Tuesday, March 9, 2010
So there i was walking up the same set of steps I walked up over twenty years ago. Couldn't tell if the pit in my stomach was out of nervousness or just plain excitement. I was placed at Windmill St. School which I attended K-6th grade. I carefully waked the hallways inspecting every inch to make sure that everything was still the same as I remember it, then I reached the girl's bathroom. Something was different. I seriously think they changed the doorway!! Although it could just be my memory going. Anyways, I continued down to room 106 and when I reached it I realized that this was my fourth grade classroom that I was about to enter. In all honesty, my fourth grade teacher was a favorite of mine and a lot of good memories come from here. I chuckled at the sight of little girls and boys trying to put their jackets in the closets outside of each classroom. Finally, I stepped into the room and was greeted by the teacher who was just as sweet and kind as my old teacher. The desks were actually tables that were in the shape of a hexagon but didn't sit more than four children together sort od reminded me of the structure of the classroom when I was there. When I was a kid we had individual desks and chairs which we would group together usually by fours. The teacher's desk was in the same spot near the windows and the chalk board still remained the same. The only difference was that there was a rug on the floor, a computer area and also a quiet area filled with beanbags and books. This goes to show that years ago we didn't seem to need all this extra areas like we do now. If a child was in need quiet time or a break, they went to the office. Reading groups were done right there in the classroom but at our desks, and never mind a computer! What was that? Today children with disibilities are able to be successful within their classroom because of the accomodations available to them at hand. Needless to say, the school hasn't changed it's concrete foundation a bit, but the way in which the curriculum is taught and learned has defintley changed.
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I went to windmill too! i dont blame you for being so curious about the whole experience. I would love to go back and check out the school myself. I had Mrs. parker for my fourth grade teacher. She was kind of young, maybe she is still there? She was a great teacher, all my teachers at windmill were. It was a great school and i really learned and grew alot because of it. did you meet the kids you are going to be working with?
ReplyDeleteGoing down memoryland must have been quite an experience! It's funny that the 2 of you went to the same school...
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