Yes that is me. Dr. Suess: 5, alive, survive, and heck I may go as far as saying I thrived.
I have so far just been jumping in and helping the students when they raise their hand. I also have been circulating like a warden making sure they are working. I hate that reference but all I need are the jangling keys and I feel like I fit the part. It works with these kids though. They need someone making sure they are working or... well... unfortunately...they won't.
I also have been reading outloud to the kids. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. This is a little difficult for me coming into the class after they already started so I still have a bookmark where the kids are and one for where I am. I tend to read from the start to where they are, but with all my difficulties and everything I am still a few pages behind the class. I guess I am reading behind and ahead. I take my 30 minute lunch to go ahead of where the kids are in the story so I will be able to read it better.
I have been practicing on pausing and repetition. I have been told I go fast and I have always been aware of my speed. I am a hummingbird when I am nervous. Very speedy. So on everything I am writing I place the words Remember to Breath as a little FYI for myself.
At the end of the day I was told that goals for next week is vocabulary and doing more with the A.R. (which will be a refresher.) I have a meeting with my university supervisor for next week. I always get a little nervous when meeting a person for the first time. At the end of the day I was really happy to hear that I did okay for the first week and things will continue to get more comfortable for me in the matters of being in front of the kids. But that is next week.
Tonight I am going to celebrate the end of week #1
I survived.
LGD
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Day 4
The students are still working on YouTube video clip reflections. Since The Outsiders is set in the 60s-Mrs. E had some Anti-War clips. These were sampled from the TV mini-series The 60s.
It was fun watching the kids making connections with the term flower power to when a protester popped a daisy in the barrel of a gun. They watched a student made documentary of the Kent State Riots of 1970 and it amazed them how soldiers would shoot lethal ammunition into a crowd of students. The kids had to write a reflection on how this event changed history. Some students took notes and others had to watch it again. I noticed how Mrs. E decided to re-work her strategy for Blocks2-4 based on the understanding observed in Block 1. As Block 2 ended she adjusted for Block3 and this continued through out the day.
I forgot to tell you all, I am now reading out loud to the class. "Easing me in" is the thought. Yesterday was the first day of it. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, I recognize the work since we did Maniac Magee in Developmental Reading in the middle school classroom. Never read the book until now. I have a marker at the spot that the kids are at in their reading and then I have a spot that I am at. I wonder if I am ever going to be able to catch up before the end of the book.
Today I got back up there a little nervous. I am used to reading in front of people. Nothing new there. I think it is the idea that these 12 weeks ahead of me are the make or break. I never let it out to Mrs. E that I have a problem reading. After consulting with others I was going to keep my LDs to myself. I have been told by people in higher power that it is silly that an English major has a hard time reading. I think I may be a masochist, but I love books. Stories taking me out of the moment. It is like with a really good book I forget about what is going on around me and I am lost in the pages. I typically read out loud so I am able to understand what is going on better. Otherwise if I read silently I read the same passage over and over.
Stargirl and The Outsiders are on my nightstand by the bed. I have read The Outsiders oh I think this is time #4. Just trying to be totally aware. I am still on the sidelines just in a desk right now.
My university supervisor is looking at coming to see me next week. I am feeling those jackhammer butterflies again.
Until Tomorrow
LGD
It was fun watching the kids making connections with the term flower power to when a protester popped a daisy in the barrel of a gun. They watched a student made documentary of the Kent State Riots of 1970 and it amazed them how soldiers would shoot lethal ammunition into a crowd of students. The kids had to write a reflection on how this event changed history. Some students took notes and others had to watch it again. I noticed how Mrs. E decided to re-work her strategy for Blocks2-4 based on the understanding observed in Block 1. As Block 2 ended she adjusted for Block3 and this continued through out the day.
I forgot to tell you all, I am now reading out loud to the class. "Easing me in" is the thought. Yesterday was the first day of it. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, I recognize the work since we did Maniac Magee in Developmental Reading in the middle school classroom. Never read the book until now. I have a marker at the spot that the kids are at in their reading and then I have a spot that I am at. I wonder if I am ever going to be able to catch up before the end of the book.
Today I got back up there a little nervous. I am used to reading in front of people. Nothing new there. I think it is the idea that these 12 weeks ahead of me are the make or break. I never let it out to Mrs. E that I have a problem reading. After consulting with others I was going to keep my LDs to myself. I have been told by people in higher power that it is silly that an English major has a hard time reading. I think I may be a masochist, but I love books. Stories taking me out of the moment. It is like with a really good book I forget about what is going on around me and I am lost in the pages. I typically read out loud so I am able to understand what is going on better. Otherwise if I read silently I read the same passage over and over.
Stargirl and The Outsiders are on my nightstand by the bed. I have read The Outsiders oh I think this is time #4. Just trying to be totally aware. I am still on the sidelines just in a desk right now.
My university supervisor is looking at coming to see me next week. I am feeling those jackhammer butterflies again.
Until Tomorrow
LGD
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Day 3...a desk.
Day 3 started with talk of a desk.
Thinking I am going to make it after all. The idea of a desk in the room gives me the feeling of actually belonging.
So the 60s with the glory of YouTube has introduced kids to the TV show you may only find on TVLand otherwise extremely late at night. It was great getting to witness the connections. My "grandma watched shows older than this" or "is that Clint Eastwood" my favorite was "man these are old." I remember watching these shoes when I was a little girl. Granted I was watching re-runs too. Timeless Classics.
With the use of the 60s and multiple formats of exposure-students are understanding the characterization and setting they will encounter in The Outsiders.
After lunch a couple of the male faculty helped wrangle a desk from another room. It was like Christmas, well in January. I sat in the chair open the desk to find it was loaded. I had the CLBS handbook and extensions. There was supplies if I was lacking in anything. And if I didn't know something I sure could call someone that would.
I am not so keen on being called Miss Drellack. I know I know, teachers are called Miss. I enjoyed when this girl decided when she couldn't say my last name...I am now Miss D. Not bad.
I am still sitting on the sidelines and enjoying the show. I look forward to whatever tomorrow may bring.
I stayed after to attend a literature circle prep meeting. I don't think I am going to be attending the circles. Getting warm fuzzy feelings from the not without a book club. There was good info on reciprical teaching. I need to remember to photo copy the binder another time.
Until Tomorrow
LGD
Thinking I am going to make it after all. The idea of a desk in the room gives me the feeling of actually belonging.
So the 60s with the glory of YouTube has introduced kids to the TV show you may only find on TVLand otherwise extremely late at night. It was great getting to witness the connections. My "grandma watched shows older than this" or "is that Clint Eastwood" my favorite was "man these are old." I remember watching these shoes when I was a little girl. Granted I was watching re-runs too. Timeless Classics.
With the use of the 60s and multiple formats of exposure-students are understanding the characterization and setting they will encounter in The Outsiders.
After lunch a couple of the male faculty helped wrangle a desk from another room. It was like Christmas, well in January. I sat in the chair open the desk to find it was loaded. I had the CLBS handbook and extensions. There was supplies if I was lacking in anything. And if I didn't know something I sure could call someone that would.
I am not so keen on being called Miss Drellack. I know I know, teachers are called Miss. I enjoyed when this girl decided when she couldn't say my last name...I am now Miss D. Not bad.
I am still sitting on the sidelines and enjoying the show. I look forward to whatever tomorrow may bring.
I stayed after to attend a literature circle prep meeting. I don't think I am going to be attending the circles. Getting warm fuzzy feelings from the not without a book club. There was good info on reciprical teaching. I need to remember to photo copy the binder another time.
Until Tomorrow
LGD
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Day 2...hmmm
Well yesterday the students started the 60s but they still had if you want to call it "leftovers" from the prior story Retrived Reformation. So the students did end up taking a quiz in 3 of the 4 blocks because they hadn't turned in most of their work. Simple multiple choice quiz that came with the text. Today those kids that weren't at school on my first day were subject to me. I got to administer the quiz today to students in the hallway. Some of the girls were chatty trying to get to stay out in the hall longer then they should. I have started to feel comfortable enough to atleast approach the kids.
What is a little difficult is still getting over the fear. I am constantly getting told how bad it is here from people around me. I am already scared enough the way it is. I hate getting reminded.
I am still on the sidelines. I know I will be off the bench before I know it so I need to shake off all the fear and kick the butterflies to the curb. So far I am just getting the kids names down and I am getting pretty good at that.
Until tomorrow.
LGD
What is a little difficult is still getting over the fear. I am constantly getting told how bad it is here from people around me. I am already scared enough the way it is. I hate getting reminded.
I am still on the sidelines. I know I will be off the bench before I know it so I need to shake off all the fear and kick the butterflies to the curb. So far I am just getting the kids names down and I am getting pretty good at that.
Until tomorrow.
LGD
Monday, January 4, 2010
1st Day and I am shocked
It really wasn't as apocalyptic as I thought it was going to be. I entered the classroom to a somewhat frazzled teacher. Internet protocol seems to get everyone down including a teacher who had planned her lesson around YouTube clips strategically picked out. It was a really good day to be in the classroom. I jumped in right away to help with some music of the 60s. 8th Grade Language Arts are going to be working on The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to lead them in to the unit-yes people we are doing the 60s. Discussions today revolved around women,hippies,drugs and bell bottoms and there was so many other symbols of the 60s.
I got a kick out of the kids, they kept on saying parachute pants. Man do I feel old. I was like "no that is MC Hammer" That was the 90s.
Overall I enjoyed today. Yes I was scared. But there were no jackhammering butterflies for me. I watched Mrs. E adapt for each block and no one would have ever realized she was working on the fly.
YouTube Videos tomorrow.
Peace Out.
LGD
I got a kick out of the kids, they kept on saying parachute pants. Man do I feel old. I was like "no that is MC Hammer" That was the 90s.
Overall I enjoyed today. Yes I was scared. But there were no jackhammering butterflies for me. I watched Mrs. E adapt for each block and no one would have ever realized she was working on the fly.
YouTube Videos tomorrow.
Peace Out.
LGD
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