This year I decided that once a month I would attend specialty classes with my fifth graders. There is so much that I can learn about my kids by interacting with them in this way. Plus, it gives me a glimpse into what they are learning and doing when they aren't with me. Bonus: I get a good workout AND have learned to play more than one new instrument!
Mr. Peters is an awesome PE teacher! Each time I visit class his lessons are engaging and fun! Most days there are academic goals as well as physical fitness goals included in his lessons. That makes this teacher very happy! I love playing games with the kids and Mr. Peters and I seem to be their biggest targets in games like the one you can watch above! I get hit quite often but that's okay, my heart benefits from the extra jumping jacks!
Music class is just as engaging! Mr. Chilcote makes thirty minutes fly by! I've been able to participate in a variety of lessons. The first time I participated in music class we learned about New Zealand and played titi toria stick games. The next class he had me on the drum set playing a basic rock pattern to accompany the kids on the xylophones and marimba. (I had to practice this one at home for a few nights before we could record it in class)
Lately, we've been learning to play the ukelele. This has been the most challenging for me as my hand eye coordination isn't the best. I think it is important for my students to see me take on new challenges and struggle along the way to learning new things. After all, I ask them to reach higher than they think they can reach on a regular basis. Showing them that I can work through tough situations and try things that are hard for me to master, gives them a model to follow. Kids get that. They appreciate someone who can walk in their shoes and share challenges with them. I am happy to be on this journey with them!