Week Two...
Okay, So I've made it through two weeks. I came home this friday with a little more energy than last week, but that's probably because I was only in school three of the five days...if you are curious as to why then continue reading :-)
Monday - Due to complications in last weeks planning, the students presented their maps today - at least that was MY plan. I was informed in the AM that one of the fifth grade classes was going into the computer lab to look up info for their maps - uh...ok...but the maps are already finished (that was my thinking). The homeroom teacher of this class wanted to make sure her students were able to use the computers too - I understand that...but if they've already presented their maps what is the point? FYI: I have this particular class first thing in the morning - they go to the computer lab on monday during specials - so last week they did not have a chance to go to the lab like the other classes did. Anyway, my point is that I thought it was a little pointless for them to go look up US landmarks on this webpage if they've already gotten research from the books and presented the maps! What is going to keep them focused...aside from me yelling at them every five minutes to stay on task.
Either way, BE FLEXIBLE is what I kept telling myself...so they presented their maps in the morning, then I took them to the computer lab in the afternoon (sigh...here we go).
SIDE NOTE: Had the joy of watching a drug awareness class (they come every so often and present to the class - no it is not D.A.R.E. - some other program). Today in drug class I learned that smoking pot and cigarettes is bad for you. Also, one joint is = to FIVE cigarettes. It was an enlightening day. Just kidding.
Tuesday - I was not at school today because I attended a job fair at UNCG. About 80 different school districts sent representatives who were drooling over all the soon to be college graduates. My intent was to go and speak to the people from Charlotte Mecklenburg schools (CMS). The result...I got an interview and was offered a job with CMS! I'm very excited to say that I will be a teacher in Charlotte Fall 2007!
Wednesday - Went to school very excited...I have a job, I have a job! is what went through my mind all day. I showed my OSTE (On-Site-Teacher-Educator) the job offer I got from CMS. I found myself having to defend my position all day...apparently teachers in Guilford County don't like CMS too much...all they have heard are 'bad things'. With the good comes the bad. Besides, as a town, Charlotte has A LOT more to offer than Greensboro...especially fieldtrips :-) I'm excited and hey! I'm a product of CMS (I'm not sure how much that is saying haha). Still, I want to move in a year or so...don't want to stay in Charlotte too long!
Today I started teaching Poetry (zzz...zzz...zzz just kidding). First I had to review nouns - it is suprising how many fifth graders don't remember what a NOUN is. I printed off a cute little poem (kind of like ad libs) where the kids think of different nouns...and then plug them into the blanks. I used a graphic organizer - circle map for the kids to come up with nouns - I assigned them each a letter of the alphabet and they had to think of nouns that began with that letter.
Thursday - School cancelled - SNOW DAY
Friday - Time to regroup. Teach the lesson planned for Thurs on Friday (no big deal). First we review our Noun poems - I let some of the kids share their poems. Here is one of the poems (the word in all CAPS is the noun they used):
My QUAKER, my QUAKER, I love it! It's cool.
I'd like to buy one for QUEEN CHARLOTTE at school.
I bring mine with me wherever I go,
from QATAR to QUEBEC to Colorado.
My friends QUENN ELIZABETH and QUEEN LATIFA
say a QUILT is more useful.
But I feel that I must remain truthful:
I will hold my QUAKER close to my heart.
And hope that we never, ever must part!
He had the letter Q if you didn't pick up on that. Hehe. I thought they were cute...they made me laugh.
Ms. Lawerence, one of the fifth grade teachers had to leave before lunchtime, so I had the class for the rest of the day. They had a sub in there - but I was teaching, so she just sat back and watched.
An end to another week - A lot more students had silent lunch this week. The attitude of the class is completely different in the Language Arts classroom than it is in the Science/Social Studies classroom (where I taught last week - and also the room I have been in 'observing'). Some of the students were trying to test me - so I gave them silent lunch. I like how that works. The kids asked me if I was getting mad (I was REALLY TRYING to not let their behavior bother me) - I replied with, "nope because you are the ones who have silent lunch, not me" - That was my 'om' - and I was calm, because they knew I was right.
I hate being mean - but I will not be walked on. Thats how I feel this week. Still love it!
AND NOW - things students said to me during the week:
Ms. Auger I can't do my work" "why not?" "because I'm next to the bathroom and it stinks!"
"Ms. Auger, what kinda car you got?...a Lexus?" - thats funny!
"Can I go to the bathroom, (whispers...I have gas)" I think I laughed...I didn't mean to...it was unexpected!
Okay, week two complete. Peace and love to all!
Ms. Auger
Monday - Due to complications in last weeks planning, the students presented their maps today - at least that was MY plan. I was informed in the AM that one of the fifth grade classes was going into the computer lab to look up info for their maps - uh...ok...but the maps are already finished (that was my thinking). The homeroom teacher of this class wanted to make sure her students were able to use the computers too - I understand that...but if they've already presented their maps what is the point? FYI: I have this particular class first thing in the morning - they go to the computer lab on monday during specials - so last week they did not have a chance to go to the lab like the other classes did. Anyway, my point is that I thought it was a little pointless for them to go look up US landmarks on this webpage if they've already gotten research from the books and presented the maps! What is going to keep them focused...aside from me yelling at them every five minutes to stay on task.
Either way, BE FLEXIBLE is what I kept telling myself...so they presented their maps in the morning, then I took them to the computer lab in the afternoon (sigh...here we go).
SIDE NOTE: Had the joy of watching a drug awareness class (they come every so often and present to the class - no it is not D.A.R.E. - some other program). Today in drug class I learned that smoking pot and cigarettes is bad for you. Also, one joint is = to FIVE cigarettes. It was an enlightening day. Just kidding.
Tuesday - I was not at school today because I attended a job fair at UNCG. About 80 different school districts sent representatives who were drooling over all the soon to be college graduates. My intent was to go and speak to the people from Charlotte Mecklenburg schools (CMS). The result...I got an interview and was offered a job with CMS! I'm very excited to say that I will be a teacher in Charlotte Fall 2007!
Wednesday - Went to school very excited...I have a job, I have a job! is what went through my mind all day. I showed my OSTE (On-Site-Teacher-Educator) the job offer I got from CMS. I found myself having to defend my position all day...apparently teachers in Guilford County don't like CMS too much...all they have heard are 'bad things'. With the good comes the bad. Besides, as a town, Charlotte has A LOT more to offer than Greensboro...especially fieldtrips :-) I'm excited and hey! I'm a product of CMS (I'm not sure how much that is saying haha). Still, I want to move in a year or so...don't want to stay in Charlotte too long!
Today I started teaching Poetry (zzz...zzz...zzz just kidding). First I had to review nouns - it is suprising how many fifth graders don't remember what a NOUN is. I printed off a cute little poem (kind of like ad libs) where the kids think of different nouns...and then plug them into the blanks. I used a graphic organizer - circle map for the kids to come up with nouns - I assigned them each a letter of the alphabet and they had to think of nouns that began with that letter.
Thursday - School cancelled - SNOW DAY
Friday - Time to regroup. Teach the lesson planned for Thurs on Friday (no big deal). First we review our Noun poems - I let some of the kids share their poems. Here is one of the poems (the word in all CAPS is the noun they used):
My QUAKER, my QUAKER, I love it! It's cool.
I'd like to buy one for QUEEN CHARLOTTE at school.
I bring mine with me wherever I go,
from QATAR to QUEBEC to Colorado.
My friends QUENN ELIZABETH and QUEEN LATIFA
say a QUILT is more useful.
But I feel that I must remain truthful:
I will hold my QUAKER close to my heart.
And hope that we never, ever must part!
He had the letter Q if you didn't pick up on that. Hehe. I thought they were cute...they made me laugh.
Ms. Lawerence, one of the fifth grade teachers had to leave before lunchtime, so I had the class for the rest of the day. They had a sub in there - but I was teaching, so she just sat back and watched.
An end to another week - A lot more students had silent lunch this week. The attitude of the class is completely different in the Language Arts classroom than it is in the Science/Social Studies classroom (where I taught last week - and also the room I have been in 'observing'). Some of the students were trying to test me - so I gave them silent lunch. I like how that works. The kids asked me if I was getting mad (I was REALLY TRYING to not let their behavior bother me) - I replied with, "nope because you are the ones who have silent lunch, not me" - That was my 'om' - and I was calm, because they knew I was right.
I hate being mean - but I will not be walked on. Thats how I feel this week. Still love it!
AND NOW - things students said to me during the week:
Ms. Auger I can't do my work" "why not?" "because I'm next to the bathroom and it stinks!"
"Ms. Auger, what kinda car you got?...a Lexus?" - thats funny!
"Can I go to the bathroom, (whispers...I have gas)" I think I laughed...I didn't mean to...it was unexpected!
Okay, week two complete. Peace and love to all!
Ms. Auger