Thursday, January 31, 2008

It's Almost Friday!!!!

I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday. Today was just a really long day. It wasn't long because of the kids; it was long because of some of the people I have to work with. I am going to be so happy when I have my own room next year instead of having to share my room with people who don't respect other people's property and can't control their students. Blah. I had go talk to my principal, which was a little intimidating, but I think it's all going to turn out ok.

We are finished with the "Cinderella" unit and moving onto poetry. It's hard sometimes to figure out how to teach something that comes so naturally to me. That's one of the hard parts about teaching - figuring out how to speak in 7th grade language so it makes sense. The other day we were going over how to break down words and use context clues to figure out what the word means, one of my students said, "Wow, that helps things make sense, usually I just skip over them." It made me feel like I was making a difference for at least one student. :)

I'm almost done grading tests, projects, and study guides. That will be a great relief when it's all over!

Have a good weekend, and enjoy the SuperBowl commercials!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Warm Weather!

I think it's really sad when I think that 40 degrees is warm, but that's how it is when you live in a nice cold state. The sun is out, the snow is melting, people are out washing their cars and walking their dogs. Unfortunately, it's supposed to be cold again tomorrow with snow. It was a nice 3 days...

Some days I think that the most exhausting days are the days when I don't really do anything - like when the students are working on a project or a paper. I don't really have papers to grade or anything, but I feel like I'm just kind of wiped out. I also feel like I'm running around a bit more too - trying to make sure everyone understands what he/she is supposed to be doing and making sure that they are on task.

I have a bunch of projects coming in tomorrow. We've worked on them in class for three days, so I hope that they are of decent quality. We have a test on Wednesday and then we are going to start our Holocaust unit. It will be interesting to see how and even if that unit impacts my students. I really hope it does because it's already a hard unit for me to go over and figure out how I'm going to teach it. I hope that they "get it" and really take something home from it.

I suppose I should go make dinner before I go to dance tonight.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

COLD!!

It's currently 2 degrees outside. That's how it's been for the past few days. Tomorrow's supposed to be 27, which will definately feel like a heat wave!!!

I think I have decided for now that I am just going to keep my old phone that I had before I killed my new one. AT&T won't give me a new one because my contract is too new - which is very unfortunate. I looked on ebay, but I don't really know how all of that works. My old phone works fine, and I already have a car charger for it and an ear piece, so I guess I'll just live with it until it too dies...

Tomorrow's Friday! We planned until 5:00 tonight... at least we got something done!

I've been going to the Y. My abs are going to hate me tomorrow, but I do feel a lot better since I have been doing something active. I like the classes so far. Two of my students were in the classes I tried Tuesday night and tonight, but they left because "it was embarrassing." I suppose, but I don't pay any attention to them really. I'm there to work out, not to worry about my students!

One of my friends from Drake is coming back this weekend, so I hope I get to spend some time with her!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Dead Phone :(

I'm pretty sure I just killed my cell phone. I was in a hurry to get to the Y tonight (yes, I finally joined on Saturday) and I guess I didn't get my water bottle all the way closed. I wondered why my shoes were wet, but I decided it was just because of the fact that the swim team had just finished practicing. When I went back to get my water bottle, I realized it wasn't full, but I was in a hurry to get back to class, so I didn't think to get my phone out of the water - not that it would have helped a whole lot. I know how water and phones work... So, it's fried. I'm glad I have my old cell phone with me so that I can put the SIM card in it and have a phone, but it's frustrating. I've already spent more money than I can really afford to this month on something that I needed for my overall health, and now I'm going to add this to it. I suppose that's why I have savings, but I really hate dipping into it.

I'm really tired of being an adult and paying bills. I'm pretty sure I haven't spent money on anything "fun" this month, and yet I've spent a lot of it. And I have more stuff coming up that I will have to pay for. We were thinking about going to Vegas in June, but I don't know if I can now, especially since I have to pay for a bridesmaid dress and get down to San Antonio as well. AAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!! It's all just a little overwhelming right now. And with teaching, it's not like you can work overtime to get some extra money. We work overtime for free.

I think I'm going to go curl up in some chocolate. I hope tomorrow is less frustrating.

Friday, January 18, 2008

It's Friday!

Even though it was a short week since we had a work day on Monday, and we had a 2 hour delay yesterday because of snow, I am glad that it's Friday and I have two days to "rest." I say "rest" because I have to go to dance at some point this weekend because I have a focus group thing Monday after school, and I told one of my students that I'd go to his swim meet on Saturday. Normally, this wouldn't be such a big deal, but it's supposed to only get to be like 5 degrees on Saturday, and it's supposed to feel a whole lot colder! I hate winter. I'm ready for spring and warm weather.

Classes went well this week for the most part. I had a new student on Tuesday. That's really hard because I don't know what background he has, and I have to move on with my plans and my curriculum. I really don't have time to sit down with him and figure out what he does and does not know. I feel bad, but I would go crazy if I really sat down and tried to figure it all out. I want to be an effective teacher for him, but... I suppose it will all work out one way or another.

I think I'm going to go ahead and join the Y this weekend. I'm not excited about spending even more money, but at least it will get me out of the house and doing some sort of physical activity. I hope the classes are fun and the people are nice. That's always what I'm worried about. I'm such an introvert that sometimes it's hard for me to get up the nerve to go try new things because I'm nervous about meeting new people. Nothing bad has ever happened, but that doesn't necessarily make things any easier for me. I will have to be brave though - it will most likely be fun and everything will turn out for the best.

Stay warm!

Monday, January 14, 2008

First Semester Down!

I am officially finished with my first semester of teaching! I finalized grades today and put a comment for each student. For the most part, students did fairly well this semester. I am a bit disappointed that some of them that didn't do so well last quarter had a high enough grade first quarter that their grades weren't really adversely affected. It's not that I wanted them to get a "bad" grade in my class, but I wish their final grade was a "true" reflection of the type of effort they've put in since October. First quarter was fairly easy - mostly introductory stuff and essays. Second quarter was built on more substantial assignments. To me, second quarter is the true indication of work effort and ability. Granted, I had some students who vastly improved, and I was very happy with their effort and how they have come along in class. I just hope that they continue to work hard this next semester.

I am getting a new student in my class tomorrow. Apparently he didn't do so well at his last school, so I hope I can reach him in my class. I feel kind of bad because he's coming in in the middle of a unit, but I'm sure I'll be able to catch him up. I may have to adjust the final test for this unit for him, but other than that, I'm sure he'll be fine. At least I hope he'll be fine.

We started planning for our Holocaust unit. I am very excited about it. I think the Holocaust is fascinating. Yes, it's terrible and I pray that it never happens again, but the kids need to know about it. They need to know how it started and where it can lead and how even one person can make a difference. I hope it impacts them the way it should. It kind of scares me because the older I get, the more kids are removed from that era of our history. I know I wasn't there, but my grandparents did live through it - theirs didn't necessarily. Scary scary thought.

I'm thinking about joining the Y, but I'm not sure if I want to pay the money to belong. I feel like I need to do something during the week other than lieing on my couch and watching T.V. At least the Y has classes that I can take and would motivate me to go work out more than if I had to go work on machines by myself - that's never worked very well for me. We'll see.

It's very very cold here, though we haven't gotten any new snow. I'm ready for spring!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

"Cinderella"

Did you know there are over 340 different versions of "Cinderella"? I personally find that fascinating. It's also very interesting to be because they all say something about the culture, they try to teach some sort of lesson, and each lesson is similiar but different, if that makes any sense at all. I think it's cool - not so sure about my kids...

I had my second and last observation of the year on Wednesday. It went really well and my principal really liked my lesson. I am so glad to be finished with observations for the year. They are just a lot of paperwork and a lot of time. I always feel like I have to be extra prepared. I know I should be prepared at all times, which for the most part, I am, but observations are something else entirely. These observations are to ensure that I get my standard license and keep my job! Aaah - talk about pressure! At least I wasn't as nervous this time, that helped a lot too.

It snowed a bit today, but nothing like they were saying we were supposed to get. I'm not too sad - I'm not a big fan of it snowing when I have to be driving in it.

Since I couldn't make an appointment with a specialist in Wichita over break, I thought I was going to have to go to Bettendorf, IA (almost 3 hours away), but I just found one in Ankeny (30 minutes!) which makes life a whole lot easier. I need to try to call them tomorrow, but I hope they can meet with me and fix my mouthpiece so these weird headaches go away!

Only 10 days until my friends have to be back at Drake for school! Maybe some of them will come back early so I have something to do :)

Monday, January 7, 2008

Weekend and back to school!

This weekend was not nearly as boring as I was expecting it to be. I went to see P.S. I Love You on Saturday with some of my friends. I really liked the movie, while one didn't really like it, and I'm not sure about the other. I thought it was cute. At least it had some originality to it. Then we went to eat at Applebee's. It was kind of nice to just catch up and not have to worry about anything. Sunday I went to church, and then went to a Drake women's basketball game. They beat Wichita State by quite a bit. I know WSU is my "hometown" team, but Drake is my alma mater - go Bulldogs!!! I finished a book and that was about it.

Today I had my pre-observation conference for my second observation that will be on Wednesday. I'm not nearly as nervous about this observation as I was about the first one. My principal loves my differentiated lesson that I've created, and I believe today he told me I was "phenomenal." :) Yay!!!

My roommate from last year is engaged! They got engaged on New Year's Eve. She said they won't be getting married until at least 2009, but it's still exciting!

Friday is the last day of the quarter. Let's hope we all survive!!! I can't believe the first semester is over! The school year has flown by!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

First Day Back!

Today was the first day back to school after the winter break. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be - the kids weren't too wound up, but I am glad that we only have two days back and then a weekend. Apparently, they turned the power off over break. That's fine, but our whole wing of the building was freezing! My room is normally cold, but today definitely took the cake on excessively cold. I wore my coat all day and even moved my 1/2 class to another room so we didn't freeze and could actually get some work done. I even had a fairly heavy sweater on! I just hope tomorrow is warmer!

I don't know what I'm going to do this weekend since many of my friends are still away because
Drake doesn't start school until the 22nd. Perhaps it will give me a chance to catch up with some of my other teacher friends that are here!

Tonight, I think I'm just going to curl up with a book and a blanket and try to stay warm!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Happy New Year!

Happy 2008 to everyone!

I'm back in Des Moines and it's really really cold. Maybe I should have stayed in Wichita for another day. I'm going to find out if my electric blanket works tonight!

One more day of "freedom," if that's what you want to call it, and then back to school on Thursday. It will be interesting to see how the kids are on Thursday - happy to be back or upset that they have to come back to school for only two days.

I think tomorrow will just be a "get everything back together" day. I'm sure my mail has piled up, I need to go grocery shopping, and I'm putting off the unpacking until tomorrow as well. Driving kind of wears me out.

I was able to see one of my best friends today on my way back, so that was nice. I actually got to see a few people over break. At least I wasn't stuck at home with just my parents the whole break...

Nothing else too exciting. Enjoy the rest of your break, or good luck with work and life in the new year!

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