Early Childhood Education

Eva Peak: Blog IV

What is your teaching experience so far?

Last semester I was lucky enough to be a part of two A.I.M internships, P.A.I.N.T Saturdays and The Child and Family Study Center. Previous to this, I was in a in a child development class for three years of high school, where we taught preschoolers.

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What are you looking forward to about the Internship you will be doing?

I am excited to be learning more about the medium of mosaic with tiles! I do not have very much experience working with tiles so it will be a fun learning opportunity for me as well as the students.

 

What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?

Along with gaining more knowledge about using tiles in art, I am hoping to learn about more mediums that are not as common like paint and be able to find ways to adapt them for classroom projects for the future. In addition to that, being able to work on my teaching skills.

 

Sami Cromer: Blog III

Sami Cromer: Blog III

I would say that I have definitely grown as a teacher in lesson planning and classroom management. While teaching this class, I have noticed that I got much better at being able to clearly demonstrate projects as well. When working with younger children, I learned that if I was able to over-explain steps to complete a project then I was doing just what I was supposed to because they need to have the projects explained over and over in order to understand how to complete the task.

Alyssa Boyer: Blog III

I was pushed out of my comfort zone and challenged a lot. I never worked with a group of toddlers until I started this internship. I never used to be one that was comfortable with singing, dancing, and dramatic play and when I was told to include some dramatic play and singing in my lessons I freaked out. During my lesson I noticed the children were more into my lesson when I was more into it. I realized that it didn’t matter if I looked a little silly or if I didn’t have the best singing voice. I have become more confident in my abilities as a teacher and have become more aware of the importance of a wide variety of types of activities in my lessons.

Hannah Denninger: Blog III

Hannah Denninger: Blog III

Overall I have a new understanding of how to handle older students. Before this opportunity I had no experience with children older than 5. So going into this I was a little nervous about how to handle the older age groups. I now can say that I have a good understanding of how to work with older children. I also have a better understanding of my role as the head teacher of a class. I have to do more than just present a lesson to them. Making personal connections with each of the students I think is an important thing that I learned from working with the Boys and Girls Club.

Leona Sonnentag: Blog III

Leona Sonnentag: Blog III

I feel I have grown most at being able to manage the classroom.  Being in a gym gives added difficulty to being able to manage behavior but after a routine set in, it became a lot easier.  The students knew what we were doing and knew what was expected of them.  The gym setting was really nice for what we were doing but it made the students extra antsy.  Getting them to quiet down and listen was a struggle in the beginning but throughout the semester it got easier because I learned how to better get their attention and keep it in order to tell them the plan for that day.

Vanessa Lee: Blog III

Just by being able to consistently go into a classroom twice a week, I have become a more confident and experienced teacher. I now know what kind of art activities students this age would enjoy, and ones that might be too easy or too complex. It made me happy to go into the classroom in the mornings, start setting up my supplies, and have 1-2 students start asking me what we were going to be doing that day. I loved how inquisitive and enthusiastic they were about art!

Amy Eidahl: Blog III

Amy Eidahl: Blog III

I understand that I am essentially the “boss” of the classroom. I understand that there are similarities between my experience working in management and in the classroom. Over the semester I learned about different strengths each student has in the classroom. I understand now that some projects are more popular than others and that it is hard to predict this prior to class. Over time, students became more familiar with the routine of my classroom and it made for a smoother lesson.

Marissa Stoffel: Blog II

    I have most definitely grown as a teacher from this experience even though it’s only been five to six weeks. I have really grown when it comes to being efficient with lesson planning and then facilitating the lessons in the classroom. This experience has taught me that the lesson you have written may not go according to plan when you actually facilitate it, but that’s an okay thing. I’ve learned that the most important thing is the student’s experience and what they create from the materials you have given them.

Sami Cromer: Blog II

Sami Cromer: Blog II

I now understand how important it is to really model how to do a certain project and that if I think I am explaining too much then that is probably perfect because the children find modeling and demonstrating how to do something really helpful. I also find it interesting when doing a wide variety of projects during the semester, when I notice which children really get engaged in which kind of projects. I notice those things and then try to plan future lessons based off of those interests.

Amy Eidahl: Blog II

Amy Eidahl: Blog II

I have learned to be aware of what the students have already experienced on the day I teach my class. For example, on Halloween, I knew the students would have focused on standard Halloween projects at school already, so I did a lesson on magic. This lesson was still relevant to celebrating the day but was different enough that they wouldn’t be bored. I have also a better understanding of the amount of prep that is needed prior to teaching a lesson. I understand the necessity of having aide assistance in the classroom. I have been privileged to have had a helpful group of Boys and Girls club employees this semester.

Alyssa Boyer: Blog II

What makes me happy about teaching this past quarter is the fact that I can band with the children I work with and watch them learn. When a child learns a new concept or task you can see the ‘aha’ moment they have and be a part of it. I love being able to get experience and work with real teachers and get advice on what I can improve on.

Hannah Denninger: Blog II

Hannah Denninger: Blog II

This quarter I have had the opportunity to have my class Monday – Thursday which is one thing that has made me happy. Seeing the kids that many times a week has been important in making the relationships I now have with the students. Getting to know each of them, and them getting to know me must be one of my favorite things about teaching this quarter, and just in general. The projects that I have created, and implemented in my class are also something that has made me happy. The kids have all had positive responses to the projects and enjoyed doing them.

Leona Sonnentag: Blog II

Leona Sonnentag: Blog II

I love that the children like the games that we plan and are interested in learning the dances prepared for them.  They also are getting a hang out our everyday routine which is super nice.  They know to circle up right away and start stretching.  I also enjoy that the children always have fun ideas and stories that they want to share.  It is also super nice that the supervisors also participate in the games that are planned.

Vanessa Lee: Blog I

Vanessa Lee: Blog I

I hope this internship will help me further develop my teaching style. I think art education is very important in early childhood and I am glad I get to have such an involved role in facilitating that for students. I also want to gain a better understanding of the types of activities children this age enjoy so I can become a more knowledgeable and experienced teacher.

Marissa Stoffel: Blog I

Marissa Stoffel: Blog I

I am really looking forward to be in this classroom because I was with the same students last year for an ECE class, so I already know a little bit about them as children and the classroom expectations. I’m so excited to watch the students in the classroom learn and grow throughout the semester I will be in there. I’m also excited to incorporate more art lessons into their day, as well as get more practice with small groups of children. I can already tell that they love to create things and use their imagination, so giving them the opportunity to create is something I very much look forward to.

Leona Sonnentag: Blog I

Leona Sonnentag: Blog I

I hope to learn how to successfully help the students have a good time but still have a structured class.  I'm also glad that I'm gaining real life experience so early in my college experience to solidify that teaching is what I want to do.  I also hope to learn how to get students to behave and listen without having to yell over them.  

Alyssa Boyer: Blog I

Alyssa Boyer: Blog I

I have worked in many different classroom settings and have never experienced much variety in the work I have done. I am looking forward to seeing how more of a daycare establishment differs from a school classroom. I do not have much experience with ages under four so I am looking forward to getting more experience with different age groups. I am excited to gain hands on experience with children and learn how I can improve as a future teacher.

Eva Peak: Blog I

Eva Peak: Blog I

I am hoping this experience will help me gain skills to introduce art into my lessons. I want to be able to work with my supervisors and other interns to find different ways to do this in my future. Along with that, I hope to work on my personal teaching skills and grow as an educator. By gaining hands-on experience, I want to be able to apply what I am learning now to my future as a teacher.

Hannah Denninger: Blog I

Hannah Denninger: Blog I

I am looking forward to continue getting to know the students. They all have their own personalities that represent who they are, and as a teacher, I want to know who my students are and try and understand them the best I can. I also look forward to continuing to work on my lesson plans. This experience with writing lesson plans is helpful in keeping me in the mindset that I am teaching a class and I need to be professional.