I’ve had a wonderful past few weeks at the preschool, and even felt a bit prematurely nostalgic this past week when another teacher came in to discuss graduation! Recently, a new music teacher has begun to visit about three times a week, with new instruments (last week was rhythm sticks), songs, and dances each day. The first time she came was on a day that I visited, and it also happened to be picture day. It turned out to be a bit of a hectic day; students were excited and a bit over-stimulated due fancy picture-day outfits and the two classroom visitors. At one point when both teachers were occupied with picture day duties, an opportunity was created for me to both gain control of the classroom and lead the class in an activity. It was challenging (especially because it was just before lunch time!), but I was eventually able to re-gain attention, and even teach one of my favorite call-and-repeat songs. Although my priority is with helping the students, it is wonderful that I am able to get classroom leadership experience simultaneously.
Aside from teaching the occasional song, my main and recognized role in the classroom has become queen of the art center. Everyone now knows my rule about Play-dough, paper cuttings, and paint: “If you get it on the floor, out – the – door!” In other words, I’ve created a rule that spilling on the floor constitutes a switch out of art to a new center. One teacher told me that the rule has started to stick even when I’m not there, which is great. Last week at art center, I witnessed a real-life example of “scaffolding”, which I’ve been learning about in my educational psychology class. I asked one student to grab me a purple crayon, and when another student saw her struggling to do so, she first pointed to where the crayon box is kept on the shelf, and then helped the first student find a purple one. When the helping student recognized that the first student was capable of this task, but not able to complete the task on her own, she came alongside to help out. I feel lucky that I’ve been placed in a classroom where I’m able to witness similar displays of compassion each time I visit.
Aside from teaching the occasional song, my main and recognized role in the classroom has become queen of the art center. Everyone now knows my rule about Play-dough, paper cuttings, and paint: “If you get it on the floor, out – the – door!” In other words, I’ve created a rule that spilling on the floor constitutes a switch out of art to a new center. One teacher told me that the rule has started to stick even when I’m not there, which is great. Last week at art center, I witnessed a real-life example of “scaffolding”, which I’ve been learning about in my educational psychology class. I asked one student to grab me a purple crayon, and when another student saw her struggling to do so, she first pointed to where the crayon box is kept on the shelf, and then helped the first student find a purple one. When the helping student recognized that the first student was capable of this task, but not able to complete the task on her own, she came alongside to help out. I feel lucky that I’ve been placed in a classroom where I’m able to witness similar displays of compassion each time I visit.
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