The New Semester Has Begun...

The first week is down.  This is how my schedule goes:

First: Standard Biology

Second: AP Biology

Third: Honors Biology

Fourth: Planning. 

The first day was the lovely syllabus and intro day.  W introduced herself and I introduced myself.  In first when I started talking about Rural Retreat they were completely dumbfounded that my town had 3x less people than MP.  I didn't do the "intro" to the AP class because I have "already met them".  I am looking forward to next week doing a lab with them and starting to interact with those students.  It was such a wonderful first day.

The second day in Standard/Honors we did a living vs non living lab to help introduce the characteristics of  life.  It was to help understand the differences between observations and inferences (assumptions), but is also was to have students come up with a definition and stick to it, for example if they believe move means to use your body to move like a human moves their arm then stick with it and put that dirt can't move with wind or water. Both classes really seemed to get into the this lab, they both go in "arguments" about what they believe and they stuck to what they believed it. It was very nice to start to get to know the students and their specifics.

The third day, Friday I got to do a lab demo after the notes on Characteristics of Life.  The lab demo was Pasteur's experiment where he disproved spontaneous generation (where living things come from non living things).  Both classes responded well to it and even W said they responded well to my instruction. After doing it with the standard babies and seeing the time length I decided that I needed to do some filling for the honors class and figured some more leading questions out for them.  Well, ha! I didn't need any of that at all.. the honors kids took longer to grasp the concept.  I have a feeling they are not wanting to expand out of the box yet, they are the students must make grade etc.  It will take a bit but we are slowly seeing a difference in them, slowly seeing them open up some.

Out of the classroom every Wednesday we have a meeting of some sort: faculty, department, biology crew.  In these meetings a topic that has been brought up a lot is a policy NC is taking on Pay for Performance.  It is not if NC will adopt this policy its when.  I am still learning about this, but pretty much what it is in a nutshell a teacher is paid on the growth and passing of EOC's that students have.
-more to come on this topic when I learn/understand more-

Monday we are giving a pretest and then Tuesday is my first lesson.  Ecological relationships here I come.  

Tomorrow is only a day away

Tomorrow is the beginning of the New Semester, new standard biology and honors biology students and I start really getting to know AP.
Gotta go in not being a friend, easier said than done.  I mean I have a bubbly happy personality to hopefully let shine after respect is earned.
Tonight isn't a long post, gotta get a good nights sleep in preparation for the big day and a department meeting afterwards.

I do get to send home my first letter to parents tomorrow along with video consent forms.

Maybe Wednesday.

Wednesday is suppose to be the first day of the new semester (but the weather is calling for ice and snow early this week too) and I am super excited.  These last few days have been good, but I'm ready to get busy.
Thursday was 4th period exam and Friday was a teacher work day so we had a lot of time to get planning started and final grades finished up.  W worked on AP exam essays, wow it took her practically all day on Thursday (7:30-12:00).  We ran the scantrons too and did an item analysis.  W told me that she would use this analysis to see what questions were missed the most and then be able to reloop with those topics.  She also uses this in her Standard and Honors Biology class to help prepare students for the EOC.  Another topic that is big in the Science dept at MPHS is topic of layered curriculum.  This is where for each unit/lesson there are different assignments students can do to achieve points and learn the material.  EOC's have been finished for the semester and each teacher have calculated points of growth and needless to say this layered curriculum has pros and cons.  I worked on W's growth points.  This is found by using the predicted scores that students come in to the class with (a # that is assigned by higher ups - but not every student has one b/c of private school transfers, out of state transfers etc) and then the actual score made on EOC.  In W's one EOC class she had +21points of growth, which is pretty good.

Thursday I experienced my first Faculty meeting which is was interesting.  General topics were discussed: budget, morale, discipline, etc.  I was introduced along with one other student teacher which was nice.  Then on Friday morning W had to be at an appt so she was going to be late, I worked on some things and then they were getting breakfast for all the teachers.  I went up and helped set up: did the whole meet and mingle thing which is important piece of the puzzle.  I also met the Principle.  Just walked right up to him and introduced myself.  Kinda felt like I wanted to vomit lol but it was good and we a small but nice conversation.  Friday I also finished up my seating charts and in the afternoon when W returned we got the ball rolling on planning.  We are even using two of my assignments that I found in a class last semester :) I brought them in because I knew in the beginning we'd have to discuss scientific method and lab safety.  One activity is a Variable Activity that is a little more honors level than the one she had and another is a lab safety poster activity.
on to starting lesson plans....

badge and lanyard: I'm Official

...and the never ending exam schedule continues

I have been at MPHS since last Thursday and all I have really gotten to experience is review days and exam days.  While I know this is a part of the job, but I am still anxious to see the classroom for what it's there for.  I did get invited to lunch with the science department today which was fun! Didn't join in much conversation because of professionalism ;)

W is a great CT and I am really excited to mentor under her.  I have not seen her teach (because of the strange week) but I do have a lot of faith and confidence this is going to be good.  Since this week has been a test of key characteristic a teacher must have: FLEXIBILITY it has allowed W and I to have some good conversations.

One conversation we had was about differentiation.  Differentiation among classes such as standard/honors/ap  and between stronger/weaker students in a particular class.   W uses some ways of differentiation: in her classes she looks at predicted scores that come with a student (these scores are a prediction done by CMS on how they will do on their EOC aka SOL (for those VA people reading)) and their transcripts and then in her seating charts she sets predicted "high" students with "low" students. This allows students to feed off each other "high" helps "low" and in helping retains more.  W within classes does stations for particular topics that help pinpoint different learning styles and teaches to the senses.  W said she would show me different assignment that honors gets vs the standard class because even though there is no "qualifications"/"application" for a student to go into an honors class and particularly if they are receiving the honors credit then they do the work.

I did however get to meet her Advanced Placement class which needless to say is a way different atmosphere than the standard class.  Its a different type of student.  I even tested my classroom management with them because she had to run up to the office after they finished their midterm and students didn't have a task because they just finished a midterm and it was almost time for bell.   Students started playing a game  and a group of 6 just ran across the room out of the blue.  Sounded like a stampede! I announce "listen you can play but you HAVE TO WALK! no more stampeding" and they did! They listened and walked as soft as feathers.  Now this isn't much, but I haven't even had much interaction with them and this is one of the first "HEYS!" I've done.. sooo.. I was impressed.

I feel like this semester I am suppose to learn how to be a science educator.  NOT just a science teacher, my goal for this semester is well of course to get a passing grade b/c without that I am screwed.... but my personal goal: become well-rounded meaning content knowledge, management, flexibility, confidence, etc.

Day Number 1

Day 1 - Check!
     Today was very interesting because not only was it a 2-hour delay for CMS but it is also the jumbled around because it was suppose to be an exam day, but without review days there are no exams.  Today we had 1st block then 3rd then 1st again because 1st period has their final tomorrow.
     I arrived at about 7:00 and W got there about 7:30.  Until 9:15 it was very here's where the copier is, do you remember at VT, joint planning?, what semester going to look like? etc.  No the biology dept does not have joint planning.  They have asked for it and its just can't be "fit in the schedule".  Then at 9:15am bell rang and day began.
     Greenhouse Biology is a biology class that students take before biology.  They take this in hopes that hearing the information twice will help them understand it and help the students pass their EOC (standardized test).  I will not have this particular class, I will be teaching standard Biology.  The students in this class will start Jan 24th along with about 10 other students.  This class will help me a lot with classroom management and help me find my own, I predict.  I actually received a nickname from a student in class, Ms Beverly Hills.  While he couldn't remember Baggerly he remembered the "B"  It was a little concerning because I didn't want to loose all teacher/student respect on the first day, but I was able to strike up conversation with him and turned it into talk about his study guide they were working on.  Once that conversation happened I started feeling more comfortable and started questioning others.
     Honors Biology was the other class I got to observe today.  I will not teach any of these students.  Honors biology is a semester only class so I will be getting a new "batch" of students but it was nice to interact with them.  It was interesting to compare the two class and the types of students that were in them.
     I am very excited to get started in the teaching process when the semester starts and picking up responsibilities.  QQA is something the W uses for a warm up activity it is: Quote, Question, Agenda - Quote- is self explanatory she picks a quote that she feels is appropriate for the day/topic etc Question- question about topic/goal of day or where do I need to review Agenda- is self explanatory too its the agenda for the day which includes the standard course of study goal.  I will not be taking over her Advanced Placement class (AP) this is because a teacher must be certified to event teach this class.  W is very excited about having a 2nd teacher in the room though.
     The next week is going alot of long periods because of the exams and standard testing that will be going on, but starting the 24th the fun begins.
Go Mustangs!

one of my desk-ish like areas

ceiling of the classroom - haha if this isn't another sign

So it continues

... and to add tomorrow 1.12.11 will be SNOW DAY #3.  

Today was CMS Closed Code A - optional teacher workday

Well in orientation the supervisors told us Snow Days - follow your system Teacher Workdays - must go even if your CT doesn't.  They never really said what to do on optional teacher workday snow day.  

So I call my supervisor - no answer with what to do.  My CT decides she was going to maybe go in for a bit and we decide that we will meet about lunch time. Ah I was so excited to at least see the room figure out where kids will be starting etc

          Didn't happen.  Roads were not in any shape to be driven on and she had her daughter with her (it was a good idea because I went out for a few errands and the back roads are rough)

Tomorrow is another CMS Closed Code A - optional teacher workday

will I go? I dont know, I received an email from my CT and she said she wasn't planning going into tomorrow but that if it changes she'd let me know.. 

oh well, maybe by the end of the week I will get to meet her and learn the names of students in my class for Jan 24th and the beginning of the new semester and when I hope to be picking up responsibilities.

Snow Day.

I was so ready for this morning.  I had my lunch packed, bag packed, had my parking spot planned out and even where I could get coffee on the way into school haha!.  Like I assumed I didn't sleep very well, fell asleep about midnight woke up at about 3:30am looked outside no snow and said ok well 5am is coming soon.  Then 5am rolled around, alarm clock went off and I looked outside SNOW! ahh! tons of snow! (about 1-2inches - which for Charlotte is a ton)

Even though I figured CMS would be closed I still was worried that we weren't.  The news had to say it about 3 times for be to actually believe it.

So there it is, my first day as a student teacher: SNOW DAY!

Orientation #2

Well, if I wasn't nervous before I am know.  I heard in orientation today about 10 times "just think of it as if you're on a job interview everyday" ha! yea! Because that is suppose to make things easy.
Today was UNC-Charlotte's student teacher orientation and it was a lot to take in.  I have to get a 3 ring binder and set it up to be my life for the next 5ish months.  This is to hold everything from lesson plans, samples,  to my video reflection.  Yes, that's another thing I have to video tape myself along with 3 observations throughout the semester from my "supervisor" and there will also be  a couple other individual projects "outside" the classroom do be done.

Now I am sure this was not meant to completely terrify me and make me feel overwhelmed already.  I know this because today I received a pin to wear to remind me that I am not in this alone that at one point all teachers were there, its in a circle shape to show that education is ever changing.  Also, found out that on May 14th (day after my 25th birthday) if I choose I could walk in commencement ceremony to receive my license.  While this is super exciting for me I am scared that somewhere along the line something may have been missed and I wont qualify.

I have a list of things to do including a stack of about 5 different forms to fill out, a walmart trip, have my TB test read, and find a faculty member to sponsor me in the masters program because after this semester Phase 1 is over and Phase 2 can't be completed with out this sponsor.

I AM EXCITED!!! AHH!!
be timely
be organized
be fun and exciting
be up to date
be confident in knowledge
be professional
those are my goals for student teaching

Orientation #1

     I am starting this blog as a reflection of my time as a student teacher.  From January to May I will be student teaching at Myers Park High School.  I wont be using any names for reasons we all know and understand, but a person you will hear about a lot is my CT - W.  The exciting thing about W is that she did her undergraduate at Virginia Tech and was an Animal and Poultry Science major like me!  BK at the Animal Hospital seems to think she is a client as well.  Wouldn't that be crazy!

     My first email from W seemed very positive and helpful.  She stated that the new semester doesn't start till January 24th which gives us some time to get to know each other and for me to get adjusted.
     My mom came down over the weekend and helped me get a few things together.  I have lost about 25lbs and needless to say wearing scrubs every day for the last 3 year I have not really put a lot of thought in to wardrobe.  We went and found not only one but FOUR pairs of pants that looked awesome on me.  Only 2 pairs need some hemming - Thank you New York and Company.  It was some of the best days I have had with my mom in a long time. 

     Today was my first orientation.  It was CMS specific, which meant drug test, finger print, paperwork, id badge pictures, and specific employee handbook stuff.  I thought for sure I would know someone in the room, but I didn't.  I chatted with some people and its amazing how I feel the same nervousness, anxiety, and excitement that others feel.  

     I still don't know what time to be where Monday morning, but oh well I have my official paperwork in and my I's dotted and T's crossed.