Teaching Journal 2

October 30, 2025 - (BTS Internship Week 5)

On this day at Sunburst Elementary, we started a project about Greek pottery in a second grade class. The students were very sweet. They have been learning about Ancient Greece, so they were very knowledgable about Greek gods and goddesses, mythological creatures, and legends. Their first task was to use a reference sheet, or their own imagination, to draw patterns across their paper pot. As I walked around, I noticed a student who hadn’t started yet. I asked him how it was going, and he listed off a string of explanations, “I can’t do it.” “I don’t know how,” “It’s hard.” I drew a few patterns with him, and told him I would be back in a few minutes to see his progress. When I came back around 10 minutes later, he had completed the whole thing! I knew he could do it, and I could tell he was proud, too. This brought back to memory something I had learned in my Classroom Management class, the fact that what motivates one student, may not motivate another. I learned that his motivators are direct instruction and accountability. 

November 13, 2025 - (BTS Internship Week 7)

Today we finished our lesson on Greek Pottery at Sunburst Elementary. I love this school and hope I get to teach at another one like it someday. The students are so well-behaved and respectful.  Second graders' art skills are in the Schematic stage of drawing, but many of them did really well with following directions on this project, and came out with a nice finished piece. A few chose to follow the beat of their own drum, and that’s ok, too. One kid walked away with a “67” pot. Something I’ve learned throughout the BTS internship is some students choose not to follow directions because they like their idea better, while others need more clarity, and others just weren’t listening. Whatever the case, and whatever the finished product, I believe the experience of making art is what serves them the best.