Last Week of Field Work

Today was the last day of field. It was really sad One of girls in the class had just walked up to me and said "Good bye Mrs. Ahlman" and wanted to hug me good bye, and that set me off emotionally. I'm sure that it's partly because of the state I'm in but I started crying when I walked out the door. All day the students kept asking me, "is this really your last day?" It meant so much to me, that I had made an impact on them and that they'd miss me too.

Today they had an assembly on web safety. Although my students who are in sixth grade, thought the video was beneath them, I still think that the reminders were good for them. They pointed out that sometimes when children are playing games online, a pop up will come up telling them that they've won an i pod or something. They told them to never respond and that it's not real. Especially if they are asking for personal information, never give it.

See you Monday!

Second Week of Field Work

Hello! Wow this second week just flew by! I taught a lesson about Roman Aqueducts with the students and I was amazed at how well it went. I took the agriculture approach and the students were really into it, asking really amazing questions. We are getting to do a lot of different activiities with the students now, like giving spelling tests and helping with math and writing. I can't believe there's only one week left, and I'm really looking forward to it.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to an assembly with seven war veterans on Veterans day. It was moving, I was very emotional the entire time. The veterans that came and spoke to us, brought their flags and led us in the pledge of allegience, then each veteran was introduced. I kept thinking back to the time they went to war and how different our country was then, more patriotic, grateful and unified. As opposed to state of affairs we find ourselves in with a new president who won't even put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. I couldn't help but feel sad for them, but very grateful for those who have sacrificed so much for those of us who live here in this great country. I hope that they know how many millions of other people are also grateful for their courage. I felt very lucky to be there doing my field work at the school this week, if not I would have missed a very wonderful presentation.

Luckily, I still get to teach my morning preschool classes, but not my afternoon classes. The teacher who has taken over for me has done a wonderful job. I had to switch my schedule around last week and got to teach the afternoon students and they have learned so much and are still progressing in many areas, very comforting! But I still really miss them, as I will miss the wonderful students I've gotten to know in my sixth grade class these past 2 weeks.

First Week of Field Work

Hello! At the end of this week, I really feel like I know the students in my class, so much better than I did at the beginnning of the week. We taught our first lesson this week. During the lesson we showed the video we made on Michelangelo, and it went great, The students seemed to leaern a lot, this was a new subject for them, but they seemed to grasp the new ideas quickly and they had great questions. We also got chuckles at the right places, which was nice. After the video was over, each student drew then painted a picture of their favorite hobby. It was wonderful, I was so excited to see how some of the students just got right into it, and let their creativity flow. When they were all done, I put all their paintings on the ceiling just like the Sistine Chapel, while they were at PE. When the students came back to class they were all so excited to see their artwork displayed, and tried to find theirs.

We've done a few other activities with the children, reading to the class, doing spelling activities and helping in math. My preschool is continuing to run well, in my absence, but I miss my students. It's been fun getting to be in this new environment and learn from this teacher who has such a way with her students.