First Day In The Classroom

By: Melissa Cabrales

Sunday September 12, 2021

On Thursday September 9th, I stepped foot into a 2nd grade class. I was feeling nervous and excited. When I walked in, I introduced myself to the classroom teacher and the 2nd grade team. They were so welcoming and invited me right into the classroom. The students had not arrived yet so I was able to talk with my MT and learned a bit about the classroom. She told me about the students and which ones to keep a close eye on. She gave me some easy tasks right away which I was pleased to help out. I was happy my MT gave me things to do for her because it made me feel like I was helping her out while she was able to get other things done. 

A trick I learned from my MT was that she had me give each student a cup of small Legos. At first I thought maybe they were going to use them for a math lesson. As the students came in and put their things away, my MT instructed her students that they could build something with the Legos while she took care of the morning tasks. Allowing the students to build with Legos for 10 minutes in the morning, made for a quite time while students turned in their homework in the bins, the teacher took attendance and lunch orders. I liked this trick because it allows the students to become calm in the morning while the teacher is trying to get things done. The students become focused on what they are building and I saw how it relaxes them while it also gives the teacher a few minutes to herself. 

As the day went on, my MT spoke to me about a student who has ADHD and is unmedicated. She explained how he needs extra help with everything since he has a hard time focusing. I knew I wanted to help out with this student and take off some stress from the teacher as well. I was gives some tips on how to get this student to complete his work and how to keep him from distracting the other students while they're working. It was nice to get to work with a student who has a learning disability and it made the student and myself feel accomplished when he completed his work. 

At the end of the school day when the students left to go home, I got to speak with my MT again and I thanked her so much for allowing me to be in her class. I offered her my help with anything she felt comfortable with me taking care of. I feel like my MT and I will have a great semester as I work along side her. I'm looking forward to getting to work with my MT and her students!