The day began with the students going outside. Many students were eager to show me around the playground. A few minutes later, one of the teachers began to host a game of hockey using pool noodles as hockey sticks, for safety reasons. There were not enough pool noodles for all children to participate in the game and many had no interest in doing so anyway. The teacher and I were welcomed by a group of students to watch a show they were putting on in the outdoor stage area. In this area, half logs were set up as seats. Later, I was able to gather a group of students who were not playing hockey to play hopscotch.
Once inside, the students began carpet time. I found that many of the children did not respond well to sitting still and listening since they had just come from playing outside. On days like this, the teacher has a “banana dance” activity where the kids are able to stand up and follow a short dance routine on the spot. This allows the students to shake off all their energy and wind down so that are able to be attentive during reading time.
Today I noticed that there was much less chaos than the week before. The EA was in today and she attended to the children when the teacher was not able to. The additional support of one extra person who the children enjoyed and trusted made a large difference in the classroom’s atmosphere. I am now beginning to pick up on the classroom routine. After playing outside for an hour in the mornings and finishing carpet time, the students are split into 3 or 4 activity tables and rotate between them during the hour. The table activities always include snacks, arts and crafts, a number or shape activity, and writing journals. This keeps them busy and since the children rotate between activities they avoid becoming bored of doing the same thing for too long.
I should note that this week I went into the classroom this week with a new perspective. The readings this week highlighted how students’ positionality has an effect on their individual service-learning experiences. This led me to reflect upon my own experiences in the education system. Going forward I will take the knowledge of how the inequalities present in society have disadvantaged certain groups from experiencing the privileges that I have been given as a white middle-class student.
Heather's Volunteer Placement 