Placement+2+Wk+7+Experience


 * LAST WEEK at Waterford Elementary School (Orlando, FL)**


 * (*All real names are substituted for made-up names for teachers' and students' safety.)**


 * Monday, April 26, 2010**



Above photo is the art and crafts activity that I did with my pre-k's with my "Officer Buckle and Gloria" lesson last week. Isn't it neat?

So it's the last week of my Internship I and I'm not quite sure how to face it yet. Like I've said before, I've learned so much. UCF is right when they called it an 'internship experience' because it's truly an experience.

However, a bit of sad news. I always ask my supervising teacher how the rest of the week last week turned out. She told me that one of our afternoon students threatened the Speech and Language pathologist saying, "I have a knife at home and I will bring it to school and kill you. Then you'll be dead." Consequently, the student, and his mom had a meeting with the assistant principal. The student got a warning and next time it happens, he will be suspended.

I've worked with this student plenty of times. I personally don't think he's a bad kid. I just think that he's exposed to things at home that are very inappropriate for such a young 4 year old. I don't believe that he has enough structure at home so he doesn't know his limits. He goes around pushing his limits. He also has a very large family so perhaps he's fighting for the attention of the adults in his life but he doesn't quite know how to solicit them properly.

I'm hoping for an excellent last day tomorrow!


 * Tuesday, April 27, 2010**

Today was like any other internship day. However, I got to talk to a couple of parents right outside of the classroom as we waited for the class bell. (My supervising teacher doesn't allow anyone to go in the classroom until it's 8:30 so anyone who comes earlier than that has to wait outside). It was nice to have a small chat with moms who were there. The kids were adorable.

Later on, we went to the playground which is something new that the para tried since my supervising teacher doesn't let the kids play outside. It was fun, and breezy, and sandy. Towards the end of the day, I helped make some of the end-of-the-year books that they make right in the classroom to send home to kids on their last day of school.

My supervising teacher made some brownies for me and the class and the para brought me a vase of flowers, a 'Teacher's Angel' poem on a ceramic tile and a nice card. We all took pictures together.

Here's a couple more things I learned as I finished my internship I:
 * It's critical to have a good working relationship with the parents.
 * Always be grateful and write thank you notes!
 * Everything you do in teaching and out of love for the kids will last forever!

One of the best parts of the day is the teacher assistant telling me that I have the **heart** to teach the kids :)