Trials and Triumphs

Here is a smattering of highs and lows about the first week:

• A little boy has a mom who also works at the site- not for Head Start. He says hello to her, hugs her during our two bathroom trips. But then when we are in class he makes things for her and wants to deliver them right away. So, we got a manila envelope for him to decorate that is just for things he wants to give to his Mom after Head Start. Here's hoping its successful!

• A little boy who comes running in/in the morning, runs around and literally bounces of the walls. And children follow suit. Still working on a solution for that one. Also, he and another boy get emotionally overwhelmed (if anyone knows about that, I do!) and have taken to running out of the room and trying to hide so they can calm down. We have made a "safe place for one" in the corner, with pillows, blankets, stuffed bears and such. Hopefully that helps!

• Also, they each now have a plastic/flat circle for circle time with their name and picture on it. (I matched MOST of the names and pics correctly!) so they have a specific place to sit for circle time. And, they know have a name and picture, laminated placecard for lunch. So when they go to sit down, they look for their card.

• Clean-up time was a headache this week, though. Some were slow, some were fast, others would clean up and then go get out more toys. It was a game I did not want to play! But when I was talking to my friend Amy (see previous post) on the way to class, she suggested that I don't need to have all the children come to circle time together. Excuse those who are done cleaning, and be prepared with engaging activities so that they will want to clean up faster. Not having them all their together was a novel idea for me, but we gave it a try on the last day of class and what a difference!!!

Also, for your enjoyment there are two posts that follow this one. Just wanted to let you know. Enjoy!!!

First Week Highlights

Here are some highlights from the first week:

• We have an opening and closing circle time, after which the students are excused to wash their hands for breakfast and lunch. To reduce chaos at the sink, we have "excusal songs" The first one is: The Friend Song (to the tune of Skip to my Lou"

I have a friend with a _____ (red shirt on, bow in her hair, stripes on his pants, etc)
I have a friend with________
I have a friend with__________
And his/her name is_______ (insert name)
Since most of my students are native spanish speakers, it's a great language opportunity to discuss colors, stripes, buttons, etc. And it's fun to see look around to see who we are singing about. One morning we were singing about a girl with earrings, and a little boy piped up, "I have an earring, too!"

Here is the closing "excusal song"
Willaby Willaby (weather) an elephant sat on Heather (move on to next child)
I brought my large stuffed elephant from home and when I sing it to them I throw it to them, and they toss it back to me. I initally thought the elephant might be a problem, that they would hold on to it, but so far so good! I suppose throwing is more fun!

And I use a cowbell to get their attention- hopefully it is not in the same category as the bosn' whistle and Sound of Music- I try to be humane about it!

One day we had tuna fish sandwiches for lunch, and one of my native ESL boys took it apart and looked at it curiously before asking me, "What this?" I didn't know the word for "tuna fish" in Spanish, so I said, "It's pescado" (fish) Oh, OK. Smile, keep eating! Perhaps I should speak more English and less Spanish, but I such a bang out of conversing in a foreign tongue with a 4 year old. And sometimes directions in Spanish (sit down, we are not playing right now, eat your food please)- go over better in Spanish.

Work Reflections

Here are some highlights of the first week of teaching at Head Start and also working as a family advocate for Head Start.

• However crazy it might have been to schedule 17 home visits, arrange transportation, find the homes, etc I really enjoyed it! I met some wonderful families with stories- a mother who just got her pharmacy tech license, two parents who have degrees from University of Mexico but gave it up and moved here for their son. I loved, loved being able to use Spanish to speak with my families and appreciated their patience on my behalf.....
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• We were very well treated at the homes- at one home the grandfather served me and co-worker apple juice and pecan sandies. My co-worker said in Spanish, "this is just like a cafe!" To which I responded, in Spansish, "Lo siento. No tengo dinero con mi." I'm sorry I don't have any money with me. When the grandfather laughed, and I could crack a joke in Spanish. I felt very blessed! "Yes, we're communicating!"

• In case anyone wonders what a family advocate does: lots of paperwork and filing, (which can actually be rather relaxing) talk with parents on a regular basis, make referrals for needed services such as food, clothing, shelter, health insurance, etc, hold monthly parent meetings.
  

• There are a lot of things that I enjoy about my specific work site, and there are many blessings as well! First: I get freshly made breakfast, lunch and snack- and it's free!!!! Second, I don't have a "family advocate office" per se, but there is a staff office that I can use at my disposal, as well as a computer lab with large tables (where I can color, cut and arrange for lamination, etc) and free color printing!!!!

• Another blessing is transportation. I don't have my own car (yet) but transporation thus far has not been a major stress. There is a bus route for any meetings that I need to go to, so I always have a back-up plan, but I have rides arranged for my weekly advocate meetings with another FA, and to get to my classes at the U, I ride with my good friend. She has the same grad classes as me and is the one who encouraged me to apply for head start in the first place. This is her 8th year at Head Start. Thanks, Amy!!!