Learning new skills

    I am absolutely loving my service learning hours. One of the things I noticed today in class was a great way to make children feel loved and safe. This teacher that I was with today has a rule in her classroom that when students first walk into the classroom for the day they have to greet their teacher. I noticed that each of the children greeted her in a different way. Some of the children hugged the teacher, some of them gave her a high five, and then others shook her hand. This provided a way for them to make an emotional connection with her in a way they are comfortable with. I will definitely be remembering that tip for the future.
    Today I watched as a teacher taught a somewhat difficult and new math concept to her class. Not only did she teach and give examples but she also paid close attention to the students as they were catching on to this concept. She made sure to make small comments and individually name the students who she saw making an effort. She said things like " I like how Holly is taking notes of what she is learning learning", "I like how Bobby is raising his hand", and "I like how Susan is sitting quietly and listening". Each child smiled and beamed with self worth as she pointed them out. This was such a great way to recognize her student's skills.
    The last great skill I watched today was how the teacher had trained her students routines that helped the classroom flow and be more efficient. One of the teachers has trained her students to grab their assignments from their cubby as they are walking back into the classroom from recess. This makes a huge impact on them. They know exactly what to expect after recess and knowing what to expect helps them to succeed. They didn't waste any time listening to instructions and being loud, they just grabbed the papers and got right to work. I was extremely impressed.

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