I'm Back!

“It takes a big heart to shape little minds.” –Unknown

As I prepare for my students to walk into Mrs. Zawisza’s classroom, I take a deep breath of air, releasing it slowly and nervously play with my hands. In my mind I ask myself, “Will they [the students] be excited to see me? Did they notice I was gone? Will it be awkward?” I hear the pitter patter of their footsteps before they walk in and then the first wide-eyed, brightened face of the first student to enter as she looks my way. I smiled wide, greeting every single student who all had the same exact looks on their face. I think that look alone answers my questions.

I was so ecstatic to be back at my mentor site this week! Everyone was so welcoming and definitely happy to see me too! If anything it was a bit overwhelming with all the students trying to tell me about things that happened to them while I was gone, but I loved every minute of it!

On Tuesday, in class, the kids were working on how to write opinions with five items they brought from home. They used these opinions to pick out which one of their items was the best! It really helped me learn more about each kid individually and what they liked to play with at home. Then in math they are learning about time, which was a deja vu moment for me because they used the exact same clocks I used in elementary school! Moreover, this was also the day I began working individually on ST Math, an online math game, with some students to get them further through the levels. I guess I must be good at it because Mrs. Zawisza told me what percentage they increase in levels after my help and asked me if I could help with other students as well! Specifically, a student who had requested me on a hard level! I feel very useful and I’m glad the students trust me enough for help! I just find myself a lot more included now. The kids are always asking to work with me on worksheets, problems, and math games. I feel bad when some students ask first and then the others have to wait another day. However, Mrs. Zawisza is good at making sure they all get a turn with me! In science, they are learning about motion and I will get to see them try to create a roller coaster out of paper towel rolls when I next mentor! While I was gone I missed them experimenting with plastic foam tubes but I’m very thankful for Mrs. Zawisza’s class twitter that allows me to still see what the kids are up to!

My only awkward moment was that one day the kids had to have their music special in the classroom, so when I first walked in the kids were starting to bang on a bunch of instruments so I was really confused for a moment!