Week 5

This week began with a snow day, which was much needed after our weekend trip to Arizona. We visited Flagstaff and Sedona for the weekend and saw the most amazing red rocks! On Sunday, we took a trip to Zuni for church and Chu Chu's restaurant. Needless to say, we were exhausted after all of the hiking and traveling, so our extra day of rest was well spent.

                    

This week was spirit week. Tuesday was character day and I dressed up like Miss Frizzle! Wednesday was crazy hair day, Thursday was mismatch day, and Friday was Rehoboth spirit wear day. I had a ton of fun dressing up and supporting Rehoboth with the students. I was really bummed that Monday was a snow day because I had a rocking nerd outfit planned....maybe someday I will be able to use it...

This week was a blast of fun outfits and silliness. In addition to this, I started completely full time teaching. I added math finally into my schedule and it has been wonderful. I was extremely nervous at first to add math and teach math, since I have never taught math before, but I have loved every minute of it. Math was always a subject I struggled with, so I feel very passionate about working with my students and having my students work with each other to support each other. I decided to start something called "Math Partners". I paired up my students and made sure their was a high student with a low student. Every time I give the class a problem to work on, they have to work with their math partner and make sure they can do it by themselves. They are held responsible for each other and they end up teaching each other. If I call on a student and they cannot do the problem and their partner signed their paper saying they could, then their partner is responsible for it and the whole class uses a math point. Math points are collected when students are working well with their math partners and are getting answers correct. Enough math points will earn them a food day. I have seen a lot more confidence and excitement with math since I started this. I also am planning to do a math project with them next week. I mentioned this to a student and he could not believe it that we would do a project in math class, so this will be fun!

Another thing that I tried that was new this week was Kahoot. I did a social studies review day using Kahoot. I was a bit nervous when the internet went out the hour before I had to use Kahoot for class, but I thought on my feet and came up with alternative ways of scoring and answering questions using whiteboards and their iPads. It worked out great! I was observed for this lesson and the Principal was excited about my positive reinforcement and my classroom management. This was very reassuring to hear after this week with the students. 

The students were a bit crazier than usual this week. Do not get me wrong, I love a little crazy in my life, but some of my difficult students were more difficult that usual. I had to sit down and talk with some students after I was observed by Dr. Meyer. They were talking over each other, myself, and were acting in a disrespectful way during my Bible lesson. I think for me this was a reminder that no matter how hard I try, sometimes teaching can be frustrating. In the end, I want to reach my students and see them succeed, and what some students need, unfortunately is tough love. This is something I am still working on and will continue to work on.

My cooperating teacher, Nick is super great. This week I really realized how much I appreciate him and am thankful that God placed me in his classroom this semester. He has been an awesome role model for teaching, I have had an absolute blast teaching with him and working with him, and I am thankful for all of his encouragement through the good and the bad days. He constantly reminds me how well he thinks I am doing, gives me advice and great feedback, and supports me and teases me. It has been so great getting to know him.

This week I have learned that sometimes there are good days and bad days and just because you have a bad day, doesn't mean your a bad teacher. I also have learned that sometimes the internet crashes and you have to be able to think on your feet. I've learned that full time teaching makes you very sleepy and all you want to do is sleep and lesson plan. I have also learned that students, especially at Rehoboth really just need and want love. I am in awe of the relationships I have built with my students over these past five weeks and I have found that the best way to teach is to really truly know your students. 

Next week is a three day week because of winter break, but I will be continuing to teach full time. 

I am constantly in awe of how much I love Rehoboth, I love Gallup, and I love my students and new friends. God has blessed me so very much here. I dread the moment of having to say goodbye to it all.

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Schmidt:

The chapters are not on moodle.