1st week completed! For some reason it was the longest week I've ever experienced. The students have settled into their routines and we're starting to "get to work" in all three classes: Global Studies, Modern Problems and Civics. Students in Global Studies are starting with the Industrial Revolution. On Thursday we had an in-class activity where part of the class made football flippers in a cottage industry setting and the others in a factory environment. It was a great strategy and the kids did enjoy it. In Modern Problems the classes are watching "Sick Around the World" and are delving into the issue of healthcare reform. The discussions have been fantastic and it's refreshing to hear students voice their opinions and ask questions. I theorize that by the time we're done with this particular issue the students will know more about healthcare reform than their parents do. In Civics we have deviated from the normal lesson plans and instead are starting with local government instead of federal. Students are learning about civic responsibility and duty and also the functions of their local governments. In order to instill a greater sense of civic duty we are requiring each student to sign up for one of four possible community service projects: graffiti removal, city-wide clean up day, book drive, or creating podcasts of local area veterans. Initially the instructors had hoped each student or group of students would design their own community service project, but unfortunately we were having difficulty getting them motivated and focused at the local level. Therefore, the two instructors and myself decided we would have to "push" them towards the four projects we felt could be accomplished in a relatively short amount of time and have an impact at the local level. Each students will form into groups and then discuss what each person's role is going to be, how the project will be put into motion, who will benefit, and all other logistics. Ialong with the two instructors will act as a facilitator for one of the groups - in my case it's the book drive project. It will be intersting to see how well the students organize themselves and if the projects will be successful. We're especially excited about the podcasting project and the goal we're shooting for is to have the podcasts completed prior to Veterans Day.

Soon I'll be starting to lead lessons and I very excited to get started --

Let the school year begin!

Day 2 of student teaching is complete! So far I have just been observing in my cooperating teacher's classroom, but it has been insightful and interesting. Last week was in-service and we attended several meetings and planning sessions. Nyssa School District will be focusing on improving writing skills and scores this year and to that end the district will be utilizing the Cornell note-taking strategy in all K-12 classrooms. Implementation of this guided note-taking strategy should be fairly easy in the social studies content areas.

I am so happy and grateful that I am able to perform my student teaching at Nyssa. It's nice to walk down the hallways and have teachers and students say hello and inquire about my classes and progress. I feel tremendous support and encouragement throughout our building.

The first day of classes will be a memorable for one reason. Through pure coincidence both my cooperating teaching and myself were dressed identically - white capri pants, turquoise tunic tops and white sandals. We couldn't have matched any better if we'd tried! The looks on students and staff faces' was hilarious! Almost everyone thought we had intentionally planned it and I'm not sure if anyone truly believes we didn't.

First Time!!

This is my first ever blog -- I feel so "with it". I'll record my daily thoughts, reflections, analyses and rambling diatribes.