Today was my last day of the semester in The Maker’s Place. Over the course of the semester I feel like The Maker’s Place was a little escape from the heavy environment at Cornell. Being around the kids and helping them out with their projects has made me more comfortable with my decision of becoming an elementary teacher. I felt that since this was my first time being an observer that it was nice that I didn’t have many responsibilities, but there were moments throughout the semester that I wanted to challenge myself and make lesson plans. I feel like my experience at Beverly J Martin Elementary has prepared me for my fieldwork next semester. One skill I feel that I’ve learned through being a volunteer that I didn’t have before was being able to talk to kids. I’m not use to being around young children, and I haven’t had experience with kids since I was in junior in high school. I’m looking forward to coming back next semester and seeing some familiar faces and learning more from the kids!
Author Archives: rna43
Disorder Or Creativity In The Classroom?
Today in the Maker’s Place there was a lot going on. Today the project that the kids were working on were blocks of wood that they were able to paint and they were also given wooden figures which they also painted and were later going to glue on. When I walked in Mr.V told me to see what two of the boys at the other table were up to because it seemed like they were being somewhat disorderly. When approaching the boys it seemed like they weren’t following the instructions like everyone else. Instead of painting the block they were using the water and plastic pipettes and drawing in the paint water and pouring the water on their blocks. Usually when I notice that a child isn’t doing what they’re suppose to I try to redirect them to the task at hand. This situation was a little different because I’m just a volunteer so the kids do think of me as an adult figure and they usually do listen, but other times they listen but then go back to what they were doing in the first place. These boys didn’t follow my redirection so instead of seeing what they were doing as wrong I tried to look at it in a different light. I saw what they were doing as their way of expressing their creativity. Instead of painting the blocks the boys found it more entertaining to mix paint colors and “create new colors.” When I pointed out what they were doing they got excited and began to try to mix more colors to see what other new colors they could make, after all it is the Makers Place. Today I learned that sometimes kids don’t follow the instruction at hand because they feel that it doesn’t fit their form of creativity, and they rather do the task differently to better represent themselves.
Aspiring Elementary School Teacher
Today in The Maker’s Place the kids had a variety of activities going on. When I first came in they were painting a face silhouette. I noticed that some kids painted their more abstractly than others. They also created chalk boards. When I was helping Mr. V glue the stands to the flat board of wood, one of the student saw what was doing and began doing it herself. I learned today that the kids at that age are learning independence and are beginning to take on tasks head on and sometimes even without asking. Although I did feel like what she did was slightly rude because she didn’t ask I didn’t take it too personal. One thing I found interesting is that Mr. V has a sense of humor around the kids and often make jokes and make them laugh. You could see that they respect him. At the moment it’s harder for me to have a sense of humor with the kids because I feel like I might say something wrong and I don’t know the kids as well as Mr. V does. My hope one day is the have my student respect me and look up to me in the way that the kids at Beverly J. Martin look up to Mr. V.
Practical Skills
Today in the Makers Place the kids were practicing their skills in wood cutting. Mr. V taught them safety skills on how to use a saw and how vital it was for them to not cut themselves. It’s interesting to see the kids use tools that I haven’t see before. When I was their age, I remember how much of a big deal it was to use scissors. I feel like it’s essential to expose the kids to tools and using their creativity to make anything they could image with the materials at hand. It prepares the kids for the future and gives them the skill to think outside of the box. I noticed the kids are starting to recognize me more. This makes me happy because it makes it easier for me to approach the kids and interact with them. Going to Beverly J. Martin Elementary has become something I look forward to. Each time I feel like I have created a new relationship and a gained experiences that I could use in my teaching career in the future.
Exploring Creativity
Today in class the kids were open to use their creativity and make whatever they wanted to with the materials at hand. Coming from a structured background where you always have something to do at a particular time it was different for me to see the kids use their time in any way they wanted. I noticed that there were gender stereotypes at play. The girls like to work with fabric and make houses while the boys wanted to work with wood and build tools. I’m interested to see if this will continue. I noticed some familiar faces, but the group each week is supposed to be different and varies on what the children choose.
The Makers Place!
This week I had the opportunity to part take in the partnership after school program with Beverly J Martin Elementary School and Rose Scholars here at Cornell. The first day was a positive experience. I got to observe a class run by Mr. V in the Maker Place room. The room is centered around teaching the kids practical skills which incorporate math and science and hands-on lessons. The kids that day were learning how to use nails with screwdrivers and hammers. While observing the kids, I noticed how the different age groups acted and how Mr. V reacted to their behavior. Teaching elementary school is what I plan to do in the future so as I observe this class I hope to take what I learn with me into my professional career. Mr. V also let us know that we can incorporate our own lesson plans in the future if we’d liked so I’m working on some ideas I hope the kids would love!
Apples, Apples, and more Apples
Yesterday I attended the infamous Applefest. While walking through The Commons and seeing all the booths full of varieties of edible forms an apple can come in. From candy apples to apple cider donuts and even apple infused macaroni and cheese it was amazing to see how one fruit could be eaten in many ways. Going on Saturday was an experience within itself. The day was beautiful, and the locals and students took advantage of it, meaning that it was very crowded. One booth I stopped by was full of a variety of apples picked from a local orchard, and it took around ten minutes to get close to it. One thing that I learned was that Applefest was an event created by apple growers and to help bring business to the Ithaca Commons. I also learned that each year the apple growers compete to create the newest best selling apple flavor. One of the best sellers in a previous year was an apple that was apple mango flavored. Along with Applefest, there was also a street designated for craft booths. The craft booth street was full of local businesses and artists who use the event to advertise and sell their products. Overall Applefest was incredible, and I could see myself going back next year!
Creating a Diverse Web of Connections
This week I attended the Rose Cafe talk with Christa Downey. She spoke to us about the career center, working in groups, and making connections. During the talk she asked us if we recognize any obstacles when making connections. I found that since I am a junior transfer student that I might be too late in the game. That I’m leaving her sooner that I arrived. Ms. Downey assured me that it is never too late to make connections. She told us that we should have a diverse group of people in our network, and hopefully by graduation have around 4-8 people in your network. Your network should consist of academic advisors, TA’s, staff members, alumni, people in your class, and people who are a couple of years ahead of your doing what you want to do. I find that my network at my other college was very strong but it took me a while to create it. I fear that the intimidation of the school makes it harder for me to make connections. I think once I break my shell and make my first connection with one person than I will be able to disperse myself and make more connections.
A Day at The Market
On September 9, 2018, I visited the Farmers Market. While there I was exposed to all the local companies in Ithaca and was impressed with all the beautiful crafts and businesses that are so close to Cornell! One of the vendors that I stopped by was the honey stand. The man there was selling honey straws in different flavors, and I asked him about how he made them taste so good. He told me that they’re made from his honey bees and he added artificial flavoring to get the non-tradition flavors. We continued to talk about honey, and he said to us that he, unfortunately, lost 100 honey bees in the past year. His tragedy made me realize how real our bee problem is and how it affects businesses close to home. As I was there, I was amazed at the talent and creativity that the vendors had. It made me realize that you can do business with your passion whether it be knitting, making soap, cooking, or being a beekeeper.