Photos of My Classroom

Here are some after pictures of my classroom!

The school where I'll be teaching emphasizes character education, as well as academics. They have five lifeskills which are the following: truthfulness, trustworthiness, no put-downs, active listening, and personal best. There are Bible verse that go along with each. In the center of each flower, a lifeskill is written down.

This is one of the bulletin boards in my classroom... I'm not sure what I'm going to put up yet.

One of these boards (right) will be my "math meeting" board, and the other will be my classroom jobs board. The board on the left was a REALLY old chalk board. Kimberly and I figured out a way to make it look like a bulletin board, so it really looks nice now! I'm just going to have to constantly remind myself and the students that they can't place tacks in it.

I love the bookshelves in the back of the room! It's so nice for storage. I need to get some more organizing done, but it looks so much better than it did when I first saw it!

Sorry for the lousy quality of the pictures. I took these pictures with my phone.

Setting Up My Classroom

Well, I've been working on my classroom this week... it's so much fun to be working in the room! I've gone through the pile of stuff the old teacher left, organized most of my classroom library (though I have to sort and label the books the other teacher left for me to use), and transported all my materials from the house to the classroom... my husband is glad to have them out of the spare room and I must admit, I am, too.  Soon, I'm going to be putting up my bulletin board sets, etc.  

I've seen pictures and read information on 16 out of my 18 students.  I'm going to have 11 girls and 8 boys.  Every student seems to be well-behaved and respectful.  I'm sure we'll have our challenges, but initially, it looks like a wonderful group!  

I have a job!

That's right, people!  I was offered a third grade teaching position at the private school in which I interviewed.  I have already been having a great time planning my classroom layout, theme, etc. I go on Monday to sign my contract!

Second Meeting

In about an hour, I'll be leaving for the second meeting with the private school! Needless to say, I'm very excited and hopeful that they will offer me the job today. David and I have decided that if they offer it, I will accept it. I've talked with principals and other public school personnel, and the options there are ridiculously limited right now. They're actually firing teachers rather than hiring them. Obviously, they are not looking good for recent graduates. They're scrambling to place tenured teachers. So, that's why I decided to look into the private sphere.

Check Out this Website

While googling information about centers and setting up a classroom, I came across this website. It has a plethora of great information.  Check out MsPowell.com when you have a chance!

Finally!

The principal called me today!  She wants me to come to talk to the other third grade teacher next Thursday!  I'm getting very excited about the possibility of knowing what's going on next school year!  I so hope that I won't be subbing anymore... I am ready for a classroom to call my own!  

Anxiously Waiting

I still haven't heard from the school where I had my interview!  I'm really hoping that they will call before the week is out.  It's almost more nerve racking after the fact than before.  I guess I'm not-so-patiently waiting to hear.  

Interview Today

My first interview was today. I believe the interview went really well. I got there a little bit early (which I've heard is what you're supposed to do), and gave myself time to gather my composure. By the time the principal called me into her office, I was feeling okay. She had my resume (which I had copies of, just in case she didn't have it with her) and basically went through it, asking me questions about each section. She asked me how I had helped students improve their reading fluency, how I planned to manage my classroom, what my strengths and weaknesses are, the whole nine yards. She also asked me about my student teaching experiences, as well as why I would enjoy teaching in a private school. Regardless of whether she offers me the position or not, I'm very thankful for the experience of a teaching interview. After perusing my teaching portfolio (a whopping 100 or so pages), she took me on a tour of the school. By the time I left, I had been with her for over an hour, something various people have mentioned is a good sign. We were even able to visit several classrooms. All of them looked very inviting, and the students seemed very respectful. At the end, she told me that she was going to be calling my references and get back to me very soon. I thought that it was a good indicator. After leaving the school, I stopped by the post office to mail a "thank you" note to her for her time. 

All in all, I feel good about the interview. I answered the questions in a way that she seemed to like, my educational philosophy "matched" the school's very well, and I was familiar with most of the curriculum (except Six plus one writing... I'm going to have to look that one up tonight). They are very big into integrated instruction, which is good, as well as Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences (which is amazing... I'm so glad about that! I did lots of research on that in college and it was my personal goal to reflect his intelligences in my lessons).

Volusia County is going through a hiring freeze due to budget cuts, so it's looking like private education is going to be my best bet. I'm still going to be taking my resume to different public schools in hopes of getting an interview with them. 

Owen and Mzee

If you haven’t read the book Owen and Mzee, you’re missiong out! It’s a wonderful, real-life story about a hippopotamus and an Aldabra tortoise who become friends despite their differences. Owen, a baby hippo, was separated from his family during a horrible tragedy and turns to Mzee for help. This is a great book to help students understand diversity, resiliency, and other important issues.

Owenandmzee.com has real-life pictures of Owen and Mzee in their home in Kenya. It also has some great resources for students, teachers, and parents.

Owen and Mzee have even made it on YouTube!

Gifted Hands

If you haven't read the book Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, I suggest that you go to the library and pick it up.  It's the story of a well-known neurosurgeon who has saved the lives of many, many children. It's also a guy version of the "Cinderella story."  A young man grows up without much in the world and ends up being a top physician at Johns Hopkins.  It's an amazing story!  I think portions of this book could be read to even very young children to show them what can happen if you put your mind to something.  

Visit Dr. Carson's website to find out more about him.  

The First Six Weeks...

On Saturday, I ran into a lady who teaches in a nearby county. She had some really great suggestions and ideas. One of her suggestions was to check out the Responsive Classroom website, and sign up for their free newsletter. She also suggested purchasing The First Six Weeks of School by Paula Denton and Roxann Kriete. You can check it out on Amazon.com. I ordered the book and the free newsletters, so I just wanted to pass along a suggestion I found helpful!

Interview Questions

With an interview in a little over a week, I've been searching the 'net for potential questions, etc. I found this website today (click here). It's a list of interview questions Virginia Tech put together. I copied and pasted them into a word document, and I've been typing my answers.  I think this will give me something to look over the night before my interview.  

Interesting

Today, I read something about poetry being neglected in elementary schools.  As I thought about my student teaching experience, as well as my literacy classes in college, I realized that poetry was not a priority.  As I read, I was motivated to begin looking for quality poetry to utilize in my future classroom.  

One way the article mentioned to use poetry is for "brain breaks."  When you're about to transition into a new subject or just need a few minutes for the kids to clear their minds, 3 minute poetry breaks would be a great idea.  Kids love to hear a poem or two from one of Shel Silverstein's collections.  You could look beforehand for a poem that goes with the content you will be teaching or simply select one you believe your students will enjoy.  

Great Teaching Book

If you have never read The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Katheryn Lasky, it is a really good book.  It's a picture book, but it has unbelievable content!  I would use it in a lesson on ancient Greece or Athens, geography, science, or the like.  It could be used in so many ways. You should check it out and consider adding it to your stash of "teaching books."  

The School Library Journal said: 

Grade 2-5. This picture book covers the life of Eratosthenes of Cyrene, a geographer who estimated the circumference of the Earth in around 200 B.C.. Though he was in fact a librarian, he is famous for his scientific accomplishments. Since little is known about his personal life, Lasky describes his early years in general terms. He liked to ask questions, loved learning at the gymnasium, and sailed off to Athens to further his studies. He became tutor to the son of King Ptolemy III of Egypt, and eventually became the head of Alexandria's magnificent library. Readers don't come to know the subject intimately, but they do get to know his times very well. The narrative is filled with fascinating details about his world. Hawkes's illustrations make a large contribution, as they contain authentic examples of the art, architecture, and social structure of ancient life. His paintings are rich and warm and filled with touches of humor, making the people, as well as their environment, come alive. The pictures combine with the text to give a clear explanation of how the man came to make his key discovery about the Earth's circumference. A fine combination of history, science, and biography.

Very First Interview!

I have an interview!  

The date:  4.7.2008

The time:  1:30 p.m.

The school is one of the top private schools in the nation (or so I've heard), so that is encouraging. I printed out the scope and sequence charts for various grades to look over before my interview, and I'm going to make sure I'm familiar with the mission statement of the school, etc.  I'm really hoping that the interview goes well.  If all else fails, I simply want to have one interview under my belt.  

Welcome!

As a future teacher (looking for a job), I am certain that there are others out there just like me: recent graduates (or soon-to-be graduates) of a teacher education program.  Even though we don't have jobs, we are teachers.  We have a desire to be the best teachers we can be. Here is where I will share my teaching ideas, job hunting escapades, and various teacher stuff. If you are in the same boat, and would like to join me, let me know, and perhaps this could be a collaborative blog!