Even though this week was Spring Break, I still visited my fourth grade classroom. The class was so excited when I came in because they didn't think I would be there at all! I wanted to go in because I didn't want to miss the literature circle and I also had some great lesson ideas to share with Mr. B.
The students in my literature circle asked me why I wasn't supposed to come in for the day. I explained that Spring Break in college is similar to their February Vacation. They couldn't believe I went to school when I didn't have to go! One student then asked if I would be visiting every Tuesday for the remainder of the year and that was the first time I realized how hard it would be to break it to the kids that this wasn't a permanent placement. I told the group that I have a few more Tuesdays and immediately the group asked if I could still stop to visit. I happily agreed to come by here and there until the semester ends.
Here is the big question... how do you plan on planting the seed that we are done in a few weeks? I don't know about you, but I have grown so attached to each student and I will be sad when our placements have ended. I would love to hear some ideas about what you think you will say to the students in your class. How will you approach saying goodbye? I bet this will be harder than we think!
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2 comments:
I have the exact same concerns that you do Taylor. Unlike you, I was not able to go to my school over the break, and the following Tuesday, the children immediately asked where I was. After I had explained the break, they told me that they had missed me and informed me of all the fun stuff that I had missed. This made my heart melt and I thought of the end of the experience.
How can I tell these children that I won't be helping in the classroom anymore? I was thinking about asking my classroom teacher, the best way to approach them. I think that I am going to let them know next week, to ease into it. Then on the final day, I want to tell them that I would be more than willing to come back and visit. I think that it would mean alot to them if they knew that we weren't just getting up and leaving for good.
Other than that, I am on the same boat as you. I hope some of my ideas helped! Keep me posted if you hear something better!
I too realize that the experience of having to tell the children that we can not be with them forever will be hard, and I too have no idea of how to go about doing so. I don't know if it is one of those times when you just realize what to say as it happens, but it feels like there is no easy way to do so without breaking the disheartening news to ourselves and the students.
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