3rd Grade

I subbed third grade today. It still felt like second grade, but that is ok. I went to a school that I had never been to, but there are a few family members at the school that are related to people that work at the school I did my student teaching at. Make sense?

Anywho, my friend, Kristine's, daughter was in my class today which was kind of fun. Kristine gave her a donut and a little note for me which was super tasty. Thanks again, friend!

I had quite an experience with a a student today. I didn't think that tantrums still existed at the age of 8, but I was clearly mistaken (have mercy on me when I am a mother). A little boy in my class threw three tantrums today! I thought my brains were going to fly out of my head. He cried because he got out of greek dodgeball, threw a fit because he wasn't chosen for student of the month, and threw another fit because he was not closest to the guessing jar. REALLY!? I finally just left him alone and let him cry on the floor.

The mom of one of the teachers I will be long term subbing for works at the school I was at today and she put me in to sub two days of first grade next week. I am really excited because I haven't had too much experience with first grade, so this will give me a chance to get more familiar with that grade. =)

Picture of the day:

Picture of my note from Kristine today:

Quotes of the day:

1.
Student: Miss. Hobbs, you know where you should work?
Me: Where?
Student: Hobby Lobby... Get it?

2.
(While students are taking a timed 30 minute math test...)
Me: You need to get going or you are going to run out of time.
Student: It is too hard!
Me: No it isn't. You learned this in kindergarten.
Student: Fine. I will take out my magic wand and cast a spell to get my test done.
(Takes out invisible magic wand and begins moving his wrist like Harry Potter and says a spell...) There! My paper will finish on its own.
Me: (5 minutes later) Your spell didn't work. GET GOING!
Student: Ughhhhhhh.

Kindergarten

I went back to the school I did my student teaching at today! I love how I feel when I walk on campus. I feel like I am part of the team there. It feels great.

I subbed for the kindergarten classes today with Letty and Kari, the two teachers I worked with last year. I seriously love working with them. I know the routines and everything runs smoothly in the class. I think working with the kids this early in the year is a challenge, but I also think that the kids say things that are much more comical for adults. During the afternoon class I saw my student teacher partner from last semester, Debbie. She is such a nice lady. I love talking to her. She has daughters my age but you would never guess it because she is such a fun person to talk to. I am glad that she was also subbing at the school with me today.

I also observed one of the classes that I will be long term subbing for after the new year. Some of my kinders are in the class, so it was pretty cool to see them. The teacher I am long terming for keeps everything really organized and the kids seemed to be extremely well behaved, which only makes me more anxious and excited to start the long term position. What is even more exciting is that after I finish my first long term I have another one lined up! I am so exited for what is to come.

Photo of the day:
The picture on the right is the sample and the picture on the left is student work. Kindergarten is so precious. =)

Quotes of the day:

1.)
Teacher: Boys and girls say hi to our new helper, Miss. Hobbs.
Class: Good Morning, Miss. Hobbs
Teacher: She is going to be helping us today and will be here throughout the year too!
Student: Is she your friend?
Teacher: Yes, she is my friend and she is a teacher too!
Student: ...Where does she come from?

2.)
(During share time)
Teacher: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Student: Ryan?
Teacher: Ryan? Do you mean you want to work with Ryan?
Student: Yep.
Teacher: What does Ryan do?
Student: Moves dirt around.

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

I subbed a half day kindergarten class today. Nothing too much to talk about... I subbed the afternoon and the teacher I was covering for taught morning so I did a lot of prep work. I know I only taught kindergarten for 10 weeks but I still remember how much prep work is involved in kindergarten... it is crazy status! Anyway, I did participate in centers and kids were telling me some crazy stories that never ended! I swear those babies come up with the crazies stuff to say. I love when they talk like little babies. I sometimes wonder what my own kids will be like... I always pray they won't be the annoying kid in class; I would die of embarrassment.

I am going to go help Matt decorate his classroom tomorrow. I am so excited to see what his school and class looks like. Today was his second day and he hasn't been able to stop talking about how much he loves it. I am so so so so beyond happy for him. I don't know anyone that is more deserving for his job than he is =)

I know that my long term sub jobs aren't for a while, but I am still so excited. I want to start already!

Quotes of the day:

1.)
Girl: We don't pick our noses here.
Me: Ok, phew I was worried about that.
(...20 minutes later, she is picking her nose.)

2.)
Boy: I went to the Amazon yesterday and the snake that was there wrapped itself around me and I was so scared and I didn't know what to do and then my dad came and he took a knife and he cut it right off my neck so that the snake wouldn't sting me and then I saw a dragon and then.....
Me: Wow, that's pretty intense. Finish your work now, ok?
Boy: It was... and then blah blah blah blah blah...

7th grade math and science

Sometimes I wonder how people, such as my boyfriend, can teach 7th and 8th grade... it takes guts. Those kids are slightly out of control. Luckily, today my kids were pretty good. I seriously stink at math but today I successfully taught a lesson to the 7th graders. Go me!

Quote of the day:

While looking at the science textbook...
Student: Oh my god, what is that a picture of?
Me: What does it say?
Student: It is a furnace!!!
Me: No, Sugar-pie. Read it again.
Student: Ohhh, I mean fetus.
Me: (stunned look on my face)
...a couple minutes later...
Student: Ms. Hobbs, is it true that babies have an extra layer of skin over their body when they're born?
Me: (...silence...) Ask your mom.
Student: How do babies pee in the womb?
Me: (...silence...)

Back to work!

Well if you haven't heard the exciting news, Matt is the new middle school science teacher at a school in Pomona! I thought I was going to pass out when he told me, I was so excited. I am so proud of him. =)

I finished my master's degree on Monday, so I am pretty excited about that! It felt a little weird knowing that I was taking the last test for a very very long time.

I subbed second grade today! It felt so good to be back. The weather is a little bit out of control though. The kids had to stay inside during lunch, so they got a little hyper towards the end of the day. We watched School House Rock and played Heads Up 7 Up, which seemed to make them happy. Overall they were a fun class. I love being a teacher.

I received exciting news today! A teacher asked me to long term sub for her! Wahoo!!! It won't be for another few months, but I couldn't be more excited. Life seems to be moving along quite nicely.

I am so glad to be back at work. Not working totally throws me off balance.

Quote of the Day:

Student: Ms. Hobbs, you should see my moms rental!
Me: What kind of rental?
Student: Her car rental. She's got a PT Cruiser with all the diggs!!!

In sickness and in laziness...

So, I am a substitute in 3 districts now! woohoo... keep em coming, folks!

I was talking to Kristine and her husband last week and we were talking about how sad it is that I have to rely on teachers getting sick in order to get work. It is as though when I pray for work, I am really praying for a teacher to catch the flu in the middle of the night. Isn't that just crazy?

Another reason I love teaching is because I get to create friendships with amazing people. I went to help Letty and Kari set up the kindergarten classroom and then I went to visit with Kristine and her family. I had a blast! I love spending time with the new friends I have created in the teaching field over the last year. Nothing better than friends.

Etiwanda goes back to school Monday. Hopefully I will be called to sub. I have been waking up at 6:00 to prepare myself for going back to work... It is exhausting just to wake up! Next Friday a family friend, Mary, requested me to sub for her. I have known Mary forever. When I was a kid she was my CCD teacher at church. Her daughter and I were best friends for the longest time. I am so excited to be able to sub for her. =)

Going Home

Yesterday I went on a field-trip with my old work. I worked for a grant funded program in Pomona for two years. I worked with kids in a lower income area and promoted college. The program follows kids from 8th grade to their senior year in high school. I LOVED THAT JOB!

Although students at that grade and in that neighborhood tend to have an attitude and are quick to fight, they are amazing kids. I loved getting to know them. The team I worked with became my family throughout my two years there. I would do anything for them. We worked really well together and got stuff done. It was really funny yesterday because we went to the beach and I was standing next to my boss. A guy tripped and fell on the beach; my boss and I both looked at each other and started dying laughing. My other former coworkers from a different school site looked at us and said "no wonder you two used to work so well together." It really is true, my boss and I made a great team.

Of all the jobs I have had, that is the job where I felt most comfortable with the people I was surrounded by. Everyone in the program is there for the same reason and we all truly care about each other. I was nervous to go on the field-trip because I hadn't seen my coworkers, kids, or boss in about a year but everyone treated me like I had never left.

I feel like substitute teaching is a lonely job sometimes, especially when I work at schools I am not familiar with. I am basically my own boss and I enter a school with teachers I have never met before.

I wanted to work in programs similar to the one in Pomona once I received my degree but then I went into teaching. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching but I also love working with such a close group of friends. Maybe I can still consider working for a program like this? Hopefully something will open up. I would still be a mentor at Gear Up if subbing wasn't better pay.

I loved seeing my kids, my coworkers, and my boss. It felt like coming home for the holidays!