Abby Goes to Calhoun

This morning marked my first full week at the Calhoun school. I started the morning with Philosophies. We discussed the intense As I Lay Dying homework for the entire period. I love being able to hear all the other student’s opinions on the novel. Today’s main discussion focused on Darl and his section on Addie’s death- but more generally on his role in the novel. I actually feel like I can contribute something to this class, because I’m on the same level as the other students. In other classes, the students have had two full months of class before I got here. In English, since they just started the novel, I’m able to follow along and keep up on the reading.

Psychology’s discussion was student driven today.  Each student in the class has to keep a journal and fill it with anything they find that might deal with the mind. Today, kids brought in advertisements that they thought were manipulative. Here are some examples of a few of ads we looked at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arfNofxBtfY

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2329515028_f5c84e36ae.jpg

I then went down to the second floor for 3rd grade LA. I had a different group of kids than I did yesterday. Everyone in this class was pretty much on the same level, except two kids. One had trouble focusing and getting his handwriting exercises done. But, when it he finished, he flew through two hard worksheets- then went on to play with an art project. What a neat guy. The other finished his handwriting early, but was stuck on a tricky worksheet. He then went to work on an art project as well. I love Lisa, the teacher. The kids really listen to her. They always ask her to play music while they’re working on handwriting. Today, it was Jackson 5.

After a free period spent enjoying the beauteous weather, I went to LS Math. I went to 4th grade math with Ben. Ben is the best! He’s so funny, and the kids respect him a thousand percent. But they still have fun and kid around with him. The group I was with today was a day ahead of the rest of the fourth grade, so we played this great math game called Zonk. I wish I could explain it, but to do that, I’d have to fully understand it. It was a ton of fun- I played with two kids, who tired (and failed) to teach me. I kind of got the hang of it at the end of class though.

I then went to lunch, during which I had a meeting with the other Teaching LS Math students and the LS Math faculty. We discussed mainly the upcoming lesson plan project the US students are working on. Two students are teaching next week. I’m so excited to see what they’re going to do! I really love the LS math faculty. All four are men, and three of the four have full beards and wear Nikes. They’re so cool.

After lunch, I was free the rest of the day. One period, I worked on my English reading assignment for the next day. The second one, I walked around the Upper West Side with Sam.

The 1 Train. What I take to school and back, everyday. It’s such a nice train!