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!