Reflection #1:
I didn’t really know what this course was going to be like. I was kind of nervous because I honestly didn’t know what to expect, if it was going to be difficult, or if it was going to be easy. As well as being in a new environment with new people, that was pretty scary as well. Once I walked into class, I was relieved to see that every single one of the students had their own unique personality to them, and they were all very nice. If I didn’t understand something, or someone else didn’t, classmates were willing to help me and my group out without hesitation.
Towards the middle of the week, on most of the parts I was really confused, to be honest, but once I started to get to know some people and talk to them, I realized that it wasn’t going to be as difficult as I expected it to be. Regarding the quizzes that we had to take for each chapter, I thought I was going to completely bomb them and that I wasn’t going to remember anything, because after all I am in summer vacation; but, I was surprised to see that they actually went very well for me just sort of skimming through the chapters.
The Service Learning that we have been doing has actually been helping me a lot. I was pretty nervous because I didn’t know if the students were going to enjoy the book, if they were going to listen, or if they were going to find me boring in general. With the first student, Jeremiah, I thought that he wasn’t listening at all because his actions showed that he was just physically there, but not mentally there. Once the comprehension questions came along, he was answering them right off the bat and got every single question correct. The second student was very social, her name was Ashley. She was listening to the stories, but she needed a little help when it came to the comprehension questions. Next, I had a kid named Bryan. I learned that he was actually born in Sonora, Mexico. He was very friendly and social, and found humor in everything, which was great. Overall, my experience for the first week was fantastic.
Towards the middle of the week, on most of the parts I was really confused, to be honest, but once I started to get to know some people and talk to them, I realized that it wasn’t going to be as difficult as I expected it to be. Regarding the quizzes that we had to take for each chapter, I thought I was going to completely bomb them and that I wasn’t going to remember anything, because after all I am in summer vacation; but, I was surprised to see that they actually went very well for me just sort of skimming through the chapters.
The Service Learning that we have been doing has actually been helping me a lot. I was pretty nervous because I didn’t know if the students were going to enjoy the book, if they were going to listen, or if they were going to find me boring in general. With the first student, Jeremiah, I thought that he wasn’t listening at all because his actions showed that he was just physically there, but not mentally there. Once the comprehension questions came along, he was answering them right off the bat and got every single question correct. The second student was very social, her name was Ashley. She was listening to the stories, but she needed a little help when it came to the comprehension questions. Next, I had a kid named Bryan. I learned that he was actually born in Sonora, Mexico. He was very friendly and social, and found humor in everything, which was great. Overall, my experience for the first week was fantastic.
Reflection #2:
Now that I have gotten used to things, they are a lot easier to accomplish. For example, the whole picking your reading, and what your other group members are in charge, that task for sure has gotten easier. Now the kids, they keep getting better and better everyday.
The first week, I would read the whole book and then when my student came across he/she didn't know, I would explain. Now for the second week, I would read one page and then my student would read the next. At first, most of them were hesitant at reading, and some were slow. But as we progressed through the book I noticed that their reading skills got better, and they could read a lot quicker. Actually one of my students wanted to read the whole book so I let him "switch places" with me, he would be the teacher and I would be the student. He said he really enjoyed it because he would be the one "teaching" me. Also, the use of the new vocabulary is exciting for them as well. I remember I taught one of my students what they word 'impeccable' meant. The next day that I had that student, he came up to me and said, "Your hair and your outfit are impeccable." I was really excited knowing that I had done a good job in teaching new vocabulary and in helping them expand their horizon.
The first week, I would read the whole book and then when my student came across he/she didn't know, I would explain. Now for the second week, I would read one page and then my student would read the next. At first, most of them were hesitant at reading, and some were slow. But as we progressed through the book I noticed that their reading skills got better, and they could read a lot quicker. Actually one of my students wanted to read the whole book so I let him "switch places" with me, he would be the teacher and I would be the student. He said he really enjoyed it because he would be the one "teaching" me. Also, the use of the new vocabulary is exciting for them as well. I remember I taught one of my students what they word 'impeccable' meant. The next day that I had that student, he came up to me and said, "Your hair and your outfit are impeccable." I was really excited knowing that I had done a good job in teaching new vocabulary and in helping them expand their horizon.
Reflection #3:
The third week was fabulous! The kids are getting more and more excited about the books I'm picking because now that I know a lot more about them, I can now pick books that all the kids will like and enjoy. Everyday I have these kids is an adventure, even if we don't have a lot in common, we still manage to talk about so many things!
I feel like in some way, that they are my students. It's like I don't want to disappoint them with one of my books or something along those lines.
I feel like in some way, that they are my students. It's like I don't want to disappoint them with one of my books or something along those lines.
Reflection #4:
Since this was the last week, I feel like I have gained so much knowledge even though I was the one "teaching" them. It's just so amazing how much you can learn when all you do is just read to them. The way their eyes move to the beat of the words, they're just so focused, but of course, there is humor involved, you can't forget that!
I never thought that I could get so attached to a group of kids so much in a matter of days!
I never thought that I could get so attached to a group of kids so much in a matter of days!
