The Substitute Teacher

Shenandoah Elementary School, Orlando, FL

Before we moved onto Wonderstruck Kim did most of the home schooling. When I had a day off from work I would be the “substitute teacher”. The kids thought it was a lark. I fumbled around, not sure of the kids routine, calling the books by the wrong name, doing things out of order from what they were used to, but we would get through the day alright.

Since moving onto Wonderstruck there is so much that is out of my purview that I have been doing most of the teaching while Kim does boat projects.  It has been an adjustment for me and for the kids, but we are settling into a routine.

Some of the topics I have covered with the kids in the last week include:

3rd grade:
Grammar–subject, object, possessive pronouns.
Math–fractions, equivalent fractions, simplifying fractions
Reading–context clues for making inferences, problem solving with pros and cons of various solutions
Social studies–How to research and write a report about our community and how the geography of that location contributed to its founding and growth
Reading enrichment–Walt whitman, Leaves of Grass and free verse poetry
Science–matter, states of matter, using the metric system to measure matter
Greek Mythology–the 12 Labors of Heracles

5th grade:
Grammar–using nouns as adjectives
Math–finding the area of polygons–triangles, trapezoids
Reading–tone of voice, foreshadowing in our book study of Sing Down the Moon.
Science–Elements, properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. Using the period table of elements to predict properties
History–Battles during the Civil War
Geography–Research and writing a state report, web planners, works cited

The education process is amazing to me. I don’t know how I know the different kinds of pronouns, it just seems like I can’t not know them.  My memories from elementary school have so much more to do with my friends and general activities, not any specific day or subjects.  There is so much that I know today that I just take for granted, and yet at one time in my life there was a teacher explaining, drilling, testing, clarifying, until I understood and incorporated it into what I know and who I am today.

So I want to take a moment to send out a huge Thank You to all my teachers from Shenandoah Elementary School. I am taking what you taught me and passing it on the next generation so that they can better understand the world around them and how it works, what happened in the past and why it matters, how to express themselves clearly, how to understand what they are reading, and how to research and find out more information on topics that fascinate them.

And for all the teachers out there, I am humbled and grateful for what you do and the difference you are making in the lives of children.