time.

The Beatles sang and incredible song that goes a little somethin' like this, "All you need it love, bah bah bah duh bah duh" - I sing this song all the time, but I changed some words... "All I need is time, bah bah bah duh bah duh".

time.
Where do I even begin?  Time is one of the most important treasures of student teaching.  There is time carved out for everything:

10:00-10:30: Literacy, 10:30-11:15: Writing, 11:15-12:15: Math, 12:20-12:50: LUNCH (Don't be late!!)....the list goes on! 

Time for planning - after school, at night, on the weekends.  

Time for the ISL project and weekly modules...Wherever those fit in. 

Time for myself, my husband, my dogs...perhaps the most important time to be sure to have in my schedule.  

You see, time is limited.  It is so important to do a great job in all aspects of my life.  Making the most of my time is the most crucial part to thriving during the next several months.  

priorities. 
I'm a list maker.  I make a list for everything: the grocery store, my school things, my house work, etc.  If I didn't make a list, I would be drowning.  There is just something about making a list that calms the nerves and soothes the soul.  Do you feel like you're drowning?  Make a list. Do it. Right now. I promise it will calm your nerves- and better yet, wait til you start checking things off...ahhhh the joy!

My goal these next several months is to be an effective manager of my time.  Carving out time for school work, making time schedules work at school, carving some time to spend with my new husband (and our pups), and carving out time for myself (I need alone time) are all things I need to maintain. So far, so good and student teaching (and newlywed life) has been smooth sailing.  I start FULL TIME on Monday.  


                                   wish me luck :)

Until next time, 
Mrs. Snead

Classroom Management

I've been teaching math for two weeks now.  I added social studies this week (two lessons for social studies per week).  Next week I will continue with math and social studies.  I have yet to get stressed out over lesson planning.  I have a wonderful kindergarten team that truly wants to see me succeed.  Because of my coordinating teacher (CT) and the other teachers' support and faith in me, I have had quite a smooth experience thus far.  

I am so thankful that I get to spend every day with my students.  I have learned so much about them and teaching!  Tonight, I will talk about classroom management.  Surely this is only the first of many posts on this subject.  :)

Classroom Management 

There is not a magic potion.  Just because something works with the student one day does not mean it will work the next.  Get creative. seriously creative. I have several students who do not respond to traditional classroom management strategies.  Thinking up ways to connect to those students makes a big difference in their behavior.  Praise and positive words (kind words) towards students make a difference.  Duh. I know this but so often in schools these days we see negativity flowing from teacher to student.  A lot of students these days hear negative words all the time (no, stop, don't, can't, etc).  They respond to kindness. Lastly, find the patterns, try to anticipate problems in the classroom, and work proactively to avoid situations that may cause issue. 

Most Importantly...

These students have sweet, kind, innocent hearts, inquisitive minds, and so much promise.  These students are children who need support, love, kindness, faith, and inspired teaching with energizing lessons and activities.  This is something that must always be in the forefront of a teacher's mind. 

Thanks for checking back in with me.  Have a great week :) 

Kat :)

Welcome!

Welcome to my Student Teaching blog!

I have to say that starting a blog is a little scary for me.  I have never done one of these before...but I am so excited about this one!  I have so many expectations about my semester as a student teacher this spring semester. 

As I embark on what I know will be one of the most challenging (and rewarding) experiences of my life I thought it would be a great idea to set up a list of goals for my student teaching experience.  So, here we go. 

Purpose of my blog:

1. To keep me on top of my game.

2. To inform my friends and family about my experiences and whats going on in my life as a student teacher. 

3. To share insight into my student teaching experience with my fellow student teachers and future student teachers. 

Goals for my semester:

1. Get an A.  ...That is A for for Accomplished..not just Proficient.  I'm shooting for the moon :)

2. Keep my head above water as I pile on the subjects.
3. Learn, learn, and learn some more!
4. TEACH my sweet kindergarteners something valuable...something they will hold on to for a long time to come.
5. Update my blog at least once a week.

Well, that is all for now.  Please stop back by again sometime!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Snead :)