tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27168886148779357882024-02-06T21:08:30.805-08:00Musings of a Future TeacherAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-2261721726034891622012-05-18T12:55:00.002-07:002012-05-18T12:55:45.334-07:00TestAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-74419684566893156512008-07-12T07:04:00.001-07:002008-07-12T07:05:29.351-07:00Photos of My Classroom<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">Here are some after pictures of my classroom! </span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vrlLWFi9HxYW-lhCQhWp0TxxOdcz5eR2sI97JE_kKyDt01jmoyYZZ7pU59krm8Zc-gDtdVPyn3TvLm4smaF0HUNYTVGDIAS9Xz-u4-YedsedPShhnv3ua4o0A6HGYnOnXy4W4pW2Kew/s1600-h/07-09-08_1535.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vrlLWFi9HxYW-lhCQhWp0TxxOdcz5eR2sI97JE_kKyDt01jmoyYZZ7pU59krm8Zc-gDtdVPyn3TvLm4smaF0HUNYTVGDIAS9Xz-u4-YedsedPShhnv3ua4o0A6HGYnOnXy4W4pW2Kew/s320/07-09-08_1535.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221839029685893858" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">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. <br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCV2XgiJ8Lv6rhHQ9lJyCx1wISTg0syEbV63GbRQyY67j9W69MFMzeRYXH45IrWwEMkPWW33VqLmsdHBG2b4J2BWLVAMoXG3jxp36DcmdxtmtsHbNxke6cPPCS_w0qtNsYEKaAlVaV3Y/s1600-h/07-09-08_1536.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCV2XgiJ8Lv6rhHQ9lJyCx1wISTg0syEbV63GbRQyY67j9W69MFMzeRYXH45IrWwEMkPWW33VqLmsdHBG2b4J2BWLVAMoXG3jxp36DcmdxtmtsHbNxke6cPPCS_w0qtNsYEKaAlVaV3Y/s320/07-09-08_1536.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221839032418512178" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">This is one of the bulletin boards in my classroom... I'm not sure what I'm going to put up yet. <br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKI5y5ltMeu5B7Mc2x_Blf-T_-G95DaWPNafGZ8Sf_6MPN1poJqDV4b_ewi33nIbsUUflj6mmnd6Vghemld5m94Q05anXHERVOx253hNmJT9YIpo4VCAW7P69tTvNtpUyz_GBQohW-6U/s1600-h/07-09-08_1537.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKI5y5ltMeu5B7Mc2x_Blf-T_-G95DaWPNafGZ8Sf_6MPN1poJqDV4b_ewi33nIbsUUflj6mmnd6Vghemld5m94Q05anXHERVOx253hNmJT9YIpo4VCAW7P69tTvNtpUyz_GBQohW-6U/s320/07-09-08_1537.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221839033631368034" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">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. <br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ7wRmNGMVURslpWUNN7Ig5eGbhfLMBNY5yJyr7cnKs-7HzmQ_pio4-adiS3DaRHEyNU4VoxgwUWhWJRuPmtbNjddfNmc4tafKPVtFkcodvZ4ZJjYvdbd7au51qpenrqhsI75AXXiBOo/s1600-h/07-09-08_1538.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ7wRmNGMVURslpWUNN7Ig5eGbhfLMBNY5yJyr7cnKs-7HzmQ_pio4-adiS3DaRHEyNU4VoxgwUWhWJRuPmtbNjddfNmc4tafKPVtFkcodvZ4ZJjYvdbd7au51qpenrqhsI75AXXiBOo/s320/07-09-08_1538.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221839038341107122" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">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! <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sorry for the lousy quality of the pictures. I took these pictures with my phone. </div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/203/A0A49F909697D0055746171EED79B579.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-20014692494246436162008-06-19T07:45:00.000-07:002008-06-19T07:49:12.153-07:00Setting Up My ClassroomWell, 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. <div><br /></div><div>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! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-87451012133891989212008-05-07T15:39:00.000-07:002008-05-07T15:40:51.847-07:00I 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!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-76826113761620008522008-04-24T10:37:00.001-07:002008-04-24T10:40:14.960-07:00Second Meeting<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-3824672278692490392008-04-18T10:20:00.000-07:002008-04-18T10:21:12.699-07:00Check Out this WebsiteWhile googling information about centers and setting up a classroom, I came across this website. It has a plethora of great information. Check out <a href="http://www.mspowell.com/">MsPowell.com </a>when you have a chance!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-73116711800288424192008-04-17T20:20:00.001-07:002008-04-17T20:21:24.101-07:00Finally!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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">knowing </span>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! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-78946013689616201122008-04-16T22:12:00.001-07:002008-04-16T22:12:58.541-07:00Anxiously Waiting<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">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. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-82041932122730038192008-04-07T20:21:00.000-07:002008-04-07T20:22:23.928-07:00Interview Today<div style="text-align: justify;">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. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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).<br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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. <br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-2469026004035923072008-04-03T12:15:00.000-07:002008-04-03T12:31:13.487-07:00Owen and Mzee<div style="text-align: justify;">If you haven’t read the book <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Owen and Mzee</span>, 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.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.owenandmzee.com/omweb/">Owenandmzee.com</a> has real-life pictures of Owen and Mzee in their home in Kenya. It also has some great resources for students, teachers, and parents.<br /><br />Owen and Mzee have even made it on YouTube! <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i2Kc2y-geiU&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i2Kc2y-geiU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-21573962872343390972008-04-01T14:57:00.000-07:002008-04-01T16:02:49.997-07:00Gifted Hands<div style="text-align: justify;">If you haven't read the book <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">, 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. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Visit Dr. Carson's <a href="http://www.drbencarson.com/index.html">website</a> to find out more about him. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-67657560292098480902008-03-31T14:29:00.000-07:002008-03-31T14:45:57.042-07:00The First Six Weeks...<div style="text-align: justify;">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 <a href="http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/">Responsive Classroom</a> website, and sign up for their free newsletter. She also suggested purchasing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The First Six Weeks of School</span> by Paula Denton and Roxann Kriete. You can check it out on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1892989042/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending#R3LEE8QKOX9H1A">Amazon.com</a>. I ordered the book and the free newsletters, so I just wanted to pass along a suggestion I found helpful! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-63827088974712310032008-03-29T18:44:00.001-07:002008-03-31T14:32:39.979-07:00Interview Questions<div style="text-align: justify;">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 <a href="http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/interview/TEACHER.htm">here</a>). 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. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-81006884806910018772008-03-28T16:54:00.000-07:002008-03-28T16:58:19.865-07:00Interesting<div style="text-align: justify;">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. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-63184311909884898442008-03-28T10:31:00.000-07:002008-03-28T10:39:35.889-07:00Great Teaching Book<div style="text-align: justify;">If you have never read <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Librarian Who Measured the Earth </span>by Katheryn Lasky<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">, </span>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." <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">School Library Journal </span>said: </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Grade 2-5</span>. 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.<br /></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-39785229658046967352008-03-27T14:16:00.000-07:002008-03-27T14:20:04.299-07:00Very First Interview!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I have an interview! <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The date: 4.7.2008</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The time: 1:30 p.m.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983959802378587038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716888614877935788.post-66110673376127523772008-03-27T09:40:00.000-07:002008-03-31T14:33:15.800-07:00Welcome!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">are</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 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! </span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1