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.

Writers Workshop Videos...

I really enjoyed both the videos we watched. I want to teach younger students as well so I hope I am able to implement writing strategies like these in my classroom. In the first video we say I thought it was great that it was a peer discussion. The teacher was only there to facilitate. The children were able to "show off" there writings and illustrations to their other classmates by ready their story aloud and showing the pictures they had drawn. Most of all I liked how the other students not only praised the writer but were able to give them suggestions as well. It showed that the listeners were able to comprehend what the writer had just read. I think the strategy is excellent. It showed they all enjoyed their writings! In the second video the teacher went step by step on how she uses the writer's workshop in her classroom. I loved it! She lets the kids spread out, get comfortable and work with others. It is not a chore for them to write, it is something they are able to enjoy and do well. This was my favorite video and I hope I can implement them in my classroom just as well as these teachers did.

Inspiration...

My mom is the most inspirational person I have ever met. She is my best friend and inspires me each and every day to push forward for the goals I want in my life. She went to college after haveing four children. Juggling college and raising 4 kids she was still able to graduate with a 4.0. I always complain about how tough school can be sometimes and then I think back to what she has accomplished and laugh at myself, knowing she could do it while raising a family makes me believe in myself more. As well she is currently back in school getting her masters. She is doing a program online, while still working. She is the enrichment specialist at an elementary school. So with a full time job, full time mom, she is still able to get her masters. She inspires me more than anyone to stay in school, graduate with honors, and pursure all my goals and dreams.