Journal #7: Elementary School Visit

For my 7th visit to the elementary school, I was eager to start lesson plans as usual. There were new games in the folder today that consisted of a matching game using sight words. I was excited to start working on the words with them because I know they could always use more work on becoming fluent in reading. The sight words seem to help them make their phrases more fluent. I started working on a timed game in which the kids had to read simple phrases correct and with the correct inflection within a 3 minute period. They love competition among each other so this was great fun for them.

We then read the story of the three little bears and they each took turns reading their lines as if it was a play. We talked once again about periods and commas, they seem to be getting better at reading than at the beginning of our meetings and I am happy to help.

On another note, the girls in my class told me about how they are all dating the same boy, and it's okay for them to do so as long as they don't fight over him. I found this a funny little side note to my visit to the school and I hope to have more fun moments as I continue volunteering.

One connection to the readings I could make from this visit would be the kids that were being pulled out of class for special help. This reminds me of the Oakes reading on tracking, and that the kids all learn the same, and the smarter children aren't held back, yet the ones who need extra help attain that as well. I see this system work very well each visit and yet children aren't separated for any reason, making the tracking system unneeded.