Raiza Perdomo

October 1, 2007

Another day in Mrs. Hanks first grade class. Rather than grade papers and put grades in her grade book. I had no tasks at all. I put some papers in their bins to take home. I made sure they had the correct addition problems on their dry erase boards and basically watched them do worksheets. There was some glimpse of hope when I first walked in and saw them studying flash cards of words together around the room. I was matched up with a student who has the biggest behavioral problem in the class. He was an angel and focused the whole time. It was the best part of the day. I helped him look at the letters in the words so to look for the sounds. It seemed like he was doing really well. But, I couldn't even go over them a second time because it was time for lunch. Then another exciting lunch room break with some first grade teachers and a substitute. When we got back to the class I read students questions to an A.R. test and that was it. Not much to reflect on. Except I have learned that when I become a teacher and a volunteer comes into the classroom who is a student trying to learn and absorb as much as possible that I will not give them busy work. I am volunteering my time that I could be working or studying for my classes to be in a classroom to learn and absorb. You would think I am asking for a money donation or some difficult task. I want to work with students. I want to apply what I am learning in all of my classes to something that it real. I just want to make that connection from lecture and textbooks to actual experiences. Instead, all I have is great experience in grading worksheets.

October 2, 2007

I spent an hour at Mr. Paskus's first grade class for junior achievement. I learned that even some of the simplest tasks can get crazy. Perforated sheets of donuts, tons of ingredient stickers and students eager to start touching everything can be a bad mixture. I spent a lot of time just getting everyone ready to work and organizing groups. I felt like I just worked out...that's how exhausted I felt. They did a really great job. They really seemed to like the hair nets that I got from Publix. They were so thrilled to know that they got to take them home. Little things like that seem to be so important to them and you wouldn't even think about it. I was suprised when I put up the groups totals and asked if anyone knew the answer if you added the two. I looked at the teacher to see if maybe he thought they could answer the question and he shook his head like "no chance at all." But, then a student raised his hand an answered the questions correctly. The question was 14 + 8 = 22. Just goes to show you that you should never underestimate your students. What you may think is too difficult for them may not be at all.