2nd Week of Tutoring

During my second week at my PDS, I was much more comfortable with my class. The students were all very excited to see me and a few students asked me where I had been or told me that I was gone for too long. This Wednesday schedule of lesson was different than last Wednesday's. My host teacher used worksheets, the white board, a projector, and books. She used the same resources in my experience last week, but she used them in different ways and with different subjects and content. The students in their assigned rows at the front of the class seemed to be in the same placement as last week.

The students were less distracted by me this week, but still often looked in my direction and smiled. Also, I helped with assignments more this week now that I have a better understanding of how the teacher helps the students and what she expects of them. The students were very anxious for my help and appeared to listen to what I told them. While I was going around helping students with their worksheets, I noticed a child had a rash on his neck and asked him about it. He did not seem to know about the rash, but did say he was very itchy. I immediately let me teacher know and she took him to the school health care provider. My host teacher said that was one of the many benefits of having and extra pair of eyes, ears, and hands around the classroom.

While the teacher was gone with the student that had a rash, I was alone with the rest of the class. They got a little worked up and excited that it was just us. I explained to them that just because the teacher was gone didn't mean we didn't have to continue our lesson. I asked the students what page we were to be on, made sure every student was on that page, and began to discuss what we knew so far about the story we were reading. The students got very excited about my being in charge. A couple students yelled out "She's in charge! Listen to her!" It made me feel pretty good.

Some of the time that I was at my PDS, my host teacher had me go over reading individually with some of her students that had problems with reading. I went over the story the teacher picked out slowly. The students and I sounded out words and compared words to sounds that the student already knew. After each student, I wrote down notes about what each student had problems with and things that I noticed. The teacher seemed to appreciate the notes. I talked a little bit with the students I read with. I asked them questions about themselves and allowed them time to loosen up around me so they weren't so nervous to read in front of me. One child asked if I remembered his full name that he told me during individual reading time while we were with the entire class. I recited his full name and the other students busted with excitement. I remembered almost all their first names but knew no other last or middle names.

Throughout the entire class, students seemed to be more open to me. They would show me their missing teeth, growing teeth, clothing they were proud of, and just tell me little fun facts about themselves. After class, the students lined up in alphabetical order for lunch. As each student passed me to get to the hallway to lunch, they gave me a hug. Every one of them hugged me and some told me something before they left. One boy whispered that he loved me and kissed my stomach as he hugged me.

Another thing I learned more about in the class was the "bee bucks" they have at East Dale. These are little pieces of paper that have money type text and pictures printed on them. The children seem to collect these for good behaviors and other positive things in order to receive a prize after a certain amount of time. While the students took turns reading a story in their books, the teacher gave me a handful of these "bee bucks". I was to pass out the "bee bucks" to whom ever I thought was listening and doing the right thing. The students got very excited and watched me walk around the classroom with these "bee bucks". I immediately felt the power and decided my classroom will have to have a system similar to "bee bucks" when I have my own classroom.

Overall, I had an even better experience this week than last. I am really starting to open up to my class and understand the culture and terms of my class. They are opening up to me just as well. I believe we're going to have a great bond and really get attached. I believe the students are as excited about next Wednesday as I am. I'm excited for the progression, experience, and techniques I have learned and will continue to learn from this experience.