First Grade at Congress Elementary [Session 2]

Again i traveled to where the houses are only five feet apart, and everyone looks different than i did, to try and "teach" some children...

We did a lesson on heredity again, this time focusing on traits we inherit from our parents.

We talked about hair color, eye color, attached/not attached ear lobes, ability to roll your tongue, hairline... ect ect.

after we played four corners with the traits.

"Everyone who has black or brown hair stand in the front of the room, everyone who has red hair stand by the door, and everyone who has blond hair stand by the teachers desk."

The shuffling of feet and the sound of mumbling voices starts.

I am the only one standing at the teachers desk. My co-teacher Lyndsey is the only one standing at the door. Every single one of the students is standing at the front of the room.

How stupid could i be- lets just point out the fact that i don't fit in with you all. I felt so awkward. How did i not think about this when i was writing this lesson plan?

We awkwardly finished the game. And i said my goodbyes, feeling very disappointed about not doing a good job teaching.

yet,

as i walked towards the door,

the trampling sound of feet rushed towards me, then the feeling of little arms wrapping around my legs. And little voices, all calling to me,

"Thank you miss Carissa!"

"We'll miss you!"

Children have a way of reminding you what unconditional love is.

First Grade at Congress Elementary

Today I taught a science lesson to a first grade class. I taught about various types of animal coverings. I started out with a bunch of types of coverings we wear, like a coat, rain boots, a helmet, a pretty dress. And i asked them why we wear each one. Then they looked at various animal coverings, and tried to guess what animal they were from and why that animal needed that covering.

I love first graders. I love talking with them. It is like speaking another language. you have to think about the words you use, and the way you describe things. I love thinking and speaking in that language. I also love asking them questions. They come up with answers so quickly, because they are so excited you are talking with them, and they think they are so smart.

Sometimes they start talking before they even know what they are going to say- thats the best. You have them so excited about the material, and participating in the class discussion, before you finish asking a question, they are sitting at the edge of their seats, raising their hand as high as possible, waving it back and fourth. Then when you proceed to call on them, they start a sentence, then stop to think of answer.

One of them ran up to me as i was walking out the door,

"Thank you Miss Carissa"