did the program allow for some free activity where the children could conduct their own investigations? Was more time allocated for music and artistic endeavors?
Sadly, I found none of the things I would look for in the all day program I observed in the morning. Walking into Mrs. R's room was like walking into a Nazi Youth camp where everyone was marching in lock-step. The children came in off their buses, put their things away and went directly to their assigned table where a packet of dittos was waiting for them. Imagine having an assigned seat in kindergarten. Imagine starting your day writing numbers 1-100. I asked Mrs. R. if they did not have circle time. "Oh, yes we do at 8:45 when all the children have settled down. We start each day with this routine...it lets them know that what we do here is serious. We are here to learn." Ummm...right away I knew I would be having a difficult day...being an observer...keeping my thoughts to myself. But I must say...I was extremely good....in silence I watched and pretended to take notes.
At 8:45, Mrs. R. rang a bell and the children put away the papers they were working on and went silently to a large rug on the floor that had the alphabet on it. Each child took their "assigned letter" and sat down. Mrs. R took her seat and "Drill and Kill" took on new dimensions....first in unison they sang a song of the alphabet where each letter mentioned two words that began with that sound, then quickly they moved on to a rhyming game where Mrs. R. said a word and going around the circle each child had to come up with a word that rhymed with it. Then they stood up and jumped in their spot as they counted to 100. Sitting down, they then counted by 5's and then by 2's. Then Mrs. R went over to an easel where their was a large chart paper and she asked for the news of the day. She wrote three sentences: Today is Thursday, May 15. It is a cloudy day. We have computer lab in the afternoon. Then they were told to go to their seats and take out their journals where they would copy these three sentences. Like a guard, she walked around, making sure everyone was using lower case letters, starting each sentence with a capital and using the proper punctuation.
"Mrs. R., do they ever have time to do their own writing?" I asked.
"Not really, they can do that at home. With the new curriculum, we have little time. We need to teach skills." was her reply.
After journal time, the children were given a math packet of dittos. When they finished, they could draw on the back. Then they regrouped at circletime and Mrs. R. read them a book about bees. Then, she asked them to think of what they had learned. She wrote three sentences on the chart paper and the children were given their "science journals" to copy the sentences. By now, I was ready to scream. But quietly, I sat at a desk and recorded my impressions so far. I was relieved when the clock said 11:20 and I could go to lunch. In the teacher's room I met some second grade teachers and they invited me to their rooms to observe. I was pleasantly surprised that more interaction between students and teacher took place. I passed two first grade rooms and watched from the doorway...both classrooms seemed warm, inviting places. The children were engaged in a variety of activities.
Then I went back to the kindergarten pod and observed another teacher. By this time the children were quite tired and yet the pace did not let up. More seat work...more dittos. All I can say is this certainly is not the "Model" for me. I do believe I need to see more all day programs...there must be a better way to fill an all day kindergarten program.
Coming back home, I went to my IPhoto library and once again brought up pictures that lynne m. took of my children during "journal time" and was comforted with the fact that children need to have authentic experiences that truly involve them. Yes, we take school seriously...but we don't forget that behind every face is a unique person with their own voice willing to share their own ideas and dreams. Take a peek and tell me what you think.
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This was a collaboration between elizabeth e. and lynne m. Elizabeth wrote the text and Lynne took the photographs one morning during journal writing in Elizabeth's classroom. Lynne has an uncanny way of taking candid shots of the children at work and play. "Mrs. E.....you just have to use these pictures...and if it was me, I would call the article "Concentrating"! So maybe I should just change the title! Lol!
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Comments: 56
As for Sage....I think I will still be around come Sage's time...if not...we'll see! By the way, Papa picked up early presents for Sage's birthday, Lena...shhhhh...life jackets for the girls so they don't fall off the dock.
I loved the photos!
Reminded me of the tales of your early childhood experiences in the parochial school. I was so relieved to leave that classroom come 2 o'clock. Next week, I think I'm going to observe in another town...I'm hoping that things will be better! I don't even know why I need to do this....observing other programs. I think I've been around enough to figure out what to do with a full day program.
Lena: MFA sounds wonderful. Are we going to that "Special fruit and veggie store tomorrow"...just send me an email. I can only go in morning because I have a graduation party in afternoon.
Lynne takes great photos. You can really see that she captures almost the "essence of each one".
Karen:
I am hoping the same thing. One of our teachers observed in another town on Wednesday and she had a great experience. I'm just hoping my next "observation class" will be one I enjoy...and not feel as though I'm in a strait jacket.
When you say all day program, how many hours is that? I know that here in S. Fl kindergarten is from about 9 am to 3 pm. I think it is an awful lot of hours they have to pay attention, but that is probably just because it is so different from what I know.
My husband was a substitute teacher at a kindergarten yesterday, and he came home very tired:) I thought about you Bob. My husband's specialty is teaching the higher grades science and math, so teaching kindergarten was quite a challenge to him.
Kindergarten is tiring. I teach two sessions...come home and take a power nap from 4:15-5 and then I have my home time. If I didn't have that short nap I would be in bed by 7:30 or 8. Your husband must have had a lot of stories for you about his day!
I guess the "dark side" still lurks in dusky corners of schools :-)
Hey Janet, knowing how you taught multi-age for so many years before becoming an administrator, I know you know what good teaching is so you can just imagine my horror at spending a day in a classroom such as this. I must say, Deidre came back with great reports from her visit in Wareham as did Debbie Lynch...she went to Stoughton. Once we get all the "observations" completed, I am sure we can create a model that works for us. I'm hoping Mrs. R's model is the exception and not the rule.
They did have sight words - and alphabets - of course, singing, planting, buddies, so much I could not begin - but I am sure you know exactly the same methods.
Your article is Featured in the Triple Name Club.
To think our children spend such a joyless day in such a joyless environment. Thank goodness for teachers like you, Bob.
I sure wish I had attended a kindergarden like yours.
BTW - awesome pics - yes - Concentration would be a great title.
I have no doubt that for the kids that are lucky enough to be in your class, the full day program will be wonderful ... but it is too bad that not all children are so lucky in their teachers.
I love your words here in this Article, that . . . "during "journal time" . . . comforted with the fact that children need to have authentic experiences that truly involve them." -- I so agree with this.
This collaboration that you and lynne did on this Educational Photo Essay is excellent. The images of the children's faces tell a story about their thought processes.
Your words in this Article say it well . . .
" . . . we don't forget that behind every face is a unique person with their own voice willing to share their own ideas and dreams. Take a peek and tell me what you think."
I think, on one hand, it was just unfortunate, that I spent a full day in this particular classroom. I am sure there are many wonderful all day programs out there where "real" learning takes place. I have to admit, walking around that particular school and observing other classrooms, I was impressed...especially with the two second grade classrooms.
Thanks for featuring this in the Triple Name Group.
It was a nightmare. I couldn't believe the regimentation. She had this little bell that she kept ringing to signal the next activity...and like little robots, the children responded. The other thing that really bothered me was the fact she had them sitting at tables according to their ability. Imagine, "tracking" in kindergarten!
Good things are happening in that school...it was just unfortunate where I was sent to observe. When I was writing this article, I thought of Breezy many times. How would her skills compare to those of these all-day students and you know something, they don't have a thing on her. She is a far better reader! So don't worry about her academics. And yes, though they don't have art in Mrs. R's room, I did see volunteer parents hanging "art" in the hall for the Art Show that night and I was impressed. The building is also beautiful...everything is new in the Primary wing. As for first grade, I did peek into two rooms and I did like what I saw....so don't worry. Maybe when you register, you could have "a tour"... the principal seemed quite nice.
I will miss teaching two sessions and interacting with two sets of children. It is amazing to see how different two groups can be even though they have the same curriculum.
Thank you for dropping by. Yes, you of all people, would foster artistic minds. as you do here on Gather. Children, like adults, need a creative outlet, that is fostered in a warm environment.
There were tears in Mrs. R.'s room. She has a system where they have "A Happy Face card" that they bring home at the end of the day. If they don't have the card, that alerts the parent that the child did not follow directions or misbehaved during the day. I saw four cards taken away for infractions that warranted perhaps a small talking to but definitely not a note home.
I was a guest. I was not asked for my opinion at that school...though I did share my observation with fellow kindergarten teachers at my school as well as administrators. Once again, I had a voice.
Long day lynne. I was up at 4ish...went to breakfast with my cousins at 7:30...then to Plympton's Garden Club Plant sale on the Green, quick visit to Mom's at the Nursing Home and then a Graduation Party for my grandneice in Braintree. My grandneice graduated from Simmons this morning at 10. I just went to the Party. Papa and I got home at 7 and had to walk Tuck....long day...I'm ready for bed.
I'm glad I relieved your anxiety. Breezy will do just fine there...she is well prepared. Gosh, she has thinking skills not rote skills!
Young children need to be engaged and not marshalled into some sort of factory style robotic test conspiring bs.
Just want you to know that I took notes.
Blessings ~
René