Some days you just can't make it up. Some days you just roll with the punches. Funny how that works.
Friday the 8th, I was subbing at K-6 small school. I was in the 5th-grade classroom. The more I substitute, the more I enjoy the variety and unpredictability. I was warned that this was a tough class. As I try to do, I ignored this advice. My sub plans were adequate, and I was ready! The class comes in, and immediately I have to set the boundaries with a few students. No problem. The morning was going quickly. The students were doing very well. I was excited about the progress. Then, the PA system went off that we needed to evacuate immediately and to have the students grab their coats. There was no sign that it was a fire drill. I heard someone say that someone had smelled gas.
I put on my teacher hat and hurdled my kiddos out the doors. We were back at the playground equipment. Then other people came towards us urgently. We were not back far enough - MOVE! At this point, my anxiety brain starts flashing - this is not a drill. I was worried it might be a bomb threat. We were evacuated to a church across town. I am so thankful for that option. It was a safe feeling.
So all kids accounted for, all adults trying to act calm. I sent a message to my mom quick, "We've been evacuated from the school. We are safe in a church. We don't know many details. I love you." This, of course, frightened her. Not more than me. I was holding it together until this sweet child asked me for a pencil. I just happen to have one in my pocket. He wanted to write a note to his mother only in case. I wrapped that boy in my arms and hugged him.
Moral of the story, don't panic. Love your kids at every opportunity. I believe it was a false alarm. Either way, this is an experience I will not forget.
When you are a teacher, you never know what to expect.
Wednesday 13 November 2019
Tuesday 27 August 2019
Challenge 2
Here is the link for our first quiz. I also want you to check out my goals for this semester - it's going to be a good one.
Dictionary
goal
noun
plural noun: goals
- 1.(in football, soccer, rugby, hockey, and some other games) a pair of posts linked by a crossbar and often with a net attached behind it, forming a space into or over which the ball has to be sent in order to score.
- 2.the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.
"going to law school has become the most important goal in his life"
synonyms: aim, objective, object, grail, holy grail, end, target, design, desire, desired result, intention, intent, plan, purpose, idea, point, object of the exercise;
Watch this video!
Let's meet our goals together. Fill out this worksheet and have ready it ready for class.
Thursday 22 August 2019
Hello and welcome! I am Sara, a current
student at Peru State College. I am a senior but won’t graduate until Spring
2021. Great things take time. To get the most out of my classes, I have decided
to take my time. I am also a mother of two wonderful boys. Dominic is 19 and a United
States Marine (Hoorah!). My youngest, Leland, is 4. I currently substitute in
ESU 4 and work part-time at the Henry Doorly Zoo. I am part of a program there
called Sleeping Bag Safaris. Guests stay overnight and go on tours of the zoo.
As far as technology, I am always learning and
studying ways to use tech efficiently. One piece of tech that I just can’t seem
to work out is a digital agenda. I am much better with going simple, writing my
assignments in a planner and checking them off. Oh, the joy of each checkmark!
Last year PSC updated the dry erase boards to
smart boards. This was great as it gave me experience with a new technology
that I had not explored. While subbing, the teacher’s room had a smartboard.
It was terrifying when I could not get it to work. While doing my eighty-hour practicum,
my cooperating teacher had a game that was similar to candy land that kids
played as a review. It was so cool! I hope that through this course I can learn
how to do that. Create a game board with digital pieces that the class can use.
This was beyond just a quizlet. My goal upon completion of this course is to effectively
utilize and grow my tool kit of technology. I want to move beyond one or two go-to tech ideas. I would also like resources to continue learning how to
incorporate technology as technology changes.
For future reference:
This video shows the importance of using technology for
students. I especially the language about integration. You don’t have to be
gifted with computers as long as you try at your skill level. A question to consider
is, can technology improve the lesson? Most importantly technology allows students
to move at their own pace. This creates flexible learning.
This source has blog examples. Blogs are a great way to
reach students, parents, and colleges.
I never considered mentors or resources as an environmental
influence that can cause harm or help. Another point that struck me was
providing experiences that promote independent and divergent learning. Learning
is not a one-size-fits-all but more of shoes that can be customized. Finally,
the true importance of engaging in real-world problems and solving them with
authentic answers. We often hear in education classes the importance of drawing
learning back to real-world issues but perhaps, it’s time to shift that
thinking to beginning with the problem and asking for answers.
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