NO. 2 - One-On-One's and Goodbyes.

Through out the past two weeks, I have grown very fond of these cute little second graders that I have been with. They have definitely become some new little friends and I can't wait until I can go back and visit them one day!

Mainly I observed the class and Miss Watson, while I would walk around and help students with assignments and activities and answering any little questions they may have. But, every once and while, Miss Watson would have me go and do some little one-on-one reading sessions with students. I really enjoyed it! I loved being able to help teach her adorable little students, even in the smallest ways. And they liked it too!

While they read to me their books, I helped them sound out, pronounce and learn new words. When they got stuck, we used different reading techniques like chunky monkey (recognizing familiar chunks of letters and sounds to make sense of a word or phrase) and stretchy snake (sounding out individual letters and putting them together to make words). I helped them cross of their reading charts by seeing how fast they could read a list of words with out making any mistakes. That was always fun! I helped some students with expression while they read, because while they were super smart and fluent, they lacked some personality and enthusiasm in their reading. As I was helping them with their reading, I could pick out the students who were most likely auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners. Auditory learners would often choose the stretchy snake technique while visual learners would choose chunky monkey. Kinesthetic learners would use their fingers to follow along while they read.

I really enjoyed the time that I spent with these littles. So on my last day I took them all a little treat and valentine, and left those little second graders for the last time. Not gonna lie, it was a little heartbreaking. However I was lifted up a bit by one little girl drawing me a picture, and by my favorite little boy (I know bad of me to have favorites -- I loved all of them though) giving me a massive bear hug and asking if he could please, please, please take me home with him. Haha. I am going to miss those little second graders so much! It's a good thing I'm friends with Miss Watson so I can go visit them often!