Just Wednesdays

For the month of July, I am only going to be blogging on Wednesdays starting this upcoming Wednesday. I am finally done with classes and want to have a break this summer, even though I still will be working. Come this time next year I might be shopping for supplies for my classroom and planning the many other things for it. I want to be able to relax for one last time.

I will only be posting on Wednesdays in July and this may extend into the first full week of August and possibly the following week after that. This blog is about my student teaching life and right now nothing is going on with that. As soon as I find out more about semester 7 I will let you know.

Also you might notice some changes in my previous blog posts because I discovered this wonderful website called Pic Monkey and so I might go back and vamp up the old posts. I only wish I had found this site sooner. I will be getting things ready for the next upcoming semester, so some other changes in the old posts will be changed too. Nothing big, but a change in the title for them. 

I may or may not, go go back to reread my blog posts because I have been noticing some spelling and grammar mistakes. It depends if I feel up to it. I might do it on one of the non sunny days. I can't be wasting the good days.

Lastly, my final grades for my summer classes were posted and I got a 'B' in my mythology (afternoon) class. I am honestly very shocked when I found what I got because I didn't I would get anything higher than a 'C+' in that class, so I must have done better on this last exam. Thank goodness, cuz I did not want my GPA to get that low. I got a 'B+' in my other class, which I knew I was going to get. I'm pleased with the grades I earned. 

Summer Classes Over

YEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!

Classes are over. Oh my gosh! Finally! The weather says its going to be cloudy and not rainy anymore. Which is still not great. I wanted a sunny weekend to make up for last weekend. 



My stomach was growling the whole time during the exam and I was extremely embarrassed. I know there had to be a couple times that the guy behind me had to have heard it. I wasn't even hungry, so I don't understand why it was doing that. Which it does quit often during my classes.  

I received an email from my cohort professor saying that some of the mentors she had before are leaving, which is making it difficult for her. It sounds like we might be trying out new mentors this semester. That shall be interesting. She also mentioned something about an orientation for the county the schools are in that we need to go to. She said we got an email from the ECED secretary back in May. I looked through my trash and only found an email about early move in if you are going to be living on campus. So I have no idea what she is talking about. Figures. Back before we started last semester, we all had to go to something for the county, so I hope that is what she meant. I thought she said we only needed to take that once. She never mentioned before the semester was over about having to do an orientation. 

By the way, I did a stupid thing the other day at work and I agreed to work full time for two weeks in one of the 4 year olds classroom because the teacher is going o vacation. I went in today and told them that I can't do both weeks because it just too much. It really is. Those kids are very difficult and I can't handle them all day. I said that I can only do one week, which they were not to pleased about. I was nervous to talk to them about it because my boss who discussed this with me, last day was Thursday, so I had to talk to someone else today. 

Last Day Tomorrow

I had my last day of class for my morning class today and tomorrow will be my last day for my afternoon class. 

 I have an idea that I am going to receive a 'B' in that class, though hopefully it will be a 'B+'. Not much of a difference, but it will help with my GPA slightly if I do end up with a 'C' in my mythology class, though I am trying to get a 'C+'.We also took a final in the class, which was really easy since it was just a reflection on the research paper.

One last exam tomorrow and hopefully I do slightly better on this one to raise my grade to a B (or C+) and then I won't feel as low as I already do about the grades I'm getting for my summer classes. I have a feeling though that I am not going to do so well on the exam because unlike the other books, I did not read the books outside of the classroom. I also do not understand them as well as the first two books we read. 

Super ecstatic that this month of summer classes is finally about to be finished. It's not that my classes were bad, but I'm just ready to enjoy my summer break a little before having to start fall semester, which I will have to start a week early and go in when the teachers go in everyday.

Right now, this is what aol is saying the weather will be this weekned:

• SATURDAY84°67° 
• SUNDAY85°68° 

Documentaries: Miss Representation

Warning: May Contain Spoilers

This is another film that I watched in my first class at my university. This film opened my eyes wide open about information pertaining to women that I never knew about. It was shocking to find out how far behind the United States is with women not having as much power as men compared to other countries. This is a very motivating film that every female should watch.

About: 

The film interweaves stories from teenage girls with provocative interviews from the likes of Condoleezza Rice, Lisa Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Rosario Dawson, Dr. Jackson Katz, Dr. Jean Kilbourne, and Gloria Steinem to give an inside look at the media and its message. The film’s motto, “You can't be what you can't see,” underscores an implicit message that young women need and want positive role models, and that the media has thus far neglected its unique opportunity to provide them. The film includes a social action campaign to address change in policy, education and call for socially responsible business.

You can watch this on Youtube. Just type it into the search bar. 

Only 1 More Week

Finally!

The only one more week of school is here or only three days. I can't wait for when I can walk out of my last class on Thursday. 

This week went by somewhat faster because we didn't do much in my first class on Monday and then we didn't have the class on Wednesday unless you wanted to meet with your group that day, which my group didn't want to.  

Honestly, I hate doing group work because I always feel like I either didn't do enough or did too much. We talked a little after on Monday and of member just got up and left right after we figured out the topic. And then I hate when the teacher makes us fill out how the members of the group did because you don' want to say anything bad about the person. 

Also, can I just rant a little about how much I don't like commuting?


I want to make sure that when I get a job that I want to live close by, so I'm not driving a long way there. I think I have done enough commuting during these past two years. Luckily no accidents, though I did witness one happen right before that shook me up enough.

Last thing. I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about the grade I got on my midterm because it makes me feel even worse about what I got, but this is life and it happens to everyone. I didn't do as well as I thought I was going to do on the exam. I got a 78% and the part that makes me feel worse is that that's pretty much the grade I will be earning in the class. 

Now I worry about the grade I'm going to receive on my research paper in my other class. I'm hopping she will have them graded by Monday because Wednesday is the last class and I kind of want to know how I did in class before the last day. 

It just sucks since my GPA is going to drop and I have worked really hard to earn it, but I have to stay positive and work extra hard this upcoming semester. Which already sounds like it is going to be difficult. 

Documentaries: Paper Clips

 Warning: May Contain Spoilers

While watching this documentary, I had a feeling that I have already seen this, though I don't know when or where that would have occurred. This is a great feel to share with students in high school or middle to share that just because people are unaware of something doesn't make them not care or ignorant. Overall this an inspirational documentary that should be shared with students and teachers alike.

About:

In 1998, something amazing happened in the town of Whitwell, a small rural community of fewer than 2,000 people nestled in the mountains of Tennessee.

Whitwell Middle School principal Linda Hooper asked language arts teacher Sandra Roberts and associate principal David Smith to begin a Holocaust education class that would be the basis for teaching tolerance and diversity in a voluntary after-school program. When the students, mostly white and Christian, struggled to grasp the concept and enormity of the six million Jews who died during the Holocaust, they decided to collect six million paper clips – one for each soul who perished.

Why paper clips? The students’ research found that Norwegians wore paper clips as a silent protest and symbol of resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II. It was this simple idea that eventually, and quite unintentionally, turned into a worldwide phenomenon, drawing international media attention and letters of support from literally every continent.

The “Paper Clips Project” extended over several years and in 2001 the school dedicated a Children’s Holocaust Memorial, which includes an authentic German railcar filled with a portion of the more than 30 million paper clips they eventually collected. A moving documentary, entitled Paper Clips and originally released theatrically in 2004, captures how these students responded to lessons about the Holocaust and how a committed group of children and educators provided hope and inspiration to countless others around the globe.

Cited from http://oneclipatatime.org/paper-clips-project/

You can watch this for free on Hulu.

Beautiful Weekend

Oh. My. Gosh.

This weekend was so nice and it was just what I need to get me somewhat through these last two weeks of summer classes. Then no more driving during early morning rush hour and 5 o'clock rush hour.

Sunday was more beautiful then Saturday. On Saturday it was more clouds then sun and it was very windy, so I got cold. This ended being a good thing because I buckled down and worked on my paper. I also feel better about it since I figured out where I was going with the paper and was able to get it done faster. 

I also worked on my research paper and got caught up on the new book we our reading in mythology, Metamorphoses by Ovid. I'm glad to get the paper out of the way and now in that class, we just have a debate left. Not really a fan of having to do debates because I tend to agree with both sides. 

Fingers crossed that work doesn't ask me about working more hours cuz I want some time off to myself this summer because fall semester starts.

Where is the Love?

What is going on in the world now and days?

So many shootings have been happening recently and I don't understand why that is. It's sad to say that I had to deal with a shooting that was close to my home and a place that I go to. I was actually there the day prior before it happened and if I hadn't gone that day then I would have been there for the shooting. 

Something needs to be done because these senseless shooting are occurring and innocent people have been hurt or worse; dead. Those are peoples loved ones. 

I have talked to my parents about this before....gun laws. I know that everyone has a right to bare arms and I'm not sure about all of the gun laws, but everybody should not be allowed to buy a gun.  

Anyways.... onto a slightly better topic. My midterm that was yesterday. 

The midterm was not too bad, though the first few questions got me nervous because I didn't know the answers. I don't want to say to much, so I don't jinx myself. Also we got to leave after taking the exam which was really nice of him to do that. I'm hoping to get my grade this weekend posted onto blackboard, but I'm not sure he will do that, so then I hope he has them grade by next class. 

Also the weekend looks like it is going to be a nice one, but I still have my research paper and presentation that I need to do. I was hoping that the weather this weekend was going to be cloudy, so then I wouldn't feel so bad about having to stay inside to work on my paper. I'll probably just work on it during the nights and hope for the best. 

Summer Midterm

I have my midterm already for my mythology class tomorrow. I'm nervous about this for a few reasons:
1. I have to admit that I did not study for this as much as I could have done. 
2. It is not multiple choice like I was hoping. 
3. I need to know how to spell the Greek names. 

Also, there appears that the class is not out of a lot of points, so the few points I miss will lower my grade immediately and we are only being grade on the two exams that I'm aware of. I just need to tell myself that it's ok if I only get a 'B' or a 'C' in this class. I have a good GPA, so I will be fine. Besides at this point, I want classes to be over already so I can enjoy the little bit of summer I still have left. 

Ugh. Today was such a long day compared to the other days when I had class. Even the break between the classes was long because I didn't have any mini assignments and only worked on my research paper that is due Monday along with a presentation to go along with it. 

I feel like I don't know what I'm doing in my research paper because she keeps talking about not doing a presentation on certain topics that I wanted to do. Though, ironically we have to give a presentation to the class about our research paper.  

Did I mention that I am already over with summer classes?

Thunderstorms Roll In

Well.... the thunderstorms were suppose to happen throughout the day, though I didn't see or hear any. It's been going on like this for two days. What's going on weather?

Anyways, today was an ok day. I got out early in my morning class around 10 and left straight for home because I didn't have my mythology class that afternoon. We did have to do a discussion on blackboard during our class time, which took some time waiting for others to post something. I also didn't want to post first since I was unsure about one of the questions. I had to respond to one of my classmates response too. 

I was a little shocked to find out that the research paper for my ISTC class (morning class) is due next Monday. When she said this I was shocked and I'm sure other students in the class were too. I wish she mentioned this last week, so then I could have worked on it this past weekend. Instead of watching Criminal Minds. 

I want to share with you a video my professor showed us in class today that I thought was really sweet and adorable. 

Documentaries: The Boys of Baraka

Warning: May Contain Spoilers

I first watched this film in my first college class at the university that I transferred to. I really enjoyed this documentary and was wondering the whole time what was going to happen to the boys in the film. This is when I first became interested in watching documentaries.

The Boys of Baraka:
"Devon, Montrey, Richard, and Romesh are just at that age — 12 and 13 years old — when boys start to become men. But in their hometown of Baltimore, one of the country’s most poverty-stricken cities for inner-city residents, African-American boys have a very high chance of being incarcerated or killed before they reach adulthood. The boys are offered an amazing opportunity in the form of the Baraka school, a project founded to break the cycle of violence through an innovative education program that literally removed young boys from low-performing public schools and unstable home environments. They travel with their classmates to rural Kenya in East Africa, where a teacher-student ratio of one to five, a strict disciplinary program and a comprehensive curriculum form the core of their new educational program. The Boys of Baraka follows along with their journey, and examines each boy’s transformation during this remarkable time." cited from http://www.pbs.org/pov/boysofbaraka/

One really cool thing from this class was that we got to meet one of the boys that was in the movie. When the professor told us this I was super excited and to be honest I was hoping to meet one of the other boys in the film more. Although, I have to admit that it was really great to meet Devon Brown and to see how far he had come from since he was a kid from in the film.

It was nice to seem how well he was doing and to know that he was still very ambitious. He discussed a little about the other boys from in the film. I believe he said that they weren't doing as well and I think one of them was even in jail. That was sad to hear because at the end of the film it seemed like they were doing pretty well too.

You can watch this documentary on Youtube. Just type in the name and you will find it.

Classes So Far

Summer classes have not been too bad so far. The traffic after my last class is bad, but it is what it is. This is only for a month anyways.

For my one class, we are going to be writing a 5-8 pages research paper. It seems like it will not be too difficult because she is going step by step with everything we have to do for it. We have mini assignments along the way to support the writing of our paper and I can get those done during the break between the classes. Which is really nice to not have to worry about getting them done at home after a long day. 

For my other class we haven't done much in there and I'm not really sure what we have to do in there besides reading. I know that we will have two exams about the readings. I do not know when those will be. I'm thinking that we will have more to do because it is an English class and they usually involves writing. Right now we are reading The Odyssey which I kind of understand and somewhat enjoy reading. Really I just think my professor makes it interesting.

Selling Textbooks

With the help of Bigwords.com I sold my textbooks from this semester. I had purchased 4 textbooks and will be selling 3 of my books. One of the books I will use again next semester. So far, I have only sold one of my textbooks because I'm hoping the others might sell for then they are asking right now, so I don't know when I will sell them.

I sold the Assessing and Guiding textbook for $59. That is $39 more dollars then I would have gotten from selling it back to the university for just that book. That's also still $8 more if, I sold all of my books to the university.

Online, my university has a buyback estimation on the store page. Below is the books and the prices they offered:

HEAD START ON SCIENCE Author: RITZ* ISBN: 9781933531021 Edition: 07 Estimated Buyback Price: $2.00

CREATIVE ARTS:PROCESS APPROACH... Author: EDWARDS* ISBN: 9780137151639 Edition: 5TH 10 Estimated Buyback Price: $22.00

ASSESSING+GUIDING YOUNG CHILD.DEVEL... Author: MCAFEE* ISBN: 9780137041275 Edition: 5TH 11 Estimated Buyback Price: $27.00