Where is the time going??

Is it really October?  I just sat through a goal team meeting and we were planning our fall festival.  It suddenly dawned on me that Thanksgiving is around the corner and then.......ta da.......Christmas!  I then realized that I'm a month behind on my class newsletter.  Oops!  There is simply not enough time in the day.

I'm so thrilled with how my students are responding to Old Yeller.  The book has such good humor and they are enjoying the assignments that I've assigned to each chapter.  I'm so proud of the way they've created their own blog sites.  Every Wednesday we go to the computer lab and they spend their time writing summaries, answering questions, and responding to other blogs.  Parents are even creating their own sites and joining us on the journey.  We will be wrapping up the current unit next week.  I just don't know what book or project to incorporate into the next unit.  I'm sure it will hit me in the middle of the night.

I'm sooooooo thankful my Saturday class on School Resource and Allocation is done.  I enjoyed having the quick class (8 weeks) but really missed having my Saturdays.  I will be taking another Saturday session next semester.  Until then, I will make the most of those days!!!  Making the most definitely includes SLEEP.

I can say that I am certainly being stretched this semester.  I'm learning a lot about prioritizing and just letting the little things that I cannot control go.  Hmmmmm.....unfortunately my house (laundry, cleaning, organizing) seems to be in the "it's gone" category.  Multi-tasking has gone to a whole new level.

It's my sanctuary........

I love being in my classroom.  Go ahead and call me a recluse.  There's nothing like having everything organized and readily accessible.  I have become the guru of organization this year.  It's probably because the calendar pretty much runs me this semester.  With taking 15 hours of college classes, running a gifted program for all grades, and taking on the responsibility of head teacher.......I need to be somewhat organized!  With so much going on, no wonder I like being in my little sanctuary......eh......portable.  Now if I could just get some air conditioning in there.  EEK. 

We are on a roll so far.  I have completed tentative lesson plans thru December and am hoping to stick to my schedule.  Unfortunately for me, I ALWAYS find thing I want to add and have the tendency to get a little off track!  There just sooooo much I want to add and never enough time.  Speaking of which, I was elated to find 20 precious copies of Old Yeller in my mailbox this afternoon.  I've already decided how to break down the book and have students blog about what we are studying every Wednesday.  I introduced them to their laptops yesterday and you would've thought it was Christmas!!!  Perhaps this Monday we will get the accounts set up and ready to go by next week. 

Last night I started my first class of the semester....School Law.  I love my instructor and am fortunate to have him for tomorrow's class as well.  He is an older gentleman and has such a great sense of humor.  I enjoyed hearing about his journey thru education - he began as a custodian and moved all the way up the ladder.  What an inspiration!  The area of school law is so fuzzy to me and seems to cross boundaries, meaning boundaries of special education.  I'm looking forward to digging into this subject and hoping that I can have more clarity by the end of the semester. 

Speaking of fuzzy......the screen is kind of looking that way.  It's late and I must report to my sanctuary in a mere seven hours.   

1st Day Jitters

To this day I still have that excitement in my stomach when the first day of school approaches.  Now granted, I have been teaching summer school and making changes to my classroom as well as attending the famous "we didn't make ayp" meetings since last week.  However, the first day of students returning is an entire different level of excitement.  Except it didn't happen this year.

Instead of greeting all the new little faces this morning, I sit at home sicker than a dog and wondering how it went today.  I'm sad because I couldn't be there but am *hoping* I will be able to go tomorrow.  This nasty bug has gone thru all our family and even little miss ninth grader missed her first day of school as well.  (She is currently snoring on the couch next to me with little groans every once in awhile.  Poor baby.)  And to think we spent so much time figuring out her first day of high school outfit last night!

I'm so looking forward to meeting everyone on my class roster!  My head is spinning (literally.....ouch) about what I want to do this year for my 4th and 5th grade gifted students.  I just ordered a copy of Old Yeller for each student and plan on emerging our little minds into the complexities of that book.  Love me some 'yeller.  The book has 18 chapters and I plan on creating quite the enrichment needed for these bright kiddos.  However, I'm still debating on next semester's book........help!  I was thinking about doing  Where the Red Fern Grows and then doing some comparing/contrast to the two books by the end of the year.  OR, maybe Hatchet?  Got any good suggestions??

I'm also on planning to allow my students to BLOG this year!  Yippee!  We were able to purchase laptops for every student in my class and I'm thrilled that I can incorporate some technology into my lessons.  So looking forward to all this.........

Back to get some rest.  UGH.

Philog #10

Don't you think that we want to be teachers because ultimately, we want to impact children, families, and communities?  Isn't that the goal?
As far as impact to what teaching will do to myself - It seems like the longer I teach, the more I know my subject matter better and better.  It's amazing how that works!!  Teaching doesn't just impact my knowledge, but who I am overall.  It takes discipline to be a teacher and it certainly isn't for the lazy (well, depends on who you talk to), or the fainthearted.  It takes some guts to get before 20 (okay, it's 30 this year) fifth graders and have some sort of organized learning going on.
Teachers are a crucial part of the community.  We chose a place to spend 8+ hours a day in hopes that we can make a difference in our student's lives.  We tutor after school, give up lunch time to work with students, offer assistance in anyway possible, hand out essentials (toothbrushes, soap, food, etc.) and literally create a family unit every school year.  This definitely impacts our community and what we are able to give to them.
Teaching is a service.  I am not in this field to become rich, but to serve the children and families that darken my door every August.  The dream I have is that they go on to better society and to become productive citizens in our country.

Philog #8

The article to me had a lot of insight.  Being able to read about situations was absolutely heartbreaking to me.  This happens all around us and I am saddened by the needs that are simply not being met.  How do you reach out to families with low ses?  Is there a fine line of enabling individuals as well?  It's something that I often struggle with.
The strategies that I will use in my classroom is to just be more aware of the silent rules that are within a certain society.  I also want to be sensitive to why projects and homework is not being completed.  Being able to provide alternatives to children who don't have support and help at home needs to also be in my trick bag.  I currently give an assignment for reading every single night.  There are a few students who just don't do it.  Reading this article made me stop and think about the "why's" on them not completing the assignment.  Maybe there is no one home in the evening?  Maybe mom is too stressed and doesn't want to be bothered?
I want to find other strategies so that I can help these students when no one else is there to offer the help.  By reading this, I now understand the power that we have as educators to speak up and find ways to help our students who come from poor homes.  Their voice is often silent because they are simply in survival mode.  

Philog #9

http://itsnotallflowersandsausages.blogspot.com/

Love this blogspot!  I have no idea where the author lives although she states that she is a teacher somewhere in the United States.  She is witty and and some great ideas on her site.  It's also amazing to me that she recently finished her dissertation and has a baby a little over a year old!  Wow......so motivated!  I enjoyed her recent post regarding the cheating scandal in the Atlanta area. 

Philosophy of Education-VERY Rough Draft

I did not enter college with the mindset of becoming a teacher.  To be honest, it was not even at the top of my list when trying to choose a field of study. Like most undecided freshmen, I took the required courses and on a whim signed up for my first introductory course to education.  It was that single decision that led me to later on become a classroom teacher. 

When considering what I know to be my philosophy of education, it is important that I must also evaluate what has influenced and brought me to this understanding.  The education that was provided to me would be considered as alternative to today’s standards as I was not a product of just public education.    A majority of my schooling years was as a homeschooler but I was also able to attend Christian, private, public, and British schools throughout my elementary through high school years.

As a Christian, what I believe, value, and know to be true is the foundation of my philosophy.  It shapes my entire belief system and therefore is reflected in my classroom.  All decisions that I make are made so that ultimately, I will bring glory to God.  When deciding on how to illustrate lessons, deal with behaviors, or even interacting with parents and cohorts, I am constantly evaluating if my actions are in line to what I have learned from biblical principles. 

Education has several purposes.  In a broader sense, it is used in allowing citizens to become responsible and self-sufficient.  Fudamentally, education is used to teach reading and writing.  It is the foundation for citizens to thrive in a society.  Without this, there would be a lack of moral and ethical values, and an environment that had no clear direction, ambition, or goals. 

I firmly believe that the process of gaining an education is a life-long endeavor.  Looking back, I remember thinking that graduating from high school would be a huge hurdle.  The next goal was college.  Upon graduating and moving into the classroom, I have now come to realize that learning never ceases.  Having this mindset has allowed me to further my knowledge in unusual areas and to gain understanding in what I thought at times what was the impossible to learn.  My desire is to challenge students to continue learning and to never stop pursuing their interests. 

As I have heard so often, I am the gatekeeper to what students will or will not be exposed to.  I am also very well aware that my attitude towards education also influences how my students will interpret different subject matter as well as their overall outlook on their learning.  It is my heart’s desire to impart an excitement for learning and to guide my students in a way that will encourage them to continue throughout their lifetime.    

Philog #6 - Philosophy of Education

I cannot get mine to copy and paste into this blog.  I think it's because I'm using a work computer.  I will try later this evening when I get home.  UGH.

Philog #5

I am humbled by what we have discussed about privilege and power.  The first time I realized my “caucasionism” was when I was a young girl about the age of nine.  We were living in Bossier City, Louisiana in a beautiful home that my parents had renovated.  Down the street, there was a row of three shacks where an African-American family lived.  The conditions were dire.  We passed those three shacks every single day – if not several times a day. 

One Christmas, I summoned up the strength to ask my parents if I could deliver some homemade loaves of bread to this family.  My parents obliged and it was a lesson of a lifetime.  That afternoon I learned what it was for me to be a privileged white girl.  It has left an impression on me to this day.

However, I never fully realized the power that I had.  Even to do this day I do not see myself as better than anyone else because of my skin color.  I am aware that I do have more privilege but I feel that in the same sense, I have privilege because I am also American.

Why do I want to be a teacher?  Because I believe we all have gifts and I truly feel that I have the gift of teaching.  My heart’s desire it to continue working in a Title I school and to work with underprivileged children.  I want to serve and give children opportunities that they normally would not be exposed to.

Philog #4 Inclusion/Exclusion

Let me try this again.......I guess I didn't copy and paste the entire thing Saturday night.  UGH.  Maybe this will make more sense.  :(

It seems as if we have fought so many barriers for inclusion.  Our society obviously began as a proponent of exclusion in the classroom.  Inclusion, in itself, has been an on-going battle since the beginning of organized classrooms and schools.  Exclusion has surfaced its ugly head with sex, race, and disabilities. 

This topic is one that I take seriously when it comes to education.  I firmly believe that if the best setting for a child is to be totally inclusive, then that is what needs to happen.  I also see that there are times when this setting might not be ideal for a student as well. 

After watching the movie about Samuel, I can’t help but wonder how he would have been impacted from having a program that pulled him out from his class.  He was quite the social butterfly and enjoyed being around his peers.  At the same token, the girl who struggled with psychological issues couldn’t have made it in the regular education classroom.  I believe it all boils down to LRE and the question of how can we best meet the needs of this student?

I’m not sure that I have completely developed my core values.  To be honest, I’ve never really explored them on my own but rather have just adjusted to what I know and what I see as truth.  I believe that teachers, in general, have their own set of values that definitely influence their teaching.  One must be careful to evaluate these to examine if they are in tune to what needs to be taught in our classrooms.  For example, if I do not value diversity in the classroom, I have no business setting foot into this profession.

Philog #4 Inclusion/Exclusion

It seems as if we have fought so many barriers for inclusion.  Our society obviously began as a proponent of exclusion in the classroom.  Inclusion, in itself, has been an on-going battle since the beginning of organized classrooms and schools.  Exclusion has surfaced its ugly head with sex, race, and disabilities. 

This topic is one that I take seriously when it comes to education.  I firmly believe that if the best setting for a child is to be totally inclusive, then that is what needs to happen.

Equal Educational Opportunity

An equal educational opportunity means that everyone in this country should have the opportunity to go as far as they would like in terms of education.  Whether an individual wants to complete their education at the high school, college, graduate, or doctorate level is entirely up to them.  I also see where opportunities abound for people to make their education tailored to what they want to study.  The idea of tracking in high school and CNM (as well as many other community colleges) provide this opportunity.  If an area of study does not require more than an associate’s degree, then that can be pursued.  Regardless, it is available to all who live in America and for those who come here to study as well.  I find it interesting at how many nationalities we have represented in our schools and colleges today. 

I am educating my students to achieve the unthinkable.  So often in special education, the “bar and limit” is dramatically lowered, per say.  Unfortunately, students already have the stigma that they can’t learn and will verbalize that they are dumb.  I see it as my responsibility to really know my student’s learning styles and to teach them in ways that they can learn and succeed as a student.  I understand that it might be done in baby steps but the overall goal is for my students to make gains in their education.  The method that I currently use for these goals are IEP’s and of course the grade level standards.  By law, I have no choice other than to use the IEP goals and grade level standards are there to see if my students have learned or are learning what they need to for that particular grade level.

 Unfortunately, students in special education are normally not performing at advanced levels at their grade level.  There are times when they can be twice exceptional and I have seen students gifted in one area but learning disabled in another.  What a strange combination!!  Ultimately, it is our job as teachers to challenge our students, regardless of what is being taught.  I really feel that the classroom needs to be a place where all learning styles are embraced and strengthened.  It is also important to incorporate a culture-rich environment that will enhance the diversity and needs within that room.  I really feel that’s the toughest challenge within today’s classroom – being able to adequately meet the demands of culture and the different learning levels that the children have.  It is exhausting having to teach at so many different levels but I truly feel that it is also rewarding when you look at short-cycle assessments and see that the hard work has paid off and students are making progress!

Week 2

Education plays a huge role in today's society.  At the beginning stages of our country, settlers realized the importance of educating their children.  This system was Christian-based and ran by the church.  It is interesting to see in how our educational system and beliefs have changed over the course of time.  Some of these changes have been good, some not so good.  

To me, the core of becoming an educated society is so that we can move forward.    There are all types of education that one can pursue today but I believe the overall idea of educating the masses is so that we become productive citizens rather than a drain.  Just compare what we have done with our educational system to that of a remote village in a foreign country.  I just can't imagine what America would be today had Jefferson and Mann not dedicated themselves to providing a state-controlled school system.  

Do my overall beliefs and values align?  I would have to say that overall the answer would be a "yes".  In general, I believe that it is important we have a system that not only outlines what our children should learn, but what teacher's need to teach.  I may differ on my individual values and do realize that every teacher values things differently.  The bottom line is to work thru those differences and learn to become united on what should be done......and that is educating our children.

Students should be focusing on becoming full-time learners, regardless of background.  Going back to the early stages of our country, many children did not have a choice and were made to work.  Families were dependent on their children for their livelihood.  Thankfully, we have made laws that protect our children and require them to be in an educational setting (traditional or non-traditional schooling) during their early years.         

Week 1

Philog Prompt: Reflecting on your personal educational experiences, what are the central themes that most define your life as a student?  Feel free to support these major themes with specific experiences and people, though the overarching themes of your education should take precedence in your response.  


When looking back on my educational experience, the central theme that seems to be the most prevalent would be the emphasis on the importance of education.  I would have to say that my parents instilled in me a desire to do my best in school.  Being a poor student in our household was the unthinkable.  


My parents took a very different approach to schooling me.  Because of our military travels, most of my experience was through the homeschooling method.  It was "normal" for us to move every few years and because of the interruption of these moves, most of the time it was just convenient to be schooled by my mother.  When stateside during a "normal" year, I quickly learned to adjust to traditional school and would excel in my studies.  I believe it was that seed of expectation that my parents planted that made me want to do well.  


I would have to say that the major theme was also a well-rounded cultural and diverse education.  How do you compare an education from a British school in Egypt, a private school in the middle of Indiana, to a public school in Tennessee?  I would just have to say that all those experiences helped mold me into the teacher and mother I am today.  Most of all, it gave me that desire to learn and share my experiences with others.