Final stages...before my own classroom...

Fall hasn't even arrived, but I am currently student teaching and taking my final class on campus.  I have plans on keeping this blog active and using it to reflect on my experiences.
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Community Building

I have been co-teaching for a month now in a fourth grade classroom.  The days are going past too quickly.  Within five days I found myself in love with all 24 of my students!  I see so much potential within each and every one of my students.  That may sound cliché, but it's true.

Just after school started, I asked them to fill out a "Who Are You" paper.  From their answers, I know if they could be any animal they wanted they would be: cats, dogs, lions, cheetahs, a dolphin, a dragon, horse, bald eagle, a tiger, a lynx, and a hydra.  One third of the class says Math is their favorite subject, while another third listed PE or Recess as their favorite.  The final third was divided between reading, art and music.  When they grow up they long to be: teachers, veterinarians, dancers, artists, basketball players, hockey players, soccer players, graphic designers, singers, doctors, gymnasts, police officers, marine biologists, scientist, and inventors.  

Three weeks into school and I still wanted to know more about my students.  On a whim, I asked them to put their favorite songs onto little pieces of paper, then place the papers on my desk.  I told my students I'd like to create a playlist for us on Spotify.  WOW!  They were really into this and wanting to share!  NOTE TO SELF: I need to learn when it is a good time to engage in something like this.  Questions, and more questions.  Could they put more than one song?  What if they were unsure of the title?  What if they didn't know the artist?  I answered all their questions but was worried I was using valuable class time for a little idea I had.  Over the weekend, I listened and watched on YouTube, every song they suggested.  I pre-viewed lyrics online as well.  On Monday morning I told them I was working on our playlist.  I shared that I was enjoying hearing all their music choices.  Truly I did.  Unfortunately, some of the lyrics are not appropriate for school.  On Thursday morning the playlist was up and ready on Spotify.  As the students came in, I had our music playing.  Talk about happy students!  Such ownership too!!!  "Hey, this is my song!" Boys and girls were singing.  I could feel the community between them growing deeper.  They liked hearing what others chose.  It was sad when the bell rang and our day started, and yet...they were all happy.  The next morning we were able to put their songs on again.  We will see how long this lasts.  I now have a sign up sheet on my desk where they can add new songs.  My weekend homework will include pre-viewing more songs.

While shopping this afternoon, I felt as if our playlist was at Kohl's!  :)

~Lisa