While I haven't taught many programs at Merry Lea this past week, I was given the opportunity to coordinate a standard Farmcraft for the first time. Nervousness beset me in those first moments, but it quickly subsided as I began to introduce the 59 second-graders to Merry Lea, program safety, and their leaders.
Overall the program went fairly smooth. It was interesting to see the various nuances that differed from the other grads. We each seem to have our own teaching style and way of interacting with the children. I think this is the greatest benefit of coordinating.
There were a couple times where the head teacher asked me a question about the program. For example, she asked me if the students were going to do the apples because she hadn't seen a group in there. I just told her that we had fewer groups than stations and everything was fine.
These last couple weeks have given me the opportunity to try out a couple more behavioural methods, which have gone alright. My name retention rate has gone up from zero to about three - sometimes even after I ask their name several times it's still difficult to remember. But at least I can remember a few. A month ago I couldn't even do that.
There are a couple Autumn Adventures coming up and I feel completely unprepared. But just as Farmcraft was once an unknown, I'm sure it will be ok.
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Doing is believing (in yourself). I was nervous about the coordinating thing too at first and am still out of my comfort zone so I can relate to that. I was one of the teachers that day and I can say that Jason did a fine job. I am glad for the experience of doing this though. I can remember a time when I felt teaching kids was completely unnerving but I relaxed about that as well over time. I can also relate to the remembering name things. It is a challenge for me but I am getting better at it, like you, three names is better than none.
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity to coordinate Autumn Adventures for the first time this last week and was thankful I had come and shadowed Carol the previous week. Thanks Carol for letting me be under foot! I enjoyed getting to be the "snake handler" and showing Nero to the kiddos. She really is the sweetest snake I know. It also wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. I think we had a great group of kids and teachers. I still struggle with being the one in charge and communicating effectively. Luckily Carol was hiding out in her office and I could run to her and ask questions when I was unsure of something. Everyone is great about getting things set up and taken down. We had some discussion over not feeling as comfortable with Autumn Adventures as with farm craft. Maybe it is because we haven't taught it as long or because the stations are a little less structured. I'm not sure on that one. But it was a good day.
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