Day 2: Kindergarten

I was back with the same teacher today. Once again, we started with the kids in the gym. Once again, all the kiddos showed up. :)

I was really surprised that the teacher assumed the kids would remember what to do for the morning routine... and for the most part, they did! Some needed some prompting, but overall, they did a great job.

The "everything is lame" kid came back today with a great attitude. Someone had explained to him about putting a bubble in his mouth and being quiet in the hall. Everywhere we went today, he made sure to point to his "bubble" and show me he was being quiet. The teacher had moved all the stuff within arm's reach away from the seat of the kid who couldn't stop touching things, so he was better too.

Before the kids arrived, the teacher asked me to sharpen pencils. I sharpened so many (with a manual sharpener) that I have blisters on my hands tonight.... really! (I also cut more laminating out today.)

We had more time today for singing and dancing (both very important kindergarten activities!). Today's Special was gym, and I filled mailboxes during it and put out snack (graham crackers today).

I couldn't believe how much better the kids were today at passing the buckets down the rows during math! They did it almost perfectly today... with very little help from me and the teacher. Even end of the day pack up went more smoothly. You'd never know this was only the second day of school for these kids. However, there were kids in the other kindergarten classes who had to walk during recess (which is the punishment for breaking a rule). One kid even had to have a talk by the head teacher. Discipline problems on the second day of school! Which leads me to this:

I do want to talk a bit today about some of my observations about how we educate kindergarteners these days. Do you remember graham crackers and juice and naptime during kindergarten? And I'll bet you didn't go all day either! Furthermore, I'll bet you played a lot during school. Most of that is gone. Kids do still get a snack, but there's no juice, no naps, and almost no time for unstructured play. I noticed this last year: every minute of the day (except the two 15-minute recess periods) is scripted for these kids. By the end of the school day, they are done. They are tired and restless. Today, at the end of the day, the teacher gave the kids about 15 mins of unstructured time to play (like yesterday). She was chatting with me during this time and shared that beginning last year, "they" took away this time. She has decided that this year, she is reinstating it at the end of the day. That way, she can say that the kids who need more time to pack up can have it and the ones who finish early can play. She noticed last year that when play was eliminated, it crept into academics, specifically math. Many math lessons have objects (chips, bears, dice) that are used, and the kids would just play with them instead of doing the assignment. She remarked that play is taken away by people who don't understand early childhood development/education. I find it really sad that a teacher feels she has to hide play in her curriculum to avoid being punished by administration. Kids this age (2 of them are still only 5 years old) need time to play, and anyone who thinks unstructured play is not of educational value has never watched kids play. I watched them share, negotiate, learn patience, and learn to occupy themselves--all skills that will be useful later. This school makes kids who have discipline issues walk at recess (on the sidewalk that surrounds the play area). Other places I've worked have kids sit at the side of the playground; I can't understand that punishment. The kids who need to run around and release some pent-up energy are the ones who have to sit quietly during recess.

Once again, I had about 15 minutes to eat lunch. The cafeteria routine is not something they have down yet. And, my feet have blisters too tonight. Kindergarten teachers are on their feet (on hard surfaces) all day! It's a physically demanding job. I sometimes think I'd like to do it full time, but most days, I'm really glad I'm the--as the kids call me--"assistant teacher!"

Oh, and I've tied A LOT of shoes the past 2 days. I really wish parents would buy Velcro shoes until their kiddos know how to tie them. :)