Today

Today was not so hot in the realm of student teaching. I can see that classroom management is always going to be a problem for me. It's been really dificult to walk in to the middle of class and manage the class. At least with the middle school I started the school year with them. They knew from day one that I was teacher.2. These high school students don't. They are starting to recognize me as "instructor" but not all of them. Some of them are really good kids and I like them; others I could kick.

I keep thinking, this will be so much easier when I have my own classroom. But will it? How do I create a classroom that a) functions b)is open and supportive while c)maintaining control? I don't know and if someone does know, can you please tell me? I would really like to know!

Also, if you hear of any job openings, let me know: middle/high school social studies!!!

Worst student teacher ever!

Today in 7th period (luckily one of my better classes) I was instructing them on how to complete their homework. I wanted them to finish filling out the worksheet. So I said "And please finish filling out your sheet." Only I didn't say "sheet." Another word, very similar, popped (or pooped) out of my mouth. The class burst into laughter and I know that I turned bright red. I apologized for my language and predicted that I would fail student teaching. The students continued to laugh at me for about the next 5 minutes. Travis ( my cooperating teacher) wasn't in the room at the time but I told him after school JUST IN CASE someone commented on my language. These things happen but I wish they wouldn't happen to ME!

I'm still here!

Sorry for the lack of blogging. Life has just been kinda crazy. Good, but crazy. I've been student teaching since August and then I'll be done before Christmas. Whereas my Wisconsin fellow students will be done mid-January! Ha! I'm not gloating, well, maybe a little.

Matt is now the ancient age of 31. Of course, in a few months, I'll be the same age but for right now, I'm still the youthful age of 30. I don't know what 30 is supposed to feel like but I certainly don't feel 30. Maybe like 24-25. I might feel that way because I'm in college but even when I wasn't I didn't feel my age. I suppose that's a good thing but I have to remind myself of my actual age sometimes. However, when dealing with teenagers, I often think, "They're 16 -18 and I'm 30. That means I'm almost twice their age and heck if I'm going to let them beat me!" It's my little peptalk and it does a pretty good job.

Ok, back to Matt's birthday. Here is his cake that I made. It's a red velvet cake with orange frosting and Scooby Doo decorations. Yes, he turned 31 but he is definitely a kid at heart and I love that about him.

Here he is with his cake.

Interior shot of the cake. I must admit, one of the most unusually colored cakes I've ever made, seen, or eaten.