I have always found that I connect to the “trouble makers.”
Whether it is because I understand their wants and needs, enjoy their
personalities, or whatever it may be, the same held true at Marymount. I immediately
connected to one little boy the first week. I asked my teacher about him and it
was clear she was not the biggest fan. It was one of those relationships where
we just clicked. We connected right away and he was a completely different
child with me than he was with my cooperating teachers. I learned as much, if not
more, from him as he learned from me.
Language barriers was a big struggle this week. Although I enjoy
working with every one of my students, some are easier to work with than
others. The ones who speak little English have been getting very frustrated. I
had to use new ways to explain, other than the typical English. Coming from an
area where there are many non-English speakers, this gave me a sense of how
they must feel sitting in classes all day not fully understanding what is going
on. This week gave me additional patience and understanding.
One thing that I enjoy most about Marymount is the focus on
creating an individual. Despite the typical letter formation and number
worksheets, every activity is very student centered. If one student is very
advanced, he/she will be working on a more difficult activity. Another student
will be working on a similar activity, just fitted to his/her needs. In
addition to the more academic activities, art activities are an even better
example. Any artwork that is put on the walls is completed by the students.
Bulletin boards are always showing student work. When we needed a helicopter,
fire house, hose, and other fire related items for the bulletin board, students
created every last piece. The students’ personalities would come out through
their artwork, and it is important to not always have “cookie cutter” artwork.
I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the curriculum.
An observation over the last two weeks is how overprotective
the parents are. My teacher has told me some stories, but I’ve noticed little
things every day. For example, the students had a field trip to the fire
station on Friday. The firefighters told the teachers that parents were not
invited. Apparently the students do not listen when parents are around. It
makes sense, but in the United States teachers are begging parents to come and
chaperone. I found this contrast very interesting.
The garden, their outside play area, is simply a grassy area
with a see-saw, a sandbox, and a wood platform. Somehow, these children stay
entertained the entire 45 minutes they are out there. Despite coming from
extremely wealthy families, these children make the best with very little.
Watching the children laugh, run, and play in the garden is one of my favorite
parts of the day. Their imaginations are incredible and keep me entertained.
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