Many people ask me where I am and what I do all day. For those of you curious, read on my friends but be warned.... This blog be a long one!
I live in a cottage like structure (one bedroom, full bath, with a joint kitchen/living room) right next to my employers and the school room. I wake up between 8:00-8:50 every day and school starts around 9:00 on Monday through Friday.
A typical school day:
9:00-10:00 Abbie and I do math work sheets, phonics, work on reading and writing until Sophie joins us. We also play "princess card" games or other short games in-between the seat work.
10:00-10:30 Abbie finishes up her seat work (mostly doing her daily journal) and Sophie works on learning how to write her letters. If she does three letters then she earns a sticker, just like Abbie does when she completes all her work.
10:30 We have snack time! Juice pouches are a necessity and are usually complimented with crackers, wafer cookies, or animal cookies. We also watch a short clips of bible stories or read a book while they have to sit still.
10:45ish-11:40ish is completely free flowing and depends on their energy level. We make up games, do science experiments, make crafts, finish up other work, talk through concepts, read fairy tales, have dance breaks, act silly, do puzzles, and play board games.
11:40-12:00 This is my absolute favorite part of the day! We sing silly songs, children's songs and bible class songs till it is time to go home. At first this was hard because they didn't know very many songs but they were quick to learn new ones. It is so precious to hear them sing about God in their little high-pitched voices. Some of the favorites are I'm in the Lord's Army (Texas Cowboy Style), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (we literally sing this every day for Sophie), Peace Like a River, and Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Sometimes we try to see who can sing them the loudest and sometimes we see who can sing them the fastest just to spice things up.
Things that make teaching possible:
Imagination- looking around and using things that surround you is the best! For example, there is a multi-colored puzzle piece rug in the middle of the classroom. It is a great place to read a book, play a card game, or the rug becomes a game itself. They love having races on the rug, hopping on one color back and forth, or choosing one puzzle piece to sing silly song (if they don't than they usually end up accidently hurting each other, annoying each other, or distracting each other).
Expo markers, white boards and other dry erase supplies- They are so versatile and the kids love using them for homework, games, coloring, etc. It also cuts down on wasting paper and other hard-to-find supplies!
Patience- Working with kids can be hard and patience goes a long way. Things get done faster and more efficiently in the long run if you can keep calm during the tears/stubbornness/high-energy moments.
Good Support Team- Not only do they pick me up when I am down, they make me laugh, give me wisdom, and care about my well-being. Thanks Jenny, Andrew, Zander, Mom and Dad, Ashley, and Lindsey and Lindsay!
Princess themed everything- So thankful that the girls like princesses and I use this for rewards all the time. Abbie loves to play Old Maid, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Memory Matching, and I Spy with our 2 decks of princess cards. These games are great breaks in-between seat work in the mornings. We listen and dance to disney princess music almost every day. I also have a Princess party with the girls after every Unit (5 weeks of work) as a reward and encourager for good school work. When I am in the states, dollar tree is my best friend! They have puzzles, party favors, stickers, certificates, and decorations. It still amazes me how much princess stuff $20 can buy!
Pinterest- Why reinvent the wheel? I love seeing how others teach and repurpose things that can be found all over the world (aka empty water bottles, toilet paper and paper towel rolls, kitchen supplies). There are also great educational games that I can use with my lessons to make learning more fun.
Other things I do outside of school time:
I babysit the Kelly kids every once in a while. These have been some of the hardest and heartwarming moments I've been here; thought, I wouldn't have it any other way. I help cook food for the shelter a couple times a week and enjoy hanging out with the peeps over there. I get to attend church in Kiev with the Kelly family, Zander and Lindsay. They might be long car rides, but playing games and listening to Disney music makes the ride doable. I am sometimes the designated driver for Sasha Project runs. Each run is fun and filled with interesting characters and friends, plus my co-partner in crime makes all the driving part enjoyable. I read, watch movies, prep for school, and take naps during my "free time." I have also started to learn how to be a better cook. Most days I make things from scratch (and not using things from boxes and cans; pinterest and sisterspoon.com blog have helped out immensely). Unfortunately still working on the cleaning up after myself part so my living room is usually a mess... Don't know if I will ever get that down lol
I believe that's all folks!
