Westwood March 28th

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Monday, March 28, 2016

Time: 7:30-3:30

Hours: 64

   This morning we had the 1st grade small group. They worked on their animal research projects. This group learned quickly how to use google drive. It is quite impressive what these students are able to accomplish!
   The 2nd grade "Chocolate Fever" book group met. We continued on with the story and one group is close to finishing it. Sara gives some of the groups reading prompts and I wish she did that with this group too because sometimes I'm not sure they fully understand what they are reading.
   The 5th grade "Petey" book club met in the afternoon. They love to discuss things so this group goes quickly.
   This week Sara chose the book "How Martha Saved her Parents from the Green Beans" by David LaRochelle. Sara read it to the groups today. It is a very funny book, it really holds the students attention. I told Sara that I would like to read it to some of the groups this week too.
   This was another day of finishing up all of the Pixie life cycle projects. They have all finished one project and have had plenty of time to play on Pixie! Sara and I agree that this was not the best way to go about this project but she felt she had to comply with the teacher's wishes. When I'm in this situation I will have to think about how to go about it because I'm not sure I'd have the patience to have students do something that I know is not the best use of anyone's time and when it doesn't really teach them something. I don't like projects where the teacher is completing the work. It needs to be done by the student to the best of his/her ability. And to begin with, the project must suit their knowledge and ability to accomplish the goal!