Journal entry 2

Tuesday November 4, 2008

Today Ms. Lisa was running a little late for school because her baby boy, Gabriel was sick and then she got stuck in the traffic at the roundabout. I took the students up to the classroom from upstairs, got them settled and took attendance. Its funny how the names at the school here are so much different that at home. For example, in the states I don’t think that you would find many ten-year-olds named Gloria, Patricia, Georgia, or Caroline.

“Straight away” in the morning we walked with the other year six students down to the music room. Ms. Sue, the head of the Primary Years program, is directing the play on the 19th Century that will be preformed next week on Thursday. For one hour, the students practiced reading through the play. Apparently they have been working at it for a while, and most of the students have their lines memorized. I was so impressed by the reading level of the students as well as their ability to give expression and voice in fluctuation. The teachers are “rather” strict when it comes to knowing the students lines, and being loud enough. “Can’t hear it you’re mumbling! Nobody’s going to understand you if you sound like that.” There is very little positive reinforcement. However, the students do not seem too discouraged and respond well to the comments; possibly it is just what they are used to. Not only are the students excellent readers and future theater stars, there are also some amazing singing voices in the class. I hope to use my flip video camera to tape the presentation.

After rehearsal, we separated from the other year six class and returned to our room for reading/language arts. At this time I was allowed a little more time to introduce myself to the students. I put a few pictures in Power Point to display on the SMARTboard. I had a picture of the United States to show the students the location of Minnesota. I also had an enlarged picture of Minnesota to show where Rochester and Mankato are within the state. Next I showed the students some pictures of Gustavus on a snow day. I thought they might find the weather that I might be missing to be interesting. I also included a few pictures of me playing softball and tennis and our athletic facilities for the two sports at Gustavus. Finally, I showed the students a picture of me with my second grade class from my last student teaching placement in Cleveland. The students were very interested and had a lot of questions for me; I am now called (Ms. Rachael, instead of Ms. Click).

The next block of time was allowed for Spanish. I sat in on the lesson today instead of leaving the classroom and using it as a pre-hour. It was fun for me to hear the students speak Spanish, and beneficial for me to listen to the teacher, however the actual content of the lessons was too easy. I’m afraid the advanced class for the fluent speakers will be too difficult, but it might be helpful just to hear the students and teacher talking in Spanish. Maybe I will try to sit in on the advanced class tomorrow, or later this week.

After Spanish, we had our “break” where we can go to the staff room to get coffee or a sandwich. I could get used to these breaks, they are nice!
Before lunch we had “maths.” I was able to work with a small group of students who were struggling with multiplying numbers with decimals. There were also two students who were gone the day before that needed to catch up. This was probably my favorite part of the day, because I was given some responsibility and able to embrace a teacher role and help the students. The time for this lesson seemed to fly. Just like the last placement, they days go by much quicker when you are teacher than just observing.

In the afternoon the students were given some time to finish up art projects – mostly landscape paintings – which they had been doing the week before. I sat with a table with a group of students and chatted and did a sketch of my own that I saw on one of the students pencil cases. They were all very interested in my sketch and think that I should become an artist…I thought it was hilarious. During art time, the students were very chatty with me and had even more questions for me to answer. I also asked them to give me recommendations of places to go while I’m here during my introduction. I now regret that decision, because I was bombarded with places and town that I “absolutely must travel to” before leaving.

I think tomorrow we start our new “inquiry” unit on conflict. In the afternoon I laminated and cut out some pictures that Ms. Lisa had printed. I think the students will be writing poems about the pictures. The central idea of the inquiry has something to do with the use of art during pain/conflict.
Overall, I think that the students are very excited to have me in the class. They explained that they have never had another teacher in the room with them. They have had “helpers” that come in and out of the room, but nobody that has stayed with them the whole day! They are all asking when I will start teaching and are eager for this to begin…me too! The plan is for me to start teaching math on Monday. Until then I will continue getting comfortable and used to their schedule, and assist in small groups.

Favorite moment of the day:
Ms. Lisa said after taking attendance, “Yes, we are dropping like flies aren’t we?”
One of they students excitedly responded, “Hey, she used an idiom.” – A term they had learned the week before break and reviewed briefly the day before.

A student’s excitement about learning, and ability to make a simple connection with a new term to everyday life was so reassuring, and inspiring to me as a future teacher.

British phrases that I hear on a regular basis: (I will probably be saying them myself in a couple of weeks; I’ve already caught myself on a few)
- “proper – propa”
- “If I see acrylic paint being wasted or “rubbish” all over, I’m going to be very “cross” so make sure you are being “sensible” with you materials and keeping your area “tidy.”