Highlights of my day are always the innocent kid comments of "You'll be with us all year, right, Miss Chelsea?" or "Can you come back next week?" Those just make my heart melt because they don't have to say that; they say it on their own volition and out of their own character. Honesty is still "the only way" with them. Those make me want to come back each and every week... and it is the same thing that kept my going back to work at the academic camp for the past 3 years (and will do so next summer).
The learning centers activity was actually a bit crazy at first. Ms. DT asked if A and I would help... and so, of course, we said yes; it required three grown-ups.
(Side note: I thought learning centers were completely different. I thought they were stationary in the classroom somewhere and kids just went whenever they wanted. Nope, learning centers are actually centers that kids rotate between during a block of time.)
I took over the dominoes and addition sentences activity... and let me tell you, initially, it was a challenge because the kids weren't understanding what needed to be done (because I didn't understand what needed to be done)... so I changed the activity to adapt the kids and to make it easier to complete.
"Write an addition sentence with the number of dots on each domino. So 1 dot plus 3 dots equals 4 dots. Then place the domino on the card that has the total number on it; match 'em up. Let's see which number card gets the most!"
After the initial group rotated, the following groups went really well (one boy said that it was his favorite!). I found a system that worked with the students. Organization was key.
I talked with A about her full-prac plans, and she wants to work in a more urban setting... yay for me!... so, I asked Ms. DT the big question that is on all pre-pracs' minds in their placements...
Would you like a full-prac student next semester?
And she said yes! I think I may quite possibly have one less burden to worry about! As long as the principal approves and my grad program gives the papers, it's a done deal. I'll be in 2nd grade all year. :)
I seem to enjoy making myself insanely stressed because I'm now picking up a grading job at a local charter school for some extra money (after my little bit of a female emotional "I don't like not having a job and worrying about money" grad student spiel the other night, this would somehow make me not worry? I'm still figuring that one out). It'll also get me to see student development in the older years, a wide spectrum of comprehension and skills (what I hope to instill in my students). I have an interview sometime next week. Being an "English TA" (the official title) is so ideal because it's so flexible... I pick up student work on Friday afternoons and then drop it back off on Sunday. AND I actually get to use my B.A. for something! It's only a bonus that I love editing (oh, red pen, how I adore you, even though I don't like your bright color). So, yes, if I seem zombie-esque, it is quite possible I have become one.
I'm only young once to shove as much into my schedule as humanly possible because once I become the world's best teacher-mom ever, my schedule will hardly allow saving the education system, too. ;)
- Miss Chelsea :)
P.S. EDIT: Best Comment of the Day--
So in a moment of "oh my gosh, what the heck am I doing?!" I threw my arms up and pretty much exclaimed, "I just want to run away and join animal photographers of the WORLD, become a nomad, and take pictures of the most awesome animals ever!"
My surrogate sister wrote to me and responded, "Think of the children!!! What will they do without teh Chelsea? 'Oh, no, I don't know how to read and there's no one to teach me! I'll grow up to be functionally illiterate like Anna Nicole Smith!' " and proceeded to give a story about how she debates with her whole law school decision, too... then said, "So you hang in there too, so I can have smarter clients to defend!"
And when all else fails, I will just watch everyone's favorite Yipyips. :) Between that comment and those crazy martians, I got more laughs than anything today. I was able to send flowers to my aunt for her birthday today, too, and it made her smile so that made me smile. In the grand scheme of things, what really matters is people, friends, families, and relationships. Not grades, diplomas, or certifications. Those mean nothing if you don't have a life filled with joy.
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