Play On

     My MGRP project is on Carrie Underwood.  I think that the reason I chose her to do for my project is because her music lyrics is so inspirational to me and it gets me through a lot of things within my life.  I have always wanted to take a closer look at her lyrics and figure out what they really mean and I feel like this project is perfect for allowing me to do it. 

     One song that sticks out in my mind is "Play On" and it had really helped me see the big picture of things.  Whenever I am down or don't think I can do a certain task, playing that song just inspires me to keep going and 'play on.'  A lot of her songs I realate to a lot of different things in my life such as teaching.  In my field experience class I realized that there are always going to be struggles but if you continue to 'play on' it will get better.  Working hard and having the drive to do better and be a better teacher in your classroom I think is very important.  I realized that after having difficult days, doesn't have to be looked upon as bad experience.  Instead it can be something that I as a teacher can grow from and come into class the next day with something completely different and throw my student off in a good way (suprise them). 

     Recently I have really needed inspiration because it's coming to the point where I am so close to having my own classroom, yet so far away and not prepared yet.  I want to walk into my classroom on my first day and feel like the most confident teacher which I know might take somet time but I want to reach that point where I and my students feel as if our classroom is their home away from home.  I want them to experience that feeling of 'playing on' and having the inspiration and drive to go after their dreams. 

Mid-Year Reflection

     I have really enjoyed this semester so far.  I feel as if I have learned a lot about different Language Art techniques in my classroom.  I have really enjoyed learning about the MGRP project as well as different things in my other classes.  

     My field experience has been great and I really enjoy my teacher.  I have learned a lot of techniques from her and how to keep the classroom fun so it engages the students in the learning process.  I have really enjoyed getting to know the students as well.  A lot of them are a lot smarter than I am which is a little bit intimidating but I think that it can be a challenge.  I would like to bring a lot of resources that I have found out about into my classroom.  I have taken note of a lot of ideas that I like in my Writers Notebook and I think that having that as a reference will be very beneficial in the future.  

A Junior (in College) learning about herself in a 5th Grade class....?

     Wow, so many things have been on my mind since we have started observing in the classrooms.  I found out a lot of things about myself as well as questioned some things.  I have found out that I really do LOVE being in the classroom.  I LOVE interacting with the students.  When you see the light bulb in their head go off or when they say something that makes you laugh or think "wow, I never thought of that," it really reassures me that this is what I want to do.

     I have recently been really excited to start getting the ball rolling with signing up for student teaching and student teaching abroad.  I have my meeting this week which I am both nervous and excited for.  10 weeks will be a long time away from my friends and family in a place I have never been but I am thinking of it as an experience of a life time that I can't pass up.  I feel as if it will be a great way for me to get to know how different school systems can really be. Australia, Here I Come!

     Through my observation class I have come to ask myself the question of: Am I prepared to teach a class of 30 students?  Will I be able to have enough control that they will pay attention and stay on task when I ask them too? Will I ever have enough lesson plans to last them through the whole day? Will I have enough lesson plans to last the students through the year? Will my students learn something in my classroom?  WILL I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

     I want to feel confident and prepared when I walk into my first day of class as a teacher.  I think that with a few more classes under my belt I can feel more prepared to walk into my class and be a great teacher.