I AM HERE. I am in Hamburg, exploring a place I do not know,and learning so much about my passion: education. This is an absolute dream come true. I walked into my placement classroom (the class adorably known as the foxes(:) earlier today and within the first 30 seconds of meeting my CT, Jana, I knew she was a fabulous teacher. Her room had an aura about it and the way the children interact with her is almost magical. She has this innate way of being loving and almost doting on the children, yet a very firm and strict attitude about schooling that allows these 6 and 7 year olds to be academically disciplined, but still be young and carefree children.
To back track a bit, I am at Elbinselschule in Wilhelmsburg and the building structure within itself is stunning. It is a school where everything is very environmentally friendly. As soon as you walk into this modern structure, you can see the bright sunlight shining in everywhere, creating an inviting school climate. This school has been given money by the government to be a sort of "trial-run"; they are supported to try new ways of thinking in education. Thus, the entire school revolves around a pedagogical framework focused on kinesthetic learning.
The classroom I am in is part of the English Immersion program and these students receive most of the day's instruction in English. It is truly amazing to listen to these students switch between English and German or listen to the teacher speak in English and respond back in German. My mind was blown. These seven year old students are clever and capable of meeting such rigorous language challenges!
I know I will have a lot more to share in coming blogs, but I just have to share one more thing. I observed these students participating in a deliberation where they all got in a circle. They had previously drawn out the problems or praises that had happened in their class that week and they got to talk them out with one another. There is a "talking fox" the students pass around (much like a talking stick) and they work out their own problems with little to no teacher intervention. These students problem solve conflicts better than some adults! It was fantastic to watch and see when children are given accountability of their classroom, they step up to the plate, and take on that responsibility.
And it continues: Student Teaching in Hamburg Survival Guide
Notes to self:
#4 Listen to what 1st graders have to say, they are wiser than you think.: Children often have pure and unbiased insight into the world. Give them the chance to speak, shut your own lips, and listen up!(:
#5 Students are not robots, they are people. Today, I was reminded that students thrive off of movement and engagement. Singing and motion and moving constantly keeps them energized and gives them the creative outlet they need. SERIOUS NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT EVER LET YOUR STUDENTS BE STUCK LIKE SITTING DUCKS, LET THEM ROAM A BIT(:
#6 Jump right in: Never, ever, ever watch from the outside. I found myself doing that today for a little while. When I immersed myself and began to interact with the students despite some major language and cultural difference, I found myself already connecting with students and bonding with them.
Tschüss!
To back track a bit, I am at Elbinselschule in Wilhelmsburg and the building structure within itself is stunning. It is a school where everything is very environmentally friendly. As soon as you walk into this modern structure, you can see the bright sunlight shining in everywhere, creating an inviting school climate. This school has been given money by the government to be a sort of "trial-run"; they are supported to try new ways of thinking in education. Thus, the entire school revolves around a pedagogical framework focused on kinesthetic learning.
The classroom I am in is part of the English Immersion program and these students receive most of the day's instruction in English. It is truly amazing to listen to these students switch between English and German or listen to the teacher speak in English and respond back in German. My mind was blown. These seven year old students are clever and capable of meeting such rigorous language challenges!
I know I will have a lot more to share in coming blogs, but I just have to share one more thing. I observed these students participating in a deliberation where they all got in a circle. They had previously drawn out the problems or praises that had happened in their class that week and they got to talk them out with one another. There is a "talking fox" the students pass around (much like a talking stick) and they work out their own problems with little to no teacher intervention. These students problem solve conflicts better than some adults! It was fantastic to watch and see when children are given accountability of their classroom, they step up to the plate, and take on that responsibility.
And it continues: Student Teaching in Hamburg Survival Guide
Notes to self:
#4 Listen to what 1st graders have to say, they are wiser than you think.: Children often have pure and unbiased insight into the world. Give them the chance to speak, shut your own lips, and listen up!(:
#5 Students are not robots, they are people. Today, I was reminded that students thrive off of movement and engagement. Singing and motion and moving constantly keeps them energized and gives them the creative outlet they need. SERIOUS NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT EVER LET YOUR STUDENTS BE STUCK LIKE SITTING DUCKS, LET THEM ROAM A BIT(:
#6 Jump right in: Never, ever, ever watch from the outside. I found myself doing that today for a little while. When I immersed myself and began to interact with the students despite some major language and cultural difference, I found myself already connecting with students and bonding with them.
Tschüss!