Reflection about Friday

1/29/11
Everyday, I’m supposed to send an email to my supervisor with a reflection about the day. I always seem to forget on Fridays. Not sure why but it’s probably because I come home and crash though I was working on it this morning and thought I would share since Friday perfectly summed up the entire week: Chaos!
Friday morning was chaos. There were 20 subs in the building so all the kids were going crazy in the halls. They also were doing Think Link testing. But during the testing the assistant principal decided to hold a Lockdown drill. No one knew it was just a drill though. The teachers all thought that they wouldn’t do this during Think Link Testing unless it was absolutely a real threat. Later we found out that the principal was gone Friday and the assistant principal thought that would be a good time to have the drill. Needless to say, the kids finished testing before we were allowed to leave the room. Seven of them were supposed to leave at 10:15 for a field trip with the Life Skills class so we didn’t want to start anything that they would have to leave during the middle of. At about 10:20 we finally decided just to start something with them because we didn’t know when the drill would be over. Five minutes later it ended and we had to take all the kids down to the bathroom. Unfortunately, all of the subs did the same thing with their classes. (There is a schedule of who can go when so that the halls don’t get overcrowded.) Well, the halls certainly got loud and crowded with so many classes in them at once. I ended up having to deal with a situation in the boys bathroom where 1 boy decided to throw water all over 2 or 3 other boys. Who knows why he did this but I suspect that the fact that there was no supervision had a lot to do with it. The sub was completely ignoring what was going on. I quickly realized I was in way over my head and got my teacher quickly. She knew the kids involved and handled the situation while I went to supervise our class in the hall. By the time we finally got back down the hall, I felt like all of the kids had taken crazy pills that morning before they came to school. It was insanity! We then had 10 minutes before we had to go back in the hall to take the class to related arts so they read Hatchet for a few minutes.
After Related Arts, there were only 20 minutes before lunch. My teacher wanted me to at least start the lesson with this class so I did. I had to chop it up and leave a lot of stuff out but by the end of the 20 minutes they had created a Key/Legend for the map and glued down the island. I didn’t realize until then how quickly 20 minutes goes by. There were also only about 10 kids in the class. When most of the class is gone, the kids who are left seem to think they’re not really in school. They talk a lot more and don’t do what they’re supposed to. That also made cramming things into 20 minutes a little more interesting.
The lesson I taught in the afternoon went much better though. I felt like it was much better than Tuesday. I told them before we started that there would be time to go to the bathroom and sharpen pencils in a few minutes. Eliminating constant questions about going to the bathroom, getting water, or sharpening pencils helped keep me from getting so distracted. I did think it was funny though that they would ask, “Is this a good time to…?” I’m glad they recognize that there are times we need to focus and times that it’s ok to leave the room. Their behavior was a lot better but I think I handled certain situations much better too.
Every time I teach, I know there are things that could be done better or differently the next time. My teacher keeps telling me that some things you can learn as you go. You see what works and what doesn’t; then you adjust accordingly. I feel like every time I teach, I’m being given ideas about how I could do it better next time. I’m trying to incorporate those ideas and suggestions because I know that I don’t know it all. Even when I’m a teacher I won’t know it all. I’m just doing the best I can

Another Week Down

1/28/11
Well, it’s the end of another week and we still haven’t had an entire week of school. This week Wednesday was our snow day. Maybe next week we’ll go to school all 5 days. I won’t though. Thursday I’ll be completing my Substitute Orientation to officially become a Substitute Teacher! Hopefully this will come in very useful once student teaching is over.
On that note, I only have 4 more weeks at my 5th grade placement. Time flies! Monday I start half-time teaching. I’ll be teaching the afternoon class mostly. I have to admit, these 5th graders are growing on me. It’s very different than teaching 1st grade, obviously, but I’m beginning to see some perks to it. And I have to admit, I don’t hate it! I might even actually like it (The grade level. I’ve liked the kids from the start.)
This week I have learned everyday that flexibility is the key to being a successful teacher. Everyday is different and comes with its own surprises. Sometimes these surprises are welcome and sometimes they change the course of the whole day. However, the key to maintaining a learning environment, and your sanity, is to go with it. For me, this has been a bit challenging. I like order, plans, checklists, and a plan. I am the person who has to use White Out in planner when things change so I can rewrite it and then cross it off. This week, I learned just to use a pencil Plans change constantly and I have to learn to adjust on the fly and go with it! I’m getting better at this since it happens everyday now.
This week I got to teach a lot more. I had to make some adjustments to some lessons because I discovered some things just weren’t working After the lesson Tuesday afternoon, I felt like I had just been been on some kind of prank show where they told the kids to do anything they could think of to disrupt I know they were just pushing the limit b/c I was new to them and trying to see what they could get away with but wow. I felt like I was in the midst of pure chaos. Today went much better though! I felt like it went extremely well, even if there were things that could still be tweaked. The way I look at it is this : Every lesson could be better. Every activity could be improved. As long as the kids are engaged, learning, and not killing each other, then I’m happy. Today they were engaged, asking questions, being creative, and even enjoying themselves so I considered that a small victory. It’s not much in the scheme of things but it lets me build relationships with these kids and invest in them.
Getting to know the kids better has been the highlight of my week. I always try to find at least one positive thing about the day on my drive home. It’s easy to find the negative and harp on it but I challenge myself to find something positive. Almost every day this week, the positive has had something to do with the kids. Whether it was making progress in a relationship that has been struggling, having a child finally turn in his homework after days of “forgetting”, having a child finally respect you enough to behave and engage in class, having a child ask you how your day is going and really mean it, or just seeing the smiles and bright eyes of childhood, these kids have made the difference in my week.
Well I’m off for date night! I’m sure I’ll have more to say tomorrow

January is a long month

1/23/11
This month seems to be dragging on forever! We had yet another snow day Friday- snow day #8 this year. The good news for me is that Metro will be making these days up at the end of the school year so there will be even more days that I can sub and make money. I’m looking forward to that I don’t know what will happen to make up student teaching days that are mandated by the state but hopefully I’ll get to make those up with the 1st graders that I return to in March
This weekend I have been doing lesson plans and all that fun stuff. It’s amazing the ideas that come to you for lessons at the most random times. I’m thankful God gives me these ideas because otherwise I’d have lots of trouble with this career! Doing lessons plans for 5th graders has not been quite as fun as 1st grade though. I’m trying to make it interesting but they probably think a lot of stuff is dumb that I think is cute. Oh well. We’ll see how it goes Tuesday. Oh yeah, I’m teaching an actual lesson to the 5th grade for the 1st time on Tuesday and Wednesday. I’ve doing little stuff with them like going over worksheets and helping them with stuff but this will be the first time I actually teach them a full lesson. Hopefully they understand it! (It’s on adjectives by the way.)
On a personal note, I have decided that I need to move in May. The lady whose basement I am living in has pushed me to the edge and I no longer have any desire to remain here. (That’s been the case for a while but this morning finally pushed me over the edge.) The sooner I can get into my own place and get on my feet the better! On that note, I really want to get a cardio machine for my new apartment That would make my  day! I spend forever on them at the Y anyways so I think it would be a better use of my time to have one at home Hopefully for graduation maybe…
This blog has become very therapeutic for me so feel free to offer advice, encouragement, support, humor, etc. I’m gone almost all day but I get the emails with your comments on my phone so I will be able to read them pretty quickly. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and remember that this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice, even if it didn’t start off so great. There are more blessings yet to come.
~Les~

What’s the Dewey Decimal Call Number for “Useless”???

1/19/11

This will be short b/c it’s been a long day but I just had to share these experiences with you. Today I was asked to help a few students find some books in the library b/c they have trouble finding books that interest them. They also have a lower reading level and need help finding something they can read. Keep in mind these are 5th graders. So I went to the library a few minutes after they had gone, unsure of why they needed my help when there were 4 (yes, 4) librarians in there. Well, I found out shortly after I went in. I talked to the students to find out what they liked reading about to see if I could get any ideas. I had a few ideas but couldn’t find the books. So, like any good reader, I decided to ask the librarian. Boy was this a mistake! I told her that I was trying to help some of the students find books that they were interested in and was in the process of asking if she could recommend any mystery series when I was rudely interrupted. She looked down at me and snapped, “Who are you? I don’t even know you!” She was still talking when I, shocked and surprised, answered ” I’m sorry. I’m student teaching in Ms. Anderson’s room and I’m trying to help my students find books they can and want to read.” She then told me that she didn’t have time to help students find books. Seriously?!?! The librarian (1 of 4) doesn’t have time to help students find books! Wow. None of the other 3 volunteered to help either. I should have replied or said anything, but I was truly speechless. There were no words to be found. I still can’t believe how rude she was. What’s the most irritating and frustrating is that these poor kids are left on their own to find books. It’s not like someone has taught them how to find books they can and want to read. I did what I could and helped them find books that seemed excited about but it would have been a lot easier with the help of a librarian who knew the stock. Although, between the 4 of them they probably don’t have a clue what books are in there. (There aren’t a lot of books by the way.) One lady pointed one of the boys to a shelf with Dr. Seuss books because his reading level is lower. She assumed he was dumb and could only read simple Dr. Suess books. I wanted to slap her. His level is 3rd or 4th grade but she made him feel like dirt. I did what I could to help him but she did some pretty serious damage. I wanted to slap all of them and tell them to get the heck out of a public school library if they are going to act that way. Help the kids! That’s why we’re there!!!
On a funny note, when I was grading some hw about Martin Luther King Jr, I read some funny stuff. When asked how MLK would feel if he saw the world as it is today, one student said, “He would feel happy b/c there is still racism in the world.” I think we missed something major here! haha. When asked if MLK’s murder was ironic (killed violently while fighting for peace), one student wrote, ” I think if God wanted MLK to get shot, then he would get shot.”
Thanks for the therapeutic writing session
And thanks to Kevin for being wonderful, doing the dishes, and coming up with the creative alternative title

Snow Week!

1/17/11
Week 2 was an entire snow week. We have now spent 3 days at school and 5 days at home which means this week will be a lot of catching up… I’m ready to get back to school so that things can just get going. I feel like I haven’t really had a routine since before Christmas and I’m ready to settle down into somewhat of a steady schedule. I’m not sure yet how these 5 days are going to be made up but I’m not in charge of that so I’ll just do what they tell me and not worry about it! (Or I’ll try at least!)

The good news is that I was able to be fairly productive this past week. Since I didn’t know from day to day whether we would be going to school the next day or not, I tried to get everything done that day. Luckily I had a lot to day so I filled up all 5 days :) The 1st big thing I got done was my application to get certified as a substitute teacher for Metro. This sounded a lot easier than it actually ended up being. After numerous unanswered/unreturned phone calls and emails, I finally had the time to go to the HR office and deal with human beings. Eventually everyone had what they needed. Now we wait. And wait. And wait for Metro to call and say that I can come do orientation which means I miss another day of student teaching but I think I can make this one count since it’s technically some sort of development or something like that. Hopefully I will be able to sub for my mentor teachers and after student teaching to make a little money. Otherwise all this work was for nothing!

The 2nd big task on my to-do list was my resume. Oh the resume. I dove in and began to compile the piece of paper that my future hinges on. Kind of a scary thought… On February 8th I will be taking myself and my resume to a job fair where over 100 school districts will be represented. This seems really soon and really early to me but maybe that just means I’ll know sooner if/when/where I get a job!

Those were the 2 biggies on my to-do list this week but I also got lots of organizational stuff done and things that I can check off my list. I also got a few babysitting jobs so I was able to make a little money! Yay!! I babysat Thursday, Friday night, Saturday night, and was supposed to have another job Sunday night but it got cancelled. I think Kevin was secretly happy that I didn’t have to go Sunday night. :) God sure does provide. On that note, I have seen the magnitude of God’s provision more clearly in the past few weeks. Last semester I had quite a few almost-meltdowns b/c I was worried about not being able to work this semester. But God has shown me that I just need to trust because He is going to provide in ways that I did not see coming :) So, thank you to those who are letting God use you to help meet a need. Thank you for helping me learn that lesson.

To wrap it up, I go back to school tomorrow and am anticipating a crazy, chaotic day. There is a lot that has to be decided, planned, and put into place in a very short time. According to the original schedule, tomorrow was supposed to start part time teaching. I’m pretty sure that won’t be happening tomorrow. But then again, you never know what the day holds! So back to the world of 5th grade I return tomorrow and this journey presses on!

Week 2 Starts with Snow!

1/10/11
And week 2 begins with snow!! 2 snow days to be exact. I am excited to have these 2 days off to study for the ELL Praxis on Saturday, work on my resume, and do some other things that need to get done but it’s also not the best thing. We have to have a certain number of days to complete student teaching and there are only 2 snow/sick/miss days built into that schedule. So as of tomorrow, all the days I can miss are used up! So pray that I don’t get sick or have to miss any other days. I don’t know what they’ll do if there are more snow days, which I am certain there will be. This week completes the 4th or 5th snow day this year for Metro already. I don’t know how many snow days they built into the calendar but it may be a long school year this year! I wouldn’t mind because I’ll hopefully have my sub certification and be able to make some money :) We’ll have to see though.

I began working on my resume today and it got a little overwhelming. How do I decide what’s important enough to put on there? Where does it go? What words do I use? I guess I’ll be heading over to the career center sometime before Feb. 8th to get some help! I do know that I’ll be applying for Elementary ELL teaching jobs so that’s a start I guess!

On a completely different note, I love the snow! This time we have mostly snow and not much ice so it’s almost perfect! I think about 4 inches fell overnight and it looks like Narnia outside :) It’s times like these when I wish I had a fireplace and a cozy living room with a big window so I could just watch the snow fall. It’d also be nice if I could watch movies instead of babysit and study… Wishful thinking for now.

We’ll I’m off to continue working on my resume and maybe sneak in a Netflix movie if I make enough progress :)

Student Teaching- Week 1/Intro to the blog

Date: 1/9/11
Hello Supportive, Wonderful Friends and Family:

Wow, what a week this has been. It’s hard to believe that just a week ago I was home with my family and unwinding from my last set of finals! Once we got back to Nashville, everything started back in a whirlwind. Monday and Tuesday were spent in Seminar, which basically means that from 8:30-3 we got to hear about the things we have spent the past 2 ½ years studying. One helpful thing that did come out of this was about job hunting. There is a job fair for teachers on Feb. 8 and over 100 school districts will be there. This means that in less than a month I start applying for jobs! Ahh!!! So keep that in your prayers please!!! I would love to have a job lined up before graduation if that’s what the Lord has in mind for me. (Graduation is May 7 by the way J )

On that note, I will be the only undergrad graduate that will be certified to teach ELL. I will be certified K-6 as well as K-12 ELL. Let’s pray I don’t get a job teaching high school ELL please! But K-2 ELL would be wonderful! (ELL is English Language Learners for those that are unfamiliar.) This is my area of passion and I pray the Lord sends me there.

Well for student teaching, I have 2 placements. The first, where I am now, is a 5th grade Language Arts, Reading, and Social Studies class. I’m at Thurgood Marshall Middle School which is 5th-8th grade. There are 300 5th graders here. I only have to learn the names of 45 of them though. While I have never wanted to teach 5th grade, I am now surrounded by them all day every day. Some of the kids are sweethearts but most are not as charming. This first week took me back to when I was 5th grade and I have to say, I didn’t like it then either J Luckily, we have not covered anything that I can’t remember how to do. That’s why I didn’t want a math or science class- not my best subjects.

My teacher has been wonderful and she is very conscious of the fact that I need lots of help from her in getting to know the kids and the school. Since I went to very small schools, being in a school with almost 1100 middle schoolers has been a little overwhelming. She has been great though. She is easing me into things and letting me grade papers and do lots of organizational things (which I love!!) while I observe her teaching styles. I do have a very different teaching style than she does so it will be interesting to see how that plays out as I take a bigger role in the class.

On a funny note, it was Friday before anyone told me (to my face at least) that I looked like a middle school student. I thought for sure it would take longer than that ;) However, it was the assistant principal who said it! I think it’s just because most of the kids are taller than I am, but I can hold my own in the classroom. I saw some of the 8th graders Friday and begged my teacher not to ever send me upstairs (where 8th grade has class). These boys had to be at least 6 feet tall and they looked like linebackers! They were HUGE!!!! I don’t know how well I would do in a class full of that haha. I’d be scared to death!!

Overall, this first week has been a huge learning experience. I have already gotten experience in dealing with parents, forgetfulness, the evilness of lockers, 5th grade clumsiness, and the immaturity of 5th grade boys. And that was all in the first 3 days J I experienced Friday afternoon exhaustion, distraction by snow flurries, frustration at lack of effort (by the students), and anticipation of snow days. Just think how much I will learn by the time this is all over!

(Not all posts will be this long. But I had to get going with 1st one!!)

Thanks for reading. Keep me and my students in your prayers this week. God bless!

~Les~