As I was cleaning around the house today a song by The White Stripes came on Pandora called "We are going to be friends". It's innocent sound and lyrics made me immediately think of the budding friendships that I am able to witness lately.
It is something to behold when you see young children meet other 'strange' children, introduce themselves in only a way a child can ("what are you doing?", "come sit by me", "do this after me, ok?" - demanding yet gentle initiation into friendship), become instant 'best friends' for maybe 3 weeks and then decide they just aren't right for each other! I often have parents ask me why their child is not "friends" with another child in our class and often the answer is "I don't know" because only that 3 - 6 year old mind really understands why this time when their friend chose to do something, it bothered them and that was that, and they have now washed their hands of the situation. Nine times out of ten they will find their friendship again next week. :)
I have not done any research in the field, but I would assume that the human mind starts working in conjunction with morals and beliefs and likes and dislikes in other humans at a very early age, thus the reason we have had friends since the age of six. I believe that this is also a great time to start conversations of expectations and characteristics that make a 'friend'. Many of these conversations go on in our classroom on an individual and whole group basis.
The children in our classroom have a real 'family' feel to them - one for all and all for one type of thing. They are always willing to help one another, befriend someone new, comfort those who are having a bad day and concern for those who haven't been at school or those who have made a bad choice during the school day. Thus the reason why the lyrics to the song really made me think of Room 102...
We are going to be friends
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
11 Days into the School year
So last night I had a 'dream' about someone telling me I needed to update my blog, that I've been in school for 11 days and there should be PLENTY to write about. Can you tell what has been on my conscious? :-)
I cannot complain about the start of this school year! We have been off to a great start and it was so good to see so many familiar faces return!
The returning PK's and K's and I had an awesome 2 weeks to get back into the groove of school and I was able to teach them some new procedures: using our classroom bathroom, snack routine, where things are located and pushing in chairs on tile & new carpeting without squeaking or getting stuck on the thicker carpeting. One Kindergartener actually got down onto the floor and pushed from there! What a problem solver! Needless to say, the returning children have been a HUGE help to me, Miss Faini and the incoming 3's. I started to reflect on my first year @ Marquette - it was a doozy but I'm happy to say no one got hurt and they have all carried on as wonderful learners - but really it was a doozy!
When you have an individualized curriculum and you start with 24 children you do not know, one had better act fast to determine how you can meet the child and get him/her going so you can figure out what might best fit the next child. As with anything, with more practice come greater results and I'm the first to admit that I'm not perfect but coming into this school year, I felt a little more at ease. AND I have a great group of peer role models who I can count on to show others the "ropes".
Below is a picture of a new PK sweeping fava beans. It's a favorite among many of the children because they get to make a mess on purpose and then clean it up (I know, different story at home, right?). The skill of sweeping has sure come in handy the past three days. As one Kindergartener said, "Miss Knapp, it's like the 3 year olds come and everything just keeps falling!" So true and yet typical as they have yet to gain the coordination that he has grown to master!
The next picture is what I am assuming is a testament to how tired or in need of a rest my group of K's were after the first day of the three year olds joining us. Typically only 1 child is allowed on the bench at a time but they were all so engrossed in their own books and having true conversations about text that I just couldn't 'break it up' until I got this shot.
And finally, this shot was taken this morning. My own amazement and the amazement of others is something that I get to experience on a regular basis and does not come in every profession. This boy was working on 4-digit addition problems (without exchanging) at the end of his 3-year old school year. Today, we picked back up where he left off in June and it was like old news to him!
The child in the background just started the 100 board - a challenging work at first. It took her most of the morning session but she worked intensely and was so proud of herself when she completed the work.
In closing of this entry, I just want to say how excited I am to see each child grow this year. I promise more timely entries - before my dreams start haunting me again!
I cannot complain about the start of this school year! We have been off to a great start and it was so good to see so many familiar faces return!
The returning PK's and K's and I had an awesome 2 weeks to get back into the groove of school and I was able to teach them some new procedures: using our classroom bathroom, snack routine, where things are located and pushing in chairs on tile & new carpeting without squeaking or getting stuck on the thicker carpeting. One Kindergartener actually got down onto the floor and pushed from there! What a problem solver! Needless to say, the returning children have been a HUGE help to me, Miss Faini and the incoming 3's. I started to reflect on my first year @ Marquette - it was a doozy but I'm happy to say no one got hurt and they have all carried on as wonderful learners - but really it was a doozy!
When you have an individualized curriculum and you start with 24 children you do not know, one had better act fast to determine how you can meet the child and get him/her going so you can figure out what might best fit the next child. As with anything, with more practice come greater results and I'm the first to admit that I'm not perfect but coming into this school year, I felt a little more at ease. AND I have a great group of peer role models who I can count on to show others the "ropes".
Below is a picture of a new PK sweeping fava beans. It's a favorite among many of the children because they get to make a mess on purpose and then clean it up (I know, different story at home, right?). The skill of sweeping has sure come in handy the past three days. As one Kindergartener said, "Miss Knapp, it's like the 3 year olds come and everything just keeps falling!" So true and yet typical as they have yet to gain the coordination that he has grown to master!
The next picture is what I am assuming is a testament to how tired or in need of a rest my group of K's were after the first day of the three year olds joining us. Typically only 1 child is allowed on the bench at a time but they were all so engrossed in their own books and having true conversations about text that I just couldn't 'break it up' until I got this shot.
And finally, this shot was taken this morning. My own amazement and the amazement of others is something that I get to experience on a regular basis and does not come in every profession. This boy was working on 4-digit addition problems (without exchanging) at the end of his 3-year old school year. Today, we picked back up where he left off in June and it was like old news to him!
In closing of this entry, I just want to say how excited I am to see each child grow this year. I promise more timely entries - before my dreams start haunting me again!
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