Well, to start with, I am EXHAUSTED. But it's the good kind of tired when you feel like you've done something good that day :)
I came to school dressed in clothing purchased by or with my mom, my sister, or SO, armed with a Red Sox travel mug from my dad -- it takes a village to outfit a student teacher! I quickly said hi to Mrs. M, who arrived shortly before the kids. She drops her daughter off at daycare in the mornings and picks her up in the afternoons so she's short on time! We touched base quickly and she gave me schedules and a very short rundown of the day, then the kids came in. (It was a COLD first day -- indoor recess all day!)
As they were coming in and settling for morning meeting, two kids came up and chatted with me. I later realized one was the younger sister of two girls I loved in the children's choir I worked with two years ago! I remembered this girl as such a sweet and loving spirit, so it was a delight to find her there. Mrs. M introduced me during morning meeting, although most of the kids don't remember my name yet. We had planned to meet and discuss scheduling and such when the kids were at snack, but with a first-grade assembly in the cafeteria, snack was in the room -- foiled again!
During PE I finally had a moment to catch my breath. We worked on prepping a project for centers and chatted about kids with IEPs, behavior charts, mid-year assessments, and so on. She also suggested that I go down to town hall and register as a substitute teacher -- in case she's out, she really wants me to take over, which is exciting! Plus I get paid, so it's a big win. Mrs. M has also asked I start thinking about prepping lessons for Chinese New Year, introducing subtraction, and shoe tying.
After the kids came back and we had jobs (math/literacy work), we had a quick lunch (boy, was I starving!). I got texts of encouragement from SO and my dear roomie :) Then I finished prepping for centers while Mrs. M kept the kids entertained during indoor recess. During story and rest time, we went to an RTI for three students. It was nice to meet several important folks -- the principal, one of the special ed teachers, the psychologist, the counselor, and the speech and language therapist. I took lots of notes and did lots of listening!
During centers, I spent the full time working with four students making puppets, which was fun but challenging! We had hole punched felt (ow my hands) and they were sewing it together and decorating. The sewing was really challenging for a couple of them! After that, things were pretty smooth, and I had fun.
In some ways, I was not sorry to see the end of the day. However, I ended on a high note: I got a big hug from one student, and told him he was a great hugger...so he asked me to marry him. I told him we'll talk.
Overall, I'm tired, happy, and excited for more to come! Tonight I'll be chatting with SO and my folks, researching for the lessons Mrs. M wants me to teach, zoning out in front of some TV, and going to bed EARLY!
**********
Currently reading: I swear I'll finish this book soon.
Current high: I felt so good on my first day :)
Current low: ready for bed at 5:45
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Grace's Student Teacher Survival Kit
For Christmas, I received many wonderful gifts, several related to my upcoming practicum. Among them were professional clothing, new teacher shoes, nice jewelry, reusable snack bags, a bookstore gift card, and more. However, my favourite teacher gift came from SO: Grace's Student Teacher Survival Kit. In a small, hand-painted wooden box, I found several items and an explanation for why each was included:
1. A band-aid for when things get rough
2. An eraser to remind me that everyone makes mistakes
3. A curb ball to help me find my Explo (a magical summer program where SO and I both feel strong and happy)
4. A star to remind me that I am a shining star
5. A die to remind me to take chances
6. A tissue for when I need to wipe away tears -- mine or my students'!
7. A rubber band to remind me that flexibility is important
8. A battery to keep me going, and going, and going
9. A penny to remind me that I am priceless (or extremely cheap? :P)
10. A paper clip to help me keep it all together
11. A flower to remind me of all my "special flowers"
12. A pearl to remind me how precious I am
13. A chocolate kiss as a reward for the wonderful job I'll do
14. A heart to remind me how much SO loves me
I'm still deciding where it will live: my desk at school, my desk in my dorm, or by my bed. We'll see how it unfolds :)
Tomorrow is my first day! I'm feeling a bit nervous, but mostly excited to get rolling. My initial action plan is complete, my goals in order, my first meeting with my cooperating and supervising teachers in place. I have written out (and timed) morning and evening routines; I am a creature of habit, so having a regular schedule like that will do wonders for me and my sleep patterns. Today has been spent doing laundry, tidying my room, and running errands. Tonight I've got a work shift (I tried to cram in as many as I could before student teaching!) then early to bed before my first day. Wish me luck!
**********
Currently reading: still A Dance With Dragons -- halfway done!
Current high: my birthday is on Friday :)
Current low: feeling a bit like I'll never be ready for this semester to begin...
1. A band-aid for when things get rough
2. An eraser to remind me that everyone makes mistakes
3. A curb ball to help me find my Explo (a magical summer program where SO and I both feel strong and happy)
4. A star to remind me that I am a shining star
5. A die to remind me to take chances
6. A tissue for when I need to wipe away tears -- mine or my students'!
7. A rubber band to remind me that flexibility is important
8. A battery to keep me going, and going, and going
9. A penny to remind me that I am priceless (or extremely cheap? :P)
10. A paper clip to help me keep it all together
11. A flower to remind me of all my "special flowers"
12. A pearl to remind me how precious I am
13. A chocolate kiss as a reward for the wonderful job I'll do
14. A heart to remind me how much SO loves me
I'm still deciding where it will live: my desk at school, my desk in my dorm, or by my bed. We'll see how it unfolds :)
Tomorrow is my first day! I'm feeling a bit nervous, but mostly excited to get rolling. My initial action plan is complete, my goals in order, my first meeting with my cooperating and supervising teachers in place. I have written out (and timed) morning and evening routines; I am a creature of habit, so having a regular schedule like that will do wonders for me and my sleep patterns. Today has been spent doing laundry, tidying my room, and running errands. Tonight I've got a work shift (I tried to cram in as many as I could before student teaching!) then early to bed before my first day. Wish me luck!
**********
Currently reading: still A Dance With Dragons -- halfway done!
Current high: my birthday is on Friday :)
Current low: feeling a bit like I'll never be ready for this semester to begin...
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Dream A Little Dream
Had my first student teaching dream last night! And remarkably, it was not a nightmare. Presumably sparked by the fact that last night I was e-mailing with my supporting teacher, C, and my cooperating kindergarten teacher, Mrs. M. We set up our initial meeting and I checked in with Mrs. M about the first day!
Anyhow. In my dream, it was my first day of student teaching, and while it was nerve-wracking and anxiety-ridden, it was interesting and fun. The dream focused more on teachers than students, likely because of an e-mail from my seminar professor about going into the semester. Here's hoping the positive feelings of the dream are a prophecy of days to come!
M recently shared with me her teaching blog, which has been a joy to read :)
Apologies for the disjointed post...I'm feeling rather discombobulated without a routine! For that reason I am very much looking forward to the start of the semester.
**********
Currently reading: the final book currently published of A Song of Ice and Fire
Current high: SO arrives at MHC tonight and is taking me out for fancy birthday dinner tomorrow :)
Current low: my sleep schedule is all out of whack -- so sleepy!
Anyhow. In my dream, it was my first day of student teaching, and while it was nerve-wracking and anxiety-ridden, it was interesting and fun. The dream focused more on teachers than students, likely because of an e-mail from my seminar professor about going into the semester. Here's hoping the positive feelings of the dream are a prophecy of days to come!
M recently shared with me her teaching blog, which has been a joy to read :)
Apologies for the disjointed post...I'm feeling rather discombobulated without a routine! For that reason I am very much looking forward to the start of the semester.
**********
Currently reading: the final book currently published of A Song of Ice and Fire
Current high: SO arrives at MHC tonight and is taking me out for fancy birthday dinner tomorrow :)
Current low: my sleep schedule is all out of whack -- so sleepy!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Book Review: Mindset
Today I'd like to share with you all my thoughts on one of my favourite books: Carol Dweck's Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Recommended to me by my father as a book that would help me personally in my growth as a student, I've come to apply it to my own educational pedagogy.
The basic premise of Mindset is that most people fall into one of two categories: fixed mindset and growth mindset. Those with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence, creativity, and so on exist in fixed quantities. An incorrect answer or obvious question is proving them unintelligent, and being accurate proves their smarts. However, a growth mindset individual believes that all these are fluid, and being wrong provides an opportunity for learning and growth.
For an extended period of my life, I was absolutely fixed mindset. However, reading this book led me to confront the way that I approached my education and lived my life. Slowly but surely, over the last few years, I have moved more toward a growth mindset. Included in Dweck's book is a chapter on applying mindsets as an educator, which became quite apt for me as I declared my major in education. Later books and articles that I read in my coursework reinforced her ideas, encouraging teachers to move away from the role of the one who holds all the knowledge, and the ability to tell students whether they are right or wrong.
Overall, I absolutely adore this book, and I feel that every educator, parent, coach, and manager should read it. The principles Dweck lays out are applicable in a variety of settings, including for education and personal growth.
**********
Currently reading: fourth book of Game of Thrones!
Current high: back to school tomorrow
Current low: leaving my folks tonight :(
The basic premise of Mindset is that most people fall into one of two categories: fixed mindset and growth mindset. Those with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence, creativity, and so on exist in fixed quantities. An incorrect answer or obvious question is proving them unintelligent, and being accurate proves their smarts. However, a growth mindset individual believes that all these are fluid, and being wrong provides an opportunity for learning and growth.
For an extended period of my life, I was absolutely fixed mindset. However, reading this book led me to confront the way that I approached my education and lived my life. Slowly but surely, over the last few years, I have moved more toward a growth mindset. Included in Dweck's book is a chapter on applying mindsets as an educator, which became quite apt for me as I declared my major in education. Later books and articles that I read in my coursework reinforced her ideas, encouraging teachers to move away from the role of the one who holds all the knowledge, and the ability to tell students whether they are right or wrong.
Overall, I absolutely adore this book, and I feel that every educator, parent, coach, and manager should read it. The principles Dweck lays out are applicable in a variety of settings, including for education and personal growth.
**********
Currently reading: fourth book of Game of Thrones!
Current high: back to school tomorrow
Current low: leaving my folks tonight :(
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Sunday in the Glen with Teachers
Today I had the good fortune of spending a few hours with some dear old friends. My SO and I went and had brunch with my high school friend, M, and her fiance, A. All of us are educators; my SO is a junior studying human development and education, M teaches kindergarten, and A is currently working in fourth grade (not IN fourth grade -- thanks M!).
We brunched at a cute little cafe not far from their new apartment, where SO and I had delicious breakfast burritos and chai lattes. We shared stories of our classrooms and college placements, travel nightmares, holiday tales, and M and A updated us on their wedding plans. It was such fun to see M's kindergarten class picture (30 kids and just her -- I'm pretty sure she's a superhero) and sobering to hear her say that she still cries most days as she comes home from school.
As we strolled back from our meal to the car, M and I were discussing who we had remained friends with from high school, and how the numbers were few. M commented that she thought it had to do with values. Many (or perhaps most) of our friends in high school had shared interests; we were all conservatory kids who acted, sang, and danced our way through high school. But those who have lasted beyond that are those with whom we shared some deeper connection. For M and I, it was our passion for and commitment to education.
As SO and I walked back to our car after bidding farewell to M and A, she remarked how nice it would be to marry a fellow educator, someone who truly understood the demands of the profession and would be understanding about the fact that the job comes home with you. You can share student anecdotes, follow progress, proofread comments, and support each other through a difficult but wondrous profession. But of course, I'm only on the brink of my 24th year -- a life partner is still a few years away!
Before I officially begin student teaching, I hope to post about my favourite education book, maybe do a couple of post-mortems on wonderful education classes, and on the eve of the beginning of my journey, an update on how I'm feeling. Stay tuned!
**********
Currently reading: between books -- still working through Game of Thrones, but planning to start rereading The Hobbit or delve into Educating Esme.
Current high: seeing M and A so happy together :)
Current low: SO leaves tomorrow night!
We brunched at a cute little cafe not far from their new apartment, where SO and I had delicious breakfast burritos and chai lattes. We shared stories of our classrooms and college placements, travel nightmares, holiday tales, and M and A updated us on their wedding plans. It was such fun to see M's kindergarten class picture (30 kids and just her -- I'm pretty sure she's a superhero) and sobering to hear her say that she still cries most days as she comes home from school.
As we strolled back from our meal to the car, M and I were discussing who we had remained friends with from high school, and how the numbers were few. M commented that she thought it had to do with values. Many (or perhaps most) of our friends in high school had shared interests; we were all conservatory kids who acted, sang, and danced our way through high school. But those who have lasted beyond that are those with whom we shared some deeper connection. For M and I, it was our passion for and commitment to education.
As SO and I walked back to our car after bidding farewell to M and A, she remarked how nice it would be to marry a fellow educator, someone who truly understood the demands of the profession and would be understanding about the fact that the job comes home with you. You can share student anecdotes, follow progress, proofread comments, and support each other through a difficult but wondrous profession. But of course, I'm only on the brink of my 24th year -- a life partner is still a few years away!
Before I officially begin student teaching, I hope to post about my favourite education book, maybe do a couple of post-mortems on wonderful education classes, and on the eve of the beginning of my journey, an update on how I'm feeling. Stay tuned!
**********
Currently reading: between books -- still working through Game of Thrones, but planning to start rereading The Hobbit or delve into Educating Esme.
Current high: seeing M and A so happy together :)
Current low: SO leaves tomorrow night!
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