Great Week!

I just finished my first week at my new placement and it was wonderful! I'm really learning what it means to be flexible. When I got the email about the new placement it was in a Kindergarden class. When I got there the next day I observed half a day in Kindergarden but went to first grade for the afternoon. Something was going on in the Kindergarden's teacher's family so she wasn't able to have me in her class. The first grade teacher I'm going to be with permantly is the same teacher I observed last year for one of my classes. She called in sick on Wednesday so I went into the other first grades teacher's class. SHE called in the next day. He infant son is cutting teah and had a fever. My CT is still out sick so I observed the other Kindergarden class which I really enjoyed. That afternoon I went back and forth between my first grade class and a second grade class. So I go in today and my CT is still sick but I'm in the class anyway. The assistant principal decided not to call in a sub because there was 2 of us. Talk about on the job training! The assistant acted as the teacher and I asisted her. I think the day went really well. I got to grade homework and seatwork. I conducted the math board (calendar, days of school, etc.) and the math test. I had recess duty and headed up show-and-tell. The assistant had a marble party. That is where they fill a jar with marbles by being quiet n the hallway, etc. When the jar is full they get a party. Today they got to watch part of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate factory and they had earned "money" all day so they bought candy at the "candy store" the assistant set up. They also had doughnuts because their class had the most box tops for the month of January. I had such a great time working in the classroom today and wasn't a bit nervous. At the first placement I was a bundle of nerves everyday. I'm actually looking forward to next week!

I'm so excited! I received my new placement today. This time I will be in a Kindergarden class and I'm really looking forward to it. I start tomorrow at the new school and I just know everything is going to work out. I love that age. At the preschool I worked at I worked with the pre-k group and and the Kindergardeners who were there for before and after care and really enjoyed it. From what I have seen, Kindergarden is still a time where they can do crafts and have a little fun while they are learning. Once they reach first grade it seems to be strictly business. Well, I'm about to learn more about it as I go off to a new adventure and a new beginning.

Week Three

This past week was different from what I had expected weeks before. In my last entry I said I had been removed from the classroom where I had been assigned to student teach. For a few days afterward, I was very emotional and anxious. I have since felt a peace like I've never known. I know God is in control and He is working everything out as to what is best for me. So many people have been praying for me and I believe God has heard and answered those prayers. Last I have heard there is a school they are trying to get me into and I hope to hear something real soon. I'm excited about my new placement. I'm ready to get in there and give it my best. I do want to thank all those who have prayed for me and have had kind words to say. I also want to thank those at my school who are working so hard on my behalf.

Week Two

Ok. Week two is over. It did not go as well as I had expected. I was such a bundle of nerves everyday. I knew I wasn't doing very well in some areas but thought I was doing ok in others. My cooperating teacher asked to have me pulled from her classroom. I was stunned but I am going to use this experience as a time to grow and learn. Hopefully, I will have a new placement soon. I know a little more now then I did two weeks ago and plan to go into that new placement and give it all I've got. I say that and I mean it but I have to also say that this has seriously shaken my self-confidence so I'm more nervous than ever. I am not going to give up and I don't want to quit. Throughout the last two years I have really seen how God has guided me and this is just one more opportunity for God to work in my life. One thing I am learning in this is that when someone is going through something you can't just pat them on the back and tell them everything is going to be ok. Even thought that is meant to be comforting and the intentions are kind it really doesn't help because that person really doesn't know what you are experiencing. Just be a good listener. I know God is in control and He will work this out for what is best for me. Please say a prayer for me as I continue to seek His guidance.

Week One

I'm almost at the end of week one. It has been rough but my cooperating is really nice and is so patient. The kids are great. Other teachers and staff at the school have extended good wishes and welcomes to me. At the end of the day they ask me how it is going.
My placement is a bit unique. It is a first grade class but is split between two teachers. One teacher does just the language arts and the other teacher does math and content. For my first four weeks I'm with the langauge arts teacher. I'll be with the other teacher the last four weeks. The students go to one teacher for homeroom then switch for lessons. After lunch they switch again. So not only do I have to remember over 40 names I also have to remember who is in which teacher's homeroom. I've already taken over one small part of the daily routine - a daily language review or DLR as she calls it. Although some activities are the same for both groups, the teacher might do something different with the afternoon group than she does with the morning group. There are various reasons for this: art, music, special events, and different levels within the two groups. I'm thinking I'm going to have to plan many different activities for each group.
It seems to be the little things that trip me up. For example, I couldn't figure out how to do a double-sided paper on the copier. I finally asked someone to show me and afterwards I felt a bit stupid. But I know now so bring on those copies!
I went to a private school growing up so everything is so new to me. I've had the classes and done the observations but it is a different story when you are supposed to do it yourself. I think the one main thing I have learned this week is how much I need to learn. So many details. Here, at the end of the first week, I'm starting to feel more comfortable in the classroom. I no longer feel as though everyone can hear my heart pounding when I do the DLR. I'm feeling pretty sure that next week will be better.