on my own

survived all by myself this afternoon with my class....3 periods is a really long time especially when your a student teacher just beginning her block. my associate had to attend a funeral so i had the lovely task of keeping the gr.4/5's in line...i mean busy and on task. I mean they had to have a "real" teacher in b/c i'm not certified but she didn't really have to do anything...it was all me. Luckily i didnt have to come up with my lesson plan, KC showed me what she wanted the kids to learn and I flew with it. It was a really great experience...and the kids really enjoy it when they find out i get to teach. Don't worry, there were no nose bleeds or headaches...but kids will always be kids, they'll always be chatty and loud. i'm alright with that. I think some of the boys are realizing i mean business. There seemed to be more and more of these "collector items" (aka TOYS) and i really had it with them so i told them i'd confiscate them if i ever saw them again. They weren't too thrilled about that so they are beginning to listen to me more. At first they were all really testing my patience..but i think they are getting better at it

AW still very impulsive...i hate to give him sad faces especially with what happened last week...but he just has a hard time controlling himself. He's doing better...improving with his effective choices but i still have to constantly check on him and remind him about happy faces. I really hope i can get through to him by the end of my block...he's such a smart kid but gets himself into unnecessary trouble.

There are a lot of great kids in my class...they aren't all very bright but they are just great kids...i call those "feel good" kids. When you walk into the room, and you see their face lit up or the light bulb switches on...you just feel better about what you are doing. Those kids make teaching more than worth the while.