Journal!

Looking back on my Coop experience, I feel that it was a great success. I met a lot of kind and intelligent people, and have created thousands of wonderful memories. The kind people, and the adorable students, are the things that I am going to miss the most. However, going through this experience, I know now more then ever, that this is exactly the career path I want to follow. Going through this experience has helped prepare me for the future, and has taken away any doubts that I had about being a teacher. I am really grateful for this opportunity, and it was something I will always remember.

On my last day at St. Andrew's, I was more upset then I thought I was going to be. Karolina and I decided to buy a little treat for the kids, and they enjoyed it so much, and I was really pleased. When we were done, I went to Mrs. McLean's class, and Mrs. T gave me a gift from all the kids I worked with throughout the term. Also Mrs. Smith, Mrs. McLean and Mrs. Slomka gave me a really kind gift, that was truly unexpected. The kids made me a beautiful card, and when I went to go say goodbye they all gave me a big hug. When I was finally done I went to thank all the teacher's I worked with, and they wished me good luck and told me that they believe I will make a great teacher. This made me feel proud and confident knowing that these teachers, who have worked in the education field for so long believe in me.

Thursday!

Karolina and I got to St. Andrew's on Thursday a little late, because we wanted to make sure we arrived just when lunch recess was over. This is because we decided to buy Freezes for the classes that we worked with this year during coop. We went to all of the classes that Karolina worked in, and then we went to Mrs. Smith's room. It was a little sad saying goodbye and thank you to all the teachers and kids. The Kid's made me goodbye cards, and they all said thank you for helping them. When we were finished giving out the treats, I went to Mrs. McLean's room and there was nothing left for me to do. So I went with Karolina to Mrs. Greer had a bunch of photocopying and a set of word wall words to do. So I decided I would help Karolina. When we were finished we said goodbye and thank you to Mrs. Slomka and all the other teachers. It was a great experience and I am really going to miss all the kids I had a pleasure working with.

Wednesday!

When I got to St. Andrew's on Wednesday, Mrs. McLean asked me to trace out twenty two ties from her wallpaper book, for the Father's Day gifts, from the children. Karolina and I did them together, and it didn't take that long. When that was finished we had to cut and paste the kids letters on the back of the tie, and then we had to but string on each tie. When we were finished, Mrs. McLean told me that she really wanted to get all the kids to do the Father's Day gifts, so I wouldn't be reading with any today. Then she asked if Karolina and I can photocopy a bunch of things, and laminate.

Tuesday!

When I got to my placement on Tuesday, Mrs. McLean asked me to read Ticki Ticki Tembo with two of her students, and then she wanted me to go through the beginning, the middle and the end. When we were finished the students had to draw the pictures that went with the storyline. When I was finished Mrs. McLean had some word wall words for me to cut out, paste and then laminate. When I was finished the word wall words, Mrs. McLean asked me to photocopy a couple of handouts that the kids were going to use for their Father's Day gifts.

Monday

I didn't go to my placement today because I had a graduation meeting during fifth period.

Journal!

Since I have started co-op I have noticed that I have been learning a lot about the field that I am hoping to be going into. I realize that being a teacher is very time consuming, and there is a lot of pressure placed on the teaching staff. I learned that each child is so different from the other, and even though one child may understand something, another child may be confused. I learned that using different strategies and techniques can help while teaching the children. Patience, I have learned is the key and the most important skill that is needed to be a teacher. Other skills like listening skills, and problem solving skills, people skills and many others are also important for teaching. Learning all of these things before hand will help in the long run, and prepare me for what might come in the future.

Hearing nice comment from other teachers is always kind. The other day, Mrs. McLean told me that she was talking to Mrs. Slomka, and they were saying how much I have improved since I have started co-op. They think that I have learned some basic skills that are needed in the teaching field. A couple of the teachers said that they could see me in this field, and that if I need to work in a classroom in university I should contact them. Hearing these amazing comments from the people who have been in the teaching field for 10 to 25 years is great. I am now a hundred percent sure that this is something I would love to do in the future, and it is nice to know that others believe in me too. :)

Friday!

I arrived at Co-op on Friday and Mrs. Smith had a bunch of things for me to do. She asked me to title a large amount of books for her next year class. Then she asked me to photocopy a couple of books for her. When that was done, she asked me to organize word groups into plastic bags and label them. When that was done she asked me to laminate some poster for her, and then post them. When I was finally finished she told me that she was not going to be there on Monday, and because of the graduation meeting, I told her that I might not make it either. She then told me she would leave somethings just in case.

Thursday!

When I got to St. Andrew's on Thursday Mrs. McLean asked me to take the first group of kids that I had on Tuesday, and instead of drawing what happened in the book, they had to write what happened. This didn't take very long. When they were finished she asked me to take about 8 students and play a CD that recorded different sounds. The kids had to identify the sounds and circle the appropriate answers. When I was finished Mrs. McLean gave me somethings to photocopy, and game centers to organize.

Wednesday!

I didn't go to co-op on Wednesday due to the graduation lunch!

Tuesday!

When I got to St. Andrew's on Tuesday Mrs. McLean already figured out what I was going to be doing for the day. First she asked me to take a group of kids into the all star classroom to read a book. They had to read the book by themselves and when they were finished we talked about what happened in the beginning, middle and the end. After we talked about it, the kids had to draw what happened. This took a long time, and when we were finished Mrs. McLean was really happy about the completed work. After that Mrs. McLean asked me to photocopy some things for her. After last recess, she gave me another group of kids, and we read a book called Birthday Dinner. The group that I had, read the book really fast, but they kept going off task when drawing the pictures. When we were finally finished it was time for the kids to go home.

Monday

When I got to St. Andrew's on Monday Mrs. Smith asked me to go out into the hallway, and read with Melissa. When we were finished reading, Mrs. Smith gave me a book called Making Words. Inside the book was little word groups for each month of the year. She asked me to find the words (and if I couldn't find the words make them) and group them according to the word groups. This book was fairly large so it took me a while to finish all the words. After last recess she asked me to put the word groups in a plastic bag and label them.

Journal!

No matter what classroom I am in and what teacher I am working with, the staff at St. Andrew’s always makes me feel like I am welcomed, and part of the team. I am asked my opinion most of the time when teachers need help with certain activities for the students or books to read. This helps me feel like I am involved with the class, and helping the teachers at the same time. Overall the teacher’s can always use some help, and they are always looking for new ideas and opinions. Each day I am asked questions like, would this look better bigger? Or what if we did it like this? Or how should we do this? I feel really proud that I can help the teacher’s I work with by contributing my own ideas, and opinions. The teachers always love the extra input and help they are receive.

I always feel confident whenever I put in any idea or whenever I state any opinions. The teachers always compliment my ideas, and this makes me feel like I am really contributing. When asked my Mrs. Smith to laminate pictures for her media studies project, I asked her if I should laminate them on construction paper so they come out more. She agreed and she was really impressed on how they turned out. She asked me to do some more the next time I was with her. Overall, inputting ideas and opinions are important when you are a teacher. A creative mind and original imagination helps make the simplest thing into the most amazing. For children, creative and originality is vital, in helping them enjoy what is being done at school.

Friday!

When I got to St. Andrew's on Friday I took a couple more pictures with Karolina. When I was finished I went to Mrs. Smith's room. Mrs. Smith asked me to photocopy some words for her, then laminate it. When I was finished I organized her books in order of level. Then she told me to write the subjects in each of the new notebooks for next year. When I was done it was the end of last recess. After recess, she told me that she had a meeting. So I went to Mrs. Slomka's room and she asked me to read the same book with three of her kids. When I was done, I cleaned up and went home.

Thursday!

When I arrived at St. Andrew's on Thursday I went to Mrs. McLean's room. She asked me to read with a couple of students in her class, then she asked me to photocopy a bunch of things for her. When I was done, Karolina and I went to the classrooms we have worked with throughout the semester, and took the pictures we needed. After last recess, Mrs. McLean asked me to correct the journals of the students in the class, and to give each of them a cheek mark, and a sticker.

Wednesday!

When I got to school yesterday, Mrs. McLean asked Karolina and I to clean out her closet, once again. Then she told me to continue reading with Firoella and Elisa. They were really energetic yesterday and I found it really frustrating to read with both girls. However I read the part of the book we already read, and they read the next part. Overall they did a good job. When we were done reading I asked them to choose three words from the book, that were their favourite. They wrote them done on a posted note. After we went through the events in the story, just for a short re-cap. Also to see if they understood what happened in the story. After that Mrs. McLean asked Karolina and me to cut and photocopy some more words for her. After we finished that, it was last recess. After recess, she asked me to make some activity centers for the kids, clean the construction paper in her closet, and help the kids get ready to go home.

Tuesday!

When I got to St. Andrew's on Tuesday, I took some more pictures for the end of the year project. When I was done, the bell rang, and I walked to Mrs. McLean's classroom. She told me that she wanted me to read with some of the kids today. Fiorella and Elisa were the first two students I had to read with. Mrs. McLean asked me to take them into the JK room and to show them the book. I had to ask them questions about what they thought the book was going to be about. Then I had to ask them to look through the book, and tell me what they saw, and what they found interesting. After that we read half the book together. Throughout the book I asked them a couple of questions to help them get a better understanding. When we were done reading, I made a T-chart to help identify the problems in the story and the solutions. When they we were finished I took them up to the computer lab, and I put all the stuff away.

After recess, I read with Antonio another similar book. I asked him various questions and we used strategies to help him read the difficult words. He really liked the book, and he was really proud that he read a level F book. I brought him back to class, and Mrs. McLean asked me to cut out some charts for her class. I didn't finish all of them but she told me I could finish them tomorrow.

Monday

When I arrived at St. Andrew's on Monday, I took some pictures for the finial culminating project. When the bell rang ending lunch recess, I went to Mrs. Smith's room. She told me that her class was starting to do grade three testing, and so I wasn't going to be working with the students. She asked me to cut out a bunch of small posters, and laminate them for her. They took me a while because there was a lot of them. When I was done she asked me to to cut them out, and post them up throughout her classroom. During recess Karolina and I took some more pictures. After recess Mrs. Smith asked me to photocopy some assignments for her class. They also took a while. When I was finished I ran into Mrs. Slomka who asked if I could photocopy a booklet for her. When I was done, Karolina and I took some more pictures and then went home.

Journal!

A lot has happened that has made me feel like I would want to do this job as a career. Some of the things that have confirmed my decision is the satisfaction I feel when I am helping a child, or when the child is improving. Also when a student gets a better understanding of what is being taught to them, and seeing the excitement on their faces. Overall everyday when I am at my placement I feel like I am really impacting the students I am with. This makes me feel like I am accomplishing something that is really great.

Additional education that I need to do to follow this career is to first go into university and then do a year or two of teachers collage. Being in grade twelve I have already applied to several universities, and have been accepted to all. I applied at each university for a sociology course. After doing the four year program, I will then apply to surrounding teachers collage. At that point I will have to be certain on what grades I would like to teach. Overall it is a long and costly process, but since I have been at coop I know that it would be worth it.

People at my placement also tell me how hard being a teacher is. They tell me that they biggest skill you need is patience. But they also tell me that they love their job, because they are truly making a difference. They have told me several times that teaching is not for everyone, but if you really love helping others, have great people’s skills, and work well with children, then teaching is for you!

Thursday!

Today, I arrived at St. Andrew's early, and Mrs. McLean asked me to finish sorting out all the books on her book shelve. When I was done, she told me to sort out a huge pile of words into rhyming categories. It took me the whole time to finish them all. However in between the sorting, Mrs. McLean asked me to read with Fiorella again. So we read a level H book. She read it really well, and so Mrs. McLean asked me to take her out again after recess, for a higher level H book. During recess, I had to cut out and photo copy some things for Mrs. Greer with Karolina. When I got back I read with Fiorella again. I found that this book was more challenging for her, and that overall, she should be reading level H. I was so proud. Fiorella was one of my all star reading kids, and the progress she has made is tremendous. When I first read with her she was at a level B, now she has improved to a level H.

Wednesday!

On Wednesday, I got to St. Andrew's late and as soon as I arrived I got the higher level books for the three students who I read with the previous day. I read with all three of them, and they did really well. All of them could more up another level. Mrs. McLean and I were beginning to notice that they are all improving in their reading. I also noticed that all three students were all star readings, so I cheeked their folders to see what levels they were in. I noticed that all three of them were in level G or higher. So we starting reading from level G. After reading with the students over again, I found that Antonio, and Elisa can read independently at a level G. Fiorella had to read with someone else, so Mrs. McLean asked me to read with her tomorrow.

After that Karolina and I helped sort out the books in Mrs. McLean's classroom, and we laminated some words for her.

Tuesday!

When I arrived at St. Andrew's school on Tuesday I really had know idea on what I was going to be doing. Mrs. Slomka told me that in Mrs. McLean's class, there was three students that needed to find out what level they can read when they read independently. To do this, I had to grab a level book (with all three students we started at level E) and then they would read it to me. While they are reading, I had the story written out on another sheet of paper. Ever word they got wrong I would circle, if they corrected themselves, then I would write self corrected on top. In the end, if they got more then twelve words wrong then the book is to challenging for them. If they get less then six wrong then the book is too easy for them. I read with the three students on Tuesday, and they all read really well. So they moved up a level, and Mrs. McLean asked me to read with them again tomorrow.

Journal!

My parents think coop is a great opportunity to figure out if I am one hundred percent committed to becoming a teacher. The think that being in a teaching workplace, will help deceiver whether this is something I can see myself doing, later done the road. I have always been determined to be a teacher, however this is the icing on the cake. After doing this I know for sure that there is nothing else I would rather do. My parents also like the idea, that I can get a grasp on what teaching is all about. Learning the different techniques, and the different strategies are useful to know before going into the filed. It allows for a small head start.

The highlight and the low light of this week has to do with the ending of all star reading. The highlight is the great feeling I have when I see how much each child has improved since I have been at St. Andrew’s. Each and everyone of my students have improved one way or another, and I am so proud of all of them. They have learned different strategies, and techniques. Also because of the activities and games, they have improved in their rhyming, vowel sounds, and other language techniques to help them read and write.The low light of it , is the fact that it all star reading had to end. I am really going to miss reading to all the kids, and listening to their stories, also playing all of the games or activities. It was a great opportunity to read with all of these wonderful children, and I am so proud of each of their improvements, and accomplishments.

Thursday!

When I arrived at St. Andrew's on Thursday I finally finished all the booklets, but Mrs. Slomka asked if I could sort them out. When I was done that I grabbed all the things I would need for my last all star reading. Thursdays I read to Lauren, Pero, Haley, and Noah. Lauren and I read a book called Fraidy Cats, it was one of the most difficult books in her level, because it was really long. Lauren had three or four hard words to overcome, however she did a great job reading it. I was so proud to see her improve so much. When I first read with Lauren she wouldn't sound out the words, or use any of the strategies, but reading this book with her I found she used at least three of the reading strategies. When reading with Pero, he read the book Take Time To Relax perfectly. He made not one mistake, and this book was also a long book. Reading with Pero, I noticed how excited reading makes him. He loves reading all kinds of books, and he has improved in his reading so much. Unfortunately when it got time to get Haley, she wasn't there, so I couldn't read with her. Instead Mrs. Greer asked if I could photocopy some things for her, then laminate.

After last recess, I read with Noah. Noah has improved, but not greatly, which is disappointing. I find that Noah gets to overwhelmed when he reads long books, whereas when he reads shorter books, he can reads them perfectly. Overall I was really impressed by all of them, and I was so proud of their accomplishments.

This is the book I read with Lauren:

Wednesday!!

On Wednesday, I got to St. Andrew's and I grabbed all the things I would need for all star reading. Today was my last day to read with Filip, who was my most difficult student. When we got back to the classroom to read, Filip was really excited. I told him to go get a book off the book shelve, and he grabbed two. One he wanted to read, and another we were going to read together. He read the one book by himself, and he read it perfectly. Then we read a book that I brought him, and he read that one perfectly. When we were done that, we read the other book he got off the book shelve. It was the night before Christmas, and we read it together. Filip did a great job, he read practically three whole books. I was so proud of him.

Tuesday!

On Tuesday, Mrs. Slomka asked me if I could re-copy the names of the students on their assignments in black marker. When I was finished, I got all the things I would need for all star reading. Today would be my last day reading with one of my students, and so I grabbed a really fun game for us to play. I went and I got Lauren, and when I was finished with her, she told me that her class was practising a song for their mass, and she had to go to the forum. Unfortunately the all the grade ones were in the forum practising, and so I was able to get the remaining three students. When they were finished I read with Pero, but didn't get time to read with the Firolla, and she was upset. After recess, I tried to get her and Noah in, but Noah was having trouble with his reading, so I was unable to read with Firolla. When I was done, I put everything away, and signed out.

Monday

When I got to St. Andrew's school on Monday, I went to Mrs. Slomka's room and I tried to finish the booklets. Mrs. Slomka and I talked about what was going to be happening next week, since all star is over, and she told me that I will be working with a few of the all star students, but in their classroom, twenty five minutes each. After that I went to Mrs. Smith's room, and I waited for her to come back from her lunch break. Unfortunately, she wasn't there, she was sick and she had a supply teacher take over her class. With the supply teacher there, instead of Mrs. Smith, she did not know I was coming, and I had nothing to do. However, Melissa asked me to read with her, and I told the supply teacher and she said that was fine. After reading with Melissa, the class was doing their math review sheet, and I sat beside one of the students to help her. I also answered any questions, any of the other students had for me. This lasted until last recess, and after recess, the supply had nothing for me to do. I went to find Karolina and she told me that she needed help with the JKs and the art work they were going to do. So I helped Karolina and the students in Mrs. Skillton's class. They were so cute, and really good at painting.

Journal!

Since starting coop, I feel different about teaching. Teaching is something I really want to get into, and since starting coop, I realized that it takes a lot of time and effort to teach. Each child is so different then the other, and some children understand things more quickly then others, however the ones that have difficulties are the most challenging. As a teacher you want a student to grow and to learn, however if that student doesn’t understand, or is having problems, it takes that extra time and effort to help them out; which isn’t always easy. Also since starting coop, I have been a lot more comfortable working with children one on one. Since the beginning of the all star program, I have learned to use techniques and strategies that best suit one each student.

What I remember most about this week was the certain medical incidents that have occurred. Starting with last Friday and the peanut reaction that Thomas had, in Mrs. Smith’s class, was really scary. Thomas is deathly allergic to peanuts, and he was fortune to only be itchy and not break out with a bad rash, or any other worse symptom. However this Friday, since it was so hot out, five kids in Mrs. Smith’s class had headaches are were feeling sick. It is really hard to take care of one student but taking care of five who are sick is worse. As a assistant to the teacher, you feel helpless, and really can’t do much. After last recess, a boy in Mrs. Smith’s class also had a sudden noes bleed, and Mrs. Smith asked me to cover the class so she could walk him down to the office. The class was in shock, they are so young, so the sight of blood can be scary. They were asking me so many questions, and I answered them as best as possible, but I was pretty shocked by the whole thing myself. Overall the boy was okay, and he was back into class about ten minutes later. As a teacher there is so much more to just teaching. These incidents are things that I need to prepare myself for, if I want to be a teacher.

Friday!

On Friday, I got to St. Andrew's and Karolina and I tried to finish up the booklets, again we didn't get to finish, however we are almost done them.
When the bell rang, I went to Mrs. Smith's room, and she asked me to read with Melissa in the hallway. After about fifteen minutes of reading, the class was reviewing their math, and Mrs. Smith asked if I could staple the review sheets for them. When I was finished, Mrs. Smith asked me to organize the Scholastic book orders, and date them, with the return date. By the time I was finished all that it was last recess. Some kids stayed inside because of the heat, some the kids weren't feeling that well. Mrs. Smith needed to get somethings done, and she asked if I could watch them.

After recess, Mrs. Smith needed a whole bunch of photocopying done. When I was finished the class was practising there music, and it was really cute watching them sing.

Thursday!

On Thursday, I got to St. Andrew's and Mrs. Slomka asked me to reorganize the booklets for her, because she wanted to send some home with some of her students for the summer break. When the bell rang, I got ready quickly for all star, and proceeded to the other room. Thursday's I read with Lauren, Pero, Haley and Noah. Haley is a new student, and I have only read with her once. When I read with Haley on Thursday, I realized that she is a really good readier, however she makes silly mistakes, for example she mistakes "d" and "b."

After last recess, I went to go get Noah. Mrs. Greer asked me if he could not go to all star because he needed to finish his mother's day card. I understood, and so I helped Karoline make activity folders for Mrs. Greer's class. We coloured and cut them out, and then we had to laminate them. When we were done Mrs. Greer thanked us, and we signed out to go home.

Wednesday!

On Wednesday I got to St. Andrews and Karolina and I tried to finish all the booklets. Unfortunately we couldn't get them all done. However we accomplished a lot. When the bell rang, ending lunch recess, I was prepared and ready for my first student Filip. Filip has been my mos difficult student and because I was only going to have him two more times, I wanted to make sure I could that at least he knew the strategy words. We went through them all and he had some difficulties, however I was really pleased.

Lauren and Pero who are my most improved students, read really well, and I think they may even be ready to move up a level. I realized that I had a impact on these students, and in a small way I taught them how to read better, and overall they enjoyed it.

Tuesday!

On Tuesday I arrived at St. Andrew's a little late. Mrs Slomka and I talked about the all star reading, and who was improving and who was not making any progress. After I grabbed all the things I would need for the day. Since last week there was no all star reading, I had to refresh my memory of the books each student read, and the games.

I read with all four students, and we played a fun activity which helps the children learn knew strategies for uncovering difficult words. When I was down I put all my things back, and put all the chairs up.

Monday

On Monday I arrived at St. Andrews and went to Mrs. Slomka's room. She told me to continue working on the booklets, and then to put them in order. After she told me that there is only going to be two more weeks of all star reading. She asked me what I would like to do when it ends. I told her wherever she needed me, I could go. She told me that she would like me to work with some students who need extra help, in their classrooms, one on one. I told her that it sounded great, and I was fine with that decision. She said that next week she will give me an update.

After lunch recess, I went to Mrs. Smith's room. She wanted me to read out in the hall with one of her students. After that I helped the students with there math work, and answering any questions they had. After last recess, Mrs. Smith asked me to go get the bibles form the grade eight classroom. When I brought down a class set, Mrs. Smith told me that the class was going to look up bible passages. The class had difficulties doing it, but Mrs. Smith and myself helped as much as we could.

Journal!

Overall, this week was one of my best weeks at my coop because I was in a different environment. Most of the week I am usually doing the all star reading program, however this week was different. Two days I was with Mrs. Smith and her class, two days I was with Mrs. Greer and her class, and on Thursday I was watching the musical. It was really interesting doing something new. Mrs. Greer is a really kind and friendly teacher. She always explains what needs to be done, and she always asks me if I am comfortable doing it. This makes me feel like I can be honest and confronting with her, if I don't feel comfortable about how to do something. Watching the musical, however was the highlight of the week. Each week I saw all the kids at St. Andrew's preparing for the musical, by practising and rehearsing, and doing all they can to make it great. Overall it was great, it was a big success!

I usually try my best to get every task done on time, but if I don't get it done in time, I tell the teacher that I couldn't finish it and I will continue it the next time I am worker with her. The teachers at St. Andrew's are really understandable and are never mad or upset, if the task is not completely done. Most of the time, if they see that you have tried and worked the best that you can to finish it, they are satisfied. The only task that I couldn't finish on time was during my first week of coop. Mrs. Smith asked me to cut a bunch of pictures of the stations of the cross, and she asked me to sort them out and place them into plastic bags. I finished most of them, however I didn't finish all of them. The bell rang ending the school day, and I had to go because I had to baby sit after school. So I told Mrs. Smith that I didn't finish them all, and she thanked me for what I did accomplish.

Friday!

Today when I got to St. Andrew's Mrs. Slomka asked me to cut out some paper shaped flower pots for her SK's. When the bell rang ending lunch recess, I went to Mrs. Smith's room. She asked me to read with Melissa, and we read a book called boy soup. It was really cute, and Melissa loved it.

After reading, I helped Melissa with her math work, and then Mrs. Smith asked me to do an activity for her. She wanted me to paste a bunch of pictures on construction paper, giving the pictures a small border.After she wanted me to laminate the pictures.

In Mrs. Smith's class there is one boy who is allergic to peanuts, and today was my first experience with someone having an allergic reaction to peanuts. When I first arrived Thomas, a boy in Mrs. Smith's class was really itchy, and he wouldn't stop scratching. Mrs. Smith asked the class if anyone had peanuts, and everyone said no. However Thomas was not feeling well. Mrs. Smith had to call down to the office, and Thomas was just getting worse. He then called home, and his mom picked him up. It is really sad to see a child react to something like peanuts, however it is really scary to see Thomas' reaction. Fortunately he was okay, however I to be a teacher, and peanut allergies are something I have to deal with.

Thursday!

On Thursday, when Karolina and I got to St. Andrew's we went to Mrs. Slomka's room to try and finish the booklets. When the announcements called for all the students who were watching the musical to go to the gym, we headed in that direction. We ran into Mrs. Greer and she told us to sit in the front with her, but Karolina and I felt bad, because we were so tall, and we didn't want to block the little kids. So we decided to sit in the vary back. The play was amazing! The kids were so energetic, and talented! Overall it was a very cute performance, and it was great to see all our hard work put into play.

Wednesday!

On Wednesday I arrived at St. Andrew's and I met up with Karolina, and we helped Mrs. Slomka with the booklets. After the bell rang, I went to Mrs. Greer's class and she told me I had to make these activity folders. I had to colour in thirty space ships, then cut them all out, then glue them onto the folder, then laminate the whole thing. It took a really long time, although Karolina came and helped me half way through, so we got two done.

After that Karolina and I ran into Mrs. Slomka, she told us that on Thursday, there was going to be a dress rehearsal for the play and Mrs. Greer's class and Mrs. Slomka's class was going to be going to the gym to watch it. She invited Karolina and I to watch it with them. Since we helped so much with the decorations, and the preparations, she wanted us to see it all in action.

Tuesday!

Today was a really fun day. I arrived at St. Andrew's early because I was unsure on the classroom I was going to be in. Mrs. Slomka told me that I was going to be in Mrs. Greer's room this week, and I was really pleased. Mrs. Greer always has stuff for me to do, and she is really kind, and caring. When the bell rang ending lunch recess, I went to Mrs. Greer's room. There was a supply teacher in her classroom, because the social science teacher was away. She asked me to play Simon says with the students until she was ready. The kids were having so much fun. They really enjoyed the game.

When Mrs. Greer came she asked me to do a bunch of things. She asked me to cut out three circles, two triangles, three rectangles and three squares. She wanted me to cut t one of the circles, the rectangles and squares into halves, one into quarters and one leave whole. She then asked me to help with the mother's day gifts. She wanted me to draw a picture of my mother, write why I love my mother, and colour in a poster of a poem she is going to give to the kids for mother's day. She wanted mine to be an example. Then after I was done, she asked me and Karolina to sharpen all the pencils and pencil crayons in the classroom, with the electric sharpener.

Monday!

Today was a disappointing day. I arrived at St. Andrew's and waited for Mrs. Slomka to return from lunch, so I could talk to her about what was going to be happening this week. She informed me last week that all star reading was cancelled for this week because of the school musical performance. Unfortunately the bell rang, and I had to go to Mrs. Smith's class before I got a chance to talk to Mrs. Slomka. When I arrived at Mrs. Smith's class she asked me to read with a student out in the hall. After that, she told all the students who hadn't finished their homework over the weekend to come out into the hallway and work on it with me.

After that I didn't have anything to do. Mrs. Smith couldn't think of anything for me to do and she asked me if I wanted to leave. I told her that I had to get my hours signed from last week and talk to Mrs. Slomka. She told me I could go and get whatever I needed done. When I came back, she told me that their was really nothing for me to do today, and if I wanted to leave I could. I needed the hours, so I went to Mrs. Slomka's room and worked on the booklets.

I was really upset, because I didn't feel like I learned or even did much today.

Journal 9

I’m half way through Coop and I’m feeling great. Each day I am learning and participating in something new. I have learned so much, and I have realized that this is definitely something I would love to do in the future. With all-star reading I have noticed that all kids are different and that all kids improve and work at their own level and at their own speed. However if you put in enough time and effort with each child they can improve more and more. I have also learned many strategies and techniques to help children learn and understand things better. Presenting all these different techniques and strategies to each child, helps the student figure out what strategy helps them the most, and they work with it to benefit them.

The low point of my week was finding out that I would not be working in Mrs. Greer’s class anymore. Mrs. Slomka needed someone to take Haley in the afternoon, and she asked me if instead of going to Mrs. Greer’s classroom I could read with Haley. At first I was disappointed, I really enjoyed working with Mrs. Greer and her class. However after reading with Haley I realized that she is a really intelligent girl, and that she is really friendly and nice. She really enjoys reading, and she wants to read more and more. This made me feel good knowing that I am helping her improve in her reading.

This week I learned that next week is the school play, and because their is going to be too many distractions All star reading is cancelled. Mrs. Slomka asked me to talk to her about it on Monday, and she will figure out what I am going to be doing next week. I was excited to learn something new, and to work in a new environment.

Thursday!

Today when I got to St. Andrew's Mrs. Slomka asked me if I could do her a favour. Her class wrote stories, and she wanted to know if I cold trace their stories with a black marker exactly the way the children wrote it. After I talked to Mrs. Slomka about Pero and Lauren and if they could move up to level F. She was happy that I was noticing their improvement and she told me that it was a good idea. She also talked to me about the new student that I was going to have, Haley.

When I went to get Haley, I noticed that she was in Mrs. Greer's class, and that she knew me from being Noah's reading coach and from helping out in her classroom. She was at level G and she read really well.

Wednesday!

Today when I got to St. Andrew's Mrs. Slomka asked me to set up an art table for her class. She asked me to mix paints, set up crayons and cut some paper. I then did made some booklets, and then I grabbed the stuff I would need for the day. The strategy this week was to try it again. I used the strategy with all four kids, and they used it well.

After reading with Pero and Lauren, I remembered to ask Mrs. Slomka about moving them up a level in their reading. They read two books each today and one of them was a level F to see if they would be able to handle it. Overall they read very well. It made me proud to see that the children have improved greatly.

Tuesday!

Today I arrived at St. Andrew's and Mrs. Slomka asked me continue with making the booklets for her students. She also asked me that since one of the all star coaches left on Thursday's I had to read with another student, rather then go to Mrs. Greer's class to help her. I was kinda disappointed. I really enjoy going to Mrs. Greer's class, but Mrs. Slomka said she desperately needed help, so I couldn't say no.

After our conversation I took all the things I would need for the day and read with my four students. I noticed, today that Pero and Lauren were improving tremendously, and I wanted to talk to Mrs. Slomka about moving them up to level F.

Monday!

Today I got to St. Andrew's and Mrs. Slomka asked Karolina and I to post up the words "let the children come to me" on her bulletin board. Then she asked if we could continue to work on putting the booklets together. When the bell rang, ending lunch recess, I went to Mrs. Smith's classroom and Karolina went to the JK classroom. Mrs. Smith asked me to explain the math test to the students that were away on Friday, and were unable to do it. I told them what to do, and they asked a couple of questions and then they went back to their desks to work on the test. Then Mrs. Smith asked me to make some booklets for one of her students, who is also my all star student. She wanted me to photocopy the pages, then cut them out and then staple them together. She had thirteen books for me to do, and it took me until recess to finish them all.

During recess, Mrs. Smith asked me to do the artwork with the kids that were away on Friday. After recess, I helped the kids with their artwork, and I helped the kids finish their math homework.

Journal 8

I had a positive experience this week on Friday when I was in Mrs. Smith’s class. On Friday I was really busy from the moment I arrived at my co-op placement to the moment I left. Helping the kids out with the art work was really fun. They were having a blast with it, and they thought it was really interesting how their hand prints can make butterflies. I was really helpful and the kids relied on my help and encouragement. This made me feel great, knowing that I was helpful. When I left Mrs. Smith’s class on Friday she thanked me and told me that she would not have done half of what she did without my help. That also made me feel really good. I wish that every Monday and Friday could be like this past Friday was. I like being busy and having enough to do. It makes me feel like I am helpful and not just a destruction to the children.

When something is difficult at my placement I usually ask a couple of times to make sure that I know exactly how to do it, and then if I am still having difficulties I will ask for some assistance. For example, the first time I used the laminator at the school, Mrs. Smith showed me how to use it, and then she told me to laminate some things for her. When I got up to the laminator I was confused and found it really difficult to turn it on and to work it. I asked the librarian and she helped me, and told me that it takes time to get the hang of it.

Friday!

Friday was one of my favourite days since I have been at my co-op placement. On Friday I got to St. Andrews and again, started putting the booklets together for Mrs. Slomka. When the bell rang ending lunch recess, I went to Mrs. Smith's room and she told me that the her class was having a math test and that the student that I usually help was absent. She asked me to help out the class and watch them during the math test because she had to get things done for the upcoming play. She asked if the students had any questions about the test, all I could do is read out the question and help them if they are really struggling.

When she came back to class, one of the students didn't do the test because he was away all week. She asked me to go out in the hall with him and finish the math work that he didn't finish throughout the week. When we were finished, she asked me to call up some students and help her with art. She wanted to make butterflies with the students hands so I had to mix paints so the students could paint their hands, after recess.

When recess ended the children came in, and one by one Mrs. Smith and I helped paint the children's hands, and then they placed their hands on a sheet of paper and when the paper dries they could cut out their hands. We got through the whole class and when we were finished I washed out the paints and the paint brushes.

Overall this was a good day because I was really busy and the kids were having a lot of fun with the art work.

Thursday!

When I got to St. Andrew's Karolina and I tried to get more of the booklets done for Mrs. Slomka. When the bell rang, ending lunch recess I grabbed my stuff for all star reading and went to go get Pero who was my first student for the day. I read with Pero and Lauren, and when I went to go get Noah, he was practising for the school play, so Mrs. Greer asked me to get him after recess. Usually on Thursday's after last recess I help out in Mrs. Greer's room, but because Noah didn't read before recess I couldn't help out Mrs. Greer or her class. When I was finished with Noah, Karoline needed some help laminating and so I went upstairs with her to finish laminating words, and then I went back downstairs to finish some more of the booklets.

Wednesday April 18

Today was a typical all star reading day with the four students that I usually have. I talked to Mrs. Slomka about the booklets that I was helping her put together throughout the week. She informed me that because their were so many, I could take my time with them. After that I grabbed all the stuff I would need for the day and then I set up my station in the junior kindergarten room. Whenever I was done with a student and I had some extra time I would try and put together some booklets.

These are some of the books I read with the kids during the week:

Tuesday April 17!

On Tuesday I arrived at St. Andrew's and I again worked on putting together the booklets that Mrs. Slomka needed for her class. Then I grabbed the folders, the books and the activities that I would need for all star reading. Mrs. Slomka talked to me about one of the students I coach for all star. She told me that she wanted me to read a list of words to this student and if she could read them all, or only had some difficulties then I could move her up to a level D. This student was my first student, and overall she read really well, so Mrs. Slomka asked me to move her up to a level E.

I also read to the remainder three students, and I realized that each student was improving and each student was reading with more and more confidence and clarity.

Monday April 16

On Monday when I got to St. Andrew's I worked on making and putting together the booklets that Mrs. Slomka had asked me to put together the following week. After lunch recess, I went to Mrs. Smith's classroom and she asked me to read with a student in the hall. After we read Mrs. Smith asked if I could sit beside a student in her class and help her with her math work. This week Mrs. Smith's grade three class was learning about area, and the student I was working with understood the work fairly well. After recess Mrs. Smith asked me if I could staple the Scholastic book-orders together for her. When I was finished I helped the class cut and colour the pictures they needed to finish for religion.

Journal 4

Mr. Grace I just realized that I wrote my Journal 6 when I did journal 4. So here is my Journal 4...


My supervisor at my co-op placement is a teacher named Mrs. Slomka. Mrs. Slomka is the senior kindergarten teacher and she is also in charge of the all star reading program. I am doing the all star reading program three out of the five days I am at my placement, so Mrs. Slomka is my main supervisor. However on Monday’s and Friday’s Mrs. Smith is in charge of me.

Overall my colleagues are really nice. Mrs. Slomka is a kind, and caring teacher, and she is really helpful and is always prepared for any questions I may have for her. When I am doing the all star reading, the parents and other students that come in are all really kind and welcoming. We help each other out, and share all the books and activities. All the other teachers at St. Andrew’s are so nice and they are always helpful and kind towards me. Mr. Ceelin who is the vice principle is always asking me if I am enjoying the placement and if I ever need anything to just ask. Overall the environment and atmosphere at St. Andrews is a welcoming one.

When I arrive at St. Andrews I have to sign in at the main office, and when I end the day I need to sign out. When my work is finished for the day, and I have all star reading I usually put the folders back and the activities. Then I grab books and materials that I will need for the next day, so I am prepared. Then I sign out at the main office. When I am in Mrs. Smith’s classroom I usually help out the kids clean up and get ready to go home, then I go to the main office to sign out.

Journal 7!

Next week I hope to do more at my placement. When I am in Mrs. Smith’s classroom I find that I rarely interact with the children, most of the time I am doing the same things and that usually implies me doing work for Mrs. Smith. Such as photo coping or cutting things out for her class. I don’t mind it, especially because when I am doing all star reading I am always with the children. However, interacting with the children is more of the goal that I have set for myself, then just helping out the teachers. I feel that each day when I arrive at St. Andrews I know exactly what I am going to do, weather I am in Mrs. Smiths class or reading with the kids during all star reading.

I have noticed that the best day of my coop is Thursday’s. On Thursday’s I read with the kids in all star, and then after last recess I help out Mrs. Greer with her class. Mrs. Greer always has something for me to do, and she allows me to interact with the kids in her class. All the kids have so many questions and always ask for help, and I feel like I am actually doing something in her class. I also enjoy the fact that Mrs. Greer has so much for me to do. I rather do something then nothing. Noah is also in Mrs. Greers class, and he is a child that always gets off task. It is beneficial that I know Noah so well, so I am able to help him and understand him more. Overall I am really enjoying my placement, whether I am in Mrs. Smith’s class, reading in all star reading or in Mrs. Greers class.

Friday!

Today I arrived at my co-op placement a little after twelve. When I arrived Mrs. Slomka asked me to help put together some of her books for her. Karolina and I did it together, and we got through a couple of them. When the bell rang, I went down the hall to Mrs. Smith's class and she asked me to read with one of her students in the hall. We read a book about the death and Resurrection of Jesus, and she asked a lot of questions. I tried my best to answer them, and I was really proud of this student, because she was really interested in the story.

After I helped the class with their math work, and any questions that they might have had with it. They were working on area and perimeter. They used shapes and blocks to help them with their math activity. After math Mrs. Smith asked me to cut out the stations of the cross for her class next year so she wouldn't have to worry about it. This time it didn't take me very long, and I noticed that I have improved with the office equipment. When I was finished she thanked me and I helped the kids clean up and put their chairs up to go home for the weekend.

Thursday!

Today when I arrived at St. Andrews I grabbed the stuff I needed for all star reading. Today I only had to read to Noah, Pero and Lauren. After recess I would be helping Karolina in Mrs. Greers classroom. I read with all three kids and we played a rhyming card game. Each of them enjoyed it and all three kids beat me in each game I played.

During recess Karoline needed help laminating some of the words Mrs. Greer needed to put up on a bulletin board. So I went upstairs with her and we laminated them together. After that I went downstairs and I listened to Mrs. Greers instructions on the art work we would be doing with the kids when they came in from recess. Karolina and I were going to make math kites. The kids would cut out the kit shapes, and then they would think of an addition problem that was equaled to twelve or less. Then we would right the math problem on the kite and they had to take paper and construct the math problem on the sting of the kite. We got through most of the class, and I had a lot of fun interacting with the children.

Wednesday!

Today was very similar to yesterday. I went to get Filip right when the bell rang and this time he was waiting for me to come. We read a book that Mrs. Smith gave me to read with him. He had many difficulties with the book, but we got through it eventually. After that I read him a book, and he read some words too. After that I went to get Lauren and we read together. She has improved so much, and I am very proud of her. After Lauren I went to get Pero, but he wanted to do his math centers, (which is when the kids get into small groups and do activities) and because last time I read with him when he was doing his centers, I thought I would read with him after last recess. When I went to get Noah, he was on the stage practising a dance that they needed to know for the upcoming musical. So unfortunately I could not read with Noah.

Tuesday!

Today I arrived at St. Andrews and got ready for all star reading. Mrs. Slomka and I talked about some of the kids, and if I was enjoying the reading with them, and we discussed many things. After she left she asked me if I could open the door for the children when the bell rings so they don't have to freeze outside. After I allowed the kids in from outside, I got my station ready for all star reading.

I read with all four kids today and they did an amazing job. All of them were really talkative and they had a lot to say about their Easter weekend. It made me smile when they talked about the Easter Bunny and all the chocolates they got. Three out of the four kids told me that they even saw the Easter bunny. It made me smile... :)

Journal 5!

Overall this was a good week and I am finding out that I am learning a lot. Each day I learn something new, and something that challenges me to be better at my job. This week I found that I was interacting with the kids more in Mrs. Smith’s class, which is something I always look forward in doing. Each child in her class is so different and they always have so many questions to ask each day. I find that during religion many of the kids, have a lot of questions and concerns dealing with the bible, God and Jesus. Whenever a child asks Mrs. Smith a question I am always interested in hearing how Mrs. Smith answers each question. The questions that children ask, are always so blunt, and forward. Sometimes I am interested in the answers to the questions they ask.

This week was also a good week because I have been noticing that my all star reading kids have been improving greatly. They are reading more clearly, and with much more confidence. I am so proud to have helped them improve. Pero, one of my all star readers has improved so much in his reading. He is an amazing rhymer, and can sound out the words very well. He keeps on impressing me, day after day.

I have good time management skills at my placement which is very important, especially with the all star reading program. Each child has twenty minutes with me, and I need to make sure that the time we spend together is used wisely. Some of the kids, like Noah, are very talkative and he sometimes gets off task. Sometimes this causes me to push into another child's time because I am trying to finish reading the book with Noah. Overall the time I spend with each child has to be managed and used well.

Thursday!

On Thursday, I read with Lauren, Pero, and Noah all before last recess. During last recess, I ran into Karolina and she told me that she needed help with some stuff Mrs. Greer asked her to do. My schedule for Thursday's is different then every other all star reading day. On Thursday's I read with Lauren, then I help Mrs. Greer, then I read with Pero and after recess I read with Noah. However, to make my life simpler I read with all the students before recess, and after last recess I help Mrs. Greer.

On Thursday, Mrs. Greer asked Karolina to cut out a bunch of flowers and leaves, for a craft they were going to do after Easter. Karolina cut out the leaves and the stems, and I helped by cutting out all the flowers. After that, Mrs. Greer wanted Karolina and I to laminate some words for her. However the laminator wasn't turned on, and it took twenty minutes to warm up, and because it was near the end of the day, Mrs. Greer told us to leave it for next week. After that, Karolina and I took down some of the old art work off the bulletin board to make room for the new art work.

Wednesday!

My schedule for Wednesday's All Star reading secessions was Filip first, Pero second, Lauren third, recess, then Noah last. However, that is not how it went at all. Filip, again was not in class when I went to go get him, so I moved on down the list to Pero. Pero was very sick, and he didn't want to read to much. However we got through a book, and we played Bingo because he enjoyed it the last time we played. After Pero, I went to pick up Lauren, but she wasn't there. Her teacher told me that she had gone home sick, because she wasn't feeling well in the morning.

With nothing to do until after last recess, I went to look for Karolina, thinking that I might be able to help her. As I walked into the photo coping room, a mother that works with the all star reading program desperately needed some assistance and she asked if I could help her. I had nothing else to do so I agreed. She asked me to photocopy a bunch of handouts that they were going to need for the grade three testing. Then she asked me to organize them all into their right alphabetical orders. It didn't take me that long, and when I was done I ran into Filip. So I took Filip to the all star reading room and read with him before last recess. Then after recess, i read with Noah, who again wasn't feeling well.

Tuesday!

Tuesday, which means all-star reading! I got to St. Andrews and I organized everything I would need for the day. When I was going through the kids individual folders, I noticed that Mrs. Slomka had made some comments on each folder. She wrote on Pero's and Lauren's folder that they can move up a level in their reading. When I was reading Forella's folder, Mrs. Slomka wrote that she can also move up to a level C in her reading. When I was reading Noah's folder, Mrs. Slomka wrote that I need to find a way to get him to talk less, and make sure he is reading more then he is talking. Also she wanted to schedule a reading secession with him and another teacher, to see how he is progressing in his reading.

When I was done reading all the comments, and talking to Mrs. Slomka about each child, I got my stuff and brought it into the all-star reading room. The day went by really quickly after that. Lauren and Pero read really well, and I completely agree with Mrs. Slomka allowing for them to move up a level in their reading. Forella was a little frustrated today, but we got through one book and an activity, so overall everything worked out. When I got to Noah, he told me that he wasn't feeling well, that he had to get eye drops for his eyes, and that they were bothering him a lot today. I told him that we would read at his own pace, and whatever we got done, would be good enough. Overall, he read fairly well, and it was a good day.

Monday!

When I arrived at St. Andrews, Mrs. Smith was waiting for me. She told me that I was going to first read with one of the students in her class, then I would help any students who need assistance with their math work. When the student came in from recess, we grabbed two chairs and a book of her choice, and we went into the hall to read. Withing ten minutes into the reading, Mrs. Smith came into the hall to tell us that their was a presentation with the principal in the forum, that the grade three class had to go to. Mrs. Smith tole me she had something for me to do while I wait with her class in the forum. She wanted me to take the overheads she had, and cover-up some of the difficult words with sticky notes. This is so when she reads the overhead to her class, she can ask the class what the word is and then remove the sticky note to reveal the word. After the presentation and last recess, Mrs. Smith asked me if I could go through a bag of words and help sort them into their right groups. It was very easy and it didn’t take me much time at all.

Thursday!

I got to St. Andrew’s before twelve and I got ready to read with the kids in the all star reading program. I read first with Lauren, who read really well. The strategy for this week was sounds it out, and Lauren would sound out any word she did not know very well. After I brought Lauren back to class and got Pero. Pero read the book we choose really quickly and so we had plenty of time to play our activity. We played an activity where he had to build the words with blocks. Then we played a find the word bingo. Pero used the strategy very well this week, and it is obvious that Pero is improving in his reading. When it was time to get Noah he again forgot to bring his book back from home. We read a new book, and it took Noah a while to read it because all he wanted to do was talk. When we finally finished we couldn’t play our activity because Noah’s dad came to pick Noah up because he had a doctor appointment.

After my three all star students I went to Mrs. Greer’s room to see if she needed any help. She told me that the teacher at the end of the hall would need my assistance taking off all the art work on the bulletin board, and put up a new background on the bulletin board. It took me about thirty minutes to finish it all, and I was very proud of myself when I was done. The teacher thanked me and she asked if I could help the kids get ready to go home.

Wednesday!

Today when I got to St. Andrew’s Mrs. Slomka asked me if I could mix some paints for her afternoon senior kindergarten class. Mrs. Slomka wanted pastel colours to express the spring and Easter season. It took me about twenty minutes to find the colours and enough white paint to mix all the paints together. Cathy (another student from Holy Trinity) helped me mix the colours and when we were finished, I went to get all the stuff I would need for the all star reading program.

Fillip was my first student for the day and last week I did not get a chance to read with him. I went to Mrs. Smith’s room to get Fillip, but again he wasn’t there. Mrs. Smith told me that he was in the library and to just go and get him. When I got upstairs I asked Fillip’s teacher if she wouldn’t mind if I took him for fifteen minutes. She told me that it was okay to take him, and she wanted me to bring him back up to the library when I was finished. I agreed and Fillip and I proceeded downstairs. When we got downstairs Fillip read a book really well, then he wanted me to read a Pokeman book with him. We both read it together, and he enjoyed it very much. Overall it was a good secession. After I brought Fillip to the library I got Lauren, Noah and Pero.

Tuesday!

On Tuesday I arrived at St. Andrews and went to Mrs. Slomka’s room to gather all the materials I would need for the day. I grabbed four folders, stickers, two activities and the books the children were going to read. I noticed that today I had Forella as one of my students for all star reading. I noticed that I am not Forella’s only coach. On Thursday’s she reads with another all star reading coach, and last week the levels she choose for Forella to read at were to high. I questioned Mrs. Slomka about it and she told me that I could just continue reading the level books I was originally reading with her.

After I went to get the kids and I read with them individually. I have noticed that since I have been here for a couple of weeks, the reading with the kids has definitely progressed. I also noticed that each of the children I read with is different. They are all creative, intelligent and bright individuals, but each of them has their own original personality. Lauren is really outgoing and she loves to tell me all of her stories and daily activities, where as Pero is more shy and only talks about the task put in front of him. Noah never stops talking, and I have to force Forella to talk more. I find it really interesting how each child is so different then the other. The differences in children are beneficial for me in the future; when I am hope to be teaching. This is because each child I teach will be different then the other, so it helps to develop better teaching and verbal skills.

Monday March 26th!

Today I arrived at St. Andrews just before twelve. Mrs. Smith told me on Friday that I was going to play the game Top Story with the kids in her class. So I was prepared for what I was going to do today. When I arrived Mrs. Smith asked me if I could read with a student for about twenty minutes. Then she split the class into groups and she asked each group to get to each station. One of the stations was the station that included the game Top Story which was the station I was in charge of. I played the game with two groups and then it was time for recess. Mrs. Smith told me that I could have a short break, and when I come back from my break she wanted me to help her put the Socialistic book orders together for her class. It didn’t take me long to finish, and after she asked me to cheek of a list of students who finished their pen pal letters. After I helped the kids get ready to go home, and I reminded Mrs. Smith that I would not be in on Friday.

Journal # 6

It’s been a month since I began co-op and I am really enjoying it. I have a great schedule and each week when I arrive at my placement I know exactly what to do. With the all-star reading program and working with the kids in Mrs. Smith’s class, I am getting the full effect of my placement. When I am in Mrs. Smith’s class I get to help and work with the kids on their math, spelling, art or anything the child is having difficulties with. When I am a coach for the all-star reading program I get to work with a child one on one, to help them read. These are some of the things I need to know and participate in, to better me when I hopefully become a teacher in the future. With the all-star reading program I have really felt part of the team. All the moms who come in to help, always welcome me, and answer any questions that I may have. With the majority of the time I spent at my placement with the all-star reading team, it feels good to be part of a great team.

The part of the job that I like the best is when I read with the kids. Each of the kids that I read with are so different, not only in their reading levels but also their personalities. Pero, is the cuties kid who is so kind, and has a great heart. He reads so well, and he loves to read all the time. Noah, is very intelligent, and even though he talks a lot he is a great reader. Lauren has become one of my little friends. She is very bright and she is very confident when she reads. These are the three main students that I couch. They are all so happy and proud of themselves when the read a word that they didn’t know, or when they finish a whole book. Each child’s excitement makes me proud and it is definitely the best part of the job.

Asking questions on the job is definitely a must. Each day it seems there are many more questions that need to be answered and everyday I try to ask them. Most day’s I need to ask Mrs. Slomka about what level book to give to the child. Or what activity should I play with the child today. Each question I ask she is very helpful in answering. She encourages me to ask questions, because she wants the child to improve in their reading not fall behind. Even when I am in Mrs. Smith’s class, she also encourages me to ask questions, and if I am confused with something, or if a student asks me something that I don’t know, so encourages me to ask her for help.

Friday!

I arrived at St. Andrews a little before twelve and I waited with Karoline for Mrs. Smith to come back from her lunch break. At about a quarter after Mrs. Smith came back and she asked me to us the laminator and laminate two posters together. I told her that I did not know how to use the laminator and she explained it to me. I went upstairs beside the library which is where the laminator is, and I followed her directions. She told me that I had to first warm it up by pressing the on button and then allowing it to sit for a bit, until the light flashes ready. After, I had to align the paper with the measuring device on the machine. Then I pressed run and it went, when I wanted it to stop I had to press stop. Just as I was finishing the paper ran out, and because I didn’t know how to change the paper I left I turned the laminator off and brought what I finished downstairs. Afterwards, Mrs. Smith asked me to help the students with their math work. After recess, Mrs. Smith asked me to understand the game that I might be playing with the kids, and when the kids come back form recess, to help them with their art work. She wanted me to use glitter with the kids, on their paintings of Jesus on the cross. Most kids needed my help, so we didn’t get a chance to play the game. Mrs. Smith told me that we would be paying it on Monday.

Thursday!

Since I have been at this placement I have not once had all-star reading on a Thursday, even though it is scheduled for it. Something always comes up, and so for the first time I had it this Thursday. The schedule was different on this day, then any other day. It went Pero first, then I was in Mrs. Greer’s room, then Lauren and then Noah. I thought this was strange that in the middle of my all-star reading I had to go to Mrs. Greer’s room. I asked Mrs. Slomka and she told me that Mrs. Greer needed help, so I would help her on Thursday’s and do all-star reading. She told me to read with the kids first, then after recess go to her room. So that is what I did. After I finished with Noah who is in Mrs. Greer’s class, I helped him get ready for recess and then I asked Mrs. Greer what I could help her with. She asked me if I could take down the pictures on her bulletin board in the hallway. I agreed and it didn’t take me long. After she asked me if I could help a couple of students with their math work and I did. After that, I helped Karolina clean up the paints and her work area where she was helping the kids with their art work. Then it was time to go.

Wednesday!

On Tuesday after I was done I organized my books and my activities for the following day. So when I arrived at St. Andrews I was already prepared. I went to get my first kid who was in Mrs. Smith’s class, but she told me that he was with another teacher doing some work, so I decided I would come back later. Then I continued with my schedule and the three kids that I had left loved playing the rhyming games. My last kid Noah had some difficulties reading today, and he was really talkative. After recess I went back to Mrs. Smith’s class to go get Filip, but the class wasn’t there. One of the teachers next door told me that they went to the computer lab, so I went to cheek, but they class wasn’t there. I cheeked the library and they weren’t there either. By the time I found the class, it was too late to read with the student. So Mrs. Smith told me to wait until next week to read with Filip and I agreed.

Tuesday!

Today was my first day back from March break where I was going to do all star reading. I arrived early to get all the books ready and the activities for the kids. I got my four folders for my four kids. My first kid was ready and waiting for me to arrive and he was really excited to read. He told me that he didn’t read the book that I asked him to read with his parents, so we read it together. This week the strategy was what does the word sound like. Mrs. Slomka who is in charge of the all-star reading program has a bunch of activities for the couches to do with the students, which deal with the strategies. I was looking through the activities and I noticed that she had a lot of rhyming games. I thought that they would be perfect. So I grabbed a rhyming bingo game, and a rhyming card game. My first student was really happy to play bingo and he enjoyed the game so much he wanted to play it again the next day. After I was finished with him, I went to get my other student but she was in the computer lab and the teacher told me to get her after recess. So I continued with the next child and then the last one. After I went to get the child that was in the computer lab, and I was finished for the day.

Monday!

When I arrived at St. Andrews I waited for Mrs. Smith to come back from her lunch break. When she came into the classroom she asked me to sit with a student and read with her in the hall for a couple of minutes. We read the book and she enjoyed it the book and she read it with no difficulties. After Mrs. Smith asked me if I could photocopy some of her handouts for the class, I obviously agreed and she asked me to photocopy twenty copies. After, she told me to help another student with their math homework, the class was learning fractions. The girl I was helping understood the work and she didn’t need much assistance. After math, Mrs. Smith asked me if I could photocopy a couple more handouts for the class, and stable them together. She gave me a whole handful of sheets to photocopy, so it took me a lot of time to get it all finished. After, she asked me to help the kids clean out their math folders and to roll up all their work and then she asked to place an elastic around the work. After that, she told me to tell them to put it in their backpack, and to help them write their homework in their agendas.

Journal!

Some days at my placement there isn’t really enough to do, and then some days there is way too much to do. When I am in Mrs. Smith’s class, she doesn’t really ask a lot of me. I help these two girls in her class, and sometimes I help a young boy. I usually help them with the class work they are presented with, and sometimes Mrs. Smith wants me to read with them. However some of the time they can handle the work, and I am really not needed. On the off time she will ask me to mark or do a small activity for her that will save her some time later on. Such as marking a test or cutting things out, although that is rare. On the days that I don’t seem to be doing much, I try and make an effort to help the other students in her class, that may need my assistance.

Days that are so busy are during my all star reading days. During these days I have twenty minutes with each student, and it goes by fairly quickly. Then I have five minutes to write everything down, get the books and work out, for my other students, and go and get that student, all in that time frame. As soon as I arrive at St. Andrews, I have about fifteen minutes to get all the books, activities and equipment needed for the day. This includes the booklets for each child, one or two books per child, stickers, one or two activities and sheets to fill in for each child. I follow a schedule that is important and I need to be on time. If I am not on time, then one child may get a shorter time, which may result in them not finishing an activity or a book. This can slow down the child’s process.

This week however, I actually learned something new. Mrs. Smith on Monday took me to the back room in the office and she taught me how to work the paper cutter, the photocopier, and another and more efficient type of photocopier. She told me her code, for the photocopier and how to work the other two office equipments fairly quickly. It was straight forward, and she told me that I would be using the equipment frequently. I was glad to learn something new, because these new skills can be beneficial for me in the long run.

I also found it frustrating this week on various days. On Monday it was my first time using the paper cutter and Mrs. Smith photocopied the sheets that I needed to cut out unevenly. So when I was cutting out the pictures on the sheets of paper, it was really difficult and hard to keep the sheets inline. Also there is a new parent working with the all star reading group, and on Tuesday he came in to watch how the program works. However he kept on watching me read with the children, and the children were not paying any attention to me, or the book we were trying to read, because they were distracted by the new parent. It was hard enough getting their attention in the first place, but when they see a new face, it is even more difficult. Also I found it a little frustrating on Thursday as well. This is because the all star reading was cancelled and Karolina and another student Cathy, and I got moved to Mrs. Greer’s room to help her out. It was frustrating because she was asking us to do a hundred things at once, and it was difficult to get it all finished. Plus another teacher wanted our assistance as well. Overall it worked out, and these experiences will also be beneficial in teaching me how to stay calm under frustrating circumstances.


These are some of the books I read with the children in the all star reading program throughout this week:

14!

Today when I arrived at St. Andrews I thought that I was going to be doing all star reading, which is what a usually do on Thursday. However the grade ones had an assembly, so Mrs. Slomka told me that Mrs. Greer needed some help, so I went to help her out with two other students from Holy Trinity. When we arrived at Mrs. Greer's room she told us that her class was making kites, and she wanted all three of us to cut out diamond shapes, for the kites. There was lots of construction paper and she wanted all of it done. Then she said when we were finished to draw a line through the kites making a cross.

When we were finally done, she asked us to stable the solastic book orders together, and to cut out sentences that she had, and glue them on construction paper. In the middle of finishing, a teacher from another grade one class, said she needed some help. So she took Karolina and me out of Mrs. Greer classroom and we helped her tidy up her back shelves. When I was finished I helped cleaned up.

13!!!

Today was a lot like yesterday! When I arrived at St. Andrews I grabbed my books for the day and organized a quite spot for the kids to read in. I first read with Filip who was definitely a hand full. Then I had a lot of fun reading with Pero, because Pero loves to read and he is so cute, and he loves to share his stories. After I went to get Lauren, but her teacher told me that she was writing a test, and if I could get her after last recess. Of course I agreed. When recess came Karolina needed some help with some work she was doing, and I knew Lauren was my last student because Noah was gone for March Break, so I told Karolina I would help her. I read with Lauren who has learned all these different techniques dealing with how to read and what you should do when you come to a word you are unfamiliar with. When we were done reading I walked Lauren back to class, and helped Karolina finish up what she was doing.

12...

Tuesday..which means all star reading day! I arrived early and waited for my four kids to come in from recess. When it was time to get my first kid I took her into the back room and read with her. She was getting really frustrated so I decided to do an activity with her. She enjoyed the activity and I gave her a sticker and walked her back to class. After, I took the last tow kids for the day and they both enjoyed the books they read and the activities they played. When I went to get Noah my last student, Noah's teacher told me that he left early for his March Break, and that she needed help cleaning out her closet. She asked if I wouldn't mind, and because Noah was my last student, and I had nothing to do for the remainder 45 minutes, I agreed to help her. Karolina then joined me and together we got the closet cleaned and organized.

Day Eleven!

I arrived at St. Andrew's early and waited for Mrs. Smith to come back from lunch. The weather was really bad that day so the kids had indoor recess, and I helped the teacher on duty watch the kids in Mrs. Smith's class. When Mrs. Smith arrived she asked me to go out into the hallway and read with one of the students in the class. We read a book called the Messy Room. She read it really well. After she asked me to help this student work on their math work. It was pretty simple. They had to cut out four triangles and put them on paper, and make a quilt out of it. I also helped a kid in the class who was having a large amount of difficulties with it.

After last recess Mrs. Smith asked me if I could help her cut out the stages of the cross, and put them in a plastic bag. I wasn't completely finished, so I gave her the remaining picture, and she let me leave.

Journal...

Situations that made me feel good, is when I am reading with the kids who are involved in the all star reading program. When I read with them there are certain words they do not know. Before I started the all star program I had to watch a video that dealt with the techniques used when reading with the kids. There are several. Some of the techniques are looking at the picture, sounding out the words, skipping the word and coming back to it, moving on, and providing a word that rhymes with the word on the page.

When I am reading with the kids they always hit a word that they are stumped on. I reminded them of the techniques, and they try to use one or two of them when they are reading. It makes me feel good when they use the technique and they figure out what the word is. Seeing them smile and ask me if they are right, makes me feel great! It is obvious that they want to read, and get better and better at it.

Another situation that makes me feel great, is when I am helping out Mrs. Smith’s class. The students in her class ask me for help and that makes me feel amazing that they can come to me when they need anything. Also when Mrs. Slomka and Mrs. Smith ask me for a favour, or to help them with something. It makes me feel great to know that I can be of service, and that they trust me.

A situation that made me feel bad, was when I was reading with one of the kids, he was getting really frustrated and he didn’t want to read anymore. I was really disappointed because I thought he was reading well and he was almost done the book. But he gave up way to easily. I only had this child once, so I am hoping the next time I have him, I can help him more, and hopefully help him to enjoy reading.

Another situation that made me feel bad was when I would make a mistake, and grab the wrong level book for the child I was reading with. That would force me to go back into Mrs. Slomka’s room, and figure out what book the child can read, resulting in lost time with the child.