Wednesday, February 1, 2012

So Much for Consistency

I thought I'd be able to keep up with my new blog, but as always, I come back a few weeks later than expected.

I lost my voice yesterday and sounded like I was talking with a frog in my throat for most of the day. Surprisingly, the kids were very sympathetic and pretty much behaved for the entire day. Working with the microphone and using facial expressions/gestures really worked. I have to remember to give them free computer time tomorrow as a reward for good behavior.

One of the things that I want to start working on is a research paper. I know that I always think about doing some kind of project every year, but it never happens. The only reason I wanted to do that is so that the kids don't go blind into researching da Vinci for the Curriculum Fair project. That's another thing I have to worry about doing as well.

I haven't done much Science with them either. I'm also going to be sending home packets for the first time in a while on Monday next week. I have to remember to compile everything that I want to make copies of for Monday so I'm not running around like a crazy person that morning.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Camera Shy

One of the things that I've been working on for the past few days is the work I'm going to be showing for the Literacy Night that's coming up next week Tuesday. I guess I've always been one of those people who work best under pressure, so I was able to come up with some decent things in the past couple of days. Having different sorts of technology at my school is really helpful since there's always so many different outlets for the students to come up with presentations. I've been taking photos and recording the students doing their work and talking about their pieces. It's funny how many of them seem to clam up once they know they're being recorded. I'm nearly done with one of the Imovies and will need to start up the second one tomorrow.

With Math, I think the kids are really beginning to see how to do conversions! I'm going to try and teach a new concept tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes and hopefully they'll able to understand it.

Today during Language, I had the students working on character charts for Mrs. Frisby for the Literacy Night project. I have the students leveled off by ability and it's amazing to hear how the different groups talk about the importance of main characters vs. secondary characters. I have to remember to type out the questions for the Response Questions out for tomorrow's work and I also have to do the Comprehension Questions. Oh and we have the Awards Assembly tomorrow. I'll probably end up pushing the Dangerous Crossing test to Monday. I don't think the kids will do too well if I rush them and give them the test on Friday. I have to remember to send an email to the parents or have the kids write the change in their planners.

Fresh Start 2012

January 17, 2012
I decided to start an online log of the daily happenings in my life as an educator.  I have other blogs elsewhere, but wanted to start off fresh during this first month of 2012.

In the past, my blogs were always about frivolous things...like my love life or troubles with school.  Now, it seems more important to take note of what happens since time just goes by so fast.  I've always felt that it's important to write down my thoughts and concerns, but haven't really made time for it since my boyfriend (now husband) got more serious.  I should have realized that it was even more important to write everything down...well I guess now is a better time to start than never. 

Didn't mean to get to deep there...anyway...

Since today was the first day back after a 3-day weekend, I assumed the students would be tired and focused on doing their work.  Today was also the last day of our parent-teacher conferences (second round).  Got through the morning okay.  Everyone was able to focus and finish their journal prompts.  I forgot to take note of their Kidbiz articles.  I need to remember to do that tomorrow.  Ended up doing a correction party for Math class today for the majority of the students who finished their work.  I'm debating whether to continue tomorrow or actually move on to the next lesson.  I'm probably going to do metric mass...grams, kilograms, etc.  I'm wondering how they will do with that.  Then I'll finish off the unit with time.  I have to remember to find something to give them an assessment.  Maybe doing something online.  I'll have to remember to check the server out to see what kind of questions are available for them.  LH never seems to have his Math books.  I guess it's good he's not in my homeroom..partner needs to deal with him.  You know, in the beginning of the year, I always dreaded having Math since I've taught the high group for so long, but teaching this group is not that bad.  I think having to teach them has really helped me hone my skills and make me a better teacher having to come up with different strategies.  I'm kind of learning along with them.

During Language, I had the students do their vocabulary for the textbook and their WW assignment.  I also had the kids posing for still shots for the LN activity coming up next week.  I was happy to get the display boards done today.  One less thing for me to worry about.  I was also able to record some of the kids for the IMovie as well.  I hope that the movie is still saved on the computer.  I had tried doing a history lesson on the IMovie program last week, but it seems to have disappeared.  I don't know what happened.  I wonder if the file was just too big...I have to figure it out or just start from scratch. 

One of my students, GB, has been really out of it for the last couple weeks.  I ended up having to move her next to my desk so she wouldn't get distracted and talk to her neighbors.  I wonder how long I should keep her there?  I also hope that helps solve my problem and that she gets her work done sitting by herself. 

I also booked our grade-level field trip to the capitol this afternoon.  I hope the coordinator can fit the days I want in.  I need to check my email tomorrow.