So I walk into school today and was approached by three teachers who had a "surprise". What is the surprise you ask? This...
Yep, you see right. I received MY OWN classroom. Now if that isn't scary I'm not sure what is. It may not look like a classic American classroom, but its MINE and i LOVEEEEEEE it. Its a converted hallway that used to be the lunch room? Not quite sure how this 6 ft wide area was a lunch room, but I didn't ask questions. I have fallen in love with this area and can't wait to turn it into a non traditional literacy room. I'm going to try and find a rug or carpet to make a little reading area so the kids can get out of their desks and lounge around while reading. Its not often that kids are allowed to be, well, kids. School is very structured and "sit in your seat" kind of organization.
My project now has' been making resources (ie: letter cards, games, sight words), decorating the "area" and making it kid friendly. I hope to get some funding for paint so that we can paint kid friendly stuff on the walls with the help of an artistic volunteer.
It's strange to think my excitement is growing by the day considering I have NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING!!! haha. I have been searching the internet for just about everything literacy related for K-3 graders. For some reason typing in "how to teach" into google doesn't bring up any helpful resources. hmmm? ha. But regardless, I'm so excited to give these students an opportunity for one-on-one help in reading. So many students in Grenada make it all the way through secondary school never being able to read. It's a sad reality we are trying to combat at a young age so that students graduate able to read and prepared for the future.
As the Peace Corps motto says...."The hardest job you'll ever love"
