Stress!

These past few days have been super stressful. I have a million things assigned from every teacher, and that is not an exaggeration. You can look at my planner if you don't believe me. On top of this, I am trying to figure out how I'm going to fit a minor in business into my super busy schedule in the next year and a half. My future roommates and I have also been trying to make a decision on several houses we were wanting to live in starting in May. That is an extremely stressful process, more so than I thought it would be. I also work three jobs: group fitness instructor, marketing supervisor for RecSports, and a server at Texas Roadhouse. My life = very stressful at the moment. I wouldn't have it any other way. I handle stress quite well. I choose the things most important, and do them first. This seems dumb to point this out, but why make things complicated when you can keep it simple and get it done? The only thing is, I don't get much sleep when I'm stressed. I stay up late doing homework or working, and wake up early to teach fitness classes or go to class. I also have my boyfriend and my friends to keep me sane. Whenever I need a break from everything, they are there to just talk about everything or completely take my mind off of it and do something fun! I also handle my stress in that I get everything done during the week....and play on the weekends. I don't worry about homework or anything else on Saturdays. Saturdays=stress relief.

Children's Writing

I noticed that most (if not all...I didn't look at all) involves pictures. I think that its very important for students to incorporate pictures into their writing. This shows that writing tells a story. It creates a visual image. Sometimes students can tell parts of the story with a picture that they don't quite have the writing skills to say yet.

Teacher I Want to Become

I want to be the teacher that all the kids want to have. I want to be the fun one, but one that students can learn from. I want to be the leader of an engaging, interesting, and exciting learning environment. I want to be able to do what it takes for my students to learn. I want to be the understanding one that students can confide in. I want to be the funny one that students can tell jokes with. I want to be the optimistic one that students find it easy to catch the contagious positive attitude from.

Photograph

The wall is protecting the sleeping man from the crashing waves. Without the wall, he would not able to lay in peace on the comforting sand. The man in his multimillion dollar condo is also thankful for the wall. Without it, his home would be over the water, the waves threatening to come inside when it storms. Instead, he reads peacefully, unknowing of the man that sleeps below. The day is beautiful, absolutely perfect for enjoying the rays of the sun. Its a welcome spring like day after the cool winter, but the gusty winds still call for sweaters.

Free Write

First off, I don't like writing "whatever I want"...especially on days that I'm blank. My mind is still on Spring Break. I cannot get myself to wake up early and get things done like I used to. I feel lazy, and I don't like it! But as for something more important, I don't agree with the Health Care bill. (The only reason I'm writing about this is because it was one of the topics Dr. Hara listed in her suggestions of open topics) Many of my friends' parents work very hard for their money and/or have their own businesses. For example, my boyfriend's dad owns his own computer repair and sales company. I don't know much about the bill besides that its going to hurt businesspeople and working class such as my boyfriend's father. (I would normally know quite a bit about topics like this...but like I said, my mind is still on Spring Break!) I just read that one part of the bill says that all eligible for Medicaid WILL be enrolled, no choice. I don't like this. People should have a choice. Isn't that what our country is about? Thats giving away EVEN MORE of our hard earned money to people that don't work because they're lazy. Yes, I'm aware...not ALL are just lazy....but plenty are to make it upsetting to me that they're taking my money...I should CHOOSE to help people less fortunate than myself, not be forced to.

Conferencing

It is obviously important to have conferences with each student on a regular basis. They need to hear the feedback, and not just the marks made by the teacher on their paper. Having just one or two conferences here and there is not enough. They need constant feedback, advice, praise, and encouragement. Students' learning hinges on the response and direction of the teacher. How will they learn without hearing what they need to do better? On top of that, the teacher needs to stay in control of the conference no matter what, especially if the student becomes angry or emotional when receiving back graded work. In terms of the topic of the paper, she should respond like a human being-- sympathy when they wrote about something sad, happiness when they wrote about something joyful, and laugh when its meant to be funny. Students need to hear that the teacher really cared what they wrote about, not just the mechanical errors, transitions, grammar, and other aspects of writing-- focus on the deeper meaning of it. Try to see what the student is trying to say, and guide them in that direction of writing a well written paper with minimal errors but keep in mind...this takes a long time! Its the process, revisions, and drafts that are important.

Writer's Workshop

I like the idea of students getting comfortable. They see it as something to have fun with, and not a sit-in-your-desk-and-work kind of chore. They get to write with any utensil they choose, whether that be markers, pens, etc. Writing is just a way to put your thoughts in words, not necessarily a pencil and paper thing. I also like the sharing of their work everyday. I think it is important to recieve feedback on a daily basis, and the opportunity to share the work a student is so proud of is an equally important idea. If someone is proud of something, they want nothing other than to share it with everyone. At least that is the case in myself. I know that when I do something I'm proud of, those around me are going to know it.