As I entered the room I was greeted with big smiles and eager faces! Then one little boy put his hand up and asked me when I was get married to Olly Murs!! Oh they know me so well! And then that was the start of a lovely music and dance session.
I taught them two action songs, one was called 'Handy' which I told them was a good hand warm up for writing! The other was a energetic jumping up and down song and I quickly realised that Reception children really lack in stamina! We only managed the song once before some of them had given up or fell exhausted to the floor afterwards! So in my flexible teacher mind, I reached for a story book and ended the session with 'The Whale and the Snail' by Julia Donaldson. The loved joining in with actions for the snail and whale and playing spot the snail in the pictures! This a more relaxed and calm activity!
Both they and I survived the session with out any tears from either party! I learnt that younger children, when excited and enthusiastic, really can't help themselves when calling out but a gentle reminder, for most, ensured they behaved beautifully. It was very strange pitching an activity to a much younger level and I am sure that I would struggle to teach a whole day! However I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and despite my pre-lesson worries, I proved to myself I can teach Reception and it really wasn't that bad after all; although give me a key stage two class any day! :-)
Love it! You are brilliant teacher so any class or year group would be lucky to have you. Reception children are like another species especially if used to KS2!
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