Day 12

            Today was really fun, but I don’t necessarily know why. Ms. Hildebrand was really on top of things this morning and wrote up an agenda for me. I started with Ryan, Kegyn, and Jason in the hallway and worked in their Math Books. The focus of the plan was on Area. The students had to trace one hand and one food on separate paper, which was made up of square centimeters. The boys traced their hands nicely, but two of them needed my help tracing their feet. Ms. Hildebrand and I decided that we would only have them count the blocks that were MORE than half full and consider them 1 block. I drew a line through the halfway point on their hands and feet so that they could count each half separately and then add them together, eliminating the trouble of loosing count before finishing. They also put little marks through the blocks that they WERE counting and left the blocks that were less than half empty. This went really well and there was only one minor mistake with the counting, which was easily solved because it was only half of the foot that needed to be recounted. I am impressed that there was not more mistakes made because the chorus was singing very loudly and sometimes it is hard for the kids think while there is noise in the background. There was a bit of a competition between the boys to see whose foot was bigger. I had to explain to them that A, it doesn’t matter who has a bigger food and B, tracing their feet wasn’t actually that precise because it was done with socks on and different people traced them. They got over it quickly and then we had snack in Mr. Jensen’s room while an Occupational Therapist shared with us some of her rock collection. The kids were so funny gawking over the rocks and trying so hard to wait their turn to get to touch each one. When she presented the rocks, she used very difficult words that the kids did not understand or even care to ask what she meant. I too probably would have used words like etching and acupuncture if I had never dealt with second graders before, but now that I have learned more about their level in ability to understand and comprehend it seemed silly to me that she though they would actually know what she was talking about. I now know about the level of vocabulary that the students are at, so I make sure that I speak for them to be able to fully understand what I am trying to say.

 During Art class today I got all the materials that I need for the activity that I am organizing for tomorrow. I found paint trays, cleaned out the dirty colors, found some sponge brushes, regular brushes, and paper! The kids were anxious to find out what are doing tomorrow and why i was cleaning out the paints. I kept it a secret. Then, after lunch and recess Ms. Hildebrand continued to read Holes to the class, which i enjoy as well. We then stuck with the theme of reading and the kids got into their reading groups and did what they were assigned to do. I really enjoyed this part of the day. I had the luxury of being read to by Kathryne, Hannah, and Jack. They each read to me a book from their book boxes for about 10 to 15 minutes in the hallway. Kathryne is a fairly quick reader, but she doesn't always read the correct word. She reads for speed and often says a word that she thinks sounds like it might come next, but isnt actually the correct word. I had to slow her down and correct her quite a bit in the beginning, but they she got the hang of it and started to read more smoothly and correctly.  Hannah had a bit of the same problem, but she wasn't quite as speedy. Hannah just didn't seem very motivated or into reading. When she would get stuck on a word i would try to make her sound it out, and then if she still didnt get it i would give her the beginning sound. If that didnt help her then i would tell her the word, but she didnt want to repeat what i said and would just keep reading on. She too would sometime make up words that she thought would fit in the sentence instead of slowing down and reading the words. Jack on the other hand did not seem to struggle with much, he was an amazing reader. His speed was great and his comprehension was excellent, but he did read very quietly. It was so fun to be able to work with different students and listen to them read one on one instead of in a group of students. Then to finish off the day we went into Mr. Jensen's class for a science experiment. The students had sand/dirt in a film container, a plate, and magnifying glasses. Ms. H and Mr. J and I went around and poured water into into the film canister while the students got to observe the water sink to the bottom. It always fascinates me how interested the kids are in such silly little experiments involving dirt, rocks, and water. It's great! Today felt rather calm and relaxing compared to the last few days. Tomorrow is only a half day for me, but i am excited to do a little water color project with the kids! I hope it goes smoothly, i am a little nervous...