I've got $5 free for Amazon Video, figured I could get one of these classics. Which would you prefer?
Naked Gun
Hot Shots Part Deux
Robin Hood Men in Tights
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
The Gift of Giving
I've never really understood how it feels to really give a gift before this year because before I got my teaching job, many of the gifts I bought were with my parent's money. The gifts had no real significance to me because it didn't really "cost" me anything. Now that I am now able to officially get things of my own accord, the gifts somehow have a greater value.
I now consider how much the person will like the gift. Will he/she understand how the gift is a representation of my appreciation for them? Gifts that I would not have given a second thought in the past, I now carefully consider and contemplate for days before pulling the trigger.
When I give the gift now, I feel like I am personally invested in the act and the gift itself. Obviously there is the money cost and the time spent brainstorming and figuring out what to get. But through the act of giving itself, it is kinda humbling experience because you don't really know how the other person is going to react. Will it be a shout of joy or a forced smile- a giant hug of gratitude or mumbled "aww thanks"?
All I know is that seeing a face light up after getting something they really love and appreciate is money, straight up money.
I now consider how much the person will like the gift. Will he/she understand how the gift is a representation of my appreciation for them? Gifts that I would not have given a second thought in the past, I now carefully consider and contemplate for days before pulling the trigger.
When I give the gift now, I feel like I am personally invested in the act and the gift itself. Obviously there is the money cost and the time spent brainstorming and figuring out what to get. But through the act of giving itself, it is kinda humbling experience because you don't really know how the other person is going to react. Will it be a shout of joy or a forced smile- a giant hug of gratitude or mumbled "aww thanks"?
All I know is that seeing a face light up after getting something they really love and appreciate is money, straight up money.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Getting the Christmas/ Bday Shaft
Saw this comic today from Doghouse. Thought about my sister who has a birthday on New Years Day. hahaha Although I'm pretty positive I don't do anything that lame. I typically just get one big gift that combines Christmas and bday.
Reminder to wish Christine a happy birthday in a couple days!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Redemption
Yay for vacay! Haha I rhymed!
Anyways, I'll probably write a more substantive entry on break thus far, but I wanted this post to focus on my teaching observations... moreso for my own professional development and learning benefit.
So after the debacle that was my first observation, I realized a couple things. One, teaching is not just finding the most creative projects/ activities for kids to do. Two, students need to understand the concept first before said activity will have any meaning. Third, I need to do better at asking for help.
My first observed lesson was teaching about the events leading to the American Revolution: Paul Revere's Midnight Ride to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. I had made notes, maps, and army men for the students to act out each event together with me as I taught about it. Pretty cool right? I thought so, and the kids thought so as well.
Unfortunately, this was my introductory lesson to the events, so although some students were able to pay attention and learn it, the majority of the students didn't grasp the important concepts because they were distracted by the manipulatives. This isn't to say that manipulatives can't be used to help teach, but I just had too many things going on at once, and at this age, they couldn't get all of it. My post assessment showed how poorly the kids were able to retain the information too. Out of a 20 student class, a good 5-7 were able to tell me the important points.
My second lesson was teaching "drawing conclusions with text support". First, I took the class over to the carpet area and read aloud "Flight of the Zephyr" by Chris Van Allsburg with the kids. I modeled, and walked them through how to draw a conclusion, then use specific events in the book to prove my argument.
They then went back to their seats in order to work in pairs on drawing conclusions from three fables with support as I walked around to see which students needed more reteaching. One thing I didn't do in the morning that I made sure to include in the afternoon was modeling what I wanted with one of the fables. (One of the positive notes my principal told me later in our post-observation meeting)
All in all, in the assessment I gave them a couple days later, over 70% of the class had improved from their previous scores, with a a good handful jumping up from failing that skill to getting 100% on it.
Have the students learn the important concepts first, then use the creativity projects as a demonstration of grasped knowledge.
At my post- meeting with my principal, she pretty much told me that my 2nd lesson blew my first one out of the water. Following the lesson plan, asking good questions, modeling, and being able to make modifications when things need changes were all things that she noted I was doing. We kinda talked about what good teachers need to have as teachers in general, and she told me the best skill any teacher needs is the ability to reflect and modify, which is what she's noticed from me thus far. I guess that's something I naturally tend to do because I hate not doing well or letting people down, but she kept encouraging me with that and saying how she was really glad she hired me. (I didn't know how to respond so I think I just mumbled a quiet thank you and looked down in embarrassment)
In the end, I got straight "proficient"s (which is good for any teacher) and left with a gigantic weight lifted off my shoulders. I can't wait to spend this break catching up on reading and learning how to get better, as well as workin ahead on lesson planning. =)
Anyways, I'll probably write a more substantive entry on break thus far, but I wanted this post to focus on my teaching observations... moreso for my own professional development and learning benefit.
So after the debacle that was my first observation, I realized a couple things. One, teaching is not just finding the most creative projects/ activities for kids to do. Two, students need to understand the concept first before said activity will have any meaning. Third, I need to do better at asking for help.
My first observed lesson was teaching about the events leading to the American Revolution: Paul Revere's Midnight Ride to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. I had made notes, maps, and army men for the students to act out each event together with me as I taught about it. Pretty cool right? I thought so, and the kids thought so as well.
Unfortunately, this was my introductory lesson to the events, so although some students were able to pay attention and learn it, the majority of the students didn't grasp the important concepts because they were distracted by the manipulatives. This isn't to say that manipulatives can't be used to help teach, but I just had too many things going on at once, and at this age, they couldn't get all of it. My post assessment showed how poorly the kids were able to retain the information too. Out of a 20 student class, a good 5-7 were able to tell me the important points.
My second lesson was teaching "drawing conclusions with text support". First, I took the class over to the carpet area and read aloud "Flight of the Zephyr" by Chris Van Allsburg with the kids. I modeled, and walked them through how to draw a conclusion, then use specific events in the book to prove my argument.
They then went back to their seats in order to work in pairs on drawing conclusions from three fables with support as I walked around to see which students needed more reteaching. One thing I didn't do in the morning that I made sure to include in the afternoon was modeling what I wanted with one of the fables. (One of the positive notes my principal told me later in our post-observation meeting)
All in all, in the assessment I gave them a couple days later, over 70% of the class had improved from their previous scores, with a a good handful jumping up from failing that skill to getting 100% on it.
Have the students learn the important concepts first, then use the creativity projects as a demonstration of grasped knowledge.
At my post- meeting with my principal, she pretty much told me that my 2nd lesson blew my first one out of the water. Following the lesson plan, asking good questions, modeling, and being able to make modifications when things need changes were all things that she noted I was doing. We kinda talked about what good teachers need to have as teachers in general, and she told me the best skill any teacher needs is the ability to reflect and modify, which is what she's noticed from me thus far. I guess that's something I naturally tend to do because I hate not doing well or letting people down, but she kept encouraging me with that and saying how she was really glad she hired me. (I didn't know how to respond so I think I just mumbled a quiet thank you and looked down in embarrassment)
In the end, I got straight "proficient"s (which is good for any teacher) and left with a gigantic weight lifted off my shoulders. I can't wait to spend this break catching up on reading and learning how to get better, as well as workin ahead on lesson planning. =)
Monday, December 13, 2010
Book Fairs make teachers happy
It's funny what makes me happy nowadays. I was at work last night and one of my co-workers stopped by and we started chatting about what we were planning for our kids for Christmas. I mentioned I was scrambling to try finding a cheap place to buy books for my kids and she mentioned the most amazing thing: Scholastic Book Fairs for teachers.
Today after school, I jetted it to pretty close to San Antonio and was greeted with a glorious sight of a gigantic warehouse full of aisles of books for CHEAP. You could pretty much get any book for 50-80% off, meaning most books would cost around $2-6. I ended up getting 68 books for $140 (after getting $35 off by sweet talking the cashier)!!!
Definitely worth the hour and a half drive.
Today after school, I jetted it to pretty close to San Antonio and was greeted with a glorious sight of a gigantic warehouse full of aisles of books for CHEAP. You could pretty much get any book for 50-80% off, meaning most books would cost around $2-6. I ended up getting 68 books for $140 (after getting $35 off by sweet talking the cashier)!!!
Definitely worth the hour and a half drive.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Bitter Pill
I am yet again reminded of all my inadequacies and failures. Good thing God's grace covers over me.
Nevertheless, still a real tough pill to swallow.
If you have time, please pray for me Monday @ 8am-8:40am. I have my followup teacher's observation (since I didn't do too hot on my first one). In contrast to the first one, I'm actually pretty excited to do it, since I know what to expect now.
Nevertheless, still a real tough pill to swallow.
If you have time, please pray for me Monday @ 8am-8:40am. I have my followup teacher's observation (since I didn't do too hot on my first one). In contrast to the first one, I'm actually pretty excited to do it, since I know what to expect now.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Good Reads Needed!
Urgent!
I wanted to get some books for the kids for Christmas, but other than the books that I liked (which are all predominantly masculine), I need some suggestions for your favorite children's books for grades 4-5. Some examples of books that are age appropriate are below. Thanks for your recommendations!
I wanted to get some books for the kids for Christmas, but other than the books that I liked (which are all predominantly masculine), I need some suggestions for your favorite children's books for grades 4-5. Some examples of books that are age appropriate are below. Thanks for your recommendations!
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