Monday -
What an adventurous week I had! Monday was spent at the Hidden Valley Nature Center with Mrs. Fake's 2nd grade class. Here we spent time walking the icy terrain to the barn where we wrote about our grand entrance. Once snack was over, we split into groups and studied different animal tracks throughout the area. After lunch we walked up to the yurt and listened to a story that was perfect for the occasion. Before ending the day we found sticks the lengths of rulers and made varies shapes and perimeters. It was a beautiful day well spent in the outdoors. A day all should be very thankful for.
Tuesday-
Tuesday school was canceled. Mother Nature decided to lie a bed of rain and ice on the Earth's floor.
Wednesday-
The rest of the week was filled with various adventures. Wednesday a "TAR WARS" presenter spoke about smoking. He took a different approach, asking the 5th graders to come up with a poster showing how not smoking was cool. Showing a representation of life, smoke free. Soon posters will fill the wall and one poster will be chosen to compete against all of the schools in Maine.
Wednesday
Agriculture Club-
This week we cleaned up the slushy sidewalks, fed the bunnies, and checked on what we planted last week. The Greenhouse effect isn't working just yet, but it can take up to 10 days before they sprout, so we are looking forward to seeing those this coming Wednesday. Additionally, we reused the seed of an avocado to plant more.
Wednesday and Thursday
TLS -
This week I got to spend a class period with each of the 5th grade classes. We spent our time getting to know each other better than what meets the surface. Students were put into various groups and asked to come up with commonalities that they have. These commonalities had to be specific. They couldn't say anything that I would know by looking at them or by being in their community (ex. they are all wearing boots or they all live in Lincoln County). This was a challenging task for the students, but they were able to overcome it and dig a bit deeper. I was able to observe strengths and weaknesses. As stated before, I am really looking forward to seeing these kids grow closer together.
Friday
Cooking Club-
Last winter, Maggie started the cooking club and it was a hit. Friday it officially re-started with a group of 6 graders. This year my goal is to provide a sample of each mealtime, a snack, and a dessert. I want to teach children how to cook items that are quick, inexpensive, healthy, and something that the kids can do by themselves if they would ever need to. This week we enjoyed a breakfast meal, eggs. These were not ordinary eggs. They were not fried or scrambled or boiled, but rather baked in a muffin pan. We created a delicious ham, egg, and cheese muffin tin dish in under 25 minutes and they turned out fantastic. One girl stated how she always had to have ketchup with her eggs, but that these were perfect without it. The other girls stated how they couldn't wait to tell their relatives so they would start making it for them. I would call it a success.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
January 20th - Week 2
Thankful, that is how I am feeling right now. Thankful to become part of the local community. Thankful to walk into a school each and everyday with the same kids smiling and greeting me. I am thankful to have teachers who are patient and kind. Teachers that walk me through things that are new to me and teachers that hold high expectations for a person who has only been in a school for 2 weeks since graduating high school (and attending college).
I have learned so much about the developmental stages of children in these past couple of weeks than any book in any of my psychology classes ever has. The mind is a beautiful thing and can learn much, but until you do, it does not become habit, it does not set it, and it does not become real.
This week was exceptional. I took part in Mr. Brown's identification course and was introduced to the agriculture club.
On Tuesday's Mr. Brown puts together activities for his class to complete. These activities are more hands on and tailored towards the outdoors. This week we paired up and tested our senses. We set out on an adventure using our eyes, our ears, our touch, our smell, and even our taste. One pivotal point during this activity was when Tiona and I had to see a bird fly. We looked around and we didn't spot any wildlife, but then we stood there, silently, as silent as we could and suddenly we noticed multiple birds chirping in the trees above. Moments later, one flew away. Had we not stopped and listened we would have never known the birds were there and would not have heard the beautiful calls made by these animals.
The following day I was introduced to the agriculture club. Each Wednesday afternoon, a group of students come together and feed the school rabbits and also learn how to plant and grow seeds. This week we quickly fed the rabbits and provided them with fresh water. Shortly after, we learned about the greenhouse effect and planted different seeds that would eventually provide food to the rabbits.
The end of the week was topped of with bring TLS to the classroom. I was able to spend some time with Ms. K and Mr. Hubby's 5th grade class. This week I introduced them to LEADSTAR which is an acronym that provides 8 guidelines of effective communication.
L - listen to the entire message
E - eye contact
A - avoid distractions / avoid being distracted
D - dont interrupt
S - speak loudly and clearly
T - think before you act and speak
A - ask questions (about the topic)
R - repeat the message
Its been a fun-filled week. I am continuously learning and growing while watching hundreds learn and grow!
Highlight not mentioned: Mrs. Fake's 2nd grade class play performance about Tanzania :)
I have learned so much about the developmental stages of children in these past couple of weeks than any book in any of my psychology classes ever has. The mind is a beautiful thing and can learn much, but until you do, it does not become habit, it does not set it, and it does not become real.
This week was exceptional. I took part in Mr. Brown's identification course and was introduced to the agriculture club.
On Tuesday's Mr. Brown puts together activities for his class to complete. These activities are more hands on and tailored towards the outdoors. This week we paired up and tested our senses. We set out on an adventure using our eyes, our ears, our touch, our smell, and even our taste. One pivotal point during this activity was when Tiona and I had to see a bird fly. We looked around and we didn't spot any wildlife, but then we stood there, silently, as silent as we could and suddenly we noticed multiple birds chirping in the trees above. Moments later, one flew away. Had we not stopped and listened we would have never known the birds were there and would not have heard the beautiful calls made by these animals.
The following day I was introduced to the agriculture club. Each Wednesday afternoon, a group of students come together and feed the school rabbits and also learn how to plant and grow seeds. This week we quickly fed the rabbits and provided them with fresh water. Shortly after, we learned about the greenhouse effect and planted different seeds that would eventually provide food to the rabbits.
The end of the week was topped of with bring TLS to the classroom. I was able to spend some time with Ms. K and Mr. Hubby's 5th grade class. This week I introduced them to LEADSTAR which is an acronym that provides 8 guidelines of effective communication.
L - listen to the entire message
E - eye contact
A - avoid distractions / avoid being distracted
D - dont interrupt
S - speak loudly and clearly
T - think before you act and speak
A - ask questions (about the topic)
R - repeat the message
Its been a fun-filled week. I am continuously learning and growing while watching hundreds learn and grow!
Highlight not mentioned: Mrs. Fake's 2nd grade class play performance about Tanzania :)
Friday, January 13, 2017
January 12th - Week 1
Happy New Year,
For the start of 2017, I have the pleasure of working at one of the four local schools in Lincoln County, ME, Great Salt Bay, which houses grades K-8 for the Damariscotta, Newcastle, and Bremen area.
Arriving at 8 a.m., I am welcomed with morning greetings from the 1st graders. This morning a girl told me how she hopes the rest of her day goes well. This morning she was getting ready to walk her big, black German Shepherd, but fell onto the ice and into a big puddle creating a very wet pant leg. Before settling in, I wished her a wonderful day, and then began to read one-on-one with the 1st graders. This is meant to be extra practice for the kids, but they never make it seen like work. They all want to come read with me and continue to progress as each session continues.
After, I assist with 2 different kindergarten classes during their Daily 5 lesson. The Daily 5 lesson is designed to enhance the kids reading and writing abilities. They rotate between two different stations each day. Here you can find them sounding out different vowels, reading to a friend, or stamping the letters to a word written down. Keeping them in check and offering an extra hand is my primary responsibility.
One of my highlights this week was from Mrs. Ball's K class. They have a morning greeting where the students take turns going around a circle and shaking a students hand while saying "Good morning (students name). It is nice to see that the kids are implementing Kieve's rule, that everyone and everything has the right to be treated with kindness and respect. This activity also teaches them much of what our imfamous LEADSTAR teaches: listening to the entire message, using eye contact, avoiding distractions, not interrupting, speaking loudly and clearly, ask questions (for example, Laney not knowing my name), and repeating the message.
All of a sudden it is lunch time. I do go to lunch early, but so far the day has zoomed by. I love spending part of my day hanging out with the K class, but having lunch with them is even more exciting. They know how to tell such cool stories. Its nice to see their imaginations and creativity at work! Today I spent lunch hanging out with the boys. One of them spent the entire lunch period telling me how to read time. He continued counting 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24. I stopped him, informing him, that he was indeed correct, and that there are 24 hours in a day. He was even table to tell that 3 could also be the 15. I am sure it didn't make much sense to him, but he clearly knows how to count and is striving to learn how to tell time! He continued on, telling me the difference between night and day not only here in Damariscotta, ME, but also knowing that the other side of the world is opposite of us. I think he is onto something great!
In the afternoons I spend a portion of my time with the second graders. Here I help with various tasks including creating maps of Tanzania, a country they are studying, as well as making sure the students are excelling in spelling and math.
The rest of my afternoons will be spent with the 5th graders! Here I will bring Kieve to GSB. Today I introduced LEADSTAR to the 5th and 6th grade combination class. Some of the students had the privilege of working with Maggie last winter. I look forward to seeing how they retained and apply the information this year and how they become leaders to the new folks.
That's it for this week. I have gotten a grasp of how the school works, what my schedule will be, and what I look forward to accomplishing during my short time here. Next week, I will have more time working with the 5th grade classes, I will start a cooking club that Maggie introduced last year, and I will begin a short yoga session with the 8th grade students. I am looking forward to my new weekly adventures!
CAPTIVATING...
The best thing I heard all week:
K: "Kasie, look, look" (a student is pointing to a jet stream trail)
Me: "Wow, look at that!"
K: "Its Wonder Woman!"
I could not stop smiling :)
For the start of 2017, I have the pleasure of working at one of the four local schools in Lincoln County, ME, Great Salt Bay, which houses grades K-8 for the Damariscotta, Newcastle, and Bremen area.
Arriving at 8 a.m., I am welcomed with morning greetings from the 1st graders. This morning a girl told me how she hopes the rest of her day goes well. This morning she was getting ready to walk her big, black German Shepherd, but fell onto the ice and into a big puddle creating a very wet pant leg. Before settling in, I wished her a wonderful day, and then began to read one-on-one with the 1st graders. This is meant to be extra practice for the kids, but they never make it seen like work. They all want to come read with me and continue to progress as each session continues.
After, I assist with 2 different kindergarten classes during their Daily 5 lesson. The Daily 5 lesson is designed to enhance the kids reading and writing abilities. They rotate between two different stations each day. Here you can find them sounding out different vowels, reading to a friend, or stamping the letters to a word written down. Keeping them in check and offering an extra hand is my primary responsibility.
One of my highlights this week was from Mrs. Ball's K class. They have a morning greeting where the students take turns going around a circle and shaking a students hand while saying "Good morning (students name). It is nice to see that the kids are implementing Kieve's rule, that everyone and everything has the right to be treated with kindness and respect. This activity also teaches them much of what our imfamous LEADSTAR teaches: listening to the entire message, using eye contact, avoiding distractions, not interrupting, speaking loudly and clearly, ask questions (for example, Laney not knowing my name), and repeating the message.
All of a sudden it is lunch time. I do go to lunch early, but so far the day has zoomed by. I love spending part of my day hanging out with the K class, but having lunch with them is even more exciting. They know how to tell such cool stories. Its nice to see their imaginations and creativity at work! Today I spent lunch hanging out with the boys. One of them spent the entire lunch period telling me how to read time. He continued counting 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24. I stopped him, informing him, that he was indeed correct, and that there are 24 hours in a day. He was even table to tell that 3 could also be the 15. I am sure it didn't make much sense to him, but he clearly knows how to count and is striving to learn how to tell time! He continued on, telling me the difference between night and day not only here in Damariscotta, ME, but also knowing that the other side of the world is opposite of us. I think he is onto something great!
In the afternoons I spend a portion of my time with the second graders. Here I help with various tasks including creating maps of Tanzania, a country they are studying, as well as making sure the students are excelling in spelling and math.
The rest of my afternoons will be spent with the 5th graders! Here I will bring Kieve to GSB. Today I introduced LEADSTAR to the 5th and 6th grade combination class. Some of the students had the privilege of working with Maggie last winter. I look forward to seeing how they retained and apply the information this year and how they become leaders to the new folks.
That's it for this week. I have gotten a grasp of how the school works, what my schedule will be, and what I look forward to accomplishing during my short time here. Next week, I will have more time working with the 5th grade classes, I will start a cooking club that Maggie introduced last year, and I will begin a short yoga session with the 8th grade students. I am looking forward to my new weekly adventures!
CAPTIVATING...
The best thing I heard all week:
K: "Kasie, look, look" (a student is pointing to a jet stream trail)
Me: "Wow, look at that!"
K: "Its Wonder Woman!"
I could not stop smiling :)
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