Post Spring Break

I can't believe how much I missed my students over Spring Break! Let's just start off with saying that they truly bring me happiness whenever I have my internship days. 

This week we finally began working on the GT Pursuit of Passion project! I honestly love working with a small group of kids who actually want to learn and have similar thoughts/ideas as me. Usually, with the other kids, I always have to repeat directions and go very slow. However, I can cruise through each part of the project in the allotted time with ease. 

The first group is a little awkward - the girls are very quiet and the boys only whisper. The entire 40 minutes is stretched out, but it will hopefully get easier once we get more in depth into the project and the project requires more talking amongst peers.

The second group is great! They all love to talk and ask questions about their project, the other two groups are very hesitant to do so. They also work diligently without getting off task and overall, it's a joy!

The third group is my most difficult group, partly because I'm not with them the entire time and also because they are so awkward and quiet! They work very very slowly and constantly have a hard time staying on task and working quickly. I'm not sure how I'm going to get them to work quicker, or we will never have their projects done (lol). However, a little girl from this group was writing her topic proposal and as I was walking I peeked at her paper. She wants to become a teacher and was inspired by me to take part in the Ready, Set, Teach! internship!! A huge grin flashed on my face. That might have been the first time I've ever seen one of my students write about teaching and being inspired by my internship. 

I think the only negative side to the GT project is not being able to see my other kids. Since I'm with the GT group the entire time of their class, I haven't really talked or said hello to any of the other students in 6th grade. Ah, well it's okay! I'll get to it when I teach my first lesson for this semester. 

Open House and Bulletin Boards

I haven't updated you all in such a while! In the midst of battling a nasty cold, I did get some teaching finished here and there...or maybe not haha

I actually did not get much finished in terms of lesson planning and actually teaching, however I did get my required bulletin board for this semester finished! I'll post the picture below.

It's an Asia bulletin board with the main focus on the Middle East. The "Did You Know" facts are about different countries and landmarks in the Middle East. The little string and loop highlights the students' area of testing. I debuted the bulletin board at their open house which was so amazing! I was able to meet so many parents and the mood of the entire thing was so much fun and pleasing. I felt very glad to be a part of these students' lives. Ahh teaching gives back so much to better the soul. 

Any who, it's getting late and I'm still dealing with a bit of a cold. At least it's Spring Break! I'm looking forward to finally meeting with my GT kids and beginning on their project. :)

Exhaustion

I know, I know, I've been absent from my usual writing and posting. It seems as though I've caught a bit of a cold from my kids... However, I'm doing better now aside from my post nasal drip. 

My field-site teacher has finally prepared everything for me to begin working with the GT kids on their pursuit of passion project! I'm so excited to help them through this very long and tough journey. I'm very positive all of their hard work and perseverance will pay off when they have their entire project put together and they are rewarded for their efforts. 

The other day, my kids were totally out of control. I just couldn't seem to get them on task and stay focused. I was entirely frustrated with them until my field site teacher stepped in and saved the day. After this minor incident, I realized that I didn't know how to instill discipline in children. They need to understand that just because their teacher has stepped out of the room does not mean their student teacher cannot instill discipline on them. Ugh. They tire me out.