| Date |
Place |
Reflections |
| 10/01 |
Organic Farm |
Harvest Festival, the rain was pouring and children were running about. The hay in the barn created a sweet smell, mixed with the pumpkins. Had lots of laughing with the kids while I prepared the pumpkins for them. |
| 10/12 |
meeting |
1st meeting with Painted Word group, initial questions answered... prepared for 1st workshop. I was very tired and had to leave after a half an hour. |
| 10/15 |
Workshop 1 |
Had sooo much fun working with the ink and being inspired by the music and caligraphy that Hirsh provided. To frame a picture prior to next workshop. |
| 10/28 |
Workshop 2 |
|
| 11/01 |
Meet w/ Head Start |
This was the day after Halloween and all of the kids were wound up! I meet with Suzanne for the first time. After our meeting I was able to observe the flo. of activities the children participated in. Then I began playing with them, I just could not help the desire to do more than just observe. The energy in the air was contagious! Playground time was the most intense. Everyone was having such a good time operating at full speed. The ticket concept provided by teachers to children whom were not behaving properly on the playground, was interesting. Some of the time, a ticket was not necessary because they were able to problem solve on their own. Other times it was necessary. But occasionally disputes would errupt over the stealing of another's ticket. What a day. :) |
| 11/02 |
Head Start |
Today, I participated more than the first day. I read alot of books. There are quite a few of the children in class who like to "read" to themselves. Some will make up their own story to the book and others acutally have the story memorized! I think it is a fair and accurate statement to say that all of the children in this class love learning. There is clearly different levels of development within in the class but all love to learn and are willing to ask for help from their teachers and try to assist other classmates. I have a little friend Leo has adopted me as his new best friend. What fun. He took me to the white board and aske me to write with him, so we tried to write his name but he would just write the "o" out of Leo. Each time he wrote an "o" he would say "oh." It was so cute. |
| 11/09 |
Head Start |
Upon arrival to class today, I was direct towards the finger painting/ print making. There was 3/4 selections of colors to choose from. Some of the children were able to request paint by color name and others were only able to say color. When asked which color it was that they wanted, they would fish for a name. At first I was a bit intimidated by the mess but then I was able to let go and have fun supervising the activity.At playtime there was some trouble between a few boys who got a little rough playing witha ball and each other. One of these boys has gotten into a little spat each time I have been here to observe, when he gets confronted with his actions he runs away. I fear he is falling into the little trouble maker stero-type already. |
| 11/16 |
Head Start |
Meet with Suzanne to discuss their goals and lessons for the month and my idea on how to relate that to painted word. Received feedback and materials for lesson on Friday. Soaked in more of the school's schedule, mood, feeling, tone, purpose, the interactions of child to child, and the interactions of child to teacher. I know now, without a doubt, how important it is to have this tribal head start. I also see the need to have tribal schools from head start to 12th grade. Native and non-native children deserve exposure to native culture, belief, and role models. What a great opportunity to come observe at this school! |
| 11/18 |
Head Start |
Elizabeth was already there when I arrived with supplies in tow for my lesson. The teachers were gathering everyone for circle time. So, it was a perfect transition for me to tell them that I had project for them. I had designed a letter cologe for them. They had three letters to choose from. All of the letters are from their monthly lesson plan... F, G and H. I gatherd a range of supplies for decorating their letters. Leaves, glitter, glue, confetti but once the glitter came out there was no going back. Only two of the children used leaves on their letters, while quite a few used only gliter. They were all having a great time... sharing and working with each other nicely. But in the end it was over just as quickly as it began. Then we were off and playing outside on the playground. I could not believe how much planning and prep work went into an activity that was over in less than 20 minutes from start to clean up. I will never look at teaching the same way again. |
