I coordinated for the first time today. Fourteen preschoolers came to the Farmcraft program this morning. I took half the group while Aaron took the other half. Coordinating went alright, although it wasn't a traditional coordinating role. I didn't keep track of time for the 5 minute warning bell because I was also teaching, but we watched the time and got through the stations in good pace. The introduction and outro went alright, although I still find difficulty using age-appropriate language for three year olds. I wasn't sure where they were developmentally, and so for the entire day I found myself stumbling with words and concepts. In many cases I talked at them instead of asking questions. It seemed that whenever I would ask a question no one would answer, or they would answer with things completely unrelated. I tried to ascertain what preschoolers should even be getting out of the Farmcraft program, and started to focus more on giving them a chance to try things out and just do things kids on a farm 100 years ago might have done them, leaving out most of the theory.
Baking the cornbread muffins went surprisingly well. At first I couldn't find the baking equipment/ingredients, and then couldn't find the recipe. I ended up trying to remember the ingredient amounts we use during Magic Muffins, and sort of just eyed everything: a cup of flour, a cup of cornflour, a bit of salt, a smidgen of sugar, a smidgen of baking powder, and a dollop or so of oil. I didn't see any milk in the fridge so I decided to make vegan muffins, adding two cups of water and half a banana. I guessed at the temperature and kept checking in on them as the bus pulled up. Luckily Aaron was there to greet the bus while I was finally able to put the muffins in the kitchen and meet everyone to take them upstairs. They seemed to enjoy the banana cornbread muffins well enough, and I was glad considering it had pretty good odds to simply turn out as a gooy mess.
I'll have another opportunity to coordinate again soon, and an actual full program - but I was glad to get the chance to try it out with a smaller group. I do think that I still prefer third graders . . . but it's hard to say.
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As uncomfortable as it can be getting out of our comfort zones I am glad that we are forced to do so. For me, the coordinating is outside of my comfort zone. I am a sheep, have mostly always been a sheep, don't mind being a sheep, but I understand that it is necessary to be the sheep herder at times. For some people I think leading a group comes naturally, but I know there is skill involved that can be learned and often the learning is just in the doing. I can't say that I am to the point were I look forward to the opportunities to lead. I still do so with trepidation, but I am thankful for the opportunity each time because it gets easier each time.
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