Friday November 20-Student Teaching

I forgot to mention yesterday that the two writing coaches did meet with me.  They suggested that i do more of the Learning Focused Schools graphic organizers.  So this morning I re-wrote my lesson for today.   I think it went very well.  We did two cause and effect organizers and a Who, WHat, When, Where, Why, and How organizer.  Not that the kids don’t usually discuss the articles, but I think they were able to follow along better.

On a naughty note, during the last period of the day I had a little slip up.  We have this intramural period, today was whiffle ball.  I went to help our Discovery Home Room catch a ball and I missed. And as my husband can tell you I sometime let some choice curse words fly.  Under my breath I said SHIT.  I don’t think anyone heard it, but boy was I embarrassed.

Thursday November 19-Student Teaching

This is slowly coming to a close.  I observed the other student teacher today.  He has a history classroom with all the bells and whistles. (A full working Smart Board).   Prior to the day I observed the students watched a documentary on the Alamo. Then he must have made them watch the full John Wayne version of the Alamo. And today he showed them clips of the Alamo , the most recent movie with BB Thornton and others.  Some of the kids were asked about the accuracy of the movies. and the kids had a short discussion on factualness.  apparently the John Wayne version is very un-factual.

Wdnesday November 18-Student Teaching

Today my co-op teacher organized a speaker to come in.  Basically one of the staff members went on a mission trip to Sierra Leone.  The school supported her by giving her money to purchase books and supplies for the school children she visited and our HR sent letters for the students.  So all day today we were in the 6th grade history teacher’s room and we did a follow up lesson on Sierra Leone.  Not a lot of work on our part, but I did learn some nice things. 

I was observed today by our two writing specialists.  I did teach one class and that was my Current Events class.  We’ll see what they say.  They are going to come back tomorrow during 8th period and let me know what they want me to do.  Our school is in Improvement 1, and they are really working on their writing skills.

Tuesday, November 17-Student Teaching

The only class I taught today was period 9.  We finished the Puritan notes.  Officially I only have to finish the Puritans with period 2 tomorrow and I am no longer teaching any history classes. 

I spent most of the day trying to catch up on grades and working on my portfolio.

Monday, November 16- Student Teaching

I finished the Puritan lesson with classes 3 and 5.  Period 2 had foresight testing and will not finish until Wednesday. Period 9 was very far behind last week because of Veterans Day so we took notes all period. 

Officially I had a great lesson with the current events class.  I made up a powerpoint on Haiti. One of the students in the class is going to be traveling there early next year and at her request we had a lesson on it.  I was able to incorporate some really good material.  I also had the Overhead Projector.  I think the Co-Op was impressed by the technology use today.

Friday, November 12- Student Teaching

Today we bagan a lesson I call: What does it mean to be a Puritan?  as a class we discuss the basics of puritanism. Then we make lateral ties to the Amish.  The kids really got into it.  I wish I was teaching next week.  My co-op and I have made an agreement. I am handing back the 4 history classes next week. I will be keeping the Current Events class and Discovery until the very end.  Those classes do not have teast and the work load is easier.      Sad that the end is near…….

Thursday, November 11- Student Teaching

Today was Veterans Day. The school held a special program that showcased the student talent.  One of my student read an essay she wrote as an entry into the VFW Patriot’s Pen essay writing contest.  Iwas so proud of her. 

This was also parent-teacher conferences night for the first marking period.  It’s interesting to note that many of the worst graded students did not have parental representation at conferences. The school has set up another round of conferences in December specifically for those students who are in danger of failing the year. 

Today’s lesson was a no-brainer. My co-op has requested that the students actually read the textbook. So that was what we did today. As we read we filled out the Section 1, Chapter 3 notes page provided by the textbook company. 

 

Wednesday, November 10-Student Teaching

Today was a continuation of the same lesson from yesterday.  We finished the mini colony posters.  After the posters were done the students presented their findings to the class and the posters were displayed. 

As i mentioned yesterday, if I were to do this lesson again I would use different resources, and change the parameters of the project.

Tuesday, November 9-Student Teaching

As I surmised not many actually took the time to correctly answer their questions.  They could use all the resources they had available, and still they couldn’t look up basic information to pass this quiz. 

I looked through the 5 questions I asked during journal time, 98% of the students admitted that they did not study or studied very little.  The other intersting fact was that they felt they should have been offered an open book quiz like the students had last year.  I explained that I wanted to know what they knew, not what the book knew. 

On the fly, I created a project that I hope will help boost their grades. We started it today and I must finish it tomorrow.  The Project is a mini poster on the origins of each colony.  The project has some serious flaws that I would work out if I ever did this again.  One thing I did was pre-research the topics and created packets for the kids. Unfortunately I didn’t look at reading levels or plan that some students would refuse to actually read the notes to complete the project.  I would just use the information in the book next time. It may  not hav all the answers, but it sure is written on a level they understand.

Monday, November 8-Student Teaching

I began today by handing back two major grades for this NEW marking period. 

The quiz they took on Friday and the Patriot’s Pen Essay they wrote about two weeks ago.  I purposely did not hand back or grade the essay because I knew they were abismal.  So I spent hours on Saturday grading them.  I must admit I was rather hard on the students. So many failed the essay paper.  combined with the quiz grade many of the students will be working all marking period to bring their grades up to passing. 

In an effort to give the students a chance to bring their grades up I offered to let them earn back 1/2 a point for each quiz question the fixed correctly.  I have very little hope that some of the more challenging students will actually accept the offer. 

Busy, Busy Week

Monday: MLK Day. Let’s see.  Started the week with a 1/2 hour class that I drove 2 hours round trip to get to.  stopped at school to pick up final exam for tutoring. Painting with my mom b/c we are going to try and refinance.  I got really bored fast and by 2 PM my goose was cooked.

Tuesday: Class for 1 hour, two hour round trip drive.  Tutor: Able to watch inauguration in snippets at tutoring.  What a shame I missed most of it b/c tutoring took 2 more hours. Then to Dr. for TB Test, the new school requires another.  Typed a paper, Madame de Pompadour.  More advise from mom by phone.  Picked up the mail. Damn Ebay wrong textbook came.  Seller advertised textbook, but sent study guide. Insert a few choice curse words here XXXX.  Drove 1 hour back to school to meet with adviser, then class again from 6:30-8. And finally one more hour drive home.  Total time in the car today approx. 5 hours.

The rest of the week looks just as crappy.  Enjoy your day or evening. Hope it wasn’t as bad as mine.  Leah

Semester 2, Late Additions

I have been a little remiss lately in the blog department.  When classes ended I fully intended to keep writing.  It is very cathartic to just tell everyone everything.  But, then I got to thinking about something Mark, my husband, says often. If the kids or the district will find out don’t do it or say it.  So I had a little war going on inside my head.  Should I just blab and tell everyone everything………..

So here goes, the censored truth.

New year, New stories:  New Years was by far the best time I’ve had in a very long time. It just was one of the most entertaining evenings I have had in years.  Not that evenings spent in front of the tele aren’t fun, they just are not as fun as they used to be. We went for a little scavenger hunt at 1:30 in the morning in sub zero weather to look for a geocache.  My cousin got a new toy for Christmas and had no idea he could use it to geocache.

New classes: The classes this semester are Ed. Psych, European History, and Standards and Assessments.  Have to tell you the history class is interesting the teacher starts all the classes with a music history lesson.  I AM NOT IN THIS FOR THE MUSIC.  In Psych class the teacher reminds me of Grammy Heilman.  From the hair to the out of shape wheezing.  Mark loves when I come home and tell my stories.

New Ideas:  Had a couple ideas the other night for a three short story essay.  However as I was thinking about them I didn’t write it down so now the memory has faded a bit.  Not sure if the stories are going to go as I dreamed or if this like all my other ideas will be scrapped.

O.K. The well is dry for now.  I’ll have to write more later.  I also want to include some pictures I took of the dog.  Everyone is commenting on how crazy I am to dress him in his coats.  Yeh, My dog actually likes to put on clothing…… I can hear the laughter already.

Leah

A little cranky……..

I realised the last blog sounded a little frazzled and cranky.  Sorry everyone.

I have some time between classes, sitting in the library, finding things to do.  Need a textbook I don’t have, can’t study.  Could write Friday’s assignment for history, but I don’t have the topic yet, and won’t have it till after 12:20.  So what should I do…………………?

I just hate down time, because I know I have so many things I need to do, places I need to be, and work that just isn’t going to do itself.  I tried doing some wash today. When I turned on the dryer I smelled this really odd smell. Turned it off.  All I need now is a dryer that is caput.  I can’t win.  Argh……..

Poor Mark has also had to deal with the snore monster this week.  I go through these spurts. Either I snore or I don’t.  He hasn’t slept all week.  I’m starting to feel guilty.  I think tonight I might take some alergy meds just to see if they alleviate the problem.

I hate cold weather.  This morning the temperature was in the teens, 13 to be exact.  We also have a wind chill today that is supposed to make that 13 feel like 3.  I’m so glad we have a garage which eliminates some of the headache of scraping a windshield every morning when you are late for school.  The dog didn’t even want to go into the snow to do, you know. He kept giving me this pitiful face and hopping on one foot.  Got to admit it is rather nice when he doesn’t take 20 minutes to walk around the yard to investigate the best spot.

I’m off to do some reading. Yes, it’s for pleasure.  Not much else I can do at this moment.  Cheers, Leah

Re-Mortgage

This is a little rant about re-mortgaging our house.  It can be informative for anyone who wants to  remortgage. 

1. We bought a house 3 1/2 years ago. Since then we have managed to pay off approximately 12,000 of 100,000 principle in loans.  However since the rates were 6.785 and 7.65 respectively on the loans, we wanted to re-finance to get the chance at some of the new lower rates.

2. We did get the offer of a lower rate of 5%.  However, let me begin by saying that the new lower rate is in all actuallity not any lower.  You see to get a 5% loan we would have to pay points and all the other assundry fees that the lending company has decided to charge.  Guess what?  The fees come out to 7,000-9,000 dollars.  So now our loan went from 88,000 to 95,000-97,000. 

3. “Holly Hell Bat Man”, to take a phrase from my sister.  Why did I even attempt to pay off the 12,000 dollars?  I really feel sorry for people who got bad ARM loans now.  I mean, if the cost of your house was $250,000 or larger, to refinance you would have to take out another loan just to do it.  The FEDS need to get better at this regulation of banking.  I mean just lowering the interest rate isn’t going to do it.  The banks are still pushing the limit on fairness. 

O.K. The rant is now finished.  The moral to our story. Pay the bank off fast and don’t worry about refinancing b/c I can do better myself. A smart borrower will always pay extra every month to avoid paying more later. 

Leah

Frosty Pictures By Request

My fellow education students

My faith in the common man or Fellow Education Students has been restored.  I have been having a very hard time finding one of my class texts. I refuse to pay 120$ for a text that I can’t sell back because the teacher has already warned us she isn’t using it next semester. 

SO I tried ebay with no luck.  I ordered a book, didn’t get the text. (see earlier blogs in the week) Then I tried again always outbid.  I’m getting desperate.

AND then, I said to myself, who might have decided this text was worth keeping; ALL MY FELLOW EDUCATION MAJORS.  It worked I had 4 offers on a book in 4 hours.  Thank you, Leah

Wasting More Time-Tuesday

Yes, I seem to have time to spare today.  Tuesday is the day I have an evening class. To spare myself some money and endless hours behind the wheel I’m staying on campus today.  Which means that I have from now 12:42 till 6:30 to kill.  I have a paper to write on Rousseau and I have chapters to read in Psychology, but I really don’t want to do it.  Help!!!!!

Why am I not motivated to do anything today?  We are expecting bad weather tonight.  But no matter what I’ll still have classes in the morning, because they never cancel class.  Yeah! for me.

I’ll leave it at those thoughts.  Not much else is running around in my head today.  It’s been in a fog all week.

Leah

Sleet-Freezing Rain

Woke up today to sleet.  It snowed last night and changed to sleet sometime before I woke up.  The roads are awful.  I can’t believe that the university did not close.  Penn State Harrisburg, and HACC closed,  all the school districts closed. It was a treacherous commute today.

I have this paper to write.  I finally received feedback from my instructor and he ripped apart my thesis.  Back to the proverbial drawing board.  I finally caught a winter flu.  I have all the simptoms.  I think it’s from using all the public computers on campus.  Seriously, I subbed all last semester and only was sick once.  School has been in session 2 weeks and I’m sick already.

And to top it all off I’m a little jealous b/c Mark has the day off and I don’t.  I want to go home and crawl back into bed. Whine, Whine, Whine.  Definitly sick. Most assuredly, I’m sick of myself.

Leah

Frosty-Best Friends

Today I took Frosty out for his morning constitutional.  I expertly walked around the huge frozen spot in the drive way so that he could find the best spot… On the way back to the porch I was not as graceful or as expert at navigating the icy patches and fell onto my right hip, while twisting my knee.  I let go of the leash and off Frosty bounded.  When he heard my cry and whimpering, yes it hurt, he came back immediately and gave me kisses all over my face, while offering encouragement to get up.

I so LOVE that dog. Leah

Breakfast With My Father

My dad is in town this weekend for his male bonding/Pine Hollow crowd pleaser weekend.  Basically the men, who come from Maine to Virginia, get together without their wives to eat, drink, shoot guns, and have a good time.   Since he recently broke his ankle/foot he is exempt from some of the more strenuous bonding activities.  So I called him and asked if breakfast was o.k.  Wouldn’t want to horn in on the male bonding.

It’s nice to sit down with your dad and have adult conversations once in awhile.  We talked about Ebay, Cable T.V vs DSL and the merits of facebook.  An all techie conversation I probably could not have had with him a few short years ago.  Now he loves his paypal account because he always has money in it.  He is still light years behind the system I have set up at home, but still he is most definitely tech savvy for a 60 year old former farmer.

Leah

The Magic Flute/Die Zauberflote

Well I’m not sure how my history teacher has decided watching all 2 hours and 49 minutes of the Met’s 1991 rendition of The Magic Flute ties to the relevance of my class.  Yes, it is a History class and we are studying the enlightenment, but wouldn’t I have learned more watching something I could understand and was in English.  I know that last comment is very ethnocentric, but for heaven’s sake I am not a Music Major nor am I that fluent in GERMAN.  Thank you Wikipedia. Yet again you have pulled through with the obscure references from The Magic Flute, and why I needed to watch this for enlightenment.

Review of the opera itself.  I liked it. No, I didn’t understand any of  it, but I love to sing in my church choir.  The Soprano who played the Queen of the Night rocked.

Monday Aug. 31st- Student Teaching

Today was an inservice day. I went in and stayed until noon.  The teacher and I planned some of my duties.  I will start teaching and planning for my first class September 8th.  The class is a current events class and is an elective.  I’ve got so many ideas, maybe to many ideas.  I also am going to begin taking over the regular classes on September 14th.  There are 4 sections of HistoryI.  I’m a little nervous………

Tue. Sept 1st- Student Teaching

I’m overwhelmed by the sheer amount of paperwork the kids received on their first day.  Most classes were assigned homework. Granted the homework wasn’t that hard, but it was still homework on the first day.  I think the teacher I am observing has an authoritiarian class structure.  She has been teaching 30 years. She gave me lots of notes to look through and I was again overwhelmed by the number of activities she has planned for them to do.  I am so used to a 70 minute structure that it is hard to wrap my mind around these 40 minute class periods. I am glad to see that the schedule has so many planning oportunities.  I shall definitely need them.

Student Teaching

As many of you know I decided that I needed to do student teaching after being convinced that it was in my best interests.  Part of the process is that I am required to keep a journal of my activities.  From now until November 25th I will write a blog for everyday I am in school student teaching. 

Cheers, Leah

Spring Break, Slumdog Millionaire

A time of year all college students have come to treasure.  I had grand plans to actually get work done around the house this week.  We want to put in a garden this year. And the neightbor has offered to rototill it for us.  We have to move the eyesore of a shed we have parked there now.  Well the local school districts have figured out I’m on break.  I’m now subbing everyday except wednesday.  So much for spring break.  I love the money, so I’m not too put out. 

Wanted to let everyone know I saw the movie, “Slumdog Millionaire.”  It was great.  I mean it had a plot, I liked the way it was fillmed.  It doesn’t always portray India in a good light, but I still think it would be a great place to travel.  Go See This Movie. 

Cheers, Leah

Fri. Sept. 4th- Student Teaching

Today I taught the whole day.  My cooperating teacher was out today. They called a substitute teacher in, but I followed all the lesson plans and taught.  It went great.  The only reflections I have are that I do not seem to have as much control over the classes as she does.  I think it is how I ask questions.  I must phrase them in a way that makes the kids want to shout out answers.  (a no no in her class) The substitute sat and did soduku the whole day.  Yes, I have done this before, but it felt good to be able to do it today.  I felt in control and prepared.  Today during team time we had to choose two of Marzano’s (Yes, That’s Marzano from class) techniques to stress this year.  It was neat seeing that they actually are using the stuff from class.  Cheers, Leah

Thurs. Sept. 3rd-Student Teaching

Today I was able to actually have the class to myself, even if it was only for 5 minutes.  The teacher had to take care of some behavior issue so she took 5 kids into the hall for 5 minutes.  Since this was the 2nd class I knew the lesson already and just taught some of it.  Felt kind of cool. Can’t wait till next week when I teach my lessons on Tuesday and Thursday. As I read my facebook status updates I realized a lot of teachers and students have off tomorrow. You lucky ducks! My husband included.  I have some lesson plans I need to finalize tonight so I can turn them in tomorrow.  Cheers, Leah

Wed. Sept 2nd- Student Teaching

I’m acting more of a team teacher right now.  I hand out papers and observe.  One of the things I have found really neat is that the team (7th Grade) has a daily meeting to talk about issues and to implement new teaching strategies.  Today was ways to incorporate more writing in the classroom.  The book the trainers whipped out was by Daniels, it wasn’t one I recognized from class, but it certainly looks like it could be a Susquehanna textbook.  I also spoke with my co-op today about when I’m going to take over the other classes.  I think that by September 21st I’ll have them all except one.  Still very nervous……..

Tues. Sept 8th- Student Teaching

Well today I began taking over classes.  I planned and taught 8th period, which is a current events class.  I think it went o.k. I spoke a little fast.  The teacher who observed everything gave some great feedback.  It was interesting to get the feedback because while you are teaching you can’t always focus on individual kids.  So she was able to point out some of the things she saw them do.  I also sat in on a faculty meeting today.  It was great, very productive and NOT LONG, only 1/2 an hour.  I get to try again on Thursday, keep your fingers crossed.  Check the web page I started to see the lesson plans in full.  (They should be uploaded soon.)

Wed. Sept. 9th-Student Teaching

O.K. I was a little off today.  Had some sleep issues last night. Felt like I was 2 steps behind all day.  Expressed this feeling to the cooperating teacher and she was very understanding.  She said sometimes you just don’t feel your best, as long as the kids are o.k., you are o.k……… We had our first fire drill of the year.  It was interesting to note that our middle school is on the third floor. The evacuation did not go smoothly.  Kids with crutches and wheelchairs can’t use the elevators during drills.  Kids had no idea how to get out of the building.  Thank goodness it happened during our prep period…….Another Really neat thing happened today.  I sat in on a Gifted IEP Meeting. Essentially the kid was tested over the summer and we were meeting to discuss the results.  It was good to listen to the psychologist and learn the ins and out of a gifted test and what the parameters are for the program.  The parents were really great about the whole thing and very understanding.  Cheers, Leah

Fri. Sept 11th- Student Teaching

OOPs, missed Thursday’s blog.  I had lesson plans due for next week and felt it was more important to get them done instead.  Some neat things did happen on Thursday.  I sat in on a 504 meeting.  THis is a meeting for students to be declared special needs/handicap.  It helps them receive special treatment and or services.  In this case the student is not severe, so the request was pretty benign.  The whole team sat down with the parent to discuss the strategy for help.  Again the parents were really supportive and great.  I wonder if it’s just because it’s still the beginning of the year.               

Today, we had a relatively easy day. It was the 8th anniversary of 9/11.  We actually held remembrance days in all the History classes.  This school also has a discovery period.  It is the school’s attempt at teaching character education.  The students are to be writing lyrics to Naz, “I Can.”  It was hard to get them started, but once they had the idea it went smoothly.  And, NO, we did not share with them the real lyrics, just the chorus part.  I’m very tired today because I was up till 1 am working on lesson plans.  Still have kinks to work out as  the coop found some areas where I could change them to make them better.  

More later, Leah

Mon Sept 14th- Student Teaching

Wrote this out last night just didn’t have time to update the blog.  I’m strating to feel the crunch.  I have begun taking over classes.  Last week I took over the one Current Events class. This week I have one of the history classes. Next week I’m taking all of the classes. (Except for a couple here and there like Almanac Day 9/22)

I had a bad first day in history. I felt so rushed and talked really fast.  I’m so used to 70 minute periods that adjusting to 40 minutes is just hard.  I knew I had to much planned and that finishing the material was ambitious so I psyched myself out before I even got started.  I hope tomorrow will be better.

Tues Sept 15th- Student Teaching

It definitely went better today.  I watched really closely yesterday when she (my cooperating teacher) taught.  So today I adjusted early and was able to get through everything.  I hope tomorrow goes just as well.  She and I have simmilar plans but are not teaching the same way or things.  Some of our materials are the same. For instance I made up pre-printed flash cards for the kids to use to study and she liked them and used them as well.  I’m also using some of her maps she had already created.  It’s a nice give and take. 

I also learned today that I need to work on my listening skills.  I misunderstood something a teacher said and was unable to relay that information accurately.  Sometimes it’s even hard to understand the kids because they speek quietly in a crowded room. I asked a girl today to repeat herself 3 times because I couldn’t hear her.  I do have an excuse, my co-op was playing music on the radio at the time. maybe the lesson is don’t play the radio…….

Wed. Sept. 16th- Student Teaching

Came to blog on Thurs. and realised I thought I had blogged last night about my day, but I didn’t. 

My day on Wednesday.  Lets see, I  did not have such a good day today.  It seems that sometimes my lessons are spot on. Then other days I can step back after class and see all the mistakes I made.  The thing is I’m making mistakes that I fixed long ago.  I mean I substituted many years and I have some experience so to make these mistakes just seems extra bad.  I hope it gets better as I go along.  I have lots of lesson plans to write tonight. Many students seem to be going on week long vacations next week.  So they fill out these educational trip forms and I have to give them homework for the whole week.  It’s really hard since I have not completely planned next week yet.  I do know they are having 2 state and capital quizes and a news event quiz that is given to the whole middle school.  Other than that my Co-op is having an Almanac Day on the 22nd for the Autumnal Equinox.  I had better get busy…..

Thurs. Sept. 17th- Student Teaching

O.K. this is the second time I’m writing this. Somehow the first time was erased after I posted it. Don’t ask I’m not techie enough to understand what I did.

Today went better than yesterday. It was Constituiton Day, remembering Sept 17th, 1787.  Lets say the lesson was alright, but I missed one key thing. I didn’t have a copy of the notes prepinted for a student who didn’t have her glasses. The Co-op had to write all of her notes for her.  Next time I’ll be sure to have at least one extra copy handy.  All in all it was not enough time to tackle such a large topic.  I mean one day is hardly enough to cover something that we spent an entire semester in college analyzing. 

On a good note I got a desk today.  My Co-op called me at home and said she rearranged the room so now I have one.   However, next week I take over teaching full time and I probably won’t need it anymore.

Friday Sept 18th-Student Teaching

O.K. you may say to yourself today is really Wed. Why ar you bloggin last Friday. Well directly after school I drove 3 hours to Philadelphia. Where I was at a Women of Faith conference most of the weekend. 

The week ended o.k. I still have a lot of things to work on for next week.  I have to become more experienced with the overhead projector.  I am more of a hands on thinker and was trying to use the text, the overhead, and maps at the same time. It was very chaotic and the organization sucked. 

Next week I am teaching full time. Using my lesson plans and some of my handouts.  The teacher has all this stuff already copied. She copied it before she knew she was going to have a student teacher. I feel obligated to use it because I can’t see wasting all that paper. 

Monday Sept 21- Student Teaching

Today was a full day of teaching.  Well almost a full day. Periods 1 and 2 were foresight testing. The rest of the day was regular.  Granted 1st periosd is always a prep, the only kids who missed any class time were second period.  We completed our mapwork and moved on to the notes. 

At a loss for planning the current events class tomorrow.  Last week we did famous people behaving badly. Kanye West, Rep Wilson, and Serena Williams just fed right into the topic.  I was waiting all day for a news article to grab me, but none fit.  I’ll have to research a back-up topic. 

Wednesday Sept 23-Student Teaching

O.K. I re-read last night’s post.  Yes, I was really down.  Today was much better. I did not have to deal with Current Events class.  I think it went well today almost have all the classes caught up.  We had testing earlier in the week and period two was 2 days behind. Period nine has all the IEP kids in one class and they are always behind every other class.  Things just seem to take 2x as long to accomplish in there.  I’m being observed tomorrow. I’m nervous.  I just seem to freak when I know I’m under the microscope. 

Thursday Sept 24-Student Teaching

Tonight we had parent teacher night at school. Met some really nice parents.  We also didn’t see any of the parents for the kids who are failing.  Why is that?  I mean are the kids failing because the parents don’t care. Or are the parents not comming because they know their kids is not doing well.  It makes you wonder what the story is?

Today I was also observed by my advisor.  I was really nervouse, but I think I did o.k.   The kids who came in tonight asked about him.  Sort of sprung him on my classes today.  I have a lot of work ahead of me. I have to be filmed, complete a portfolio and be interviewed by the princicple like I’m being interviewed for a job.  I have more observations due as well.  Tonight I’ll be burning the midnight oil doing lesson plans.  Ta Ta

Monday Sept 28th- Student Teaching

Began this week on a bad note.  Things just didn’t seem to go right today. No matter what I did it was bad.  I lost papers, failed several students, left my jump drive at home (it contains all my lesson plans), and didn’t make enough copies or forgot to make copies.  Thank God my co-op teacher was there to run interference.  She ran to the copy room and made extra copies, talked me down after the failures, and overall had some good learning points to “Point” out.    Lets begin by discussing the failures.  Last week we had 2 quizes on the 50 states and their capitals.  We had lots of kids who didn’t do very well. As a conciliatory note I planned to have an “Easy” project due Monday.  It was only worth 15 points, but it was enough to bring the failures of last week up to passing.  Wouldn’t you believe the kids who are failing didn’t turn their projects in.  As my co-op has pointed out this is normal, the kids who fail because they don’t study are also the kids who don’t do the homework.  This irks me because they had 2 days in class to work on the projects.  Most of kids were done before they left on Friday.  This will be continued till tomorrow when I get to call all of the parents of the kids who are failing. Joy of all Joys…….:(

Tuesday Sept 29- Student Teaching

Today was better that yesterday. More prepared and a lot less problems than yesterday.  We called all of the failure parents over prep period today.  I actually had some very GOOD conversations with some parents.  Next week is mid terms and failure notices go out.  It’s always good to prep the parents before midterm grades.  Made my first artwork display today. I hung up a lot of the projects.  I took some pictures for my teaching portfolio. :)

Wednesday Sept 30-Student Teaching

O.K. day today. A little more on the ball.  I think I’ll spend the rest of the week recovering from Monday’s failures.  She (My Co-Op) has expressed some concern over how much I’m trying to fit into time.  I only have a week to spend on Pa History and I have to move on.  There are so many things to talk about how do you choose what to leave out.  Next week we are covering Perry Co. history.  I’ve already warned the kids there will be a notebook quiz at the end of the week next week. This lets us know who can keep a notebook and who can’t. 

Magically some of the missing work from Monday appeared on my desk today.  Apparently calling parents and giving failure notices really does make a difference.  We’ll see how long this lasts before they start not turning work in again. 

On a sad note I had to go to the principal to discuss a threat I heard today.  I deal with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.  Unfortunately, one of our younger students made some threats and because of reporting I had to go to the principal about it.  I really don’t think it was anything to worry about, but I talked with my co-op and she said I had to report it.  This is such a sweet kid I really had a hard time getting him in trouble. 

Thursday October 1-Student Teaching

I guess today went o.k. I’m still trying to pace myself better.  in 3/4 classes I ended early today.  usually I talk right up to the bell or end 1 mminute before.  today I was off by almost five minutes for one class.  Discussion on The early turnpikes, the PA canal, and the Portage RR.  Since I didn’t have much time i really compressed it to get it all in.  Tomorrow is James Buchanan President and Oliver Hazard Perry War Hero. Which lead me into the next two weeks of material. (Perry Co. and the Presidents). After that we begin using the textbook.  Had some discussions with some kids today about behaviors in class.  it was awkward, but I think the Co-op was happy with what I did. 

I can finally talk about some of the things going on in our district. The newsmedia has found out about the financial trouble the district is in.  Aparently the are short of funds and are discussing eliminating positions or making them part time to save on benefits.  Office staff including the counselors and principals, maitenance and sports staff as well as the cafeteria ladies are on the chopping block.  Needless to say the lunch room is abuzz in talk.

Friday Oct 2-Student Teaching

Surprise!  My student teaching advisor came in unannounced today. I was sooooo nervous.  The kids were good and I was able to complete my lesson.  It actually went quite well.  He let me know that I am going to have to get a lot of stuff done this weekend.  I’ll be burning some oil…….   Had to assist the teacher in a write up today. First student so far this year.  She decided to flick the teacher off behind her back.  I saw it and alerted the teacher.  She, the student, received an inschool detention for that little stunt.  Those of you reading this that have inner city schools may say, “that’s all.” Well we are a rural school with some really GOOD kids. This is the first really BAD thing iv’e seen all year.

Monday Oct 5th- Student Teaching

What can I say about today.  I felt prepared things went o.k. I tried using the Susquehanna lesson plan as combining two days of material on one plan it didn’t work so well.  I actually went over more than half of the information. Now I am left stretching until Wednesday.  Wednseday’s lesson is great and I feel really confident about it. Something was just off today. I can’t put my finger on it though.  I felt as if everyone was a big crab apple today.  Some really big downers.  Maybe its just Monday

Tuesday Oct 6th-Student Teaching

O.K. where do I start. Remember yesterday when I said that my lesson plans needed adjusting. Well I over adjusted I had so much information that the kids were overwhelmed.  By the end of second period (1st class of the day) I had already determined to cut down the information. I also realized I don’t think all that well when I get to the end of a class and I have cut so much out that I end early.  It was a no win situtation.  I also taped myself today for my class at the University tomorrow.  I realized I say UM a lot.  Then I went to my night job as a tutor and the girl has speech class.  The lesson went over not saying UM. I felt so rediculous.  8th period was a unique lesson.  The kids have been complaining that they are not having any fun.  So we watched parts of Super Size Me today. By Morgan Spurlock.  The lessons are about making good choices and learning nutritional information.  Thursday we are looking at labels, searching for meaning and creating an alternative school lunch menu.  I was originally going to have them read sections of Fast Food Nation to each other but this was more fun………

Thursday October 8th- Student Teaching

O.K. I’ll rant.  I don’t know how many teachers have them, but I have a student who is sure she knows more than me.  Today it came to a head over the Model T.  I mentioned how the RR in Perry County was brought down by the invention of the automobile.  Somehow the Model T came up and she jumped in that the model A was first.  She was adamant that I was wrong.  Model T was the first popularly accepted vehicle mass produced between 1908/09 and 1927. There was a short lived Model A but it was plagued by problems and a little over a thousand of them were produced. Henry Ford decided that the replacement for the Model T should be Model A because it was a totally reworked design.  The  Model A replaced the Model T about 1927/1928.  I wish I had not had this little moment of self doubt.  Because I had to look it up to prove myself right.  In a way we both were.  Do I give her that much credit.   URGH

The day ended GREAT. I had my best lesson yet.   The kids in our current events class had great time with it. I had them out of their seats and the activity went very well.  Then I followed this up with Intermurals. I was really dreading it after one of our student last week had to be reported for making threats.  But, the kids in our class actually worked together.  they helped the troubled student and really restored my faith in them.  I can’t tell you what it meant to see the comraderie. ( If your confused by this,  The student had a break down twice, then he made the threats) It was great to see him smiling and being supported by everyone in the class. Especially by the very people who could have made his life miserble.

Friday October 9th- Student Teaching

Today was a conglomeration of activities.  First and foremost students took a notebook quiz.  Since the beginning of the year we have stressed that a notebook is a very important tool for studying.  Yet several students do not keep an organized notebook.  Hence the quiz.  It was 10 questions.  I was amazed by the number of kids who had organized notebooks and still managed to get answers wrong simply because they didn’t fully read the questions.  I was really nice and didn’t even put any trick questions on it. 

We also had to go over homework.  I had this crossover activity where the students figure out math facts that corespond to presidential figures.  There are adding and subtracting problems as well as percentage problems. So many kids just didn’t finish.  Apparently if you give them time in class for Homework and they finish 3/4 of it they just don’t do anymore.  We’ll see what happens on Tuesday because I handed out homework for the break.

Monday Oct 12th- Student Teaching

We had an inservice day today.  I actually had some fun at our trainings.  We have this 23 minute period at the end of the day where we teach character education.  The group that designed the class and has provided the resources came back to re-energise the teachers.  They were also great in showing us how the activities work.  The program is really great.  I have seen some really GOOD behaviors that the kids are emulating.  This is the first school I have ever been in that has a program just like this.

Tuesday October 13th-Student Teaching

Dear Readers have not had much time lately to type these. Have been keeping quick notes so I can write NOW.  We had a decent day today. I introduced my Integrated unit today. We are writing a paper that eventually will be turned in to the local VFW.  You may have heard of the Patriot’s Pen Contest they run every year. 

On a non class related note. We had a very long teachers meeting after school today. Shit hit the fan from out inservice yesterday. The Principal apparently took offense at some of the comments people made in his group.  We had a very heated discussion on accountability.  It was addressed why he feels students should not FAIL.  Yes, contrary to NO Child Left Behind he still wants kids to pass without merit.  Now. We had a discussion on merit.  Students who are failing because the refuse to do/or turn in work does not merit failure according to the principal.  So not as teachers kids know that they can turn things in weeks late and still receive the same credit/grade as their peers who actually follow the rules.  IS THIS FAIR? I think I’m siding with the teachers.  How can we make accountable adults if we don’t expect accountability from our students?

October 14th- Student Teaching

Today was supposed to be a day where we wrote our essays in class.  However last week we had a notebook quiz and today we were going to organize and allow the students to throw out some of their old papers.  IT WAS A DISASTER.  None of that classes could follow directions.  There was a typed page telling them what to keep. We had kids who just ripped everything out.  IT WAS SO FRUSTRATING.  So only two of the classes had anytime to write.  I hope they realize what they have to do before Friday when their rough drafts are due. 

Thurs October 15th- Student Teaching

I actually did very little teaching today. My co-op decided way back at the beginning of the year that she and one of the 6th grade teachers were going to combine classes and teach about Sierra Leone. One of the teachers is going on a mission trip which was heavily supported by the school and they felt the need to teach the kids about it. 

The only class I taught today was the Current Events class.  We actually finished a 4 day unit on Healthy Eating.  This was a Great week. Tuesday the school dietician came in and allowed the students to grill her. Today we made our own school lunches.  My favorite parts were the day where I showed clips of Super Size Me, and the day of the interview.  Next week we have a new quick topic.

Friday Oct 16th-Student Teaching

Today is my Hubby’s B-day. 

Last day for rough drafts. As expected the slacker kids didn’t have anything written.  I’m good though and planned for all eventualities.  So I had 2 groups of kids in each class. The good kids who were done enough to edit. And the slacker kids who spent all period writing.  2nd period was a disaster the kids just goofed off, but all the other periods were very successful. and I feel confident that they are ready to type next week.  Caused a little uproar in Study hall today because I had some kids who wanted to help me but the didn’t do their work. The Co-op was very good about helping me learn to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Monday October 19th, Student Teaching

O.K. so I’ll admit to a little slacking lately in getting these typed in.  My little black notebook I’ve been writing stray thoughts in sure has come in handy lately due to the all consuming time crunch.  There are just not enough hours in the day……

Today was the first day of typing for our Patriot’s Pen essays.  You would have thought that the kids who didn’t have a rough draft on Friday would at least have something after working all period on it.  NO NO NO. So many kids just did not follow directions.  Is there such a thing as directionally handicapped? I have learned that they do not listen if I give the directions verbally so I now write them on the board.  If the steps become to long they just bring me papers and say HERE.  I don’t know how many I asked, “Did you follow the directions?”  If they had, the last step says to put their papers in the folder with their section # marked on it….. Clearly, I am a mean teacher

Tuesday October 20th- Student Teaching

Originally, I was not going to give them 2 days to type the 300-400 words.  I’m so glad I did.  Lots of the kids barely finished typing.  I’ll have to admit I have had 2 lesson plans all week.  Due to the staggered typing I had 4 filler lessons on the US Presidents.  These lesson included things like a Presidential Scavenger Hunt/Web Quest. 

Still have people not able to follow 5 simple directions posted on the board.  Making an anlogy: If these were box cakes the oven still wouldn’t be turned ON. Thank God, we are back in our room again tomorrow. 

Friday October 23rd- Student Teaching

Had the kids all fill in the entry form for the Essay contest. After I had them do it I realized that at least 90% of them were never going to be sent. It was a waste of time.:(

Stated the review chapter in the book. It was a book search. all the information in the chapter was covered last year so I decided to do a quick activity to refresh memories and move on.  Homework due on Monday. 

PS: the last time I assigned HW. over 25 kids didn’t do it.  The new system is that if kids want to participate in clubs the better be doing their homework or else they will be attending a homework club.  Great idea:)

Monday October 26th- Student Teaching

Spent 3 hours on Saturday trying to organize the essays.  I had one entire class NOT write their names on the essays.  Basically they needed to print 3 copies then write their name in pencil on the top copy.  This was to make it easier to turn them in to the VFW.  You could tell this class strated to follow directions then several erased their names and put them back in the folder.  It was a great game of mix and match.  Thank you for rough drafts…..:)

Homework Homework Homework.  Had tons of kids not do their homework, again.  You would not believe the failures I’m seeing just because we have kids refusing to do work.  For heavens sake they have a study hall. 

Today was the first day that the lesson went off without any glitches.  It didn’t even need to be changed for later classes.  I was so proud. 

Tuesday October 27th- Student Teaching

Maybe I spoke to soon. Today every glitch imaginable happened.  from being taken out of the classroom and given an evaluation right in the middle of a sentence……. to having the aide that helps all my IEP students sick with the Flu and out of school.  The class was so out of sorts, but I dealt with it and it came out great in the end.  I was so proud to have figured out that 2 little post it notes was the whole solution to getting them to pay attention. 

PS: we are holding a Book sale to support the local library. Our discovery is collecting books to sell at the Parent conference night.  We already made 75 cents from the kids in our homeroom. 

Wednesday October 28th- Student Teaching

The lesson today was a hands on lesson- Basically the kids got a chance to be creative.  I thought it went really well.  It was an extension of the lessons we have been having on the explorers.  I think even the co-op liked the lesson.  I have a glitch in tomorrows plan.  I forgot that Friday is the day we usually give the whole middle school the news quiz. So basically I was asked to play a review game with the 6th grade students.  Unfortuneatly, the Co-op wants to do Friday’s lesson on Thursday.  Now the kids are going to have homework over the weekend. AGAIN! 

Thursday October 29th- Student Teaching

Today was an odd day.  I actually had to leave the first 4 classes today to teach in another room.  My kids stayed with the teacher and she used my lesson plan to teach.  I guess it would be like a substitute teacher. 

Basically this was a no brainer plan. They were divided into groups of three and they worked on an Ethics assignment.  I was really please with some of the classes.  My second period class which usually is a big problem was WONDERFUL today.  I came in at the end and they were doing a great job with the lesson. 

I played my first review Jeopardy game today. Since I had to do it old school. (NO Projector) I used post it notes. It went GREAT. 

Friday October 31st- Student Teaching

Today was O.K.

I had this interactive lesson today on the Silk Road. It didn’t go as planned. We tried to discuss WHY was Europe looking for a way to get to Asia.  I passed around Spice packets. That part of the lesson just made them off task for the rest of the period.   In hindsite I might save that part to last next time so I can keep their attention longer.

Monday Nov 2nd- Student Teaching

Today was another disaster.  I expanded on the information in the textbook.  However I might have expanded to far. Feel like I lost them somewhere.  I tried to make a graphic organizer, but it didn’t come out as effective as I needed it to be. 

My current events class was much better today. I made teams and they seemed to work well together.  At least I have something to show for a whole period of work…

Wednesday, November 3rd, Student Teaching

It has been really busy lately. I have spent more than my fair share on the computer.  After having no computers in the classroom. I have finally figured out how to order the laptop cart AND get a projector.  This has really been eye opening. working with all the scheduling.  So I have been remiss again in getting these journal/blog entries typed.

Today was a lesson meant to tie the last two weeks together so that when we get to the computer lab tomorrow the students will be prepared to review.  I used the textbook notes to plan, which indicated that this chapter could be taught in 7 days.  I have now extended this chapter to ten days and am still not sure they are ready to move on to chapter 3.  Friday we are having a Quiz on chapter 2.  I have my doubts to the readiness of the students.  This is a chapter with soooo much information that the kids are overwhelmed with just learning the european explorers.

Thursday, November 4th, Student Teaching

God am I exhausted.  We had 4 classes in the computer lab today.  I used a feature or textbook has that allows students to access practice quizes and tests on the chapter to make an online study guide.  I made some basic assumptions, like how do you close a pop-up box (click the X).  Well this was a disaster. Never assume that they will know how to work the internet applications.  The other problem was that the textbook company assumes the students will actually read the instructions on how to complete the application/quizes.  Well my classes flat out refused to read the directions.   If I were to do this again I would make some serious adjustments to the activity.  I WOULD ALSO GET an overhead projector.  This would have been 10X easier if the students could have seen the applications working before they attempted to navigate them. 

If you want to see the applications check out: http://www.phschool.com/atschool/ahon09/chapter02/tests.html

Then use the code: MVA-1021 to try one of the practice quizes. 

 

Friday, November 5th-Student Teaching

QUIZ DAY

Boy did I have angry students today.  One of my mistakes as you might call it was in having the students generate their own study guides.  I divided them into groups on Wednesday and had them create 10 questions they thought MIGHT be on the test.  Well instead of giving them the actual test I handed out the study guides they created to study from. 

In my defense I had given the essay questions to the twice. Once at the beginning of the chapter and then again on Thursday.  You see none of the students actually did the questions because that would have required them to work outside of class.  

I graded these quizes and I did not have a single A.  I did have three people who had 5/30.  Is that really bad?