Classroom-Moments

3/4 Finished!

2010-10-26T21:15:00.000-05:00

Holy Moly! I am 3/4 done with student teaching!!

I had my major evaluation done yesterday and it went well! I was nervous for no reason. My evaluator was very nice and I really appreciate how comfortable the whole lesson felt. He kept his distance, didn't show judgment, constantly was smiling- was a great evaluator!

My last day of student teaching is... November 17th!!! Then what? That's what I keep asking myself. I need to get one day of substitute teaching in before January 1st, 2011 so I can receive the current teacher retirement plan.

Any teachers in IL (near NW suburbs) if you need a substitute anytime in late November-all of December PLEASE let me know!!! Or if you know of any schools hiring.

I have been applying for substitute positions but I know most teachers have preferences over who they hire for their sub.

Anyway, back to student teaching. This has been a great experience for me and I've learned more than I could possibly imagine. I actually feel ready and confident that I will make a great teacher. It's not cockiness but I feel my passion for teaching and the children. I love everything about teaching and it makes me happy. I think in knowing all of this it can bring me great success.

My Dog Didn't Eat my Homework...

2010-10-26T21:09:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love the clever excuses children give when they "forget" their homework.

Today the weather was stormy, windy, and the electricity even went out near the school I student teach at.

So when it was time to collect homework, most of the students had it. Then I go to one child and ask if he completed his homework and he says "uh... no. I left it at home." me, "okay." Him. "well you know the tornado.." There was no tornado today but I do think it's fabulous that he can blame the weather for not doing or bringing in his homework. It was kind of hilarious (I think you might have had to hear the way he said it).

Other excuses I've heard are always not enough time, my mom didn't know how to do it, I did it and I have it but someone must have taken it... and of course- what homework? We didn't have any. I love how they try to convince the teacher that there was no homework assigned!

Mid Term

2010-10-06T20:30:00.000-05:00

I'm officially half way done with student teaching!!! I am psyched because that means that soon enough I'll have my own classroom which is something I have been dreaming of since I was five years old!

The weeks are beginning to go by a lot quicker now and I am so anxious and antsy. I also know that I am learning a lot from this and need to make sure I appreciate this opportunity and live it up. It's hard to not focus on the future only but I am trying the best I can. I have to admit I am excited about this FOUR day weekend!

Next week my mentor teacher is also out for three days for meetings so I'll be in charge :) There will be a sub in the room because of laws but I am still excited to say the least.

I love the bond I am forming with these students and hopefully in a few months I'll be there sub! The days are getting busier now because I am teaching more and more and pretty soon I'll be teaching my ten day unit for my work sample. I wish it was more fun but my mentor teacher really wanted me to teach dictionary skills because the students don't have much experience working with dictionaries. Now the only part of student teaching I am dreading is the reflective paper and work sample... BLAH. I got one part of the work sample done and completed two lesson plans. My plan is to finish two more lesson plans tomorrow... Then by Monday I should have all ten lesson plans 100% completed! I really hope my plan works!

A month from now when I'm writing I'll be talking about how I only have a few more weeks left.. time sure does fly! I hope the rest of student teaching goes as great as the first half :)!

Fairy Tales

2010-09-22T21:06:00.002-05:00

Today in the 3rd grade a few kids were talking about six flags and roller coasters. One student said that she would never go on a roller coaster or is scared of them because she heard people throw up a lot. The boy she was talking to responded with "you don't throw up! you might feel sick but you don't throw up, that's just a fairy tale!"

Love it!

Third Grade

2010-09-19T18:42:00.000-05:00

I'm really beginning to love the third grade class I am working with. I was never a big fan of the third grade- mainly because my own experience in the third grade was nothing special. However, I've been working with third graders since last year because of block and am beginning to really like it. They are independent and can work with glue, scissors, crayons and don't need to be too supervised but they also still enjoy school and don't have smart mouths.

My third graders and me are really beginning to get along. I'm about to begin my fourth week with the third graders and have more responsibility now which is great. I like student teaching but am also SO ready to have my own classroom. It's a tough economy and most schools are laying off teachers so I hope I don't have too much trouble landing a job.

Miracle Whip

2010-09-15T17:55:00.000-05:00

I'm a horrible, lazy blogger. I know I will regret all the moments I've left unwritten but I am trying to get out of my funk- so here it goes:

RB

He's a funny kid and should not be in our classroom. He deserves to belong somewhere he fits in and will learn from. They had to write about connections to a book we read yesterday and it was beyond him.

He ended up basically writing

www.facebook.com/miraclewhip
www.twitter.com/miraclewhip
www.blogspot.com/miraclewhip
etc... it was hilarious but quite random!

RB

2010-08-27T18:42:00.000-05:00

Today the kids were on about me posters and these little posters had like five or so different boxes of apples and each apple had a question like describe what you look like, whats your fav. place, what's one with you have, etc...

So I was working with RB (not real name) and he is the child with autism who just moved here from the Philippines and doesn't have an IEP or anything of that sort yet, meaning he doesn't even have an aid yet when he really needs one. So I was helping him on his poster and I was describing what a wish was and asking him if he could have anything in this world what would it be, etc... and I said so if you have one wish, anything you want, what would it be? His response, "H1N1 Virus" in his robotic voice. Then he wrote one of his favorite places to be was the hospital and he wants to be a doctor, nurse, judge, and school bus driver.

During art he was drawing and drew a helicopter, a launch pad, and even an emergency exit with the cross sign on it. Then he drew an airplane with the delta logo and said it was the delta airplane, and drew an airport, and he's just so incredibly gifted which makes it hard because he won't be getting help for a while.

I hate the school system in that sense. It's taking forever to get someone to begin testing him and giving him the help he truly needs and deserves.

Parental Pick Up

2010-08-26T17:07:00.000-05:00

After I thought about it, I do have a particular topic I want to write about.

Parents picking up their children... Some parents are quite irresponsible and I can't help but feel bad for the children who suffer because of it. Today we had two different situations involving parental pickup.

Boy #1: He was probably in kindergarten or first grade and his backpack was one of those suitcases that says "Going to Grandma's" and it was 2:15 and there wasn't a parent in site. Finally his teacher decides to call home and the first time no answer and so she calls another number and finally someone picks up and says they are coming. Did they forget there son was in school??? It didn't seem like they were at work and when someone finally came to pick him up it was about 2:30 and there were two adults and a teenager who came to get him in one vehicle. The boy was great and sat quietly and barely said a word but I felt so bad.

Boy #2: He is an autistic student in my classroom who just moved here from the Philippines. He was just added to the roster yesterday and his parents picked him and his brother up yesterday and dropped them off. They were late coming to pick him up yesterday so when they weren't out there right away we weren't too worried. We were a bit concerned when we couldn't find his older brother in the fifth grade and around 2:15 we went to the office. The principal contacted the older brothers teacher who had no idea if he went in the bus line or walkers line, the secretary had to try to get in touch with all the bus drivers and ask for this boys name. Finally, around 2:20 the boys mom calls asking where her other child was. The principal asked if she could drive him home and my teacher went with her and it was all just so chaotic. It was rough because we thought we lost one kid, the other child is crying in the office, and it was just rough. It was a big mix up and should have been clarified yesterday and the parents were very unclear of what they wanted to be done and why didn't the 5th grade boy stop the bus driver or say my brother isn't on yet or something. I know the 5th grade boy is not responsible though but I feel like teachers are babysitters 90% of the time and it's just frustrating.

I felt bad for both students in this situation ESPECIALLY since it was only the second day of school and they are so young and helpless.

Am I really cut out to be a teacher? The patience teachers have is simply amazing.

The Second Day

2010-08-26T16:58:00.000-05:00

I am bad at titles... I wish I one particular topic in mind that I actually wanted to blog about, oh well.

Today was the second day of student teaching and it was MUCH better than yesterday. I felt a lot better on my drive home today than I did yesterday but am still dreading the 58 more days. I think part of the reason I feel this way is mainly cause I am busting my butt and up at an early hour and pulling a full teacher day but am not getting credit for it. I mean it does obviously count at WIU and I get a S/US depending on how I do and I will work towards the Satisfactory and hopefully will pass and be a teacher asap, but it feels like a bunch of free work that I am paying to do! I am paying 12 credit hours worth of tuition to be helping out a teacher! Then at the end of my 12 weeks she gets paid for mentoring me!! *sigh*

Anyway I can say that I am learning a lot and seeing all the sides of being a teacher that are not so fun. I like my mentor teacher but I also feel like she doesn't have a real bond or connection with her students. Of course it's only the second day of school but I feel like she doesn't really try to get to know them which is a bit annoying. However, it is only Day 2 and I know nothing about her so can't judge this quickly.

Tomorrow from 11:15-1:50 they are busy with Lunch, Gym, Music, and Art! That means a nice, chill afternoon (hopefully). I am definitely looking forward to the weekend. It felt like such a long week even though I've only gone there for half the week...

I don't know how I am going to do 58 more days (actually 56 because I get credit for two days I won't actually be there).. what a great feeling, ha ha.

First Day of School!

2010-08-25T19:50:00.000-05:00

I've officially begun student teaching and this is the final lap before I can finally be a teacher! I am working with third graders again which is a little disappointing because I was expecting first graders and just had third graders last semester but that is okay.

Today was the first day of school and it was BEYOND hectic/crazy and that is putting it lightly. I felt like everyone was going crazy and running around like chickens with their heads cut off! It was an exhausting and overwhelming first day and I felt ridiculously tired on my way home. I also officially began a last day of student teaching countdown :) 59 days to go!

Of course the students were great and seem very nice and my mentor teacher also seems very experienced and willing to help in anyway which is great.

I'm sure this is a day I won't forget and when I'm reading this ten years from now I'll probably laugh at how dramatic I was being... or be relieved that it only did get better (hopefully).

I am anxious for the school year to begin now and for things to just begin. The first days of school are always going over rules, assemblies, tornado/fire drills, everyone is scatter brained and I feel like teachers have to figure out every single thing. Today my teacher got two kids put on her attendance list when she walked into the building this morning so had to go make a bunch of name tags for them, a few kids didn't know how they were getting home, one didn't pay for lunch money correctly, and things were just chaotic which is expected. It's frustrating that everything is her responsibility when really most of these issues were the parents fault.

But tomorrow is a new day and hopefully it won't be as crazy. I need comfier shoes also because we barely sat down all day!

Write on Me, Save Paper

2010-05-04T13:35:00.000-05:00

This is the purse my students gave me on my last day block teacher ... <3

Last Day in the Third Grade

2010-05-01T01:49:00.000-05:00

Time certainly flies, and I can't say that enough. I remember my first day entering the third grade and it was on February 1st, so I haven't been in this classroom for too long or anything, but I did spend a lot of time with these children. I was there Monday-Friday from 915:11:45 and then 12-2:30 for the last four weeks. I taught lessons, worked one on one with them, hung out with them during recess, went to the cafeteria with them, observed, etc.. My last day was great. They made me cards, got me the cutest purse ever- that I will definitely post a picture of, and we had a little goodbye party. I got to watch their awesome animoto videos, we had an extra recess at the end of the day, I brought in some snacks, and it was just a great last day. It was also one of those last days where you wish it wasn't ending and you could just finish the rest of the year with them. But, that won't happen, and as a future teacher saying goodbye is something I will have to get used to.

On another note, I found out where I am placed to student teach in Fall 2010 and am SO excited! I will be working with first graders which I have never done before!! Then I will be done and can have my own classroom... it feels so good to be so close.

Oh, How Time Flies

2010-04-20T21:58:00.000-05:00

I've been really awful about posting in this blog and I know down the line I will definitely regret this.

I hope when I student teach I am a lot better about the experience, because I've been learning so much from this block teaching experience and hope that I don't forget it.

I only have seven more days left with my third graders!!! I'm going to miss them more than you know. I've seen a lot of changes in them and have learned so much about them. I think when I am an actual teacher the end of the year will be hard for me, because you see the same children day after day for at least seven hours, five days a week. Then the end of the year rolls around and they leave. How do you do it teachers?? Is it as hard as I think it will be? Do they visit as often as they promise?

My last day in this third grade classroom is a week from Thursday. One part of me is excited (because it means the end of the school year for me) and another part is pretty upset. I am going to miss this. I'm also happy though because it means I can move on and I will be one step closer to my own classroom... what a thought.

Jager Bomb

2010-03-02T16:00:00.000-06:00

The 3rd graders are working on reports about anything they want
and this one kid is doing Jaguars
so he googled jaguar and u know how google has the drop down menu with options like jaguar pictures, jaguar eating habits, or anything related to jaguars pretty much. Well i was walking around and he goes "oh wow
jaguar bombs!" Then excitedly tells his friends and the kids at his table and I walk over
and hes still all excited because he thinks he can write a paragraph about jaguar bombs. But really he spelled jaguar wrong and typed in jager....so it was jager bombs

Assassinate

2010-02-16T12:53:00.000-06:00

The students are writing about Martin Luther King Jr. and two boys called me over to help them spell the word assassinate. I spelled it for them and then they typed it out and then I walked away...

Ten minutes later I walk back over there and still see the same sentence minus the work assassinate and asked them why they only had two words down and deleted the assassinate. Then one boy points a finger at a kid from another group and said "he deleted the word assassinate!" and I asked why, and that other boy goes they were deleting the -inate part so it would just be ass ass (but he spelled it out of course :). So then he was like I had to delete it because the people are watching! There are people inside our computers or people monitoring them and I saved you from getting into a lot trouble! Then the boy just looked at him in a simple, oh thanks... I understand.

Love is in the air... In the third grade

2010-02-11T12:32:00.000-06:00

I have been really bad about posting on here, I tried once, but felt that my post was unfair because I was judging my first few days in a new classroom too quickly.

Now, two weeks have gone by and I'm adjusting and liking it more. I work in a third grade classroom in a great elementary school. I've never worked with third graders before and had a hard time adjusting at first, but now am slowly beginning to enjoy it.

Any who, today the third graders had their Valentine's Day party since they have tomorrow off, and boy was it chaotic!

The cutest statement I heard was, during recess I was playing with wedgits with this girl and then this boy comes running over, I just gave _______ my phone number!!!!!!!!!! And he's really excited and it was pretty cute. Then two minutes later.... you hear ________ "why did you give me your phone number?" Ugh... awkward pause, so you can call me sometime if you want. Then the girl just goes away. It was pretty adorable.

Then that boy was talking about his snow days and what he did with me and the other girl playing with the wedgits and he's like yeah my friend came over but not my girlfriend. Then the girl was like wait, you have a girlfriend?? Then he said yeah.. and she asked who, and then she was like oh is ____ (girl he just gave number to) your girlfriend?? and he said yes. That is very un-true, but a cute story none the less.

Block Teaching

2010-01-25T21:08:00.000-06:00

Sorry, I've been MIA. I was on winter break and was getting no experience working with students, taking any courses, or creating any lesson plans, so I didn't have many "classroom moments" to blog about.

However, the semester has begun! I'm into week two, and on February 1st, I will begin student teaching in a third grade classroom!

I'm pretty excited, more excited than nervous, although I do have to teach 30 lesson plans, two will be observed by my university professor, and one will be videotaped! How nerve wrecking!!! Luckily, I love my university professor and feel very comfortable around her which makes it that much easier.

For the rest of the week I probably won't be posting anything, but be prepared because starting February 1st i'm hoping to have lots to share and talk about.

If you have any great lesson plans for third grade or block teaching advice I would love to hear it, thanks!

(also I just wanted to say thank you to the great ladies at SITS, the comments have really pushed me to keep this blog going and motivate me to write again).

SITS!

2009-12-09T11:43:00.000-06:00

I saw Sneaker Teacher (http://sneakerteacher.blogspot.com/) post an entry about SITS and had to check it out. Sneaker Teacher's blogs and posts are always so great, and after checking this out, I knew I wanted to be apart of it.

http://www.thesitsgirls.com/ <--- It'll be great meeting other women who are teachers, student teachers, or wanting to be teachers! I'm excited to join and hope I can get a lot of help from others and maybe help others who may have questions that I can answer.

Last Day Aiding in the Second Grade

2009-12-09T11:36:00.000-06:00

Today was my last day aiding for the second grade classroom. The kids made me a book called "What Miss RJ Needs to Know..." It has a bunch of advice for when I have my own classroom, and some of the advice was just hilarious.

One student wrote "Make sure you know what to do during a fire drill."

Another student wrote "... and make sure you have a lot of money." <--- Right, cause we all know how much money teachers make! :)

Most of the others wrote about how I should decorate the classroom pretty and have a lot of books.

Some of the kids even made me cards, read me stories, and Mrs. M had to run out for a few minutes so I got to read a book to all of them.

It was a great last day, and I hope my future class is as wonderful as they all were.

Teacher First, Friend Second

2009-12-08T18:08:00.000-06:00

I personally feel that I am a very patient person and can tolerate a lot. However, last Wednesday when I went into the second grade classroom, I almost snapped.

The main classroom teacher, Mrs. M was teaching the children how to properly write a letter (Indent paragraphs, proper heading, date, and ending). She must have been explaining for at least twenty minutes, showing examples, and even laying out a format on the markerboard. She answered some questions then let the kids go create proper letters.

As I was walking around, I was shocked that only one child actually did everything correct. The others forgot the date, would not indent, didn’t write Dear, began writing on the top of the paper, placed the date randomly somewhere on the paper, didn’t write anything, etc… It was a disaster.

I was surprised with how understanding and calm Mrs. M remained, I was truly frustrated. I just didn’t get how they couldn’t follow these simple tasks, look at the board, and then I remembered how many times Mrs. M told them to stop talking, be respectful, etc… I guess, I didn’t get how important it is to truly show feeling to students until that moment. I realized you must discipline your class and they will be your students first and friends second, because in the end you really want whats best for them.

10 First Year Teacher Tips

2009-11-15T18:27:00.000-06:00

The tips in this article are designed to provide a first year teacher with some confidence in the year ahead.
Will this be your first year of teaching? Don't be nervous - you must be very well qualified to have gotten this job to begin with! Here are some great ideas to make your year a bit easier:

1) First and foremost (and this sure sounds easy!) is to smile and be friendly to all of your co-workers. Although it indeed sounds quite simple, it is often difficult to be kind to everyone, as you will encounter varied personalities and temperments. You'll need all of your colleagues to help you during the year, so start the year off right and be kind to everyone.

2) Be helpful to all who ask! Move over at the copy machine if someone has a rush job - you may be in their shoes sooner than you think! Watch a class for another teacher for five minutes so that she can make an important phone call. Sure, your time is valuable, but helping others shows that you are part of the team.

3) Don't join in on the office gossip. It is unprofessional and unwise to talk about your fellow teachers, your students, their parents and anyone else whom the teachers' lounge has deemed eligible for discussion. Don't get involved in this waste of time.

4) Get to know your students well. Spend a bit of time talking with each of them individually during the first weeks of school. Ask about their likes, dislikes, family, pets, friends. Once the school year is in full swing, it is often difficult to set time aside for this kind of activity.

5) Establish a rapport with your students' parents or caregivers as soon as you can. Parents need to feel that you are approachable and caring. Make your students' parents your ally, and don't wait until a problem arises before you take the time to speak with them.

6) Be emphathetic to the busy lifestyles of today. Many parents both work full time and have scarcely enough time to talk to their child about their day at school. Bend a little if assignments are sometimes not completed if there is a reasonable explanation. Remember that your ultimate goal is to have students learn the material that you are teaching them.

7) Arrive at school early, and stay late a few days a week. Most correctly, don't rush into work in the nick of time and then rush out at the stroke of 3 o'clock. Be available to students and parents. Be known as someone who is professional and always prepared.

8) Be prepared. Have your weekly plans written out before the week begins. Have a copy of them, or your plan book, available at your desk at all times in the event that you are out sick from school.

9) Establish class rules from Day One. Get a large piece of poster board and a marking pen. On the first day of school, ask students what they would imagine some good rules for the classroom would be. Brainstorm the best rules, have students write them out, then post them for all to see. Remind students that they decided on the rules, and have a penalty in place for those who choose not to follow them.

10) Remember that teaching children is hard work, but it is also quite a bit of fun. If you are prepared, you'll be able to enjoy teaching and your students. If you must rush and play catch-up all the time, you'll spend needless time worrying. Stay current in your field by reading teaching magazines and talking with more seasoned teachers in your school.
Enjoy your first year as a teacher!

From: http://www.allsands.com/money/career/tipsteachersne_trr_gn.htm

My main question is, what is the first year of teaching really like?

The Rise in Technology

2009-11-10T20:40:00.000-06:00

When I student taught for the 5th/6th graders, the school began a new program, that had each child rent a laptop for the year.

The parents pay one hundred dollars and the student gets a laptop and gets to use it for the rest of the year. It's a one time fee, so if the students pay the money in first grade, the student gets to use it until sixth grade.

I thought this was a good idea, but not necessary for primary grades. Why does a first grader need to get attached to a computer so early?

Anyway, one day, the teacher said the students can have a five minute break to talk to each other and move around.

Instead of actually going to each other and talking, they all get their laptops out, and chat on IChat, which is very similar to aim.

It was ridiculous and sad to see.

Sometimes it's hard to see the negatives in technology, but at that moment, I wished technology wasn't so advanced.

What they don't Teach you...

2009-11-07T01:12:00.000-06:00

I can honestly say, I think WIU's education program is pretty great.

They've given me a chance to observe a classroom for an entire day, observe preschool sessions, tutor k-3, then tutor 4-6th grade, and now I have a chance to student aide for a second grade classroom.

They give us plenty of experiences and opportunities to learn, however, they do not give us enough honesty.

We are writing 20-60 page lesson plans regularly, writing research papers, creating posters for different religions, reading books, creating podcasts, taking tests, taking major exams (conent area, basic skills, apt). We really do a lot, we put in so much work every week, get one credit hour, for classes that really have us meeting for 2.5 hours a week, etc...

How come these teachers aren't telling us what will realistically happen?? I see the teacher I work with every Wednesday morning, and she is a wonderful mentor, and I truly believe she has been nothing but helpful. I see her every Wednesday and she is just frazzled, she is always coming up with new lessons, ideas, activities, etc... for her students. She is searching for books for low level, average, and above average level readers, she is always working. During her breaks she is working, after school she is working, in summer she is working, she is always working.

When the kids go out to recess for ten-fifteen minutes, I always take that time and she always asks if I have any questions, and I love how she answers them, but how come our teachers aren't being so honest? They are sugar coating, avoiding, or simply too busy for these questions that don't relate to what we are learning.

I think colleges need to be more upfront about what to expect. They should definitely have a course called what to expect when you are a teacher or out in the real world ...or something!

I don't want to enter my first year of teaching being oblivious and ignorant. I don't want to assume i'll be done for the day at 3:00 pm sharp, and have three months in summer to do nothing, because that's definitely not the case at all.

So teachers out there, please talk to your students or student aides/teachers in the classroom and tell them what's really up, I can honestly say they will appreciate it.

The End

2009-11-05T16:09:00.001-06:00

I was working with one of my second graders, who has poor reading skills, and she's beginning to improve and even got a 98% on her read aloud.

The main teacher in charge, asked me to work with her on reading a level 14 book. She was doing a great job, and only missed a few words.

After she finished, I asked her if she liked the book, and she said yes. Then I asked her what her favorite part of the book was, and she paused, so I asked, why did you like the book?

Her reply, "It has an end."

Classroom Hugs

2009-11-04T11:25:00.000-06:00

This year, it is my first time working with second graders, and I enjoy it way more than I originally thought I would.

I used to only want to teach upper elementary school, but my senior year of High School, I got placed for my education internship in a developmentally delayed early childhood classroom. My first couple of weeks there I didn't really enjoy it, but as I got to know the kids more, and spend more time with them, I began to love it. That's when I realized I don't care what grade I teach, as long as I teach.

Till then though, I have only been working with sixth graders, and now, finally, I'm working with second, and I love it.

My favorite thing about second graders is they still love teachers. I always walk in and get hugs from at least one student, and before I leave, I always have a few who try to pull me back in, or ask me questions they know the answers to, show me something, hug me, etc...

It really is a confidence booster. Obviously, my goal is not for my students to love me, it's to educate them, but it sure does feel good to be doing both.

_______ Loves Justin...Timberlake

2009-11-03T13:12:00.000-06:00

I student taught for 5th/6th multiage classroom my junior year of High School.

One day, we were all out on the playground, and I was just waking around, monitoring recess.

I saw the "popular" fifth grade girls sitting in a circle talking, and one of the girls looked pretty upset. I went over to her and asked her what was wrong. Then she told me to follow her, and there on the sidewalk, in sidewalk chalk was her name followed by loves Justin (Justin being another fifth grade boy). All the boys were laughing, and she was just angry and upset. Her friends were also angry and trying to figure out how they found out and what to do.

I simply said, do you have any sidewalk chalk? And she said yes, and I found the color it was written in, and added the word Timberlake.

The girls were so happy, and it was such a simple way to solve the problem.

Afterwards, I sat with them in their circles, and we laughed about the whole thing :)

CPS

2009-11-02T17:59:00.000-06:00

I live in a suburb near Chicago, and when I was a senior in high school, I got into the Golden Apple program. I won't go into too many details about the program in this entry, but one of the main benefits from Golden Apple is that you get to student aide in a classroom for three weeks in Chicago.

Golden Apple's main goal is to help create wonderful educators that can work in low needs classrooms.

I student taught at a school, that I won't say on here, but it was a rough experience. I had two years of prior experience student teaching, but that was in the suburbs. This was COMPLETELY different.

I worked with a sixth grade summer school class, and these children had to pass summer school to move on to junior high or they would have to repeat the sixth grade. It's hard working with children during the school year because they are so anxious and antsy to get out of school, so imagine working with a bunch of kids who were forced into summer school.

The first week was the hardest. The kids were rude, disrespectful, and clearly did not want to be there. They didn't like me at first and didn't really give me a chance. At first, I was shocked. I worked with sixth graders already, they were so sweet, respectful, loved school, but again, the sixth graders I worked with before were from the suburbs and came from middle class families. These students were living in poor areas and coming from mainly low-income families. Some were involved in gangs, some had no parents to go home to.

At first, I can honestly say, I did not enjoy the experience and didn't think I ever would. However, as the days went on, the students began to trust me. They weren't afraid or threatened by me, and they could tell that I genuinely cared. As the days went on I began noticing that their summer school teacher could honestly not care about them or what happens to them. She was always yelling at them, threatening them, and she never really taught. She just handed them worksheets and said get this done by eleven, and then grab this. It was pretty depressing.

Whenever they had these worksheets and busy work to do, I would always walk around and help them as best as I could.

However, that's not really the point of this blog. I'm getting off topic, which will happen with me a lot.. (i'll try to work on that).

In the Fall of 2010, I have to do my student teaching, and I will be doing it in Chicago. Whenever I tell people this, they are a little too worried and concerned.

Reactions I get are similar to, "what? aren't you scared?" "Can't someone else do it?" "Be safe!!!" Etc... I remember getting those same reactions back then as well, and I just want to scream whenever someone says something like this.

I understand the neighborhoods are not as great, the students aren't going to be as respectful, etc... I do, and yes, some schools are bad, and have issues, I get that too. But to try to discourage me from wanting to make a difference really gets to me.

I'm sorry, but i've seen and even had an experience with a CPS teacher and many aren't that great. I know, I am not a teacher yet, but it's easy to tell what teachers are great and which are well not meant to be teachers.

I wouldn't work in a CPS my first year of teaching or first years only because I wouldn't be as effective. I would love to work for a school of need, but I believe they deserve the best teachers. Many of the students come from low income families and don't have positive role models. I want to show these students that if no one at home cares, I at least do.

I believe all children deserve excellent teachers (golden apple motto), and I'm excited to work at a low income school, so please don't try to stop me.

Little Battles

2009-11-01T19:23:00.000-06:00

Currently I student aide for a second grade classroom. It's my first time working with second graders and I love it. They are a lot smarter, older, taller, and wiser than I remembered. They also have a lot more emotion than I imagined.

In grade school bullying, teasing, name calling, etc... is common. Kids feelings are hurt regularly, it's a sad statement, but a pretty true statement.

A few weeks ago, I was walking around, monitoring centers and this little boy we'll call Cam didn't have a partner. So I said okay work with Kat, her partner is absent today. Then Cam said can I work with some other student instead, and Kat began crying saying "my mom said everyone would like me."

Right away I told Cam to apologize and be Kat's partner, and to not treat other people this way and what he said and did just now, really hurt Kat's feelings. Cam instantly apologized and actually looked a bit worried and nervous. Then he proceeded to say, "i'm sorry, your baby brother was so cute when he came to visit the class last week." Instantly they made up and she forgave him and stopped crying.

After that day, I walked in a week later, and when they were to choose partners they chose each other.

I was really happy with how I handled the situation. My original thought was, oh crap, get the teacher, this little girl is crying. Instead, I handled it properly and didn't have to disturb the busy teacher in the process.

It probably won't always work out so wonderfully, but I was glad it did this time!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T14:32:00.000-05:00

Here are some fun lesson plans that revolve around Halloween that can be used in the classroom, enjoy!

Title - Haunted House for Sale
By - Linda Biondi
Primary Subject - Language Arts
Grade Level - 3-5

Note:

This is a simple, yet fun activity for writing advertisements about haunted houses for sale. Procedure:

Creature Recipes: Grades 3-6

Objective

This is a good activity for upper grades, and it's a great opportunity for technical writing practice.

Materials

3" x 5" index or recipe cards
Writing utensils
Scissors
Glue or paste
Construction paper
Paper scraps (construction paper, wallpaper, gift wrap)
Yarn
Cotton
Paper clips, brads, staplers
Craft supplies you have on hand (buttons, dried pasta, jiggly eyes, popsicle sticks, coffee stirrers, raffia, etc.)

Procedure

Discuss the two main parts of a recipe (ingredients and directions). Have students write a recipe for a creature using the "ingredients" you've provided — and their imaginations. Emphasize the importance of being precise in recipe writing, so that others can follow the directions easily. If time allows, have students draft a copy, edit it, and write the final on 3" x 5" cards. If time is limited, have students write the recipe directly on the cards. Place all the recipes in a basket and have students draw one out of the basket. This is the recipe they will follow to make a creature. Have students make the creatures using the provided materials and following the recipe. As follow-up, have them get together with the recipe writers, and see how close they came to the writers' "visions." Take pictures of your students with their creations!

And here are some ideas for Journal Topics:

Journal Topics

Describe your scariest childhood Halloween memory.
Describe the best Halloween costume made yourself or that you helped to make.
Describe the best way for children to celebrate Halloween.
How would you like to celebrate Halloween differently?
Describe Halloween from the viewpoint of a vampire bat.
Create a holiday you would like to substitute for Halloween.
Write an autobiography of a Jack O Lantern.
Write a poem about Halloween

Taken from: http://712educators.about.com/cs/halloween/a/halloweenless.htm

These are just a few ideas, if you have any other great ones, please send them my way!

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

2009-10-30T15:28:00.000-05:00

Joseph had a Little Overcoat is a children story by Simms Taback. This book is a 2000 Caldecott Medal winner and is absolutely fantastic.

The story is about a tailor who is resourceful and keeps transforming his overcoat into smaller items. The message Simms Taback is making is that you can always make something out of nothing. Aside from the great message this story offers, the colors are rich and vibrant, and has many small details in the background.

If you haven't read it already, I recommend going out and buying it right away, or at least going to the library and checking it out :)

You can also create many great lesson plans based off of this book.

First Day Jitters

2009-10-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

First Day Jitters is a children's book by Julie Danneberg and is absolutely WONDERFUL!

I read it for the first time last semester, and think it's a perfect book for students as well as teachers. The surprise ending will really make you smile, and your students will appreciate it as well!

If you haven't read it already, I recommend going out and getting it right away.

I think on my first day of school as a teacher, I will read this book to my students.

Read it and tell me what you think!

http://www.amazon.com/First-Day-Jitters-Julie-Danneberg/dp/158089061X

Future Teacher

2009-10-28T16:32:00.000-05:00

In about a year, I will graduate college, and finally be able to set up my own classroom.

Since I was five years old, I've been passionate about teaching and never wanted to do anything but teach (except be a rock star).

Since sophomore year of high school I've been training to become a teacher, working with children, educational internships, babysitting, taking classes, and even volunteering for Kasper (an after school program that watches children whose parents are working).

I'm in my final year of training for a teacher, and feel it's about time, I begin reflection about what I have learned and memories I've made.

Through this blog I will share the chronicles of teaching. I will talk about the process of becoming a teacher, working with students from ages three all the way to twelve.

I'm in my final year, and know it will go by extremely fast. It's about time I get myself prepared, write about what I have learned, and what I still have to learn.

I would love advice from other teachers or soon to be teachers, and if you need advice or want to know about the teacher education program at Western Illinois University- I will be glad to help!