7 Weeks In!

I know I said I would put pictures up soon, but believe it or not, things have been pretty hectic (shouldn't be too hard to believe, I mean it's student teaching)! So I'll try to promise again, but no guarantees that I will get to it any time soon. Things have been going really well this week. I felt as though I was in a little bit of a slump last week, and lacked my usual confidence in the classroom. Now, however, I am good as new! I guess I just hit a mid semester bump in the road.

I recently had an observation done by my supervisor and she and my mentor teacher agreed that they have seen some good improvements made since I first started. It's always reassuring to hear those who have been in education for a while say things like this. My mentor teacher and supervisor have been great in terms of giving feedback and positive critiques to help me become a better teacher. I was placed with a GREAT mentor teacher for my experience. She is great as a professional, and is becoming a good friend as well.

Let's see. . . what else is new? Well, recently we had a father come in for a conference and he expressed a big concern about his son's reading and English. The family is from a different country and although we can understand him in class, there are still difficulties to overcome. After hearing his father's plea for help, I knew we had to do something more. We started working with him more one-on-one and we have already seen some improvements. This student works so hard and I hope he continues to work hard to overcome these language barriers. This is my first experience with someone who is a true English Language Learner and it is definitely a challenge, but also very worth it.

This week, I also got a new student in class. I was worried about how the students would approach her although this does happen frequently here. As soon as our new student walked in all of them were so excited they all said "hi!" and asked her questions. One boy even tried to introduce her to everybody and every routine we had. It was too cute! She seemed shy at first, but I think she will fit right in. It didn't take too long for her to join in with the rest of the class to dance and get their "giggles and wiggles" out!

So far, I'd have to say the hardest thing about student teaching is getting all the work done in a decent time. Working with the students in the class is fairly easy because it just feels so natural. Although not all the lesson plans are difficult to write, it still takes a lot of time. It seems as though as soon as I finish one week's worth of lessons, I am on to the next week with little to no down time. All of this is just in time to teach it the following week. I am getting better at it though, and as hard as it is, it will be absolutely worth it when I get to have my own classroom someday.

I can't believe that in just a few months I will be graduating and looking for a job as a teacher! I think I'll be ready when the time comes for all that. It is so exciting!!

I can't wait for the weekend ahead. My best friend is coming to visit once again, and although most of our time will be spent doing lesson plans, I'm sure will find some fun around here! We always do. = )

Couldn't be happier! Talk to you soon.

Busy, Busy

Well, if the timing between now and my last post wasn't enough of an indicator, it has been extremely busy! As each week goes on I pick up another subject to teach, but it's the planning for these lessons that takes so much time. On top of that I am taking a science/philosophy class in order to graduate come May. I am trying to just take it day-by-day as new experiences and work arrives. Wow- Debbie Downer! Enough of that!

It finally feels as though I am getting my creative spark back, but it is definitely hard to keep up and stay fully organized with so much going on. I also prepared for my thematic science unit last week and the week before. It was so fun to create interactive science experiments. They were definitely a hit with my students. I started by decorating the room with sea animal cut outs. Then each student made a jelly fish out of coffee filters. Our experiments consisted of finding out what makes an egg float in an ocean (salt water), making waves in a jar, predicting the actual size of sea animals, and learning about sea animals. It was so fun to differ from the usual workbook activities, and do hands-on, unpredictable activities. I can't believe that after this week I was supposed to go home, until I changed my mind to stay for 12 weeks that is.

This weekend was a special weekend. My best friend who is in another part of Florida doing student teaching came to Celebration for an Alumni Dinner and day at Disney World. On Friday President Finks from Ashland came to school with his wife, Dr. Rycik (the director of student teaching), and Mr. Hendershott (the director of student teaching). The students were so excited to see a president up close and personal. It was a nice treat! Then myself and the other interns had dinner with Dr. Rycik and Mr. Hendershott. It was so great to catch up with them and hear all about how Ashland is doing. After dinner we went to the alumni event where we got to meet all kinds of Alumni from around the country. Overall it was a very good night.

The next day we woke up really early to go to Disney World for the day. We spent 14 hours walking all around Magic Kingdom, then to Hollywood Studios, and finally to Epcot. Originally my favorite ride was Winnie the Pooh (total classic)! Then I experienced the most awesome ride ever to be found on Earth! Basically, you sit in a chair that spins in different directions (but not constantly) while shooting at 3D targets! IT WAS AWESOME! Once again I got to feel like a kid again- and not to mention it was all with my best friend! I have to say though- none of this would be possible if it weren't for my host family. They are so generous and supportive of me that I really couldn't ask for a better home away from home.

To top the weekend off I found out that Alicia will be moving in with me and teaching here in Celebration! Good times are coming my way!

Once again, I am so sorry that it took so long to post. As much as I love blogging, it is very difficult to keep up with all the other work.

p.s. Pictures will come very soon! Check back in a day or two.