The Week of December 3

My almost last week of classes. It's the first week that my C.T. took back some classes. I'm not going to lie.. I felt a bit reluctant giving back the class. It's like they're my children.. I know, I probably should think that way, but I just can't help it. As I sat in the back of the classroom, I was able to take notes on things she does differently than I do. How does she manage the class, how does she teach this content, what is her routine, etc. Well, I've learned a lot in that past week, as well as had some time to just sit back and watch.. It's amazing how nice it feels to be off of your feet! :) 

This week, my students entered some "wintery" art in ABC's Weather Sketchers. We've been waiting to see if our school gets announced! The students created an acrostic poem using the word "SNOW" and then illustrated it. I thought it would be a difficult concept for them to understand, but some poems were REALLY good! :) Here's the link if you'd like to check out requirements to enter: 

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=weather/photos&id=5793074

In some of my posts, I've mentioned an Officer visiting our class on behalf of a gang prevention program. Well, the program is over! The kids had a graduation ceremony at night time- I was the only fifth grade teacher there. The kids were so proud to be there. 15 of my 29 students showed up and I had 15 enthused, proud parents sitting on the bleachers, cheering for their students as they walked across the gym floor. It was a really great opportunity for me because I saw parents out of a regular setting, I got to converse with the officers of the program and I got to have some quality time with my principal. She thanked me for being there and we discussed future plans of potential employment. 

"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence." Robert Frost

Schmidt

In Chapter 7, Schmidt encourages to bring in the community to the classroom. I think our school somewhat does that. Gang activity is a BIG deal in the community I'm in. We see the problem, and thankfully we are not conforming to the patterns that are beginning to set in stone. We are taking an active approach to the students making better choices. I cannot count the times when students have  came up to tell me something that is about to happen because they remembered what Officer Friendly said in the session. In addition to this, I began giving the students a prompt that says if you could change one thing about your community, what would it be? I have a variety of well written responses. :) 

In Chapter 12 of the book, it's reinforcement of why I became a teacher. As I read along, I felt normal. I thought I was the only one who felt overwhelmed or watched or the one watching, eager to do anything I can to better the learning of my students. One thing that has been happening a lot at my placement is the complaining from teachers. I hear a lot of comments like "If I were single..." it's discouraging at times but if Anne Brown can do it with four kids and mentor, so can I! I saw a lot of great things and decided that one day I want to be one of those great teachers, who changes the world, one student at a time. 

Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Life was meant to be lived and curiosity be kept alive. One must NEVER for what ever reason, turn his back on life."