I started tutoring a 3rd grade student last week in grammar and writing strategies. His grandma is my former boss. I LOVE this kid. He cracks me up and is super smart. I explain one little thing to him and he makes his own examples. Ahhh, so nice. Today he talked about how obsessed he is with pumpkin pie... now all I want is a slice of pumpkin pie!
If you haven't been to Education Emporium off of Central and Foothill, you really should. I get lost in that place. Seriously, I could spend hours just looking at everything they have. If you have kids and they struggle with anything, you should totally go there to find some supporting materials. I picked up a few things for tutoring and for what I hope to call my own classroom next year. Kristine and my 3rd graders threw me a little going away party last semester and gave me a lot of helpful items, but every girl needs to add to their classroom collection.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Week 6- Day 2
I can't believe it is only Tuesday!!!
Today I got to sub second grade for about an hour. It felt great having kids in a room that could work independently. I took the kids to an assembly and someone gave a presentation on Comedy Sportz... totally made me think about high school. I guess they are starting improv at a young age these days. =)
A kid said the "F" word today. It was awkward because I totally wanted to laugh, but had to put my angry face on instead. I guess one of my students asked the kid what the "F" word is. The student told him... then the kid told on the student. So much drama.
Quote of the day:
Me: Good morning boys and girls, I'm Miss. Hobbs.
Boy: That's a cute name.
Today I got to sub second grade for about an hour. It felt great having kids in a room that could work independently. I took the kids to an assembly and someone gave a presentation on Comedy Sportz... totally made me think about high school. I guess they are starting improv at a young age these days. =)
A kid said the "F" word today. It was awkward because I totally wanted to laugh, but had to put my angry face on instead. I guess one of my students asked the kid what the "F" word is. The student told him... then the kid told on the student. So much drama.
Quote of the day:
Me: Good morning boys and girls, I'm Miss. Hobbs.
Boy: That's a cute name.
Monday, April 2, 2012
25 days left
I can't believe student teaching is half way over!
Today all of the student teachers and I were walking into school and we are super excited that it is half way over..!
My kids were out of control today. Spring fever is for real! It took everything in me not to cry or yell (I'm really not sure which). I just don't want to make the babies cry... so I am trying to be patient... very, very, very, very patient. I think I would die if I taught kinder with any other teacher. Letty is the only thing keeping me semi-sane in the room.
Regardless, when I sit and talk to each student individually, I can't help but love the little munchkins. I just wish they were all better behaved when they sit next to their neighbor during math.
One of my 3rd graders fractured his elbow last week. I saw him today and it broke my heart. The worst part is, he has a soft cast for two weeks and then has to get a hard cast. When I saw him I wanted to squeeze away the pain. I told him I get to be the first person to sign his cast. He gave me a dramatic little face like he was in pain... Poor baby. I wonder if all teachers feel this much emotion for their kids. I have issues when it comes to these kids. Don't mess with them or you'll have to mess with me. ;)
Matt and I are both getting pretty excited for our interviews. I miss teaching 3rd grade so much. I don't think you can understand how excited and nervous and crazy I'll feel if we are offered the job. I have contacted a couple apartment complex's in Gilbert. When I was doing research I realized that Gilbert was voted the 5th safest city in the US in 2010. I know it is 2012, but still, not bad, eh?
Quote of the day:
Student 1: Mickey Mouse is not real.
Me: What?! Are you sure?
Student 1: Yeah, he is just a mouse.
Student 2: Yeah, but vampires are real! They live in the vampire city.
Me: Oh, that seems pretty intense.
Student 2: Mhm, when they are hungry they eat people.
Twilight did a number on these kids.
Today all of the student teachers and I were walking into school and we are super excited that it is half way over..!
My kids were out of control today. Spring fever is for real! It took everything in me not to cry or yell (I'm really not sure which). I just don't want to make the babies cry... so I am trying to be patient... very, very, very, very patient. I think I would die if I taught kinder with any other teacher. Letty is the only thing keeping me semi-sane in the room.
Regardless, when I sit and talk to each student individually, I can't help but love the little munchkins. I just wish they were all better behaved when they sit next to their neighbor during math.
One of my 3rd graders fractured his elbow last week. I saw him today and it broke my heart. The worst part is, he has a soft cast for two weeks and then has to get a hard cast. When I saw him I wanted to squeeze away the pain. I told him I get to be the first person to sign his cast. He gave me a dramatic little face like he was in pain... Poor baby. I wonder if all teachers feel this much emotion for their kids. I have issues when it comes to these kids. Don't mess with them or you'll have to mess with me. ;)
Matt and I are both getting pretty excited for our interviews. I miss teaching 3rd grade so much. I don't think you can understand how excited and nervous and crazy I'll feel if we are offered the job. I have contacted a couple apartment complex's in Gilbert. When I was doing research I realized that Gilbert was voted the 5th safest city in the US in 2010. I know it is 2012, but still, not bad, eh?
Quote of the day:
Student 1: Mickey Mouse is not real.
Me: What?! Are you sure?
Student 1: Yeah, he is just a mouse.
Student 2: Yeah, but vampires are real! They live in the vampire city.
Me: Oh, that seems pretty intense.
Student 2: Mhm, when they are hungry they eat people.
Twilight did a number on these kids.
Friday, March 30, 2012
TGIF
Well, here is an update on life: Matt and I both have an interview at a school in Arizona on April 20th. We are really hoping for a position for each of us, so keep us in your prayers if you remember. I booked the flights and rental car today, so we are both pretty excited to get going.
Today I wore heels and Letty wore flats. She is the shortest teacher on staff and I am the tallest. This picture cracks me up. We make a great team though. We get things done PRONTO!
Happy Friday!
Today I wore heels and Letty wore flats. She is the shortest teacher on staff and I am the tallest. This picture cracks me up. We make a great team though. We get things done PRONTO!
Happy Friday!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Spring Has Sprung!
No lie, I didn't really believe teachers when they said that after spring break kids start to go nuts. Well, I should have believed them. My kinders have been so talkative all week! It was starting to hurt my head today so I started whispering during my math lesson to see what students would pay attention. I think I am just going to have to start to get a little more stern with them, which makes me sad because I haven't made a kid cry yet, and I don't want to be known as the mean kinder teacher!
I started an intervention program with one of my students this week. We work together for about 55 minutes, before school, twice a week. He really struggles in school. Today we worked on being able to identify the letter "a" and the sounds the letter makes. On his assessment, he got a 74%. A 74% may not seem that exciting to you, but he improved from where he started at the beginning of the lesson which made me happy.
Today I was eating with a couple of the girls during snack time. I love to have conversations about things other than what we are learning during snack time. After we ate, a little girl told me that we were winners because we finished our snack. The things these kids say help me appreciate the little things... Like, who knew kids could find so much joy in finishing their snack or opening their lunch to find extra marshmallows?
After school I have a third grade fan club. A few of my students from third grade come visit me in the kinder area after school every day. It really is the highlight of my day a lot of the time. Not that I don't love the kinders, but I have a weird bond with my 3rd graders that just can't be changed. Today after school six of my third graders came and gave me a hug. They're like my groupies. I should make "Miss. Hobbs Fan Club" shirts, don't you think? Just kidding. Today a little boy asked me if I could be his student teacher again during the last three weeks of school after I'm done with kinder. He made my little heart melt... Love those kids.
Lately I have been a bit stressed about what the future is going to hold for me. I try not to let it show or talk about it too much, but I feel like I can't stop thinking about it. I know that whatever happens, happens for a reason, but I am still more stressed than I have been in a long long long time. I feel like almost anything can make me cry these days, so I'm sorry if I have acted strange towards you. For those that have been listening and who have been encouraging, I just want to say thank you. I know it may seem silly to worry about where I will be during the next school year, but just the fact that you listen makes me feel a little better. Thank you for believing in me, for the encouragement, and for the prayers.
Panera tomorrow morning before school with Letty.... my mouth is already watering.
Toodles.
I started an intervention program with one of my students this week. We work together for about 55 minutes, before school, twice a week. He really struggles in school. Today we worked on being able to identify the letter "a" and the sounds the letter makes. On his assessment, he got a 74%. A 74% may not seem that exciting to you, but he improved from where he started at the beginning of the lesson which made me happy.
Today I was eating with a couple of the girls during snack time. I love to have conversations about things other than what we are learning during snack time. After we ate, a little girl told me that we were winners because we finished our snack. The things these kids say help me appreciate the little things... Like, who knew kids could find so much joy in finishing their snack or opening their lunch to find extra marshmallows?
After school I have a third grade fan club. A few of my students from third grade come visit me in the kinder area after school every day. It really is the highlight of my day a lot of the time. Not that I don't love the kinders, but I have a weird bond with my 3rd graders that just can't be changed. Today after school six of my third graders came and gave me a hug. They're like my groupies. I should make "Miss. Hobbs Fan Club" shirts, don't you think? Just kidding. Today a little boy asked me if I could be his student teacher again during the last three weeks of school after I'm done with kinder. He made my little heart melt... Love those kids.
Lately I have been a bit stressed about what the future is going to hold for me. I try not to let it show or talk about it too much, but I feel like I can't stop thinking about it. I know that whatever happens, happens for a reason, but I am still more stressed than I have been in a long long long time. I feel like almost anything can make me cry these days, so I'm sorry if I have acted strange towards you. For those that have been listening and who have been encouraging, I just want to say thank you. I know it may seem silly to worry about where I will be during the next school year, but just the fact that you listen makes me feel a little better. Thank you for believing in me, for the encouragement, and for the prayers.
Panera tomorrow morning before school with Letty.... my mouth is already watering.
Toodles.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Back to the Grind
I survived the first day back from spring break... PHEW. I'm a sleepy gal.
Quote of the day:
Students were talking about a DJ dance party where boys take their moms to a dance.
Me: Are you taking your mom to the dance party?
Boy: Yeah, I'm going to lift her up like a ballerina!
Me: Awesome!
Boy: (whispering to his neighbor) Not really though, my mom has a BIG butt!!!
hahahah. Gotta love my kiddos.
Quote of the day:
Students were talking about a DJ dance party where boys take their moms to a dance.
Me: Are you taking your mom to the dance party?
Boy: Yeah, I'm going to lift her up like a ballerina!
Me: Awesome!
Boy: (whispering to his neighbor) Not really though, my mom has a BIG butt!!!
hahahah. Gotta love my kiddos.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Interview Day!
I have my first interview today for a school in Gilbert, AZ!
I know everyone says that it is too far away from family, but I think it would be a great opportunity for Matt and me.
The interview is via skype. I have only used skype once, so it'll be interesting.
My stepmom says that everything happens for a reason. I know she's right, but I'd really like to be offered the job.
The two people I have talked to on the phone seem really nice which is always a good sign.
If I do get the job I know I won't be in Arizona forever. I totally want to raise my kids out here in CA close to family and friends. I can't imagine having a family of my own and not seeing my relatives all the time. Yesterday I went to a family birthday party for Matt's side of the family and the whole time I was thinking, "How can I leave them? Priscilla is going to forget all about me." I guess I really just can't think about the negatives though. Gilbert really isn't THAT far away. If I get the job and accept it, I promise to come home every other month. A couple years in AZ won't hurt us. If anything it'll help us grow, I think.
Anyway, I am nervous about today. Gilbert seems like a really nice place to live though, from the research I have done. The school I am applying for seems like they expect a lot from their students and seems very involved with families, which is something I really like.
Prayers are appreciated.
EEK... here we go!
I know everyone says that it is too far away from family, but I think it would be a great opportunity for Matt and me.
The interview is via skype. I have only used skype once, so it'll be interesting.
My stepmom says that everything happens for a reason. I know she's right, but I'd really like to be offered the job.
The two people I have talked to on the phone seem really nice which is always a good sign.
If I do get the job I know I won't be in Arizona forever. I totally want to raise my kids out here in CA close to family and friends. I can't imagine having a family of my own and not seeing my relatives all the time. Yesterday I went to a family birthday party for Matt's side of the family and the whole time I was thinking, "How can I leave them? Priscilla is going to forget all about me." I guess I really just can't think about the negatives though. Gilbert really isn't THAT far away. If I get the job and accept it, I promise to come home every other month. A couple years in AZ won't hurt us. If anything it'll help us grow, I think.
Anyway, I am nervous about today. Gilbert seems like a really nice place to live though, from the research I have done. The school I am applying for seems like they expect a lot from their students and seems very involved with families, which is something I really like.
Prayers are appreciated.
EEK... here we go!
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