Some fun at the Beach
I have had one of those really special days. I was asked to relieve today in a class that had 7 new entrant children. Seven, seven, let me count them…..1,2,3,4,5,6,7.
Now I have never in my life taught new entrants but I have to say that with the combination of the students nd the planning left for me I really enjoyed the experience. There are so many more learning and experiential opportunities open to you if you have a really small number of students. Today, for example, the afternoon was filled with whole school singing, a drumming demonstation finishing off with free-time in the pool. They loved it. I was clock watching the whole time they were in the pool, not really sure of how long it would take for them to change back again and thinking also I would have to pull them kicking and screaming from the pool. That is not what happened. What actually occurred was after 10 minutes a couple of the 7 got out of their own accord. Then another 3 and the final 2 had to be asked once at the 15 minute mark. No moaning or complaining. While we were sat there waiting for the last few to get changed I asked one; “How often do you get to do this?” and he says’Everyday”. Wow! No wonder they were happy to get out after a few minutes. They KNOW their next opportunity is tomorrow.
It made me think of the power of little and often as a behavior management tool.
