Campus Connection

UWL teacher candidates lead 4-year-old classroom through a lesson at college

"Dance, Rhyme and FREEZE” could be heard echoing through the corridors of Morris Hall when UWL’s youngest students arrived for their day at college. 

Jodi Strong’s class of 4-year-olds from the Campus Child Center participated in an hour-long lesson taught by teacher candidates Ella Salewski and Eleanor Stoelk on April 17.

“We say that the kids are going to college for a day,” says Ann Epstein, the educational studies professor who helped prepare Salewski and Stoelk for their lesson. "This is the first time ‘college day’ has been organized with just two teacher candidates and a large group of kids. It was smooth sailing!” 

Oliver, a 4-year-old in Miss Jodi’s class, says that the room in Morris was bigger than their normal room in the Campus Child Center. 

“This classroom is bigger and looks different than my normal classroom,” Oliver says. “I’ve actually been in a bigger one before, but this is good, too.” 

Salewski and Stoelk, both majoring in early childhood education, explain that most preparation for their lesson was done in class. A week before the lesson, they did a trial run – rearranging furniture in the mock-classroom in Morris Hall and figuring out what materials they needed before carrying out their lesson. 

“We met with Jodi beforehand to get to know the students and their needs,” Stoelk says. “Jodi shared their interests and what they’re good at. This is when we found out the students were advanced in literacy, so we decided that rhyming would be the topic of the day.”

Activities, curated by Salewski and Stoelk, were designed to help the kids practice rhyming in fun, engaging ways. After participating in a movement-based exercise that incorporated rhyming, the students were split into small groups. Salewski led an activity in which students used shaving cream to spell rhyming words, and Stoelk’s activity used pipe cleaners and letter-beads as a mode for students to identify and spell rhyming words. 

“I think today was very good,” says 4-year-old Emerson. “I liked having Miss Ella and Miss Eleanor as my teachers so much!” 

The experience of leading a lesson provided an opportunity for Salewski and Stoelk to practice the nuance that teaching requires. 

“I learned that teaching always has to be adjusted based off of different groups and what they respond well to,” Salewski says. “Observing what students are having a hard time with and knowing when to continue or pivot.” 

Stoelk agrees, saying, “It’s nice to practice balancing whether to help by providing examples or stand back and let them work through it on their own.” 

For the young students, the day was a hit. The students appreciated their kindness and fun activities. 

Oliver says, "Miss Ella and Miss Eleanor are very nice.”