Today was a bummer day for some reason. I didn't especially want to get up this morning and we were pretty rushed getting out of here on time. I wasn't thrilled with my lessons for the day and it showed. My co-op has been challenging me to do more creative things and I feel like I have been. I think she is holding me to pretty high standards and I want to rise up to the challenge, but it takes A LOT more time and effort that I have not been putting into my planning.
I prayed throughout the day that God would make me humble and teachable and that I would have renewed energy for tonight's planning. I want to embrace this time as a time to grow and learn and not simply "get by."
Please pray that I will put the time and effort needed to benefit my students and to better myself as an educator.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
another good day
Hello again! Today was a good day at St. Johns. I enjoyed the students today a lot. My co-op is really funny and I just enjoy being in the classroom.
I taught today and my co-op was out of the room. She had a team curriculum meeting, so I did vocabulary and read a chapter from "By the Great Horn Spoon!" to the students. They are excellent students and pay attention! Haha. I really appreciate them. I also took them outside and we played "Newcomb," a game on the turf outside.
The weather was nice today and I felt hot for the first time since we've arrived. Todd and I decided to ride bikes on the trail by our house. It was breezy, but felt good to ride.
I am going to go help with dinner. Will write soon!
I taught today and my co-op was out of the room. She had a team curriculum meeting, so I did vocabulary and read a chapter from "By the Great Horn Spoon!" to the students. They are excellent students and pay attention! Haha. I really appreciate them. I also took them outside and we played "Newcomb," a game on the turf outside.
The weather was nice today and I felt hot for the first time since we've arrived. Todd and I decided to ride bikes on the trail by our house. It was breezy, but felt good to ride.
I am going to go help with dinner. Will write soon!
Monday, March 9, 2009
hello from california!!
We made it! We began our journey Thursday afternoon and arrived in California Saturday afternoon. We saw family in Colorado and Las Vegas. They were quick trips, but really enjoyable. The trip went surprisingly well and was fun! The scenery was beautiful and I had a few movies to occupy my mind. :) I also took a turn driving.
Since arriving, it has been a whirlwind. We were quickly swept up into the hurried California pace. That is going to be an adjustment!
The weather is relatively warm here, even though the locals think it is chilly! It is comical.
Before today, our trip had been a mini-vacation. I was a little unsure of what it would be like to jump into another classroom. We left pretty early this morning and were able to avoid heavy traffic on the freeway. It took about 15 minutes to get to school, which is pretty close! We met Todd's teacher and he gave us a tour. I then went into my classroom and read notes the students had written to me. It was good to familiarize myself with names before the day began.
My co-op arrived and introduced herself. She is very confident and efficient. Those are my best descriptor words so far. I think she will be EXCELLENT to work with. I really, really like her. She is slightly intimidating because I think she is such a good teacher. She had such command in the classroom and is very much in control. I really like her style and think we will get along great. I know I will be challenged, but I am excited to learn from her.
I really, really enjoyed today. I think it is going to be a really good experience. My co-op is also going to set me up with time in both the K and 1st classrooms to prepare for next year. I am really thankful she is so ready and willing to help make this a good experience for me. I am looking forward to tomorrow!
Since arriving, it has been a whirlwind. We were quickly swept up into the hurried California pace. That is going to be an adjustment!
The weather is relatively warm here, even though the locals think it is chilly! It is comical.
Before today, our trip had been a mini-vacation. I was a little unsure of what it would be like to jump into another classroom. We left pretty early this morning and were able to avoid heavy traffic on the freeway. It took about 15 minutes to get to school, which is pretty close! We met Todd's teacher and he gave us a tour. I then went into my classroom and read notes the students had written to me. It was good to familiarize myself with names before the day began.
My co-op arrived and introduced herself. She is very confident and efficient. Those are my best descriptor words so far. I think she will be EXCELLENT to work with. I really, really like her. She is slightly intimidating because I think she is such a good teacher. She had such command in the classroom and is very much in control. I really like her style and think we will get along great. I know I will be challenged, but I am excited to learn from her.
I really, really enjoyed today. I think it is going to be a really good experience. My co-op is also going to set me up with time in both the K and 1st classrooms to prepare for next year. I am really thankful she is so ready and willing to help make this a good experience for me. I am looking forward to tomorrow!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Last week!
I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown by. Todd and I were super busy this weekend, frantically crossing things off of my ever-growing "to-do" list! We really were able to get a lot accomplished. Our house looks like a disaster, but it is organized chaos--I promise!
This week will be relatively easy in regards to schoolwork. I am only teaching English this week so I have had lots of time to make copies of good hand-outs my co-op has and sit in on a few other teachers.
I am really looking foward to tomorrow, where I will spend my afternoon in the Kindergarten classroom!
I really will miss the students. It will be difficult to leave, but there is much excitement ahead!
This week will be relatively easy in regards to schoolwork. I am only teaching English this week so I have had lots of time to make copies of good hand-outs my co-op has and sit in on a few other teachers.
I am really looking foward to tomorrow, where I will spend my afternoon in the Kindergarten classroom!
I really will miss the students. It will be difficult to leave, but there is much excitement ahead!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A good week...
Yesterday was a really good day. Two of my strugglers in math were really getting multiplication and were getting SO excited about it. It was really, really neat.
Also, we talked a little bit about September 11 (the kids I am teaching were one year olds!!! I felt sooo old. I couldn't believe it!! It is so, so recent in my mind.) Anywho...we had an amazing discussion about Islam and a little bit about the beliefs and how we could respond to it. It was beautiful to see and hear the faith of children...answering how they would share Jesus' love and God's word with someone who didn't know the truth. Then kids starting sharing answers of times they'd shared with neighbors, relatives, etc. about Jesus. So incredible!
Then...we did Science class. I gave each of the students a book and they could choose an animal and read a little about their animal. They were so excited about it and were telling me all kinds of cool facts they found. The room was filled with a joy for learning.
Today was really good as well. I really started to like the kids...I know that sounds funny. I have loved them all along, but today started to enjoy them so much and laugh at their humor. I have been teaching them powerpoint and each student is making their own presentation called "My Story." It has been so neat to learn little things about each child.
We also continued with the animals in Science and they continued to be really excited about them and share with me various animal stories. It was really enjoyable!!
The weather is BEAUTIFUL and it is going to be a good evening. I'm slightly overwhelmed with the things to do to finish out student teaching 1 strong and to prepare for leaving for student teaching 2. I'm so thankful for Todd! :)
Also, we talked a little bit about September 11 (the kids I am teaching were one year olds!!! I felt sooo old. I couldn't believe it!! It is so, so recent in my mind.) Anywho...we had an amazing discussion about Islam and a little bit about the beliefs and how we could respond to it. It was beautiful to see and hear the faith of children...answering how they would share Jesus' love and God's word with someone who didn't know the truth. Then kids starting sharing answers of times they'd shared with neighbors, relatives, etc. about Jesus. So incredible!
Then...we did Science class. I gave each of the students a book and they could choose an animal and read a little about their animal. They were so excited about it and were telling me all kinds of cool facts they found. The room was filled with a joy for learning.
Today was really good as well. I really started to like the kids...I know that sounds funny. I have loved them all along, but today started to enjoy them so much and laugh at their humor. I have been teaching them powerpoint and each student is making their own presentation called "My Story." It has been so neat to learn little things about each child.
We also continued with the animals in Science and they continued to be really excited about them and share with me various animal stories. It was really enjoyable!!
The weather is BEAUTIFUL and it is going to be a good evening. I'm slightly overwhelmed with the things to do to finish out student teaching 1 strong and to prepare for leaving for student teaching 2. I'm so thankful for Todd! :)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Still learning
I am thoroughly enjoying my weekend so far! Today has been very relaxing and there is still a lot of time left!
This week went well. A new added difficulty was actually stemming from an unexpected source--my co-op. She has been having some stresses in her life and shared them with me this week. It came very unexpectedly and I still feel confused about a lot of what she shared. It has been an interesting challenge to attempt to be an encouragement for her as well this week. Please pray for her to be reminded of the overwhelming love of our Father for her!
My teaching went relatively smoothly this week. The students did fantastic with the science tests and seemed to remember things so well! It was great. I'm really regretting not using this unit I taught for a "teacher work sample" I have to do for a Student Teaching...bummer! I just think I had a lot of good ideas and the students did well with the material...oh well.
I am still trying to figure out different things about classroom management, but I continue to grow and improve in this area.
I will be observed this week and also add English to my list. I really, really enjoy teaching! I can't believe this will be the last full week at Messiah...the next week is National Lutheran School's week (which will be CRAZY!) and only four days! There is so, so much to do before we leave. It is kind of scary.
I will write again soon!
This week went well. A new added difficulty was actually stemming from an unexpected source--my co-op. She has been having some stresses in her life and shared them with me this week. It came very unexpectedly and I still feel confused about a lot of what she shared. It has been an interesting challenge to attempt to be an encouragement for her as well this week. Please pray for her to be reminded of the overwhelming love of our Father for her!
My teaching went relatively smoothly this week. The students did fantastic with the science tests and seemed to remember things so well! It was great. I'm really regretting not using this unit I taught for a "teacher work sample" I have to do for a Student Teaching...bummer! I just think I had a lot of good ideas and the students did well with the material...oh well.
I am still trying to figure out different things about classroom management, but I continue to grow and improve in this area.
I will be observed this week and also add English to my list. I really, really enjoy teaching! I can't believe this will be the last full week at Messiah...the next week is National Lutheran School's week (which will be CRAZY!) and only four days! There is so, so much to do before we leave. It is kind of scary.
I will write again soon!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Day off!
I have been enjoying a day off today. I had Methods class this morning and then have been working on crossing off items from my "to-do" list. It has been GREAT to be home a lot this weekend!
I am really looking forward to the week. This week I will add math and computer to my teaching responsibilities. We also finished up our "Stone Fox" book for Social Studies, so I will be moving back into the textbook. I will continue with Science as well. It is really fun to add responsibility. I really enjoy adding more subjects and it really makes the day go quickly!
Todd and I had our formal interview with Amazing Grace in Seattle on Sunday afternoon. I was pretty nervous beforehand, but Todd was confident and I think that helped! It went smoothly and we are very, very excited about the likelihood of us serving there this coming year.
Again, thank you for your prayers and interest in this teaching adventure! I am excited to see how I've been stretched and have grown through this experience!
I am really looking forward to the week. This week I will add math and computer to my teaching responsibilities. We also finished up our "Stone Fox" book for Social Studies, so I will be moving back into the textbook. I will continue with Science as well. It is really fun to add responsibility. I really enjoy adding more subjects and it really makes the day go quickly!
Todd and I had our formal interview with Amazing Grace in Seattle on Sunday afternoon. I was pretty nervous beforehand, but Todd was confident and I think that helped! It went smoothly and we are very, very excited about the likelihood of us serving there this coming year.
Again, thank you for your prayers and interest in this teaching adventure! I am excited to see how I've been stretched and have grown through this experience!
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