Week 2 reflection

First Week of Kindergarten

If you saw me at Woodburn Elementary School on Monday, you would have heard me saying how excited I was for Tuesday to arrive. However, at the end of the day on Tuesday you would have heard me asking if summer was going to be here soon. Don't get me wrong, I love being placed in kindergarten. The students are active, smart, funny and entertaining. But on Tuesday, the first day of school, I learned how exhausting it is to be a kindergarten teacher.

The expectations are put in place and explained to the students the moment they arrive in kindergarten. Students learn how to raise their hands, wait their turn, share, use scissors, and learn to ask to use the bathroom among many other important concepts. Without these guidelines it would be impossible to get through the morning let alone the entire day. My host teacher is a wonderful example of how important it is to take time to explain classroom and school rules. On the first day of kindergarten, the students were learning what was expected of them.I have noticed that the students are getting better at following directions, respecting one another, and are becoming better listeners.

My host teacher has allowed me to teach one of the stations during our daily station time each day. I look forward to this time block every day. It is a wonderful opportunity for me because I am able to interact with the students and really listen to them.

One student has been giving me a rough time this week. He is having trouble understanding that he has to listen to all three adults in the classroom. I watched Mrs. R use stickers to keep the class focused and on task, so I decided to give it a try during my station. IT REALLY WORKS! As soon as he saw that other students were given a sticker, he decided to act like a kindergartener and complete his work. He acted much better for me on Tuesday and Wednesday. I realized that he just needed a little encouragement.

Mrs. R is allowing me to teach a unit on the senses in two weeks. I have been eagerly working on lesson plans. I am very excited to try out my plans in the classroom. All of my activities with include some kind of manipulative and a book (either on sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell).

I am eagerly looking forward to next week.