About Me

Well check me out!

2009-02-10T17:46:00.000-08:00

Here I am at Holt Elementary! It's a crazy semester...no time to chat. Just thought I would share what I could!

Back in the swing of things

2009-02-01T11:59:00.000-08:00

Where have I been?
I couldn't even begin to tell you the amount of troubles I have had with my computer. My desktop was acting up, I took it to the Geek Squad. 4 trips to Hoover later, I pay over $200 to pick up my BROKEN computer. I drive all the way home to Orange Beach to get my old laptop and still have to take it to the Geek Squad. 2 trips to Hoover later, I get to bring it home. So far, so good, and now I just have to get back into the swing of things.
Since I have updated you, a new semester has begun! We received our placements this past Friday and I got 2nd grade at Holt Elementary School. I am so excited! Last time I had fourth grade, so second should be a good change of pace. I can't wait to meet my cooperating teacher, and soak in all the learning.
My classes have been going well. I have a feeling things are about to get crazy busy. Monday I go to the elementary school all day and then I have class at 4. Tuesday I go to the elementary school all day as well. Wednesday and Thursday I have all night classes because my professors are also elementary school teachers. Friday morning I have class then I'm free for the rest of the day. The crazy schedule doesn't leave much time for me to work, but I try to get any hours that I can.
As far as my social life, my birthday was Monday! I turned 24 years old which makes me the oldest in all my classes except maybe one or two people. Things are going good with new guy. In fact, things are great. Tucker's hair is as long as I've ever let it grow and I'm liking it! I will try my best to be more disciplined in keeping this things updated for blogland. I think it's good practice for when I will create my future teacher blog!

New Books!!

2008-12-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

I got my first scholastic book order and I was SUPER excited! I love children's books! These are the ones I added to the collection.

I feel old already

2008-11-18T13:58:00.000-08:00

So I have avery funny story that paints a perfect picture of the times that we are living in. For one of my classes we had to do these 4th grade assessments. (much like the kindergarten assessments I've written about before) Part of the assessment was to have the student read a short story and I was asking questions to judge their comprehension on what they read. Before the student even reads the story, there are some concept questions to answer that they can conclude just from the title. The story was called Margaret Mead.My question was, "How do we find out about famous people? Like, what do we do to learn about their life and how they became famous and their accomplishments?" After my student thought about it for a second looking up at the ceiling, she responds, "Umm, you can Google it?" It took all I had not to giggle at that answer.

GOOGLE IT. Not, "Look it up in a dictionary" or "go to the library" or "read about it" but, "Google it". It truly shows the times is which we live.

I did my video lesson today that I was talking about before. I think it went very well considering it was the first real time I was in charge in front of the classroom. I did make sure to tell my students that this lesson was going to video taped so they should be on their best behavior so I can make a good grade. It worked. Also, I got my first teacher gift today!

Isn't it cute? It's a little stuffed turkey in a cute tin bucket with smell good spray and a cute kitchen towel. One of the sweetest girls in my 4th grade class gave it to me. What a way to brighten up someone's day! Here are a few more books that I have and recommend to anyone who just loves children's books:

Which grade?

2008-11-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

This is me. This is me as Jackson sees me. I hate to use his real name, being the internet and all, but he wrote his names on it, so its sort of hard to hide. But for privacy's sake, you have no idea what school or country or teacher this "Jackson"person comes from, so I think we're okay. For one of my classes we had to do kindergarten assessments. We had to do a series of test/activities to see where that students was at academically to decide how to further instruct them. If you are in education, you know, that this is something you hear about a lot. Assessment. Classroom Management. Assessment. Classroom Management. It's constantly beat into your brain! So Jackson was my student for this learning experience and he was the cutest kid ever. Imagine seeing this group of kindergartners knowing that one of them was going to be assigned to you and you spot one that you instantly fall in love with and know that you want to work with that kid. That's how it was for me and Jackson. He was one of the smaller kids in the group, with super curly hair (like my brother's when he was that age) and he was wearing a cute little polo with the collar half up and half down while only part of his shirt was tucked into his little khaki shorts. Got a good mental picture? Lucky me, and he was my partner. Not to mention, this kid was really smart. He knew all his stuff, which made his report very easy to write.
So it got me thinking--I really like kindergarten. They are so young an innocent and ready to learn. You can do fun crafty things with them and nothing is ever too corny. Some people are turned off from kindergarten because they feel the students are a little too needy for their liking. I like needy. (I think) So maybe I want to teach kindergarten. It's all up in the air now, and I may change my mind a thousand times, but who knows. My next big hurdle is for my music class. We have to create an integrated lesson to teach and video tape ourselves and turn it in. How nerve racking! Oh yeah--integrated means--a lesson where you are teaching two different subjects. Or you have two different objectives, therefore they will be assessed on two different things. Like, having an instrument and having them hypothesize if they think it will sound high or low. Then when they hear the instrument, they sing a song. So you are using their SCIENCE skills to go through the steps of the scientific method and then their MUSIC skills to sing the song correctly. Make sense? Anyway, that's what I have ot do and I'm pretty nervous about it. Wish me luck!

Encouraging Emails

2008-10-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

How awesome is my Aunt Debbie? I am constantly reminded of why I feel like I am taking the right career path. Here is an email she sent me a couple weeks back that I just like to read.Love you Aunt D!

"Thank you. I will try to do this tomorrow. Do you know how proud I am of you? I feel connected to you in such a special way. Finally, I will have someone in the family who shares my passion for teaching!
love you lots.
Auntie Debbie"

"You're such a teacher dork!"

2008-10-27T13:31:00.000-07:00

You don't know how many times I have ALREADY heard this. Or any version of this of course...dork, geek, nerd...whatever suits your fancy. This is the shirt that I just had to have to wear to the school today. Since I go on Monday's this was going to be my only opportunity to do something Halloween-ie. I asked Ben when purchasing it, "Is this teachery?" He gives me that looks that he always gives me when I say something or do something dorky and says, "Yeah, babe, that's pretty teachery." I find myself keeping an extra eye out for teacher clothes. Who would have ever thought that my Christmas list would consist of teacher clothes and children's books instead of new cell phones and scrapbooking supplies? I certainly didn't! Oh yeah, and I bought a Big AL pin. Yes, like the kinda of pin you pin to a sweater or blouse. At this rate, I am well on my way to Keds with folded over socks, hair bows, and a closet full of themed sweaters! I can't wait! Here are a few more books to check out!

Welcome Ms. Simpson!

2008-10-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

So here I am...Ms. Simpson. This semester I am doing my practicum hours for 4th grade at Walker Elementary. We have to do 40 hours and pretty much just observe and soak it all in. Most of the time, there is so much to be done that you don't actually just sit and observe. It is quite a hands on experience. I get there at 7:30 AM...not to be confused with PM...and I go on Monday mornings. Since it is Monday morning, I get to see exactly how the week gets started. I go in and all the kids get really excited to see me. We do a little morning work and they go to P.E. first thing. It's so funny how I am a part of the teacher loop now. Our planning period is while they are in P.E. so I get to hear what all the teachers on the grade level talk about. I get to see them advise each other, share supplies, and warn each other about certain parts of lessons, etc. I think that just being there to listen is one of the best ways to learn and way more beneficial that reading out of a text book. So the kids come back, we have snack, and then do our reading and science. Lunch couldn't come any sooner.

So we all go to lunch and I get to sit with all the other teachers. How cool is that? I've been a student all my life and here I am...at the teacher's table! Oh, and I LOVE school food. I was never one of the picky kids who had to pack a lunch all the time. I was begging for seconds! So I am very happy now to pay for a $3.00 lunch that I am fully satisfied with.

After lunch we go back to the room to do a little math and writing and before you know it the day is over! My teacher and I walk the kids to the bus and then they are off. The kids are starting to learn who I am and feeling more comfortable asking me for help and what not. I would much rather go there everyday than go to my actual classes. And here is one of the coolest parts:

THE TEACHER'S LOUNGE

When I was a student at Crescent Elementary, I always wondered what went on in there. Teacher's always came out eating good food and socializing with other teachers and it was so...so...FORBIDDEN. Well guess what? Now I have full access baby! I can come and go as much as I please. I can eat and bring food and talk to other teachers and use the grown up bathroom. It's so full circle for me to be able to do that.

I have a lot of fun doing this. Everytime I go, I think to myself, "I can do this everyday." and I really do feel like I can. Here are a couple of the books that I have and really like:

Teaching updates

2008-10-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I have this dilemma. If you know me, you know I am an Elementary Education major and I am spending a lot of my time with all new experiences within the classroom. By the time I get home and tell Ben about my day...then tell my Mom about my day...then talk to my classmates about what's going on...then talk to my Dad about my day...I am a little worn out over the same stories. And it's not that I don't want to share my experiences with all of these people(plus a few other people) but it's hard to sound as enthusiastic about things when I've repeated myself 4 and 5 times. So, I've decided to try and keep up with this blog. I think it will be a good way for people to check on my updates from time to time and see what's been going on in my world of becoming a teacher. Sound good? Tomorrow will be my first official post about this semester and what not. Hope you can enjoy it!

Laughing Out Loud!

2008-07-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

Please watch these videos and tell me they are not two of the funniest things ever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81NeQJWGYJY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KTLKyXnBR4

I love it!

ADOPTED!

2008-03-31T10:51:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to report that Brownie has been adopted! He didn't get adopted by just anyone...he is now a BEAUCHAMP! You don't know how excited I was when Heather called me and showed interest in him. I have been getting so attached to him and anytime anyone would show interest in him i would try and think of things to say that would make them NOT adopt him. (Of course, I wouldn't actually say those things out loud) But being able to give him to my friend, who I know will take great care of him and the fact that I will get to see him again one day is just perfect for me. He has a playmate which is great for him too. When I was on the way home I got a little sad that he wasn't in the back of my car staring out the window. But all is well! Now I am on a misson to find Mama Pat a lap baby. (I'm on the look out!) I just wanted to report the great news!

Counter WHAT???

2008-03-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

Okay, so if you were going to name a business that does CUSTOM counter tops for homes or businesses, which name would you find to be the best name and WHY?? (and if you can come up with some other cool play on words for a business title, lemme know!)

1. Counter Measures
2. Counter Act
3. Counter Intelligence
4. Counter Offer

Any opinions will help. Thanks guys!

What a Weekend!

2008-03-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

Wow, talk about beautiful weather. One day I am walking to class freezing my buns off with a coat and scarf and tissues in my hand...and next thing you know I'm in flip flops and a tank top going to the lake! Ben and I decided to take the dogs to Lake Lurleen State Park on Saturday for a little outdoor fun. He had been sick ALL week with a stomach virus(8 hours at the emergency room and 4 bags of IV fluid later) and not only were we severely sleep deprived, but the dogs had a lot of balled up energy as well. Since he was feeling better we needed to get some fresh air! The park was great. They have a huuuge parking lot with seveal boats ramps (unfortunalty, we have no boat), hiking trails, picnic areas, and a beach area. We got there and Tucker and Brownie were on their leashes, but it was almost like they knew where we were going. As soon as I let them out they took off towards the edge of the water to take a sip. I guess taking a sip wasn't good enough because they both jumped right in. Brownie got his whole body wet, but was a little apprehensive about swimming around too much. Tucker was like my little swimming champion! We used to take him to Jackson Lake when we still lived in Ga, and he would get wet, but wouldn't...like...SWIM. But now it was like he was made for the water! he fetched sticks and everything! I was such a proud Mama.

It's amazing how much the weather can control, or contribute to your mood. Everyone was just in an all around good mood all weekend. We were riding down the road with the music playing and the windows rolled down (I can do that now that I have been taking my allergy shots!) just living in the moment. There were people actually laying out at the pool! After our busy day outside we came back to the apartment to relax and soak it all in. (and keep in mind that all the windows in the APT are open to create the perfect temperature inside).

Sunday we didn't go on any spontaneous adventures but we did play outside here at the apartment. Brownie is so quick and loves to play fetch so much that we ran to Wal-Mart to get him a frisbee. We thought he may be good at this considering his swiftness and agility...but...not so much. We'll have to practice some. But regardless, we had an awesome weekend. I can't wait for summer!

Warm Weather makes me happy

2008-02-10T18:20:00.000-08:00

Unfortunatly, the monkey was sick this weekend and couldn't do anything. We were sad not to get to see him, but things will get better soon. The weather couldn't have been better this weekend! I have been so tired of the cold and wind and rain and finally I got sunshine! Ben and I were outside almost all day long saturday just doing whatever we could to soak up the sun. The dogs had a great time playing with us!

We also got to play spades Friday night with our good friends Amanda and Josh. Needless to say, the girls DOMINATED. Everything is such a competition between the boys that sometimes it's just best me and Amanda stay out of it. We were about to run out of time at the bolwing alley and they even had a competition of who throw the bowling ball down the lane the FASTEST with nothing to do with accuracy. They looked so goofy! Saturday night we ended up doing a couple rounds of phase 10 at Ben's house. Ben won both times...and that's never good. :) Later that night we went laser bowling until we closed the place down. It was nice to have a fun weekend without drinking and just relaxing with good company. (and it felt good to wake up without a hangover! haha)

I accidentally got the dates mixed up on the adoption event for Brownie. So he missed the "speed dating" thing. It really sucks because he could have used that exposure to the public. I felt terrible about it. He is such a sweet dog and really deserves to be in a good home. Here are a few more pictures of me and the dogs!

It's a BOY!

2008-02-01T11:30:00.000-08:00

Meet Brownie! He has joined our family as a foster dog! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this dog is available for adoption. How can you resist that face? He is about a year old and very well behaved to have lived such a hectic life. He was picked up from the local shelter just days before he was going to be euthanized. He is crate trained and we're working on house training. I'm not sure what breed he is, but he is very intelligent. If you are interested in meeting Brownie, please let me know.

I had never really looked into the whole "fostering" thing until I read about it online. (Also I just read the book "What The Dog Did" and she fosters beagles) but the more I read about it the more I wanted to do it. People tell me that I'm going to get attached and want to keep him. This could be a possibility, but I much rather take that risk than have him sitting in a kennel all day with no attention. He is such a loving dog, I just don't see how anyone could want to give him up. He's quite the cuddlebug. I have a feeling this is going to be the beginning of a fostering hobby for me :)