Crafty

So for thanksgiving this year the teacher inside me started to bloom and I made turkeys. Not only did I make 36 for my students and favorite staff at Highland Park I also decided to make enough for my family and my boyfriends family.

Here is a picture! They were a hit and the kids and my family loved them. They were eaten much faster than I imagined.

The end is near!

I can not believe thatI have been doing my student teaching for 3 months. It has gone by so fast. I have loved every second. I am going to miss my class so much. I have signed up to be a sub and hope that when I am not studying and working I can be in the classroom. I have also titled myself the class mom so I hope that I can volunteer and keep up with the students. I also want to observe in some other classrooms to get some new ideas and see how other teachers conduct their classes.
I will post more on the last weeks of school and the unit I taught this weekend.
YEAH!

Pictures

These are the masks the students made when we talked about masks. They are each so different.

These are the words that we put on the leaves for our bulletin board. They tell all the reasons the leaves change color in the fall. I love this bulletin board.

Teaching

I started teaching full time at the begining of October. This included planning everything and being the teacher all day. The first week was a little overwhelming because I was not exactly sure what to plan but it got easier and easier as the weeks went on. The first day I taught was October 5th. It was the start of fire safety week so for our theme center which we do on Monday I had the students do different kinds of fire safety activites. Ond of the activities they did was make these fire dogs. Some of them made them sitting while others attached their heads so that they were standing. Along with the dogs we also did fire prints with paint and clear wrap. That was fun and the kids loved being able to play with the paint. They read and colored a comic strip and they worked on a fire sort which was made up of hot, not or silly pictures which they sorted into categories.

The rest of the week went along as normal with the exception of parent volunteers started in ocotber so that was fun incorporating them into the centers. It allows us to do more challanging centers because the parents can help but at the same time if the parents do not show up you have to change everything. The thing I have learned is to be flexible. Things come up all the time during the day and you must be able to change with out any problem.

With October also being the start of fall we were able to start talking about leaves and their colors changing. We did some leaf prints and talked about what makes the leaves change. This became our bulletin board. We also in art did leaf prints which they pushed into clay and then glazed. They really enjoyed them.

The next week was Columbus Day and the students did a bunch of activities to learn about the importance of October 12th. They made maps, created Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria boats, a time line of Christopher Columbus's life and read a scholastic reading with some questions they answered. The rest of the week was again pretty normal, math, spelling, reading, writing, science. All the basics.

Friday October 16th the school had their fall fundraiser. They did a Jog-a-Thon. It was so much fun to see the kids out their running. They ran laps. They had gathered funds the previous week from family and neighbors and then they were entered into a raffle based on the amount of money they collected. We were outside for an hour with 20 min of warm up, 20 min of running laps, and 20 min of cool down. During the laps they got a stamp for each lap they completed and then they got a raffle ticket for every stamp. I did not run with the kids but I did stand out by one of the cones to make sure they were running in the right place and jump and scream and dance to keep them encouraged.

For the cool down 24 hour fitness had a few people there the help them stretch their muscles and then they had bananas, water and bread which were all donated by local places. The students also received medals and free passes to classic so it was all in all a fun time. The school ended up raising $10,000 which is like 3 times more then they have ever raised because most of the time they are having to pay for the products they were selling and only getting a percentage of the earnings but this time they were able to keep it all. The funds go towards Red Ribbon week, Teacher appreciation and hands on science.

Through out this month I have had 2 mor observations and I could not be happier with the results. I have been told multiple times that I do not need to improve on anything, that I know what I am doing and that I am fun to watch. I guess that means that I have found my place and can not wait to be actually teaching in a class of my own. I am planning on becoming a sub so that I can still teach while I am working on my masters and finishing up schoool. It will give me an in in the class also.

Well this post has been long and I have covered a lot so I will try and do better on my last few weeks of teaching and keep you all informed. I start my unit the beginning of Novemeber so I will have more to share then. Looking forward to Halloween week along with Red Ribbon week so I will take pictures and post them for all to see...

Thanks for all the support!

Long Overdue

Ok so this picture is from the time lesson that I taught during september. It was fun to see all the different clocks that the students made. Some of them made pumpkins, some of them put flowers. Each one was very different from the other.

The spider made from a pattern of a hand was really fun too because some of them turned out fat, some turned out with two heads. Each student traced their own hand on a folded piece of black construction paper and many of them did not understand that their wrist was supposed to be on the fold so each spider had its unique look. They then used white or red crayon to decorate their spider. The girls chose to put clothes on their spiders while most of the boys went on to make black widows.

New post this weekend!!!!

I have been so swamped with teaching full time that I have not had time to get any updates done but I will work on it this weekend and make sure I have a post as well as pictures. Teaching is going well. I am really enjoying it. All my observations have been great. My clinical supervisor says that he has no comments because I am doing so wonderful and he just enjoys coming to see all my ideas that I use when I teach so he can share them with his other students teachers.
Stay tuned for a long post this weekend.
Thanks for keeping up with me. I am having the time of my life!

New post coming soon!

I will post a new post with my first full week of teaching this weekend..
STAY TUNED :)

Butterflies

As a class and lesson on life cycles we bought from the science center catterpillars. The container had five caterpillars and each of them turned into a chrysalis. After about 3 days they started to hatch and we got to release the butterflies today. It was raining and cold so it was hard to let them go and they really did not want to leave the habitat they were in because of the cold weather. My Host Teacher and I are not sure that the butterflies will survive the weekend but we also did not think that they would make it through the weekend in the school as we are out for 2 days and the weekend due to UEA.
The class really liked the butterflies and it was fun to watch them get excited about them hatching and worrying about them because it was cold and wet. It makes you realize how caring the students are.
I am looking forward to the long weekend. Getting caught up on homework, sleep and just relaxing. I am also going to a student teacher/new teacher workshop on friday and I am hoping to get a bunch of information out of it. I will find out if the workshops are worth it or not!

2nd Observation

So I did not think it was possible but my second observation went better than my first. This time I did a math lesson. I taught the students how to tell time. It was another whole group lesson but this time we were at our tables.
I gave each student a clock so that they could show me time. We talked about why we use a clock and what each hand on the clock stands for. We mostly focused on the whole hour but we talked some about half hour and quarter to and quarter past.
For the lesson I read the Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle. It was a really fun lesson because I asked the students to show me the time on their clocks. Then I had a student come up to the front of the class and change the demonstration clock. The class was fully engaged. Through out my observation the students stayed engaged the whole time. After the story I gave each student a worksheet with blank clocks. They all did really well filling in the hands based on what the time under each clock read. Along with this lesson I also had the students make clocks out of paper plates during centers. It was a fun activity to help them better understand clocks.
Yesterday we did an art theme time for centers with the students rotating freely to each center. It was a bug theme so we did butterfly paint prints, caterpiller story sequence cards, ladybugs and spiders. I was in charge of the spider center and we made hand spiders. It was a fun activity that involved tracing and cutting. Some of the students did really well, others struggled a little with the cutting and tracing but the spiders turned out really cute. I will take pictures of the demonstrations and post them soon.
I am getting less and less stressed each day but I am still tired. Some days more than others. It all depends on what the students are doing during the day. Lately they have been really full of energy. I am glad that this is a short week as well as next week. Good time to get caught up with all MY school work and start planning for when I will be fully in charge of the class. That task will begin after UEA. Wish me luck!
That's all for now but I will write again shortly. Much love to all!

1st Observation

Today I had my first observation and basically my first lesson that I planned and executed all by myself. I used a program called text talk and read a book called The Cow who wouldn't come down. It was a really fun story. The lesson went well. We read the story and then I introduced 6 vocabulary words. The words were glide, contrary, ignored, sternly, innovative and rivals. All those words were used at some point in the story. After the story we went back to our desks and we talked as a group about what each word means. I gave students examples of each word and then we talked about situations where those words would be used. After our discussion we came up with objects and people that glide. The students did a really good job of coming up with all different types of things. Some of the things they named were iceskaters, squirrels, frogs, jets and boats.

For assessment I used a bubble sheet and read 6 sentences out loud. If the sentence made sense using the vocabulary word they filled in the yes bubble, if not they filled in the no. The students did a really good job of staying on task.

After the lesson I talk to my clinical supervisor and he gave me very positive feedback. I received good to exceptional grades on everything. I must not be doing so bad. It was nice to know that I am doing my teaching correctly.

I am looking forward to next week when I teach my first planned math lesson.

Alone in the Class

Today my host teacher had to deal with a family issue so I was in charge of the class all by myself. Well not all by myself. The other student teacher was there with me but o my goodness was it crazy. The kids think that just because I am a student teacher they do not have to listen. For the most part the class was great and we got through the day with no serious problems but those students who have behavior issues let their behavior shine. There are a few students who tried to take advantage of the situation but we kept in under control. We got through everything that was planned for the day and even got in some reading from our chapter book Charlotte's Web. We were also able to get through most of our mystery bags which made from some wonderful transitions and time fillers.
I have to say that today was a day where you wonder if you made the right choice. I know that I did but it is sometimes hard when you are in someone elses classroom and the control is not fully yours. I will be greatful when I have a class of my own and disipline is something that is completely up to me.
All in all the day went well but I am absolutely exhausted. It is nice to have a host teacher to help keep the students in control and have that ultimate power that the kids seem to be almost afraid of. It is like my rules dont count. Clean up was hard because some of the students thought that they could goof off but we got them under control and with the use of positive reinforcement were able to get everything accomplished.

SICK!

So I am loving school so much! However I have caught cold number two. This one however knocked me down. I ended up missing my first day and I was sad but at the same time I think I really needed it. I slept for most of the day and I know feel like I will be able to return to school tomorrow rested. I am going to up my vitamin C intake so that I hopefully can kill off the bad germs before they attack my body! On to a better note!

Yesterday the teacher gave me complete control of the whole class and it was a very interesting day. It went really well, but it made a interesting day for more than one reason. The first reason was President Obama's speech was at 10. We only had one student whose parent opted out and so we had her out in our caring corner reading. Our classroom TV was having issues so we joined the 1st grade class next to us and watched the speech. Because the speech was during recess or at least it ended at the begining of recess this pushed the day back a little and threw us off schedule. I felt pretty good about the day but by the end my cold was getting the better of me and I was drained.
Ms. Gilmour was very kind and supportive through the whole day and kept giving me positive feedback with helped a lot. The students were great also. They seemed to listen to me well and did not give me too much greif. I am sure as the weeks go on I will get more comfortable with everything and transitions will go smoother but for now the day went well and I was able to live through it.

Week 1

The first week of school was very exciting. The students and teachers are still getting in the swing of things but for the most part everything went well. We did a lot of fun getting to know you activities to help both the students and teachers learn names.
One thing the students did was color a puzzle piece with things they like or that describe them. Here are a few pictures of the puzzle that we turned into a bulletin board. We called our bulletin Parts of the Whole and talked about how each one of the students makes up an important part of the class. Everyone is important in the class.

Here is the entire puzzle put together. It is hard to see where one piece ends and the next begins. We did this on purpose because we wanted the students to know that we are one whole class.

Last but not least here is a picture of our classroom. There are 7 tables with 4 students at each table. It makes for an interesting group. The students have assigned seats and each month their assigned seat will change so that everyone has a chance to sit with everyone.
In the morning we put math manipulative's on the tables for the students to play with. This is a good way for them to get settled into class and work with each other.

I know I have not been keeping up with this blog as well as I could. I am still getting adjusted to the energy required to keep up with my class. I am glad that there is another teacher in the class with me because I can not even imagine trying to get them on task without her help.

Give me another week and I should be on schedule to where I can post daily or even every other day.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school and as anxious as I was last night the day actually went by with out a hitch!
School started and all 28 students were in attendance. 28 kids in one class is a ton but for the most part they are great!
We started the day with some quick rules and attendance and then it was time to get to work. Math was the first thing we worked on. As a whole class we went over the back to school review. The students were on top of it and so it went really well! After math we moved onto some class reading and then each student decorated a puzzle piece to create our bulletin board! I will try to remember the camera tomorrow so I can get a picture up, it look great! Next came recess and boy were they ready!
After recess we did some independent reading and then it was time for lunch. The day flew by!
Lunch was an adventure because all the kids got new lunch numbers so we will have to do some training to get them back in the grove. Another recess and then back to create sunglasses of their summer adventures. Once those were done we started our whole class read aloud chapter book and then it was time to head home.
I understand why the first day is a short day. The teachers are trying to figure everything out as much as the students are.
I hope tomorrow goes as well. It is a full day so more time to fit things in and we get to start our centers. I will do my best to update and take pictures...

Teacher Preperation

Today was the first day of the start of the rest of my life. Not really but I am now that much closer to reaching my goal! My student teaching experience started today. I will be teaching in a second grade classroom at Highland Park Elementary. Today I arrived at 8:30 for a teacher meeting and schedule planning. The teachers and staff are so nice and really glad to have all the student teachers in the class. I think there are 6 of us starting our student teaching next week. It is nice to know there are other people in the school who are going through the same thing as me.
In fact there is actually another student teacher in the same classroom as me. She will be in the class Wednesday and Thursday. She is going through the program at the U and I am glad that I am doing this program. Not two semesters worth! She is a really nice girl who lives in Ogden. She is married and has a little boy. We got to know each other while we were sorting a 250 page workbook for 28 studnets! We also made labels for lockers and place cards for the students desk.
Lots of prep work to be ready for the first day of school.
Although there is lots of work involved it is fun to see what the students will be doing during the year! I am excited to have the students in the classroom. More to come! I will try and do this a few times a week at least to keep all informed on how the experience is going.
Thank you to all of you for supporting me through this time and just for being my friends!

Way to go Jazz

Last night Robert and I went to another Jazz game. It was one of his Christmas presents. As you can see in the picture below the game was against the Celtics. Kg played for the first of the game but then was out with a knee strain for the second half. Oh well!

Here is Robert and I waiting for the second half to start.

This was the half time entertainment. They were called the Russian Bar and the two guys would toss this girl up in the air and she would flip a few times then land back on the bar that they were holding between their bodies on their shoulders. It was interesting to watch and the strength of the guys was amazing.
After half time my camera died so I did not get any more pictures but the Jazz pulled off another win 90-85. It was a close game and at the begining I did not think they even had a chance but they did it. It was a great night.

The half time show

Here are pictures from the half time show at the Jazz game.

Notice that in every picture the girl is wearing a different dress. It was cool cause she would go under one of the items around the floor and in a matter of seconds was wearing a different color outfit. They kind of messed up though because the girl at the begining has one color hair and at the end has another so you could really tell that it was a different girl but the concept was awesome!

How bout them JAZZ!

An early Valentines day gift for my baby. I hope he enjoyed it. We look happy so we must of had fun!

Tonight we were lucky enough to get tickets to the Jazz vs. Lakers game. It was a really good game. The Jazz did an amazing job. The game was close the whole time. Lots of fouls and good calls.

During some of the timouts the Jazz bear came out and did some trick dunks. An Air Dive.

High Jump!

This one was a pass to another guy

After the dunks it was more game play. I have to say most of the shots were answered. There were times when the Jazz were ahead and times when they were behind but they did a good job. Here a few more pictures.

This was the half time entertainment. It was pretty cool. Basically it was an illusion show because the point was that their outfits kept changing. I will post more pics later so you better understand. The score at half time. Jazz down by two not too good.

They came back though and pulled off a win. The final score!

And the best part the confetti!

All in all it was a good game. Money well spent!

Super Bowl

Super Bowl 43 started off with a bang. I have to say that this is one of the best games I have watched. That says a lot because I dont watch much football. I was watching this year mainly for the commercials but somewhere along the way got hooked into the game. Arizona almost pulled off the win but at the end of the game the Steelers got that last touchdown. The final score was 27-23.
The commercials were great this year. I loved the use of the technology we have now days. I was very impressed. They did a good job for all of us who dont enjoy the game.
The last part of the day was the food. I think I started eating at 1 and did not stop till about 9. Tacos, chips, dip, ice cream. It was all there.
GREAT DAY! Hopefully next year will be as fun!

History in the making

Today is the day! America has finally broken free! Today we swear in our first african american president. I am glad that I got to be a part of history. I believe that obama will make a huge difference in the world. He has the right thoughts in mind to make the United States a great place. I can say I am proud to be an american!

School and a New Year

So this year my resolution was to focus on school, get in shape and make it great. So far it is 9 days into the new year and not so much. I have now decided that I will give myself a few more days of being lazy and then focus. No choice. Just do it. So here is to me sticking to my goal.