NEW POWER HOUR!

OK so as many people know in Murray District they have an hour (or in my case a 1/2 hour) of a teachers day that is dedicated to literacy learning. It is called "POWER HOUR." I am so lucky to have this time. I have 3 aids that come in and help me and my students to enhance their literacy skills. Well I have been following the direction of the other 2 teachers and doing what they did during power hour. But after talking to my principal I have completely revamped my power hour. I've been thinking about changing it since Christmas but I didn't know if I could. Some days I still feel like a student teacher that has to do as the other teachers say. But I don't! Not that the other teachers do not have great ideas and instruction, they just don't always work for everybody!

So we use to have 4 groups in which the students went to through out the week. But they only received 30 min. of instruction total on guided reading and spelling. So I decided instead of the students attending 2 of the groups a day they are going to go to 3 ten minute groups, giving them 40 min. of instruction in each subject each week. I am so excited to change it next week I hope it works they way I think it will and I hope I don't overwhelm the aids that help me.

I am also planning to redo my center instruction. I feel bad that my kids are being guinea pigs this year! But they are all so smart that I think they can handle it! I am going to try what another teacher suggested on her blog here is the poster board I am going to make.

The students are assigned their first group they have to go to and then they can choose between three others after they have accomplished the task of the first group. I hope that it works. I think that it eliminates a lot of the unpleasant paper work that they have to accomplish in the centers I am doing now! THANK YOU KELLY'S WEB PAGE! I love all the ideas you give me! Their are so many websites that are such a big help for teachers. Here are just a few...

http://www.kellyskindergarten.com/

http://www.jmeacham.com/

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org

http://www.hellofirstgrade.com/

http://www.uen.org/

Just a couple that I use all the time. It amazes me that teachers use to work with out the Internet! I love that teachers post their ideas on their web pages! It is such a big help!

Bad Day, Sad Day, Glad Day!

Today was both a hard day and a GREAT day! I was observed for the second time today by my principal. I was worried that it did not go well at all. She observed me during Power Hour, which is a small group process that kids move through. I have been frustrated with different parts of my power hour time and daily centers. One of my power hour aids is just not watching or taking care of her group. Therefore, I have to stop my lesson to discipline off task students. It is getting old. Today while my principal was observing me, she noticed the same things so now I have her on my side. Not that I didn’t previously but it just felt good to talk to her about it.

I hate being observed because I feel like I am not my best because I try to hard to be my best when someone is watching. I was not nervous before or during the observation. Things went okay. After as the students were leaving to go to recess and my principal was leaving I got extremely nervous that things did not go well. I realized that transitions took to long. Which I have always noticed but it doesn’t bother me too much. Basically, it put me in a bad mood and I was frustrated for the rest of the day.

Well after meeting with my principal after school, I WAS WRONG! She said I did great! We were able to talk about a few things that I was concerned with. (aka centers) She said my transition was forty-five seconds. I wondered if that was a good thing or bad. She said it was fabulous! Needless to say she raised my spirits after a long hard day!

Complements that came at the perfect timing!

OK so I had an emotional weekend losing all confidence in my self, in my teaching, my appearance, how I am as a friend, sister etc. Just one of those break down days. Well today I got the best complements from my principal. It made me feel so much better. She said that she went to her principal meeting this morning, and all the principals were complaining about their new teachers and how they are not living up to what they expected. Then she said she was so pleased with me and how hard i've been working. She has had now complaints she loves that I get along with the staff so well and that I am so willing to ask questions and always plan out things. She said she is so grateful I am part of her faculty. It was the perfect timing just when I needed it! I am so glad that I am teaching up to her expectations. I feel like I fall so short sometimes! I am just grateful that someone is watching over me.

It's funny because I know that the Lord had his hand in that. He knows when I need his help and I am so grateful for that. I am grateful that my principal listened to the Lord and choose to tell me her feelings.

Day 5 or so!

Ok I am a few days behind! So today Monday Nov. 8th! I am so grateful for

SAFETY!!

Today was a pretty scary day at school. At about 1:45 we were just about to go outside when the Principal came over the PA system and said, "We are on lockdown everyone to their rooms." I had to get all my students out of the hall way and into my room as quick as possible. A few minutes later the principal came over the PA again saying, "This is not a drill, this is a real lock down! Turn off your lights and stay quiet!"

Needless to say we are all safe! There was a robbery in Sandy that ended in Murray with a ditched car. Here is the link to a short story about it...

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13198934

It was pretty adventurous! Kids peeing in a bucket because we had not had a break for the bathroom since lunch. Candy for a treat. Hang man for two hours. Story time by Mrs. Young! Pretty silly stories. Finally at about 4:15pm parents were allowed to pick up their kids! This was an hour and 15 mins. after school!

I am just so GRATEFUL for an amazing class that was able to listen and sit quietly for 2.5 hours!

Day 3 & 4

Ummm still thinking!

All I can think of again is how grateful I am for my mom who brought me clothes. She went to my house (15 min. drive) got some clothes for me and then drove them out to my work (25 min. drive in rush hour!) You are so amazing mom! It made me feel so much more confident so that I didn't haven't to wear my 50's garb all night!

Okay but really....

Day 3

I am so grateful for a sweet class! I think your first year of teaching is hard enough. Having a difficult class would blow me out of the water. I have 24 of the sweetest students. I was spoiled by the kindergarten teachers when they put the class lists together.

I have a mix of every personality from sparky, to mellow, ADHD to spoiled, anxiety ridden to do it your self. Bossy to I don't care, Happy to melancholy, and perfect to stressful! The mix of personalities truly makes a perfect class.

Each day with out fail one of my student's gives me a picture that they have drawn, to thank me or tell me they love me! Even a student has moved to homeschool brought me a card a week later saying she missed me. I truly miss her!

Although I have a difficult time waking up in the morning ( I am so not a morning person) I love getting to work and seeing their bright eyes ready to learn. After all my parent teacher conferences it is a testament to the parents that they are doing a wonderful job. Maybe I am a bit bias but my class is pretty darn perfect!

Day 4!

Well a perfect class only happens when you have awesome parents! The parents that are involved in my class are amazing! They are so willing to donate and be apart of the room. The planned to whole entire Halloween party I was able to relax and enjoy the day.

They are so willing to give up their time. Each morning I have a different parent willing to come help read with the student's and exchange out books. This makes my life so much easier!

They are so willing to donate. I have had so many donation and I love that they keep on coming. I have been given, crayons, gluesticks, white board marker, ziplocks, tissues, hand sanitizer, clorox wipes, and much more! I can not believe how generous people can be.

So thank you to my amazing classroom parents who are so willing to share their time and talents with my classroom!

COMPS COMPLETE!!

Researching for my comprehensive exams was ridiculous! This was only the books I checked out at the library! Not even the ones I had at home! I have never researched so hard in my life! I guess that is kinda the point for the final papers of your graduate degree. 3 papers, 14 days, 10-12 pages each! Pretty over whelming but I accomplished it! I hope they turn out okay. Here is to praying that I pass!

I feel like now that I finished I could accomplish anything! Thanks to my wonderful husband who put up with my emotions and messy house! Thanks to my kids for putting up with my tiredness. Thanks to everyone!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Here is what is to come on the blog...

Wendy's Fashion show

Park City leaves

Halloween Parade

and we'll see what else I dig up!

One week down 38 togo!

So I started this two weeks ago but didn't finish! ha ha oh well! I'll take pictures of my classroom tomorrow!

I can't believe I made it through my first week! I am extremely exhausted! But I love teaching! I left friday completely wiped as I know my kids were too, but I also left thinking I can not believe I get paid for this! Although we have not seen a pay check.

Monday started with all sorts of procedures! I started my day with a self starter book that had the kids thinking and getting ready for the day. The whole day we practiced procedures, getting up and down from the rug. How to tuck in our chairs, get our cubby stuff, and becoming friends. I continued this all week. Most of my day was helping the students get use to being their all day. It is such a big change from Kindergarten!

First day of SCHOOL!!

I can't believe it is already here! I am officially a real teacher! It has been a great two days! My kids are so cute. No one to really worry about yet! Every thing seems to be coming together. I feel out of the loop like I should be doing all these fun back to school projects. But my class is having so much fun! They built a unifix cube chain from one end of the room to the other today! It was so fun! Listening to them work together was amazing! and then at the end of the day I like to do a review of the day and one of the kids said we learned to work well together! YEE HAW! Talk about community!

Back to school night is Thursday, I am really nervous to meet their parents, but very excited!

I can't believe I really have my own class.

TEACHERS!

This poem was read to Guy Doud by Ronald Reagan (Author Unknown). It reminds me of my teachers in preschool, gradeschool, highschool and college... and now myself as a teacher. It excites me to become a teacher!

Teachers
You are the molders of their dreams
The gods who build or crush
Their young beliefs of right or wrong.
You are the spark that sets aflame
The poet's hand or lights the flame
Of some great singer's song.
You are the god of the young, the very young
You are the guardian of a million dreams
Your every smile or frown
Can heal or pierce the heart
You are a hundred lives, a thousand lives.
Yours the pride of loving them
And the sorrow too.
Your patient work, your touch
Make you the gods of hope
Who fill their souls with dreams
To make those dreams come true.

Probably should update more!!

Ok so I probably should update more assuming that people are following! ha ha I know I am not that popular! But graduate school is breathing down my throat! I am just trying to stay a float this summer. I wish I could say I was floating at a beach or pool but nope just here at school. 16 maybe 18 credit hours! I am trying to figure out a way to graduate this semester but It is seeming very unlikely! So I am just taking every day one day at a time. Scheduling my life around homework and school and fitting the real stuff in some how.

All in all it has been tough but great so far! I will update June 23rd when my online class is over and I feel like I can semi breath again!

Updates to come...

*Florida

*Camping

*Motor sports way

*MG get togethers

*Upcoming weddings

*The new school year!!

DA dada DAAAAA!!! HUGE Announcement!!

I am the newest first grade teacher at Viewmont Elementary in Murray District!! I am so excited!! I start next August! Not quite sure what to expect since I have never taught first grade but believe me I have lists upon lists of things I want to buy!

CAN'T wait to set up my classroom and meet my future students!

I am working with two other teachers that seem very nice!

My principal is new to the district and seems just wonderful!!

I am so excited to work with her!

AHHH Just so excited if anyone has some fabulous ideas or supplies they are no longer in need of like books, toys, board games, etc! I would love to have them!

The End...To a new beginning!!

Well it has been 2 weeks but I finished my student teaching April 19th! It has been so fabulous to be done! To relax get a little more organized! and start applying for jobs. I can't believe that it went by so fast. It seems like just yesterday I was freaking out that I wouldn't get into the program and here I am finished with it! So here is to a new beginning!

Here are a few photos from my kindergarten placement. My kids were hilarious and everyday I realized why I loved my choice of profession! I just can't wait to have my own classroom. So keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I look for a job! If you have any connects for getting me a Kindergarten job let me know!

This is a chart I made to help manage the students a little bit better during their choosing time! They loved having the structure of it!

We were building a growing pattern, based on the book "There Was an

Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!"

I love this activity for Dr. Seuss's Birthday! They are word families! Made into a Cat in the Hat, HAT!!

This was a final group project! It is a mamma animal and her baby!

This group was working on their final project of the momma animal and babies! Theirs was a duck and duckling! So cute you can see the pond!

I LOVE KINDERGARTEN!

So yesterday I was afraid I was going to seriously hate kindergarten! But today I realized how much I truly love those kids! There is so much I want to do to help them! I can't wait for my future classroom! I have so many ideas! My program director came in today and said to me "welcome back!" I was super confused until she said..."I thought we might have lost you in third grade" probably because I was getting depressed in third grade! I told her my heart is in kindergarten but third grade help me learn a lot about my self! I would love to work in a KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM! I know that there are not a lot of jobs out there! So if anyone knows of any let me know and talk me up!! Please!

Mean while I am just waiting my time!!

Kids say the darnest things!

* "b-u-t-t do you know what that spells BUTT!!"

* Class question What can you do in the rain? "I can sta in mi house!"

*"I like octagons but not when they make you stop!"

*"Mrs. Young my mom got chocolates for Valentines"

Oh how I could go on!

LOVE THOSE KIDS!!

Last day in 3rd Grade!

I can't believe it but today was my last day in third grade! These past 7 weeks (3months) went by so fast! I have really been in there since October! I love those kids! Today was the best last day! I was doing odds and ends to get everything together (making books of units that I made.) In the work room I was called down to my classroom. At first I was really worried that I was late for "Friday Fun" (which is time for those kids that have missing assignments to catch up) or that a student might be hurt. BUT the truth is my class surprised me with a DISNEY PARTY!! My site teacher knew how much I love Disney, she bought Princess Cupcakes and had old fashion Mickey Movies up on the projector! It was the best present ever! As a third grade they made me the sweetest book with letters from all the students. Reading through them brought tears to my eyes! I have learned so much being in this classroom. I don't know where I would be with out my amazing site teacher Tami! She has been teacher for 13 years and is absolutely amazing! I can only home to be as amazing as her some day! Thanks Tami! and Thank you to all my students for helping me learn!

Here is just a few things I was able to do with my students!

A science unit on the MOON and EARTH! Studying the surfaces, shapes, orbits, rotations, revolutions, and differences! I learned so much! It was a blast!

My Bulletin board!

Playing with the Dust on the Moon!! Making Craters and seas!

These are plates with the different moon phases behind each night scene!

A math unit on MEASUREMENT!! Teaching Distance, Time, Weight, Mass, and Capacity all in both metric and customary measurements!

Measure how much water fits in the gallon, quart, and pint jugs!

Measuring the width of the cd and the length of the flashlight!

LOTS AND LOTS of READING UNITS!! We talked about verbs and combining sentences. Read stories to help us Infer about future events, talked about the sequence of events of stories and much much more!!

Fun art!! Rembrandt Shading!

I learned so much that I can't begin to write down!!

NOW ON TO KINDERGARTEN!!!

The Best Teaching Moments!

So my student that is selectively mute, well really she only talks to peers (NO ADULTS) Raised her hand and answered a question today! I was playing a math game shouting out random numbers to add, multiply, and subtract! With every question she raised her hand, which never happens, so I called on her and she answered! TWICE!!! It was fabulous! Plus she wrote me the sweetest note saying that she loves that I spend time helping her with homework! I thought she hated me!! Turns out she likes me teaching her! AHHHH The Best moments of teaching!

Hectic week turns out amazing!! Plus I am not as stressed this weekend!!

First Day of School....First Day Of School!!!

I got to be back in the classroom still observing but I love it! I am so excited to teach on my own!! Last Wednesday I started teaching my science unit on the Moon and Earth! I love teaching! I am designing a seating chart tonight along with a measurement unit! Who doesn't love playing with distances, weight, mass, and the metric system. I can't wait to take over the class!

Third grade still freaks me out but I am learning so much!

Today I was able to teach the full day as the substitute. My site teacher's son was sick. Not so great for her but it was an awesome chance for me to feel really comfortable in the class on my own.

I am starting to LOVE third grade. The kids were really chatty this morning. I think they were trying to push my buttons to see what they could get away with. Have no fear I laid down the law! ha ha By the afternoon they were awesome.

I started teaching my moon unit and realized I do not know a lot about the moon. It is so much fun to hear the students ideas and what they want to learn. We were doing a KWL chart and on the "What we think we know about the moon?" the students said they know it is not made of cheese! LOVE IT!

They are such great students and love learning. I have a few challenging ones with emotions beyond their ages, it is interesting seeing how my teacher reacts to their emotions. I can only hope that one day I can be as amazing as she is. She has been teaching for 13 years and is so good at what she does. Not only that, but you can tell she absolutely loves teaching! Every morning before getting the kids she says,

"Alright get your game face on."

I love that she says this because it reminds me that a lot of what teaching is, is acting!

I can't wait to take over next week and to in the future have my own classroom!!

WE MADE IT!!

Well 4 months later we made it through school!! I can't believe I am to my last semester of my licensure program. Given I still have until April 2011 to finish my graduate degree but Mrs. Young here I come. Starting January 4th I am going to be student teaching full time. I am so excited to be working in 3rd grade for 7 weeks followed by kindergarten for 7 weeks! It will be a challenging semester but in all new ways!

Trent completed one more semester of school and is finally enjoying relaxing well sorta. Work is stressful too! So if you can't beat, just keep playing right?

Now onto the next step what do we do for Christmas? Guess we'll find out in a week! After that I am heading to California followed shortly by Trent! We are going with my Family to Disneyland, Lego Land and San Deigo! I am so excited to get away and to have my love join me on our one year anniversary of being engaged! I can't believe it has already been a year.

Not only that....

WE'VE BEEN MARRIED 6 MONTHS!!

It has been the best six months! We are still getting use to each others quirks! But I can say I love Trent more and more each day!!

Well as you can probably tell I am out of creative ways to write! (8 Papers can do that to ya!) But we are living large (Literally gaining weight!) and love Life!!

Love ya all!

Quick Snippit of Life as Natalie going to School!

Life as Natalie! I am still going to school at the U! But Good news is I graduate In December 2008! I will have my Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies; emphasis on Early Childhood education! I only have two classes left to take! One of which I will teach preschool at the U of U 3 days a week! The other I am really excited for it is International Children's Literature with John Funk!
The rest of my time I am trying to apply to My Licensing program at both the U and through a couple school districts! I hope to be teaching in my own Kindergarten Classroom starting in August 2010! I know it sounds far away but It will come sooner than we think (I hope)!!
The Licensing application process requires 3 letters of recommendation...one of which has to be from someone who has watched you work with kids! It can not be a family member or a member of a religious affiliation. (Yes, I thought of the primary pres.)
So mean while I am trying to find a Job in a preschool summer program somewhere! If you have any suggestions please let me know!
That is about all I have left in school!