Participating in field experience gives me the opportunity to assist teachers and students in the community.  I apply what I learn in my educational courses as I help out in various settings.  I have become more aware of the differences that exist from school to school, and aware of the modifications needed for each grade level of students.  Using the community as my classroom, increases my excitement to become an educator, as I work with diverse groups of students, have discussions with mentor teachers, and observe varying environments.  Below you will find more information about what I have done at each setting.

How did I capture the Halloween spirit?  I had the enjoyable experience to participate at the Williams Campus Community School Fall Festival.  It felt great to know I was giving back to the community by helping the children have a fun time as they got into the Halloween spirit.  All of the volunteers and children dressed up in costumes making the night so much fun.  I went as Lucy Ricardo from the show I Love Lucy.  I began the night, by being in charge of the Velcro wall with three other girls from my class.  It was great helping the young children put on their Velcro jumpsuits and watch them jump onto the wall.  I also had the opportunity to help at the inflatable slide.  This activity was by far one of the children’s favorites.  I was in charge of making sure the children stayed in line, and telling them when it was their turn to go.  The majority of the children were very respectful and polite.  I enjoyed my time there because the parents and the children were so friendly.  It was to know that these children were having a good time in a safe environment that I helped to create.  It was a joy assisting at the Fall Festival, and I will never forget my experiences there.

I had the pleasure to observe a third grade classroom at Madison Elementary.  I received numerous opportunities to assist the students with varying subjects.  I walked around the classroom helping the students who were struggling with subtracting three-digit numbers, understanding prefixes, putting sentences into correct sequence, and comprehending the concept of synonyms and antonyms.  There was a girl in the class that knew little English, and using my small Spanish vocabulary, I communicated with her and read books alongside her, to make her better prepared for required quizzes.  I also assisted those students who were not reading at grade level, by reading with them and discussing the events in a story.  I enjoyed my time in this class, and I began to understand the differences that can exist among children in a classroom.  It was also wonderful to have discussions with the teacher and learn more about certain methods I will want to incorporate into my classroom.  I was glad to work one-on-one with the students, and I have learned more about myself as a future instructor.

Ghost, Mummies, and Cats, oh my!  This was the theme of my group’s booth at the Boys & Girls Club Craft Party.  I had the privilege to spend three hours working at the game booth.  I prepared the Halloween Bingo game which the children absolutely loved.  We kept hearing them say that they wanted to come to our booth because it looked so entertaining.  Another game at our station was Pin-The-Eye-On-The-Cat.  We blindfolded the children and they each placed a paper eye on a large, black cat that was on the wall.  The last activity at our booth was Mummy Wrap.  The children wrapped each other up in toilet paper to make themselves look just like mummies.  Everyone in my group took turns conducting the various games at our booth.  It was rewarding watching the children get involved in the activities, and in seeing their bright smiles.