I Don't Remember What I Learned in First Grade

So today I was able to go back to my first elementary school, and the memories just flooded back. It's amazing what sights and smells can do to recall moments from your childhood... and none of it about what I learned. It was great to be back, the only difference is that I'm bigger and the school is... smaller... at least it seems to be now.

I volunteered in the class of a lady that I have known for... a long time, and who is a fantastic first grade teacher. Mrs. Barger was kind enough to let me watch these super adorable children as she was encouraging and challenging her little six year-olds to keep trying and to do their best. That's what I think is most important role that a teacher can play: being supportive and pushing students to do harder things because you know that they can do it. Mrs. Barger was very clear in her instructions to the kids, showed absolutely no doubt in any of them, was encouraging to them in their assignments, and was very good at giving compliments and boosting their self-esteem with the way she talked to and looked at them. You could tell by the way her students looked at her and flocked to her when they needed help that they just adore her and really need her appreciation. Mrs. Barger acknowledged each of her students by their name, and looked at them, and gave them the time that they needed for their questions or comments. This is so important to do at this time of their lives. They are so young, and will likely believe what anyone tells them, so when the teacher tells them that they can do something, that they can be great at something, they will believe it themselves. 

So while I was volunteering in the class, they had lunch and recess. I cut out a lot of shapes in colored paper for a future activity, and waited for them to come back. When they did, Mrs. Barger asked if I would like to read them a story. I excitedly looked through her treasure trove of books, and found one of my favorites from elementary school, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, by Doreen Cronin. I was really glad that they enjoyed it and were so quite as I read it. 

After that, they each worked on their own self portrait for an autobiography that they are writing. They were each doing a great job and they all looked beautiful. Throughout the day, if Mrs. Barger needed their attention, she would yell out "Classity Class!", and they would yell back "Yessity Yes?" as they put their arms over their heads. They were all very respectful and quiet, which is always refreshing when you're in a class room full of kids. 

It was hard to leave because it had been so fun to be there again, but I'm really excited to be able to go back really soon, especially to see one of my primary students being quiet :) 

This lil' dude is one of my primary students, so I was extra excited to be in this class!