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.