The First Year

This film was a very sad and real shocking video. The different things that these teachers faced in the classroom are things that any teacher can face at any point in their career. One of the most shocking things was the boy who was being abused by his mother. He kept quiet about it for a long time and then one day just started acting out and his teacher sat him down and talked to him about it. The sadest part of this situation would have to be the fact that the little boy left with family services and there is a good chance that his teachers and peers may not see him again and if they do they may not recognize him. Another thing that affected me was how badly the one little boy could not talk pronounce different words and later in the year he was like any other average boy in kindergarten because his teacher took the time to talk to him and try to make things better for him. I want my students to be open with me and be able to tell me if something is going on at home and if they need help with it. I also want my students to excell in the classroom because it's heart breaking to see a student try and try and nothing works out for them so they just give up. I would like my students to be able to come to me and ask me questions about school or even questions about everyday life. I think it's important to build up a good relationship with your students because you are with them for a year and they will remember you for years after as long as you make an impact on them.

Which Group Is Right For Me?

Sites like Facebook and MySpace have many different groups or organizations that people can join. On Facebook I found one for new or teachers fresh out of college who are looking for jobs or just want to share their experience in the classroom with everyone. There are also people who post notes answering quesitons that a person trying to find a job might have or if they have information about the place that they are trying to apply to. This network is basically out there to help out others in the teaching field and try to make teaching easier and lots of fun for the newbies.

Frontline video clip

The internet has a big impact on kids these days. Almost every kid or student has a facebook, myspace, or any other type of internet based site. Some kids go to the internet to get ideas wheter it be things that benefit them or hurt themselves. The interent also allows people to be who they really are or say what they want without the confrontation. This usually causes more problems because they are then confronted and it ends up ina big brawl.

Right now I'm not to worried about this issue but I'm sure once I have my own kids or I am a teacher. I guess I can say I'm not that concerned because I never did some of the things that these students did.

Easter

With all of these snow days we have experienced we are a little behind in the classroom. For easter we are supposed to go on a little nature walk and then end up at my house to do an easter egg hunt in my back yard. Since I'm behind I don't know if I will be able to do this but I think it will be a great experience for the students especially if some do not get the opportunity to participate in something like this at home. As long as it doesn't snow anymore we should be good to go!

Fun activities!

I would like to do a fun activity for our first day back from Spring break. I'm not sure how to go about it, I want the students to tell me about some fun things or something they went and did during there break. I know drawing a picture and having them tell about it is a good way to get it across what you did but I want a new way so if someone has a suggestion of something fun that can be done.

Spring Break!

So spring break is right around the corner and I would like to do something fun for my students last day. I can't decide if I want to take them to the park to play or do some sort of lesson plan where we all are outside most of the day. I'm leaning towards a little nature walk where we walk around town and pick up leaves, sticks, or things that are interesting to the students. I also think we will make our way to a park where we will eat lunch then head back to the school and be there by the time school is out. If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know.

Water Symposium

When I plan on teaching a unit on earth science I think I will see about taking them to the wetland here in Torrington. It's a great way for the students to learn and also a fun way of learning. I know they get to go again in fifth grade but they also get to see more things then and who knows they might of forgotten that they've already been there. If anyone else has any good ideas please let me know.

Valentine's Day

Most children love Valentine's day but sometimes you get that one student who doesn't really care for it. I am taking suggestions from anyone to try and make it a fun experience for everyone in the classroom.

Second Grade Struggles

Today during centers in my second grade class we experienced our first "fight." It was over some scissors that we lime green. I thought that I got them our out of the drawer so something like this didn't happen but I overlooked them some how. The students were more arguing then throwing punches so I told them those scissors were mine and no one else can use them but me. After that the students completly forgot about what happened and went on with their day.