The Week Before Winter Break

I meant to post about my time at Waldo the week before Winter Break, but I was so excited to be on Break that I just did not do it!  Here are a few photos that I want to share from my time at the middle school before they went on two weeks of Winter Break.

Winter Assembly in the Gym

Flock of Geese Being Chased by Students

Snowflakes

I was hoping to get more out of my time at the middle school during the week before break, but I was already in the mindset of having my 3 weeks off from school, Salem, responsibilities, etc. Overall, I got the vibe that everyone was ready for break!  It was still good to be back in the school and see all the students.  I wonder how the students will see me when I start teaching? I usually just sit in the back of the classroom observing, sometimes I will help a student if they ask, sometimes I walk around the room, but I do not want to butt in on the teacher teaching...  I thought it was nice to attend the assembly on Friday and see all the students who are involved in band, jazz band, choir, and orchestra.  When I am in the classroom I just see the student in class, and not get the opportunity to see what they do outside of the class... it was a nice reminder to see the students in a different role. :)

Work Sample...

Argh
Sigh
Sad
Blah
Roar
Errrr

:T

My Last Day...

30 days... 234 hours... 4 staff meetings... 2 days of parent conferences... classroom observations... 1 assembly... 1 district math personal development day... 6 coffee runs...

Infinite thanks to my mentor teacher. It was quite the experience working at North, and I went through the practicum experiencing a glimpse of the life of a high school math teacher. It is not an easy job, and I am still drawn to teaching... along with its challenges!!!

The crown I made for the teacher who is leaving North and will start working for the teacher union in Oregon.

Lunch is always a time to indulge in sweets! and chocolate!!!

Vertex Day!

Today is vertex day! Why? Because it is the middle of the week. Yes, it's a math joke. :)

There was some yummy treats today for lunch because today is one of the math teacher's birthday and possibly another teacher's last day. My cooperating teacher is amazing!!!

I am trying to work on this Work Sample that is due next Friday! I stayed up until 1 am.... No good! My eyes are in pain! I slept for 5 hours... I can't stay up that late anymore and function the next day. I have workedhghhhgg [that was done by my cooperating teacher, haha] so as i was saying, i have work today. Once I get home I am crashing, but I have to finish at least one paper and my homework that is due tomorrow.

Two more days until I finish my practicum!

Tuesday?

Soooooo tired. I have a new toy, and it keeps me up at night. :) Yes, an iPhone!!! I am starting to hunker down and get some work done. I knocked out a paper today. A few more to go! And my Work Sample... It is a scary beast, but I have to get it done this week!

It has been two weeks since I worked, and today is just wearing me down! But it was fun tutoring the kiddies at the middle school! One girl came running to me! :)

Three more days until I'm done with my practicum! Time sure flies...

PLC

PLC = Professional Learning Community

There are always meetings on Mondays. Whether it is all-staff, content area, or PLC. Yesterday's meeting was a PLC.  I attended the Geometry PLC yesterday, and it is the first one I have attended since I have been at North. I have attended the all-staff meetings and the content area meetings.

They went over the plan for the rest of the semester, and talked about the standards that they will cover.

In the Geometry class they are making study guides that review the Quadrilateral Properties. Here is a photo of the mock one I was making, and my cooperating teacher filled in the information during class. Also, it was a dry and sunny day so I had to take a picture of the view outside the window!!!

 I think that PLC's are a good idea to support fellow teachers that teach the same subject area.  It is nice that you are able to have lessons done and shared with each other so that you don't spend your whole life outside of school planning lessons.  Also, as Oregon is moving towards National Standards it is important to work together and be on the same page with teachers that teach your same class to ensure that the students are at the same place.

Teacher Research class...

:)

Monday evening class!