service learning October 26

Today I was assinged to work with Quinton on math. We had to work on greater than, less than, and equal to problems. It was quite a challenge, and I found myself using the comparison of me having a certain amount cookies and if he had a certain amount who had more cookies and it seemed to click with him. We worked on math for half of the time, and in the middle of it he told me that he liked working with me because I was a lot of fun and I was cool. Suprisingly the approval of a 1st grader meant a lot to me. The kids made Halloween masks for their party next week and it was really interesting to see the different masks that they made. They were so creative and were all yelling "Mr.Brown, come here do you like mine?" I find myself wanting more and more to have my own class. I think that this service learning has reassured me that teaching is what I want to do. I am learning so much from these kids and it just amazes me how they all work together and help each other out. When one of the students would run into a problem with their masks there would be a flock of other kids right there to help them. It was such a sight to see them all helping each other. Mrs. Eby is a good teacher and I find myself learning from her as well. This has been such a great experience so far.

service learning

This week at service learning something scary happend. Everett High School is across the street from Cavanaugh Elementary and one of the high schoolers made a death threat and it was supposed to happend on Cavanaugh's playground. The announcement came over the PA that there was a code red. I was amazed at how the children didn't even pick up on the words "code red" meant anything bad. Mrs. Eby took me outside the classroom and told me what was going on and the procedure to follow. We closed all the window shades and moved to the center of the room and read aloud as a group. After about an hour the situation was diffused and everything went back to normal. I guess this just startled me a little because it showed me how real school violence was. Although nothing happend, the threat was there and real and it just opened up my naive eyes once again.

service learning

Friday when I went to service learning I walked in the class room and saw that there was a sub in the room. The kids were being loud and out of control but as soon as I walked in the settled down quite a bit. I found it interesting that already I'm a familar face and I feel that little kids act out of line when there isn't a familiar face around but when one shows up they know they better behave. When I got there there was a note for me to work with one of the students. I helped him with his math and it was a struggle. He was not cooperative at all in the beginning. I stuck with it and was firm with him but at the same time careful not to be too mean and finally got through to him. We got all of his math done and then the directions said for me to just have him color so we colored and talked. He told me about his family which consisted of his mom and sister. He never mentioned his dad so I assumed that his father wasn't around much. After he was done coloring and it was time for me to go I took him back to the room and told him I had to leave. He put his arms around me and told me he couldn't wait for me to go back.

october 5

I woke up today with an awful the flu so I was unable to make it to Mrs.Eby's classroom today. I called the school and left a message for Mrs.Eby. I can't wait til next week because I find myself missing the kids a little already.

Week 2

This week at my service learning I was mobbed by the children as the screamed "Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown you came back" I got a good laugh out of that, although being called Mr. Brown made me feel like my dad. Anyways, I worked with one of the boys in the classroom during reading. I was amazed at his reading ability. After that they had recess so I joined the kids outside. All of the boys sacrificed playing to talk to me. It was a conversation filled with questions about my favorite video games and what sport teams I cheer for. I was extremely concerned when they were talking about video games and movies. Some of the titles that they said they liked in both categories shocked me that they've been exposed to at such a young age. I brought this up to Mrs. Eby and she told me that I would only continue to be shocked when I got to know the students more. Mrs. Eby and I had the conversation about parents and the pressures that go along with dealing with them and how there are different types at each school. She told me that at the more affluent schools teachers have to deal with parents that are sold on the idea that their child is "the most gifted" and they deserve a 4.0 in everything they do. She also pointed out that at Cavanaugh, the school I go to, the socioeconomic scale is tipped in the other way so you have parents that are working so hard that they don't have time to take an interest in their child's education or some just plan don't care. I am finding myself taking many mental notes from Mrs. Eby and hope to learn much from her as well the children.

Service Learning Visit 1

I just got back from my first service learning visit and it was an amazing experience. I am assinged to Cavanaugh Elementary School in Mrs. Eby's first/second grade split class. There are so many different ethinicities in the room it was interesting to see. I observed that the children did not seem to pay any attention to race and all worked to help each other out. I brought this up to my teacher and she commented that it is around 6th and 7th grade that race becomes something they are aware of, but for right now the big difference is sex. I tried to think back to when I was their age and I recalled that girls still did have cooties. I really think that this classroom is exactly the environment I need to work in to grow as a teacher teaching different races, sexes, and financial backgrounds. The school is a very small school so I think that it well be easy to try and observe different grade levels as well. Next week I will hopefully be able to work one on one with some of the students so I can get a better feel for what I am working with, but as of now I feel excited about the challenge before me.

blog 1

One of my questions regarding service learning is if we finish our requirements early are we allowed to continue if we have a good experience. My one concern is what do we do if we have a problem at the service learning location we are at.