I’ve now been teaching kindergarten for three weeks. I’m learning as quickly as I can, but every day I realize how much more there is to learn.
My biggest adjustment has been the ability to notice the little triumphs my students are showing me. Last week, I assessed the reading levels of my students. At first I felt a little upset, because the students really struggled with the easiest book. Very few students could “read” the single word lines in the predictable story.
Begin at the Beginning
My Vice Principal watched me give the end of one assessment. She pointed out that the student has a lot of great reading skills- she has one-to-one correspondence when she points to the words, she has text directionality, and her “wrong” reading makes sense with the pictures and context. When my VP pointed that out, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. My Kindergarteners are starting at the very beginning, as they should be. It makes sense. I need to adjust the level of the things I celebrate. Even though I spent my summer reading books about emergent literacy and math, I still have to work to change my gut reactions!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Laureen,
That is such a smart perspective to have. I am going to be an elementary educator, hopefully in a couple of years. I’m glad I read your blog because it made me realize that depending on the grade level I teach, my goals, expectations, and reasons to celebrate will vary a lot.
I’m happy that your students are doing well, sometimes it takes the words of others to make us realize we are doing a good job.
Breezy206
I accidentally posted the wrong link to my name before please click this one if you wish to see my page.
I have noticed from working with 1st graders that they will all be at a completely different level then the child sitting next to them. You want all children to be at the same level but you don’t want to hold them back or push them way to hard that they just give up. You just have to remember that all children know that they have to read they are going to do it at there pace and remembering that you can’t push them do much or you might get some that just give up.
I agree with your statement, I think that it is so important to always notice the little things our students do. We have to realize that every student will be at a different level and we have to adjust to their level to be able to help them the best. As time goes on and we gain more knowledge in our field we will learn better how to meet the needs of all our students.
I’m sure you’ve adjusted to your younger students. I’d like to validate you and pat you on the back for being a reflective teacher! I have a blog called Beginning Reading Help you may want to check out. It’s a work in progress, but you may find some helpful information. http://beginningreadinghelp.blogspot.com
I remember my son having great difficulty in his KG class. It was his toughest year, there was so much homework.
I am glad that you’re doing well. It is good to read/see the other perspective. From a teacher’s eyes.
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