It has been a strange couple of weeks, with only being at school a 1.5 days last week and only 3 days this week. Then looking forward the students only have 8 days of school before spring break. There is a lot of learning we are going to have to cram into those 8 days.
I will have to say, coming back to school, the students did really well, I even heard a few say that they were ready to come back and they were getting kind of bored at home. I can understand that, I was, truth be told, ready to come back to. My reason, I was tired of being in my house, those walls were starting to bother me.
I did have an interesting lunch on Wednesday, I had finished and was going to the teachers lounge when one of my students stopped me in the hall. This student was complaining about another student hanging around where they ate lunch and this student was starting to get on their nerves. They had asked tried joking around and asking him to leave, but this student just stayed.
This caught me a bit off guard and I could tell that it was upsetting my student, however, the other student was not doing anything bad, and was eating lunch. There was not a whole lot I could do. So I just tried to hang around and explain to my student that this other kid had every right to be there as much as they did, even though that was there "lunch spot." I did tell my student that if he was starting to get really annoyed he should come and get me, I was always in my room eating lunch, which is just around the corner.
I talked to my student again on Friday and the student told me that they pictured this other student's face on their punching bag and beat it up. I told my student that was a healthy way to deal with their aggression, but to keep that focus on the punching bag and not this other student. I said that it was not worth getting suspended over and I reiterated that I was in my room eating lunch everyday and to come and get me or join me if these aggressive feelings were starting to take over and they felt like they may lose it. I would rather have them in my room then suspended. I will just have to keep monitoring the situation, but I hope what I said has sunk in, but one never knows.
If anyone has any other advice, I am open to suggestions. This student is a good kid and I hope they make the better choice.
Hope everyone has a great 5 day week, which will seem strange after the last couple of weeks.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
A crazy 1.5 day week
I just have to say I am feeling much better, however I passed this crude onto my father, who ended up with pnemunia. Ooops!
For all of us it has been a strange week, we at North didn't have school on Monday and then had in service on Tuesday. In services were somewhat informative, they are never my favorite part of the year, but necessary. Though it did give me some good information on what we can do in a crisis situation.
Then came Wednesday, our first day of the week back with students. Our first class was rolling along just fine. We were working with students on writing movie reviews. They did enjoy many of the reviews I had chosen, such as, the review for the movie Ted, Safe Haven, and Identity Thief. I was trying to pick movies that they would see, either in the theaters, rent or watch online. With in the Ted review I did have to censor that one, for those of you who have seen it, they had included some of the lyrics to the 'Thunder Buddy,' Song.
Students seemed to enjoy the exercise, we gave them a graphic organizer that helped them look for important information that they could use as an example for their own movie reviews. We then gave them time to catch up on work that they still needed to turn in.
As student's were working I started to notice the weather was starting to get worse, I called my parents in McPherson to see what the weather was like up there to try and gage how long I should or could stay at school. It became evident that the weather was not getting better and I did not make it through one class period. I appreciate both of my CTs, when I talked to them they both told me to go home. I am glad I did listen to them, because just between 13th street and the I-235 & K-96 Bypass I saw 6 different accidents.
It was a long and slow drive home, but I made it safe and sound and spent one day relaxing and the next scooping our very long drive. I can say this, I am really, really sore today, but at least we can now get to the store with out having to dig our cars out. Hope you all had a lovely and warm couple of snow days. Have a great week.
For all of us it has been a strange week, we at North didn't have school on Monday and then had in service on Tuesday. In services were somewhat informative, they are never my favorite part of the year, but necessary. Though it did give me some good information on what we can do in a crisis situation.
Then came Wednesday, our first day of the week back with students. Our first class was rolling along just fine. We were working with students on writing movie reviews. They did enjoy many of the reviews I had chosen, such as, the review for the movie Ted, Safe Haven, and Identity Thief. I was trying to pick movies that they would see, either in the theaters, rent or watch online. With in the Ted review I did have to censor that one, for those of you who have seen it, they had included some of the lyrics to the 'Thunder Buddy,' Song.
Students seemed to enjoy the exercise, we gave them a graphic organizer that helped them look for important information that they could use as an example for their own movie reviews. We then gave them time to catch up on work that they still needed to turn in.
As student's were working I started to notice the weather was starting to get worse, I called my parents in McPherson to see what the weather was like up there to try and gage how long I should or could stay at school. It became evident that the weather was not getting better and I did not make it through one class period. I appreciate both of my CTs, when I talked to them they both told me to go home. I am glad I did listen to them, because just between 13th street and the I-235 & K-96 Bypass I saw 6 different accidents.
It was a long and slow drive home, but I made it safe and sound and spent one day relaxing and the next scooping our very long drive. I can say this, I am really, really sore today, but at least we can now get to the store with out having to dig our cars out. Hope you all had a lovely and warm couple of snow days. Have a great week.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
In Sickness and In Health
I thought I was done with all the junk that was going around. This week has that was a lie. I will say this, being sick and trying to teach can be an interesting combination.
It made my week interesting, starting with the drive to Wichita. Once I was up and moving around the classroom I was a bit better and meds were helpful. I am still getting over this nasty cold as I type this and I hope it makes sense, if not, blame the cold.
The week started out OK, a tickle in my throat, a stuffy nose and a small cough, but by the time Wednesday and Thursday rolled around, all of those things had multiplied. However, I was not running a fever, so I went to school. This was straight out of my mother's playbook. She had to be really, really sick before she would stay home.
Teaching did become interesting and I am surprised that the student's understood what I was talking about. At times I felt bad, because I knew I could be a more effective teacher, had I not had this foggy brain. I would forget about my time table or forget to mention something else on the subject of movie reviews, so my CT would need to jump in and remind me. I felt like such a blonde.
Being sick and dealing with discipline can also be a new task. When I am sick my patience is slim to zilch. I had a student that would not behave and it was taking everything I had not to snap, even when this student started to give me attitude. I got the situation handled and pulled the student aside later to talk about what was going on during the lesson and why I had relocated them. Then I just really wanted to go take a nap, because that just wore me out. Blessed be, we had lunch right after and I had no more students the rest of the day.
Well, I am going to cut this short, before I stop making sense, if I did make any sense to begin with. Hope you all have a great week and avoid the junk that is going around.
It made my week interesting, starting with the drive to Wichita. Once I was up and moving around the classroom I was a bit better and meds were helpful. I am still getting over this nasty cold as I type this and I hope it makes sense, if not, blame the cold.
The week started out OK, a tickle in my throat, a stuffy nose and a small cough, but by the time Wednesday and Thursday rolled around, all of those things had multiplied. However, I was not running a fever, so I went to school. This was straight out of my mother's playbook. She had to be really, really sick before she would stay home.
Teaching did become interesting and I am surprised that the student's understood what I was talking about. At times I felt bad, because I knew I could be a more effective teacher, had I not had this foggy brain. I would forget about my time table or forget to mention something else on the subject of movie reviews, so my CT would need to jump in and remind me. I felt like such a blonde.
Being sick and dealing with discipline can also be a new task. When I am sick my patience is slim to zilch. I had a student that would not behave and it was taking everything I had not to snap, even when this student started to give me attitude. I got the situation handled and pulled the student aside later to talk about what was going on during the lesson and why I had relocated them. Then I just really wanted to go take a nap, because that just wore me out. Blessed be, we had lunch right after and I had no more students the rest of the day.
Well, I am going to cut this short, before I stop making sense, if I did make any sense to begin with. Hope you all have a great week and avoid the junk that is going around.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
The first full week is in the bag and I can say truthfully I'm feeling pretty good. Student teaching is going well, I'm still getting used to being there all day everyday. Other then that life is pretty good. The Red Day Students are starting to warm up to me and feeling comfortable enough to ask me questions. My White Day Students are feeling comfortable enough to give me a hard time, which I enjoy.
On Monday, one of the student's in my 4th hour class stopped me in the hall an asked me if I would be in class on Tuesday. The Friday before I had been taking care of the Seniors Cap and Gown Pictures all morning so I was not in class. I told the student I would be and that seemed to make their day. I don't think they realized that it also made mine. Those are the little moments that make me truly confident I am going into the right profession.
Even with those moments I'm still a bit nervous. When I started all this four years ago, the end seemed so far away and now that it is only months away a feel a twinge of apprehension. Parents are really going to trust me with the education of their children. That's a lot of pressure.
Well, enough about my feelings, on to the classroom. The only bit I am finding hard to work with is some classroom management. It's hard to come in and work with students who have been able to get away with stuff that I, personally, would not allow. I'm trying to find that fine line, I don't want to step on any toes. So that has been a bit tricky, I think we will be able to get all those things worked out. I agree with my other teacher on the issues of letting students sit around and not do anything during class and not work on assignments. I understand it is that teachers philosophy and that is fine, it's just not mine. So, I will be working on that.
Other then that I am getting along swimmingly with both of my teachers. They do make for a fun environment, which I like. Now it is off to get ready for another week and more learning. Hope you all have a great week!!!!!
On Monday, one of the student's in my 4th hour class stopped me in the hall an asked me if I would be in class on Tuesday. The Friday before I had been taking care of the Seniors Cap and Gown Pictures all morning so I was not in class. I told the student I would be and that seemed to make their day. I don't think they realized that it also made mine. Those are the little moments that make me truly confident I am going into the right profession.
Even with those moments I'm still a bit nervous. When I started all this four years ago, the end seemed so far away and now that it is only months away a feel a twinge of apprehension. Parents are really going to trust me with the education of their children. That's a lot of pressure.
Well, enough about my feelings, on to the classroom. The only bit I am finding hard to work with is some classroom management. It's hard to come in and work with students who have been able to get away with stuff that I, personally, would not allow. I'm trying to find that fine line, I don't want to step on any toes. So that has been a bit tricky, I think we will be able to get all those things worked out. I agree with my other teacher on the issues of letting students sit around and not do anything during class and not work on assignments. I understand it is that teachers philosophy and that is fine, it's just not mine. So, I will be working on that.
Other then that I am getting along swimmingly with both of my teachers. They do make for a fun environment, which I like. Now it is off to get ready for another week and more learning. Hope you all have a great week!!!!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
It is now a few months in and I have to say that I could not be happier with the way that my students are progressing. The yearbook is coming along wonderfully. I am starting to feel a bit more confident when using InDesign. I still have a lot to learn, there are so many different steps that have to be taken to place photos and text. I am still working on relearning it all.
The students have been wonderful and trying to keep me up to date with what they have been working on and what they have been doing to gather their information. They are still a bit unsure on choosing the right pictures, so we have spent time going through pictures and discussing why this one would be good or why it would be a bad picture.
We are also starting coming up on the first deadline, which they are not so thrilled about. They are now starting to realize that its approaching crunch time. This is a pretty laid back class and sometimes keeping them on task can be a challenge. However, I think with the deadline looming up ahead they are starting to realize that they need to really buckle down and get to work.
I have also had the chance to sit down and start reviewing these pages. There are some really good ones, ones that need a little work and then there are those that really need some work. I can really tell which ones have been on task so far and have really been working on their pages. I just have to keep in mind that for most of these students this is the first time they have worked on a yearbook or a project of this nature.
I have also been working with the newspaper staff, though I don't get to see them as often. I have already taught one lesson for them. I did that lesson on the use of the AP Stylebook, a book that if any of them are planning a career in journalism, will find it to be one of their best friends. This book is a set of rules that guides all journalists. It can be a bit confusing at first but once they start using it more often, they will become more comfortable with the book.
In the lesson, I went through what it was and what it is used for. I believe that like a new computer program, sometimes the easiest way to learn how to use it is to just start playing around with it. So, I went through some of the major sections that the students would be working with most often. I gave them examples and had them look up the answers. I would not just allow them to throw out answers, but they had to explain to me where in the book they found it and the reason the book gives.
I have already noticed that a few of them have started to use the book, which is nice to see. There are a couple of students in this class that I can see have a very successful journalism career. Maybe one day I will see their name in the newspaper, as a by-line.
The students have been wonderful and trying to keep me up to date with what they have been working on and what they have been doing to gather their information. They are still a bit unsure on choosing the right pictures, so we have spent time going through pictures and discussing why this one would be good or why it would be a bad picture.
We are also starting coming up on the first deadline, which they are not so thrilled about. They are now starting to realize that its approaching crunch time. This is a pretty laid back class and sometimes keeping them on task can be a challenge. However, I think with the deadline looming up ahead they are starting to realize that they need to really buckle down and get to work.
I have also had the chance to sit down and start reviewing these pages. There are some really good ones, ones that need a little work and then there are those that really need some work. I can really tell which ones have been on task so far and have really been working on their pages. I just have to keep in mind that for most of these students this is the first time they have worked on a yearbook or a project of this nature.
I have also been working with the newspaper staff, though I don't get to see them as often. I have already taught one lesson for them. I did that lesson on the use of the AP Stylebook, a book that if any of them are planning a career in journalism, will find it to be one of their best friends. This book is a set of rules that guides all journalists. It can be a bit confusing at first but once they start using it more often, they will become more comfortable with the book.
In the lesson, I went through what it was and what it is used for. I believe that like a new computer program, sometimes the easiest way to learn how to use it is to just start playing around with it. So, I went through some of the major sections that the students would be working with most often. I gave them examples and had them look up the answers. I would not just allow them to throw out answers, but they had to explain to me where in the book they found it and the reason the book gives.
I have already noticed that a few of them have started to use the book, which is nice to see. There are a couple of students in this class that I can see have a very successful journalism career. Maybe one day I will see their name in the newspaper, as a by-line.
My Goals for the Semester or what I had planned months ago and forgot to write
I will be honest, I didn't know what type of goals I would need to set for myself. Now that I have been there for awhile or four months, I have a better idea of things I still need to work on.
I now have a better understanding of things that I still need to learn a bit more about. One of those is InDesign. It is the program that they use to design the yearbook and newspaper pages. It has been close to two years since I have used the program but only for a few weeks, so I did not gain as much knowledge as I would have liked. I guess I will need to spend more time getting to know this program better. Some of what I did learn in my class, is starting to come back, but I still wish I was more proficient.
The class I have been observing has started designing and making decisions about how they want to put their yearbook together. It goes without saying that it has been numerous years since I worked on a yearbook. We did not have the technology that these students have today. It is going to take me some time to learn about all the new programs. Josten's has a number of different templates for page design, so that they do not have to come up with one of their own. Which, in my day was not an easy task. So, I will also need to get to know how to use that one as well.
As we have started working on the yearbook, I have noticed a few areas that every student needs to be more mindful of and that is picture taking, picking the right picture and picture placement. I have already talked to my CT about a lesson on picture placement, particularly when you have a photo that runs through the gutter of the book. It's not something that anyone would think of when they are looking at the page on the computer and this is just something that comes with experience. I have already pointed this out to a few of them and explained why. I believe that it will be beneficial for everyone of staff to have a short lesson on what to look for and what will work for a picture that runs through the gutter of the book.
All that being said, really, my one major goal is to help guide my students through the tricks and trivialities of putting a great yearbook together. It's not always easy and it takes a lot of work and sometimes a few tears. I just want to be their to help them through it all.
I now have a better understanding of things that I still need to learn a bit more about. One of those is InDesign. It is the program that they use to design the yearbook and newspaper pages. It has been close to two years since I have used the program but only for a few weeks, so I did not gain as much knowledge as I would have liked. I guess I will need to spend more time getting to know this program better. Some of what I did learn in my class, is starting to come back, but I still wish I was more proficient.
The class I have been observing has started designing and making decisions about how they want to put their yearbook together. It goes without saying that it has been numerous years since I worked on a yearbook. We did not have the technology that these students have today. It is going to take me some time to learn about all the new programs. Josten's has a number of different templates for page design, so that they do not have to come up with one of their own. Which, in my day was not an easy task. So, I will also need to get to know how to use that one as well.
As we have started working on the yearbook, I have noticed a few areas that every student needs to be more mindful of and that is picture taking, picking the right picture and picture placement. I have already talked to my CT about a lesson on picture placement, particularly when you have a photo that runs through the gutter of the book. It's not something that anyone would think of when they are looking at the page on the computer and this is just something that comes with experience. I have already pointed this out to a few of them and explained why. I believe that it will be beneficial for everyone of staff to have a short lesson on what to look for and what will work for a picture that runs through the gutter of the book.
All that being said, really, my one major goal is to help guide my students through the tricks and trivialities of putting a great yearbook together. It's not always easy and it takes a lot of work and sometimes a few tears. I just want to be their to help them through it all.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Where was In Design?
Needless to say, my blogs have not been like the rest of the groups. I guess if I'm going to be a good teacher, I had better make sure I have the right instructions and that I read them correctly! Oops.
It has been a crazy semester and its only gonna get worse as we head toward finals. Between working two jobs and a full class load, I am truly amazed my brain is not complete mush.
I have been enjoying my practicum and the students have been wonderful. I enjoy watching the yearbook staff, as they create this book that a lot of students will hold onto for the rest of their lives. I have been learning quit a bit from them as well. I knew going into this observation I was going to be a little behind and was going to have to learn on the fly. It has been almost two years since I last used In Design and features have changed. Though I do have to say that Josten's templates are awesome. It makes it easier for the staff to work on their pages. They just have to go in and pull up the design they need and start inserting pictures and text.
I just have to ask, where was this when I was on yearbook staff in high school. Life would have been so much easier.
But, getting back to In Design, this is not as easy as say Publisher. There are so many more steps that have to be taken to get what you want. Thankfully, they did produce a book on using In Design and my CT was wonderful enough to let me borrow it, so that I could read up on the new features. I have also been looking for a copy of the program, but have not had a whole lot of luck. I may just have to break down and buy an old copy.
Since photography is something I love, I have enjoyed being able to teach the students a little something about it. They are used to the point and shot casual family and friend fun pictures. But now they are starting to look at what pictures are good and what make bad ones. I did a lesson on pictures that go in a dominant spot but happens to run through the gutter of the book. The gutter is what we call the center of the book where the two facing pages come together at the spin. Basically explaining to them that they don't want people to be cut in half or have their faces buried in the gutter of the book. Number one, it doesn't look good and number two, I don't think that person would be to pleased with the picture. They have started to become more aware of these types of things and I have been asked a bunch if this is a good picture or if that picture would look better. It's been fun.
Well, the semester is winding down and like all students I am looking forward to Christmas Break. I could use a little break before coming back next semester and student teaching. Here's hoping!!!!
It has been a crazy semester and its only gonna get worse as we head toward finals. Between working two jobs and a full class load, I am truly amazed my brain is not complete mush.
I have been enjoying my practicum and the students have been wonderful. I enjoy watching the yearbook staff, as they create this book that a lot of students will hold onto for the rest of their lives. I have been learning quit a bit from them as well. I knew going into this observation I was going to be a little behind and was going to have to learn on the fly. It has been almost two years since I last used In Design and features have changed. Though I do have to say that Josten's templates are awesome. It makes it easier for the staff to work on their pages. They just have to go in and pull up the design they need and start inserting pictures and text.
I just have to ask, where was this when I was on yearbook staff in high school. Life would have been so much easier.
But, getting back to In Design, this is not as easy as say Publisher. There are so many more steps that have to be taken to get what you want. Thankfully, they did produce a book on using In Design and my CT was wonderful enough to let me borrow it, so that I could read up on the new features. I have also been looking for a copy of the program, but have not had a whole lot of luck. I may just have to break down and buy an old copy.
Since photography is something I love, I have enjoyed being able to teach the students a little something about it. They are used to the point and shot casual family and friend fun pictures. But now they are starting to look at what pictures are good and what make bad ones. I did a lesson on pictures that go in a dominant spot but happens to run through the gutter of the book. The gutter is what we call the center of the book where the two facing pages come together at the spin. Basically explaining to them that they don't want people to be cut in half or have their faces buried in the gutter of the book. Number one, it doesn't look good and number two, I don't think that person would be to pleased with the picture. They have started to become more aware of these types of things and I have been asked a bunch if this is a good picture or if that picture would look better. It's been fun.
Well, the semester is winding down and like all students I am looking forward to Christmas Break. I could use a little break before coming back next semester and student teaching. Here's hoping!!!!
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