Floundering Along...

Before recess, after having read a segment aloud to students, and then sorta asking some questions about it, while completely ignoring the teacher's guide questions in the margins, here's what I told my teacher: "It was like I asked a question, I got an answer, and you could hear crickets in the background due to the lack of transition and actually using responses! CRICKET, CRICKET!"

After recess, after having discussed the segment further, realizing my questioning was again having same response of silence (minus the one over-acheiver kid who ALWAYS knows the answer): "Do you (their teacher) have anything else further? Other information you were wanting them to get? I'm dyin' up here!"

End of the day realization: Smooth questioning takes practice. Work. Skill. I'm tediously building mine (obviously)--but I find myself again ruing Evergreen's program for not having prepared me. Had I been able to field test some of this stuff throughout the past year (instead of wasting it with some of the crap I've vented about previously), I'd be in the "honing" phase now, instead of the floundering one!

All in all, though, after the wonderful trad weekend, today was a good day back. More and more I'm realizing how much the time spent student teaching will fly by. Went to the gym this evening, now I think I need to go find me a cupcake!

Traditional Weekend

Ahhh... this weekend was traditional. By traditional I mean this weekend was like weekends were in Missouri, back when I substitute taught and lived on my own in Ozark.

The weekend started with me partaking in a "festive party atmosphere" of mild mayhem, slight/brief intoxication, and much laughter and good times. This pleased me greatly. My weekend then progressed to a lazy, quasi-productive Saturday morning (wearing my favorite weekend flannel shirt). This mentality persisted the remainder of the afternoon as well. Saturday evening had a "chill and watch a movie" feel (wouldn't recommend Miss Congeniality 2--a slight letdown), and Sunday was busy at work. Work was great though...busy enough not to be totally bored, slow enough that the day was mostly talking/laughing. Sunday night was the "stock up as though World War III" approaches mega-trip to the groccery store--where I bought supplies for lunches/dinners throughout the week. Mom/Dad footed my $100 bill, which I am most grateful for... a strong finish to my traditional weekend.

Now I find myself typing this blog entry--slightly baffled by the fact that the weekend is already over. I'll be back down South for week two of student teaching in less than twelve hours.

Where's the rewind button when you need one?!

The EOS BBQ

For weeks I've been touting the End of Summer BBQ as a work function. Indeed, 'twas a function. Enjoyed the company of my co-workers/boss quite a bit. Lessons learned:

1. It is possible for hot dogs to roll off of the grill.
2. Make sure the phone is completely off before backstabbing the person you were calling.
3. Recognition frequently comes from sources least expected. Therefore, do not plan to be appreciated. And, being completely befuddled when recognition DOES happen is ok!

After a long day of 6th graders, enjoying a few brews with friends was quite delightful. Sure, I got a little rowdy--but it was nice and definite good times.

Quote of the day: "I need to hurry up and get a gun so I can fight!" --My boss (playing Goldeneye...)

Day Uno

I'll admit it. My ego took a definite hit when I walked into the classroom today and one of the students said, "WHOA! Are YOU in sixth grade?" Something about my black pants and lavender collared/button down shirt didn't give away that I was 11 years older. Hmm. Ego hit.

The teacher I'm student teaching with definitely blew me away today. I saw her do incredible, incredible things--things that were effective, student-centered, amazing things--and it made me humble. Like embarrassed to consider myself at all experienced even though I've been in a teacher ed program for a year. Having seen what I saw today, I am certain this woman will teach me a lot--possibly far more than I could have imagined. (That is if I can keep up with her!)

Basically, the day just simply went well. I'm dragging a tad after ice blocking last night (the cops only gave some of my gang a warning.... the rest of us went un-detected in our camoflague outfits...). Despite the hint of tiredness, I did hit up E9 with a few friends tonight early--our team "Albah" finally beat out the competition "Poo" at bar trivia. It was chill, especially after a day of being in the classroom and hitting the gym after school.

Day two commences tomorrow...

Anticipating the Big Enchilada

In theory, tomorrow is the big enchilada--the start to student teaching and the first day of school. The kids have a wonderful reputation--all but one was in the same class last year--for being eager, excited learners. The teacher I'm student teaching (H) with is truly awesome and a most excellent fit. She's pretty freakin' hillarious and good spirited.

I sorta know what I'm going to wear--I think--maybe--perhaps. Part of me thinks it pretty important to have a certain look, while another part of me thinks that in the long run, no one will really remember what I wore on the first day. I sure as hell couldn't tell you what any of my K-12 teachers wore on the first days of school.

My frustration right now is not being able to do much. H is scurrying around, trying to mentally prepare and get things the way she wants them. I end up doing odd, simple jobs, finished quickly, and feeling like dead weight. I'm so unfamiliar with what needs to happen/be done, that I cannot anticipate needs or volunteer to do things (plus, chances are I won't know exactly how to do them, or where to find supplies either!). So while the veterans plan and figure, I basically sit idly and watch. I'm slowly realizing that veterans are good because they anticipate--they have the experience that allows them to anticipate.

Like I said, tomorrow starts it off. What am I doing tonight? Enjoying the fact my parents are on vacation, watching Law & Order while I eat my dinner, and getting ready to go ice-blocking (per end of summer ritual) with some close friends and associates. More tomorrow.

Daily Lesson

Herr Reasons once said: "Learn something new every day." Or at least I think he was the first one in my life who said that... hmmm...

Today's lesson: Think before you speak. Especially in the customer service profession. It's a terrible feeling when you say something, it's misunderstood, and you have no way to rectify the situation. Yikes.

Metal coffins?

Today, driving home from work, I spent some time thinking about driving. It's an art form--some people are good at it, while others truly shouldn't have been given a license. It's amazing how we learn to drive--knowing basic rules, putting them into practice, and learning to manipulate some pretty sophisticated machinery. Just consider what the horse-and-buggy days people would think about us all in our own cars, with our air system blowing at us, with our own stereos, talking on our own cell phones... they'd be horrified.

In thinking about it, I couldn't help but think about the film Point Break and this quote, spoken by Patrick Swayze's character, Bodhi:

"It was always about us against the system. The system that kills the human spirit. To all those people inching along in their metal coffins, we show them that the human spirit is still alive."

As we see gas prices sky-rocket, while we continue to work our low-wage jobs where we are frequently under-appreciated, you can't help but think maybe the "metal coffin" analogy isn't too far off. Perhaps we, too, should be more focused on ways to keep the human spirit alive (preferably legal ways--if you've seen the movie, you'll get me here)... I dunno. Just a thought.

Finally, and in the spirit of humanity, it's been really rad to see the out-pouring of love and support to the vics of hurricane Katrina. I have yet to find a person who has not been emotionally moved by the media coverage they have seen. That's some pretty devestating shit that went down in New Orleans--but to see random groups outta nowhere rallying around (and in most instances doing a finer job than even the government)--that's impressive.

Lots to think about this week, I reckon...