So Close!!!

Well, I have almost made it through this crazy roller coaster of a program! I thought that I would have time to keep this blog updated...HA! Nope, I don't have time to pee, let alone write musings of a student teacher, But here I am. Two weeks of Fall semester to go and it's a fun ride through Spring.

I love teaching! I can't believe that I have waited this long to get to where I have always known I should be. No matter, I'm almost there. My heart is smiling!

Mrs. H.

Almost there...

This week is finals week for summer semester and I have so much to do...but the end is in sight. In less than one month, I will be in my student teaching classroom, with my students, working with my host teacher and learning so many new things.

Wow, that is all I have to say: Wow!

Mrs. H.

Questioning my reasons

Today I had a conversation with an instructor of mine about what is needed in an interview session. What I need to have at the ready when I interview for a teaching job.

It all started with an assignment on writing good multiple choice questions. The instructor gave us a standard and objectives from the 7th grade core regarding electricity. Well, I am not a 7th grade teacher, nor a subject specific teacher, nor an electrician, so I know very little about flow and restriction of energy. So after fumbling our way through coming up with a good question and a lively discussion with my classmates, the class was over and we were walking to our car.

The instructor, myself and two other students were continuing the conversation about what makes a good multiple choice question when I told him that I was not an electrician and maybe I would create better elementary multiple choice questions. He told me that I can't say that in an interview. I was taken back by this because the fact still remains that I am NOT an electrician.

So the conversation continued and I was told that I needed to either know every subject matter question and be able to answer it on the spot or become very familiar with the diagnostics of test results.

I know that I need to work on my interview skills but I do not have all the answers to subject related questions, nor do I know how to decode test results and create an individualized lesson on the spot.

The next year will open my eyes to the world of day to day teaching and working with diverse students and coming up with individualized lessons based on the results of different types of assessment given to my students.

This one class, this one instructor does NOT have all the answers,not does he call all the shots on whether I get hired or not. Regardless I know that I need to work on how to interview. I will put that on my list of things to do...

Mrs. H.

Science Ideas

For the Love of Science!

Had a great class tonight in my Science Methods. He had some great ideas that I want to incorporate into my classroom.

Activity 1: Use Your Senses

On the first day of class pass out film canisters with cotton balls saturated with essential oils and on each table have one large canister with one scent per table. The students must use their sense of smell to determine their canister scent and match it to the correct table. Tell them they are not using their speaking abilities but their sense of smell.

Needed:
Film Canister (one per student)
Large Canister (one per table)
Cotton Balls
Essential Oils (one per table)

You can per-assign the canisters to the student by putting their name on the top or you can do it randomly and have them pick one as they walk it.

Classroom Management Strategy 1: Earning the Materials

When doing an activity that consists of collecting materials, it can become a mad house quickly if it is a free for all when gathering their materials. A great way to get around this and slow things down, is requiring the students to write a grant explaining why they want the materials.

For a science activity, have the students write a hypothesis and experimental design BEFORE they can collect the materials needed for their experiment.This will help students think before they jump into the activity, to plan what it is they want to do, develop writing skills, use of scientific terms (great assessment to gauge where your students vocabulary and ability to articulate a desired result).

When the "grant" is completed, you (teacher) reads it and determines if it warrants receiving the materials of if they need to go back and refine the application.  It doesn't have to be perfect but it is a great way to calm things down and have your students Think!

Mrs H.

Then to Now

Over a year and half later and my how things have changed! I am in a new home, my son graduated Kindergarten and I am student teaching in the fall. I made it! I see the glorious light at the end of the tunnel.

Classes have been going well. I have continued to earn a 4.0 each semester (save one semester where I earned an A- instead of an A (I received a 93% in the course and an A was a 94%). That was last summer. Regardless, I have remained on the Dean's list since my return and carry a cumulative GPA of 3.555.

I was admitted to the Elementary Education program in October of 2013

I have received the T.H. Bell scholarship, which will cover tuition if I teach in an Utah, title one school, which has always been my plan.

I was honored to be invited to join Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society.

I am currently taking summer semester and then in Fall I will begin student teaching in a second grade classroom in Magna.I am part of an amazing cohort, lead by one of my favorite professors, John Funk. He was the reason I will pursue my masters degree in Children's Literature.

-Mrs. H.