Today was my eighth day as a RES teacher. I am fortunate as a new teacher that I am beginning my year by observing classrooms at work. Today I spent the day moving from classroom to classroom, and witnessing incredible teaching by our talented staff and the great community of learners that are our students.
I began my day in a third grade room. I walked in to the buzz of students at work. They were finishing self portraits and recording their hopes and dreams. Each thoughtful idea was being prepared for the wall, where they will be looked at through the year. I got the opportunity to attend morning meeting with this class. I observed friendly handshakes and an awesome discussion about a student's summer share. Students were respectful of their peers and truly interested in learning about their classmates experiences.
Next I went to a second grade class. Here they were wrapping up a meeting by focusing on a set of math activities. Students volunteered readily, and one exclaimed that the material was hard, to which another said his brother had not done this until sixth grade! Did they give up? No --they all increased their focus and excitement for solving the teacher's question. This discussion moved to a math lesson. Students were paired together while the teacher worked with some students one on one. Work plans were individualized, and pairs helped to answer each others questions.
Next I visited another third grade classroom which was in the middle of reading Chrysanthemum by Peter Henkes. Students sat thoughtfully on the carpet, and the discussion that followed was a discourse on treating each person in class with positive respect. Students clearly got this message, as they followed up by sharing and listening to written reflections on their summers.
Next I went to a kindergarten class. They were finishing up a math materials discovery. The table I sat with was building two and three dimensional objects. One student proudly showed me the hexagons he had built from shape blocks—applying the new shape they had discussed as a class and pointing out that it matched the shape of the table—what a great connection! I watched as other students tried to imitate this work. I attended lunch with the kindergarten group where I heard comments in the cafeteria line that students could eat this spaghetti for every meal. I then walked between tables as students ate and chatted comfortably about every topic under the sun. Several students asked for help opening drinks or getting water....and each time I was pleasantly surprised at their use of please and thank you!
Next I visited a fourth grade class. I was lucky enough to walk into a class setting up a 'me museum'. Each class member had brought artifacts from home to represent the important aspects of their lives. I got to see baby pictures, track ribbons, and special mementos of trips. And I also witnessed students interviewing classmates about their objects, and showing interest in each other and their lives.
Next I went to a first grade class. Sitting on the rug they were reading a monarch butterfly book. The teacher could not turn a page or read a sentence without a set of hands being raised. Students had stories, questions, connections to the classroom caterpillars, ideas about the authors intent in the drawings.....this was just not about reading a book, the class was alive with students thinking and sharing (even at the end of a Monday!). As they lined up to go to the library, one student was helping to tie the shoe of another. When someone asked what the hold up was, the student who was receiving help told everyone that their friend could tie shoes and 'wasn't that great because they could not'. The entire class waited patiently, acknowledging the importance of helping others without words, but just by their patient understanding.
Lastly I visited another second grade class. After wrapping up their homework directions the students sat on the rug to listen to Elmer the Elephant by David McKee. The conversation that followed the book was an excellent conclusion and summary of my entire experience today. The elephants learned to respect each others differences, no matter what the color of their skin, to think of others feelings, to enjoy being themselves---to enjoy being different!
What an amazing day! What an exciting environment to grow as a teacher.
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