I Think They're Teaching Me...

After one month of teaching, I have learned so much:

On Friday I wore blue jeans and a red polo (according to "The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher" by Wrong & Wrong, elementary-aged children really enjoy primary colors!). We just finished painting self portraits in Kindergarten Art and I was observing some of the masterpieces. I also made one of my own, modeling the proper form when holding a paint brush and how to add extra details like pockets or multiple colors to our clothing. A young boy approached me near the drying rack and said, "That one is yours." When I asked him how he knew, he responded in his cute, russian accent. "Your pants are blue. Also, your shirt is red. And also you have moooo-stash!" I love kids. And I LOVE Fridays!
















My name is Blake. Not Mr. Blake. Not Mr. Nellis. Not even "Ummm...Miss Blake, I mean Sir Blake" (oh yes, I've heard it all). So I ask the five/six year olds what their name is, then I ask what I should call them. Then I repeat that my name is Blake and they can call me just BLAKE. Most seem to understand. (apparently that's not how all teachers want to be addressed!) ;) But there are always a few that make me laugh (I mean, MRS. BLAKE! thank goodness for laughter).

Sitting in class with students, the music specialists reviewed the importance of raising hands before speaking. Near the end of the class she asked, "now what is the MOST important thing to remember when you want to say something?" And in almost perfect unison, 18 children anxiously yelled out "REMEMBER TO RAISE YOUR HAND!" Needless to say, none of their hands were raised. Oh, elementary education.

While observing some preschoolers play with toy animals, I approached and asked if they knew the names of all the animals. They recognized the rooster just as a chicken (but were great at the sound!) so I helped explain the difference between the boy and girl chicken. Then I asked, a bright young girl if she knew what time of day the rooster crowed. She replied with the sound and a smile, "Wednesday!"

http://picasaweb.google.com/movingdance/ISBPhotoSavers?authkey=DV2FCE4wWsg#5251161862867843170

Laughter is present each and every day. Time and space are given for thinking. And I am grateful for the kind-hearted, energetic spirits I'm working with. I thinking this teaching gig may be for me after all...