Sad to Leave, Not Quite Ready to Move On...

I met with my 2ND split teacher today and as it turns out, she is my current school's Principal's sister. What a small town! I told her I feel all special now having so many connections with people who have connections =) I'll be teaching second grade next to her and I'm so excited to meet all her kids. I'm nervous as well though because I know a lot more planning and time will go into second graders! I'm sure I'll do fine though. A little nerves never hurt anybody.



While I'm mentally preparing for what my second split entails, I am having to finish out a unit in social studies with my current teacher's class while observing other teachers in the building and getting ready to say goodbye to the kids, my mentor, and Smith staff. It's been a busy week so far, and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to see other teachers. I have felt so comfortable with this school as it reminds me very much of the one I went to in Kingwood. I am going to be VERY sad to leave.

Miss Independent

For the past three weeks of my full teach my cooperating teacher has been in the room with me. Today, she was not, and let's just say I finally see what my weakness is! Discipline...

I am TOO NICE to the kids, and today I had to have some of them get their folders out for not listening and talking after being asked not to repeatedly. I'm not sure if there was something in the air, or if it's because the "real" teacher wasn't in the room, or if I was not being "strict" enough, but I had a hard time getting the kids to work independently after our teach/discussion time. It really bummed me out!

It wasn't every student or every class that had a hard time listening today, and the kids truly understood the concept of today's lesson, but I just feel frustrated for not being taken seriously! With my preschoolers in the past, I was able to play and goof off with them but when I spoke in a serious tone they responded and listened and still understood I was in charge. It doesn't seem to work that way with 4Th grade. You joke and goof off with them and let them tell you stories and you're stuck in that position! Yikes...

This is why I chose an upper grade though--because I've had the least experience in that area and because I knew this was the time (student teaching) to learn and experience as much as possible, and that includes making mistakes. Now I know what I can work on!!

STUDENT TEACHING!!!!!!!!!

First of all, I would just like to apoligize for not posting in so long. It's unacceptable, I know!! I'm not one to give excuses because I don't believe in them =), but everytime I remembered to update this there were just too many topics going though my head and it was a little overwhelming! I took 12 hours of post-BAC classes this summer, and, although it was truly a great experience, it was exhausting and draining! So, please understand!? Okay thanks! =)
So, here I am in October and about six weeks into student teaching, which is amazing by the way, and I'm just now updating! I am at Preston Smith Elementary teaching 4th grade English and Social Studies. Until about mid-week last week it felt a little aukward because 9 year olds are far different from 2-4 year olds, but the kids respond to me well and I love them dearly! The other student teachers at Smith and I have decided we don't want to leave and we're just going to stay there forever! Unfortunately, we start our second split on October 20th, and I know that it's going to be just as great of an experience, but still! I don't want to leave Smith! Not the kids or the 4th grade team of teachers or my AMAZING mentor, Joyce Ray. She has truly been a blessing in my life, and I could not have asked for a better mentor guiding me through 4th grade English! Speaking of which, she is taking the whole day off tomorrow which means I'm in charge and need to get a great night's sleep. I promise not to take 4 months off before updating again!