How Can 2/4 be the Same as 1/2? - 04/30/2019

When it comes to explaining fractions to first graders, you come to realize that simple logic in your mind isn't as logical in the mind of a 6 year old. You also realize that you can say the same thing over and over to them, but they aren't really paying attention, because they're trying to understand it in their own minds in a way that makes sense to them. Sometimes you just have to let it be that way, because it might not be the way that you understand it, but it is the way that they understand it that is important, so just let it be.

I arrived at AEMS this morning just before 9:30am to pick up and sort through TWENTY SEVEN permission slips for gymnastics that were returned this morning. In Mr. Hubbard's class, we started off with two challenging math problems. The idea was that to begin with, the kids would have no idea where to start, and the goal was for them to find a way to organize their thoughts and math to come up with an answer. I love working with kids, because it's beyond rewarding to see how excited and proud they get when they figure out a problem on their own that they initially had thought they couldn't do. Also, a certain third grader gave me a big bag of flour today and asked me to turn it into a baby...Amy's flour babies are spreading through Andover Elementary like wildfire.

At 11:30, I shifted over to first grade and worked with them on math worksheets and math activity stations. I was working with a little dude on equal shares and visual fractions. I noticed that he skipped from question 6 to question 10, and when his classmate asked him why, he said "I didn't know how to do these, so I did the one I knew first." This is the makings of a future standardized testing expert. Susan has had to repeatedly remind us, as seniors in AP Calculus, not to spend too much time overthinking a question, and to do the ones we know first before coming back to work on the hard ones. But sometimes we still forget.


At 1:00, I was back over to third grade with Mrs. Peters for social studies and language arts. As it turns out, I don't know everything that third graders are learning, and in fact, learned a lot about local, state, and federal government duties. I also got to help them write letters to their pen pals in China! As they were writing letters, I noticed one little guy by himself who was struggling with his letter, and I decided to go over and help him. I tend to get caught up in chatting and hanging out with kids that I know well and love to talk, but being a teacher means being able to step away from that and go offer help to someone who needs it. It's hard to ask for help, I know that much. It's just as rewarding to see a smile on that student's face when they know that someone is there for them.

After school, from 3-4, I was helping Courtney with prep for the art show. Not much to say there, just cutting, stapling, all the good stuff.

My day ended with Mandarin class with the faculty kids from 4-5. We learned the colors of the rainbow and made 3D rainbows with clouds. I always love this part of my day. I feel like Mandarin class is a much more relaxed environment than I usually see them in, and I get to see their personalities really come out. I don't know how much the parents will approve of this, but I let them make their jokes about butts and farting (I don't encourage it, of course, but I don't scold them for doing so), because it makes them laugh like there's no tomorrow, and laughing is a gift that should be embraced.

What I find is the best part of this is that I create friendships and relationships. In every setting that I have taught in (where it's been private tutoring, gymnastics lessons, Mandarin lessons, being a TA, or helping in AEMS classrooms), I have always strived to create mentor-mentee relationships, because I feel like there's a deeper sense of connection, but the respect is still there, and it's mutual. I like it when kids ask me to walk them back to Proctor. I like it when they want to sit with me and offer to share their snacks. I like having dinner with the kiddos and their parents. I like it when kids hug me and say hello when they see me outside the classroom. I LOVE that they want me to be their pen pal in college. Gosh, I am lucky. I am so, so lucky.

Time: 8:53pm
Hours: 8
Total Hours: 16

I Wrestled With Third Graders - 04/29/2019

I wrestled three third graders at the same time, actually, and I won.

I had initially planned to start at AEMS at 10:00am, but instead went in closer to 9:00am to collect permission slips from the office and went to the K-3 classrooms to stir up some interest for the gymnastics classes I'm offering after school. I was overjoyed to see how excited the kids were when I told them about gymnastics, students started jumping into the splits on the spot, flipping over into cartwheels, and raising their hands to ask "can I learn to be a ninja?"

At 10:00, I went to Mr. Hubbard's third grade classroom and was greeted by the usual hugs from the kiddos. We went to gym class and played freeze tag, walking chain tag, and a game where we wrestled over a pool noodle tire. I admit, it took me two tries before I won a point, but I still earned a point for my team, so it counts. After that, we went back for math class until it was lunch time.

I made my way over to Mr. Wiley's first grade classroom at 11:30. I met the students for the first time, and was immediately welcomed by all of them, as I jumped right into running a small group of math activities. I know how cheesy this is going to sound, but kids amaze me so much with the way they think. Often, they don't get the correct answer, but their thinking process is so intricate and extraordinary, it almost makes me reconsider how correct the correct answer is.

At 1:00, I headed back over to third grade with Mrs. Peters. I worked with two super bright girls on social studies, and then I worked with a little dude and little lady on their reading aloud skills. I forgot how fun little kid books are. After that, it was the end of their school day, and one of the Proctor kiddos asked me to walk her back over to Proctor.

At night, I spent 2 hours doing planning for my Proctor faculty Mandarin classes, as well as the gymnastics classes that will be starting on Wednesday or Thursday. Also, instead of teaching Mandarin after school, I most likely will be working with some "enrichment program" students in fourth grade, which I am excited for.

Part of me wants to skip the next few years and just fast forward to the day I have my own classroom, but I am probably still in the "honeymoon phase"...

Time: 10:30pm
Hours Today: 8
Total Hours: 8