Journal Entry One - My First Day

Today was my first day out in the field! I was a little nervous but more excited to meet
my cooperating teacher and the students I would be working with. As soon as I walked into the
building I met the principal, Mr. R. He shook my hand and showed me to my classroom. My
cooperating teacher, Mrs. C, was already in there. She was very nice and welcoming and
explained to me how the students would be coming in soon and that they start out with breakfast
and then the morning meeting. Since the school year had just begun, she was still quite busy
learning about her students and getting all the necessary paperwork completed. I let her know
that I didn't mind helping her out with anything that she needed. I was eager to show her that I
was more than happy to get involved. Pretty soon the students started to enter the classroom and
immediately they noticed that there was a new face in the classroom. I waved to the students and
received quite a few smiles back. While they were all eating breakfast I took the opportunity to
walk around the classroom and look at the posters that were hung up around the room. When the
students finished breakfast they started the morning meeting. Mrs. C took this opportunity to
introduce me and explain why I was here. Also during the meeting they went over what month,
day of the week, and year it was. Afterwards the students had math, where they were learning
addition. Mrs. C was working with some students in their books, so I observed the students who
were playing math games on iPods. Once the math period was over the students all enjoyed
some snacks. While they were eating I went around to each table so I could learn their names
and get to know them a little. A couple of students were shy but a lot of them were eager to talk
to me! Gym was next. I got to go with the students and watch as they took some physical tests.
The gym teacher wanted to see how fast they could run and whether they could hop and jump.
Watching them in the elementary school gym atmosphere brought back memories of when I had
gym class. Once the class was finished, Mrs. C came to collect the kids and bring them to
recess. This was the same time that my hours for that day were done. I said goodbye to the
students and their teacher and said Id see them next week.