Kelly Brinton
CI 2800 Fieldnotes, Fall 2002
Oct. 2, 2002
Site Observation:
Both days the school was rather quiet as we entered. I was met at the door
of the Little Theatre on Monday by Dr. Timothy, who informed me that she wanted
the Kindergartners to do some songs on the kazoo for the upcoming talent show. I
said "Okay", but it sort of preoccupied my mind during the session. The children
seemed to understand where to go this week. One of the other interns rode with
me both days and she did not seem very enthusiastic about tutoring.
Activity Observation:
On Monday, Libby, Karen and Melissa and I began by playing Chutes and
Ladders. Libby was so enthusiastic the whole time. Even when she rolled a low
number she was so excited. Karen got bored with the game, especially when she
began to lose. We used the game as a way to review numbers. Melissa and I taught
our kids ways to understand and remember two digit numbers. When Libby won, her
mother arrived so it was time for her to go. Just about that time, Dr. Timothy
announced that we needed to give out kazoos. I told her that I wasn't ready to
teach anything on them yet, so we decided to just put names on them in
anticipation for next time. Melissa worked with Karen while I helped with this.
On Wednesday Libby left right before I arrived, so I worked solely with Karen
this session. We played Snakes and Ladders (which is very similar to Chutes and
Ladders). She won, and was very excited. The whole time she was shouting out the
numbers she landed on and told me different strategies to winning the game. It
was great! After that we read a book about "PJ Funnybunny". Karen was not really
comfortable reading so I mainly read to her. She did sound out a few very short
words though. Then she and I drew pictures and had some "Giggle time". We
basically drew silly pictures and laughed. I needed that after the sort of day I
had. After we were finished with that Dr. Timothy asked if I would like to work
on the Kazoo band. Hannah Jordan and I headed it up. Obviously the
kindergartners were excited because they talked and I kept on having to use
different methods to get their attention. Finally we had managed to sing
"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and play it on the kazoo. The kindergartners
Reflection:
I was surprised by Karen's different reactions to the game we had played on
both Monday and Wednesday. She had done a complete 180. Maybe taking away the
competitiveness of a third player in her peer group helped her concentrate more
on enjoying the game and learning from it. This was a fun week for me. I got to
"simulate" teaching a music lesson plus get a bit closer to one of my tuttees.
Oct. 20, 2002
Site Observation:
There was nothing out of the ordinary occuring when we entered the school
either time. However, on 10/11/02 (Friday), the students were simply watching a
movie in the Little Theater.
Activity Observation:
Evan came up to me on Monday (10/7/02). Scott, the supervisor asked me if he
was my tutee and I said yes (since I had tutored him twice before). He then gave
me a list of letters and said that Evan's parents specifically wanted Evan and
me to work on them. It was a long list because Evan was pretty behind. I got out
some flash cards that I had made. They were pretty boring, with just the letters
on them. I tried only doing five at a time. I would put the ones he knew in one
pile and the ones he didn't in another pile. Evan got very frustrated very
quickly, even when I gave him hints and ways to remember the letters. I decided
I had better stop before I turn him off to reading forever. We then played
Chutes and Ladders. He did really well at this game and started remembering his
numbers more readily. Then it was time to clean up.
On Friday (10/12/02) I made up time due to my unfortunate circumstances on
Wednesday (it was cleared with Dr. Timothy). When I entered the K-1's were
watching
Aladdin in the Little Theater. The kids I normally worked with came over and sat
with me. Even one little boy I didn't know started talking to me. He proceeded
to narrate the whole movie to me. Then the children got bored with the movie so
Scott decided on some games. We played statues and "doggy doggy" as well as some
others. I was kind of disappointed because I was looking forward to working one
on one with kids today but Scott and I decided it wouldn't be fair just to
single out one or two children to work with me.
On Monday (10/14/02) I came to tutoring to find that Evan was not even there. I
was really looking forward to working with him today because I thought of a few
more
strategies to work on the letters. I met a nice girl named Georgette and we
played memory. She didn't quite understand the concept at first but once we got
going she did really well. I decided to only use a few cards at first so it
wasn't overwhelming, but pretty soon we were using all 72 cards. I was so
disappointed when she had to leave.
Reflection:
When Evan got frustrated with the letters cards, I was frustrated too. I was
also sort of upset because I could have helped him a lot more had I had the time
to think of some methods to help him out. I eventually went to buy some neat
flashcards by Crayola that can be colored on. I figured if Evan was having fun
and associating different shapes with letters he would learn more. I was very
excited when he was learning numbers with Chutes and Ladders, because I was not
even expecting it.
Oct. 27, 2002
Site Observation:
Nothing was out of the ordinary as I entered Hardin Park on October 23,
2002.
Activity Observation:
Today we went outside to play with our tutees for the whole session. Liz,
one of my regulars when she is present, was really excited when I could play
with her. She held my
hand and triumphantly led me over to the sandbox. We proceeded to make a house
for her "spider" (a ring she got in her class earlier today), complete with
garage and kitchen. We basically played there the whole time (excluding
the break to the bathroom). Another student asked Liz if he could use the shovel
and she refused to. I told her that we had to be nice and share with the boy so
she threw it at him. At least she shared, right? Then she was called to go meet
her grandmother inside the building. She dallied around and took her time
getting to the building. Then once she found her grandmother she was
really rude to her. After that I worked with my friend Melissa's kids (Jimmy and
Katelyn). Katelyn kept on running off and Jimmy was very grumpy. I didn't
work with them very long because we left within fifteen minutes.
Reflection:
I was glad that Liz considered me a friend but I wonder if I was not there would
she had had some friends to play with her or would she had played by herself.
The sandbox is away from the rest of the playground and for a long time we were
the only people playing in it. She may be rude to other kids like she was to her
grandmother. I could tell that her grandmother was embarrassed at Liz's actions.
I wonder if Liz has a good relationship with her family. From what I hear from
the after-school staff, her home life doesn't sound too great.
Meanwhile, Melissa and I were trying to figure out what was up with Jimmy. He
was really moody, like for a few minutes he was really cool, and then he would
get angry for no reason and storm off. I think I gathered from Mel that he was
from a divorced family and sought attention, and when he didn't get what he
wanted he would get angry. I would like to know exactly what he's thinking so I
can help him.
Nov. 19, 2002
Site Observation:
I was early today so there were not many kids when I entered Little Theatre. In
fact, there were not many kids nor tutors there today at all.
Activity Observation:
When I arrived my friend Melissa was reading a book to her kids Jimmy and
Kaitlyn (actually we share them since I never got an assigned tutee). It turns
out that this was actually a book of song lyrics for children's tunes. Since I
am a music teacher hopeful and love to sing, of course I pitched in. Then we
decided to play Jenga. It is one of my favorite games. Then a child (who was
dragging around Scott... the kindergarten supervisor) was going around asking
everyone if they wanted to play Sorry. Now Sorry is also one of my favorite
games. I stayed up many nights last summer playing it. Scott, the child (I'll
call him Joe) and I set up the game. After we played through one deck of cards
he decided to do something else. Scott and I were sad because we actually wanted
to play. But he and I decided there was no point because it was almost time to
go. I went and joined Melissa and her kids again and we played another quick
round of Jenga before it was time to go.
Reflection:
When we sang the song lyrics, the kids actually paid attention since there was
music involved. I am sure if we were just taking turns reading neither of them
would have been paying much attention.
When we were playing Jenga, we didn't play it correctly to begin with. I pointed
out the second time we played that we have to start rebuilding the tower with
the bricks we removed. The game went so much better, and was a lot more fun.
Kaitlyn won both times. Jenga helps to build spacial reasoning in my opinion.
It started well until Joe didn't play by the rules. I was just going to let it
slide but Scott decided to correct him. You see, the card has the number of
spaces you have to move but it also has other instructions. I believe this
frustrated Joe and he got tired of playing very quickly.
Nov. 21, 2002
Site Observation:
I arrived at Hardin Park on Wednesday before all the children entered little
theatre, so I went to go see Ms. Hawkins to set up my observation time. When I
got back the children were already with their tutors. I decided to work with my
friend Melissa and her tutee Jimmy.
On Thursday the children were all in the room off the side of the cafeteria. It
was really noisy and chaotic.
Activity Observation:
On Wednesday I just worked with Melissa and her tutee. We didn't do very
much, we basically just drew pictures.
On Thursday I watched the kindergarteners and first graders as they played a
game. Then the afterschool program had their talent show. The kindergarteners
didn't pay attention, as usual, and started playing instead of singing. But
since they were young of course everyone loved them. The rest of the talent show
was okay. Everyone was
nervous and the talent was not the best, but a good time was had by all.
Reflection:
I feel like the tutees and the tutors are getting too used to each other,
which is odd because we only see each other twice a week. Since we really don't
have a curriculum to go over, it is up to us to come up with something to do
(usually a game) and we are running out of things to do. Due to this the tutees
are getting restless. The sessions are much noiser and chaotic. I walked Jimmy
back from getting a game and he just laid in the floor and wouldn't get up. I
had to get some help, after I had asked nicely, counted to three and then as a
last resort commanded him.
Thursday was alright. I think the kindergarteners were too wound up to
concentrate and pay attention. Also, in the future it may be best that Dr.
Timothy screen the talent for the show. Some children got up there and didn't
know what they were doing! I realize they're not professionals, but one group of
girls were supposed to dance and got up on stage and didn't' do a single thing.
I was embarrassed for them!
Nov. 26, 2002
Site Observation:
When I entered the school the children were outside. There seemed to be a
general feeling of confusion among the tutors that came when I did. When we went
outside we were probably out there for a minute when Scott said that we had to
go outside. I was really confused by that point and thought that there was some
sort of emergency.
Activity Observation:
I worked with my friend Melissa's tutees again. We were all playing Sorry
when Jimmy decided to remove all the pieces from the game board. I couldn't
understand why but then he decided he wanted to get something to do out of his
bookbag. We went to the cafeteria and he removed some papers, stickers and a
book from his bag. He tried to walk on the banister on the stairs leading down
to the Little Theatre and he wouldn't come down. Eventually Scott came out and
told him if he didn't follow directions (as I was trying to direct him to walk
correctly) he would be put in time out. He listened but still tried to walk down
the stairs pointing one foot on the banister. I made him get his foot off of
there somehow and then we went in the Little Theatre. He wanted to play a game
with his stickers and I obliged, but I wanted to do something a little more
constructive. Then we sat down and read the book. It didn't seem very difficult
for someone Jimmy's age, but he insisted that we do echo reading.
Reflection:
Jimmy has some behavioral problems in my opinion. I just can't figure him
out. I think he acts out for attention though. I also don't understand why he
couldn't read the book that was assigned to him. Also when Jeff cried I was sad
but there was nothing I could do to get the body parts he wanted. Eventually we
reached a compromise.