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. :) ***
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
that inept teacher...
Today my cooperating teacher, Jessica, was absent for the morning. She is the union rep for our school and so had a meeting to attend. Her student teacher from last winter semester was here as our classroom substitute. She's totally fabulous to work with because she knows all about all of the classroom routines and stuff since she became completely comfortable with them last year. She knows just what Jessica expects and likes and dislikes and how to manage the kids. Wonderful... easy morning, right? WRONG!
Jessica asked me yesterday if I would like to lead our math lesson for the morning and then transition and lead word study. I, of course, said "sure," (because when do you ever say no to a reasonable request from your cooperating teacher?) and then started to get nervous. She had the lesson marked in the math master's book for me to look at and I was able to teach right from the book. After two weeks of the word study routine both the students and I know exactly what to do there. It should've been easy and gone off without a hitch... but it didn't. Partly because the kids were all jazzed up because there was a substitute and partly because I've never officially led the entire class in a lesson before.
Things were unfamiliar for them and they were needing some comfort from their well-loved teacher, I guess. They were bananas. It was so frustrating and I just felt defeated in my attempt to gain control of the group. Laura, the sub, suggested I use the microphone system for the room, which helped a bit but I was just so discouraged that I would even need it! That might sound silly... but I don't usually need any voice amplification when trying to get the attention of kids. But then again, shouting at the top of my voice is not exactly encouraged in the classroom.
Anyway, I survived and so did the kids. Things were just a bit difficult while in the midst of the lessons. I ran long on time and the kids had to go back and finish work they should've had completed while I was teaching later on in the day.
Laura was super nice and said I did great... and I guess things weren't SO bad. I just had higher hopes. I suppose the more I develop my relationship with the class the more they'll grow to respect me and the easier it will be for them to follow my directions. I just don't want to be that inept teacher that everyone talks about, you know?
Jessica asked me yesterday if I would like to lead our math lesson for the morning and then transition and lead word study. I, of course, said "sure," (because when do you ever say no to a reasonable request from your cooperating teacher?) and then started to get nervous. She had the lesson marked in the math master's book for me to look at and I was able to teach right from the book. After two weeks of the word study routine both the students and I know exactly what to do there. It should've been easy and gone off without a hitch... but it didn't. Partly because the kids were all jazzed up because there was a substitute and partly because I've never officially led the entire class in a lesson before.
Things were unfamiliar for them and they were needing some comfort from their well-loved teacher, I guess. They were bananas. It was so frustrating and I just felt defeated in my attempt to gain control of the group. Laura, the sub, suggested I use the microphone system for the room, which helped a bit but I was just so discouraged that I would even need it! That might sound silly... but I don't usually need any voice amplification when trying to get the attention of kids. But then again, shouting at the top of my voice is not exactly encouraged in the classroom.
Anyway, I survived and so did the kids. Things were just a bit difficult while in the midst of the lessons. I ran long on time and the kids had to go back and finish work they should've had completed while I was teaching later on in the day.
Laura was super nice and said I did great... and I guess things weren't SO bad. I just had higher hopes. I suppose the more I develop my relationship with the class the more they'll grow to respect me and the easier it will be for them to follow my directions. I just don't want to be that inept teacher that everyone talks about, you know?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Things in general
This last week has been awesome. I had a workshop on Tuesday that explained all of my requirements for student teaching for the rest of the semester... just what I've needed and been waiting for! I left the WISD that day feeling relieved and much more confident, which was awesome.
My workshop ended just in time for me to scuttle across the driveway and work the 3 hour shift at HCrizzle's aftercare. I've missed being there! More than my co-workers and the kids, I've missed feeling comfortable in what I'm doing. Student teaching's been going extremely well (more about that in a bit as I continue the week's update) but I still feel uncomfortable enough that I've been having some anxiety symptoms popping up in my life (jaw clenching, migraines, etc.). So, it was nice to be back in the swing of something I'm completely comfortable with for an afternoon. I think working that afternoon in aftercare was the shot in the arm I needed to assert myself a bit more in my classroom at Thurston too.
My birthday was on Thursday. My class sang me happy birthday and I got to wear a lei all day and choose a pencil and eraser from the birthday box! :) The kids presented me with a card they'd all signed on Tuesday when I was at my workshop. It was awesome. After school I went right to Kevin's to open presents from all those Korpals. We stopped by my apartment to take care of the Lu and then went to dinner at the Olive Garden. While perhaps not the best Italian food ever and obviously a chain restaurant (which I guess means it sucks... :)) the Olive Garden is where we've gone every year for the last... uh... 5 years(?) for my birthday. I love the tradition of going there and getting the same dish... it's just familiar and comfortable. It also makes for an extremely relaxing birthday experience. I got some great gifts and just had a wonderful time.
Yesterday was the best day of student teaching yet. I got to do some real individualized instruction and my students accomplished so much in one day! It seemed like every strategy I tried worked perfectly yesterday and I was so excited. I'm getting to know the kids so much better now and I really feel like they're my class as well as my cooperating teacher's which is so great.
I'm working on my unit all weekend and starting to prepare for my first observation on the 22nd. My unit is on Habitats. I'm so stinkin' excited to do well this semester and I'm starting to feel confident that I will.
In other news:
I got a tub of composting worms from Barbara Naess. They are currently hard at work making fabulous dirt that I will use next year for planting things! How exciting is that?! I think they're also going to make an appearance in my classroom... :)
Remember that student teacher friend I made my first week? She's been placed at Thurston by my supervisor too along with the other girl that's down the hall a ways. We're "required" to meet at lunch and discuss how things are going so we all have some support system in place for when things are difficult. Anyway, my new friend turns out to be a wealth of information when it comes to wedding planning and Kevin and I have added a caterer she recommended to our list of people to check out. She promised to bring in her planning book for me to peruse and get even more ideas!
Life's good sometimes, you know?
My workshop ended just in time for me to scuttle across the driveway and work the 3 hour shift at HCrizzle's aftercare. I've missed being there! More than my co-workers and the kids, I've missed feeling comfortable in what I'm doing. Student teaching's been going extremely well (more about that in a bit as I continue the week's update) but I still feel uncomfortable enough that I've been having some anxiety symptoms popping up in my life (jaw clenching, migraines, etc.). So, it was nice to be back in the swing of something I'm completely comfortable with for an afternoon. I think working that afternoon in aftercare was the shot in the arm I needed to assert myself a bit more in my classroom at Thurston too.
My birthday was on Thursday. My class sang me happy birthday and I got to wear a lei all day and choose a pencil and eraser from the birthday box! :) The kids presented me with a card they'd all signed on Tuesday when I was at my workshop. It was awesome. After school I went right to Kevin's to open presents from all those Korpals. We stopped by my apartment to take care of the Lu and then went to dinner at the Olive Garden. While perhaps not the best Italian food ever and obviously a chain restaurant (which I guess means it sucks... :)) the Olive Garden is where we've gone every year for the last... uh... 5 years(?) for my birthday. I love the tradition of going there and getting the same dish... it's just familiar and comfortable. It also makes for an extremely relaxing birthday experience. I got some great gifts and just had a wonderful time.
Yesterday was the best day of student teaching yet. I got to do some real individualized instruction and my students accomplished so much in one day! It seemed like every strategy I tried worked perfectly yesterday and I was so excited. I'm getting to know the kids so much better now and I really feel like they're my class as well as my cooperating teacher's which is so great.
I'm working on my unit all weekend and starting to prepare for my first observation on the 22nd. My unit is on Habitats. I'm so stinkin' excited to do well this semester and I'm starting to feel confident that I will.
In other news:
I got a tub of composting worms from Barbara Naess. They are currently hard at work making fabulous dirt that I will use next year for planting things! How exciting is that?! I think they're also going to make an appearance in my classroom... :)
Remember that student teacher friend I made my first week? She's been placed at Thurston by my supervisor too along with the other girl that's down the hall a ways. We're "required" to meet at lunch and discuss how things are going so we all have some support system in place for when things are difficult. Anyway, my new friend turns out to be a wealth of information when it comes to wedding planning and Kevin and I have added a caterer she recommended to our list of people to check out. She promised to bring in her planning book for me to peruse and get even more ideas!
Life's good sometimes, you know?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Day 1
I am happy to report that I have survived my first day of student teaching! Holy cows, friends... I'm so glad that things aren't as scary as I was making them out to be in my mind. I did a tiny bit of talking to the class as a whole and a bit more talking one on one with a few of the kids. Things basically revolved around rules and procedures which is what I expected for the first day.
The class is super cute and I think I've gotten all of their names down already. There are a few kids that will certainly be a challenge to work with and given some information about their homes provided by their previous teachers, their parents will also be a challenge. One child in particular showed his true colors for mischief almost all day today: poking his neighbors, talking during directions, slumping in his seat, tapping his pencil, taking pencils from other students, getting up and wandering around the room, etc., etc., etc. (they don't sound like serious issues but of course all of those things can be very distracting and disruptive when done at inappropriate times) This was a bit surprising as most students are usually uncomfortable being little stinkers on the first day before they know how the teacher will react to their bad behavior... my new friend doesn't seem to have those inhibitions. We shall see what happens there.
The day went by very fast but I was so ready for the end when it came. Today was flippin hot outside and our building doesn't have any AC (except in the office). That was a bit rough but since that was my biggest complaint of the day I think things are going to go really well. I'm feeling more relaxed and I'm so thankful that my cooperating teacher is easing me in to the more prominent role I will have a bit later on in the semester.
Another exciting thing: there's another student teacher in the classroom across the hall that I kind of made friends with at lunch. I don't know if she knows my name but she was super nice and we had a fun talk about how the day was going so far and our EMU experiences. Further conversation revealed that we're both getting married next year and are trying to get wedding planning done AND that we're both having our receptions at the Milan Community Center! Holy cows, right?
Anyway: I'm feeling optimistic for the new year and am excited to be gaining more experience with more kids and another great teacher. Hooray!
The class is super cute and I think I've gotten all of their names down already. There are a few kids that will certainly be a challenge to work with and given some information about their homes provided by their previous teachers, their parents will also be a challenge. One child in particular showed his true colors for mischief almost all day today: poking his neighbors, talking during directions, slumping in his seat, tapping his pencil, taking pencils from other students, getting up and wandering around the room, etc., etc., etc. (they don't sound like serious issues but of course all of those things can be very distracting and disruptive when done at inappropriate times) This was a bit surprising as most students are usually uncomfortable being little stinkers on the first day before they know how the teacher will react to their bad behavior... my new friend doesn't seem to have those inhibitions. We shall see what happens there.
The day went by very fast but I was so ready for the end when it came. Today was flippin hot outside and our building doesn't have any AC (except in the office). That was a bit rough but since that was my biggest complaint of the day I think things are going to go really well. I'm feeling more relaxed and I'm so thankful that my cooperating teacher is easing me in to the more prominent role I will have a bit later on in the semester.
Another exciting thing: there's another student teacher in the classroom across the hall that I kind of made friends with at lunch. I don't know if she knows my name but she was super nice and we had a fun talk about how the day was going so far and our EMU experiences. Further conversation revealed that we're both getting married next year and are trying to get wedding planning done AND that we're both having our receptions at the Milan Community Center! Holy cows, right?
Anyway: I'm feeling optimistic for the new year and am excited to be gaining more experience with more kids and another great teacher. Hooray!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Cool Things
Just wanted to share some cool stuff I've seen lately.
My sister sent me this video. Pretty stinkin' cool. It made Kevin want a lion for a pet real bad.
Christian the Lion
Shellee showed me pictures of these crazy watermelons! Japanese farmers are geniuses. (the article is the first link)
Square Watermelon pictures
After the "What What" craze, Amy J. told me about this video. It has become HCreek's unofficial theme song for the summer. "How's your loony bun?" is frequently heard over the walkies and Ty is now known as Benny Lava.
Benny Lava
Ashley and Aaron had this video posted on their blog and I pretty much loved it. I sent it to some people on my email list and then while introducing a video assignment in my technology class, my professor showed it to me again. It's great.
Where is Matt?
I was shown these in my technology class also. They blew my mind. They also definitely present a challenge for teachers in the "techno age."
Cyber-Bullying #1 #2
This is just sweet.
Creeping Oobleck
My sister sent me this video. Pretty stinkin' cool. It made Kevin want a lion for a pet real bad.
Christian the Lion
Shellee showed me pictures of these crazy watermelons! Japanese farmers are geniuses. (the article is the first link)
Square Watermelon pictures
After the "What What" craze, Amy J. told me about this video. It has become HCreek's unofficial theme song for the summer. "How's your loony bun?" is frequently heard over the walkies and Ty is now known as Benny Lava.
Benny Lava
Ashley and Aaron had this video posted on their blog and I pretty much loved it. I sent it to some people on my email list and then while introducing a video assignment in my technology class, my professor showed it to me again. It's great.
Where is Matt?
I was shown these in my technology class also. They blew my mind. They also definitely present a challenge for teachers in the "techno age."
Cyber-Bullying #1 #2
This is just sweet.
Creeping Oobleck
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