finally.

Alright, some good news. My fingerprint clearance FINALLY came in today! Which is ironic because they called while I was teaching, and the sub answered the phone to take the message. Pretty much, if it cleared yesterday, then I could have gotten paid for teaching today. But no, instead, they had to hire someone to sit and get paid. Err. Oh well, at least now I wont have to worry about that.

Today was really weird. The kids were just out of it, and so was I. The story that we're reading in Language Arts right now is so boring. It's about a park ranger, and every time we read more of it I find myself asking the same things over and over again. The story is SO short and boring that it is so hard to engage the students. I don't even like it!

The strategy focus for the story is to evaluate, so I asked the students to do so. One came up with, "my evaluation of the story is it is boring and I don't like it." Haha.


The weeks have been going by so fast, I can't believe it. Good in one way, but a pain because there is so much to do. I still haven't uploaded my context commentary which should have been done two weeks ago [although the deadline isn't really until December]. Still though, that assignment reminds me that I should not let anything else fall behind.

Man, I'm so lazy. I want to take a nap! Anyway, shoutouts to Nay and Robert because I know you read this. Haha. :)


Before I go, enjoy the artwork that two of my students gave to me.

dude.

I just spent 2 hours on the phone with a Linksys technician to try to fix my stupid router. Then, his conclusion: the router is defective. Now I have to send them the router and wait until they send a new one. How long will that take? The guy just said, "Umm, I don't really know.. ummm.. two weeks?"

You don't know?! Ah, whatever. I just have to connect directly to the cable modem while I wait.

I hate waiting longer than I'm supposed to! I'm still waiting for my fingerprints to clear so I can sub already. It's been over a month and it was only supposed to take 3 weeks. :/

Okay, just wanted to vent. On to some happier news... the test scores for the RICA came out today... and... I PASSED! :)
What a relief! That was the last written test that I needed for my credential. Now I just have to complete my infant/adult CPR class and get through to August. Gotta stay positive!



Also, want to wish a Happy Belated Birthday to NayBayBay aka Bitach! Love you! And a Happy Belated 21st Birthday to Richie aka BuhBuh! Love you too!
Thanks to everyone who came out to DTF Saturday night :) In case you weren't there, here's a picture for you to enjoy.

Check out the rest on our myspace. :)

watch this.

:)

this week.

As usual, I have a lot of things due. So that I don't forget, here's my reminder:

• Weekly reflection [1-2 pages]
• Education 232 midterm paper [5 pages]
• Complete reading assessments [5 students]
• Make science fair board example
• Education services resource list [25 items]
• Prepare English Learner strategy presentation
• Print block plans
• Write next week's lesson plans

It might not sound like a lot, but remember that I have to SLEEP sometime! Haha. I also teach 3 days out of the week and attend class three days out of the week, one which happens to be ALL day [9am to 7:30pm]. So if you haven't heard from me, it's not because I hate you. I love you! :)


Now, off to class for 3 hours to turn in the paper that I wrote in 2 hours. :/

really quick.

mood: sleepy

Today was my first day teaching the full morning.

I survived! Haha. Well, according to my master teacher, I "did more than survive." So I'm feeling good about where I am right now. I even stayed after lunch throughout the whole school day, since I had to finish up some running records [reading fluency and comprehension tests] with a few students. The day goes by so much faster when you're teaching the whole time.. pretty interesting.

Anyway, that's all I had to say for now. Time to sleep!
Enjoy this pretty picture. :)

let me clear the confusion.

People have been asking what exactly I do in this program.

I am a student teacher.

No, it is not the same as a tutor.
No, it is not the same as a T.A.

I am not giving the students extra help, nor am I just the main teacher's "assistant."

I am my students' "second teacher." I teach. I plan full lessons and I am on my own with the class while my master teacher [their "real" teacher] observes me and writes formal observations regarding:

• my classroom management
• time management
• how I am supporting the learning of English Language Learners, RSP students, etc.
• things I could work on, and so much more.

I am a student teacher. I am learning to teach through this process. And, I am going to school and taking classes while doing so! So I am a student AND a teacher!

Let me say it again, I teach. The only difference is, I don't get paid to do so.



Another thing...

This quote: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
Can someone knock some sense into this guy?
If we couldn't do something, how could we possibly teach it?
Is it just me, or do we all need to appreciate our teachers more?



How else would you be reading this?

windy day.

I wonder whether or not my kids were allowed to go outside for recess today. I wonder what it's like in the "windy city." I wonder why the weather can't make up its mind.

Last night was really scary. It sounded like one of the trees outside was going to fall on the apartment. It would be such a nice day if the wind wasn't blowing dust everywhere!

Anyway, happy Monday! :)
Go listen to my future wedding song: Robin Thicke - Sweetest Love

why do people smile when no one's smiling?
it's cause they're thinking of someone they're loving
keep on believing we are meant to be
and nothings stopping us from going to heaven
sweetest love

i got the sweetest love
there ain't nothing sweeter
i got the sweetest love
ain't nothing beat it
there ain't nothing sweeter

keeps getting better.

The beginning of last week was really rough. School was really starting to build up and stress me out more and more that my patience was wearing thin regarding so many things. Plus, the fact that Cat was leaving soon was starting to sink in. Yeah, I know, she's going to come home soon.. blahblahblah.. that's my best friend so cut me some slack.


Anyway, all the stress from life built up and Wednesday night I just started crying nonstop while I vented to Richie. I felt really stupid, but it honestly made me feel so much better. The day after that was better, and then on Friday, I had one of my best lessons. It was just a good day all around [despite the fact that I didn't get to go drop Cat off at the airport :/].


This weekend was really productive and I had some free time to relax. Now I'm just trying to get things together for Wednesday for when I start my Literature Unit. From now on, I'll be teaching two full mornings and one full day every week at my elementary school. Wednesday should be interesting. Actually, Tuesday night should be interesting... when I'm freaking out about what I have to do in the morning. Ahhh!

"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well."
- Josh Billings

chocolate milk.

Alright, I know it's been a while.. oops. In the last post I said I'd be back "tomorrow." What I meant was.. today! Haha.

So anyway, last week I had sooo much due.
GRAD SCHOOL IS NO JOKE.
Seriously.. that should be the title of my blog! Haha.

Basically, I had 4 chapters to read from different textbooks, 2 articles to read, lesson plan evaluations to write, my weekly reflective journal to e-mail, 4 assignments to upload onto our portfolio website, and I had to write a minimum 7 page paper. Exhaustingggg. But at least I had the reward of a fun weekend out.


Last night I went to the library with Richie to study and help him write his essay. I'm glad we're able to study together without distracting each other. That way we can get things done and still see each other.. kinda. He's playing video games right now as I'm typing this. Glad I'm seeing him more than once a week as it's been for the past few weeks. Need to stay sane!

Hmm, what else to say? I feel like I'm just rambling. I just wanted to update since I haven't since September!


Okay, I guess I'll go and finish up some more work and finish my chocolate milk. I love chocolate milk.. makes me think of lunch time in elementary school. I miss those little mini cartons. :)

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.
It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.”
- Charles R. Swindoll