January 25, 2010

                The day was full of surprises.  First, I find out that we will be starting our practicum TODAY!!!  It is the first day of class, how can we be starting our practicum today?  The second surprise of the day was that we, the UNM Coaches have to perform a poem to the Heights Students.  Are you crazy, I am a shy person, and it is really hard to perform in front of people and especially with no time to practice.  The third surprise was the amazing performance of Chef Maxine.  This was a really good performance; I don’t think I will ever be able to perform like this.  You must have a lot of energy and ideas in order to throw a performance like that.  It was amazing to see the character all into action.  I loved the mini tea set; I had never seen one that small.  I think that was the best part of the day, the tea party.  You could tell the students were enjoying having a pretend tea party.  At first, I thought they would not interact because they are older, but I was wrong.  They interacted with the character and had fun at the same time. 

Monday, February 1, 2010

                Class started with a performance by Kristy and Ryan of the poem The Generals.  The kids really enjoyed this performance.  Ryan and Kristi did a great job.  Today was the first time to interact with the students.  At first, I felt awkward, but then it came to me naturally.  We got to learn the students’ names and we introduced ourselves.  In small groups we went over the poem, The Generals.  Students and the UNM coaches discussed the vocabulary in the poem.

                In our second classroom, Francis introduced the poem, Grandma Bear.  Most of the students were very interactive and like the poem.  Some were even repeating the chorus.  A few of the students think this is dumb, and do not want to do it.  I hope that with time their attitude changes and they learn to appreciate poetry.  Time runs out so fast in this class!

Monday, February 8, 2010

                Wow!  Today we performed a lot of poems.  I did The Crocodiles Toothache, I have a lot of trouble memorizing poems and performing them but the students really liked our performance.  I was happy to see a reaction from the students.  There were so many kids who wanted to do The Crocodiles Toothache.  I worked with one of the three groups that wanted to do The Crocodiles Toothache.   We went over the poem and highlighted each characters part.

                In the second classroom we sand a song.  The students in this class are having fun and enjoying the songs and the poems.  There is some students that refuse to cooperate, but Francis is helping us with them.  And again time run out so fast!

Monday, February 15, 2010

                No School, Presidents Day.

Monday, February 22, 2010

                No School, Snow Day.

Monday, March 1, 2010

                Most of the students have in the first classrooms had their poems.  Some new poems were introduced today.  Students and poetry coaches worked on memorizing poems today.  The girls I was working with have their poem memorized.  Hooray!!!!  I could tell they are having fun, and learning that poetry is fun.

                Some more new poems were introduced in the second classroom.  The students now have a poem to practice and memorize.  Heather and I worked with Ethan and ER today, they are performing the poem I’m Gonna Tell.  We took them outside and ER behaved better.  I really didn’t think they would do as good as they did.  I am so happy to find out they are learning to enjoy poetry.

Monday, March 8, 2010

                Hooray!!!  Today is was dress rehearsal.  It was really fun and amazing.  The students did great performing their poems.  I could tell they have been practicing a lot.  It was really cool to see them grow so much with their performance.  I could not believe it was the same students we worked with the first two weeks.  They were all really excited to use the props and I could tell they were having

Monday, March 15, 2010 Mesa Verde Performance

                Wow, I can’t believe we are all done.  The students’ performance was awesome, and the audience really enjoyed it.  Yes, we did have some last minute issues, but at the end they were all resolved.  I am so glad my wishes came true, the students learned to enjoy poetry!