One Last Time....

One last time I had the opportunity to be with my lovely second graders! They were all so enthusiastic when they saw me, but I did not think much about it until... Mrs. Carti announced that the students had a surprise for me! I was curious to see what it was and then Mrs. Carti took out a large booklet the students made with a class picture on the front and individual handwritten letters and handdrawn pictures! They all came up to me and hugged me and said they were going to miss me. I was so surprised and had mixed emotions of happiness and sadness.

Afterwards, they all wanted me to give one last cursive lesson so I taught them how to write the letter "g" in cursive. They were all so eager to begin and when they did, they told me they didn't want me to leave because they are going to miss me correcting and checking their handwriting, which made me very emotional!

When we finished hand-writing, we all had snacks, and just like the Kindergarten class, the Second grade class was just as excited for their munchkins! All throughout snack they each went up to me asking if I had read their letters, and I even received more hugs from them. At the end of the day they all became so emotional that each one of them ran up to me and trapped me in the biggest hug I ever received! I wanted to cry but I didn't want to become emotional in front of the children. As I walked out they all shouted "GOOD BYE MISS. E COME BACK SOON AND VISIT US!" I was so overwhelmed and wanted to take them all with me, as they suggested they each wanted to join me in college. They were all so lovely and I had an amazing experience overall with both the Kindergarten and Second grade class!!

One Last Story....

This past week has been very unforgettable. Unfortunately my time at McKenzie School has come to an end. Before I actually left for good I needed to visit Mrs. Ferrell's Kindergarten class or as I like to call them "my Kindergartners." When I first walked in they all recognized me right away and began shouting "Miss. E." I was so excited to see all their faces one more time and as they all came up to me they started telling me everything I missed from them losing teeth to getting a new hair cut to growing butterflies in the classroom!

I was sad at how much I had missed. One thing that made me most happy was when Mrs. Ferrell asked me to read to them one last time. It was a butterfly book and they were all so good, but had many questions and comments. I was all the more amazed at how mature they looked in appearance and how much smarter they had become! When I finished reading to them, we had snack. They all became overwhelmed and thrilled when I told them I brought in munchkins for them all!

My last goodbye was a sad one; I received many hugs! I will deeply miss the Kindergarten class of 2017.

Research Papers Already?

Working with the second grade class has been such a privilege and has had many, many ups. For instance, I now comprehend how fast they accomplish things and how early they begin learning about topics and in this case RESEARCH PAPERS! Wow, where do I even begin? The second grade class has literally blown me away.

This week they were introduced to research papers, and as a senior I now know what research papers are. I was just recently introduced to them during my first year of high school. The students are all very advanced and will not be as surprised with what is yet to come in high school! The students all picked out subjects they were interested in such as animals and planets. They looked through books and even articles that helped them gather more information about their topics. They are now in the process of putting it all together in one booklet! I am glad to say I was part of this whole experience!

How I Prepared For Teaching My Class!

These are some notes that I had written down, it is somewhat similar to making lessons plans; yet in this case I have actually written down the dialogue that I was going to say and the students' responses!

Empty Classroom!

My First Time Teaching!

Throughout everything that I have encountered this year at Mckenzie School as an intern, I have never been so nervous in my life! This week I was given the wonderful opportunity to teach Mrs. Carti's Second Grade class, even though I felt as if I was not ready for such a responsibility. I knew it was crucial to take on such an experience that will not only better my understanding on how to teach, but will benefit me overall in the long run.

I was given the lesson plans beforehand; the topic revolved around fractions (one lesson I don't remember learning about), and the teachers workbook addition had absolutely everything I needed to get across! Before teaching I even created dialogue, writing down everything I was going to say and ask and writing the children's responses! When I first walked to the front of the classroom, I was overcome with nervousness, but luckily the students made me feel right at home. I started the lesson by giving students an example about sharing an ice cream bar and cutting it right down the middle so that everyone would be happy with the piece that they obtained. From there I began doing some examples with them and then we worked on problems in the workbook. During the entire lesson, the students were absolutely quiet, no one was talking, and everyone was engaged. After I had finished some students came up to me and asked if I could teach math all the time! I was relieved! Yay to teaching!

First Time Teaching!

What an experience I had! The thrill, the excitement, the nerves all overcame me at once, yet the children absolutely loved it and so did I!

A teacher's role is to help,instruct, and encourage the children in everything they do that will in time benefit their lives. Shaping the students and having them learn from us is the best gift that one can ask for.

End Of The Year Tests

At the beginning of each year it is common for students in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools to take a standardized test that contains material that they are going to be learning in the current grade. It allows teachers and the state to obtain knowledge of how students progress in class. It is astonishing how students' original grades transform into 100s, 90s, and so on! Not only was I amazed with how well the second grade class did, but I was proud to say that the students understood a great majority of what they were taught and met the standards the state had given. State tests may seem like a drag to the students, yet it is very beneficial to them as well as the school!

Oh How I Love Grading!

Throughout my time spent at my internship, I have become very fond of grading papers. Whether it is homework from the workbooks or tests, every part of grading makes me feel like an actual teacher. I have become so involved in grading and putting the grades in Genesis that I have a method for doing it all! Even though grading does take a lot of time, it all becomes worth it; for not only does it indicate if children learned the material, but it shows the teacher what things students may be having trouble with. Grading has really captured my attention, and I always enjoy reading what they write down or seeing their math calculations on their papers!

A Teacher's Job

"Teaching is the act of sharing the knowledge we have been given by others with hop the someday, in some way, it again will be passed on..." The students often remind me of the most simplest things that I remember I was taught when I was their age, the same knowledge will only extend itself to many generations to come!

Busy Busy Busy

The second graders are one of the grades that are most busy, yet still manage to have fun! From math problems to reading centers, the students are always working on something fun and engaging. There is not one moment when you will here a student say they are bored. Now and then they will complain that they don't understand the topic they are working on, but in time they comprehend everything with patience and a lot of activities! They are all just busy bees!

Who Do The Students Perceive Me As?

From Kindergarten to Second grade, the students have always wondered why I just show up after lunch and for only half of the day. Every time that I answer "I'm in school for the first half" they are surprised and question my age. The students overall view me as a legitimate teacher, call me Miss E, and never thought I was a high school student. However, even though they view me as a teacher, they still challenge me as a friend, asking me to read a chapter book in only 30 minutes. This relationship is what I love most!

Putting One And One Together

Two weeks ago while I was at my internship, a student came up to me and questioned if I was going to be with them Friday since I missed Tuesday (because of the half day they had). I was astonished and surprised because I felt as if they were not able to comprehend that if I miss a day I make it up. Instead of answering the student I asked him excitingly "How in the world did you figure that out? I didn't even have to tell you my schedule because you figured it out yourself!"  He simply replied "I don't know." Even though it wasn't a big deal, it was a huge occurrence for me because people often doubt younger students, when in fact they are more observant and more quick to piece things together than adults!

What A Week It Has Been...

Many grades were given to the students and put into Genesis this entire week...

Kindergarten Vs. Second Grade

This past week I have come to a conclusion. Lately I have been thinking tremendously about the true differences between Second grade and Kindergarten. I have decided that second is the grade for me. Even though I have fallen in love with Kindergarten, I feel more comfortable teaching the second graders; they are loving (just like the Kindergarten class), yet one is able to do many many more things and activities with them. They comprehend you to a certain degree and have a much busier schedule! They test almost every week and when learning a subject they become highly involved. Teaching second grade brings an abundance of work, but I feel as if I have been waiting for this kind of excitement!

Second Grade

Where all the students love Writing, Reading, Mathematics, Spanish, Science, Media Center, Computers, and Art!

Computer Problems?

One day at my internship the students were going to cycle and on this day it happened to be computers! When we first arrived the children were so excited to finish a mini project they were working on, and as for me, I was so excited to see them at one of their cycles! I felt as if I was going to be helpful to those who had questions because everything seemed easy enough and the programs they were using were familiar to me. However, this was not the case at all. One of the students had called me over to see if I was capable of copying and pasting a picture that wouldn't load. I attempted to help, but after ten minutes another student came over, and well lets just say he had better results than I did. I guess second graders are smarter than a "high schooler!"

Two Different Worlds... Second Grade

Creativity And Children!

In every grade level in an elementary school, there will always be creativity! Creativity is not only found within the classroom, but also on the walls--from paintings and drawings the students have created to even paintings outside the nurses office and computer room. Creativity is in every inch of the school! In order for school to be a fun and welcoming environment, I have realized the best way to do such so is by allowing the inner child to come out from inside of you! Children love crayons and paint; it astonishes me how every child tries their hardest to finish art projects and pays most attention in art class. It is always the most fun when we are given the opportunity to create drawings to describe who we are or express a particular thing.

Love At First Sight!

Throughout my time at McKenzie School I have visited different Kindergartens, yet I have never been able to visit different grade levels. However, this week everything changed! I was given the privilege to work in a different classroom and most importantly a different grade level! Second Graders! During this week I was thrilled to analyze a different atmosphere; the students themselves were much more mature which astonished me. They were already reading books on their own and learning about science and other subjects. My Kindergartners were just beginning to learn how to read complete sentences, while the second graders were already so mature. Also, they were not as hyper; however, they were a little energetic at times. The classroom set up had also changed; there were no longer tables, but desks for each student. There were not as many posters hanging, but much of the students crafts were on display. The students were extremely polite when they saw me and I think I might have fallen in love all over again....

Smart Boards?

During the early 2000s when I attended Kindergarten there were no smart boards, yet in this generation everything revolves around electronics, and I honestly don't know how we even made it without computers or even smart boards! When using smart boards in a classroom teachers are able to go along with the students in their workbooks while the workbook pages are projected on a screen. Using a special marker, teachers are able to fill in blanks, write letters or numbers down, and most importantly demonstrate to the students all that needs to be completed! Life has definitely changed, but in this case it has only progressed by producing a diverse and better learning atmosphere.

Read Across America Week!

This week was above all, the most exciting week for students, teachers, and even parents! To begin some days this week, the students and staff had to wear shirts with words on them in honor of Read Across America. Also on the same day the Kindergarten classes all gathered out in the hall to have ten minutes of reading, and throughout this whole week the parents of the students were allowed to read to the students! Each day of the week had its own tiny festivities from creating Cat and the Hat paper hats to actually seeing Cat and the Hat in person. Every event that took place kept the students entertained and moreover, intrigued to read a little more!

Quote Of The Week

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."
- William Arthur Ward

Responsibilities..

A teacher's job goes beyond being actually a teacher; instead they hold many different responsibilities within the school. As an intern I have seen that teachers are responsible for:
1. Having lessons plans completed for their classroom
2. Being in constant communication with the parents of the students
And teachers, believe it or not, are even suppose to know how to work the copy machines!

Without lesson plans there will never be harmony within the classrooms or when teachers are absent. Furthermore, without communicating with parents, parents would not know how their children are doing in the classroom. This may all seem easy enough to handle, but one can say that a teacher handles many jobs within their career...more than people realize.

Rules Are A Must!

Rules are very crucial when it comes to running a classroom, especially managing a Kindergarten classroom. They are not only important for students but are of much benefit for teachers as well. When observing a few Kindergarten classrooms, I have found that each teacher possesses his or her own personal rules, whether it be for classroom management or disciplining individual students. For instance, for classroom management, the teachers establish basic rules: "Do not talk while I'm talking," "Be polite," "Say please and thank you," and " If you are spoken to three times in one day you will not have play time/center time." Establishing procedures is key to having a good learning environment; without rules it would be very chaotic in a classroom!

The One Hundredth Day Of School Art Project!

All Teachers Are Unique

In Kindergarten and even any grade, it all depends on the teacher's teaching style and the classroom set up that makes the classroom unique. When exploring the different Kindergarten classes, I have found many diverse atmospheres in each classroom; some are more bright while others more calm. Every teacher has a way of making their room their own, from the many decorations such as posters and carpeting, to the way the teachers instruct their students on how to count and read, to even the set up of the tables and desks. Each factor is significant to establishing a Kindergarten class.

Reading A Fundamental Skill For All

I promise to read every day of my life! This was the pledge that each student throughout the entire Elementary School had to make during their reading assembly. In Kindergarten the students first come in knowing only their ABC's and 123's. However, midway through the year the students begin reading sentences and even booklets! They progress in months, and it is amazing how much they strive to learn how to spell words out of their comfort zones and even attempt to read sentences on their own with the "arm method."      

A Typical Day as a "Teacher's Assistant"

On Monday, February 6th, when I first walked in the classroom all eyes were drawn to the math workbooks. In this case, I settled down and made myself comfortable in the back of the room, my usual spot. The head teacher, Mrs. Ferrell, was discussing "subtraction" and the importance of always having the bigger number first when subtracting. She then had them test it out with their own fingers. Later that day, during snack time I was sent upstairs to make some copies and oh what a difficult time I had! But after I completed that task, I made my way back downstairs and decided to then file the folders of each student by putting important notices in them and that night's homework. Afterwards while the students were playing at different areas during "center time," I began to write each of their names on "guessing sheets" of paper. With these guessing sheets, the students are going to be given the opportunity to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar. After I finished, the students were getting ready to leave and I assisted a few of them in zippering up their coats... and off we went!

Every Day Life As A Kindergarten Class Intern

What is it that an intern does while in a Kindergarten class? This was one of the main questions that I had always stumbled upon, yet in all actuality within a Kindergarten class one may never know what can happen. The students are all sorts of fun. They ask questions and say certain statements that will truly blow you away! As an intern you are taken on a journey that may seem as if it were a roller coaster. From the time you walk in the front door of the building to the time you leave, there will never be a dull moment...

Kindergarten or Second Grade?

One can honestly say that kindergarteners within this generation know an excessive amount of material, even more than what we knew when we were five and six years old. The students are not only obligated to know how to work technology by creating pictures with certain software (I know, sounds very difficult!), but they are also taught how and when to use proper punctuation. The students that I work with are very intelligent for their age group, and this was another step further into revealing their advanced nature!

Super Bowl Canned Food Fun

After a long break from attending my internship, I came back to an eventful week. When I first arrived I already had a "field trip" to attend down the hallway to the main office. Mckenzie School has a very exciting way to endorse the Super Bowl Teams and their food drive. In this case, they set up several boxes and each with one of the two team names. The children are then allowed to bring in canned foods to place in the team box that they would like to see win the Super Bowl. Not only were the students involved, but so were the teachers! This is a very intriguing way to promote the Super Bowl and give to those less fortunate.