Practicum Log # 7

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This is my seventh time being in the school. So, I'm at the half way mark really. I was hopeful because the mentor teacher told me it had been a good week for the kids. Today, my supervisor came today and it went better than the last time. This time I got to show her a lesson plan. The only bad thing is we had a half day and I didn't know about it until I got there. My mentor teacher and aid were right, half a days do feel longer than whole days. So, while eating my breakfast in the teacher's lounge, my supervisor came and I was shocked because last time she was earlier. So, I went to the bathroom and then we went to the class. They had oranges for breakfast. So, I had to get a knife from the lounge and cut each orange into four pieces. This took a bit so the teacher did the morning greetings while I did it. After that, I read them a story about pumpkins and they really liked it, but there was still some problems with quitness and stay on focus. Next, the mentor teacher gave me a real pumpkin to show all the children. Afterwards, she took her break. Each child got a chance to see it and wash their hands for breakfast. Next, was breakfast. It was going well until the children who don't pay for breakfast took oranges. I had to explain to them they were only for the children who get school food. The one boy who always gives me problems took the whole tray of oranges and licked them. Then, didn't eat them. So, he wasted about three full oranges. One table had two children missing. So, I took slices from that table and gave it to the people sitting with him who didn't get any. That day, everyone ate at a reasonable speed. Then it was breakfast time. I helped the aid put toothpaste on the children's brushes. They can do it, but they waste too much. I had to watch a few children because they were just playing and remind them why they were there. Next we gathered around the carpet and I did my lesson plan. My lesson plan was about how words are broken up by spaces. It didn't go well, because the children were too immature and most didn't really want to try. I had bought apples for the lesson, and the children could eat them when done. Most fussed and pretended not to care for apples. Which I know was a lie. I made a mental note not to pay for things out of my pocket for these children anymore. They can use the supplies I already have. The mentor teacher came back and they did some songs while the aid and I got their lunches ready. I never had lunch during half days so this was a weird concept for me, but I didn't say anything. After lunch, we brushed teeth and went outside. The other kids from the other classes came out. They made our kids act worse. There was some fighting and we came in. A few parents came in and got them, but we had to walk the majority to the school bus. I was so tired when I went home I fell asleep and had to miss my night class. I'm glad next semester I don't have night classes. Just one on the weekend.