Service Learning Assignment

I plan on doing my observation hours at Timpanogos Elementary School.  I chose this school because I pass it daily on the way to my job after my own schooling hours at UVU and it reminds me daily of my years as a student and how I wish one day to enter into those hallways and contribute back as an educator, mind you I have never attended nor stepped foot in Timpanogos Elementary School.  

What I have found to be interesting and exciting to hear about Timpanogos Elementary School is two things.  First Timpanogos Elementary School wishes to further students education and learning through use of technology where they provide every two students a computer where they collaborate and work together on projects.  I think the use of technology is great in which these students are using their resources wisely as well I like the thought of having two students work together that way they can keep each other accountable of going on anything inappropriate or harmful to the student, plus Im sure the school has firewalls and restrictions on websites. The other program that Timpanogos Elementary School seems to use as a strength in their students learning is dual language enrollment where the classrooms are taught 50/50 in English and Spanish.  The classrooms are created (to the best of their ability) with half native English speakers and half native Spanish speakers and the students help each other grow and develop fluency in a second language.  I think this is the best age group for individuals to learn a second language and this is really exciting to me to hear about this and am very curious to see how successful it is and if the results are positive. The schools website says that one of the results of doing this helps students overcome and accept differences between different cultures.

My understanding of the Student Service Learning assignment that I have been given is that I need to find a school which I have decided upon Timpanogos Elementary and I will go there between 2-3 hours a week and observe and also teach or go one on one with students in helping them learn to see if this is a good career choice for me.  Going into another teachers classroom will also be able to help me get a first look at another teacher in their classroom and be able to take from their style what I wish to implement and not take in for my own future teaching style and lesson schedule. I am excited for this assignment, I am just not looking forward to how busy I will be with school, work, personal life and these hours on top of everything.