Life Changing Experience/Blog entry 1

Hello fellow bloggers. I have had a recent life changing experience with my fieldwork for SPSE 6712 and I really would like to share it with you.

The school that I am conducting my fieldwork in is Smyrna Elementary. This school is a Title I school and it has a ESL population of 28% . That is a very large percentage of ESL students. This school also has 4 permanent ESL teachers that have their own classroom. That is something that I find very encouraging.

The other day I had the wonderful opportunity of observing a lesson taught by my mentor. First of all let me say, she is the most amazing teacher I have seen in action.

The purpose of the lesson I observed was to teach kindergartners different colors and animals.
This was the most precious thing I have ever seen. The students loved it and were extremely proud of themselves.

The lesson was structured in a way that involved the students both visual, hands on, and reading.

Each child received a picture of different colored animals. A purple horse, a goldfish, a yellow duck, etc.

The teacher then introduced the lesson and told the students what she expected them to learn by reading the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?". The teacher told the students that when they hear their picture being read, for instance when the Brown Bear answers "I see a red bird looking at me." The child with the red bird had to hold up the picture of the red bird and take it to the white board and post it so everyone could see.

The second language learners loved this. They loved it when their color and animal was called and they loved that they got it right. They really liked it when they got to go to the white board and post it onto the board so everyone could see that they got it right. By the time it was over, my face was sore from smiling so much.

I observed that this classroom has a very close knit community.I witnessed that one child wasn't paying attention, and then I saw another child tap her on the shoulder to make sure she was paying attention. There was a lot of support from the students for one another. This is definitely something they learned from their teacher. These students have come from very hard living situations and although they were kindergartners, it was though they knew that their education is very important because they wouldn't have the opportunity for a quality education in their home country.

To be become a member of this classroom you have to communicate with the teacher and students. Most of the students have little or no social skills, therefore in order to improve their social skills the teacher forces them to make eye contact with her and she greets every one of them as they enter the classroom and they must greet her back. This is something I never would have thought of had I not witnessed it. I noticed that a lot of the females constantly looked down. They weren't unhappy, they just don't have the skills yet to make eye contact and say "good morning", but the teacher makes it a point that everyone greet her and make eye contact.

Another requirement needed to become a member of this classroom is student participation. There were some shy students, but with the lesson that the teacher taught required everyone to participate hands on and then post their work on the board. The students also have to be eager to read, even if they cant read the words, after the teacher greets the students they automatically go to the bookshelf and get a book. They sit on the carpet quietly and read until the teacher gives them the countdown from 10 to put their book out to start the lesson. I was fascinated watching this because the children who I knew couldn't read, really showed signs that they wanted to so badly. They loved looking at the pictures and the words in the books.

If an observer were to walk in the classroom at any given time, they would see student participation, and eagerness to learn. They would also see a teacher that has total control over the classroom and is very relaxed, calm and focused. I guess I am in awe because I am used to working with high school students and they are a completely different animal.

The evidence of acceptance and welcome a second language language learner would see when first entering the room is all the positive and good work from students posted around the room. Many colors, pictures of different children from every culture that can be thought of, books, books, and more books. Most importantly however they would see the caring, dedication and smile of their new teacher.

This experience really gave me kick in the pants that I so desperately needed. I cannot wait to go back.

Well, this is Georgia Hemrick signing off.
Until I blog again,

Ga

SPSE 6712

Hello to all again!

It's me Georgia Hemrick. New semester, and one step closer to reaching my goal.

I look forward to reading your blogs and posting my experiences for my fieldwork.

Hope everyone had a great break.

As always, until I blog again.

Georgia