I'm so bad at this.
Not too much has changed lately. Still at the junior high. I have started to discuss my 3-Day Takeover with my CT, though. We are planning for September 28th, 29th, and 30th. I am not entirely sure what I will be teaching, but I am hoping for something fun. Then again, it might be up to me to make it fun.
Back to School Night was this past Thursday. I got nervous all over again introducing myself to the parents and mentioning what I was doing there. They all seemed very friendly though. I tried my best to look extra professional that night.
I am being observed tomorrow by my English content instructor. I am trying not to be too nervous about it. The only thing is I am not really going to be teaching, but more discussing. I hope she doesn't mind too much.
TEP work is starting to pile on. I know I have things to be doing, but I am not quite sure what is due when. It's my own fault really. I need to get organized. I am pretty sure I have it together.
I sent in a letter today for a fellowship. I really hope I get it. Free money is the best kind of money and would be very greatly appreciated. The less loan money I have to take out, the better in the end for me.
One thing before I forget. It's written down in my notes, but I would like to say it here so anytime I read this I'll see it...
"Don't Suck Out the Joy!!"
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Week 3
My gosh, have I really not updated this since August 31st? I am so ashamed. Forgive me. But if it is any consolation, it might just be an indicator to how busy I have been.
Last week was another big step for me as a student teacher. My CT suggested that I give a lesson every day on Latin and Greek roots in words. I took this more in the direction of a History of the English Language. Sounds boring, I know, but I tried my hardest to make it fun for the students. That means as little lecturing as possible, and an activity to drive the ideas home. Coming up with lessons is so hard for me. For those that may know me well, you might also know that when it comes to certain things I may tend to over think them, or want them perfect. (Right now my family is thinking "really??" But yes, it's true) I felt like no matter how hard I tried the students would not find the lesson relevant, fun, interesting, or any other positive adjective you can think of. I am always asking my CT what she thinks and she just kind of chuckles at how much of a novice I am, but she does offer her input which is nice.
I had a "formal" observation last Tuesday, where my Site Supervisor came into class to watch me teach. I know it wasn't really a pressure situation but it just added to the pressure of my first lesson. It is getting a lot easier now, though. Before my voice would get a bit shaky and my face would get real red when I was in front of the class, but now it's not so apparent. That isn't to say I am not still nervous though.
This week was short since Monday was Labor Day. I was at the junior high on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday I gave a quick lecture about Greek roots, and Wednesday I had the kids do an activity where they put different roots together to form words. I had them make 5 words they knew and then 5 words they made up. For example, a word they use today would be digress, using the roots "di" and "gress". The part where they made up words seemed to be the most fun for them. They got really creative. One that I remember off the top of my head is "aquast". I should also mention that for the words they made up, they had to come up with the part of speech and a working definition. If I recall correctly, an "aquast" is a water star (aqua meaning water, ast meaning star). So I think it was a synonym for Starfish.
Once again, I am a little bummed out that I won't know much about what is going on at school over the weekend, but I am trying to plan something fun for the students when I get back.
Also, my CT and I have also started talking about when I do my 3 day take over. As of now we are aiming for the last week of September! It sounds far but seems so close! I am going to be so nervous!
Last week was another big step for me as a student teacher. My CT suggested that I give a lesson every day on Latin and Greek roots in words. I took this more in the direction of a History of the English Language. Sounds boring, I know, but I tried my hardest to make it fun for the students. That means as little lecturing as possible, and an activity to drive the ideas home. Coming up with lessons is so hard for me. For those that may know me well, you might also know that when it comes to certain things I may tend to over think them, or want them perfect. (Right now my family is thinking "really??" But yes, it's true) I felt like no matter how hard I tried the students would not find the lesson relevant, fun, interesting, or any other positive adjective you can think of. I am always asking my CT what she thinks and she just kind of chuckles at how much of a novice I am, but she does offer her input which is nice.
I had a "formal" observation last Tuesday, where my Site Supervisor came into class to watch me teach. I know it wasn't really a pressure situation but it just added to the pressure of my first lesson. It is getting a lot easier now, though. Before my voice would get a bit shaky and my face would get real red when I was in front of the class, but now it's not so apparent. That isn't to say I am not still nervous though.
This week was short since Monday was Labor Day. I was at the junior high on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday I gave a quick lecture about Greek roots, and Wednesday I had the kids do an activity where they put different roots together to form words. I had them make 5 words they knew and then 5 words they made up. For example, a word they use today would be digress, using the roots "di" and "gress". The part where they made up words seemed to be the most fun for them. They got really creative. One that I remember off the top of my head is "aquast". I should also mention that for the words they made up, they had to come up with the part of speech and a working definition. If I recall correctly, an "aquast" is a water star (aqua meaning water, ast meaning star). So I think it was a synonym for Starfish.
Once again, I am a little bummed out that I won't know much about what is going on at school over the weekend, but I am trying to plan something fun for the students when I get back.
Also, my CT and I have also started talking about when I do my 3 day take over. As of now we are aiming for the last week of September! It sounds far but seems so close! I am going to be so nervous!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Week 2, Day 1
And so, week two begins. I am not sure if I prefer last week's schedule or the one that started today. It's nice to be in Journalism, and in other classrooms, but I already miss the kids I had seen in my original Read 180 class.
Journalism is exciting. It is, for the next few weeks, my period 1 class. The teacher is very nice. I also like his teaching style. Very quick, very fun. I am not sure if I'd be able to keep the pace he does in my own classroom, but I'd like to try.
Period 2 is now Read 180. However, instead of being with my CT, I am with another teacher. She's nice as well. It's a little different in her class because it is seventh graders but it is still fun.
It is kind of weird to be gone the last two days of the week. I felt like I was trying to catch up today. Hopefully as time goes on it won't be as hard.
Anyway, today in English 8 we went over the elements of "plot" using Cornell notes. The students took some notes as my CT explained each element (ie climax, resolution, conflict, etc). We also went over apostrophe usage as part of a grammar exercise, and a lesson about Latin roots in modern English. Tomorrow we are going to go over "proposition" and "support." I think we will also be getting into "Letters for Algernon," which is a fun, but long, story. I started to re-read it today. At first, it hadn't sounded familiar, but the more I read the more I was able to recall it. I hope we don't rush through it, just because it is so long that to rush it would be a shame, and I don't think the students will be able to comprehend it as well.
Today's 4pm-7pm class was ED 332B (Children, Families, and Community). It wasn't as bad as I thought. We are going to be learning the affects of relationships on students and how it applies to our jobs as teachers. I am pretty interested in it, so far.
Journalism is exciting. It is, for the next few weeks, my period 1 class. The teacher is very nice. I also like his teaching style. Very quick, very fun. I am not sure if I'd be able to keep the pace he does in my own classroom, but I'd like to try.
Period 2 is now Read 180. However, instead of being with my CT, I am with another teacher. She's nice as well. It's a little different in her class because it is seventh graders but it is still fun.
It is kind of weird to be gone the last two days of the week. I felt like I was trying to catch up today. Hopefully as time goes on it won't be as hard.
Anyway, today in English 8 we went over the elements of "plot" using Cornell notes. The students took some notes as my CT explained each element (ie climax, resolution, conflict, etc). We also went over apostrophe usage as part of a grammar exercise, and a lesson about Latin roots in modern English. Tomorrow we are going to go over "proposition" and "support." I think we will also be getting into "Letters for Algernon," which is a fun, but long, story. I started to re-read it today. At first, it hadn't sounded familiar, but the more I read the more I was able to recall it. I hope we don't rush through it, just because it is so long that to rush it would be a shame, and I don't think the students will be able to comprehend it as well.
Today's 4pm-7pm class was ED 332B (Children, Families, and Community). It wasn't as bad as I thought. We are going to be learning the affects of relationships on students and how it applies to our jobs as teachers. I am pretty interested in it, so far.
Friday, August 28, 2009
First Week
Remember when I said I was anxious to start the week? It turns out I was so anxious and excited I couldn't fall asleep until about 1:30am. Needless to say waking up was not fun, but I poured myself a tall glass of iced black tea with a touch of lemon and was good to go.
Class itself was fun. Although we did not get our official schedules until Tuesday, so on Monday I ended up helping out my CT and observing a couple other teachers. The first day was not as fun as the other two. I do not know why, but I enjoyed Tuesday and Wednesday a lot more. Perhaps it was my lack of sleep on Sunday night.
Monday night I wrote a letter to my students in English 8, and Tuesday night for homework they wrote me, and my CT, back. I have been reading them the past couple of days and making comments. It is quite humbling that some kids will trust you enough to write the things they do. I will not go into any details, and it's nothing too heavy, but still I was not expecting some of the things they were putting in there.
This week was kind of sit back and see how things go. Although I am trying to be as proactive as I can and want to do as much as I can. I am really excited to be working with the kids in my class. I already feel like I have some of them figured out, but have already been surprised.
So starting next week, my official schedule is as follows:
Per. 1 - Journalism
Per. 2 - Read 180
Per. 3 - Prep/Mentor
Per. 4 - English 8
Per. 5 - Not Assigned (mostly observing other teachers)
Per. 6 - N/A '' ''
Thursdays and Fridays are interesting. We are not on site, but rather on campus at UCSB. Yesterday we had our first master's class, and to be honest, it kind of scared me. Coming up with a topic to write on for my research feels a little scary/sketchy right now. I am definitely not too confident, but I am going to try. I would really like to get my master's at the end of all this.
Friday was our first content/methodology class. I am not sure how I feel about it at this point. I know it will be very useful, but I also feel it will be more of another source of work, which is not appealing in the least.
I got some more shirts and ties to wear to school so I can switch things up a bit. I will not have to wear the same 3 shirts every week now. That's actually the highlight of my week, sad as it may sound. :o)
I know I should be updating this every day, but I get so tired. When I get home I just want to sleep. I will give it my best effort though.
Class itself was fun. Although we did not get our official schedules until Tuesday, so on Monday I ended up helping out my CT and observing a couple other teachers. The first day was not as fun as the other two. I do not know why, but I enjoyed Tuesday and Wednesday a lot more. Perhaps it was my lack of sleep on Sunday night.
Monday night I wrote a letter to my students in English 8, and Tuesday night for homework they wrote me, and my CT, back. I have been reading them the past couple of days and making comments. It is quite humbling that some kids will trust you enough to write the things they do. I will not go into any details, and it's nothing too heavy, but still I was not expecting some of the things they were putting in there.
This week was kind of sit back and see how things go. Although I am trying to be as proactive as I can and want to do as much as I can. I am really excited to be working with the kids in my class. I already feel like I have some of them figured out, but have already been surprised.
So starting next week, my official schedule is as follows:
Per. 1 - Journalism
Per. 2 - Read 180
Per. 3 - Prep/Mentor
Per. 4 - English 8
Per. 5 - Not Assigned (mostly observing other teachers)
Per. 6 - N/A '' ''
Thursdays and Fridays are interesting. We are not on site, but rather on campus at UCSB. Yesterday we had our first master's class, and to be honest, it kind of scared me. Coming up with a topic to write on for my research feels a little scary/sketchy right now. I am definitely not too confident, but I am going to try. I would really like to get my master's at the end of all this.
Friday was our first content/methodology class. I am not sure how I feel about it at this point. I know it will be very useful, but I also feel it will be more of another source of work, which is not appealing in the least.
I got some more shirts and ties to wear to school so I can switch things up a bit. I will not have to wear the same 3 shirts every week now. That's actually the highlight of my week, sad as it may sound. :o)
I know I should be updating this every day, but I get so tired. When I get home I just want to sleep. I will give it my best effort though.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
This Past Week
With my placement known, I went to the school Tuesday and met my cooperating teacher (CT). She is very nice and I am looking forward to working with her. Thursday we went to a staff meeting where I met most of the teachers and the administration. I talked to my CT some more.
Friday was interesting. I woke up and went to the school to help my CT set up her classroom. When I was done hanging up posters and other things, we went to the library to get my Teacher's Edition textbooks. After that, my CT said I could leave but as I was packing my backpack up and walking across campus, I decided to ask her if I could do more. I mean, I had nothing else to do that day and I figured anything I could do would be helpful; not to mention another learning experience for me. So, I met up with her in the copy room and she had me make a lot of copies of things. And I do mean a lot. It was really frustrating dealing with a copy machine that jams every 5 seconds. I'm not even exaggerating. So I battled the copier for about an hour and finally finished it up. After that I went home.
Tomorrow is the first day of school!! I'm really anxious. I hope it all goes well.
Wish me luck!
Friday was interesting. I woke up and went to the school to help my CT set up her classroom. When I was done hanging up posters and other things, we went to the library to get my Teacher's Edition textbooks. After that, my CT said I could leave but as I was packing my backpack up and walking across campus, I decided to ask her if I could do more. I mean, I had nothing else to do that day and I figured anything I could do would be helpful; not to mention another learning experience for me. So, I met up with her in the copy room and she had me make a lot of copies of things. And I do mean a lot. It was really frustrating dealing with a copy machine that jams every 5 seconds. I'm not even exaggerating. So I battled the copier for about an hour and finally finished it up. After that I went home.
Tomorrow is the first day of school!! I'm really anxious. I hope it all goes well.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
My Placement
So I found out on Monday that I will have my first placement at a Junior High School. I did my pre-professional experience there. It's a nice campus. I like it. My fellow junior high TEPers and I took a tour of the campus yesterday and met so many nice people, including our Cooperating Teachers (CTs). I have two other people with me a the school, one other English, the other Foreign language.
I think we are having a meeting tomorrow, I just don't know what time yet. Hopefully someone lets me know.
I think we are having a meeting tomorrow, I just don't know what time yet. Hopefully someone lets me know.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Crazy Weather
So, as the week comes to an end, I would like to apologize for not putting up any pictures yet. Unfortunately, the weather has taken a turn for the worse and I have not seen the sun in about 3 days. That, plus there is a fire near Santa Ynez that is causing ash to rain down through the fog/mist/clouds. It's pretty depressing. I think it is having an effect on everyone in the program.
Anyway, tomorrow is our last day for this set of classes. I CANNOT WAIT to be done. Not because I do not like them, but because it means we are closer to our assignments and being in actual classrooms in the field. Which, to me, means more fun, excitement, challenges, and learning.
BTW, I thought this was interesting for "turn for the worse": (http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Alt/alt.usage.english/2009-02/msg02023.html)
Anyway, tomorrow is our last day for this set of classes. I CANNOT WAIT to be done. Not because I do not like them, but because it means we are closer to our assignments and being in actual classrooms in the field. Which, to me, means more fun, excitement, challenges, and learning.
BTW, I thought this was interesting for "turn for the worse": (http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Alt/alt.usage.english/2009-02/msg02023.html)
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