Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The first few times that i went to my school i got lost on my way there because I was not used to where i needed to go. When I first arrived at my school it was not exactly what I had expected because the windows are gated and that is something that I have never seen at an elementary school before. Once I got into the school and met the students and teachers I felt more comfortable because the students want to get to know you and want you to be working with them. The teachers are also very inviting into their classrooms and seem like they enjoy that I am spending my time working with their students. Everyday that I have been to work with the students the teacher has had them sitting around her on a rug where they read and do activities where the teacher can involve every student into her lesson. This helps to get the students more interested in what she is teaching because the students get to be more involved. Although some of the students can get easily distracted they all seem very interested in what their teacher is saying to them and what to be a part of what she is teaching to them. The students being respectful and polite to not only their teachers but also their peers is very much valued in this school. You can tell this because they have a school store in which the students can receive play money to spend at the school store. The only way that the students can earn this money is if they are well behaved and show respect. My second time going to the school the principle and a boy and girl student were standing in the office when I went to check in. When i came up to the door the boy opened the door and held it for the girl and me. The principle saw this and told him to always remain a gentlemen and handed him a few of the dollars. This showed the boy that the principle noticed his gesture and that he appreciated it. The students in my group get so excited when i show up because they love getting the attention of a guest coming into their classroom and working with them. I go twice a week and just started last week with working with the students. I have 3 groups of students and work with the same kids every time that I go. Working with the students twice a week gives them more practice in the areas that they need help with.
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Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteFor a different (actually opposing) view of rewards (like the dollars) see Alfie Kohn's work Punished by Rewards. I know that the whole district is involved in this reinforcement program and that many teachers depend on it. I'm not judging them; I just wanted you to be aware to consider an alternative view.
Three groups? That is wonderful. I look forward to hearing all about your work and your connections to our course readings.
Dr. August
Hey Kim! =)
ReplyDeleteYour first few experiences sound very similar to mine! The school that I did my VIPS service learning at was very much like that. The whole building was surrounded by bars and it was very intimidating at first. I had also never been to a school where you had to buzz in to be let it, so that was a little different for me. Also, the students at Mitchell Elementary, where I volunteered, also got pretend money to go shopping at their school's bookstore if they were well behaved. Since they got to switch classes they could get them from any of the teachers. The teachers sometimes used this to their advantage by telling the children if they didn't behave that they wouldn't get the money to shop at the bookstore; which tend to quiet them down real fast. Also, I think it's great that you get to work with so many students! I typically only worked with one child, which I loved don't get me wrong, but it would have been interesting to work with many children from the classroom!
Overall, sounds like you're having a good time so far. =) hope it is a good experience!