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!!

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!!!!

Early Dismissal

So last week, the unthinkable happened.
My school district, actually allowed for an early dismissal.

Now I'm not sure if you realized this, but the South and snow do not mix well. :-]
It actually turned out to be a good thing, because be the time school normally lets out, freezing rain was  pouring from the skies!!

Early dismissal is an interesting thing, let me tell you. My CT and I had to rearrange the entire day to try and get in the three assessments we had planed for that day. Students were leaving even earlier than the early dismissal. (I'm talking like only being in school for 2 hours... what a waste!!) We had to call parents to make sure they were actually going to pick up their students, per early dismissal information. And all day, students were being called out to go home. The office was a crazy place with all the parents and students coming in and out. My poor CT had to make copies during this time. UGGHHH :]

HOWEVER, we did manage to get through most of the work. We will have a lot of make up work tomorrow, but at least the majority of it was completed. YAY!!!

Other than that, this was pretty easy week.

I would write more, but I'm actually quite tired. lol So I believe I'll just turn in for the night!!


Wish me luck this week! I start teaching!!!!!!!!!!! :]

Oh... and I turn 22 on Thursday! Birthdays and students are always fun! 

Substitute Teaching.. Without Pay

This past week, was an interesting week readers. Let me set the stage for you:

1. Our class picture was on Tuesday... My name gets to be on the picture and EVERYTHING!!! WOOOOO 
2. It rained. All. Freaking. Week. The kids were stir crazy, and we all came close to drowning on Thursday, before freezing on Friday. (Behold, the great Carolinian Blizzard of 2013!!!) 
3. My teachers daughter got sick, so she had to leave Wednesday afternoon. (She and her husband took shifts) 
4. On Thursday, my CT's daughter was still pretty sick, and actually ended up with the flu.... which consequently my CT ended up with was well. This all resulting my CT being out from Wednesday Afternoon through Friday. 

LET ME TELL YOU!!!! It was SOOOOO much fun teaching.... Not that I like my CT being sick, because I really do enjoy working with her, I just had fun feeling like a real teacher!

My CT left it up to me whether or not I wanted to teach all day or just parts of a day. I decided to just go for it! I was able to teach 2 full days, all by myself, in my second week!.... By myself is relative, as a student teacher in my second week, I am not legally allowed to be by myself, so I had two AMAZING substitutes in the classroom with me.

Both subs, by the way, thought I  was AMAZING!

They were so impressed that it was only my 2nd full week in this class.

They joked that I must be lying about that fact. 

:-D

These substitutes just really made me feel great about teaching.

They told me I would have a great career as a teacher! 

ANYWAYS..... 

On Thursday, my students have double specials (meaning they went to both art and media) so that the grade level can have planning. The specials teachers rate the class on a scale of 1-4, 1 being absolutely dreadful and 4 being almost perfect. 

My students.... Got a one................ 

Let me tell you,

I laid it on THICK!!!

They all know better than to earn ones in specials. My CT does not allow this, and neither do I. So we had a very frank discussion, a few minutes of quite reflection on our behavior that day as well as how it should be in the future, as well losing marbles from the class rewards jar. My CT also mentioned that they might have additional privileges taken away this coming week as. She did however, think I handled the situation quite well.  

If you can't tell... I feel pretty proud of myself for what I was able to accomplish this week. I also already have plans written for the week of the 28th, which will be my first week officially teaching a subject. Tomorrow, since it is a day off, I believe I might try to write the following weeks as well. I would SO rather be ahead than behind when it comes these items. 

I hope all of you out there are enjoying the long weekend! 

Until next week readers!!!! 

Pictures and a Lesson

I've got a moment, so I just wanted to post some pictures, as promised!

First: THE DESK! That was before school started that day.
 By the end of the day, a lot more ends up on this

wonderful thing.

This is a picture of my classroom. 

It is pretty awesome! 

 Picture Day Outfit!! 

 And, here is just an average everyday school outfit. Dress pants, and a sweater or nice top! 

Finally, I have the lesson plan for the pocket solar system. This activity does not take long and is a great visual for students. 

                                                          

Until this weekend readers!

Ladies and Gents.... I have a desk!

Alright, I know it's Friday night, but I have been productive all night, and just felt like rounding off this lovely Friday with an update for you all. :] Besides, I was late last week, I'm just compensating for that. :-P

Moving on...... 

I HAVE A DESK!!!!!!! 

       It's a real, teacher sized desk. Drawers and all! Blogger-verse, if you are a non-teacher, let met explain how exciting getting a REAL desk as a student teacher is. Most student teachers have a shelf, or maybe a student sized desk to put their items. Usually this is due more to space issues, than for a need to "demote" student teachers, as it were. However, I have a real desk. It makes being in that classroom feel more like my classroom as well as my CT's. The kids were excited for me to get a desk too, which was cute. :]

But now, I have a place to grade papers, a place to store all my materials, essentially, I have a home. :] 

 (Pictures to come!) 

     In other news this week, I have completed all of my orientations. Yes friends, as you know, that really is plural. I had a school district orientation, then a university orientation, and then I had a supervisor orientation/seminar. That means that this coming week, I am in my classroom, for the full day, every day! Yea!!! 

     I attended my first staff meeting this week, and the principal introduced myself and the other student teacher to the staff. I have been thoroughly welcomed and made to feel as if this is my school as well.... I'll go ahead and call it... I really like this school, and I could see myself working with these teachers. 

     My CT and I have decided on a schedule for me to pick up subjects. I am starting with science, the Human Body/Systems. I basically get to create this unit with my CT because the book doesn't really have much information on it. (Old[er] book, new standards.... This is common in education.) I basically get do a lot of this on my own, which is super exciting!!! Not to mention that my CT has a resource folder roughly 3 inches thick FULL of quizzes, reading selections, lesson plans, vocabulary, and much much more. Being true my profession, I have scanned these in to start my own resource collection. Teachers basically live by the phrase: Beg, Borrow, or Steal. ... However we always give credit where credit is due!! 

     Last week, I was able to show my CT this mini activity that helps students see the true distances between planets. (Background info: This class is currently finishing up the science unit on Space.) She really liked the idea, and mentioned wanting to use it. However, she did not mention when, or if she wanted me to teach it. Well, on the fly during science time today, my CT asked if I would like to go ahead and do this activity with the students. (FYI: It is called the Pocket Solar System... I'll either post instructions and pictures Sunday or in next weeks post.) Besides the smart board messing up (and I hadn't really messed with it that much), and not knowing the signal to get student to quiet down (Sorry, it is only the first FULL week I've been there!!! :]  ) the activity went really well! The students were interested to find out just how close the inner planets are compared to how far the Sun and Pluto were. And yes, I realize Pluto is now classified as a "dwarf planet." But, being a child of the "My Very Exceptional Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas," the new phrase "My Very Exceptional Mother Just Served Us Nectarines," just sounds weird. (Please Google if you have no idea what I am talking about. But hopefully, elementary science just came FLOODING back to you!) 

The point of this story being,

my CT trusted me enough to teach an activity,

after only being in the classroom  7 days. 

EXCITING!!!! 

   Well, I think that is every thing from this week. I'm all caught up on my Supervisor assignments.

 (My goal is stay ahead on those!) 

I have begun planning for my first units that I start teaching on January 28th!!! What a great 22nd birthday present, right?? :-D                                 

Goodnight, and enjoy your weekend!! 

Orientation('s), Procedures, and Introductions

First, I apologize for the late post... I worked at my job both Saturday and Sunday, which is unusual during school time. I will try to not let that happen again. :]
          .... Posting late I mean. I will absolutely not be working more than Saturday's from this point forward.

By the way, people like to scare you about working.

I have plenty of friends who worked part time during student teaching. 

They all did very well . 

The key is Time Management and incredibly understanding bosses. 

Don't be afraid, just know your limits! 

ORIENTATION- I had the pleasure to attend two different orientations. The first was through the school district I am student teaching in. That one, at least had new information for me. I also had the pleasure of taking a picture (for my official ID as a student teacher!!!), getting fingerprinted, and, are you ready for this reader..... I had to pee in a cup...

Most. Awkward. Experience. EVER!!!!!!!!


Orientation number two was through my university. I met my supervisor, and caught up with a few friends. Overall, this semester doesn't scare me. I'm ready to take this on!!!!!

Moving on to DAY NUMBER ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Wednesday was my very first day in third grade! (Insert high-pitched squeal!) 

My cooperating teacher is amazing. (PSSTTT She likes Harry Potter!!!) She is so welcoming, and I feel like I am going to enjoy working with her and the entire staff! The energy at my assigned school is great! Everyone in the front office have made attempts to actually get to know me and always say hello!

The students in my class are sweet. They are gradually getting to know me and starting to ask questions about myself, my college, and I'm sure my personal life will come up soon. :]
So far I have been asked what college is like, including dorm rooms. I have been asked if I am going to be a strict teacher or a nice one. (To that question I gave the child in question a very serious look and said: It depends on the students. The looks I got from that answer were priceless!)

As far as the schedule and procedures go, I am getting a decent feel for the daily schedule and routines. I have jumped in with two feet. They already know that I am a teacher they have to listen too, and I have given the look to several students. :D However, I hope that they are also realizing that I like to have fun, and don't want to be so serious all the time.

Well, that's all for now. 

I will post again this coming weekend.

Warm and Fuzzies for all! 

:]