My weekend was great but
I don't think it's G-rated (I always tell them to keep it G or PG for me)
I will write a poem about nothing I ever stated.
There once was a squirrel swinging
From a tree
He slipped and fell, that's all
I could see
He scrapped the last branch though
He was safe on at height
Yet, I never thought I would
Write about him in a journal: free write.
Oh shoot, I am so proud.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Birthday
Pre- School: This morning when I walked to my classroom there was a little rose plant sitting there. They were from my Induction Coach from downtown. I was pretty excited. I wanted to do a dance, but since I'm a teacher, I try to be mature most of the time.
1st period: This morning I was starting class when B read the announcements on the tv. She read, "Happy Birthday Emily Jackson" and of course I looked at her because she'd read my name. That's when the class realized that I am Emily Jackson and it was my birthday. Of course they were all super sweet and told me happy birthday and wanted to know why I hadn't told them before. And then we ate cookies.
2nd period: By this time, my students had all had a chance to see the announcements, thus seeing that it was my birthday so when they walked in, they all told me happy birthday right off the bat. They too wanted to know why I hadn't told them. JP asked if he and E could go to Starbucks and get me birthday coffee. Boy, do they know me, or what? I said no, but if anything could have enticed me to let them out, coffee might have been it. I could see them whispering behind their journals, which kind of made me roll my eyes, mainly because I didn't know it was about me. Then they sang to me. I really don't like being sung to, because I don't like the focus all being on me, and so I started blushing, which of course they had a blast making fun of me for. M and A gave me paper airplanes. And then we ate cookies.
Also, I had a bit of a riot during second period because one of my students leaked some information out to the rest of the class. I am pretty worn out and I will probably blog about that this weekend, so stay tuned. (:
1st period: This morning I was starting class when B read the announcements on the tv. She read, "Happy Birthday Emily Jackson" and of course I looked at her because she'd read my name. That's when the class realized that I am Emily Jackson and it was my birthday. Of course they were all super sweet and told me happy birthday and wanted to know why I hadn't told them before. And then we ate cookies.
2nd period: By this time, my students had all had a chance to see the announcements, thus seeing that it was my birthday so when they walked in, they all told me happy birthday right off the bat. They too wanted to know why I hadn't told them. JP asked if he and E could go to Starbucks and get me birthday coffee. Boy, do they know me, or what? I said no, but if anything could have enticed me to let them out, coffee might have been it. I could see them whispering behind their journals, which kind of made me roll my eyes, mainly because I didn't know it was about me. Then they sang to me. I really don't like being sung to, because I don't like the focus all being on me, and so I started blushing, which of course they had a blast making fun of me for. M and A gave me paper airplanes. And then we ate cookies.
Also, I had a bit of a riot during second period because one of my students leaked some information out to the rest of the class. I am pretty worn out and I will probably blog about that this weekend, so stay tuned. (:
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A list: for your viewing pleasure
1. Tomorrow I am 23 and I bought my students cookies. Although this seems twisted, and they should buy me cookies, I hate to make a big deal about my birthday and so I didn't even tell them that tomorrow is THE BIG DAY.
2. Every time my students ask if I have a boyfriend, I tell them it's personal, even though I don't really think it is. What I do think is that little boys can't really handle that kind of information.
3. One of my second period boys thinks it's funny to joke about stealing my coffee. What he doesn't know is that if that were to happen, things would rapidly become un-funny for him.
4. I have a student who gives me an evil look every day as he walks into the classroom and every day I still cheerfully greet him. Today I wasn't standing in the doorway, so he waited for me outside of the classroom until I was back at the door so he could give me his look and come in. Apparently it's our thing.
5. My first period girls told me today that they were at Ham's and the waiter was cute. They asked me if next time I wanted them to get his number for me.
6. One of my students told me that he gives me a difficult time so in the succeeding years my job will seem easier. How sweet...
7. Today my class was harassing one of my problem children, and I told them to leave him alone because he was a "good kid." My students were shocked by these words coming out of my mouth.
8. Today one of my students gave me a college recommendation form to fill out for him. It blows my mind that I can write a college recommendation and his fate is in my hands.
9. Today two of my kids asked me if I'd heard the song "Meet Me Halfway" by the Black Eyed Peas. I said that I hadn't, and they proceeded to sing it for me, with motions and told me to listen to it later. Unfortunately, when I did, I preferred the student version.
10. I obviously work with the strangest, best children in the world.
PS. I would like to ask for prayer for a situation at work which I shall not yet disclose to the blogosphere until it has resolution. But please ask for God's will to be done and for peace with whatever that is. God knows my heart, and we will see what happens.
2. Every time my students ask if I have a boyfriend, I tell them it's personal, even though I don't really think it is. What I do think is that little boys can't really handle that kind of information.
3. One of my second period boys thinks it's funny to joke about stealing my coffee. What he doesn't know is that if that were to happen, things would rapidly become un-funny for him.
4. I have a student who gives me an evil look every day as he walks into the classroom and every day I still cheerfully greet him. Today I wasn't standing in the doorway, so he waited for me outside of the classroom until I was back at the door so he could give me his look and come in. Apparently it's our thing.
5. My first period girls told me today that they were at Ham's and the waiter was cute. They asked me if next time I wanted them to get his number for me.
6. One of my students told me that he gives me a difficult time so in the succeeding years my job will seem easier. How sweet...
7. Today my class was harassing one of my problem children, and I told them to leave him alone because he was a "good kid." My students were shocked by these words coming out of my mouth.
8. Today one of my students gave me a college recommendation form to fill out for him. It blows my mind that I can write a college recommendation and his fate is in my hands.
9. Today two of my kids asked me if I'd heard the song "Meet Me Halfway" by the Black Eyed Peas. I said that I hadn't, and they proceeded to sing it for me, with motions and told me to listen to it later. Unfortunately, when I did, I preferred the student version.
10. I obviously work with the strangest, best children in the world.
PS. I would like to ask for prayer for a situation at work which I shall not yet disclose to the blogosphere until it has resolution. But please ask for God's will to be done and for peace with whatever that is. God knows my heart, and we will see what happens.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Today a teacher told me that you either see young teachers or old teachers, because teaching has changed. She said that the first two years she was really gung ho about teaching, but now, in her fifth year, she is ready to do something new. This worries me.
And now, I am on my way to bed because I am sickly and have no time for a sub. I have things to do with the kiddies!
currently watching: Romeo and Juliet
And now, I am on my way to bed because I am sickly and have no time for a sub. I have things to do with the kiddies!
currently watching: Romeo and Juliet
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Roots of Bitterness
I never really considered myself to be a bitter person, and usually when I have an issue with someone I talk to them so that I can move on from it but today I began to reflect on myself after seeing someone unexpected walk into my church today. This was someone that I had been really close to, and for whatever reason, they decided that I wasn't important enough to keep as their friend. I felt so bitter and angry sitting there in church and I was really surprised at myself. I began to think about why I could possibly feel so bitter and I realized that when I let someone into my life and they majorly disappoint me and make no effort to redeem themselves, it causes me to become bitter. Looking closely, I realized that there are a few people that I feel this way towards. I could forgive someone if they were sorry for hurting me, but some people don't care. In a way, staying bitter keeps them a part my life. If I forgive them and move on, then it's like we were never friends. I know that sounds funny. I want this person to care. I want them to wish we were still friends because I do. But they don't, and they never will.
I guess I just don't know what the next step is. Now that I've identified myself as holding bitter feelings towards certain people what do I do? They don't care that I have been hurt, and these feelings only hurt me.
Somehow I have to just release it all and let it go.
I guess I just don't know what the next step is. Now that I've identified myself as holding bitter feelings towards certain people what do I do? They don't care that I have been hurt, and these feelings only hurt me.
Somehow I have to just release it all and let it go.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The success of vulnerability.
Yesterday, I was really excited to try the lesson I had planned. Unfortunately since I am a newbie I never really know if things will work, I can only hope. So yesterday I decided that we would take the sections of Walden, Or Life in the Woods, and we would read it in groups. Then I was going to have each group present the information to the class, and that way we didn't all have to read the entire thing. In theory this was a lovely idea but I think it broke down because my groups were too big. Next time I try this, I have some good ideas for improvement, but yesterday it was more than their little brains could handle. Plus, Walden is kind of boring. There was one question in particular that really stumped the kids. I was attempting to explain the question to the class so that the group could then present the answer. When I finished, J responded by laughing and asking why I had told them all that and some other "unnecessary" comments. He seems to make a habit of not listening to the directions and then not knowing what's going on. Frustrating. When he questioned why I was giving them information, I momentarily lost my temper, because he had been talking and not listening all day. I told him to get out of my class because he was being a "smart ass." My face was red and I was frustrated and my mind blanked on any other way to state his behavior. "Smart alec" would have sufficed, but it didn't come out of my mouth. I followed him out of my classroom and we had a chat in the hall. While we were out there, I apologized to him for speaking to him in such a manner. Fortunately, he told me that we were "straight." Then I headed back in with J to apologize to the class. There is nothing more humbling than looking into the eyes of a classroom full of 16 and 17 year olds and apologizing for not speaking appropriately. I was so upset at myself. Here's the crazy part. After class, one of my students who had also been talking and not focusing on the task at hand, came up and apologized to me for not being respectful. I was floored. Not that I'd recommend making mistakes that warrant an apology to the world but it was really cool to see how the situation was redeemed (in a sense), as I modeled asking for forgiveness and in turn, one of my students did the same to me. Again, how humbling.
Today was much better. In fact, my second period made me so excited and proud I could have done back flips. We finished discussing Walden today and then we began a discussion on non-conformity. I read to them from a chapter of a story called Stargirl that is really relevant and very well written. Then I put the following quotes up on the board:
“How worn and dusty, then, must be the highways of the world, how deep the ruts of tradition and conformity! I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains. I do not wish to go below now.”- Walden
“The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion (object of dislike)…Whoso would be a man must be a non-conformist.” – Self-Reliance
“We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to a corkboard like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew.” – Stargirl
I asked them to tell me what they thought of conformity based on the quotations. I asked them if it was easy or difficult to be their own person and if they thought they that they were conformists or an individualists.
I gave them ten minutes and then I read to them my response from my journal. I asked them to share with me their responses. After I finished they were so funny because they told me that after I shared, theirs didn't sound any good anymore. I reminded them that I majored in English and had had a bit more time to finely hone my writing skills. Then...
Their hands shot up! We had such a good conversation and they were so respectful of each other and so brave in sharing.
That is why I am a teacher.
On both of these days, I was vulnerable and shared myself in completely different ways, planned and unplanned. And incredibly, students responded, in ways I never would have imagined.
All I know is that God is so merciful.
currently listening to: Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas, Holy, Holy Holy
Today was much better. In fact, my second period made me so excited and proud I could have done back flips. We finished discussing Walden today and then we began a discussion on non-conformity. I read to them from a chapter of a story called Stargirl that is really relevant and very well written. Then I put the following quotes up on the board:
“How worn and dusty, then, must be the highways of the world, how deep the ruts of tradition and conformity! I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains. I do not wish to go below now.”- Walden
“The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion (object of dislike)…Whoso would be a man must be a non-conformist.” – Self-Reliance
“We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to a corkboard like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew.” – Stargirl
I asked them to tell me what they thought of conformity based on the quotations. I asked them if it was easy or difficult to be their own person and if they thought they that they were conformists or an individualists.
I gave them ten minutes and then I read to them my response from my journal. I asked them to share with me their responses. After I finished they were so funny because they told me that after I shared, theirs didn't sound any good anymore. I reminded them that I majored in English and had had a bit more time to finely hone my writing skills. Then...
Their hands shot up! We had such a good conversation and they were so respectful of each other and so brave in sharing.
That is why I am a teacher.
On both of these days, I was vulnerable and shared myself in completely different ways, planned and unplanned. And incredibly, students responded, in ways I never would have imagined.
All I know is that God is so merciful.
currently listening to: Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas, Holy, Holy Holy
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
I got a post card from Kristi today!
Today after class today, two of my students told me that they really like what we did in class today. Now, I never know if I am being manipulated, but I also liked what we did in class today, so I am just gonna take it as a sign that our discussion on "Self-Reliance" went well. I always try to come up with things that will get their attention, but today we just read and discussed as we went. I was able to find some really good questions in the book that were relevant to the kids, which I loved.
My students are so funny. Today my second period teased me about my fire drill failings, and I had a pretty good laugh at a student trying to pronounce the word "hobgoblin." Mainly because he wasn't even trying and it came out something like, "hob-bob-wehfoueahf", also known as gibberish. I just laughed right now as I thought about it again. Even on bad days, I really am so blessed to have the students that I have. It is so strange the range of emotions that I feel within a day as I interact with my kids. Your first year's supposed to be your most challenging, but I feel like this is as good as it gets. Hopefully not.
I have no idea where I'll be next year, if I will get to teach at Western again or if I'll get to go full time, but for now I just want to soak it in and love the time that I have.
My students are so funny. Today my second period teased me about my fire drill failings, and I had a pretty good laugh at a student trying to pronounce the word "hobgoblin." Mainly because he wasn't even trying and it came out something like, "hob-bob-wehfoueahf", also known as gibberish. I just laughed right now as I thought about it again. Even on bad days, I really am so blessed to have the students that I have. It is so strange the range of emotions that I feel within a day as I interact with my kids. Your first year's supposed to be your most challenging, but I feel like this is as good as it gets. Hopefully not.
I have no idea where I'll be next year, if I will get to teach at Western again or if I'll get to go full time, but for now I just want to soak it in and love the time that I have.
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