Elementary Fun

Spring Break is different for everybody. Some go on Mission Trips, some go on road trips, some sleep, some work on papers/projects/schoolwork, some work for money, and there are even those that watch movies or read all break. What person am I? I'll let you decide. For my Spring Break, I observed at an Elementary School.

As a requirement for my major, I am supposed to observe students for 5 Consecutive days from the moment a teacher arrives, to the moment the teacher leaves. One placement needs to be in grades K-4, the other in 5-8. Basically what you do all week is interview two teachers and a principal, and then observe the teachers. You may do other things, but it is at the teacher's discretion. For Three days I observed a Fourth grade teacher and for Two days I observed a Fifth grade teacher.

It was an interesting experience. I forgot what it was like to be in school for 7 hours straight. There were times when I thought I was going to die from boredom. That's when you either write notes, read a book, or draw pictures. One time during the week, I made a little comic strip. It was pretty sweet. It was all stick figures, and it was hilarious. I would show it to you, but I don't want to. Mainly because I can't find it anymore. I think The New Yorker stole it.

All this being said, it wasn't all bad. I learned a lot and if I can say so myself, I think my observation report will be good. I compared the teachers methods with that of Hunter, Rosenshine, Bloom's Taxonomy, Piaget, Vygotsky, and I even threw in some Garner. I also evaluated room set-up, leadership influence, and culture to the atmosphere it brought.

From a Christian standpoint, I don't think we need to keep pointing to the Public School System and say how it is failing our kids or that God is not there. God is there my friends. This Elementary School I went to was not only dedicated to learning, but also focuses on character building, morality, attitudes, and citizenship. The whole faculty cares for the students. Sure they get frustrated (you would too if you were in their position), but that doesn't mean the goal or purpose is any less focused.

I also want to say here and now that when dealing with children, the parents need to be the ones to step in and take some initiative. I saw the teachers trying hard and teaching as many ways as they could, but ultimately it came down to the kids attitudes. Some parents refuse conferences, some parents don't do anything about punishments, some don't talk to their kids about school, and some just are not around to help. Whether it be in School or Church, you can't expect the kids to reach their greatest potential without the help or support of their parents.

Regardless of that little tangent, it was a great experience. If nothing else, I felt what it was like to be a teacher for a week and see the world from their eyes. I can sum the teacher's world up in one syllable. Hmm.