A blurb from Miss V. :)

Hello all,

Note: This is a different kind of post in the sense that this is Miss Vanderwoerd, the student teacher, typing. :)

I'd like to say a "Hi" and also a "Bye" to all of you, for my three weeks in the grades one and two classroom of CCS are now over. You would be surprised how much goes on in just 3 weeks, and this makes it for a fun and busy time.

I arrived at the CCS with two (and a bit) years of experience of practicums at the Teacher's College (yes, "our" teacher's college) and yet I still had never, ever taught in a Grade 1 classroom. My palms were sweaty and my heart was beating fast on that first day, for I did not really know what to expect....These kids were going to be so small! What did they all know!?! Would I be able to teach them the essential things they needed to know?? I hadn't a clue how to go about it. But then again, that was why I was here.

Little did I know that these "little ones" (they weren't really that little) are quite independent. They didn't seem one bit fazed by the new face sitting in the back of the classroom watching their every move. They soon showed me the ropes. I had to quickly learn all of their routines and proceedures, what they did when and how they did it. If I forgot to do something or messed up, I was informed with a short, little gasp and an arm hastily flung into the air. It was fun to learn all of their routines, though, and to participate in them.

I soon became comfortable in the class and we got "down to business". In the mornings, I taught Grade 1 Math the entire three weeks I was here. We got to learn about counting, and then moved on to learn about the challenging concept of money. I also taught the Grade 1 class Language Arts several times. Wow are these kids smart! Not only do they know the whole alphabet and their sounds, but they have a type of sign-language to go with it! If you've never asked your child to show you, you should. It's pretty cool. And it definitely helps them remember the sound of each letter.

The Grade 2 class joined us after morning recess, and we learned even more things. Some things we got to learn about together was how important your family is. Below, I am using pictures of my own family to explain why and how each member in my family is important to me.

We also got to travel to a gym once a week. We got to play a fun game called "Baby Elephant", as well as dodge-ball. And of course, Marvin had to come check up on me, to see if I was teaching the games and skills properly...

During the second week I was there, we got to go to the cenotaph. The students excitedly put on their poppies, but soon became serious when the ceremony began. The school sang "In Flander's Fields" beautifully, and it was a great experience for all.

It was also D.E.A.R. week that week, and that meant we got to dress up at the end of the week! Boy, did the kids look great!

By the third week, everything was pretty much in place and things seemed normal. I got the opportunity to teach two full days (Tuesday and Wednesday), and they ended up being really great days. The students and I got even closer and I learned a lot (and the students? who knows ;P).

Thursday was a bitter sweet day. It was my last day, but a very fun-filled one. There was a ton of snow outside, so we headed outside at recess to make a "Frosty" or two.

After rolling the big body....

....we hoisted the rest of it ALL together on top.


And added the finishing touches....

And VOILA! a new friend....even holding hands. ;)

Since it was my last day, the students threw a little good-bye party for me. They gave me a very nice card and a CD from the school's choir, as well as a HUUUUUGE hug. I almost fell over from being hugged so hard.... ;)

And so, that gives only a taste of my 3 weeks at CCS. There are many, many more memories that I will keep and cherish. I really enjoyed myself in the Grade1/2 classroom, and I hope the students had a good time, too (and learned a lot ;) ).

A special thanks goes out to Miss J. for taking me into her class, as well as the principal and the rest of the staff for making my stay a good one.

I guess this is the official "Good-bye", and maybe I will visit someday or show my face at a function or two.

Til then,

Miss V.