My service learning experience was a really positive one and I am glad that I was able to participate in the Many Villages program at Fairfax Elementary School. Mrs. Petty who is the third grade teacher I was helping was awesome. When I was not working with Nakleb I was able to observe her teaching the whole class and she does such an excellent job with her students. It seems as though she really cares about her students and wants to help all of them learn.
During our last day of service the students were doing some activities as a class and I was able to interact with all the students rather than just Nakleb who I usually give more individual help to. They were playing a game with a partner to help them practice their multiplication skills. It was nice being able to walk around and also to see the students learning in a different way. The students were working well together for the most part and staying on task as well. Considering how much energy these students usually have I was a bit surprised how focused they were. I may have been surprised but it was a pleasant surprise all the same. Another activity they did on that day was a science experiment. They were making their own composts and over the next few weeks were going to watch some apple peels, banana slices turn into compost. I really liked watching the kids enthusiasm about this project and I think that they will like the process as well.
Mrs. Petty informed us that all of the extra activities that she does with her students is funded by herself. The school gives them a bit of money to use but Mrs. Petty shared that she probably spends about $1000 a year on various things with her classroom. I think this is awesome that she is still willing to spend her own money so her students may learn in different ways but also sad that she has to spend all of her own money. I just found it all very interesting.
I enjoyed my service from this semester and am actually considering continuing with the service at this site next semester as well.
