Wow…another week done with my classroom.  It is so hard to believe that I have been working with these children for the last four weeks.  Time has flown by, and I am learning so much about the children, their needs within the classroom, and just how much they want to succeed.  These children have amazed me in what they have overcome to accomplish what they have so far this year.

When I started this internship, I must have told everybody I came in contact with just how nervous I was about being in fifth grade.  I just knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that 2^nd or 3^rd grade was where I wanted to be.  I had such apprehensions because I have been through fifth grade with my three daughters and my son is in fifth grade this year.  I remembered with them just how hard the work was, how their personalities and attitudes changed, and how much more independent they thought they were.  I was nervous walking into this class.  I was almost scared (don’t tell my students, please).

Since the first week, I have basically fallen in love with the fifth grade.  I love the fact that these students are more independent.  I love that they ask questions that really have some thought behind them.  I even love the attitudes and personalities that they are expressing.  I thought the curriculum would be too hard for me to grasp, but I can read up on any of the topics before having to teach them so there goes some of my apprehensions.

I am enjoying every moment that I am in the classroom.  These children have my heart already and I am so excited to see their smiles when they figure out a problem.  There is this one child, I will call him Gabe, that lights up every time he figures something out.  He is a joy to watch in the classroom.  I got to go over the instructions for their Science lesson this week, and I am not sure who was more excited to see me at the front of the class – Gabe or me?  It was fabulous!!

Speaking of being at the front of class, I realized that I am extremely short.  When I stand at the front of the room, I have some difficulty seeing everywhere in the room so I guess my original idea of constantly moving around, observing, is going to be the way I will teach.  I guess sometimes it sucks to be 5’2” but on the bright side I will probably walk about 5 miles a day making laps around my classroom, and I get to “visit” each child.

This is becoming and has been so far such a fabulous experience.  It is one thing to observe or tutor a couple of students, but to stand in the classroom with an agenda of what you want these children to learn is such an awe-inspiring moment.  I am truly loving every minute of it!!

First Weeks Thoughts

I am enjoying the time I spend in the classroom immensely.  I just wish I had more time to work with my students.  Does anyone else feel like they don’t have enough time in the classroom?  At home? At work?  Sometimes I feel that being pulled in so many directions makes me less valuable to each of the children, but then I think how I might be making a difference to just one of them.

I think we each have so much to offer these students.  Whether it’s reading with them, going over math facts, or just eating lunch with them.  We have experiences and gifts that can be used to help them achieve their goals.  We can learn so much from them, as well, if we allow them to teach us.

I think, on those days when I feel like I am spreading thin, I will remember that it only takes a small gesture to make a huge impression.  I will think back to the teacher that had the greatest impact on me and strive to be more like her.