I just now finished my second week teaching art and Langford Farms Club Summer Camp(one of those weeks I was on vacation, more of that to come later :)). I get four classes a day:The Commanders (Grades 2-3)
This is probably the SWEETEST group! I forgot how much I really love 2nd graders, they are always wanting to please you and it really brightens their day when they get to be your helper. SUCH a great group right here!
The Captains (Grades 4-5)
I really enjoy this group because they can actually do a LOT at this age, way more so (I feel at least) than the Commanders group can. This group is over run with girls so they have loved anything and everything involving yarn and making jewelry. I've definitely been making hundreds and hundreds of bracelets here lately!
The Lieutenants (K)
This is probably my very first experience actually teaching kindergarten. When I did student teaching it was only grades 3-5. And I have to say, you kindergarten teachers should get paid as much as doctors! WHEW! They are all so adorable, but they are very very needy and they require a whole lot attention (which is not necessarily their fault, its just their age). I also deal with the most tattling with this group, hahaha. BUT... I love their passion for art and how much they LOVE coming to class every day.
The Admirals (Grades 5-6)
This group gets the worse reputation in camp as being the most difficult to deal with. It's over run by BOYS, 6th grade boys. So because of that, they can get very rowdy and bounce off of each other. Since I spent an entire year dealing with JUST THIS, they really have not been very bad for me at all! Loud and rowdy, yes, but that has been easy to manage and deal with by giving them projects they really enjoy.
Overall my thoughts of teaching elementary is, it really is a whole lot of fun!!! There are times where I have had to stop and remind myself "Don't get mad and impatient, they're way younger here" since I spent the last 4 years dealing with the much, much older ones. My first week I was absolutely exhausted and wondered how on earth I would be able to survive the summer, but once I got the hang of what they can and can't do, it's really been a blast! :) I look forward to the rest of the summer, and definitely coming back next year!
Here are some snapshots of our summer together so far:
Started things off with good ole Op Art.
The Lieutenants wrote their names in cursive (well, WE did) with black paint, folded it to create a symmetrical image and turned it into "aliens". They really enjoyed this one!
Here were some of their finished bubble paintings!
The Captains had a blast with bubble painting!
Luke is HILARIOUS. And he LOVES Iron Man!
The Captain group making bracelets. THEY LOVE IT.
We had Halloween Day where the kids got to dress up! Yay for superheroes!!!
Some of our finished Q-tip Monsters we did during Halloween Day. I take it they are all pumped for Monsters University???
Lieutenants did paper weaving this past week.
LOVE this little girl!!! Sweet Charley! :)
