Horoscope and Classroom Prep

Every now and then I like to check out my horoscope. I don't put much (if any) stock in these things, but I find it amusing to see. Well for the week of June 30, this is what my horoscope said:
There's too much happening for you to get a handle on any of it. In fact, you have the wide-eyed wonder of a kid at the start of the week. It can be fun to see life as a jumble of images, a colorful phantasmagoria, but it's in your nature to try to make sense of it all. On Wednesday, you're inspired to make your mark on the world and may enlist some friends in a group project. Thursday is a great day, but Friday and Saturday a glitch in your finances has you in a grumpy mood. Put yourself first this weekend. Maybe spend Sunday between the pages of a book.


Let me tell you how oddly accurate I find these predictions. This week is my very first work week as a 5th grade teacher!!! :] So the fact that the beginning of this week will have to much to handle right away, is a very true statement. Then there is Wednesday. On Wednesday, we will have all day in our classrooms to get things set up before Meet the Teacher night! I have in fact, enlisted a friend to come help me decorate. O_O CRAZY!!!

Finances are a constant source of frustration as I will not get paid until the end of July. Then the fact that I might spend this weekend reading... very characteristic of me. lol Just thought I'd share!! 

My Classroom theme is "All-Star 5th Graders"
And those who are speed racers with their
work will promptly receive on of these! 

My plan is to use these folders to put all the handouts
for each group/each day. This way I will not have to
pass out papers with each subject! 

This is my "I Can... Board" to write the
student objectives each day. 

This explains the important of reading 20 minutes
each night. I think this will go in the welcome packet. 

And because I love my teacher clothing,
here is what I wore to the new teacher luncheon!

I love my new school so far. I can't wait for tomorrow to see what this new adventure brings!!! Wish this 5th grade teacher some luck!!

The Adult World

Well ladies and gentlemen,

I did it!

I am officially a real, fully (dis)functional, employed adult! 

• I am officially a 5th grade teacher.
  
  
• I officially have my own apartment, which I officially call home as of yesterday! 

It's pretty freaking exciting!! 

Therefore the name of this blog will no long be The Real World: Student Teaching Edition, it is will now be

  The Real World of a 5th Grade Teacher 

I officially welcome you to read as I blog not only as a first year teacher, but as a first year teacher of 5th grade in a year round school. Adventures are sure to follow! 

Until school starts (July 1st for me, July 8th for the kids), check out these pictures of my new home! 

Hooray for my first place!

Quick Update

Good Morning Everyone!

I just wanted give a quick update on the whole interview and Praxis Test.

Interview:
The interview went REALLY well! The principle called two days later to let me know that she, and the rest of the interview team really enjoyed speaking with me. She asked if I could please not accept anything until we could talk again. By talk again, that means once the hiring freeze, she can call me and (I'm pretty sure she will) offer me a job!

That being said, this is a year round school. So have had to start planning like I really am going to move because if I get this job, I will have to move within the next few weeks. I have already found where I want to live if I accept the job. (The closet is 10X4.... AMAZING!!) I should hear something from them in the next few weeks!

Praxis:
I took a K-12 Teaching Reading for bachelors degree Praxis Test the day before graduation. I took it just to get an additional certification on my license and because I really do love reading. (I do eventually want to get my masters in Teaching Reading!) Well my lovely home state only requires me to receive a 159 to pass. I just found out I received a 180!!!!! WOOOHOOO!!


Overall, it has been an exciting few weeks around graduation. What with the interview, and the test, and I've been subbing at my student teaching school which has been pretty fun! And the only thing that could make it better would be to get a call on Monday saying that I've got the job! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Resume Website

Check out my resume turned website! I think it's pretty cool!

http://krystene-lang.wikispaces.com/home


-K

P.S.  I have my first interview! That's all I'm going to say for now because I am excited, and I don't want to jinx it! Wish me luck! I think it could be a good fit!

"A" for Teacher!

Well Ladies and Gents, it's that time.

Student teaching ended on Friday. It was an amazing and special day. My teacher and my kids were so, so sweet. We started the day with presents. They gave me teacher supplies, an AMAZING scrapbook that makes me cry when I read it, a Smiley Grad Ball they all signed, as well as all the other 3rd grade teachers, and a few books. I just, can't describe how grateful I am for them!

From my CT and Kids!

I forgot to take a picture of my gift to my Teacher. But she LOVED it! I posted the link to where I got the idea below. Mine looks a little more rough than the one in the blog, but HELLO I got it from Pinterest, which means it could never be as perfect! http://everythingispink.blogspot.com/2007/06/teacher-gift.html

So then our day went on fairly regularly from there. But when we got back from lunch, I went to go make copies of the best poem ever written by a third grader (I will share later!). When I came back from making copies, they had put the cover up over the window, which was incredibly strange. I slowly opened the door and they had a banner up (Congrats Grad!) and had set up an ice cream party. Talk about incredibly sweet! I was so surprised! And of course, that about made me cry again. :]

This was in my basket, they know me so well! 

I have just been so blessed to be apart of this class. My cooperating teacher was just about the most perfect CT anyone could ask for. She was so sweet and caring and willing to help me in any way. I could not have done this without her. :]

My Grad Cap, all Decorated!

On Friday, I also had my last meeting with University Supervisor. I signed some paperwork. We talked. I shared my scrapbook from my kids. And then, she told me ..... ready...... I GOT AN "A" in student teaching!!! :]  After everything I've gone through to get this point, I am so excited to get an A!

Graduation here I come! 

On Saturday, I went to a job fair for Wake County. I drove up Friday night, got a hotel. I felt pretty professional and, dare I say it like an adult! I had a good time. I meet a lot of people, and I am hoping that it pays off! 

All dressed for the fair in my hotel room!
I had a king size bed. I had trouble figuring out what side to sleep on! 

Anyways, graduation is SATURDAY! We are having a party that night and it is going to be awesome! I am so ready to graduate! I probably wont post too much over the summer. I will post when I get a job, and if I passed the Reading (K-12) Praxis. Hopefully in August, I will change this blog from The Real World: Student Teaching Edition, to The Real World, Teacher Edition! 

Wish me luck! 

Oh and here is the best Apology Poem ever written by a 3rd Grader: 

I'm Sorry I Broke Your Feelings

I... broke you
feelings
and your 

heart. 

I'm sorry

I'm sorry. 

You were not
my type. So I

had to break 

up with you. 

I hope that made you smile! 

Post It Note Clip Boards

I just wanted to take a minute to post about some of the gifts I am giving to my kids.



1. Post-it Note Clip Boards

Aren't they adorable? 

Steps to create: 

1. You either need good (non cardboard) coasters or you can get cork board anywhere they sell crafting items. I personally used cork board. I cut each larger squares into about 9 total small squares.

2. Next using scrapbook paper and a glue gun I wrapped the paper as neatly as possible around the entire thing. you end up folding the ends like you are wrapping a present. It doesn't look to bad when you are done either!. 

3. With cork board, you will need to half the post it note pads. The full size of one post it note pad is too large to get the medium sized gator clip over the whole thing. 

4. Voila! You have Post it Note Clip Boards! You can always decorate the clips with stickers and ribbon as well! :] 

I have also made my kids bookmarks using colorful large paper clips and ribbon in the school colors. I am so sad to not be able to see these kids every day, but they have taught me a lot. With any luck, I will have taught them something too!


I'll keep posting pictures of the gifts as I work on them! There's plenty more to come!

College... is Ending....

So with all the excitement about making it through full time, getting to spring break, and thinking about grad parties.... I've realized something. College... is ending!!!! It's been quite a ride. I've made a lot of friends. Lost a lot of friends. Had a lot of awkward moments. But I also had a lot of great moments. So that being said, here is the Disney story about college. Fitting for an elementary ed major right?? :]



http://www.hercampus.com/life/campus-living/what-it-s-be-college-told-our-favorite-disney-characters




Oh!! And I finally got my grad stuff!! YAY!

Almost officially an ALUMNI!! Super Cool! 

Keep me in mind over the next few weeks as I finish up the last few assignments of my undergrad college career..... And apply for jobs.... and hopefully go on interviews.... and plan an awesome celebration!! :]