Sunday, March 25, 2012

Read Across America Day

A few weeks ago we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday! The kids got to wear their pajamas and made cute hats in honor of Dr. Seuss.

Aren't they cute?

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Ikea

I think Ikea is the greatest place on the planet for reorganizing and inspiration!

Ever since Letty and I cleaned out the storage room at school I have been meaning to do the same for my room at home... I am a neat freak, just ask my boyfriend, sister, or parents. They will tell you.

So, today I went to Ikea and bought a bunch of new stuff to reorganize my room and get rid of clutter. The best part is, I bought 6 picture frames, 2 storage boxes, and 4 filing boxes for less than 20 bucks. I totally recommend you going to Ikea if you are in need of reorganization inspiration!

Anyway, I am telling you about my day because my room looks so clean that I can actually focus on writing the rest of my lessons for student teaching! So, hopefully by this time tomorrow I won't have a giant cloud over my head telling me to finish writing my lesson plans.

When I have a classroom, it is going to be Ikea'd out. Just you wait.

Happy Spring, everyone!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Spring Break

I thought I would love being on Spring Break, but today was pretty boring, aside from getting lunch with Kristine. We went to a pizza place near Victoria Gardens... it was quite tasty!

I actually miss prepping and planning... I know, I am weird.

I did, however, apply for my first job today. It is for a first grade class at a private school in San Dimas. The job would be for next year. Any prayers or good vibes sent my way would be greatly appreciated. I want my classroom so badly, I can taste it!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Fieldtrip!

I went on a field trip with my kinders today! We went to a nature park in Fontana. I know, you are thinking "There's nature in Fontana?" Yes, I was surprised too, but it was pretty and the kids loved seeing ducks and geese.

Before we left, Letty ran an errand and I was on the bus with the kids so I started singing "The Wheels on the Bus" with the kids and parents. After the first verse I completely forgot how the song went! I stood there with 32 kids and like six parents staring at me! I told the parents I forgot the words and they all laughed at me. It was pretty funny, but they helped me remember, so it was a grand ole' time.

I never thought I would actually end up loving kinder as much as I do. At the beginning of my journey a few weeks ago, I thought I was going to die of an eye twitch I was so stressed, but now I actually look forward to my afternoon class. I can't go a day without a laugh or a story to take home. I think God answered my prayers when I prayed for patience and to eventually grow to love my class. =)

Here is a picture of me and a few of my favorite students. Aren't they just the cutest? The little girl on the left is moving. It makes me sad thinking that today was the last time I will see her. She is a leader, and it will be interesting to see how students do without her. At the end of the day she ran up to me and gave me a hug goodbye. I felt my heart drop a little bit, but I know she will do great things.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Week 4- Day 3

This week is going by s l o w. I think it is because I have TPA on the brain. But fear not, I have submitted the sucker and it is in the hands of the graders now.

I just love when my kinders laugh. It is like magic potion and just makes me laugh too.

After school my third grade students have been coming to visit me. It gives me warm fuzzies. It makes me feel like I did something right with them... Like I made an impact. There is no better feeling than when they come all the way over to kinder to say hello and give me a hug.

I brought in paintings that I made with Grammy today for Show and Tell. It was really cool to see the kids expressions when they saw the paintings. It was funny to hear the stories they told about their grandmas... I told them my Grammy is the best. Then I said that her and my Gramps know alllllll about them, and the kids' eyes popped wide open. It was pretty cute.

Quote of the day:
Another teacher told me this story...

Teacher: "Is that a picture of you or Miss. Hobbs?"
Girl: "Me. I don't have any white crayons, so I don't know how to draw Miss. Hobbs."

After hearing that, I think I need to go tanning. hahaha.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Week 4- Day 2

Today is the day that I can honestly say I am beginning to have a change of heart for teaching my little babies. Although I know that I would much rather prefer teaching an upper grade, I woke up looking forward to teaching my kids today. Don't get me wrong though, they could never replace my 3rd graders, my third graders will always be the first class I ever had a real chance to teach. Therefore, I know that no one could ever replace them. But my kinders are creating their own special little place in my heart.

I still dread centers with the morning class, and I am sure that is because I am bias towards them and would much rather laugh and play with my own class. But once my kids come for the afternoon, I have been enjoying the lessons I have been teaching them. I especially enjoy teaching my math lessons. I think I like teaching math because it is a whole class lesson. I am able to interact with all 32 students instead of just 4 kids like I do during centers.

I am becoming a little bit panicked about next year, however. I will have a teaching credential and a master's degree with no classroom thus far. I am trying to stay positive and hopeful that something will open up for me. I know God has a path for me, I just have to wait and see where he is going to lead me.... I just hope he leads me there soon.

Quote of the Day:
Student: What is your favorite shape?
Me: A diamond.
Student: Why?
Me: Because I want my boyfriend to put one on my finger one day.
Boys in class: EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Girls in class: AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW


hahahha. I crack myself up.

Only six questions left on my TPA! woowoo.

Monday, March 12, 2012

TPA 4 Taping

Ooof. The big day is over. I was videotaped for 20 minutes teaching a math lesson. Watching myself teach is super embarrassing. Grandpa Kelley is right, I do need to work on my posture a little bit I suppose.

There is a little girl in my class who kept smiling and waving at the camera. It is super cute, and rather than be annoyed with it, I am accepting the fact that she did it, and laughing at it.

Judy pulled me to the side after my lesson and told me that she was super impressed and proud of the way I have adapted to the students. She knows kinder is not my preferable grade, so hearing that she thinks I taught a great lesson to these students means a lot to me. I think she is going to be the person who helps me continue to believe in myself during these next few weeks of student teaching. Although I am beginning to enjoy the students more and more every day, I do second guess my pacing of lessons and my patience with students at times. So, hearing Judy's comments are helpful and they continue to keep me motivated. Of course, Letty is also helpful, and I know I can email Kristine for a laugh, so knowing there are people on my side to help me become the best teacher I can be is keeping me motivated.