To my surprise, my second semester at college has me placed at a school to work with kids. They call it a practicum placement. It is exactly what I did in TAP, so i'm completely happy and comfortable in my environment. I'm working with 2nd graders at a very rural elementary school in Jefferson City, Tn. I'm not sure if it would be appropriate to name the teacher and school, but the basic information is all that matters.
I've been to the school four times now, and each time I grow to like it more and more. Second graders are different than kindergarteners in academic and behavioral development, but their sweet hearts and desire for love and affection remain the same. I can see reflected in all their little eyes that they just need someone to listen to them and provide love and help. I observed them at recess, running around like hooligans on the HUGE playground. It shouldn't surprise me, as rolling hills surround the school for miles. Welcome to the country.
In the classroom, the lessons are delivered smoothly and efficiently. Most of the children's time is spent actually doing the work. I have read with groups and helped them with worksheets based on the reading. Math is a big part of the day, and the kids definitely have a harder time than with the reading. The teacher does a very good job explaining though. The school uses RTI, which I have observed and found to be very interesting and appears to be effective. I look forward to learning about it more. Basically, i'm ecstatic to be back in a classroom. I know it's where I belong. I know i'm going to learn a lot.
