Science lesson

I taught a lesson last week about sorting rocks. The students were so excited to be doing science since they hardly ever get the chance. I think they were overjoyed that they especially got to be working with real rocks. They had so much fun, but this picture just makes me laugh every time I look at it. One rock is soft, everything else is hard... of course... why didn't I think of that?

Ants and my closet

For my "teaching science" class, I was able to choose a project that I felt would benefit me in my future teaching career. Since Tyrel and I never had the wonderful opportunity of having ant farms, we decided together that this would be a great opportunity for that. So, we searched... and one day when we were at Sportsmans Warehouse (we go there a lot) Tyrel found these magical plastic ant farms. The clerk looked at us strangely, but nevertheless rang up the purchase.

I was so excited! Tyrel bought our ants online and they arrived one day when I was home by myself. I got it out of the mail and ripped it open, only to find them dead. Sad, I know. But then I looked again and they were moving. Turns out, the cold slows them down. So we bought some sand and wahlah! We had a farm. They used to build really cool tunnels, but now we think they are becoming dead, for reals.

Tyrel wore my gloves while he was dumping in the ants because they are the kind that sting! Whenever one ant "got away" I was in charge of watching it on the floor until he could get the rest of the ones he was working with put away.

The ants had dug really cool tunnels prior to this but them they all caved in. Ants are funny. And, they had also made their "pyramid" on the right side of the plastic farm but they figured out they couldn't get to the top part so they moved it. Hillarious.

I also wanted to share with you my pain of having such a small closet AND it's in the bathroom. Two really strange, sad things. I hope one day to not have such a sad closet, but here it is in all its glory.

Sometimes being a teacher is hard.

I know, I know... last time I was so positive but right now I am just thinking about how on earth I am EVER going to get all that I need to get done done!!! (I think I was still riding the high from the Halloween parade) There are so many things to do and think about and discuss and review and do! I don't know how I will survive the next six months, I feel like I am going crazy (good thing it's the weekend, seriously).

While talking to one of my El Ed friends yesterday she reminded me of the story in Luke 10 about Mary and Martha. Martha was so caught up in those little things that she was not even savoring the moment that her sister Mary was having with the Savior.

38 ¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named ^aMartha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art ^acareful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath ^achosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

I need to remember that those little things do not matter as much as "the big picture." It's hard to think that this will be but a small moment, but it will. I will be okay!

Becoming a teacher changes your heart.

I know it has only been 6 days... (three days this week and three days last week) but I already know I am going to really miss these kids when I leave. They have such good hearts and they are so willing to help me in everyway. Of course there are some challenging students but those are the ones that I want to help the most! It makes me sad to see that their lives are hard.. because they are hard, there is no doubt about that. I just want to make them happy and give their lives some stability beyond what they get at home. It makes me happy just to see that one happy moment in their day--when they discover something or are able just to be good and be on task. I really live for those moments.

My favorite things about being a teacher:

• They call me Mrs. Clark and I love responding to that!
• Asking for a picture with you after the Halloween parade
• Getting scared during the parade by a fifth grader
• Having wonderful moms come in with great party games... :)
• That light bulb coming on... I love that!
• Singing crazy songs and getting to dance like a nut (Monster Mash!)
• Wearing teacher clothes
• Celebrating about loose/lost tooths and birthdays
• Counting money (something I really struggled with growing-up and knowing how to help is wonderful)
• The squeals of delight when it started snowing for the first time of the year
• Reading to them, with them, for them
• Getting to share with them in their successes
• Walking them to lunch, specialty classes, etc. (it's fun to walk in the halls with them)
• Planning lessons and seeing how my lessons actually work with students

Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.
A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.
Teaching should be full of ideas instead of stuffed with facts.
Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition.
The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything

My little book moment again... :) This was read today in my classroom by my mentor teacher and I was reminded about this book which we also read in my music class a few semesters ago. It is a great book that can be used to teach sequencing and movement. My class was still sitting at the "carpet" while this was read but it would be really fun to be up and exploring the rhythm. Happy Halloween!