Going back to elementary was quite a difference from the last several days, in more than one way. First, going from age 12-14 to age 8. There is a world of difference between teens and second-graders. Second, going from the specials to the academics. The last week has been dominated with Industrial Tech and PE, with a short break in ELS (also quite different from second grade even though some of the material is similar…). Finally, working with a single group of kids all day instead of over a hundred.
I didn’t actually do much teaching today. They really have a routine down with language arts centers so all I had to do there was introduce what they would be doing and then help here and there when some didn’t understand something or other. Math was just an end-of-year assessment (didn’t need to be reminded of this- the lean season known as “summer” is nigh upon me). They had a handwriting worksheet I only needed to introduce, again, and computer lab in the afternoon where someone else pretty much ran the show while I helped. I did get to start a book for read aloud, a Mexican Cinderella. They are on a unit apparently about Mexico, including learning some Spanish. Across the room were their attempts at making the Mexican flag which I had to duck under every time I crossed the room. The teacher I subbed for must be much shorter.
Well, it was fun and I did at least get to work with a class I have worked with once before so there were less surprises- I’ll tell you subbing in an elementary classroom requires a lot more work than in a middle school classroom. Breaking routine can be difficult with younger students, whereas older ones just take in stride and adapt. Therefore, studying the routine from the plans takes up some time. Well, enough of this blathering on. On to bed and then a different second-grade class tomorrow.
