April 27th is a national Bring Your Child to Work day. L came with me to the high school where I teach and stayed there all day. While it was a tremendously enjoyable experience on so many levels, I am exhausted.
Why was it important to do for me? Well, I am a teacher, I love teaching so I wanted to show L that teaching can be fun and fulfilling. Do I want to sway her to become a teacher? Absolutely! Secondly, I simply wanted to show her what I do, how I do it, and where I work. Check on all three counts.
Prep work. We stopped by Walmart and got tons of candy. Our vision: students come in, and L gives them candy and introduces herself. Worked like a charm in all four classes. Also: L packed a bag with coloring pages, pencils, iPad, headphones, a doll, a car, some other stuff. I also showed her how to pack lunch.
On site. The first two block of the day I had off (prep periods) so we circulated the school and did a scavenger hunt of a variety of objects (such as art on walls, a test-grading machine, a copier, and other silly things). Then we stopped by the art room and did a handprint and made a bracelet. Many students were helping out with craft stations: really wonderful to see how they were engaging with all the kids. Roamed around some more. Made copies of a quiz. Make a plan for lessons.
My classes. My students know L and R very well since every Monday my do-now (an activity with what teachers start class) is “this is what we did this weekend+ pictures. What did you do?” A great opportunity to get them talking and to practice past tense.
L was at the door when students were coming in. She got so many high fives, fist bumps, and smiles. She then drew and colored, plus watched Frozen through her headphones. Five seems like a great age to bring her to work.
I taught all lessons as per usual but in the last 15 minute of each class, L had a surprise for students. In each class, she stood in front of the class, explained to students how to do “the floor is lava” dance, and we all danced and stood on desks. Repeated with the “Freeze Dance.” So. Much. Fun.
I’d do it again (this time I’d bring R with us) but man, oh man, I am tired.
Mom of Children 