Blog 5

Through my time working with the kids at Asa Messer I really learned the struggle these teachers go through to see these kids exceed.  The students I have worked with have come a long way and it made me so happy to see them progressing as the weeks went on.  I learned a lot from this experience and I cant wait to have my own classroom so I can help children learn and become better people. 

Post 4

Working with both kindergarten and first graders I have gotten to learn about their ethnic backgrounds.  The students I work with speak English but two of my kindergarteners sometimes will speak Spanish to each other and it bothers me at times.  I wish I could speak their language so they could understand what I am really saying to them.  When you can speak their language that is spoken at home they understand the feeling in what you say and can really undserstand the meaning.  Both the children can speak English but I feel like they have a better understanding when spoken to in Spanish.  In their classroom they have two teachers, one is the main teacher and the other is a teachers aid. The teachers aid is Spanish and has an accent when she speaks and at times she will speak spanish to those in the classroom that can.  The students feel a sense of comfort because they have someone that can speak to them in their native langauge.  

I had a few misconceptions of how the students would be at this school.  I thought they would be children that caused problems and wouldnt want to try in the classroom.  They are be behind in school compared to other kindergarten and first graders but these kids dont give up and they keep on trying.  It is difficult at times for them and I watch them struggle when they cant figure a word out or dont understand the material.  It also makes it harder when the parents arent doing their part at home with helping their children, when they come into the classroom and are struggling.  It makes me want to help these children even more. 

Post 3

Working in the classroom at Asa Messer I have come to learn a lot about the first grade teacher and how the classroom works.  The classroom has a very diverse group of students with all different ethnicity's.  The color of someones skin doesn't matter to the other children in the classroom or to the teacher, who is the only white person in the classroom.  The students participate well with the teacher and she always gives them a chance to figure out an answer when they are struggling.  She can be very stern with the students when they are not listening and when she is, the students change how they are acting very quickly.  For the first grade classroom I work with three boys, who can be very difficult at times.  They don't like to listen and for two weeks in a row I was starting to loose patience with them, until I spoke with the teacher.  We were reviewing their folders when she noticed the comments that were being written in their folder: Doesn't like to listen, doesn't stop talking, doesn't pay attention, etc.  After she saw these comments she spoke with the boys and they saw how upset she was.  Ever since then they have been more respectful to me and listen, and when I ask them to stop talking they do.  I don't wanna sound like the mean teacher to them because I'm not, it just becomes very frustrating when they constantly don't listen. 

Short Bio

My name is Michelle Frey I'm 19 years old and in my sophomore year.  My major is elementary and concentrating in special education.  My semester so far hasn't been too hard, but I'm sure it will pick up.  I like to hang out with friends go shopping and just have fun! Sorry this is a little late!

Michelle :)

An Indian Father's Plea

1.  Wind-Wolf's aunts and grandmothers taught him to count and know his numbers while they would sort out materials and designs to make baskets.  His father also taught him how to count as they sorted out rocks that were used in the sweat lodge. While in class Wind-Wolf was taught to watch and study the change in nature, and that their were 13 months according to his culture because there were 13 moons, 13 planets in the solar system, and 13 feathers on a "perfectly balanced eagle." 

2.  In Wind-Wolf's family everything is valued to them.  The basket that Wind-Wolf was strapped into was designed to provide Wind-Wolf with the type of knowledge that he will need to survive in his culture and environment.  He has been doctored in numerous healing ceremonies by men and women from diverse places.  Wind-Wolf has also attended the sacred and Ancient White Deerskin Dance where he is well acquainted with the culture and language of other tribes.  Everything Wind-Wolf, his family, and tribe do are valued and everything has a meaning behind it. 

First Day at School

My first day at the school I was nervous but had fun.  When I first got there I was nervous walking into the building because there are bars on the windows and it's in a sketchy area.  Once I walked into the school I noticed it was nice inside and I knew it was going to be fun.  First we had a quick meeting explaining what we would be doing and what rooms we were assigned to.  Then we walked around so we knew exactly where we would have to go for the following week.  The class that I was suppose to be observing for the first day was off to art class so I observed another classroom instead just for that day.  When I walked in they were having a writing workshop where they wrote 3 or more sentences on whatever they wanted to write about, and then could draw a picture if they wanted to go along with the story.  It was interesting to walk around and here what they were writing about.  Most of the kids wrote about their mom and dads and others wrote about playing baseball with their brother.  As the kids read their stories to me I would follow along with them and most of their stories would have nothing to do with what they wrote on their papers.  It was really funny.  Also I noticed they would start writing what they would say, but what they were writing on the paper would make no sense because they had trouble writing the words they were saying.  After writing workshop was over they went to different stations where they played games helping them match pictures to words.  As I walked around they all did a really good job recognizing the word and being able to place it next to the correct picture.  A few kids raised their hands because they had trouble pronouncing a word, so we sounded the word together until they got it, and most of them were able to figure the word out after sounding it out two times.  Overall I had fun going to the school and I'm looking forward to whats ahead as I continue to visit the school each week.