On Monday I completed my fifteen hours of community service required for this course. I told my SL teacher that I have completed my hours for my class but asked if she didnt mind me comming back. She didnt mind at all, she said it would make the children happy and have something to look forward to every week.
This service learning experience has really helped me to shape my teacher identity. I have realized how much I love being in a classroom, working with children. I have become a better observer, watching and observing the students' actions and behaviors. I have noticed how difficult it can be to watch over and control a class of twenty or more. However, I also observed the teacher and some of her useful tricks to control the class.
Being in this classroom I also realized how attached the students get to the teacher and myself. I have also become attached to the students. I have memorized all of the children's names and something interesting about them. Each student is unique. I have identified all of the students' way of learning, behaviors and what to expect from them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this experience being in a real classroom. I will never forget this experience and how it has shaped me into becomming a great elementary school teacher some day.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Prompt 4
Unfortunately I was unable to go to the elementary school last week, because of spring break. I was also unable to go this week because of the accident I got into over spring break. I let my SL teacher know but I hope I didn't let the students down, because everytime I go there they are all so excited to see me. Well, theres always next week.
When I went to elementary school it wasnt too diverse. The school mainly consists of white students. However, there still were few blacks and asians. My best friend was actually phillipino. Like the students in my SL classroom all the students are friendly with each other no matter what ethnicity.
I never really knew what it was like to live in poverty, go to a really diverse school, or recieve free or reduced lunches. While in the elementary school I am currently tutoring in many of the children recieve free or reduced lunches. It is also very diverse there. I have never learned about a diverse culture but I am glad I am now and I enjoy it.
I can relate my sociocultural characteristics to those of my students because of not fitting into "scwamp". Since I am not a male I do not obtain that privledge of fitting it. Many students that will come into my classroom, when I become a teacher will all not fit into "scwamp" as well. But no matter what every student should be treated equally reguardless of fitting into "scwamp" or not. I believe that what I am learning in this class and the classroom I'm tutoring in are helping me to becomming a better culturally competent teacher.
When I went to elementary school it wasnt too diverse. The school mainly consists of white students. However, there still were few blacks and asians. My best friend was actually phillipino. Like the students in my SL classroom all the students are friendly with each other no matter what ethnicity.
I never really knew what it was like to live in poverty, go to a really diverse school, or recieve free or reduced lunches. While in the elementary school I am currently tutoring in many of the children recieve free or reduced lunches. It is also very diverse there. I have never learned about a diverse culture but I am glad I am now and I enjoy it.
I can relate my sociocultural characteristics to those of my students because of not fitting into "scwamp". Since I am not a male I do not obtain that privledge of fitting it. Many students that will come into my classroom, when I become a teacher will all not fit into "scwamp" as well. But no matter what every student should be treated equally reguardless of fitting into "scwamp" or not. I believe that what I am learning in this class and the classroom I'm tutoring in are helping me to becomming a better culturally competent teacher.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Prompt 3
On Moday was another visit to the elementary school. The students were all really excited to see me again. I started off with the lower group, playing chutes and ladders. But there was a catch they would have to say the word in less than 3 seconds and then spin the spinner and move. If the students landed on a spot with a ladder then they would have to say two words. This was a way of assessessing the students on their vocabulary and prenounciation. My SL teacher told me to make sure that they say the words in less than the three seconds because when it comes time for the real assesment then they must say it in the three seconds, or they would fail on that word. One boy was just looking at the words and guessing it each time, i stressed the point to him that he shouldn't just guess because he's not learning anything. I think that he was doing this because he was distracted and he just wanted to win, but he wasnt going to win if he kept guessing. So i helped him realize this and he started to change his mind.
When my SL teacher and i switched groups i worked with the higher group. We also played chutes and ladders (applying same rules) but instead they would say small sentences like. "he said jump!" Some of the students also got distracted but i think that this was happening because they were struggling with some of the words and just wanted to give up. One girl actually just walked away. The teacher told her that she was to work with me and she needed as much practice as she could get.
I learned that each student has a different way of learning. Some students just "give up" because they believe that they just can't do it. But i try really hard to encourage the students and tell them that reading and learning can be fun. Being a younger person i think that they listen to me and think that it really can be cool.
When it was time for me to leave the students were lining up at the door for lunch. All the students were excited to tell me that they had their 50cents for their ice cream. Some students didnt have money for it and my SL teacher gave money to the aid that walks the students down to lunch, for the ones that didnt have money. I thought that was really nice, because the students were all excited that they too could have their ice cream with the other students.
Next week is spring break and i will not be attending. The students will be upset when they find this out, but i will be there in the weeks comming up, and i cant wait!
When my SL teacher and i switched groups i worked with the higher group. We also played chutes and ladders (applying same rules) but instead they would say small sentences like. "he said jump!" Some of the students also got distracted but i think that this was happening because they were struggling with some of the words and just wanted to give up. One girl actually just walked away. The teacher told her that she was to work with me and she needed as much practice as she could get.
I learned that each student has a different way of learning. Some students just "give up" because they believe that they just can't do it. But i try really hard to encourage the students and tell them that reading and learning can be fun. Being a younger person i think that they listen to me and think that it really can be cool.
When it was time for me to leave the students were lining up at the door for lunch. All the students were excited to tell me that they had their 50cents for their ice cream. Some students didnt have money for it and my SL teacher gave money to the aid that walks the students down to lunch, for the ones that didnt have money. I thought that was really nice, because the students were all excited that they too could have their ice cream with the other students.
Next week is spring break and i will not be attending. The students will be upset when they find this out, but i will be there in the weeks comming up, and i cant wait!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Promt 2
Today was my third visit and I've seen a few different faces. Before I noticed that all of the students where either black, hispanic, or asian. The majority being black. Today I noticed a girl who was absent the last time I visited, she is white. The classroom teacher and myself as well as this girl were the only white females, in the classroom.
With 5 students I played Candy land with them today, the only difference was they have to use site words before they can go. They all did a really good job, though some children had a difficult time prenouncing the words. But when soemone cannot get a word we all work together to help the students whose turn it is, prenounce the word properly.
The next group which contained 5 girls that needed help on some of their site words as well. We played memory and go fish with flash cards that I had made for them, to help learn site words. They all enjoyed the game and seemed really interested to sound out each word and find its match in order to win. Though a few times the girls got distracted with my hair, and wanted to play with my hair rather than the game, but overall it went well and they were egar to win.
All the students speak fluent english, though some do speak other languages like spanish at home. One boy was trying to get another boy's attention by saying "mirar, mirar!" which means look, look! The other boy understood him, which led me to believe that their are quite a few children in this classroom that speak another language at home.
Also some of the students already are speaking "slang". Today a girl said to me that she was just ""playin'", instead of saying joking. I found this to be interesting because I didnt think that children could pick up these "slang" words so early. But they must be used to it because thats how their parents, siblings, or just people in their enviornment speak.
After some research I found out that in the elementary school I tutor at 12% of the students are white, 17% are black/African American, 39% are hispanic/latino, 1% are native hawiian, and 14% are multi-response. 52% are female and 48% are male students.
With 5 students I played Candy land with them today, the only difference was they have to use site words before they can go. They all did a really good job, though some children had a difficult time prenouncing the words. But when soemone cannot get a word we all work together to help the students whose turn it is, prenounce the word properly.
The next group which contained 5 girls that needed help on some of their site words as well. We played memory and go fish with flash cards that I had made for them, to help learn site words. They all enjoyed the game and seemed really interested to sound out each word and find its match in order to win. Though a few times the girls got distracted with my hair, and wanted to play with my hair rather than the game, but overall it went well and they were egar to win.
All the students speak fluent english, though some do speak other languages like spanish at home. One boy was trying to get another boy's attention by saying "mirar, mirar!" which means look, look! The other boy understood him, which led me to believe that their are quite a few children in this classroom that speak another language at home.
Also some of the students already are speaking "slang". Today a girl said to me that she was just ""playin'", instead of saying joking. I found this to be interesting because I didnt think that children could pick up these "slang" words so early. But they must be used to it because thats how their parents, siblings, or just people in their enviornment speak.
After some research I found out that in the elementary school I tutor at 12% of the students are white, 17% are black/African American, 39% are hispanic/latino, 1% are native hawiian, and 14% are multi-response. 52% are female and 48% are male students.
Friday, February 12, 2010
My First Visit
Monday was my first visit to the elementary school. When I first arrived at the school I was surprised to find out that there was a very small parking lot that was completely full, so I parked on the street. I was not use to this because from what I remember in my elementary school there was always parking. The building was in a lower class area, and their playground was not fenced off. I remember that my elementary school, and even when I pick up my younger siblings from school, their play yards are fenced off.
Once I got inside the school the teacher wasnt expecting me, because she got confused so I had to wait outside the main office. I was sitting there with other students and their parents, while they were waiting to see the principal. A teacher came and assigned me a new room with a new teacher.
When I arrived in the room, the teacher was welcoming as well as the students. This room was for students reading at a kindergarten reading level. The class had some first graders and many kindergarteners. As soon as class began the teacher would make jokes with the children, and they loved her sence of humor.
The teacher later divided the kindergarteners and the first graders. While she would be on the rug reading with one half I would be walking around playing reading games with the students. I got to talk to all of the students and they are all very sweet. Though, I have not remembered all of their names yet, I plan to! I had an awesome time and it seemed like I was really making an impact on these students. I even stayed an extra half hour. I can't wait to go back.
Once I got inside the school the teacher wasnt expecting me, because she got confused so I had to wait outside the main office. I was sitting there with other students and their parents, while they were waiting to see the principal. A teacher came and assigned me a new room with a new teacher.
When I arrived in the room, the teacher was welcoming as well as the students. This room was for students reading at a kindergarten reading level. The class had some first graders and many kindergarteners. As soon as class began the teacher would make jokes with the children, and they loved her sence of humor.
The teacher later divided the kindergarteners and the first graders. While she would be on the rug reading with one half I would be walking around playing reading games with the students. I got to talk to all of the students and they are all very sweet. Though, I have not remembered all of their names yet, I plan to! I had an awesome time and it seemed like I was really making an impact on these students. I even stayed an extra half hour. I can't wait to go back.
Friday, February 5, 2010
About Me
My name is Lauren Grant and I'm studying elementary education at Rhode Island College. Last year I graduated from Cranston High School West, so I am a freshman. So far my semester is going pretty well. When I'm not at school I work or hang out with friends. I am one of six children, three brothers and two sisters. I also have two dogs. I start my first tutoring session on Monday at Harry Kiziran Elementary School. I hope that the things I learn during this experience will help me to become a skilled teacher in my future career.
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