Keeping everyone going

Deirdre Newman

Being a first-grade teacher is all about multi-tasking. Kristin

Stephenson at Andersen Elementary School in Newport Beach runs her

classroom like a well-oiled machine. The room percolates with

activity as the students take turns at various project centers.

In one part of the room, students are busy finishing up an art

project. In another corner, the first-graders cozily lie on the floor

and read. And in another nook, students are seated around a table

learning about time.

Parent volunteers help the operation run smoothly by working with

groups of children.

“What we try to do is use parent helpers and have tasks that the

kids have practiced so they know what to do,” Stephenson said. “We

only do things they can do independently. They’re child-centered

groups.”

On a recent Friday morning, one group of youngsters was finishing

up a spooky Halloween project -- painting bats carved out of midnight

black wood.

“I think bats are scary,” said McKay Murtaugh, 7. “I’m going to

put it up on the front door.”

At the same time, in the reading area, Stephenson was reading with

a group of five students. Many of them were sprawled out on the floor

but one sat on a giant couch in the reading area. They read a short

book out loud together.

Meanwhile, parent Allyson Brooks was seated at a circular table

with a group of students with miniature clocks teaching them the

valuable lesson of telling time.

“I love seeing kids in their workplace, getting to know their

friends and keeping up with my own skills,” Brooks said. “I learn

something new every day.”

The children’s ability to maneuver effortlessly around the room is

a testament to the relaxed environment Stephenson has created in her

classroom.

“As a parent, I really want kids to feel comfortable,” Stephenson

said. “The comfort level is really important for first-graders

because reading and writing [at this age] is really hard.”

Stephenson said the movement generated by the various centers

provides important transition time for her students to refocus.

One of Stephenson’s students said she enjoys the opportunity to do

so many different projects.

“I like the teacher because she lets us do lots of fun stuff and

we get to learn a lot,” said Allison Gordon, 6.

* IN THE CLASSROOM is a weekly feature in which Daily Pilot

education writer Deirdre Newman visits a campus in the Newport-Mesa

area and writes about her experience.