New approach to teaching.. (that's what good teachers doo!) :)

Today my lesson was on ordinal numbers and we have begun by now having the kids in 2 groups. The first goes to P.E. while I do an activity/lesson with the second group. Then that group goes out for free play while I teach the first group the same lesson/activity. By doing this I have the chance to be more one on one with each student and help the ones that are struggling more closely. I also have the chance to revise my lesson a bit for the next group and possibly for the next day as well. What I mean by this is, for example, todayís assignment required them to color one drawing, circle the next, and cross out the last. I had a hard time with the first group because I didn't clearly explain that there were three things to do in each line. Then I had some not even following because they didn't know which line we were on or because they took too long finding a crayon. For the next group I knew that now I had to pick a unified color, say the picture name, and reiterate on each line that there were three directions to follow. And most importantly, have them follow along with their finger when we counted ordinal numbers. If not, they are asking me, "Which one? Which one?" It has also helped me for tomorrow's lesson as well as future planning. I am learning that I can plan a lot but we will most likely only get through 2 worksheets a day. It takes a lot of time to explain, and I have to go through the whole thing with them in order to get it done semi-right.

oh my word today was tough..

The theory or idea I want to discuss today is one I saw in the classroom, changing the lesson according to the children's learning. This is something that is crucial yet I know of many teachers who don't do it. Some reasons could be because it takes too much time, or they don't know how to change or mold the lesson, or even the thinking that they've already taught the information and if the students didn't grasp it then it's the students fault and they have to reap the consequences. All of these ways of thinking are not good. In my mind the only one that comes out suffering is the teacher because they are the ones frustrated that no one is listening or paying attention. Once the teacher has lost the student's attention, the student could care less! They just go about doing their own thing.

It's hard to say I saw this in the classroom because there really aren't subjects taught. However, today the kids were really rowdy and not really paying attention. I was trying to think what could be the reason for this or what a solution was. After lunch, I was sure the teacher was going to let them out for recess like usual in hopes of getting some of their energy out. But instead she came in and began pulling mats out and telling them that they were going down for a nap because they were disobeying. There were a lot of groans and moans but once the music came on all but one child was fast asleep! After nap she sent them out for recess, to wake them up a bit before they went home. During that time she told me that they were just being too rowdy and not minding. This was not usual and it must be because they were tired. She also told me that usually there are about 7 or 8 that will not sleep at all, they just toss and turn the entire time.

It made me think that as a teacher you know what your students need. There was still some assignments to do, but instead of getting frustrated by trying to keep their attention through a subject a nap turned out to be the better option. The pre-k students really haven't had naps since before Christmas break, but by seeing how they were behaving throughout the day the teacher knew that this is exactly what they needed so she changed the plan according to what was needed.

Positive Reinforcement

One thing that I've noticed Mrs. Romero does a lot with this class is praising the students. I know that I've heard a lot about this in all my classes! Positive reinforcement in my eyes is a crucial element in the classroom. I know that I talked to Dr. Gilliam last semester on how I had a hard time using positive reinforcement in the second grade class, and I think the main thing was that the teacher didn't use it so the students weren't used to it.

In this classroom positive reinforcement is a main element. When students are sitting quietly at the carpet you point it out so the rest will follow suit, when a student has his head down at their desk while waiting for the next set of directions you begin calling them out. As I write this the idea that maybe it could be overused comes to mind. Iím not so sure, but I do know that the students are so eager to please teacher and do just was she says that they will do whatever is necessary for that attention, for the most part.

About the BEST day eVer!!

My day started pretty scratchy since i had to do laundry that morning...but from there on out it's been awesome! My kids sang to me..we ate ice cream...I got flowers :) AND a nice LONG play time! It was so funny all day long the kids would come to me and say happy birthday and tell me how they loved me and how they were going to make me a card...lol, they are so adorable... Anyways, I got mnm's in my afternoon class, dinner with amanda (quisno's...FIRST time EVER! not too bad) and I got a cake at SIFE...and then to top off an excellent workday birthday I had a surprise visit from my friend Mike with an AMAZING birthday cake...omg...it was heaven! I would say I'd let you try it but, sorry...I like to be greedy when it comes to my birthday! Needless to say, it's been a good day...one of the best...although most of my birthday rank pretty high.. cuz what could be better than a day that's all about me :)

and my bliss continues...

The weather today was a marvelous 85° and I have really settled into (semi) my pre-k class. I have to constantly keep my positive attitude on my shoulder. As long as I keep it handy they are so adorable and cute! I dunno, prolly cuz I've been reading my matinal but I can't help but remember how God says you must be like a child to go into the kingdom of heaven...and seeing these kids just makes me see why. Even though they get angry fast and are ready to see even their closest friends get in trouble (probably cuz they love fair) they don't hold grudges, and remember even less of past transgressions (wow big word!) lol anyways, all is good...but keep me in your prayers...love you and miss you :)

and...I'm BACK!

So spring break was amazing! Girls weekend...dragged out throughout a week! Lacking in the sleep area a bit, but it's ok cuz it was SO worth it! So today the sun has come out and it is an amazing 77º. With it comes an obviously amazing day!

My health is finally all back and I am feeling great! I have finally gotten a new outloook and perspective on my student teaching which has helped me enjoy today a bit more and actually be excited about the rest of the semester. I can finally say that these kids are the cutest! They are so innocent and easy going. There was one kid that looked at the pencil he was using and realized it had someone else's name on it. (He had already used up the eraser the majority of the pencil and had been biting it all day.) But he goes to the other kid [Blake] and is like you have my pencil! This is yours! Give me mine! So Blake (which the pencil he is using is super sharp, new eraser, and an added eraser on top) says, "Let me see (looks at the name) oh yea! This is my name, here you go!" And they proceed to trade pencils. Oh my gosh! I don't think I've ever seen anything like that. I have a lot of little stories like that, but I kinda don't remember them :/

so anyways, the break has been good. It has given me a chance to reevaluate and take a fresh breath and my future is once again looking bright!

p.s. 5 days until tWIlight!!!! ahhhhhhh... can't wait :)

yeah!!! spring break!

so this is the last one until after spring break

Last night I semi started my spring break by watching a movie with the girls (i fell asleep in the middle of it :/ i was tired!) So student teaching is going a bit better. I'm mainly teaching little groups in center types. My teacher is really nice and it made it nicer because today was a half day because of spring break! So we got out at noon and I went home to clean and bum around for a while. THEN! me and rebecca and amanda went to get all spiffed up and got our nails done! It's been years!!! They feel so wierd! But if I'm not going anywhere for spring break we gotta have fun SOMEhow! So here's to an amazing spring break...full of movies, late nights, girl talks, munchies, and getting all dolled up!

BRING IT ON!! :)

spring break for you...but not me?

SO spring break has officially started for everybody!...except me :( I still have student teaching tomorrow. So while everybody is going crazy and sleeping in...I'll be...working. I dunno I'm not really looking forward to this spring break. I didn't plan on going anywhere, and now I've signed up to work in the library through all of spring break. You think I'd be happy, it's extra money! But I don't feel fulfilled in the least bit. Amanda is going to my aunts, my friends are all going on mission trips or...home, Rebecca is staying and maybe ditching me on the weekend! You'd think I'd be happy, bonding with Rebecca! But I can't seem to snap into happiness...boo.
Spring break sucks...I wish it were school...but no school? make my sad days go away...and while you're at it make me better too! please?

I rock SIFE's socks!

ok instead of dwelling on my student teaching (which is still not up there...today I had so much mocos it was NASTY! Every two minutes I had another full formed loogy!!) Anyways I had my SIFE presentation today...two of them actually. I wasn't thrilled about the first one, just because it had so much potential and I really didn't take that project anywhere near praise worthy. Yes, we finished it and yes it was successful but we didn't expand it. My pride and joy is my second project that I developed with my friend Zuri and that I carried out in the second grade classrooms during student teaching. The kids loved it and I loved making the presentation for it! The only thing is, when I do projects like this I like to have someone to throw ideas around with and make it perfect...well I really didn't have that, so in my eyes it was lacking. While presenting I got nervous and started talking fast...another minus of course. Don't get me wrong it went well! The kids got an average of 90 percent improvement and we got rave reviews from teachers and students! Did I mention it was 72 students? And my presentation was well done, I just don't know if well enough to win the 100 bucks...well we'll see...hopefully I can hold my anticipation till after spring break when we get our results. To add to my emotional-war filled thoughts, my friend Mike is leaving in the morning..BOO! I mean I'm happy for him (fun stuff..traveling to another country!) but talk about roughin it through spring break! Man oh man...this will be an interesting week..that's for sure!

eh...

so today was my first day of student teaching (again) but this time at the SDA school and with Pre-K. I wasn't sure what to expect other than small children you know? And I guess that's exactly what I got...still not sure how I feel about it all. I'm still feeling poopy and I sound horrible, but the good thing is that I have energy! I'm sure all this poopiness is part of the reason I'm not really digging the whole new classroom thing. Well of course besides the fact that I really liked my second graders and I miss them :(
Well, true to myself I'm sure I'll make the best of it and figure a way to make this awesome! Ask me tomorrow how I like it...maybe then it'll be better...

my last day...

today was so much fun! first of all I'm feeling millions better! still have the stuffy nose and the SOUND of sick but I feel good which is important. It's crummy when you just don't have the energy to do anything... Anyways, Today was the selling day of the My First Business project and they absolutely LOVED it! They had so much fun! I took tons of video and they look SO cute! Then of course it was also my last day there too...It was fun but so sad...

Fun because it was Dr. Seuss' birthday today( it's also Texas' independance day today!), so the teachers dress up like characters and they do Seuss stuff throughout the day. Some of the kids got cat whiskers, pencils, and other fun stuff, all of them got different kinds of hats like cat in the hat. And they read Seuss books all day long. All kinds! and did Seuss activities to go along with them. Then of course it was sad because it was my last day. They gave me a picture I took with the class on Thursday (I look SOO sick in it...not cool) and they all made me the cutest goodbye cards! I teared up...and the teacher gave me this OOBER cool bag with my favorite colors on it and sportin my Last name (that I've come to love :) ) plus other goodies inside. Needless to say, I loved my time there and will miss it greatly! I'm still not sure if I'm excited about PreK...yea there cute but there not my 2nd grade kids :)
anyways...I'll let you know tomorrow how I feel about it :/