A craft work for the kids last week went really well. They were excited to start cutting the coloured papers after my demonstration. And how did they do?
Although I shall not deny that this craft was pretty challenging for some kids who were struggling with the scissors (child-friendly ones aka round tip), they still managed to get beautiful designs.
Good job, kids!!
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Last year, I brought up this idea of children writing a book review, during our termly meetings to discuss and plan the activities in the learning centres. We did it this with the K2 classes and I’m not sure about the other teachers’, but I absolutely love both the process and outcome of the book review.
So they picked the storybook they liked and of course, they had read it at least once. However (and this is the special part), the children only reviewed the book verbally to each other and to me. I sat with them and they explained the whole story. Next step was to write a part of the story that they liked most and completing it with their illustrations. Displaying their reviews on the wall left the children beaming and proud.
This activity was done in the Literacy Centre. So anytime the children get bored of just reading the books, get them to do a review!
Part of me wants to go back to work ASAP but the other part of me still wants to lounge at the comforts of my home and look after my 2 month old. I have 5 weeks more of my maternity leave and I am not sure if I have rested well. To be honest, any amount of off-days is never enough.
I almost teared when I received a message from my Principal, confirming my comeback. I may have been a very experienced teacher but with a 16 week hiatus, the first day of back at work can be nerve wrecking. It can send shivers down my nervous system.
Giving birth in December, for a teacher like me, has pros and cons. What’s good about it is that I can have a super long year end holiday. From mid November, all the way to April. The downside of it? I don’t know the children that I will be teaching. I don’t even know how they look like. Do they know me? For the past 3 years, I have been getting the older age group aka Kindergarten 2 (K2). They are 6 year olds and most of them are better in taking instructions and their understanding of the environment. I have lost my touch with the younger groups, seriously.
I called a colleague earlier in January, to ask of the situation in school and also the level that was mine. When she said Kindergarten 1 (K1), I got worried. It never leave my mind ever since. No, I have never dislike the younger group. I just have lost my touch in nurturing them. Anxiety is creeping into my bloodstream. Will they like me? Will they be judgmental? Will they regard the substitute teacher as their form teacher and not me?
No! I gotta pull up my socks and just do it. I am gonna welcome them with my warm heart and open arms. And I hope they will, too.