Well, I'm never wearing that again.

Quote of the day:

6th grader A: "Miss Jones, did you go to Lake Hamilton High?"

6th grader B: "No, remember? She's from TEXAS."

6th grader C: "Haha, Miss Jones is from Texas!"

6th grader A: "Oh, yeah. I knew that."

I guess I'm learning the hard way what to wear and what not to wear to school, based on how many boys flirt with me and how many girls come up and introduce themselves, thinking I'm a new student. I thought I looked rather professional, but apparently, I still look like a kid. Several middle school girls told me how pretty I looked, and- get this- SIX high schoolers came and introduced themselves, thinking I was a new student. I haven't gotten to work with all of the groups, so there are many students who haven't seen me too much yet. I guess that partially explains it. But still-- it'll be a while before I wear that shirt again.

The 6th grade high brass (horns and trumpets) had a chair test on Friday, and the girl I worked with so much ended up getting 6th chair! That's a huge improvement from her usual next-to-last chair. It's definitely boosted her confidence, too.

I'm currently stressed about how much I have to do-- listen to CDs and learn music, legal issues paper, score studies, lesson plans for teaching percussion, AND plan the service learning project (which Miss Neal was kind enough to remind me about). It doesn't help that my planner's been missing for a week, either. I really hope I can get this all done! But, on the bright side, I now own a lime green recorder. The instrument nerd is quite pleased with this new acquisition. :)

Back to work!

I’m feeling much better!  Being healthy makes so much of a difference when teaching.  I’m not completely well, but I’m getting close.  Today I added phonics to calendar and browse box on my list of teaching responsibilities.  It’s fun because Mrs. Conzel’s style of teaching is very hands on and practical, so instead of having a huge transition to a phonics lesson, I just incorporated new activities into calendar and browse box.  In our team meeting last week we talked about common core standards and how we needed to change lesson plans to incorporate them.  One new framework talked about teaching the parts of speech, so I’ve begun using our letter of the week to talk about words that are different parts of speech.  The kids have kept up with it well so far.  Tomorrow I’m thinking about adding verbs to their vocabulary.  No accidents today, that makes it a good day. 

How's the SLP planning coming?  

Miss Neal  

Who knew Mondays could be so good

Today was such a good day. There was so much encouragement today. My CT was asking where I was planning on living when I graduated, because she wanted me to stay and work with her for the rest of forever. One of the kids asked “Mrs. Valencia, where did you find this woman?” because I was actually making the kids work. She said that she found me in heaven and brought me back to Malvern. Then, I was so excited that one of my kids was actually doing his bell work I told him that I was really proud of how well he had been working. I loved that he got everything right and was doing great. He told me that he had never had a teacher tell him that they were proud of him or that he had been doing great lately. Small victories for the student teachers of Ouachita. Love it. I’m so glad for things like this that make kids days which in turn makes my day. Such a good day. Now something crazy will probably happen tomorrow. We can only hope for so much. :)

Ms Hurn

*New Student*

Today we got a new student and it has definitely added a level of stress to the situation! He does not even know his letters and the rest of the class is reading and writing. This will really help me learn how to modify lessons to fit all needs and see what it's like to get a new student mid semester. My teacher had no idea she was getting a new student until this morning, and she got a new one from Pakistan last week! The little boy kept asking "When can we play?! When is nap?!?!"....Too bad we have no nap and only 15 minutes of recess. (Shame, I know) He also decided that he just didn't want to work and said plainly: "Well, I've had enough of this...I'm going home!" around 12pm. His parents said all he did at his old school was play, and this school is pretty hardcore so he might be in for a little rude awakening. It's actually the most hardcore public school I've ever seen...uniforms and everything! They really have to work hard most of the day.

Germ fest

Joy to the world, Friday has come.  Mrs. C was kind and let me cut di-cuts in the library for a while in the morning because I was sick.  She left for the afternoon, so I was in charge.  She left me plenty to do with them, and I knew their routine, so it went well.  Her absence made clear how wonderful her management is.  When I tried to mimic it, I was met with some success, but there were still moments where they were scattered to the four corners of the classroom.  It served as a reminder that I still have a lot to learn and practice!

Those kids.  Oh gee whiz.  They're so full of germs!  They have no clue.  They swab their hand all over their nose and then offer it up to me like a gift.  "Miss Neal, will you hold my haaaaaaaaaaand?"  Crush their small hearts or keep my life from the peril of a cold.  Those are my options.  Thanks, kindergarteners for being so germily irresistible.  I don't really hold it against them.   

*Happy Friday!*

Today I walked into class and had 17 get well/we missed you cards waiting for me on my desk! I was sad I had to miss a day and a half of school, but when the nurse MAKES you leave, you sorta have to listen. haha

We had a really fun day today because the students came dressed up in their future career costumes. We've had community helpers come and talk to us all week, but today was their turn. They each gave a report about their future profession and did a GREAT job! I had 7 vets in my class, so animals in the future are pretty good to go.

This class is particularly good in the behavior department. All it takes is a little look and they start behaving again. I've never seen anything like it before! I did have a few minor issues this week, because my new student from Pakistan has never been in cold weather before. He screams at the top of his lungs in agony whenever we go outside! Poor little fella.

Certified to teach: Band 6-12 and Rubik's cube

Quote of the day:

6th grade horn player: "Miss Jones, are you going to teach us every day?"

Me: "No, I'm not. Your teacher would be very sad if I stole you all from him. He likes you guys."

Different 6th grade horn player: "But we like you more!"

Needless to say, I smiled when the girl said this. I'm glad that I'm well-liked... with this group, at least. I really relate to the 6th and 7th graders the best. They're just a fun group, and I love being able to teach them.

I taught the 6th grade percussionists again today, and had a few discipline issues for the first time. I finally had to threaten them by saying that if they did not stop talking and playing when I was trying to talk, then I would take their sticks away from them and we would sit quietly for the rest of class. That seemed to work... mostly. I'm still working on discipline.

I mentioned to a high school percussionist on Monday that I'm able to work a Rubik's cube, because I saw that he had his out. I didn't remember that, but he approached me today after school and asked me to help him finish working the cube. He had two layers of it done, and needed to finish the third. So I gave him a quick five-minute lesson on the last few steps he needed, and he solved the Rubik's cube. He was so happy that it was done. He ran around the room holding it in the air and shouting, "I solved the Rubik's cube! It took me three weeks, but I solved the Rubik's cube!" He thanked me profusely, then introduced himself. This is a new way of bonding with students that I hadn't tried yet, but it seems to be quite effective. :)