Not much to say today.....

I'm mostly tired and I have a nice cold. I'm doing better than last year though. I'd had two colds by now last year but this year only one so far and I fought off another with vitamin C. Missed the boat on this one though. Ran out of vitamin C. I still swear anyone is better off if they take care of themselves first so they can give their students all they need. It will be worth it.

Testing time is coming up in April. I'm not looking forward to that. I wish it was over now. It's very nerve racking because you hope you've prepared them for everything. We have some review to do still but I think they will be fine. This group is with it. They know our goal and all. I hope they do well. They have so much potential and ability. I'm anxious to see what they can get done.

That's about it for tonight. I'm beat. Too tired to think anymore.

Almost at the end of year two....

I'm almost at the end of my second year now. I haven't blogged at all this school year. I guess it has just passed by too quickly and I haven't kept up very well. This year has been easier. I think it is a combination of things to be honest. First, I have a group of students this year that are totally the opposite of last years. That helps a lot. Second, I have had things more well structured and it has saved me a lot of time and frustration. Following power standards helps to streamline lessons easier. I suggest it to anyone who wants to make lessons easier. Finally, we had a lot of snow days and now are playing catch up. The weather has been horrid and is just now warming up nicely. We went from Dec-March without any outside recess due to snow and cold. Rough.

My husband wants me to blog more. He thinks I'll be a natural at it because I journal all the time. It could be. Either way, I have to go for now. Third period arrived.

End of the year..

Yes, it is that time. I have to admit I'm more than ready for it. I get a week off then I get to teach summer school until July 3. Should be interesting for sure. It never hurts to learn something new huh? I have so many plans to work on I'm not always sure where to start to be honest. I guess I'll go indicator by indicator for each nine weeks and see what I can come up with.

I am worn out to be honest so I'll leave this for another day. Oh for any other first year teachers who might read this: make sure you take really good care of yourself because I've been sick more this year than any other year ever and I've worked with the public most of my life. Build up your immunity and keep it strong. Eat right and take vitamins to help out too. It's crazy. I'm just now getting over my third cold of the year.

Goal for next year...

So, the end of the year is coming up quickly. As I look at that I have to make a goal for next year. My biggest goal is to have more structured lessons. When I first started this job I had no clue what I was going to do really. After this first year, I have a bigger idea and a lot of plans to work on over the summer. If anyone ever tells you teachers get three months off in the summer they are wrong. First, if you teach summer school you've just given up three- four weeks in June/early July. Then you will go back at least two weeks before school starts again to get your room ready. In between, you may have 4-6 full weeks off in the summer. During that time, you aren't sitting on your rear unless it's to make new lessons!

This summer, my goal is to put my lessons on my flash drive and to have a power point for each as well as various activities to do. I plan to have a more structured day that entails them reviewing daily grammar and punctuation exercises as well as writing practice. In order to do this, it's probably going to take me a lot of time to get all of that together so I am guessing my 4-6 weeks free won't be free at all!!! Plus, I'm going to start my writing again. Can't wait.

So if anyone ever thinks the life of a teacher is golden....well, they are right. It is. The positives far outweigh the negatives and I wouldn't trade it for anything to be honest. No it isn't all smiles and happy times but it isn't a constant downer either!!! It's a challenge and no two days are ever the same and that is what keeps me coming back for more. It's always different.

I would also like to take this time to mention I've been VERY lucky that I've been surrounded by some really great teachers who've helped me in ways they'll never know. My fellow fourth grade teachers have helped me tremendously throughout the whole year. My mentor in the fifth grade has shown me a lot of great tricks and given many ideas to use for next year. I'm lucky this school is full of wonderful teachers who love their job and care about their students. I'd also like to thank our principal for taking a chance on me and offering me the job to begin with. I'll always be grateful for that. I've not included names mostly because I don't want to invade their privacy or anything.

I'm sure I'll have more to say another day. For now, I'm exhausted from a cold and am going to go to sleep soon!!

Entry Year Teaching Seminars

The state of Ohio mandates that all entry year teachers participate in an entry year teaching seminar that takes place over a series of months. The seminars are helpful to find new information and to share what you've learned already. I learned about several different ways to help my students acquire new vocabulary skills through these seminars. They are helpful even though you have to be out of your classroom. It is nice to hear what others are doing and share what you are doing too.

I know this will continue over the years but I wonder if it is really necessary during the first year. This year, I had to worry about a portfolio for the seminars, going to the seminars, doing other professional development activities and my Praxis 3 assessment. It's a little overwhelming and really almost too much to take in. My suggestion would be to spread it out over 2 years. The first year the teacher has so much to learn and keep up with. The main focus should be on the teaching process by itself. The professional development comes with that through the year and it is helpful and useful. Preparing for the Praxis 3 should be a stepped process for the teacher. The assessor should be able to see the teacher in the classroom more than just once.

I know because the day of my assessment my computer crashed and ruined my plans for the day. I improvised and kept going of course but I felt like I was behind the 8 ball the whole time. Nothing can predict a computer crash but if I'd had multiple times being observed the assessor might have gotten a better look at just what I am capable of doing. I passed my Praxis 3 and that is all that really counts but if teachers are going to be held so highly accountable we need to know what we are doing is going to count towards that accountability.

I hope this makes some sense. I'm not dissing the system. I'm just not sure it's 100% the best for the new teachers. I would have benefited more from having a 3 year provisional license (no one is guaranteed employment their first year out of college some of us had to sub a year before we got a job so having a 3 yr. helps that.) The first year should be spent being observed at least 3 times by our Praxis 3 assessor and doing the professional development the school wants you to do. The second year, is a great time for reflection on what you did the first year and what you woudn't ever do again (there will be these things I promise!). It would help a lot more I think. A two year program would take a lot of pressure off.

I feel like I survived this year. I made it and I will keep moving forward. I learned a whole lot for sure!!!

Classroom Management

Classroom management is vital to any entry year teacher surviving the year. It may feel like you are being mean at first by setting up your procedures, rules and stuff but it will pay off down the line. When you practice a procedure do it until they know it inside and out. For example, when I have my students line up I tell them, "Line up quickly and quietly." When they don't, I make them sit back down and do it over again until they do it correctly.

Don't be afraid to say, "Do it over." It just makes life easier. Now, it's almost the end of the year so the natives are getting restless but overall they've behaved well and learned how to follow directions.

The First Year.....

This blog was started for my classroom but I thought I'd take a few minutes to reflect on the first year of teaching too. I'm always hearing that reflection is vital so here I am to reflect!!!

I have to say that overall it has been everything I thought it would be and more. It has been challenging everyday but it's also been extremely exhausting and frustrating at times. One of the most important things is to pace yourself. You cannot go full steam ahead without wearing out easily. Pace yourself one day at a time and make sure you get plenty of rest on the weekends. You will need those days to regroup. On those days, I advise doing something that is not at all related to school. It is harder than it seems because you want to do the best you can and give your best to your kids. You have to rest or you'll regret it.

More later.....