The Week of Valentines...

What a week!

Even though it was a short week I am exhausted! Everyday I would come home and pass out. I think I am getting used to teaching three class periods though. :)  It was Valentine's Day on Tuesday, and since we did not have school on Monday (Furlough Day) we got to start the week on a sweet note. :)  The students were excited to get their Val-o-grams.  I did not pass it out until the end of class. Last Friday was a bit hectic as well because they had the Valentine's Dance on Friday! All the students could not stop talking about going to the dance.... These holidays and breaks is something that I did not quite think about before.  I wish I could go back to my middle school self and remember what it was like for me as a middle schooler. Unfortunately, my brain has a hard time remembering those days... or I must have done a good job of blocking those memories out. haha.  Anyhoo... On Wednesday they were all tired.  My usual chatty 5th period were quiet and unresponsive! I even mentioned to them that I was surprised how quiet they are and if was because of all the sugar they had the day before.  Most said yes. haha.

Anyhoo... it wasn't a bad week. I think they are getting used to me being their teacher.  I think some did not realize that I was their new teacher! One student asked me today... if my mentor teacher retired. haha. No, he did not. He is still around the school, and I am just a student teacher. Oh... good times! :)

OAKS Testing: Part 1

Standardized testing - It has been a learning experience as I have been helping students with their state testing. This is their first try with the test. There will be two more tries before the end of the year. If students do not pass, they will lose an elective class and have a math intensive class. A lot of pressure to pass the state tests!!!

On another note teaching = draining! I have been teaching the ESL Class for a week and a half. It takes time to write lesson plans, make sure I have all the materials, and teach! Haha. This student teaching experience is a crucial learning experience!! I am thankful for the opportunity...

Second Semester Planning Day+

It was a quiet day without all the students around the school. I met with my cooperating teachers about my plan for this week, and what not. It was quite the day! I was feeling motivated to write my lesson plans, but I decided to go work out before class. I went to school about half an hour early to print some things out, and that is when my laptop screen went black... Yes, my laptop died today. It is perfect timing because I start teaching this week, and my data is all safe. Sadly I did not back it up, but at least it is still there right? I am teaching tomorrow, and I am trying to stop being so negative and sad!!! :( sigh... Things happen unexpectedly all the time, right? It'll be okay... One can only hope...

Salem-Keizer Educator Fair

Educator Fair! Mock Interview! Coffee! Resume Review!

I actually enjoyed the Educator Fair. I am grateful for the opportunity for the practice of having a mock interview with the Principal, and Assistant Principal from Crossler Middle School.

It was tremendously helpful to hear their feedback and advice!!! I will have to send them a Thank You card.  I met the Assistant Principal from Roberts High School who reviewed by resume. Very specific details what to change to improve my resume.  I better do it soon so I don't forget all the great advice and tips! I had my mock interview with the Middle School administrators.  Maybe I should have had another with the high school, but I was tired and done after one. eesh.  I went early for the breakfast to get to know other Administrators throughout the Salem-Keizer District.  It was neat to chat with different people, and see familiar people from North and Waldo at the fair.  This year the fair was at McKay High School.  It was a great opportunity, and I think it will prepare me for the Oregon Educator Fair in April.

Hump\\Day

Today I was able to use the Salem-Keizer wifi at Waldo.  It was very beneficial to be able to have some time to do my homework, which jump started some ideas of activities that I would like to do in some of my lessons.  I was in Period 3 with my ESL II kids, and it might turn into a Social Studies ESL class next semester.  Which is fine because we will still use ELL writing, reading, speaking, and listening strategies to support their strengths and needs.  I just wonder what we need to cover.  I will meet with my ESOL cooperating teacher tomorrow after school before our School Partner Workshop at 4:30pm at Willamette.  Today I recorded my 5th Period Math warm-up, but I haven't looked at it yet.  I will do that later this evening.  I will need to figure out how to upload it from my phone, which I think won't be too hard. I hope...  6th Period Math was a bit rougher.  Some of the students are just chatter boxes. I moved one, and had to redirect a three.  Overall they are not a bad group, but they were particularly chatty after my cooperating teacher left.  I also think that I went over the warm-up too quickly, so some of them could have been frustrated from that.  They were working fine on the warm-up, it was when we reviewed it that was a bit of a struggle.  Yesterday, was about the same as well.  I need to figure out a different strategy to try to get more students to participate and come up to the Smart Board! Tomorrow is another day that I can try something different with them. There is a Literacy Night at Waldo tonight, but I won't make it... I have a meeting with my Teacher Research Critical Friend's Group at 6pm! Meeting online. haha. We'll see how that goes... or if anyone remembers? haha.

More Practice Teaching

Today I taught for almost half the class period in both my math classes.  Teaching is hard work! I tried recording myself go through the warm-up, but the memory became full. I need to record myself teaching a warm-up for my Math Methods class.  Eventually I will record myself teaching for a whole class period. Even though it is an assignment for my Graduate Seminar class,  I think it will be very beneficial.  It will be painful to watch too! haha.

Another Manic Monday... not really.

  Today was a calm day.  I think this week will be calm in comparison to all the events that Mother Nature planned from last week.  I am taking on some more roles as the teacher. Today I led the warm-up and a quiz with the last two Math 3 periods.  I am getting a bit more comfortable with the classes.  It helps me remember students' names when I walk around helping students and when I am teaching.  This is the last week in the semester and grades are due next Monday.  There was a PLC meeting after school to discuss how the week will look like, and what next week will entail.  I should start teaching next week, but we'll see because there is some material to be covered before the students have the OAKS test (State Testing).  I think it will be better to take over after the OAKS, but I also think that by taking on more of the teaching helps me become more comfortable before I take over fully.   I was very sleepy this morning, and I wanted to find a hiding place to take a nap. Instead I was trying to stay awake, and was falling asleep in my chair.  Good times! I better go to sleep early tonight.  It is going to be a long week!!! >:D