I am currently at the library to do my planning for the next week of solo teaching. I only have 5 more days to go! While the idea of graduation gets me feeling feverishly excited and oh so happy, those feelings are taking a back burner position to sad and depressed right now.
While I'm finishing up my career as an undergrad student, other changes are also taking place. My roommate, Bethany, and I are going our separate ways. Our lease is up December 1st. She has a new apartment a few minutes from where we've lived for the last two years and I will be returning home.
The thought of moving home is not all that depressing. True, I don't really have a bedroom there anymore (my brothers, who used to share a room, now occupy both upstairs bedrooms) and the house is about 15 minutes further away from everything, including Kevin, and all of my stuff will be in boxes for about 3 months. But I will be going home. I have missed being there. And I've missed my brothers, so reconnecting with them and seeing them more often before I go off and get married will be nice, I suppose.
But I've really loved having such a great roommate and I'm really sad that we won't be living together anymore. I feel like I'm losing a friend (and a pet). She's been great about putting up with me and my current messy ways and has been great to spend time with and see every day (even for a very short amount of time). There have been things about our living together that have annoyed me (and I KNOW she's been annoyed from time to time too) but it's just been wonderful to share a space with such a great friend.
I'm going to miss you, Beth. I know we'll still get to spend time together now and then but it just won't be the same. Thanks for putting up with me for so long and for being so understanding. Love you.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Bats, Strange and Wonderful
Boy oh boy! It has been quite a while since my last post. Many things have happened since last I wrote. I will attempt to bring everyone up to date.
Student teaching has been going well. I had a horrible 2nd observation. My lesson was a complete flop and I was an emotional wreck for about a week before and after. (of course I feel like I'm pretty much consistently an emotional wreck lately but those couple of weeks were particularly turbulent (spontaneously sobbing for no apparent reason is very draining... I think I need to learn some stress management techniques)) After hitting a wall the way I did I was kind of snapped into action. Things have so quickly and drastically changed for the better for me... it's unbelievable. I came up with a special rules chart specific to my time with my students, I started to get really prepared far in advance for every lesson I was teaching. I'm now in charge of math, word study, science and all transitions throughout the day.
Last week my CT was gone from Monday afternoon on. Monday morning was my 3rd observation (which went so well that I cried again) and then my CT had an appointment with her doctor. She's been dealing with some ongoing health issues and last week was hard for her. It was also hard for me as she was going day by day to see if she would be able to return to school... we had 4 different subs in 5 days. I can only just imagine the chaos that would have been our classroom if I hadn't been there all week. Things were difficult also because I was dog sitting for the Scampi last week. That basically meant a lot of extra driving and next to no sleep all week long.
The overall experience of the week was good. I'm feeling warmed up and fortified for my solo teaching (which starts next week). I gained some confidence to stand on my own and deal with any issues in the classroom by myself with little to no input from another teacher. I got so many compliments from teachers in the building (who came in to check on us), the subs I worked with, and my CT who I was in close contact with via phone and email all week. All of that was nice.
I'm still not feeling completely ready and confident: remembering of course that I have a final observation next week while I'm by myself and that I'm planning all of every day. It will be nice to prove myself and put all that I've learned into practice, however. I only wish I could stock up on sleep ahead of time... too bad it doesn't work that way.
Now for something a bit more fun.
Although Kevin and I did not really participate much in Halloween this year, we were able to attend a fun murder mystery dinner at church on Sunday. The mystery took place in 1847 in the Wild West and we were given characters to play and had to dress up in costumes and everything! We brought themed food and were acting for the night. I, admittedly, had a pretty difficult time staying "in character" and mingling with everyone. I felt a bit nervous not knowing the other people and stayed basically aloof for the night.... I'm ashamed to say I was not very friendly at all. I had a great time, however, watching all of the talented and enthusiastic people around me and I loved seeing the mystery unfold and get solved. Turns out my husband dunnit.
As part of our recent studies in science and given that Halloween was last week, we have been learning about bats. We read some books, examined some posters, and watched a video to learn a bit about them before our extra special visit this afternoon. The Cranbrook Science Institute's Bat Zone brought in some real life bats for us to see! The presenter was great: even tempered, patient, and so informative. I got some rather blurry pictures but it was so cool! I've decided a visit to the Bat Zone to see the rest of their bats and the other exhibits is absolutely necessary (when I have the time).
Our culminating activity for the unit I taught on Habitats was completed last week. My kids are so adorable. I got such great results from them and all of this stuff is going to be awesome for my portfolio. This was the reminder sign for our 'sharing museum' to make sure we were all respectful to all of the exhibits being displayed.
Fall is my favorite time of year. I took pictures last year of some of the leaf prints I saw on the sidewalk on my way to and from classes... one of my favorite evidences for this season. Leaves are spectacular and such a pleasure to see as I drive, walk, peer out of windows. Another of my favorite things about fall are the bustling, chirping bushes I see and hear everywhere I go. Little birds have kicked their bodies into high gear and are so busy flying about and making noise... it's so energizing. I was next to this bush earlier today... I wonder how many little faces can be seen clearly here. There were easily 50+ birds in the bush.
I can't stand drinking pop. I had one tonight with my "dinner" and felt awful afterward. Soft drinks are anything but soft. They upset my stomach and burn my nose when I burp. *bleah* They're too sweet and too fizzy... carbonation makes me sick. I've decided that in future I will forgo any and all "sticky drinks" that come my way.
I saw my sister at the end of September in Chicago. It was a hectic weekend but seeing her was nice and I'm glad we got to spend some time together. This was my extra special birthday present. She did such a great job.
I guess that's about all for now... hopefully I'll be updating the blog more often.
*** addition: As Kevin's comment reminded me, I forgot to mention our recent food tasting with one of the caterers we're considering for our reception. The food was awesome. We'll see how the other two turn out.... Exciting stuff! Decision coming soon. :) ***
Student teaching has been going well. I had a horrible 2nd observation. My lesson was a complete flop and I was an emotional wreck for about a week before and after. (of course I feel like I'm pretty much consistently an emotional wreck lately but those couple of weeks were particularly turbulent (spontaneously sobbing for no apparent reason is very draining... I think I need to learn some stress management techniques)) After hitting a wall the way I did I was kind of snapped into action. Things have so quickly and drastically changed for the better for me... it's unbelievable. I came up with a special rules chart specific to my time with my students, I started to get really prepared far in advance for every lesson I was teaching. I'm now in charge of math, word study, science and all transitions throughout the day.
Last week my CT was gone from Monday afternoon on. Monday morning was my 3rd observation (which went so well that I cried again) and then my CT had an appointment with her doctor. She's been dealing with some ongoing health issues and last week was hard for her. It was also hard for me as she was going day by day to see if she would be able to return to school... we had 4 different subs in 5 days. I can only just imagine the chaos that would have been our classroom if I hadn't been there all week. Things were difficult also because I was dog sitting for the Scampi last week. That basically meant a lot of extra driving and next to no sleep all week long.
The overall experience of the week was good. I'm feeling warmed up and fortified for my solo teaching (which starts next week). I gained some confidence to stand on my own and deal with any issues in the classroom by myself with little to no input from another teacher. I got so many compliments from teachers in the building (who came in to check on us), the subs I worked with, and my CT who I was in close contact with via phone and email all week. All of that was nice.
I'm still not feeling completely ready and confident: remembering of course that I have a final observation next week while I'm by myself and that I'm planning all of every day. It will be nice to prove myself and put all that I've learned into practice, however. I only wish I could stock up on sleep ahead of time... too bad it doesn't work that way.
Now for something a bit more fun.
Although Kevin and I did not really participate much in Halloween this year, we were able to attend a fun murder mystery dinner at church on Sunday. The mystery took place in 1847 in the Wild West and we were given characters to play and had to dress up in costumes and everything! We brought themed food and were acting for the night. I, admittedly, had a pretty difficult time staying "in character" and mingling with everyone. I felt a bit nervous not knowing the other people and stayed basically aloof for the night.... I'm ashamed to say I was not very friendly at all. I had a great time, however, watching all of the talented and enthusiastic people around me and I loved seeing the mystery unfold and get solved. Turns out my husband dunnit.
As part of our recent studies in science and given that Halloween was last week, we have been learning about bats. We read some books, examined some posters, and watched a video to learn a bit about them before our extra special visit this afternoon. The Cranbrook Science Institute's Bat Zone brought in some real life bats for us to see! The presenter was great: even tempered, patient, and so informative. I got some rather blurry pictures but it was so cool! I've decided a visit to the Bat Zone to see the rest of their bats and the other exhibits is absolutely necessary (when I have the time).
Our culminating activity for the unit I taught on Habitats was completed last week. My kids are so adorable. I got such great results from them and all of this stuff is going to be awesome for my portfolio. This was the reminder sign for our 'sharing museum' to make sure we were all respectful to all of the exhibits being displayed.
Fall is my favorite time of year. I took pictures last year of some of the leaf prints I saw on the sidewalk on my way to and from classes... one of my favorite evidences for this season. Leaves are spectacular and such a pleasure to see as I drive, walk, peer out of windows. Another of my favorite things about fall are the bustling, chirping bushes I see and hear everywhere I go. Little birds have kicked their bodies into high gear and are so busy flying about and making noise... it's so energizing. I was next to this bush earlier today... I wonder how many little faces can be seen clearly here. There were easily 50+ birds in the bush.
I can't stand drinking pop. I had one tonight with my "dinner" and felt awful afterward. Soft drinks are anything but soft. They upset my stomach and burn my nose when I burp. *bleah* They're too sweet and too fizzy... carbonation makes me sick. I've decided that in future I will forgo any and all "sticky drinks" that come my way.
I saw my sister at the end of September in Chicago. It was a hectic weekend but seeing her was nice and I'm glad we got to spend some time together. This was my extra special birthday present. She did such a great job.
I guess that's about all for now... hopefully I'll be updating the blog more often.
*** addition: As Kevin's comment reminded me, I forgot to mention our recent food tasting with one of the caterers we're considering for our reception. The food was awesome. We'll see how the other two turn out.... Exciting stuff! Decision coming soon. :) ***
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