Week one in Ms. C class flew by. I get in the classroom at about 8:15 a.m. and leave around 10:00 a.m. Each day was a new learning experience. I learned about what a teachers assistant does but I also learned about the children and how an actual classroom is on a day to day basis.
In the morning when the students enter the classroom they do write down the word of the day in their notebooks or if it is "their day" then they get to use the computers and play educational games. I observed that the students really like playing in the computers. When time is up for the word of the day or computers the students gather on the carpet briefly for instruction about centers. Once they know the centers for the day and where they will be going they do them, alternating every 15 minutes for 40 minutes.
After centers are over they go to the carpet again for reading. The teacher reads the story to the students. I sit on the carpet next to D and help him stay focused and on task.
On the first couple days of my observation I just walked around and talked to a few students about what they were doing. On the third day I observed for the week I was allowed to grade papers. The teacher was more interactive with me and she told me what I could do to help the children. She also told me that I could sit with the students on the carpet and help D or any other student that I see struggling.
Next week I hope that Ms. C will be more comfortable with me. I hope that she wont hesitate to ask me to grade papers or to make a copy for her. It is my goal within the next few weeks that the students will also be comfortable with me and will begin asking me questions and asking for help.
It must feel good to be able to help a struggling student - hopefully, the bonds created will be meaningful for your future teaching career. Sounds like a good start to the 1st round of classroom placements. For future posts, remember to enhance with a copyright-friendly multimedia (photo, video, audio).
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