Week 4

This week, one reading group finished reading their book, and started to read the play version. Each student read a character, and Ulla is asking them to read with expression. In the other group, Ulla is guiding them to reflect on the story, the story was on bullying, so Ulla asked them questions such as “why do you think this happened” and “how else could this problem be solved.” One student answered the former by saying she thinks they started to call names because they think it was funny. Another two students answered the second question that they could have the polar bear come and scare the bullies that the bullies never come back, or tell a grown-up.

Also I got to observe another 1-on-1 on Thursday, this student is behind in math, but really enjoys learning. Ulla said he came in and just watched the earlier math group even though he didn’t really understand. When Ulla was teaching him adding, she used shapes with numbers, such as write down number 2, and draw two circles by it. He is so cute, when Ulla let him pick shapes to draw, he said smiley faces, and after he drew 4, he said “this looks like my family,” and when the other number is 1, he said “this means… one smiley face is lonely.” He was so happy and focused during the session and it was great to watch him.

Week 3

This week, Ulla switched the books to the chapter book Pete Penguin series for both reading groups. I think the students engage it a little better, though not all students get to read due to time constraints. Ulla was using the pictures in the books to assist reading by asking the students what they think is happening in the picture and what they think is going to happen. After the reading, Ulla asked them questions to summarize such as who are the main characters and what are they doing. The students understand the story better than the last book. I think the new book’s layout where students can see pictures with the text together, and the story goes in a clear timeline helped.

Also, the attendance is getting better. Everyone showed up at morning meetings, and most students showed up at correct small groups. Although one student showed up at the wrong math group, Ulla managed to teach different content to both groups during the same session. Ulla had been very encouraging and telling students good jobs when they showed up, and especially when someone doesn’t usually show up.

Week 2

I had my first observation on Feb 2nd! 

Right off the bat I noticed that Ulla let the students initiate learning, instead of a top-down approach that I went through in elementary school in China. During the math group, students were learning the Fact Family, in which two numbers add up to the third number. At first Ulla gave out three numbers and had the students fill into the equations, then she asked them to make up their own numbers. She also encouraged them to use bigger numbers when they know how to add/subtract single digit numbers. In China, the teacher usually tells you what to do, and learning math was always like what is 4+5 or what is 9-4, instead of finding three numbers yourself that have an additive relationship. By encouraging self-initiate learning, students won’t just see learning as a task to complete, but also explore and find it fascinating, and be more engaged.

It was so great to observe a first grade class, I already learned so much during the two sessions. I noted a few things that I find important and should learn. One is to always listen to students, even if it’s not related to the class. It’s always important to be heard. Adjust according to how students are learning. When Ulla found out her students couldn’t recall the content they read two days ago, she slowed down and had the students summarize each paragraph to make sure they understood. 

I would like to end this blog with something a student said during community building time: “Ms. Ulla, when you sing, it makes me so happy.”

Week 1

St. Paul Public School is starting next week Feb1st. I will meet Ulla and the students, and have my very first observation Tuesday, February 2nd at 8:30 am. It’s going to be a morning meeting and then reading groups. I’m super excited and also curious to see the format of the class. I love working with kids, they’re so fun, creative, and full of energy. I always get new insights by being with them.

I’m really glad that this residency worked out. During our first meeting on January 7th, Ulla and I talked about possible planas regarding in-person or distance teaching. The next week, Ulla got the words that she’ll teach first graders online. It is a new group of students for her, so I’ll have the honor to observe how she brings her teaching style to the new group. On top of that, I’ve never been in an elementary school class in the US, I will for sure learn so much by observing a real class.

Through this residency, I hope to learn how to become a teacher that the students will both love and listen to, how to design the lesson plan to be effective, and how to best share my knowledge to students.