where most of them weren't moving around and talking loudly. I was always moving around the classroom helping the kids on their pirate addition activity and as I was doing that I wondered just how the teacher put them into groups of two, did she take into consideration who got along with who or was is random. Later, when I asked her about it she told me that she usually thought about the skill levels of the students, matching them with others who were at about the same place as them, or in such a way that a kid who understood addition really well could help someone who wasn't doing as good. I honestly don't have anything else to say this week except I hope Gibbsonburg is not closed this week because I was really disappointed that I didn't have to go especially since I learned that after I had already gotten on the bus.

First Day Adventures

Going into my field placement I was really nervous. Much to my surprise (and delight) I got an amazing field placement both in the school and classroom. Seriously it could only be better if the school was made of solid chocolate or something. When we got there the principal was waiting for us to us a tour around the school and a little history of the school. I was shocked to hear that children from preschool to 5th grade studied here which is way smaller than the four different buildings my district had for those same grades. It's a very nice building with each grade in a different hall and all halls connecting to the main room. We walked into the orange hall and my name was called,  my heart immediately my heart started racing and just as I was starting to reevaluate my life choices my teacher came out. Dressed as a pirate. She introduced herself as Mrs. Keiffer and shook my hand. I could tell instantly tell that like every other time I had freaked myself out before doing something different, I had nothing to worry about and this was going to be fun. I walked in and was introduced to my class of 1st graders all dancing and smiling then I was informed that today was "Talk like a pirate day" so the kids were doing pirate related activities. They had eye patches and beards they could get for good listening and doing their work, which I think is a really cool idea. One thing I was not expecting but probably should is that there was no time to just sit and rest. All day I was on my feet helping kids and doing things the teacher asked. I don't know if it's like this every day or just because today was special but the kids were always moving and always talking even silent reading, which was anything but silent. Even during the half hour lunch break and when the kids went to gym for a while Mrs. K was collaborating with the other first grade teachers and making copies. It was intense, she would be standing up front demonstrating what the kids had to do and they were wiggling, moving and whispering the entire time. But despite my tiredness it was a very good day, I really do love working with kids and at the end one of the little girls I was working with gave me a hug and said very sweetly "Goodbye Ms. Betts". Thinking back I realise just how much work it takes to teach these kids and I wonder just how she does it. While I was helping some kids, five more would be lined up to ask her questions. Now I'm not saying I'm anything special but I wonder how she does it without me, or some other aid. I might have found my presentation question. But until then i look forward to next time.