Hello Folks,

It's been awhile since I've given a pretty good update. So far, so good.
I got a Spanish learning program (actually, Rosetta Stone). It's really sweet and top-notch. I feel like I have so little time to do the program though between student teaching, the gym, homework, and trying to have a social life. My goal is to get through Lesson 2 this week and I usually listen to the supplemental CD a couple of times in my car throughout the week.

My student teaching experience is going well. I do believe that the teacher read-alouds are my favorite thing to do. And I really do think that I rather be an elementary school teacher in a self-contained classroom (have the same students all day) than a specialized science teacher (get all of the school's students every day). I like being able to work with the students for an extended amount of time. I like being able to set goals with them (academically and behaviorally) and see them succeed or at least get closer to the goals.

This week, and from here on out I suppose, I am in charge of Social Studies. 3rd grade SS consists mostly of Michigan and Michigan's history. We are starting by learning to read maps. Stuff like the compass rose, map keys, longitude and latitude. Today we went over the state of Michigan (UP and LP) and the 5 Great Lakes. We went over this stuff last week, too...and they still don't have it all down. I'm hoping that the homework I made up and assigned will solidify some info for them. Tomorrow we move on to cardinal and intermediate directions. I plan on using all 45 minutes to teach them the ideas and language associated with direction.

We also started literacy centers this week. I am in charge of the guided reading. We read a short story and then do some language and comprehension questions surrounding the story.

Here's my problem: It is too early in the morning. And most of the time I'm still sleepy until after lunch. Sometimes coffee gives me really bad stomach aches. Today it didn't, but it didn't taste good either. I have a couple of things I want to try. First, I want to accept that maybe I do like coffee and it does help me to really wake up in the morning. Secondly, I think I want to make coffee at home instead of waiting til I get to school to make some. At home I have milk that I can add to the coffee, and sugar. At school, there isn't any milk to add and coffee with just sugar tastes quite terrible. Another thing I could do was get hooked on tea....or stop by the gas station every morning to get a Pepsi zero. But, I don't want to rot my teeth away. Basically, I don't really think there's any good solution. How in the world can I wake up without adding a bunch of caffeine to my body? I pray for energy every morning...

I'll put some pictures up eventually of what I've done in the classroom and with assignments. I will be happy when I get my own classroom one day.

I hope all you lovely people are doing well. Seek Jesus first. I'm trying to do it myself. Word.