Pumpkin Patch Adventure

I really enjoyed and valued the pumpkin patch field trip experience with Ms. Sull’s kindergarten class. I have always tried to introduce myself and my role as a teacher candidate in the upcoming school year to parents as they drop of their kids in the morning at any given appropriate timing. However, it was usually really short and succinct. The field trip gave me an opportunity to get to know not only the parents on a more familiar level but also the kids. I was able to establish a closer rapport with the kids by the end of the 3 hours field trip, though it felt as if we were together for a longer time than that. I had more opportunity to help kids and to interact with them on a more natural and less-structured learning setting. I definitely notice more kids were addressing me as Ms. Chen more frequently than ever. I’m starting to realize more of my presence in the class not only as a friendly Thusdays visitor but also an educator they sought for help from and respect. Ms. Sull gave me three kids to supervise specifically on the field trip in addition to looking out for the class as a whole to ensure they don’t step out of boundary. On the bus back to the school, Ms. Sull asked me how the field trip went. She said there was a reason why she gave me the 3 kids: she wanted me to build a good relationship with them as they are quite crucial and quick to changing the dynamic of the class if their attention were not appropriately addressed.

What I found throughout the field trip unique was a technique that I used in summer camps and also now I understand more closely from the article we read earlier in the term of “saying no indirectly with a purpose.” Some of the kids were either consciously or unconsciously doing things that I felt potentially unsafe and could lead to someone getting harmed. I saw Ms. Sull once said it in class too when she saw a kid almost poking someone in the eye, “How do you feel about that?” and then giving the child time to think before she continues “I don’t feel quite safe about that. What do you think?”

I knew all the kids were really excited about Halloween, but I know I won’t be celebrating it with them as I would be at Cougar Canyon with my other group of kids next day. So, I decorated some healthy treat (mandarin oranges) and left it as a surprise for them next day. I also wrote them a big letter card because I know they are starting to read and focusing on literacy in class. I did let Ms. Sull know of my intention in advance by the end of the day.