First day at school.

Despite waking up at 6am, yesterday was wonderful as it was my first day in the schools. If you've had a positive educational experience, there is a certain feeling you get when you step into a classroom with 19 little tykes learning their ABC's and 123's. It is a feeling of excitement, apprehension, and/or energy. You become rejuvenated by this fresh way of thinking. You begin with the basics all over again. We don't think how hard phonics can be (not a fan of phonics, but that, my friends, is an ancient debate amongst educators) because we read Jane Austen or Stephen King and on top of that, we analyze. Second graders just are not at that point yet, and I find it refreshing.

The classroom I'm in is great. Ms. DT, the teacher, has great classroom management skills (thank the Lord!) as well as a good structure to her curriculum. It also helps that she's really nice and so open to what we need to get done as grad students (there is two of us observing in the class). It's going to be a good learning semester as I start putting together my portfolio. I was already able to get a parent interview done, so that was an assignment that was unexpectedly completed. I was surprised that one of things this mother said was that a sign of a good teacher is to "get the children to love her/him." Never really thought about it in that way.

The best part of the whole day though is my new little buddy. My little buddy will be called J. Unfortunately, J has a low reading level for a second grader... and overall, he's performing below his grade level. It's my hope that I can give him more individualized attention and by the end, he will be reading, doing math, and everything a lot better. I don't think it helps him that he's the only black kid in the class; this seemingly-insignificant factor doesn't help matters when children are not doing well developmentally and academically. He always distants himself from the other children at his table when doing his work. He goes to sit at the "listening center" table. Hopefully J will be able to build the confidence that he knows his stuff... he just needs to strengthen and refine it.

I was beaming when he had his "ah-ha moment" yesterday. He didn't make the connection that 129 and 130 followed the same order just like 29 and 30. The 1 in front of the first set made him think that after 129, 141 followed (I'm not quite sure how he made that leap). I showed him that 29 always go before 30... they're like PB&J, best buds. He got it by the end! He was doing his own beaming.

Ahhhh, I'm thinking I want to teach second now and not third (which they don't really let first-year teachers teach in MA anyway... so it may just work out for the best!). But I won't be too hasty, I'll see how this semester develops. Another thought has been that if I can live on a teacher's aide salary, I would love to be a teacher's aide for my first year... despite that I will have my initial licensure next August. I just love the individualized attention I could give, and I could be everywhere helping out everyone. I love both teaching and aiding! So who knows where I'll end up.

I need to remember to bring in some books with monsters or magic in them. J apparently loves to read those kind. Yes, I win the hearts of children through books. ;) I haven't told J yet that we're going to be reading buddies yet since Ms. DT and I just determined it at the end of the day.

So, summarily, a classroom is like applesauce. As simple as it is, there are so many elements that go into the making of this delicious autumn treat. Depending on your recipe, taste and texture will vary. The apple is the teacher and the lemon juice, sugar, food processor, water, etc. are all the kids and what they bring into the experience. And in the outcome, it's just one huge pot of yummy mush!

How's that for an English major analogy? ;) I mean, come on, what kid doesn't like the gross connotation of 'mush'?

- Miss Chelsea :)