I Wonder...

I am feeling incredibly blessed these days as I begin yet another year of school here at TWU. Year 3! By the end of this semester I will be half way done my degree, that much closer to beginning my dream job. This year has been full of blessings in every aspect, from the courses that I am in, to the practicums that I am partaking in. I have been so thankful that I am enjoying every aspect of school, overflowing with love for what I am learning and the knowledge I am gaining. I am in two practicums this semester. One is in a kindergarden classroom for classroom experience, and another is with Special Olympics BC for my special education minor. I am beyond thrilled to be in each of these places, learning so many things and loving these students. I am yet to start my time with Special Olympics, but my Kindergarden classroom experience is underway! My students are so precious, bright and excited to learn. They jump on every opportunity to know more and I can see them exuberating all their effort into everything they do—from playing on the playground to writing in their journals. These students want to learn and love their teacher for teaching them. They have welcomed me with open arms, making me feel apart of their classroom already.

My mentor teacher, I can already tell is an inspiration that I am so excited to learn from. As I have been reflecting on my first session with her classroom I have realized her love for her students and her longing to foster student creativity. Even at the young age of five, these students are being taught and encouraged to use their imaginations. Every morning the students complete “I wonder” journals. They are to think of anything at all that makes them think outside of a basic realm. They dive into their imaginations, thinking deeper about everyday things and pull out a question. They write/trace their question, then put it in picture form. Doing so, they are practicing their printing skills as well as their drawing and ability to stay inside the lines. Some questions that my students came up with were: “I wonder…how DVD’s are made.” or “I wonder…how old Godzilla is.” The students love having the opportunity to wonder about anything and everything allowing their minds to wander anywhere they please. I love this activity for the students. I think it is smart for the students to do it first thing in the morning, as it eases them into their school work. They are exercising their brain in a fun and personable way. Here, the teacher is really enforcing creativity and fostering a way of thinking that is beyond their typical realm. They are being asked to step out of their proverbial box and expand on things that they come across in their day to day lives, like DVD’s or fiction characters. I really value how the teacher is already, at such a young age encouraging her students to think deeper, and be imaginative with everything they do. She is cultivating the individuality of each student letting them know that their thoughts, and ideas are always welcome. The students have shown immense effort in each of their journal entries. The one student who asked about DVD’s drew an entire DVD factory and a character assembling each package. They colour it vibrantly, having a good eye for detail. They really embrace this activity, thrive on it and flourish because of it. I recognized how this activity feeds into multiple other elements in the classroom. The students have brought their “I wonder caps” into carpet time, being creative in how they answer questions and not being afraid to ask questions. I admire the openness of this classroom and the inventiveness that is encouraged throughout the students. I wonder how this will carry on from classroom to classroom as the students continue from grade to grade. I would hope that they will be so encouraged to ask their questions, to continue to wonder, and to search for answers. They will build a foundation at such a young age of a love for learning that will carry them through their educational journey.