Change for Kids

The first day…ahhhhhhh. Well now that I got that out… the first day was interesting, to say the least. When I first met my kids I was very nervous. I mean my arms were practically shaking! It was a mix of excitement and I guess fear even. They were really great though, and they seemed to like me (I hope!). We spoke amongst ourselves at first, got to know each other little better and pretty much put down that first foundation so to speak. I asked them about their interests and had them decorate their folders as I took some notes, jotting down some details for each child. They apparently knew each other already; they were in the same classes before, and they worked well together. Not only were they well behaved, but they knew when it was time to settle down and get work done. They even helped one another at times. As I went over the words with one child, the other did his folder, patiently waiting for his turn.

I tried to go over the list of words with the two boys, but I could tell how much work they needed. The longer list of words proved to be much harder than the first and it was apparent in the way both boys struggled. They both need a lot of help but they seem very dedicated and willing to work on it. I am very excited for next week where I will have a reading prepared for them and I am hoping that we can knock out some more words together.

        Yesterday I got to meet the kids I will be working with.  I was a little nervous since I didn’t know how they were going to respond or act, but it went okay.  I introduced myself and told them that I will be coming to their school to help them with their reading skills.  I had a sheet of sight words and I had to go over with them the words to see what words they didn’t know.  One of the boys was very calm and did what he was told, he didn’t speak much though and drew a picture of his house and the park.  He knew most of the words from the sheet, expect for like about ten.  He was very focused and you could see he really wanted to get them right.  I tested him after to see if he remembered the words he didn’t get at first and he got them, with a little trouble though. 

                On the other hand, the other boy was very social.  He wanted to talk about the movies and wanted to color.  I told him a little about myself and he told me about him.   He had trouble with the words, though I think the sheet was too hard for them in general. He was hyper and couldn’t keep still much.  I had to tell him a few times to focus on what we were doing.  Towards the end of the session all he wanted to do was draw.  He drew a picture of a car.  Overall the first day went well.  At the end we got a folder so we could put the list of the words the kids needed help with.  We also had to pick out a book so we could read to them next week.  We need to practice reading the book and take notes on how we will be discussing it.  I think the kids will like this, since one of them wanted to read books.  They will be interested.  I am looking forward to our next meeting.

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