A great visit, learning more about the students. Particularly, starting to understand more about the social dynamics within the class. During centre time there are sometimes students playing without a friend. The teacher strategically places children at centres so that the students who otherwise would be playing alone can have an opportunity to make a friend. I am also starting to see which students make bad combinations. Certain students sitting together at lunch end up in fights and conflicts. I know that careful observations of the changing social systems within in the class will help me in the long practicum. Recess and outdoor play is also an interesting time. Some kindergarten students know older children including siblings and neighbours, which gives them a certain amount of clout on the playground. One difference I noticed was that last time I was there playing with the big kids on the playground caused some uncertainty and anxiety. Now the children are excited and can’t wait until the children from other classes come outside to join them on the playground.
I like the way the teacher interacts with students in the classroom. I notice that if she needs to have a talk with students she bends or sits so that she is eye level with them. When possible she talks to them semi privately and her tone of voice is steady and quiet. Any comments are directly related to social skills that have been explicitly taught. For example “remember bodies are still”, “we use our words”. Because these are conversations at circle time the expectations are very clear.
Taught an SEL lesson using my friend Boo Hoo the Bear and a great book called “Little Whale’s Song”. A good day.