Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Job Fairs, Workshops, and Observations

Talk about a busy last two weeks!

1. I MOVED!  Luckily, this move does not largely effect my commute to school. It just makes me plan out my time in the morning with a little bit more thought towards what needs to get done and when I must absolutely leave by.

2. I was observed by my CT. - This went well. I think my CT is still very impressed by me. I know I am still impressed by her attitude and gracious of her compliments towards me. I do not take having a good CT for granted! :]

3. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY!!!! - Panels, Job Fair, and workshops!!!!  I learned some very cool strategies, and did a TON of networking!!!!  Check out my outfit (and new hair cut!) in the picture below! Please oh please, let me end up with a job for August!    [ Side note, I also got to see one of my favorite high school teachers, who is now a principal! That was fun, and so nice to see her! I owe a lot of my work ethic to that woman and her class my junior year! ]



4. I was observed by my supervisor- Again, this went EXTREMELY WELL!!! She was very impressed by my management skills, my use of my voice as a tool (meaning appropriately loud and soft when needed), as well as my higher level questioning. I am right on track to be headed to graduation!!!!!!!! :]  YAY!!! OHHHH, and my Supervisor also mentioned, that I am the most organized student teacher she has this semester. To quote a cute recent movie, "Crushed it!" (Pitch Perfect)



I have been having some GREAT discussions lately with my class. They are getting engaged, and excited about topics that have a tendency to be not so exciting!! I'll have to upload some of my Smart Board Slides/Notes from class. It really amazing to think about and see the end result of our discussion. They guide me to topics I didn't even think about including. They make me stay on my toes for sure!

I will also have to upload pictures from the latest science experiment where they are comparing an apples skin, to their own skin. (Skin, FYI is the LARGEST organ you have!) It is really cool! Part one of this lesson is the part that my supervisor observed. I believe I will be video taping part two tomorrow!

My students are all working so hard. I'm a proud teacher.... and at the end of the day, what more could I ask for...


.............. besides a job?!?!!! :]


Goodnight, we will talk again soon!!





Monday, February 11, 2013

Slacker

Hello all.

I'm sorry, I have been a slacker, but I have a very good reason!

Last weekend was my birthday weekend, so I was busy spending time with friends and family for the majority of the weekend. But, the week of Jan 28th went well. I was able to do a bones experiment with the class where we compared real chicken bones with chicken bones that had been sitting in vinegar for a week. The class was so excited about observing and handling those bones. We put them back into vinegar for another week and looked at them this past Friday. You could really see how the vinegar had been breaking down the bones. Gross... but cool! My CT had to be out that Friday morning as well. I feel so bad that she has so much going on at home. But, I am glad that I am able to lead the class while she is gone. It is great knowing she has so much confidence in me!

This past week, I gave my first test. It went surprisingly well. Most students received an A or a B on it. I am so proud! The last question on the test asked the students to say what the their favorite part about bones was so far. My favorite response was this:
That we have talked so much about bones that I want to see my bones.

Isn't that precious! lol I told her great response, but to please stay safe! I don't need a student breaking a bone to see them. :] 

This week we are moving on to muscles in science and characteristics of regions in social studies. We are also publishing their personal narratives this week. I was supposed to take on literacy but with the crazy week last week, we just didn't have time lay out master plan. We did get that down last week, so I am set to pick it up next week. Luckily we had an extra week planned in, which we subbed in for this week instead. lol Things work out sometimes! 

Oh and this Saturday I am moving. So this week is all about back up and getting as many lessons done as possible. 

Until this weekend.... Hopefully. lol I may be delinquent again thanks to the move. Fingers crossed that all goes well!!!!