Week One, Well Begun
Once again, I have been neglecting this journal, which is a huge problem of mine when it comes to writing--I don't write. I know my life is busy, and I'm finishing my last term of classes(!), and working part-time, and managing a social life in between (ok ok ok...lately there hasn't been a ton of that to manage in the first place), but if I ever plan on writing, I need to put my nose to the grindstone and just write regularly, even if it's just in this journal. I feel like this summer will bring about something big, and I plan on writing as much as I can. I miss writing fiction, and I feel that my education and experiences have left me with richer ideas and new things to try. But getting through the rest of school is my objective until May 15.
Which brings me to this: I am only really sending out actual announcement/invitations to my family and a few others, so if you don't get one, and want to come, please don't feel offended. The ceremony is May 15, 2010 at 10:00 AM, at the Orpheum, and is open to the public. I am having a reception/luncheon following the ceremony at 12:30-3 at Sunnybrook Community Church (which is on Sunnybrook Drive on the way to Target, past East High). There will be food, and I would be happy for anyone to come partake of it!
I won't get my actual degree until around Thanksgiving this year, however. I have finished all of my coursework, but I don't student teach until this fall. I am currently in the middle of a 2-week practicum at West High in which I am teaching a writing/composition unit from start to finish. In this case, I am teaching the English 9 Honors class how to do an I-search paper, which is really just a research paper in which they can use first-person. The first week went very well, and today they got a chance in class to work on rough drafts. Peer editing tomorrow, then Wednesday and Thursday to work in the library and type the final drafts. Papers are Due Friday, and then I have the weekend to grade them, and have them back to the cooperating teacher by Monday the 19th. It's a tight deadline, but the students are eager and excited about doing a good job. I'm excited about this practium in particular because it really gives me a sense of how to work lesson plans over a period of time from start to finish, and shows me what kind of adjustments to make, and I know that I will have tomorrow to review what I taught, and to see my own progress reflected in the students' work. In past practicums, most have been simple observation, and I might get to interact with the students, or teach mini-lessons (15-20 minute random lessons), but to be honest, I was beginning to lose interest in teaching. Now that I am teaching a unit straight-through and getting to know students, and getting a chance to work on my techniques and methods, I am finding a renewed passion for it. I think this brief practicum is the only one that makes me feel READY for student teaching, and to teach on my own.
Yay.
Which brings me to this: I am only really sending out actual announcement/invitations to my family and a few others, so if you don't get one, and want to come, please don't feel offended. The ceremony is May 15, 2010 at 10:00 AM, at the Orpheum, and is open to the public. I am having a reception/luncheon following the ceremony at 12:30-3 at Sunnybrook Community Church (which is on Sunnybrook Drive on the way to Target, past East High). There will be food, and I would be happy for anyone to come partake of it!
I won't get my actual degree until around Thanksgiving this year, however. I have finished all of my coursework, but I don't student teach until this fall. I am currently in the middle of a 2-week practicum at West High in which I am teaching a writing/composition unit from start to finish. In this case, I am teaching the English 9 Honors class how to do an I-search paper, which is really just a research paper in which they can use first-person. The first week went very well, and today they got a chance in class to work on rough drafts. Peer editing tomorrow, then Wednesday and Thursday to work in the library and type the final drafts. Papers are Due Friday, and then I have the weekend to grade them, and have them back to the cooperating teacher by Monday the 19th. It's a tight deadline, but the students are eager and excited about doing a good job. I'm excited about this practium in particular because it really gives me a sense of how to work lesson plans over a period of time from start to finish, and shows me what kind of adjustments to make, and I know that I will have tomorrow to review what I taught, and to see my own progress reflected in the students' work. In past practicums, most have been simple observation, and I might get to interact with the students, or teach mini-lessons (15-20 minute random lessons), but to be honest, I was beginning to lose interest in teaching. Now that I am teaching a unit straight-through and getting to know students, and getting a chance to work on my techniques and methods, I am finding a renewed passion for it. I think this brief practicum is the only one that makes me feel READY for student teaching, and to teach on my own.
Yay.