The best thing I can say about today is that it went by really fast! My schedule is awesome. Even though my mornings can be sort of tiring teaching straight from 8:30-11:30, it feels like I start teaching and then it's time for lunch; start teaching again and then it's time for my conference (and bus duty and home!)
Finding plenty of activities to do in my lessons makes a huge difference. When I get in the mind set that I have so much stuff to do and only so much time to do it keeps my pacing up and makes the time fly even for me. I'm sure it probably makes a difference for the kids too. I'm trying to spend more time at the end of lessons wrapping things up and reviewing what we did. I still want to get better at this to make it clear to them what they were trying to learn.
I still want to stay focused on my kids even though my lessons and newsletters and collecting money and permission slips for trips take so much time. I appreciate so much conversations with coworkers about individual students that we are determined to make better, more confident people.
Still on a roll and feeling good about the way this year is starting....
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Another amazing day...
I know that kids are still on their best behaviors since it's the beginning of the year and they aren't completely comfortable yet with their homeroom teachers or with their classmates, but seriously, another awesome day? It feels good to have a great relationship with a boss. I know she trusts me to do whatever she asks and I also know that she'll support me when I need it too. I have a great feeling about her from my first interview and honestly she makes a lot of other things that frustrate me worth it.
Tomorrow Nathan and I start serious planning for High School Musical. I am totally looking forward to it. A huge project, but I know we'll get everything done.
And OMG, Level II + a year of experience has made lesson planning easier!! I hope to get more long term plans in place tomorrow and continue to organize songs to help with this. The faster I can get a plan that I feel good about together, the better!
My high of the day? Walking away from a meeting with an administrator praising the fact that I'm "always willing to try something new" and that's what she loves about me. Well, and a great conversation with an amazing coworker who shares my deep passion for education, equality and high expectations! So glad I can return return the favor for all he's done and is always so willing to do for me. Loved the second grade smiles I saw this afternoon too. Just a great day.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Adventures of a Second Year Music Teacher
I've been wanting to journal about the happenings in the classroom and I wish I would have done a better job of recording my time during my first year. However, things always seemed too overwhelming. It is my intention to use this blog as a place to write down the happenings of my second year. I'm hoping that being able to write things down will help me keep my perspective on my KIDS and not on the adults and paperwork that go along with teaching youngsters.
To keep things easy at first and on most days I blog, I'm going to stick with my high, low, aha! trick I learned at a Wesley Foundation retreat. The HIGH of my yesterday (the first day of school) was teaching/playing with bilingual first graders their first time to music. Some of them nearly lost when Johnny worked with five hammers. While my teacher instincts told me to not let them laugh and keep them orderly, I held that person back and let the kids be kids. I really want to be better at that this year! My LOW of these two days has been dealing with scheduling and some district conflicts that my principals and myself are caught in the middle of. My heart tells me what's right; my head and coordinator tell me what's reasonable. I'm trying to let this roll off since it really isn't my problem or conflict and simply do what I'm asked to do the best I know how to do it.
I LOVE TEACHING FIFTH GRADE THIS YEAR! I see them coming down the hall and get super excited. They know me, they know my expectations and they know they are there to work hard. Love them. All of them. Even one of those kids that was tough at one point (okay lots of points last year...) gave me a big smile of recognition. I have to find each of these kids a special job in High School Musical. I want them all to feel the weight of their role and understand their responsibility to the whole group.
I loved spending time with a sweet 2nd grader during lunch today. And I know that her home life is very different than the environment I was raised in. But that sweet little tiny 2nd grader has a huge heart and it is unbelievable to watch her perk up and walk a little straighter with just an extra pat on the back. Funny how a child who could drive me crazy by walking in haphazardly and not being able to sit still to save her life could win my heart in just a year. I wonder how many more students that I originally drove me crazy will win me over. I wonder at how many students I will cry to have leave me this year! These relationships we teachers make with these students, they're what we're really all about. Because a child will do almost anything for an adult they admire and respect and know values them in return.
Work will not be my life this year. I have lots of things on the side I want to accomplish. But this is the center right now of everything I'm doing. I work out so I can feel good so I'll teach better. I'm eating healthier for the same reasons. I'm wanting to strive to keep my evenings clear of work for school so that I can come refreshed and excited to see my next class. I'm looking forward to my continued work on my song collection so I can be better at lesson planning and ready for Level III. And honestly, it all feels great.
God has placed so many children at my fingertips to touch, to teach, to love. It is not just a desire for me but an absolute calling. I have to do it. It burns inside me, I yearn to make their lives better--if only for 30 minutes twice a week.
Best moment of today teaching: when a 2nd grade class (their first time to my music class) said when it was time to go "Oh, man!!" in chorus. I can't even remember the last time this happened. How awesome that they love my class and don't want to leave it. I know I can balance all the fun and amazing things music has to offer with a great classroom management plan to keep it all running. And I am so excited to embark on this 2010-2011 school year at Achziger with my great coworkers and most beloved students.
To keep things easy at first and on most days I blog, I'm going to stick with my high, low, aha! trick I learned at a Wesley Foundation retreat. The HIGH of my yesterday (the first day of school) was teaching/playing with bilingual first graders their first time to music. Some of them nearly lost when Johnny worked with five hammers. While my teacher instincts told me to not let them laugh and keep them orderly, I held that person back and let the kids be kids. I really want to be better at that this year! My LOW of these two days has been dealing with scheduling and some district conflicts that my principals and myself are caught in the middle of. My heart tells me what's right; my head and coordinator tell me what's reasonable. I'm trying to let this roll off since it really isn't my problem or conflict and simply do what I'm asked to do the best I know how to do it.
I LOVE TEACHING FIFTH GRADE THIS YEAR! I see them coming down the hall and get super excited. They know me, they know my expectations and they know they are there to work hard. Love them. All of them. Even one of those kids that was tough at one point (okay lots of points last year...) gave me a big smile of recognition. I have to find each of these kids a special job in High School Musical. I want them all to feel the weight of their role and understand their responsibility to the whole group.
I loved spending time with a sweet 2nd grader during lunch today. And I know that her home life is very different than the environment I was raised in. But that sweet little tiny 2nd grader has a huge heart and it is unbelievable to watch her perk up and walk a little straighter with just an extra pat on the back. Funny how a child who could drive me crazy by walking in haphazardly and not being able to sit still to save her life could win my heart in just a year. I wonder how many more students that I originally drove me crazy will win me over. I wonder at how many students I will cry to have leave me this year! These relationships we teachers make with these students, they're what we're really all about. Because a child will do almost anything for an adult they admire and respect and know values them in return.
Work will not be my life this year. I have lots of things on the side I want to accomplish. But this is the center right now of everything I'm doing. I work out so I can feel good so I'll teach better. I'm eating healthier for the same reasons. I'm wanting to strive to keep my evenings clear of work for school so that I can come refreshed and excited to see my next class. I'm looking forward to my continued work on my song collection so I can be better at lesson planning and ready for Level III. And honestly, it all feels great.
God has placed so many children at my fingertips to touch, to teach, to love. It is not just a desire for me but an absolute calling. I have to do it. It burns inside me, I yearn to make their lives better--if only for 30 minutes twice a week.
Best moment of today teaching: when a 2nd grade class (their first time to my music class) said when it was time to go "Oh, man!!" in chorus. I can't even remember the last time this happened. How awesome that they love my class and don't want to leave it. I know I can balance all the fun and amazing things music has to offer with a great classroom management plan to keep it all running. And I am so excited to embark on this 2010-2011 school year at Achziger with my great coworkers and most beloved students.
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