Week Five

Hi Guys,

It's week five, and this is what I got up to.....

On day five of my work experience I started off with something a little different. Today a staff meeting was held for the first 45 minutes of the day. During this time only the smaller children (aged 2-3) came in at 9:30am while montessori classes stayed home for the duration of the meeting. I, along with fellow work experience students helped to look after the younger children for the first 45 minutes along with two new supervisors until the montessori children arrived. It was very different, but I loved it!

When the montessori classes began I helped my usual supervisor by cutting up some crepe paper for our halloween artswork. I was then given the responsibility of calling each child one by one to make halloween-special spiders which was very enjoyable. Throughout the morning I was involved in the daily routine of casually sweeping the floor when needed and cleaning up equipment. I was also given the responsibility of melting chocolate and getting supplies ready for the cupcakes and the mess the children later made!

After lunch I arrived again at 2:05pm, 25 minutes early. I helped my morning supervisor with her afternoon montessori class as they played with toys and carried out the same activities as the morning class. When they went home, at around 4:15, I moved on to the afterschool group where I watched them paint and chatted to them about their halloween costumes (they were very enthusiastic about that). I finished off the day at 4:35pm and headed home!

Till next week,
Ciara


 

Week Four

Hi Guys,

This week was my fourth time going to work experience. I started the day off early, helping my supervisor to set up the class room with paint and glue for the children to make pictures for their up and coming halloween party.

As the children arrived I was given the responsibility of helping them with their arts and crafts. I was also involved in gathering equipment like paint brushes and paint from the arts closet and in getting art sheets photocopied. Throughout the day I also cleaned equipment like brushes, Glue sticks and paint palets. As the children were not allowed out that day because of rain, I helped to supervise them as they played with playdough and continued on with their montessori games.

I was also given responsibility for making sure children we're washing their hands in the bathroom and that they didn't take too long. When the montessori class we're finished and I was back from my break I got to work with my usual supervisor for the afternoon class. Here, I helped supervise the children as they played with their toys and ate their lunches. When this class went home at 4:15pm, I continued to help out by putting up halloween decorations for the montessori. I finished my day at 5:00pm.

Till next week,
Ciara

Week Three

Hi guys,

Back again after my third day of work experience at the local montessori. This week was tiring but that being said I still thoroughly enjoyed my time at the work place. I began my day helping to dry the outside playground and by setting up the classroom for the incoming montessori classes.

We began class by starting the children on painting and picture making. I was given alot more responsibility this week as I became more familliar with the work place and staff. My role was to supervise the children that were painting and to help them paint. We then went on to set up the class room for playdough (they love this). After playing with the playdough for a good half an hour, we then got everybody into their coats and out of the classroom into the playground.

I helped supervise the children here while they ran around playing with the slides and sand pit until it was time to go in for lunch. After lunch we all participated in the daily 'circle time' and this week I was involved in a little bit of CD work with the children. They all really enjoyed it and it was a great way to wrap things up on my third day of work experience.

After my generous two hour work break, I returned for afterschool montessori. Here, I helped wipe down some shelves and continued to help supervise the children. I then went home after a long day of work, already looking forward to week four.

Till next week,
Ciara

Week Two

Hi Guys,

So this week I got up to loads of stuff during my day of work experience, and , despite the fact that I have to wake up at the painfully early hour of 8 o' clock, it's all made up for with the 2 hour break I get.(so no complaining here!)

Starting early Wednesday morning, I got to work setting up the class room for the incoming montessori children. This involved laying out the painting utensils, and the playdough area. The children seemed to have a great time painting out an Autumn tree that will soon be stocked with all the different leaves they've collected themselves. After all of these activities, we took the children outside for a play in the garden (which they looooved) and gave them time for their lunch afterwards.

To round up the morning we then participated in what is known to the children as 'circle time' where they each got a chance to complete a small challenge. It's a really cool idea and gets their brains working in preparation for primary school. After everyone left at 12:30pm, I too went home for lunch before returning for the second round of afterschool children at 2:30pm. During this time I supervised the older kids as they completed their homework and began colouring for a class competition.

My day came to an end at 4:30pm, and although at times it seems tiring, I thoroughly enjoyed working at the Montessori and feel as though i'm constantly learning more and more about the world of work. Can't wait to return next week!

Till next time,
Ciara