This past week seemed to last forever; by Friday, I was completely exhausted and felt like the week was twice as long as it actually was. I'm still working on building my "teacher stamina." Teaching all of the classes all day really wears you out and my body is not adjusted to it yet. Plus, my voice tends to hurt at the end of the day because I do not normally talk this much, especially not using my "teacher voice." On Tuesday, I read a story aloud to my students during the afternoon class and my throat was killing me by the end of it.
Overall, it was another pretty solid week. It was a little more difficult than last week, but I would still call it successful. We have been working on writing scary stories and my students got really into them. Friday afternoon, I found a Youtube video of a campfire and figured out a way to make it loop. I projected this and then we read our scary stories by the campfire. Plus, my best class during the week got to eat marshmallows. It was really fun and it was great to hear their stories read aloud. I was pretty impressed with a few of them. One of my students, who tends to be a little shy, read his aloud and it was definitely the scariest of all the ones read aloud. It was great seeing him be so successful when I normally do not hear much from him.
If I were at Cornell student teaching, then this would be the end of my lead teaching all of the classes; pretty much everyone else just does two weeks of the full teacher load. However, since I cannot ever seem to do things the easy way, I still have three and a half weeks (aka one Cornell block) left of lead teaching. It actually only amounts to about 15 days because we get out of school for Veteran's day, have a field trip one day, and my last day we are doing Diggory day. Here are my thoughts and feelings in a stream of consciousness fashion about having only 15 days left to teach:
It will be really nice not feeling responsible for a group of 70 thirteen year olds, but I will still think about them all the time and wonder if they are being successful without me. I am looking forward to being a student myself and spending time on campus and in the library and with my friends, but I will miss the lolz my students bring to me on a daily basis. Thank God I won't have to make lesson plans anymore or write field notes or be required to blog weekly or wake up at 6 am or dress professionally. But it has been kind of fun feeling like a "real grownup" and what if I think of a really fun lesson that I know my students will love and won't get to put into the classroom right away. It is going to be truly miserable being in Iowa in the middle winter when the weather will be absolutely beautiful in Arizona. I am going to miss the trip to Disneyland and their graduation; I will miss them walking across the stage and seeing them with great, big, proud smiles across their faces on the day they have been looking forward to all year. The moral of the story is that I am looking forward to the end, but I also am going to miss my students and will think of them often. I intend to get the most out of these last fifteen days.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Passing on my Love of the 90's
My apologies for not posting yesterday; Katie and I were gone nearly all day because we went to Phoenix. There was really incredible book sale put on by the Phoenix public library and I got 11 books for $8! We spent three hours there and did not even get through all the books. It was pretty amazing.
Last week, was my first full week of teaching all of the 8th grade language arts classes. I was really nervous about taking on this challenge, but after the first week, I feel pretty hopeful for the next few weeks. The students have developed some pretty bad habits and they are difficult to change. However, we have really started using a system they used last year and it is proving to be fairly effective. They use integrity cards; if, the student is misbehaving or is irresponsible, then they receive a hole punch in their card. If, they do something outstanding, then they receive a sticker on their card. They also need it in order to get into dance, sport events, and other activities. If they have too many punches, then they will not be allowed to attend the events. At the beginning of the year, we really did not use the cards much and we are now using them a lot. This seems to have improved their behavior.
This week, we also began a unit on suspense/scary stories. We are currently writing our own scary stories and my students are really excited about them. On Friday, a few of my students asked if we were writing and when I told them no, they were visibly disappointed. It makes me incredibly happy and excited that they are actually looking forward to writing and not rolling their eyes every time I tell them to get out their draft books. This also makes me hopeful for the readings we will be doing in connection with the writing piece.
Also on Friday, I showed my students an episode of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?". I was excited to realize these episodes are on Youtube and they are completely relevant to what we are learning. I love everything about the 90's and loved this show as a child. My students were completely enthralled with it. At this point in my life, I do not really find the show very scary or creepy anymore, but they were still pretty creeped out by it. I suppose they are still young enough that they do not notice the cheesiness of the show.
Even with the stress and extra amount of work involved with teaching all of the classes, I am hopeful and excited for the remaining weeks. And after such a successful week, it really makes me feel much more confident about my abilities as a teacher and what my future will hold. Let's hope this week does not change all of that.
Last week, was my first full week of teaching all of the 8th grade language arts classes. I was really nervous about taking on this challenge, but after the first week, I feel pretty hopeful for the next few weeks. The students have developed some pretty bad habits and they are difficult to change. However, we have really started using a system they used last year and it is proving to be fairly effective. They use integrity cards; if, the student is misbehaving or is irresponsible, then they receive a hole punch in their card. If, they do something outstanding, then they receive a sticker on their card. They also need it in order to get into dance, sport events, and other activities. If they have too many punches, then they will not be allowed to attend the events. At the beginning of the year, we really did not use the cards much and we are now using them a lot. This seems to have improved their behavior.
This week, we also began a unit on suspense/scary stories. We are currently writing our own scary stories and my students are really excited about them. On Friday, a few of my students asked if we were writing and when I told them no, they were visibly disappointed. It makes me incredibly happy and excited that they are actually looking forward to writing and not rolling their eyes every time I tell them to get out their draft books. This also makes me hopeful for the readings we will be doing in connection with the writing piece.
Also on Friday, I showed my students an episode of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?". I was excited to realize these episodes are on Youtube and they are completely relevant to what we are learning. I love everything about the 90's and loved this show as a child. My students were completely enthralled with it. At this point in my life, I do not really find the show very scary or creepy anymore, but they were still pretty creeped out by it. I suppose they are still young enough that they do not notice the cheesiness of the show.
Even with the stress and extra amount of work involved with teaching all of the classes, I am hopeful and excited for the remaining weeks. And after such a successful week, it really makes me feel much more confident about my abilities as a teacher and what my future will hold. Let's hope this week does not change all of that.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Here's to the Next Five and Half Weeks
Well, the end of fall break is here. I am back in Arizona and putting off writing lesson plans for tomorrow. Being at Cornell was beyond wonderful; it felt so right being back on campus. Being away has been so much harder than I thought it would be and I look forward to January when I will be back full time. It was great seeing all of my friends and my professors as well. My professors really gave me a lot of encouragement and compliments that helped me to remember why I am here in the first place, which is something I desperately needed.
There are only five and a half weeks left of my student teaching. Right now, going back to school tomorrow sounds like the worst thing I could possibly do, but I know once I get back into the swing of things, it will feel normal again. I also know that these five and a half weeks will go by so quickly and then I will start missing my kids once I am back at Cornell.
Tomorrow, I am going to take over all of the English classes. This is where student teaching becomes even more stressful and I am in full on teacher mode all day everyday. I am hoping that starting after fall break will give us a "clean slate" with the kids and I won't have to struggle too much with them. I am planning on treating tomorrow pretty much like the first day of school in order to set ourselves up successfully for the rest of my time here. So, here's the next five and a half weeks! Bring it.
There are only five and a half weeks left of my student teaching. Right now, going back to school tomorrow sounds like the worst thing I could possibly do, but I know once I get back into the swing of things, it will feel normal again. I also know that these five and a half weeks will go by so quickly and then I will start missing my kids once I am back at Cornell.
Tomorrow, I am going to take over all of the English classes. This is where student teaching becomes even more stressful and I am in full on teacher mode all day everyday. I am hoping that starting after fall break will give us a "clean slate" with the kids and I won't have to struggle too much with them. I am planning on treating tomorrow pretty much like the first day of school in order to set ourselves up successfully for the rest of my time here. So, here's the next five and a half weeks! Bring it.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Just Call Me Miss Swaggoner
As of right now, I am officially on fall break and I am sitting in the Denver airport waiting for my flight to Iowa. I thought fall break would never get here and this past week seemed to last forever. However, the past week was pretty good, I had some really good days with my students.
On Wednesday, there must have been some sort of miracle or something because my students were wonderful in the morning. Perhaps it was because they were pretty drained and still half asleep or maybe it was because we were having parent teacher conferences that night and the next night. Whatever happened, it was great. We worked on our descriptive paragraphs and I showed them the one I wrote about Cornell. They were really interested in my college and what I had to say about it. I even showed them a few pictures, which was pretty funny. Many of them thought my college seemed HUGE, even though Cornell is so tiny. Their concept of college and Iowa is really skewed, but I find it rather charming. At any rate, after I modeled some writing for them, they started work on their own paragraphs. This the remarkable part: they were actually quiet and I saw nearly every student at least begin writing.
On Wednesday and Thursday the students had half days and then we had parent/teacher conferences after that. I was a little nervous for this because I had never done anything like this before, but they went really well. Of course, it was mostly parents that I had zero complaints about. However, there were a few parents I really wanted to talk to that did come; I am hoping it will make a difference after fall break. Overall, the conferences were really successful, but they made for a really long day.
On Thursday morning, we pretty much finished up everything we need to do before break. Thursday afternoon, I did the fun writing activity they loved where I give them a beginning sentence and they continue the story. Then, they trade papers and continue on another person's story. Again, there were a lot of stories including Justin Beiber, either positively or negatively. I believe every single story included him somehow. In one story, I beat up Oprah, glued her to the road, and then went to the moon on the cow. Where they come up with these things, I do not know, but I love reading these stories. They are so funny and really allows them to show their creativity.
Friday, we already planned on pretty much having a free day. Jodi brought her dog, Diggory, to school and we played with him all morning. In the afternoon, we started watching the Princess Bride and had an assembly. At the end of the day, I was in the Social Studies room where they were playing Oregon Trail as a class. Unfortunately, I got shot, had my leg amputated, and died. Also during this time, my students decided my new name is Miss Swaggoner. Overall, it was a really fun day and it allowed me to really enjoy my students. It are times like this and stories like I talk about above that make me love my students.
I am now making my way to Iowa and cannot wait to get there! I really need a break and cannot wait to feel like a normal college student again. After fall break, I only five and a half weeks left. It has gone by so quickly already. Even with all the difficulties, this is something I would not trade for the world. I am learning so much and I know this experience is setting me up to be a great teacher in the future. Hopefully, this break will give me the motivation and energy I need to get through the remaining weeks.
On Wednesday, there must have been some sort of miracle or something because my students were wonderful in the morning. Perhaps it was because they were pretty drained and still half asleep or maybe it was because we were having parent teacher conferences that night and the next night. Whatever happened, it was great. We worked on our descriptive paragraphs and I showed them the one I wrote about Cornell. They were really interested in my college and what I had to say about it. I even showed them a few pictures, which was pretty funny. Many of them thought my college seemed HUGE, even though Cornell is so tiny. Their concept of college and Iowa is really skewed, but I find it rather charming. At any rate, after I modeled some writing for them, they started work on their own paragraphs. This the remarkable part: they were actually quiet and I saw nearly every student at least begin writing.
On Wednesday and Thursday the students had half days and then we had parent/teacher conferences after that. I was a little nervous for this because I had never done anything like this before, but they went really well. Of course, it was mostly parents that I had zero complaints about. However, there were a few parents I really wanted to talk to that did come; I am hoping it will make a difference after fall break. Overall, the conferences were really successful, but they made for a really long day.
On Thursday morning, we pretty much finished up everything we need to do before break. Thursday afternoon, I did the fun writing activity they loved where I give them a beginning sentence and they continue the story. Then, they trade papers and continue on another person's story. Again, there were a lot of stories including Justin Beiber, either positively or negatively. I believe every single story included him somehow. In one story, I beat up Oprah, glued her to the road, and then went to the moon on the cow. Where they come up with these things, I do not know, but I love reading these stories. They are so funny and really allows them to show their creativity.
Friday, we already planned on pretty much having a free day. Jodi brought her dog, Diggory, to school and we played with him all morning. In the afternoon, we started watching the Princess Bride and had an assembly. At the end of the day, I was in the Social Studies room where they were playing Oregon Trail as a class. Unfortunately, I got shot, had my leg amputated, and died. Also during this time, my students decided my new name is Miss Swaggoner. Overall, it was a really fun day and it allowed me to really enjoy my students. It are times like this and stories like I talk about above that make me love my students.
I am now making my way to Iowa and cannot wait to get there! I really need a break and cannot wait to feel like a normal college student again. After fall break, I only five and a half weeks left. It has gone by so quickly already. Even with all the difficulties, this is something I would not trade for the world. I am learning so much and I know this experience is setting me up to be a great teacher in the future. Hopefully, this break will give me the motivation and energy I need to get through the remaining weeks.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
One More Week
This week was a pretty average week at school: a few ups a few downs. Overall, pretty solid. The new trend seems to be the beginning of the week starts off pretty rough (maybe including tears) and by the end of the week it feels okay again. Hopefully, this next week will start smoothly and end smoothly. Granted, it is the week before fall break and the kids are definitely going to be wound up. And let's be honest, I am looking forward to fall break as much, if not more than the students are.
Anyway, on Wednesday, I attended another training. This time, it was for Step Up to Writing, which is a supplemental program that focuses on, as you probably guessed, writing. Thankfully, this presenter was much better than the last one and the curriculum is actually really good stuff. I have been struggling a bit with teaching writing, so I am definitely going to start using this in my classroom. I don't remember if I was really a good writer or a bad writer in eighth grade, but my students really need some extra help in writing. It is difficult to teach because there is not an exact formula to follow; you give a writing assignment and everyone will do something different. You know good writing when you see it and you know bad writing when you see it, but how do you teach good writing? I am still figuring this out...
On a not related to school note, I went to see Anberlin last night in Tempe. It was truly awesome; the best concert I have been to. They had the perfect combination of new songs (which are fantastic) and old favorites. They sadly did not play one of my favorites (Inevitable), but it was amazing regardless. Also, the lighting was really amazing. They had, what I am guessing, were a bunch LED light bars. Considering their newest album is titled "Dark is the Way. Light is a Place" it makes sense for them to have incredible lighting. I will post pictures on Facebook as soon as I find my camera cord.
This is a really short post, but that is probably okay considering most of my posts are pretty long. One more week and then a much desired week long break. Here's to hoping for a successful week!
Anyway, on Wednesday, I attended another training. This time, it was for Step Up to Writing, which is a supplemental program that focuses on, as you probably guessed, writing. Thankfully, this presenter was much better than the last one and the curriculum is actually really good stuff. I have been struggling a bit with teaching writing, so I am definitely going to start using this in my classroom. I don't remember if I was really a good writer or a bad writer in eighth grade, but my students really need some extra help in writing. It is difficult to teach because there is not an exact formula to follow; you give a writing assignment and everyone will do something different. You know good writing when you see it and you know bad writing when you see it, but how do you teach good writing? I am still figuring this out...
On a not related to school note, I went to see Anberlin last night in Tempe. It was truly awesome; the best concert I have been to. They had the perfect combination of new songs (which are fantastic) and old favorites. They sadly did not play one of my favorites (Inevitable), but it was amazing regardless. Also, the lighting was really amazing. They had, what I am guessing, were a bunch LED light bars. Considering their newest album is titled "Dark is the Way. Light is a Place" it makes sense for them to have incredible lighting. I will post pictures on Facebook as soon as I find my camera cord.
This is a really short post, but that is probably okay considering most of my posts are pretty long. One more week and then a much desired week long break. Here's to hoping for a successful week!
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