Meredith+Cripps

Peer Tutor- Life Skills Mrs. Powers

Week of February 4, 2012

I didn't really have the girls a lot in this past week, but the days I was there I still observed a lot. One thing that I caught on to was the one day that Nate was there, he came right up to me, introduced himself and just started talking to me. I really enjoyed that because even though I won't see him a lot we still know eachother and I know he will talk to me. Also I am loving getting close with the girls. They were all talking about stuff outside of school and I love hearing about it. They are really funny girls and I love there stories! I am excited to see what this week has to bring!

Week of February 11, 2013

This past week the girls got 75 cards off of there rings all together, so they got to have a free math period. They choose friday and I could tell that they were very excited. I think it is good motivation for them! Also I helped Emily and Keristen with there star math for my first time. I worked with Emily first, she did really good. I could tell she was really thinking and I could also tell that she was using contex clues and prior knowledge to figure out some of the harder questions. She did really good! After Emily, I helped Keristen, I could tell that she was having a little more trouble than Emily. She wasnt thinking hard into the question and I think she needs to work on self confindence. She wasnt really using prior knowledge that i knew that she knew. Emily was able to work promblems out and break the question apart, but Keristen, was having a little more trouble. She still did really good, and it was hard to not help them out! I know why they hate them know!

Week of February 18th, 2013

This week was a very basic week. On one of the days we did change. We did they "If it cost 30 cents, how much change will you get back". I was working with Becca, and she was having a little trouble with it. Emily seemed to get it right away. It was very interesting to see the different methods of how they figured it out. I also got to know Margret better. Some days she is very happy and likes to talk to me and everyone else but some other days she doesnt like to talk to anyone and seems upset. I did try and talk to her one day when she was upset and she did open up to me a little. I love the days when she is happy because she brings a lot of life into the classrom and she is very funny.

Week of February 25th, 2013

This past monday, we did star math than after, we did math packets. I saw that Kiertsen was having trouble with a page. I went over and I tried to help her. After reading the problem and looking at the example, I could not figure out how to explain this to her. I was having trouble myself figuring it out. I asked Katherine and she was having troubles with it to. I went and looked at Emily's packet and she did the page but they were not correct. After Katherine and I could not figure it out, we called over Mrs.Powers. She was having a little trouble explaining it also. Her solution was to go over the problem as a class and figure it out. I think this lesson will help a lot in years to come, if I persure to be a teacher. It showed me that if one kid doesnt understand, sometimes the whole class doesnt know how to either. I really liked the idea of doing the problem as a class, I think this will stay with me because I would not have thought of that. Thanks, Mrs.Powers! Also I cant wait to see what the answer is!

Week of March 4th, 2013

This week we conqured the hard word problems! We also did check books. I was excited to see what the outcomes of both would be. The check books went good, it was a little confusing since it was my first time, but I got a hang of it. The kids seemed like they knew exactly what they were doing. It was also nice to see how Mrs. Powers would take on this word problem. It helped me too! When I helped them with the other ones I did have to reference the board a couple of times. I know I am a peer tutor, but I honeslty learn something new everyday!

Week of March11th, 2013

This week, it was time for StarMath. Everyones favorite! I worked with Emily and Becca. One thing I noticed about Becca, is that she gets distracted VERY easily. If she feels that if a person is looking at her she will stop what she is doing and say something. When we were working on StarMath, Mr. Taylor came in. She kept looking at what they were saying. She kept looking behind her to see what was going on, but when I worked with Emily she had all of her focus on the math that she was doing. I think I may have even said "dont worry about everyone else, focus on this".

Week of March 18th, 2013

One thing that I enjoy is talking to Patrick. I do wish I had a class with him and got to work more with him. He used to be shy but now he always talks to me and gives me high fives. When he comes in from gym, he just makes me laugh! I always here funny stories about him, and I just think he is so funny. I do not see him in his "bad moods" so as of now when I see him, he is always very happy I think he is a great guy and I hope I have an opportunity to work with him or get to know him better!

Week of March 25th, 2013

I did not have the kids much this week due to me being sick. The one day I was with them, we played uno since it was the last day before break. I always like watching them play and it is always a fun time play Uno. The girls really enjoy it. I am very excited for the spring dance. I hope I get to help set up. Im excited to see all of the other kids from other schools, and I think it will be really cool seeing how the different groups interract. It also excites me to see some of the girls get excited about prom! All this fun stuff is coming up in the next couple months and I am so excited to experience it with these kids!

Week of April 1st, 2013

Last week, we played a new game. We had to keep a budget. I think it was really good practice for the girls to list out the different things they bought and money that they earned. I started working with Becca with math rings. She is deffinatly slower than the other girls but I can tell that she is thinking. One day we did not do much math due to Margaret and her shirt. After she left the classroom, the teachers and the other girls talked about appropriate clothing. Even though we were not doing math, I think it was still good to talk about that. Its very important.

Week of April 8th, 2013

This past week there was a lot of drama with Margaret. It was really nice to use my real peer tutoring skills and help her out. I really hope every thing works out with her and that she will come back to school. We also did Star Math, I worked with Becca again. I am very excited for the Special Olympics. I am excited to work with all of the kids and see them and get to know them since I only work with the girls. I have been doing Becca's math rings with her and she is slower with them but I can tell that she is thinking, and she is getting less and less in her wrong pile every day.

Week of April 15th, 2013

This past week was half days. I did Star Math with Emily. Margaret came back to school. She was in a very good mood and that made me very happy. I can tell that she is making an effort. We took out decorations for the dance this friday. We had to untangle a bunch of stuff. I am excited to see how the wole thing turns out!

Week of April 22nd, 2013

This past week was the dance. It was really fun and I really enjoyed. The place looked great! It was a really good turnout and I am pretty sure that all of the student had a good time. I liked getting to know the other kids from other schools. I relized that our school had mild needs compared to some of the other schools. I am so thankful that I got into this program, I have loved every second that I have been with the kids. This week is sepcial olympics and I am very excited. I hope its a nice day out! I am not really sure what to expect, but I am excited to see what the kids can do and maybe even see some of the other kids that were at the dance!

Week of April 29th, 2013

So this past week was Special Olympics. I had such a great time! I got to work with the other kids and see how the interact with one another. I had such a great day and I wish there was another. I liked seeing some familiar faces from the dance. I enjoyed watching the kids do there events, especially Fernando and John racing each other. I liked how the whole class came together to watch Cathy win first place! Overall, it was a great day and these kids truly are amazing and I just love spending time with them. I wish I could do it again!

Week of May 13th, 2013

This past was Key Stones so I wasnt in the classroom much. The one day I was there, we played games. It was also prom and it was really fun to see how excited Kiersten was, I always liked seeing here there and I got a picture with her! I cant believe this year is over. I wish I had more time in the classroom. I really did form some close bonds with the girls, and I am going to miss them next year a lot!