Happy Field Day!

Today was my first day of my second semester student teaching experience. I woke up tired, and I honestly did go to sleep early. I just couldn't fall asleep. Maybe I was just excited, because I was definitely not worried or nervous. Anywho... being tired did not hold me back. I walked into the office with three other fantastic Block 8-ers. We signed in, sat in "the lounge" waiting for our MT's. We were very fortunate and were walked to our classrooms by another fourth grade teacher since she knew our MT's weren't coming back to the office. Soo...you must be thinking, "Okay, Mary Tran... get to the point." Here is how my day turned out.

1. I find out my MT has to run a rotation for the new behavior system at the school. She asked me to join her if I wanted to come out. I decided, "Of course! Why not?" She and a few other teachers were in charge of showing what to do at lunch, how to eat at lunch, etc. She did a skit of what not to do at lunch. I decided to volunteer to act out the skit after seeing her act the first session.

2. After doing the skits, she said I should go back and see the Sub in action. I went back and finally observed the students. It's early on in the school year and I don't think that the expectations for appropriate behavior has set into their routines.

3. After school, I stayed after and helped my MT. She had a few students stay after to help grade Time Test for Multiplication and Division. My MT explained what needs to be done and I explained and divided the tasks amongst the students.

4. The students still aren't sure who I am. It was a hectic day, so I wasn't formally introduced.

5. I think this will be a great experience. Who knows... this girl here might just fall in love with fourth grade and can't decide which she loves more... the little ones or the older ones.

6. I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know more about the students and my Master Teacher as I continue to observe.

Well Interweb... that is all I have to offer now. Until next time...

Here it goes again...

Well...it's the beginning of the second semester (and final) of the teaching credential program. I'm very excited so far to start brand new. I'm super stoked to teach fourth grade this semester. Wooohooo.. my days of being Miss Tran is back. =)

Soo... going into this second half. I feel less overwhelmed, and more open. My goal this semester is to be totally open to everything and be professional to the infinite power and to just enjoy the journey with a positive attitude. If my blogs seem to go off-track from this goal, please let me know so I could get back on track.

More to come this semester.... OOoOoOOoOO!!! :claps:

Time to say gooodbye....

No words can describe my experience with the students of Room 2 at Anaheim Hills Elementary. I had my good weeks and then the bad weeks and then the not so bad weeks. I went in really gung-ho about teaching, but slowly that idealistic teaching turned into realistic teaching. When I had my bad weeks, I had doubts about whether this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Today, I walked into the class and even if it was my last day, I put my all in my lessons. I probably made a fool of myself, but the kids were having fun and I was having fun. Every one was learning and I was learning that this worked with them. So... when it all comes down to it, I know why I want to teach and these students helped me discover that. I made a difference and an impact in the learning experience of these students. Here's how I know:

1. Alyssa gave me a watch because I taught her how to tell time.

2. Chris knows what time to go to bed because I taught him how to tell time.

3. Abiral, sweetest boy who makes me smile and brings oomf to room 2, thanked me for teaching him how to add and subtract and knows to fix his mistakes right away.

4. Hunter gave me a Lego figurine that he made of me. If a student can remember all the details of how I look and my favorite types of designs on a shirt and put so much thought into Lego Miss Tran, then yes I know that he enjoyed my presence and I know I made a difference.

5. When students enjoy writing, I know I have done my job. If I have students sitting in during recess to finish their writing without any moaning and complaining, I know that I've inspired them to be the best and have fun writing.

6. When students are not complaining about having to rewrite but rather are excited about performing surgery on their writing, I know that this is what I am called to do in life.

There are just sooo many things and moments in this student teaching experience that has lead me to truly believe that this is it for me. I am truly being Miss Tran.

So what's next?

In my next placement, I will be more direct, more open, more professional, and keeping it real. This shy and timid in me cannot overshadow who I really am and what I am capable of.

Hippie Miss Tran has left the building...

The way I see it, I have tried and tried to make the best for the students of room 2. I pretend to be in their shoes and plan my lessons in a way that they would get the most out of and have the most fun. I have also tried to be a person who is forgiving and gives students second chances because I have faith that they can do better. I have also been the nice Miss Tran. The teacher that all students can come to talk to about anything going on in their lives. I have been...and you've guessed it. The tree-hugging, lets make up and try again, and everything is going to be alright Miss Tran. Well everyone... that hippie has set sailed onto a ship to a deserted island. And all that is left is an authoritative person.

Today, I cracked. The kids pushed all my buttons. They tested me and I cracked. I gave no one anymore chances. I gave pink slips like wild fire. I had kids clipping up and down. I just gave into the system that I never thought I would ever use and I broke down in the lounge, and believe me I have days where I come home and then cry. Not today. I was devastated, hurt by what the students put me through. I don't think there's been any day like today. Sooooo... tomorrow is a new day and we will have a talk about showing respect and being respected.

Tired?!?

I've realized I've told many people that I am tired all the time. I've had days where I've written in my lesson, "Students will meet me on the flower." Well....there is no time to be tired this coming week. I've decided that I will be pumped, energized, excited, and enthusiastic about all things that go on in Room 2. It will be the best week ever at the hills!

Memorable moment:

Me: I expect everyone to show me respect and participate in our math lesson. If I see that everyone is doing what they should be doing, you will each get a kiss....I mean a chocolate kiss not a real kiss.

Room 2 was busting out laughing.

All Eyes on Me...

21 students + 1 master teacher+ 1 to 2 parent helpers= A BAJILLION EYES!!!

I have to admit... I am very very reserved when I have so many eyes on me. I think way too deep about what is going on in my master teacher's mind plus I think about what the parents think of me when I work with their kids. I'm surprised I haven't sweat a whole ocean for my students to swim in and have a beach party. When no one is watching me, I get kooky but in a good way. I let loose and become the true Miss Tran.

Back to the eyes, I have several students watching me and when I look over at them...there's this negative aura or vibe I feel coming from them. Is it my gut instinct or is it just me psyching myself out? I'm hoping that by talking to them individually, it will create some change.

Room 2 is Ready for Advance Bio...

Fact: Students in Room 2 crave the big words!

Today, we learned about the basic parts of plants and how plants grow. I throw out the words "photosynthesis, chlorophyll, chloroplasts" and voila! I have a class going "ooooooo."

Me: Photosynthesis occurs in the leaves of plants. It is the process of making food for the plants. Photo means light and synthesis means to make. If you put the words together it means making something from light.

(silence for a minute)

Whole class: OH!!! THAT'S A GOOD ONE MISS TRAN! I GET IT NOW!

Hey.. college prep starts early! =)




Forgot... here are some quotes from the students of Room 2. =)

Moses: Today, in my mom's country, we are celebrating. ( In reference to Cinco de Mayo)

Another one that cracks me up....

Me: Zachary, you have a comment?

Zachary: Actually I have two comments.

Kids are strange...

Fact: Room 2 first graders have a strange way of expressing their feelings towards me.

Usually, I don't get hugs. I don't get a lot of kids coming up to me and sharing about some interesting thing. It makes me wonder how much they want me to be a part of their classroom. But... when I opened up my "Converse Box," I found some interesting notes. One was from a girl who is always getting into trouble. The note said:

"Dear Mrs. Tran (yes I became married overnight) I hope you are having a great day at school. Thank you for teaching us. Love, Alyssa"

I would have never expected that to come from her. haha...

And my favorite note said:

"Miss Tran, what is your last name?" hahahahahahahaha... it cracks me up every time!

Coming out of a chrysalis...

Since the first week of student teaching, I have been a very soft spoken Miss Tran. It's great to build a connection with the students but definitely not great when you're trying and expecting students to get something out of your lesson. Today, I've come out of my shell as you can see I'm using our vocabulary from one of the stories that we read last week. =) During Excel, I told each small group, "You will be doing a silent word scavenger hunt by looking through magazines, cutting out words, and pasting it on the correct space. If I see that you are talking, you will be thinking of your own words and writing them down on your paper. So think about the choices you might make because this could be a fun activity or a boring activity." I turned and looked over at my master teacher and she goes, "Where'd that come from?" That's right everyone... I am setting my expectations straight.

Then, there was opera. Today all the dancers, narrators, musicians, singers, actors were separated. I ended up staying with musicians and totally winging it with the instruments and teaching the kids. My master teacher came in and I was just trying out the mini cymbals and we both started cracking up. It's hard not to be silly!

Seriously though, I am glad it is almost Friday!!! woooooohooo!!!!!

Wacky Wednesday...

So... why is it Wacky Wednesday? Somehow all the student teachers became daycare staff for students with parents attending the Volunteer Tea. hahaha...what a way to put us to work.

No surprise at good ol' Anaheim Hills. Today has been a better day compared to my awful week last week. Language Arts is not so scary, I'm definitely more confident about it. =) Meeting the kids on the floor, definitely the scariest part of my day. They have a better attention span at their desks than on the floor. It's definitely strange to me.

Anywho... today we worked on our calendar for the month of May. I made each student a calendar and placed it in a sheet protector for them to write all over it when we did our guided practice. I included the day I was leaving. Malia, sweet little girl, comes up to me, "Are you going to be here on your last day? Are you coming back?" I guess the kids thought I was permanent. hahaha... It's interesting how they display their emotions towards me. =)

I'm definitely going to miss Room 2, but I won't miss the workload I've been put through.

Oh to make sure I make many many memories, I've decided to take my old "Converse" shoe box and turn it into a message box for the kids to drop notes in there for me. That way the students are making conversations with me. Get it? hahaha... I am lame and nerdy, but hey... that's how Miss Tran rolls. (oh wow...I just realized I talked in third person. forgive me.)

The Unpredictable...

After a wonderful first week, I really had a downfall during my second week. My master teacher was checking in and out of the classroom and leaving me all by myself at times. I kind of felt that I was alone during this second week and totally unmotivated, tired, and just scattered-brain. I finally talked to my master teacher about how I felt. But... a new week is going to start, another week to continue testing out new things and just learning from my mistakes. I just need to have this mindset where I can't be an expert at this and that I don't know everything. My biggest weakness is definitely the tone I use with students. I have a hard time with this...I am SOOOO soft-spoken! But anywho...I am just depressing you with my story. Here's something to laugh out loud about....

Mrs. H: Tell Miss Tran what your favorite song is.

Me: (I look around confused)

Mrs. H: Ask Chris what his favorite song is.

Me: What's your favorite song?

Chris: My Humps

Me: (I had a priceless facial expression of shock. My eyes got big)

Thee Most Rewarding!

Today, Steven opened up to me! I taught about buyers and sellers today in my social studies lesson. Students volunteered to role-play as a buyer or seller for the other students to decide what the actor is portraying. Who would have thought that Steven, the shyest boy in my class, would volunteer to act out a part. It was theeeeeee highlight of my day to see him come up and act and talk to me about how he should act out the part. After that, he approached me many times. =)

Four more milestones to go...

If you had asked me what I was feeling going back into the classroom to teach before this week, I would have told you that I'm not ready, I won't last a day, and so on. After this week, I've experienced so much and it's definitely not easy especially waking up early. I've learned to always be over prepared, to expect odd comments, to hold on to every word that comes out of a student's mouth, to work with a student who speaks barely any English. It has definitely been a memorable week. I closed off my first student teaching week with a false fire drill alarm when we had an assembly about Van Gogh, a crazy math lesson, an amazing art lesson.

So...during the Art Masters assembly about Van Gogh, the presenter has a straw hat with a candle on the tip of the hat. Van Gogh didn't have light when he was painting in the dark, so he wore a hat with candles around it. The presenter lights up the candle and bam! the fire alarm goes off. That was the highlight of the day. hahaha...

My math lesson, I brought in my friend to help me. He's a robot clock and his name is Robbie. I had the students close their eyes as they stepped into a time traveling machine to travel to the future. I'm a doork and decided to play the Star Wars theme song. Of course...I could not forget the reaction I got. They did not yell, scream, or get loud... they all did their "silent cheers."

My art lesson was on water-resistance technique. I showed them that you could draw stars with a white crayon and paint over it with black.. I get ooohs and aaahs....from the students. And Abiral goes, "Miss Tran did you just do magic?" It was adorable! And their art was fantastic!!!

So... I survived a week successfully! Let's just wait and see what happens next week. :)

I forgot to mention... remember Christian, who I had clip down a day ago? Well...he had to explain to my master teacher why he got a pink slip.

Mrs. Hawley: Christian, why did you get a pink slip?

Christian: Because I farted.

Now how can you possibly keep a straight face when he says that? hahahaha..

Behavior Chart.... dun dun dun...

I am a big softie! I have a BIG HEART. I care, I love, and BAM! I feel that I just lost a bit of that today. I had a little boy clip down during my lesson. I had half of the class involved, and the other half fooling around. It was CRAZY!! I had to stop so many times to redirect students. And this little boy, he is a BIG sweetheart trapped in a little body. He's smaller than all of the other students in his class and here I am going, "Christian, please clip down." He looks at me as though I was joking. He gives me this excuse saying it was because he farted. I tell him, "It doesn't mean you should create a scene that prevents you from learning as well as for others from learning. You need to make a better decision next time." Poor Christian came back and his eyes were watery and a bit red. I almost wanted to break down because I felt like I failed and I hurt a child. It's not my choice to do this but it isn't my classroom and I can't go around changing the way my master teacher deals with behavior. =(

Crossguard, Assemblies, Staff Meetings, Ladybugs....

YOU BET I EXPERIENCED IT ALL!!

Today we had our award assembly with just the first graders. It was super cute with the types of awards such as Money Master, Math Wizard. Then.... it was a short Wednesday, the students go home early. Mr Zachary comes up and asks me, "Miss Tran guess what I have?" And it was a ladybug and Zachary goes on and on about aphids. LOL.....sigh... I definitely know how to reach Zachary...I'll have to bring up bugs many times. =) My master teacher has duty... somehow I volunteered to be crosswalk guard in her place. Imagine Mary Tran carrying a huge stop sign walking across the crosswalk. hahaha... it was interesting. I almost thought about changing my career to be a crosswalk guard. How do you think I would look in an orange vest?

Student Teaching Curse...I mean Blessing....

Second day of student teaching, I walk in and think, "today will be great, it's been great so far." My master teacher walks in and asked me, "Did you hear about our new student?" In my head, I'm thinking that it's so late in the school year, how this student going to catch up. I get a little Russian girl who speaks no English and has no schooling at all. YES...I definitely wrote AT ALL. She just came from Russia three months ago and you know what, it's definitely difficult when she's brand new to this environment. It's hard to teach her and expect her to jump right in. BUT...she is the sweetest girl who made me smile every time I saw her smiling. I remember she was smelling sage and she went "OH MY GOD!!!" It was absolutely hilarious and made me wonder if that was a universal phrase. We had P.E. and ladybugs are definitely the talk of the town on the playground. She had a ladybug in her hand and she totally couldn't stop giggling and when I looked she got serious and hid the ladybug. I helped her with simple addition because the curriculum right now is just not appropriate for her. The little Russian girl truly made my day and I'm glad she's in the class. It will be a great experience!

My teaching experience so far has been filled with finishing lessons earlier than expected. I literally have 20 extra minutes when they finish all their math and I finish my modeling and guided practice with them. I don't know how this happens... TOO MANY SMART COOKIES? I asked my master teacher if this is an issue with time, apparently she loves how there's sooo much time now. The students are getting it and I don't have to reteach anything, so I don't know. I'm not getting much feedback on what I need to improve, but she's telling me to keep it up, she loves the lessons. She loved how I found a way to incorporate Kit Kat bars. I didn't think my execution today was as great as yesterday.

THEN...I went to lunch with the students. I sat at every table, asked them what they thought of the lesson and basically listened to them share about what they did over break and random thoughts. IT'S DEFINITELY FIERCE IN THE LUNCH AREA!

Soo.... I leave you with more quotes.

I see Malia playing with a candy wrapper and giggling.

Me: Malia, could you please throw the candy wrapper away? It's distracting to others as well as to you.

They're studying about the marketplace and goods and services.....

Mrs Hawley: Miss Tran can you get the supplies to help Makenna with her piggy bank?

Me: Makenna, follow me to my market so I can provide you some service to my goods.

Ian: Miss Tran can you provide me service?

Me: Ian, only one customer at a time.

Out at P.E. I did tell you ladybugs are THE TALK OF THE HILLS.

Me: Zachary, I need you to free the ladybug.

Zachary: I want to keep it, I have 2 million aphids in my yard. Please Miss Tran!!!

Me: Well Zachary, I'm sure there are millions of aphids here on the trees at school, the ladybug needs to be here.

Zachary: Well can I put the ladybug back on the tree?

And finally....

Malia: I hate P.E.

Me: Why is that?

Malia: Because after P.E., I'M POOPED!

So you see....as wild as room 2 gets, in the end they put a smile on my face and re-energize me for the next day.

Off to the Hills...

Today was one of those days where I drank a massive amount of water (which hit me later in the day) because I was nervous and had crazy psychotic butterflies in my stomach. I had no idea what to expect on my first day of student teaching. I questioned, "Are the students going to remember me?" Questions, thoughts, ideas, etc all running all over the place in my head today. BUT... to be honest, this has got to be one of the most awesome, FABULOUS day!!! I welcomed them back with a story and told them all the details about what I'll be doing for the next five weeks. I taught my first math lesson and it was successful, except I had such smart cookies we finished math earlier than expected. AND...I haven't had to use the clip chart or pink slips! wooot woot!!! The students were sooo well behaved and showed me so much respect! I love it and hopefully it continues. :knock on wood:

Before I forget....here's a quote.

Me: What do you think of when you hear the word "paint"?

Student: I think of putting white paint into my sister's hair.

Me: :chuckle:

Just something off-topic...

I have something to confess, actually more of an epiphany. Soo...I discovered or realized that I am a myspace pack rat. I have issues of letting go because honestly, I go on just to see if there's any comments or messages, put up pictures, change my layout. It's truly time consuming and makes it more difficult to cancel an account and pretend it never was there. BUT...:deep breaths: I DELETED MY MYSPACE! After saving all the pictures I need and old blog entries. Myspace is history! No turning back and now all I got is a place to blog. Good thing it's nothing like myspace. LOL!

Master Teacher and Company!

I met up with the first grade team today. Oh these conversations about lessons went all over the place. I was flipping my plan book back and fourth and I think I need to write stuff over. LOL! Apparently...there is a change in plans, not a big surprise in this world. I somehow will be teaching an art lesson on Thursday and Friday. I volunteered myself to chart the songs for the first grade musical, which I am taking a break from. Seriously if I write one more line, I'll probably be high for a bit. And....setting up the classroom was fun; I think a leprechaun came in and messed with us because we couldn't find a lot of the supplies. =) I'm excited and looking forward to all the changes that will pop up! OOooOOoooooOOO!!!!

Oh I forgot to mention, my master teacher told me don't be afraid to have students clip down and fill out pink slips when you start teaching. Oh boy... I'm not a big fan of behavior charts and pink slips and I probably will have to succumb to them. =/

Back to Business...

Just less than a week until I start my five week long journey of student teaching. I don't know what it is, but I am not motivated at all to write lesson plans. I'm running on empty with ideas. Just not feeling innovative at all! =(

Umm....

Printed out those TPA's and what do you know....my computer is out of colored ink and my CWID didn't show up or the boxes that keep the work organized. I figured this out after printing 20 odd pages. Lord... I don't know anymore! And then my mom tells me to just write in your number and draw lines where the boxes are supposed to be. All I have to say is I looked at her...

P.S. This blogging is pretty addicting!

Oh the wonderful world of TPA! ....

Every student teacher knows about TPA. One day, you can call it Teaching Performance Assessment. Another day, it'll be called Teachers Perspiring Astonishingly. The next day, it'll be called Total Pain in the A$$. Whatever floats your boat, ey? I am happy as well as HYSTERICAL that I am done with TPA!!!!! After many hours sitting at the computer and laughing to myself or even talking to myself...it is over! Seriously...you have no idea how many days I sat at Starbucks. I walk into one and make eye contact with the corner table and of course the many Venti Iced White Mochas I've had. Anywho.... I am done!!!! No one at home understood why I did cartwheels, somersaults, and ran around the house clapping and yelling cheerfully. They just nod and smile. Oh boy....what has my life turned into?!?!

Life on Break

Thanks to Miss Candace Steele, I think I just might start blogging. =) So far...I have yet to experience student teaching. I have about one more week of lounging (hahaha...not!) around before I get to see those bright faces of Room 2. More to come...