Prompt #1

I am a reading buddy in a kindergarten class and a first grade ESL class at Stonewell Elementary*. Stonewell is a fairly new elementary school located in lower South Providence. On my first day I used my GPS to get there and when it said I had reached my destination I was so confused because there were so many buildings. I had to drive around it twice to find the school. I finally parked and decided to walk around and look for it, although I was a little nervous walking around an unfamiliar area. I noticed that the school was surrounded by a little campus with two high schools, a middle school, and a recreation center. When I finally found the school I walked in and saw that the environment looked very welcoming. In the office there was a bunch of children all coming into school late. They all looked very happy and friendly. When I came in I was welcomed by Ms. Ledger* and given a tour of the school. I started to feel a little more comfortable after seeing some of the classrooms and meeting some of the teachers. I noticed that the school was really big, not like my elementary school. I was brought to my first classroom and was introduced to the teacher and the children. I noticed there was a lot of tension in the class because the teacher was constantly yelling at the students and telling them to be quiet and sit in their seats. The classroom was divided in six groups and the teacher’s desk was hidden in the corner. There was also a big rug in the front of the class where the students can sit. This reminded me of when I was in elementary school when I used to sit on the rug and listen to the teacher read us books. The second classroom I help in is a first grade ESL class. This class was set up a little different then the kindergarten class. There were smaller groups and the teacher’s desk was right in front of the class. There was also a rug where the students could go and sit. I noticed that this class was set up into different stations to help the students learn. After my first day I felt that this school really wants to help their students learn and I am ready to do all that I can to help!

* Names have been changed.