A Learning Experience

I read a lot of mom-blogs.  I always have an I've always liked reading them.  Sometimes though, they are hard for me to relate to.  I can understand some things about having children without actually having them, especially now that I have a niece, but some things are just lost on me.

Now that I'm teaching and learning to be a teacher...hello, mom blogs! These blogs are suddenly a great resource for me.  Who would have thought that my blogging obsession could help me out so much? I never would have thought that they would be a place for me to learn how to do my job better. One particular article that I know will be a big help is from the Idealist Mom about whining, but it doesn't stop there.  I've been pouring over these blogs and learning about what makes the chilluns tick.

My first time being the lead instructor without someone observing and without help was in a first grade class.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  Let me tell you.  It was a learning experience.

1.  They are so freaking cute.  They love you. They think you're the coolest person ever. They want you to be their best friend, and it is so the best thing ever.  Getting a hug from a 6 year old you just met is the sweetest thing...

2. They love to tattle.  I addressed the class and asked them if they knew what tattling was. They responded with yes.  I asked them if it was nice.  They responded with no.  I asked them not to do it.  They did not stop.  I think that they truly just want to help and feel like they are doing an important job in the class...but man it's hard to deal with!

3. They have a short attention span. Like I said, I didn't know what I was getting myself into.  When I first started, it was like I had forgotten that they were 6 and I wanted them to have the attention span of a 5th or 6th grader.  That just isn't so.

4.  They needed to be reminded...This was something I didn't exactly learn fast...It took me a while to realize that they get distracted and easily forget that they can't talk out.  They get excited about knowing the answer or having something cool to say and they just...need reminders.

5. They cry.  Um...what? I had to call my mom (she's teacher and has worked with kids basically her whole professional life...She specializes in behavior) and ask her... "So, like, what do you do when they cry?!" 

I knew I'd run into some issues because my education and experience is limited, but I am loving how much I have learned.  This experience is so beyond amazing.  I can't wait to learn more and spend even more time in the classroom.


This is the first of likely many episodes in the Learning Experience Series!