Mentoring 1st graders in JP :)

Today at 10:00 am I headed down to the Hennigan Elementary School in Jamaica Plain for my first day helping in a first grade classroom. Oh I was not quite sure what to expect but it turned into a very rewarding experience. I was a little early so I sat and waited after I signed in until the principal introduced me to a little girl named Stacey who escorted me to her classroom. The teacher introduced me as Ms. B since I advised against the 19 children struggling to pronounce Bialobrodec ;) Most of the children were surprisingly welcoming and accepted me into their environment.

I ended up giving them mini reading tests & helping them sound out short words. Then we read a short story twice....the hardest part of the two hours that I was there was to gather and successfully bring back all the kids from our bathroom trip. Right before lunch the teacher asked them to say their goodbye's to me & they proceed give me a bunch of hugs and ask if they can be my helper and hold my hand, awwww.

Almost all of them were helpful and attentive and had good skills when it came to sounding words out. Also most of them were having some trouble differentiating their b's from their d's as I also did when I was their age. My mom taught me by reminding me that the letter b had a belly which I passed along, we will see if any of the kids use that strategy next Tuesday morning.

I got a big thank you from the teacher who normally has to manage 20 children on her own and teach them as best as she can. It was clear that she was excited that the kids would receive some extra attention. I hope that I can continue to be helpful.