Jungle Fever

Every few days my roommates Ashley, Kim, and I decide to chill and watch another episode of Planet Earth, as narrated by David Attenborough. Yes, we are in love with his syntax and intonation-- I don't know how I would be able to watch Fungi grow over time-lapse photography if not for his brilliantly British turn of phrase.

Tonight we watched Jungles... and I realized that my fear of deep ocean diving might also translate to a secret fear of intensely populated places with surrounding flora and fauna. Not claustrophobia, per se, but more of....I don't know if I could be in the Jungle for more than a few minutes unless I were wearing a biohazard suit or something. It's amazingly beautiful, but I was a little freaked out that fungi spores can grow out of ants and help control populations.

That's just the kind of detail my kids would go nuts over...all 25 of them. I am loving teaching school, and we are currently working on earning the watching of an episode of P.E. When the spell the title on the board (each letter earned when a teacher gives my class a compliment) then we get to watch the episode. Currently, they have three letters earned for "Ocean Deep." I thought we'd start off with a particularly interesting one. I just can't get over the "Wonderpus Octopus."

This world is crazy...and I love it. I love learning about its plants, microbes, animals...and most of all, its fourth graders. Teaching, while busy and slightly exhausting, is well worth every hour.

Planet Earth, Arrived!

Online I found a new copy of Planet Earth, by BBC, for only about 20 dollars! My roommates and I watched two episodes tonight...and already have plans to watch more. I can't wait to see all of the episodes... I have only seen 3 of the ten or so episodes. It is such a well-made series!

School this week was extremely tiring, but I have been enjoying it. I love my class, and I am starting to get to know my kids past their surface levels. I am often surprised by what they do-- and sometimes don't-- know. We have a lot to catch up on at the beginning of this fourth grade year, and there are great things that they are teaching me. With the challenges and the effort comes good dividends, and I am so glad to be a teacher. That said, I can't think of this whole year, because then I will get overwhelmed. I can do next week, though. A week at a time, we'll make it through in a glorious way; at least that's what my current motto is.

Props to Melinda who got into Women's Chorus this week! I am proud of her and I know she will love being under the tutelage of Jean Appolonie. I got to be in that chorus for three semesters, and as busy as they were, I miss it.

Only slightly busy....

Well, it's a Saturday, and I have officially finished the first week of school. It went much better than you might think, actually--and I am convinced that I have the best class in all of Utah. We are the best ones at lining up in the hallway, to be sure.
My 25 kids have begun to know me...and even like me, I think. We are really beginning to establish a classroom community-- after four days of school, they are already working well in groups, asking me for math homework, and telling me that they wish they had more time for reading and writing!
Some of the big motivators for them this week have been table points (I have three rows for my desks, and each row is a table. They can get points by trying the morning math problem and turning it in, by being the first ones ready for instruction, by being the best listeners, etc. Every Friday, we tally up the points and then the winning table gets a treat. This week, they got chocolate chip granola bars, and the other tables got Starbursts.) and they also were very excited about being assigned their vocations.
In my class there are about 21 different kinds of vocations, and after teaching them what the word meant, we would take a few different ones per day, read the description, answer questions, and do a role play. That way, everyone (hypothetically) should know what they are supposed to do. Yesterday, they earned the right to receive the vocation, and each kid got a business card with their vocation, salary, and description of services offered and privileges maintained. I chose the staffing of the vocations randomly (pulling out the ever-useful popsicle sticks with their names written on them) and I was very proud of my kids. Without any urging, they gave each announcement a round of applause. These might be the best group of kids in all the world.
It is certainly a diverse group of learners. I have a student who is on a reading level C (which is typical Kindergarten or low 1st grade, rather than 4th grade) and I have several students who are far beyond grade level and are in the school's GATE (Gifted And Talented Education) program. It will be a challenging year, but I've already seen some exciting successes with my students.

Sorry to have been so busy. I will try to upload some pictures of my classroom setup eventually. Many thanks to Janet for the regalia from China--my kids are fascinated by it!

I need your input!

All right. The reason for starting this blog was so that I could practice and then make one with my classroom. Now I am actually going to create my classroom blog (which, sorry-- has to be accessible to parents only). I need ideas: what should I call my classroom blog?
Here's some info if it helps:

1. I am the teacher.
2. I am teaching 4th grade.
   
3. That means Social Studies is UT history.
4. My classroom theme is Asia.

Suggestions and entries are due by this Friday, August 8th, 12 noon MDT. Yes, that is the day the Olympics start.

I Have the Key!

Yesterday I got the key to my classroom. There was something genuinely exciting about putting that key in the lock, turning it right--no wait... that didn't unlock it. Left--oh, maybe it was the other way...well--third time's the charm, and I am into my classroom.

There were no lights, and seeing a quiet classroom by windowlight, desks lined up, and white board in front of me was a special feeling. This is it, and I can't wait.

Walking around the school last night, I saw a few teachers and what they are doing to set up their rooms. I had to remind myself that they've been teaching for over 5 years, and there's no way I am supposed to have as much amazing stuff as they do. They were great about giving ideas and sharing resources, though.

One of the best tips I got last night? Set up an extra desk with a blank name card, materials, etc. That way, if you get a new student the first day, they can see that you are ready for them with all of their supplies, and all they have to do is put their name on them. The 3rd grade teacher, from which this recommendation came, says that in the past few years she's done this, she's noticed that it contributes more to excitement and less to first-day anxiety.

A random tip that I got? When putting kids to sleep who are scared of monsters, have them use the "Monster Spray" (a mixture of water with a little fabric softener). That way, the kids can spray their closets and beds, and they can smell the light fragrance and know that no monsters will get out from under the beds.

Gotta love teaching in an elementary school.

Family and History

This was possibly my favorite sign in the "Walking Tour of Leesburg." For those of you who might not be able to see the text, the first part reads, "Leesburg! Paradise of the youthful warrior! Land of excellent edibles and beautiful maidens!" Mom said it was still true....

Here are some other fun pictures of my vacation home.

Pirate Spencer...in fierce frilly garb. Courtesy of Captain Melinda in the background.

Their Pirate Ship: Watch our for these three!

Sarah and I did Textured Paper Collages in the style of Eric Carle

Taking the Tour of Leesburg (Heather and Sarah)


We went to this famous House, thanks to Aaron. We got a personal tour of the West Wing!

Michelle, Melinda, Jenny and I in the press room (thanks to Nathan and Michelle's friend, Russ, for taking our pictures)

First Day of School...in just 14 days

I feel a little like this girl getting on the bus. I'm back in Provo, and things are speeding towards the 19th--a little too fast. In two weeks, I will be a teacher.

Funny... I feel more like I'm in 1st grade.

There's a lot to learn in these next two weeks. For me, school "starts" today: Abi and I are going up to Midway to (finally!) see our classroom and get an idea on how we can set it up. We'll also meet with our faciliator and review some of the preparation we've been doing. I am most excited to get my hands on the curriculum textbooks I will need, so that I can get a feel for what I'll be teaching. I am ready to start making ideas into realities...and those things will have to come into fruition pretty soon. I move apartments next weekend, the first teacher meeting starts on my birthday, and the last few days of work I have at my current job are all ticking down.

So here we go! Adventures await, curriculum maps have to be hammered out, and I am going to do it. Thank heavens for support and help... right now, it sure means a lot.

So to all those who've left "notes in my lunchbox"-- Thanks. It sure makes me feel braver around the big kids.

I can't wait to come home and tell you about school over cookies and milk.