Age Differences

I found that even a slight two year difference in age can make two elementary kids like night and day. I remember when I was in Elementary school and my older sisters felt so cool bringing me around and showing me off to their friends because I was so "cute." While I felt so cool hanging out with them because they were older. Now after sitting in a fifth grade, first grade, and Kindergarten classroom I can notice the difference and see why my sisters thought that. Last year at Brooklet I remember all the students in the classroom talking about how adorable the younger kids were because they were so little, however the only time this made them mad was when the older kids had to sick in the very back at the talent show becuase the younger kids were too short to sit up front. But it's not just their height that makes them different. Their attitude and how they treat their elders is also different. The first graders like to give their teachers hugs and hang all over them and please them. While the older kids want to be "independent," and are more likely to get in trouble. Younger kids are also more likely to tell you how it is and what they think. If you mispronounce a word or they do not like what someone else is wearing, they will tell you. I already had a first grader tell me that she did not want to leave my group and go to anohter group becuase the girl that was in charge of the group looked "weird." But the one thing I do love the most about the younger kids are that they are always excited to see you and sad to leave you.

My Love for Education

Sitting in the classroom helps me realize my love for teaching. I love the feeling that I am helping shaping the future and hopefully inspiring someone. I also enjoy when I know that I have taught something new to someone. Watching kids grow in just one year is quite amazing. I also feel privileged to be apart of that process in their lives. I knew that I wanted to work with young kids very early in life because of how much my first grade teacher affected my life. I hope that I can have that same affect on a child's life. I have also worked with first grade students and fifth grade and found my desire to be with the younger crowd. They tend to be more eager about learning and like to please their teachers, so hopefully you do not have to deal with much trouble. I get excited to each day that I get to spend with them because I am not only teaching them but am learning from them as well.

Curriculum Experience

This semester for my Curriculum experience I will be at Mill Creek Elementary where I will be in a first grade classroom. Monday was my first day and I fell in love in love with the class and the students. I only go for two hours a week and it goes by so fast. I enjoy all of the students and feel privileged to be apart of their learning experience. When I was in PPB I was in a fifth grade classroom at Brooklet, and I enjoyed that as well. However, I feel that my heart belongs to the younger grades.