DAY 1
It was actually the first day of December and at the same time it was also our first day at Footsteps Learning Center (FLC). I was assigned to observe at Kinder 1.I came there at around 8 am. The pupils were already in line when I get there, so I stood at the back of their line. They had their flag ceremony and their morning rituals and eventually entered in their classroom. At first, I was actually hesitant to enter because I don’t know what to expect. Many questions were already playing inside my head. “Will the kids treat me just like as they treat their teacher?” or “will they accept me?” Before I entered the classroom, I only said a word,” here it goes” I greeted their teacher, Teacher Arlene , a good morning, and she greeted back. She asked me about my name and after that she introduced me to her pupils. They greeted me. And that greeting was a first time for me, it felt like I was already a teacher. I was flattered. They were actually four, two girls and two boys. They were Elisia, Apple Joy, Gohan and Eduard. All of them are really lovely and cute. They were actually kind to me. At first I was just looking at them and the eventually we already bonded like we’ve known each other for so long. I helped in answering their quiz. I really enjoyed the whole period, although I’m quiet tired but the hugs and kisses were priceless. From that day on, I am already looking forward in going to FLC.
DAY 2
Second day. I was assigned in grade 1.I am a bit nervous because, I know at their age they are the “asking a lot” type of kids. I am nervous because I might be asked a question and I don’t know if I could answer it right. You know, once I’ve already answered them, it will already stay in them until they grow old so I am really careful. I came there at around 8 am. I think I was already late. At first the graders were a bit confused, they looked for their former teacher, Karen. I told them that teacher Karen is not around so I will be their teacher. At first they were a little confused and eventually they already accepted that I would be their teacher to observe them. Their adviser was teacher Beth. She explains everything to me just like teacher Arlene. Unlike the kindergarten the graders are more. I think they are around seven, six boys and a girl. They were Kenneth , Margah Lou, Ashton, Mickel, Adrian , John Paul. Sorry if I can’t remember all. They had their class in Filipino, Values, Math and MAKABAYAN. All of them are really active in class but we cannot avoid that they are a bit playful and noisy. I understand them because they gained a lot of energy and they spent it playing and talking but I sometimes asked them to listen to their teacher. They were obedient. Eventually they already asked me questions, as expected and they already make friends with me. During their recess Kenneth sang a song for everybody I was enjoyed and he really sing good. After that he had a duet with Marga Lou.It was fun. After their recess, they had their practice for their Christmas party. They will sing Star ng pasko. The song was actually one of my favorite Christmas songs. Having their practice was not that easy. It already took us almost an hour just forming their lines. The flow was already smooth when they sang the song. They were really cute. After their practice they watched a cartoon movie about Christmas. I personally enjoyed the movie, I don’t know if I am a childish or what. The movie is a good way on how to explain the children what Christmas really means. It is a good way and at the same time an easier way.:). After that they fixed their thing and went home already. My second day was not easy but I really enjoyed it, a lot.
DAY 3(Christmas Party)
Yey! Just like the kids, I was also excited about this day. I don’t know why, maybe because in college there were already none of parties like these. Today, I was assigned in the Yellow Team with teacher Agnes. It started with a parade, roaming around the village, going to our venue in a basketball court. Teacher Ren delivered her opening remarks and we also started assisting the teachers and students as well. The flow of the program was good. They had fun games that bonded children with their parents. They even presented their own cheer Before the games the children presented their numbers and parents presented their dance number as well. Of all the people, I will never forget Agua, the host of the game; is just so funny aside from Jollibee. They really entertained the children including us. After the program, we distributed the gifts to everybody.after the party has ended we also helped in cleaning the place, it was not that hard because we helped each other.We went back at Footsteps and after eating we went home. I really enjoyed it eventhough it’s a Saturday.
DAY 4 (New Year)
I started the year with the SPEd class. I came at school at 8 am. Kuya Let-Let and Teacher Jean were already there. They already started their drills. First, he grasps a spoon. He should hold it until the count of 20. He also did it on his other hand. Next he also rang a small bell at the count of 20 and also did it on the other hand. There are moments that he became impatient but teacher eventually overcomes it. They did that exercise for almost 30 minutes. It would be helpful for his fine motor skills. After that, Let-Let had an inclusion with grade 1 pupils. After that he had his therapy already. The next student is Nash. Before he begin his classes he first roam around the school and greet all of his schoolmates. He is doing this to develop his socialization skills. After that he had some activities like buttoning the buttons. Teacher Jean also taught him to memorize the poem that they will be reciting. After that we had our snack. And he was dismissed after. The next set of students was Abbey, Gab and another girl sorry I forgot her name. At first they did a puzzle. Before they do something they will first put the picture on the schedule, which is posted on the wall. They prayed, sang the national anthem and applied lotion on their skin. They also colored some pictures, buttoned some buttons and many more. The day was not that exhausting but really fun.
DAY 5
Today, I was assigned in nursery. The 10:30 to 2:00 class. I came early but the pupils eventually came. They were really cute. I really wanted to pinch their cheeks but I know it is not allowed so I just contained myself. At first they prayed and have some greetings and then weather forecasts. After that they watched some videos about the opposites. I think the children learned a lot even me. After watching the video they ate their snacks. I also helped them while eating and they were polite whenever they ask something. After that they had a game, they will jump over the number teacher will say. It fun and at the same time they also learned after that they played and went home. I was somehow exhausted but really enjoyed the class most especially when you feel that you’ve been loved and needed by the kids.
DAY 6
Today, I was assigned in kinder 2. I came at school at around 8 am. They had the poem recital today. It is their elimination. In an instant I also become a judge to replace the other teacher. Being a judge was not an easy task because it was actually my first time. But the whole recital was good. After the recital, classes resume. They answered some exercises in their books. They are very behave during the whole period and they are very obedient.
DAY 7
Today, I am again assigned in Grade 1.Before they entered in their classroom they had a tour in to their new school. After the tour we went back to the school and entered the classroom. When I entered the classroom, I felt so loved and missed by the graders. They hugged me and greeted me. They wanted me to seat in their side but I was only one I can’t entertain them all. But I was really flattered. Teacher Beth was not around so we need to work double time with teacher Mavic.They had their values if I am not mistaken they discussed about a saint. They also answered some exercises in their book; I also helped them in answering. Their next class was Filipino, they discussed about the questions when, what, where and how. They also had recitation and they did a great job in answering their seat works. We also discussed the different forms of money; how they look like and so o and so forth. They also had their seat work here. After that they had their recess and while having their recess, Kenneth again, entertained us by singing. After his number he also had a duet with Marga Lou. On the other hand, the boys did some beat while Kenneth and Marga were singing. After the recess they had mathematics and after that they went home. It was a tiring but exciting day for me. I am sure I will keep this in my heart forever.
DAY 8( New School, New Environment, Teacher Bev’s Birthday!)
On my first day on the new building, I was assigned in Grades 2 and 3.When I came there; they were already in their line. They had their flag ceremony. And afterwards they had their classes. I sat beside Mariel who was busy doing and writing something. I must admit she really has a good penmanship. She was assisted by teacher Mavic, because Teacher Bev was not yet around.Jc also joined the class. He was busy drawing the solar system. Afterwards, the classes started, they had various subjects today I am not sure if I could state it all here. But from what I have remembered, they had their quiz they also had their spelling. And after, they also had music which refreshes my memory about notes and the like. Eventually Teacher Bev entered and the children went wild because they greeted her altogether. The graders were really sweet and they even made a little card for teacher Bev.They also had their Class picture taking. The girls fixed their hair and the boys fixed their ties. They were really cute and neat looking. They had their snack and had classes again and eventually went home.
DAY 9 (whoa!!!)
For the first time I was assigned in the nursery 8:00-10:30.Actually, I’ve heard some stories about this class, that they are really playful and so on. I am excited to observe in this class. When I entered the classroom, they were seated on the floor while listening to teacher Jena. They sang the weather song and afterwards presented them some cards that illustrate opposites. While the class was going on I noticed that the children were eventually gone, when I try to look for them, I saw some of them running on top of the table and some under. Some of them were jumping off the table, I got afraid that they might fall so I asked them to stop but my convincing powers did not work. So, I thought it would be better if I let them first and if eventually they get exhausted that’s the time that I will ask them to sit down. But then again I was wrong, I think these kids are not getting tired. So, I thought of another plan, I played with them and eventually I told them I’ll buy them candies if they would return and listen to teacher and hurray, they are convinced. But my victory did not last long little by little, one by one; they scattered and played, ran and shouted I was chasing them. Then, eventually, I just look after them and after a moment I saw Carlo running towards his classmate and he was about to punch and kick his classmate so I ran and I carried Carlo before he could punch and kick his classmate. But he really wants revenge so he repeats it and I also repeatedly carry him. Good thing he is not as big as his other classmates so he is very light. It took time for Carlo to be calmed and so he is just in the corner of the classroom and nobody sat near him so that he would stay calm. After the chasing and everything they had their recess. Altogether they ate at the table and they were really cute most especially Jorelle. They asked help when they can’t open their food and politely says thank you afterwards. After a little math activity they went home. I can say that this was my most challenging part of my stay in FLC but I was really enjoyed and pleasured to be with children like them; so cute, so adorable.
DAY 10
I was again assigned in kinder 1. They had their flag ceremony and afterwards entered the classroom. In their Math, tackled about the Philippine money, they brought some play money to understand it better. They were good in reciting. Then after math they had their recess and had their art class. During their art class, they made an envelope. After, we went to the computer room and typed some numbers and their names. After that we played badminton, at first teacher Arlene and I demonstrated to the children on how to play the said sport and eventually they played. Gohan is good in playing badminton. After playing they went back to their classroom and went home.
DAY 11
I was not actually assigned in kinder 1 but I eventually entered because Apple Joy grabbed my hand and wanted me to enter in their classroom and so I did. It was their long quiz; actually I was not permitted to observe there because it was their quiz. But Apple joy insisted. I only helped her on how to stay focused while answering their quiz so I always get her attention whenever she is at a lost. The whole period went well and after their long quiz they answered their writing book. Afterwards they went home.
I can say that what I’ve learned from FLC (Footsteps learning center)is not found in the four corners of our classroom and even in the hundred pages of our books. The children were the one who really taught me. They opened my eyes to see things more bright. This opportunity also made me realize that being a teacher is really not easy. It takes millions of patience, thousands of knowledge, hundreds of perseverance and most of all, billions of dedication. I personally witnessed the dedication of the teachers towards with their work. They treat their students just like they were their own. It also made me realize that this was really my calling. I cannot see myself with any other profession just like this. I can say that I belong here. I’d be forever thankful to the students and teachers of Footsteps. They accepted us and treated us just like we are already members of the faculty. They also respected us. Thank yous are not enough from what they’ve shown to us. I really hope and pray to see them again.
