But before my vacations started, I spent lots of my free time volunteering in Hugo's "maternelle" class (the French equivalent of kindergarten). As a teacher, this was particularly exciting for me! I had asked multiple times if I was ever needed for help or anything like that, and his teacher finally had a job for me: help supervise the making of truffles ("truffe au chocolate") and share some American Christmas music and stories with the kids.
Before the week of helping out arrived, I felt very excited, but also a bit wary to be honest: it was almost like going back to my first day of student teaching when I had no idea what I was doing. Except that this time, it was with 30 children who spoke a language I only had a basic grasp of (if that).
But when I entered the classroom, I instantly felt at home. It looked a lot like an American kindergarten room, but with small changes.
Without further ado, the teacher took all 32 of us to the tiny kitchen and proceeded to explain the directions for the truffle recipe. They were making them from scratch. That was my first shock, as everyone knows that nothing is made from scratch in America (ok ok, almost nothing). But a bigger shock came next: the teacher whipped out two hardcore knives and asked me to cut the vanilla stick and scrape it into the bowl... inches away from the kids. As I did this, I almost had a panic attack as a massive group of 5-year-olds clustered around my elbow to watch.
But the surprises weren't over. She then asked me to turn the stove on and heat the chocolate/milk/vanilla/butter mixture until it was very hot. And she had Hugo be my helper. In the United States, any knife that isn't plastic is essentially forbidden in a school. Also, you would never have a stove burning chocolate for all the kids to help mix:
I love how bored the kid next to Hugo looks. Hahaha!
After we had stirred the truffle chocolate mix enough, we put it into the fridge and it was my turn to take over the class.
It was a bit intimidating, to say the least!
I had found a book at the local International library. The theme of this week was Noël (Christmas). So I started reading this book about a postman delivering Christmas letters... It was in English, so everyone except Hugo was completely lost. But they were still so captivated! I find that children are much more frank with their fascination with my "strangeness" (I speak weirdly, after all). They stare at me, they ask me to speak in English, they try to talk to me in French, they throw things at me, they laugh and make fun of me. (Not all of it has been good, sadly). But these kids were just so sweet and kind.
The next day we finished making the truffles. The kids got insanely messy, and I got to know a bunch of them even more as I went around taking their picture:
After we finished with the truffles, I took over the class again. This time I taught them "Jingle Bells", a song that they already know because there is a French version called "Vive Le Vent" (long live the wind) to the same melody. I'm not sure how successful I was with the English version, as the kids seemed to be pronouncing the English words wrong, but it was very cute nonetheless!
It was an amazing week and I can't wait to return to help out again (hopefully that will be soon)!
À bientôt!! :)
I am in awe of how adorable those kids are! And like you, I am also in awe of the fact that they made you use a knife with kids in the vicinity! Oh my. Like you said, in America it would be plastic butter knives all the way. :P
ReplyDeleteIt is so great that you got to help out in Hugo's classroom! It sounds like a fun and interesting experience and I hope you can do it again. :)
LOVE your boots by the way! I fell in love with them in the 3rd picture. :P
Miss you!!
Lol oh Dee, you crack me up so bad. Perhaps in the public schools you have been to sharp knives and kids helping to actually cook was strange, but that is something that the early childhood field has been trying to change for some time. The places I've worked are inspired by Reggio, Piaget and Montessori and we encourage children to see how things are made, from the beginning, and to help through the whole process.
ReplyDeleteI have used knives among a swarm of children as young as 1 1/2 year olds, as well as had them help to add things into the pan or stir. As long as you explain to them very clearly what is going on, what the dangers are,what is expected of them and give them the tools to achieve this safely, they do great. They understand/are capable of much more than adults give them credit for and I have yet to have/see an accident (I've probably done 200+ projects myself and have see MANY more). The best way for children to be learn(while being careful) in these situations is to have first hand experience under your guidance. If you think about it it is actually safer in the long run cause they are learning to do things properly instead of being left to figure things out on their own later and making dangerous mistakes.
I hope that you remember what you have learned and integrate it into your philosophy as an educator, and if you come back to the states help to educate other adults around you about this. Sorry I totally went on a rant there lol it is about something I love :P I miss you sooo much but it helps to know that you are having a blast!
The pictures of you in front of the class made me melt. I miss teaching with you! I can't believe how lucky we were to have that happen. They look so engaged and excited!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I miss you so much! And I love when you update your blog.
Love love love,
Becca
Sounds like sooo much fun! I'm glad you're having such a good time. I remember in preschool we were cooking something and I was the only kid who was allowed to use a real knife to cut veggies because my mom said I had used them before at home.
ReplyDeleteThanks for updating your blog! Oh! Jen Salzberg is going to be in Europe soon - not sure where though. You should drop her a line!