Over the past few weeks my life has been utterly consumed with the planning and implementation of my Midwest unit. Tomorrow is the day where I give the final assessment. I must say that it is such a nerve-racking feeling to know that the test is approaching, and I'm not even taking it!
I want the kids to do well. They have shown me that they know this stuff through all of the assessments that I have had to give throughout the unit. As well as they have done on the work throughout the unit, this whole test thing has put me on edge. Not only will this test be a measure of what the students know, but how well I did teaching them. Their performance on this test will reflect how I did as a teacher and my stomach is doing flips and turns just thinking about it.
There are so many things that I wanted to do with my unit that I just never had time for. I have definitely learned that there is never enough time in the day. Something else is more pertinent to complete, an assembly cuts the day apart, or an early dismissal scrambles the whole schedule. There are many things that I would do differently, but I am learning and growing as it goes.
As I go to bed tonight, I know that tomorrow is a new day and I can only hope for the best. I know that my kids will do their best, I know I did my best, and that is all that I can ask for :)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Speech to the Kids
As I mentioned previously, Obama gave a speech to students across the country Tuesday. My class was one of the ones that watched the speech. After reading the speech prior to the actual broadcast, I was looking forward to the student response. There was no political bias within the speech. It was simply encouraging the students to do well in school, set goals for themselves, and become the best student and person they can be.
The students watched the speech, some more intently than others, but when the speech was over there was a discussion on what the president said. I couldn't help but smile throughout the entire discussion because the kids nailed it on the head. They knew exactly what the message was and what was expected from them as students. "Everyone has something they are good at." "You need to keep trying because it takes practice to do well at something." "Try your best." It really was a powerful speech to the kids and the fact that they could translate what he was saying was even more powerful. The only problem that I had with the broadcast was that Obama did not speak directly into the camera and show that he was talking to kids across America. It really was like watching a speech, but I think it would have been a bit more meaningful to speak right into the camera and right to the kids in the classroom.
Two students from my class were taken out by their parents during the speech. I think that it is sending the wrong message to our students to take them out of school during a speech where the president of the United State is talking about the importance of doing well in school. It is saying to our kids that maybe yes school is important, but when there is something you don't want to hear than it's okay you don't have to listen. I personally am just down right furious that politics have gotten into the middle of discussion about school and the importance of being a good student.
I got go on a whole other rant about politics and my feelings about it and how messed up it has become, but I already got into a heated discussion with my parents about that tonight...so maybe another time :)
I will end with saying that it really was a neat experience to sit with a room full of kids and hear the President talk to them. I know that it is something that I will remember, and I hope that this is something that will be continued by Presidents in the years to come
The students watched the speech, some more intently than others, but when the speech was over there was a discussion on what the president said. I couldn't help but smile throughout the entire discussion because the kids nailed it on the head. They knew exactly what the message was and what was expected from them as students. "Everyone has something they are good at." "You need to keep trying because it takes practice to do well at something." "Try your best." It really was a powerful speech to the kids and the fact that they could translate what he was saying was even more powerful. The only problem that I had with the broadcast was that Obama did not speak directly into the camera and show that he was talking to kids across America. It really was like watching a speech, but I think it would have been a bit more meaningful to speak right into the camera and right to the kids in the classroom.
Two students from my class were taken out by their parents during the speech. I think that it is sending the wrong message to our students to take them out of school during a speech where the president of the United State is talking about the importance of doing well in school. It is saying to our kids that maybe yes school is important, but when there is something you don't want to hear than it's okay you don't have to listen. I personally am just down right furious that politics have gotten into the middle of discussion about school and the importance of being a good student.
I got go on a whole other rant about politics and my feelings about it and how messed up it has become, but I already got into a heated discussion with my parents about that tonight...so maybe another time :)
I will end with saying that it really was a neat experience to sit with a room full of kids and hear the President talk to them. I know that it is something that I will remember, and I hope that this is something that will be continued by Presidents in the years to come
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Talking Politics
If you know me well, you know how I stand politically and probably that it's not something that I am too fond of debating. I know where I stand and I fully respect those who may not hold the same views as myself, but today I was just plain frustrated. Here is my rant...
Presidents Obama announced that he would be given a message to school-aged children about setting goals for yourself, doing your best and the importance of education. Apparently people are up in arms that students have to watch the President speak during the school day. There is no political, and as many have been saying "socialist" agenda attached to this message. It is purely to give students well wishes in school and to motivate them to do the best they can. Obama is the first president to ever do such a thing.
There are parents that have already requested that their student be pulled out of the class during the broadcast, which I find absolutely ridiculous. This is the first ever message of its kind and what a unique opportunity for kids to feel like the President is talking to them, regardless of political views. Now it the message was to promote any kind of political issue, than I may be hesitant to support the idea. I never remember as a kid feeling one way or another about the President, all I knew what that the President was well, the President. I remember going to see the Governor of Kansas when I was in 6th grade for a special award and at the time I had no idea what his political views were, but all that mattered was that I was seeing the Governor.
I find it sad that politics has come to the point where we feel like we cannot support our President when it comes to simply talking to kids. I overheard some people talking about the issue, and while they adamently disagreed with the broadcast one said, "Think of how it will make all of the black children feel in the inner city." Boy did this get my blood boiling. What in the world was that suppose to mean? This whole race thing is really starting to wear thin on me, and I find it ludicrous that this is for the black children, or some children will get more out of it because the President matches their skin color. It is completely irrelevant and the whole reason Obama is doing this is to reach all kids and motivate all kids to do their best in school.
It has nothing to do with race or politics and I think it is so sad that especially in a school it has to come down to that. I really am learning a lot about suburban schools and while I am so very fortunate to be at the school I am at and learn all that I am learning, I have come to reaffirm my believe that my purpose is not to teach in a suburban school.
I will update after my class and I watch the broadcast on Tuesday with what kind of response was had by the students...
Presidents Obama announced that he would be given a message to school-aged children about setting goals for yourself, doing your best and the importance of education. Apparently people are up in arms that students have to watch the President speak during the school day. There is no political, and as many have been saying "socialist" agenda attached to this message. It is purely to give students well wishes in school and to motivate them to do the best they can. Obama is the first president to ever do such a thing.
There are parents that have already requested that their student be pulled out of the class during the broadcast, which I find absolutely ridiculous. This is the first ever message of its kind and what a unique opportunity for kids to feel like the President is talking to them, regardless of political views. Now it the message was to promote any kind of political issue, than I may be hesitant to support the idea. I never remember as a kid feeling one way or another about the President, all I knew what that the President was well, the President. I remember going to see the Governor of Kansas when I was in 6th grade for a special award and at the time I had no idea what his political views were, but all that mattered was that I was seeing the Governor.
I find it sad that politics has come to the point where we feel like we cannot support our President when it comes to simply talking to kids. I overheard some people talking about the issue, and while they adamently disagreed with the broadcast one said, "Think of how it will make all of the black children feel in the inner city." Boy did this get my blood boiling. What in the world was that suppose to mean? This whole race thing is really starting to wear thin on me, and I find it ludicrous that this is for the black children, or some children will get more out of it because the President matches their skin color. It is completely irrelevant and the whole reason Obama is doing this is to reach all kids and motivate all kids to do their best in school.
It has nothing to do with race or politics and I think it is so sad that especially in a school it has to come down to that. I really am learning a lot about suburban schools and while I am so very fortunate to be at the school I am at and learn all that I am learning, I have come to reaffirm my believe that my purpose is not to teach in a suburban school.
I will update after my class and I watch the broadcast on Tuesday with what kind of response was had by the students...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
