Ahh... done with student teaching and the term. Time to be a college student again. Last night David, the best of best friends that I have, came down and we had some fun watching the Ducks game and making sure that there really wasn't much effort getting rid of a half of a bottle of alcohol. Gotta love rum and coke.
After David left, I went around cleaning the apartment so I can leave for the week. So finally I got around to cooking dinner. I decided that I wanted to marinade the chicken and then cook it in the marinade. WELL... that was a big mistake!!! IT went horrible and needless to say thanks to mom's gift card Im on my way out to get a pizza. The only question left. Cheep or good pizza? 5 dollars or 11? I think the 11 is worth it!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Final Eval
Today was my final evaluation for student teaching. It went well. The lowest score I got out of four was a 3.5 I believe. I need to work on different teaching strategies. This can include role plays, which can help in areas such as English and health. Also I think a lot of this could include a lot of SuperCamp ideas.
I also need to think about the use of time. Planning out chunks of time to make sure all time is being used, or we are getting through the whole lesson in a given amount of time is something I need to work on.
I think those were the major areas in which I need to work on next year. On a personal level I think I need to work on positive vs negative reinforcement when it comes to discipline. I guess I feel like I could have been suported more during the entire process from my teacher. She said today that she may have steped in more than she should which is totally correct and it would have been interesting to have a little more support when it comes to doing it totally on my own.
O well.. two and one half day and its over!!! My kids are starting to be sad that I am leaving which is totally cute!
I also need to think about the use of time. Planning out chunks of time to make sure all time is being used, or we are getting through the whole lesson in a given amount of time is something I need to work on.
I think those were the major areas in which I need to work on next year. On a personal level I think I need to work on positive vs negative reinforcement when it comes to discipline. I guess I feel like I could have been suported more during the entire process from my teacher. She said today that she may have steped in more than she should which is totally correct and it would have been interesting to have a little more support when it comes to doing it totally on my own.
O well.. two and one half day and its over!!! My kids are starting to be sad that I am leaving which is totally cute!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Student Teaching
Student teaching is coming to a close. How sad right? It is very sad. I am going to miss these kids. I am also feeling like I may have not made the best out of this experience. Don't get me wrong, it has been a GREAT experience and I am going to miss these kids lots and lots. But looking back there are things I need to do next year to make things go smoother. For example
1. I am having issues seeing the growth in students. I realize I can see their grades but the individual growth in kids I just don't see it. I see the growth of one student but that's about it. I've decided that one thing I need to do is keep a running record of all my students. Take one student a day and focus on them. Focus on their behavior, their test grades, their homework grades and everything. Doing this will help me to focus on individuals and how much they grow between focus days. Maybe that will help... something to try.
2. Another thing I can do to enhance the relationships I have with my students is to have lunch in the classroom. I had so much fun with the girls having lunch in here. The boys went a little wild but if they were eating with me it would be different and at the same time I get to see their personalities.
3. The last thing I am thinking right now is that I want to do writing conferences. Writing conferences are important to keep on track where students are in their spelling and writing in general. Also, very few students read their compositions out loud to see if they sound good.
These three things are important to me as a teacher to be able to know my kids inside and out. I hope to focus on these my first year teaching.
1. I am having issues seeing the growth in students. I realize I can see their grades but the individual growth in kids I just don't see it. I see the growth of one student but that's about it. I've decided that one thing I need to do is keep a running record of all my students. Take one student a day and focus on them. Focus on their behavior, their test grades, their homework grades and everything. Doing this will help me to focus on individuals and how much they grow between focus days. Maybe that will help... something to try.
2. Another thing I can do to enhance the relationships I have with my students is to have lunch in the classroom. I had so much fun with the girls having lunch in here. The boys went a little wild but if they were eating with me it would be different and at the same time I get to see their personalities.
3. The last thing I am thinking right now is that I want to do writing conferences. Writing conferences are important to keep on track where students are in their spelling and writing in general. Also, very few students read their compositions out loud to see if they sound good.
These three things are important to me as a teacher to be able to know my kids inside and out. I hope to focus on these my first year teaching.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Good Days
Today was a GREAT day. I finished my worksample and just got word that its GREAT. I finished my resubmit of an assignment for my class. And on top of that I got to catch up with a great friend.
Today my worksample is offically done. That is such a big relief. I am officially passing my student teaching since that is the only real assignment. Such a relief and a weight off my shoulders.
When it comes to the resubmit. It was because the teacher had rediculus ideas of how the assignment should be, aka one assignment being 45 pages at the very lease. Mine turned out to be 47 pages. I do admit that I tried to do it half assed but the assgiment was totally not worth my time.
As for catching up with a great friend. My boss, the one from the last year and a half, is so fun to talk to. She knows everything there is to know and it is so nice to talk to her. It is also great because she gives me the praise I don't get in other places. She is so glad I am coming back and she really appraciates that I am there. For me, that's rare in every day life. But that's another subject. I am so excited to go back to her and be able to talk to her again. She said something today... you look happy.
To tell you the truth. I am happy. I am happy that I feel ready to teach... Im happy with Eric and the love we have. It was fun to talk about Eric to my boss. I can't wait to see how different he is when he gets back. I do love him.
Today my worksample is offically done. That is such a big relief. I am officially passing my student teaching since that is the only real assignment. Such a relief and a weight off my shoulders.
When it comes to the resubmit. It was because the teacher had rediculus ideas of how the assignment should be, aka one assignment being 45 pages at the very lease. Mine turned out to be 47 pages. I do admit that I tried to do it half assed but the assgiment was totally not worth my time.
As for catching up with a great friend. My boss, the one from the last year and a half, is so fun to talk to. She knows everything there is to know and it is so nice to talk to her. It is also great because she gives me the praise I don't get in other places. She is so glad I am coming back and she really appraciates that I am there. For me, that's rare in every day life. But that's another subject. I am so excited to go back to her and be able to talk to her again. She said something today... you look happy.
To tell you the truth. I am happy. I am happy that I feel ready to teach... Im happy with Eric and the love we have. It was fun to talk about Eric to my boss. I can't wait to see how different he is when he gets back. I do love him.
Monday, March 12, 2007
So Frustrated
This is shit. I am so frustrated right now. I just got my assignment back. We had to review 15 websites on three different topics. That's fifteen pages. Then we had to include the cover sheet for ALL 15 WEBSITES... and make sure to link the information to the class. So basically I failed horribly because I didnt put the cover page on, I had the correct references... I had the informatino about the website. But since I didnt link to class content (she's the prof..shouldnt she know the material that was covered!?!?!) I failed. 30/75. Now I have to redo it this week if I want any chance to pass this waste of time class. Besides the fact that I have already printed 40 pages for this assignment because we also had to print the webpage. Now another 30 pages. fun times!
I hate people who do stupid assignments ontop of wasting paper. Lets see... AT LEAST 45 pages per person in a 60 person class. Lets just cut down a forest and burn it for no reason at all.
I hate people who do stupid assignments ontop of wasting paper. Lets see... AT LEAST 45 pages per person in a 60 person class. Lets just cut down a forest and burn it for no reason at all.
Friday, March 09, 2007
I FORGOT!!!
I forgot to inform my readers of my recient purchase! I bought my plane tickets to Vegas for Carrie's wedding and to Ithaca for camp! That makes it official... I'll be in New York state for the summer with a 1 way ticket!!!
An Interesting Twist
This week has had an interesting twist. On Wednesday I had my supervisor watching a lesson, which is a normal thing... not a big deal right? WRONG!!! My supervisory and teacher started talking, apparently I am not living up to my teachers standards when it comes to the kids working independently... or rather not working independently. I'm not cracking the whip as much as she would like me to I guess. So the idea that the two of them came up with was to have me watch and take notes on a lesson that my teacher is going to teach. They originally chose math, but my teacher decided on science.
Apparently my teacher is not good at science. So all morning I have been helping my teacher prep for her lesson. Teaching her the concepts and why everything works the way it does. I am worried that the idea of this lesson will go down the tubes because she has no clue what shes talking about. I really think that the kids are going to have no issues with this lesson and are going to know more than her.
The idea of my not cracking the whip with these kids is totally due to a difference in teaching style. My teacher is all about cracking the whip, making sure they are no task at all times and under her thumb. I am totally not that way. I would rather the kids not talk, but if they are talking it needs to be constructive. The lesson I taught the other day was hectic because we were building compasses and each kid had a different experience and we had to make sure all the kids got it. I realized I need to have some thing for kids to do when they are done, but that's something I am always struggling with. SIDE NOTE (O! Maybe I should do silly stories! Hmm.. I wonder if I can do that this weekend?? We shall see. I need to work on that.. that's such a good idea.) But other than that I think the lesson went well. And I also want kids to experiment with the materials when they are done, most of them are diving into the next lesson without even knowing it!!! Which puts them ahead but sweet...experimenting is fun.
So I guess that side note is my project for this weekend. WOOHO!!!!!
Apparently my teacher is not good at science. So all morning I have been helping my teacher prep for her lesson. Teaching her the concepts and why everything works the way it does. I am worried that the idea of this lesson will go down the tubes because she has no clue what shes talking about. I really think that the kids are going to have no issues with this lesson and are going to know more than her.
The idea of my not cracking the whip with these kids is totally due to a difference in teaching style. My teacher is all about cracking the whip, making sure they are no task at all times and under her thumb. I am totally not that way. I would rather the kids not talk, but if they are talking it needs to be constructive. The lesson I taught the other day was hectic because we were building compasses and each kid had a different experience and we had to make sure all the kids got it. I realized I need to have some thing for kids to do when they are done, but that's something I am always struggling with. SIDE NOTE (O! Maybe I should do silly stories! Hmm.. I wonder if I can do that this weekend?? We shall see. I need to work on that.. that's such a good idea.) But other than that I think the lesson went well. And I also want kids to experiment with the materials when they are done, most of them are diving into the next lesson without even knowing it!!! Which puts them ahead but sweet...experimenting is fun.
So I guess that side note is my project for this weekend. WOOHO!!!!!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Going Crazy
I am going crazy. This is what I have decided. I miss Eric lots and lots and not getting to talk to him has been hard. O well, but add in the rest of my life and I am gong crazy.
Student teaching is almost over thank goodness. I wish I could actually have the entire class. My teacher loves to do read aloud, which is fine but 25 mintues a day is killing my time line. We are working in technology into the hour time block that read aloud leaves me for science. If we even cut read aloud to 15 minutes that would give me more time to teach science instead of just kinda letting the kids go wild. No intro, because there is no time. It should be interesting. Tomorrow though we are having the whole hour and a half to build our compasses which is a good thing because it is a hard lesson.
On the personal front... I dont understand my life. Am I that good that I have no friends and am driving my family away? Mom and I aren't talking, I hardly ever see dad or grandpa, and I never get to see the rest of my family because I am too busy sitting on my ass doing nothing.
How the hell am I gunna survive in nyc with no friends (bc I suck at meeting them) and no family? This should be intersting...
Student teaching is almost over thank goodness. I wish I could actually have the entire class. My teacher loves to do read aloud, which is fine but 25 mintues a day is killing my time line. We are working in technology into the hour time block that read aloud leaves me for science. If we even cut read aloud to 15 minutes that would give me more time to teach science instead of just kinda letting the kids go wild. No intro, because there is no time. It should be interesting. Tomorrow though we are having the whole hour and a half to build our compasses which is a good thing because it is a hard lesson.
On the personal front... I dont understand my life. Am I that good that I have no friends and am driving my family away? Mom and I aren't talking, I hardly ever see dad or grandpa, and I never get to see the rest of my family because I am too busy sitting on my ass doing nothing.
How the hell am I gunna survive in nyc with no friends (bc I suck at meeting them) and no family? This should be intersting...
Friday, March 02, 2007
Sick and Frustrated
It has been a long week with me being sick. Being a teacher and being sick is absoulty no fun. I hate it. I really really do. I want it to be Saturday night so I can go up to Portland and see Eric even if it is with his parents.
Frustrating, you ask. OMG! My kids were haywire today. They would not listen to me at all today. I think I finally got the message to them when I said they had a reputation of being bad in the hallways and in class is not helping my preception of them. And I definatly cannot defend them if they are being bad in class as well. I have to give them some credit, it was pajama day today, along with Friday and a really weird schedule but they need to learn to adapt and get with the program.
O well, one bad day wont change my mind about teaching. I love to teach, even if I only get good days once and a while.
I have already thought of ways I would change them if they were my class. Between practicing lining up to heads down and missing what they enjoy. It would also make a difference if they were my class from day one. That always makes a difference. Jumping from teacher to teacher is a big change for kids, although I dont see my expectations in the classroom are very much different from Andrea. I think they took advantage of me today but again, I wont let it get the best of me. I love to teach, I love to teach, I love to teach, I love to teach... just keep repeating that, right?
Frustrating, you ask. OMG! My kids were haywire today. They would not listen to me at all today. I think I finally got the message to them when I said they had a reputation of being bad in the hallways and in class is not helping my preception of them. And I definatly cannot defend them if they are being bad in class as well. I have to give them some credit, it was pajama day today, along with Friday and a really weird schedule but they need to learn to adapt and get with the program.
O well, one bad day wont change my mind about teaching. I love to teach, even if I only get good days once and a while.
I have already thought of ways I would change them if they were my class. Between practicing lining up to heads down and missing what they enjoy. It would also make a difference if they were my class from day one. That always makes a difference. Jumping from teacher to teacher is a big change for kids, although I dont see my expectations in the classroom are very much different from Andrea. I think they took advantage of me today but again, I wont let it get the best of me. I love to teach, I love to teach, I love to teach, I love to teach... just keep repeating that, right?
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