What to do?

When I get stressed and overwhelmed I always take time to myself. I know I that point I would not be a pleasant person to be around, half the time I do not even want to be around me. Whether it be to sit down and watch my favorite TV show by myself or even just sleep. Sleep cures ecverything. Usually when I am this stressed or overwhelmed by all I have to do, I have a lack of sleep. So actually taking some time to stop everything and take a little nap, to go to bed a little earlier, or wake up a little later always seems to help. As well, I write everything down in my planner, it helps keep my organized and know what I have to do and when I have to do it. When I have down whatever it is I have written in my planner I highlight it. Yes, that is just something little but it is like a sense of accomplishment know I was able to highlight a certain task I completed. I also like to go home on the weekends to relieve some stress, whether it be to just hang out with my faimly, my friends, or my fiance. It helps so much to be away from the place I call home just because of school and to be back in the town I really want to be in. Hanging out with my fiance and friends just for fun, or going out with them helps so much. I can forget about everything I am stressed about and just have fun.

Student Writings

All of the students writings were very different. Many of them had lots of spelling and grammatical errors. I noticed that some of them started with a question or quote. Being in a 4th grade classroom right now I have seen many of my students do this as well. It is something the teachers advise them to do.

What kind of teacher do we want to become...

The kind of teacher I want to be is an inspirational and motivational type teacher. I want my students to want to learn and want to come to class each and every day. I want to be a well-educated teacher who enjoys her job and also wants to be there everyday. As well, I want to be more of a constructivist type teacher. I feel if my students are actively engaged, with lots of discussions and hands on type learning. They will do better in the classroom in the long run.

how many uses....

paper weight, door stop, pen/pencil holder, deck organizer, manipulitive for counting (count the holes), use for science lessons (explain, weight, mass, textures), defense tool(through at some one), breaking in, to decorate with, to build with,

Lesson planning.

Lesson planning is a major part of teaching. It is very obvious that all teachers have their own style of lesson planning, and have learned what works for them. After writing lesson plans myself and reviewing many different ones last week I havecome to find out what works best for me as well. Having to write full out Madiline Hunter lesson plans for each lesson does not seem necessary. However, many of the components in her style of lesson plan are great and should always be used. I feel if you are a more expierenced teacher and have taught the lesson several times to students then you do not need a very detailed, in depth lesson plan. However, if you are writing a lesson plan for the first time you are doing a lesson then I do feel it should be more detailed. It is obvious that the more detailed the lesson plan is the better prepared for that lesson you will be. Also, even for expeienced teachers, you need to write step by step very detailed lesson plans if you are having a substitue teacher that day. They have never been in your classroom and possibly have never taught what you had planned to teach that day, so you as the main teacher need to write everything they may need to know.f

Wedding Planning....

Whoever said wedding planning was something very stressful is crazy! I love it. Granted I have my mom and matron of honor pretty much doing everything, it still is amazing. The only thing stressful is that I am living in Corpus while the wedding planning and wedding will take place southeast of Houston in Clear Lake, which is near my home town. Also, that I am extra busy with school so do not have much time to do anything else. But like I said my mom and best friend are heading it up and taking care of things that need to be done. I know they are both busy women as well so that is why I am so extra thankful to have them and all their help. However over spring break I did get to do alot of the polanning on my own and with them. We are on a budget but to me that almost make it more fun, because I have to look around so many places to find what I like for the price my mom likes. Overall it is a great experience and I can not wait for the day to come....JULY 16TH!!!

Student Conferencing

I think student conferencing is a great tool to use in your classroom not matter what subject it may be. Conferencing with students gives you one on one time with them and lets you really dive in deep into their writing and them as a person. However like we discussed today in class not all students are going to have a postive outcome when it deals with their writing. The scenarios demonstrated in class showed just how many students respond when you give them their writings back and/or want to talk about their writings. Many students get upset or defensive and we as teachers need to know how to handle those situations. The scenarios and then the discussions we had really helped me realize just how I would go about talking to a student in a situation like the ones shown today in class. We also watched a video on a writing workshop conference in the fourth grade. I love how the teacher gives a praise before she goes on to say something the student should fix or work on. To me this shows that you are really interested in that students work and builds the confidence as well as shows them ways they can improve.