First Week

I've just completed my fourth day in the classroom and have already experienced so much!

Tuesday night was our "Back-to-School Night" where we met our students' parents and discussed what will be taking place in the classroom for the upcoming school year. I was able to assist my teacher with her PowerPoint and meet the enthusiastic (yet, some nervous) parents of my kiddos. During part of our night, the faculty and parents went to the gym to listen to our principal speak. As we walked in, the teachers went out of their way to get me another chair and move down the row so I could sit next to my teacher. All 3 of the student teachers were even introduced to the parents by our principal! I appreciated being included and made sure to let my principal know that later. I feel so welcome here!

Throughout this week, I was able to administer assessments to see where the students were in terms of reading. I created a Bingo game for the students that included pictures of people and places around the school so they learned more about their school community. I also found out about future field trips this semester! We're going to a Cider Mill in September and a play in November. Although my student teaching placement is over in October, I told my teacher that I would love to volunteer for the field trip in November if she'd have me. I'm excited! It will be nice to see my kids. I can already tell that it will be nearly impossible to say goodbye to my students after my 8 weeks in classroom.

I cannot wait to continue on and see what more I experience! If this is just the first week, I can only imagine what will happen during the next 7.

...And We're Off!

Today was my first day of student teaching! After 4 years of talking about teaching, watching videos, teaching lessons to my classmates, and spending some but not a significant amount of time in various classrooms, the time has finally come. And I could not feel more ready.

I was placed in a kindergarten classroom for the first of my 2 placements. My second placement is in a fifth grade classroom. I have to admit that I have been more nervous about kindergarten than fifth grade. I enjoy the intermediate ages in elementary and worry about the energy level of the kindergarten kiddos, but after today, I can already feel myself falling in love with these students. It is such a wonderful age to watch students learn. They are discovering the world around them, especially the world of reading. Words, sounds and stories are always on their minds. Their excitement for the subject is so refreshing!

Throughout the day I acted as an aide for my teacher. I honestly could not sit back and observe the whole day. I was ready to be utilized. I even (of course) jumped right in when it came to technology. During our planning time, the kindergarten teachers were getting a PowerPoint ready for their Back-To-School Night, which takes place tomorrow. They aren't as savvy as I am, so I offered my help to alter and add pictures of our students. They gladly let me take on the task. Before I left for the day, I found out that there is a weekly newsletter given to the parents of our students. I made sure to tell my teacher that I would love to assist with the newsletter each week. I would hope to take it on as my own little project if possible.

Needless to say, this school year started off on the perfect note! I am completely optimistic about this semester. The next 8 weeks are going to zoom by...