Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
How do you do closure in public school?
Last Thursday I went and taught my first lesson. It was like riding a bike, only I didn't know how to get off. Let me explain. I worked for eight years in Primary: I was a counselor for five of those years and President for three. It was wonderful! I loved the women I worked and the children. I did this in three different wards, so I just kept growing and learning from others. So when I went into the classroom I brought out all my old tricks: "If you can hear me, make bunny ears ect, ect." I even know how to write up my own curriculum, do centers, work with a variety of ages, all from my church service. But I don't know how to close a lesson in the public school. In church it is so easy: you sum up what you said and bear your testimony. If done with a sincere heart, and with real intent the Holy Ghost teaches the children the principles that all the best teaching techniques couldn't teach. So what do you do in the public arena--I was kind of lost. Here is the basic outline of my lesson:
I came into the class wearing this jacket with extra buttons taped to it, and then this poster on my back.
Students worked in groups: sorting buttons. First, they sorted big, medium and small. Then they got to sort in their own chosen categories.
Kids sorting the buttons!
I came into the class wearing this jacket with extra buttons taped to it, and then this poster on my back.
Students worked in groups: sorting buttons. First, they sorted big, medium and small. Then they got to sort in their own chosen categories.
Kids sorting the buttons!
After the kids finished this project, I gave them big paper buttons to tape to their shirts. They first had to find a button that matched the exact same color. Once they found their partner, they had to find one thing they had in common. After we shared some of their common characteristic, they had to find buttons that had the same number of holes in it. Again, they they found things that the new group had in common.
Finally, we read two books: Friends by Fred Rogers, and the frog and toad book: The Lost Button.
So when all was said and done, I wanted to sum it up, and tell them how important it is to be a good friend. How do I do that.
I said something like this, "As you make real friends this year in class, you have a great 1st grade, and a great life."
OK--I need a little help with my closure. Do you think I can bear my testimony without bearing my testimony?
If the Holy Ghost teaches the truth of all things, how do you bring that into a public classroom?
What are some good closure techniques that you have seen done in church or other learning atmospheres?
I plan to use this lesson again, maybe even when I student teach, but definitely as one of those opening get to know you ideas.
Finally, we read two books: Friends by Fred Rogers, and the frog and toad book: The Lost Button.
So when all was said and done, I wanted to sum it up, and tell them how important it is to be a good friend. How do I do that.
I said something like this, "As you make real friends this year in class, you have a great 1st grade, and a great life."
OK--I need a little help with my closure. Do you think I can bear my testimony without bearing my testimony?
If the Holy Ghost teaches the truth of all things, how do you bring that into a public classroom?
What are some good closure techniques that you have seen done in church or other learning atmospheres?
I plan to use this lesson again, maybe even when I student teach, but definitely as one of those opening get to know you ideas.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Becoming More Efficient
I'm not going to bore everyone with how many papers I've written in the past two weeks (it was 12 by the way), or how I aced my test, or how I'm going into the classroom on Thursday to teach a lesson that I designed all by myself, or how I completed the four essays for my student teaching application in one day.
I will say there have been some very helpful moments in all of this.
The day I had to turn in my application, I had no paper, nor an manilla envelope to turn it in. I ran into Office Max with my two year old daughter. The manager was stading at the door, he told me the best paper to buy, and where I could buy one envelope. It took me 15 minutes to get in and out of the door. I really felt the Lord was helping me! I also am trying not to waste time on the computer.
I wanted to say how proud I have been of Luke. Luke is my very shy child. If someone says, "Hi." He doesn't respond. Going to school, primary, and other places are very hard because he is so shy. I really wanted him to do the Primary Program. As a former president, I probably felt it was my duty. The first week of the practice, he was sick. So we just sat and watched. The second practice, I had to sit with him the entire time (this was after a huge temper tantrum). When we went to the podium to say his part, he wouldn't say it even though he had it memorized. Saturday practice: he finally went in on his own. (It was just in the primary room, but still he sang, he did his part, he did it.) Sunday came, he was nervous, scared, he didn't want to do it. I just kept saying, "Luke, you can do hard things. I know you are nervous, but you can do things that are hard." So he went up, took his seat, sang all the songs, did his part perfectly, and he did a very hard thing, and did it well! I was a proud mommy! (Anakin did a great job too, he also knew all the songs, and gave his part which was, "My daddy plays legos with me, my mommy reads to me, my brother is a great big brother, and my little sister dances. I help my family by taking out the recycling."
I am 1/3 of the way done with this semester. I think I am going to make it, I too can do hard things.
P.S. I don't proof my posts anymore--it's part of trying not to spend too much time on the computer!
I will say there have been some very helpful moments in all of this.
The day I had to turn in my application, I had no paper, nor an manilla envelope to turn it in. I ran into Office Max with my two year old daughter. The manager was stading at the door, he told me the best paper to buy, and where I could buy one envelope. It took me 15 minutes to get in and out of the door. I really felt the Lord was helping me! I also am trying not to waste time on the computer.
I wanted to say how proud I have been of Luke. Luke is my very shy child. If someone says, "Hi." He doesn't respond. Going to school, primary, and other places are very hard because he is so shy. I really wanted him to do the Primary Program. As a former president, I probably felt it was my duty. The first week of the practice, he was sick. So we just sat and watched. The second practice, I had to sit with him the entire time (this was after a huge temper tantrum). When we went to the podium to say his part, he wouldn't say it even though he had it memorized. Saturday practice: he finally went in on his own. (It was just in the primary room, but still he sang, he did his part, he did it.) Sunday came, he was nervous, scared, he didn't want to do it. I just kept saying, "Luke, you can do hard things. I know you are nervous, but you can do things that are hard." So he went up, took his seat, sang all the songs, did his part perfectly, and he did a very hard thing, and did it well! I was a proud mommy! (Anakin did a great job too, he also knew all the songs, and gave his part which was, "My daddy plays legos with me, my mommy reads to me, my brother is a great big brother, and my little sister dances. I help my family by taking out the recycling."
I am 1/3 of the way done with this semester. I think I am going to make it, I too can do hard things.
P.S. I don't proof my posts anymore--it's part of trying not to spend too much time on the computer!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Week in Review
Today: I went up to school the entire day, did the rough draft of a lesson plan, and the rough draft of my student teaching application, went to my Ed Psych class. Worked incredibly hard! Came home enjoyed a wonderful dinner and was able to play with the kids. Thank you Mike for doing laundry and house work--you are the best!
Monday, September 14: Mike and I played a fun game with the boys: attacking the kids with stuffed animals while they used shields to block the animals. Went to school the entire day. Found ideas for a Friend Lesson Plan & a Pumpkin Lesson Plan. Taught a Word Class, went to Teaching Method's class, had Family Home Evening, and stayed up too late writing the outline for the friend lesson plan.
Sunday: missed Sacrament Meeting because Luke was sick (he had terrible virus and broke out in hives over his entire body, ..... miserable). Taught my Sunday School Class, watched the Primary Program Practice with Luke sitting on my lap, had fun watching Gypsy Girl perform (she's added singing to her dancing routine, it's better than Cats!) Made Chicken Pot Pie (yum), and completely died by the end of the night.
Saturday: Completely worried about Luke, I madly wash bedding, all his soft toys, and spray Lysol everywhere. Took Anakin to a birthday party.
Friday: Turned in my Egg Lesson Plan, dropped all the kids off at babysitters, (Luke was sick so he didn't go to school), took Luke to the doctors, came home for movie night with the kids.
Thursday: worked on the the Egg Lesson Plan, dropped all kids off at school, picked all kids up from school.
Wednesday: went to school the entire day, met with a teacher and got to play with a Smart Board--so much fun!
Tuesday: went to school all day and did research.
Monday: went to the Zoo as a family. Had fun riding trains, the carousel, and seeing lots of different animals.
Life is incredibly busy--this entire fall semester is going to be a blur, but at least it will be a documented blur!
Monday, September 14: Mike and I played a fun game with the boys: attacking the kids with stuffed animals while they used shields to block the animals. Went to school the entire day. Found ideas for a Friend Lesson Plan & a Pumpkin Lesson Plan. Taught a Word Class, went to Teaching Method's class, had Family Home Evening, and stayed up too late writing the outline for the friend lesson plan.
Sunday: missed Sacrament Meeting because Luke was sick (he had terrible virus and broke out in hives over his entire body, ..... miserable). Taught my Sunday School Class, watched the Primary Program Practice with Luke sitting on my lap, had fun watching Gypsy Girl perform (she's added singing to her dancing routine, it's better than Cats!) Made Chicken Pot Pie (yum), and completely died by the end of the night.
Saturday: Completely worried about Luke, I madly wash bedding, all his soft toys, and spray Lysol everywhere. Took Anakin to a birthday party.
Friday: Turned in my Egg Lesson Plan, dropped all the kids off at babysitters, (Luke was sick so he didn't go to school), took Luke to the doctors, came home for movie night with the kids.
Thursday: worked on the the Egg Lesson Plan, dropped all kids off at school, picked all kids up from school.
Wednesday: went to school the entire day, met with a teacher and got to play with a Smart Board--so much fun!
Tuesday: went to school all day and did research.
Monday: went to the Zoo as a family. Had fun riding trains, the carousel, and seeing lots of different animals.
Life is incredibly busy--this entire fall semester is going to be a blur, but at least it will be a documented blur!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Someone threw me a life preserver . . .
This past week, and the weeks to come are going to be so very busy. But this week, I found my little life preserver that is going to help this family stay afloat. It was always there, and we always used it, but now I see how much it is going to save us.
That life preserver: The Book of Mormon.
On a very busy night, I had just gotten the kids to bed, and I had my first lesson plan due the next day. I hear Anakin yell, "We forgot to read our scriptures." So I ask him which story he wants to hear from the Book of Mormon. Nephi, Alma, Alma the Younger, 2000 Warriors, or Samuel the Lamanite. He said he wanted to hear about Alma. So I opened my scriptures to Mosiah 18, and we start reading and talking about the Waters of Mormon. As the weeks progress, we continue to read about their capture, bondage, and finally release. We talked about how hard it is to have me in school, but that Heavenly Father can help us, stregthen us so that those burdens will become light. I think we will be reading this story a lot.
I loved that no matter how much homework I had, how messy the kitchen was, that we had the moment we had the spirit with us, and everything seemed possible.
Yesterday, the Primary President dressed up as Sariah, and talked to the children about Book of Mormon stories. Everyone told me how many stories my kids knew (it's working). On the way out of church, Anakin said, "I just love the scriptures, and I can't wait until I can read them." I replied, you can read them, you can read the very first word of the Book of Mormon, I.
That life preserver: The Book of Mormon.
On a very busy night, I had just gotten the kids to bed, and I had my first lesson plan due the next day. I hear Anakin yell, "We forgot to read our scriptures." So I ask him which story he wants to hear from the Book of Mormon. Nephi, Alma, Alma the Younger, 2000 Warriors, or Samuel the Lamanite. He said he wanted to hear about Alma. So I opened my scriptures to Mosiah 18, and we start reading and talking about the Waters of Mormon. As the weeks progress, we continue to read about their capture, bondage, and finally release. We talked about how hard it is to have me in school, but that Heavenly Father can help us, stregthen us so that those burdens will become light. I think we will be reading this story a lot.
I loved that no matter how much homework I had, how messy the kitchen was, that we had the moment we had the spirit with us, and everything seemed possible.
Yesterday, the Primary President dressed up as Sariah, and talked to the children about Book of Mormon stories. Everyone told me how many stories my kids knew (it's working). On the way out of church, Anakin said, "I just love the scriptures, and I can't wait until I can read them." I replied, you can read them, you can read the very first word of the Book of Mormon, I.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Help me I'm drowning!
This semester, I am in way over my head! Two classes is at least one too many. I am just hoping for survival this year--I have to keep telling myself that I can make it.
At least I really enjoy both my classes and my professors, it is just going to be intense. One of my classes we need to turn in 10 one page summaries by September 15. When the teacher announced this, one of the students asked, "All 10?" Then it was as if there was an echo in the room--all ten, all ten, all ten. Everyone was in shock. On the way home, I thought, I can't believe that I am doing this.
On the other end of things: my kids started school. Somehow they don't understand that you are supposed to take pictures on the first day of school--yikes. So far it has been pretty pleasant. Luke already got an ear infection--hopefully, we got it out of his system early this year. On the first day of school I put a note into Luke's lunchbox. When I picked him up, I asked, "Did you get a note?" Luke replied, "I saw it, but I didn't know who it was from, so I didn't read it." "I wrote it." "Then why didn't you say it was from you?" I need to make sure I put mommy on the outside of the envelope.
Anakin on the other hand, told me that the only people he misses is his grandpa and grandma. He doesn't even miss his dad when he is gone. I am so glad he had a great time with my parents while I was in school this summer!
GG: started talking more--yeah! She also has the cold that Luke brought home from school. Hopefully, it won't turn into an ear infection.
Time to do homework. I hope to do weekly posts, just to keep everything updated. Things never seem to slow down around here--well I guess we had a week of hanging out this summer. Now on to our regularly scheduled life.
At least I really enjoy both my classes and my professors, it is just going to be intense. One of my classes we need to turn in 10 one page summaries by September 15. When the teacher announced this, one of the students asked, "All 10?" Then it was as if there was an echo in the room--all ten, all ten, all ten. Everyone was in shock. On the way home, I thought, I can't believe that I am doing this.
On the other end of things: my kids started school. Somehow they don't understand that you are supposed to take pictures on the first day of school--yikes. So far it has been pretty pleasant. Luke already got an ear infection--hopefully, we got it out of his system early this year. On the first day of school I put a note into Luke's lunchbox. When I picked him up, I asked, "Did you get a note?" Luke replied, "I saw it, but I didn't know who it was from, so I didn't read it." "I wrote it." "Then why didn't you say it was from you?" I need to make sure I put mommy on the outside of the envelope.
Anakin on the other hand, told me that the only people he misses is his grandpa and grandma. He doesn't even miss his dad when he is gone. I am so glad he had a great time with my parents while I was in school this summer!
GG: started talking more--yeah! She also has the cold that Luke brought home from school. Hopefully, it won't turn into an ear infection.
Time to do homework. I hope to do weekly posts, just to keep everything updated. Things never seem to slow down around here--well I guess we had a week of hanging out this summer. Now on to our regularly scheduled life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)