A short (but sweet!) letter to my clinical students.

To my clinical students,

I have learned that a two year age difference is not a large gap. It may be corny, but I have mulled over the idea in my head of how much I have changed since I was the ripe age of seventeen. Often times, I was careless, and sometimes I even thought I was invincible. The high school culture offered protection from the outside world, so I took no responsibility for my actions. I look at some of you and see that same carelessness and invincibility; however, I am here to tell you just two years later that it is really naivety. Protect yourself- including your heart, soul, and mind. It is easy to get jaded in this world, especially college. On a positive note... While I barely know you personally, I have observed you in the classroom setting and can confidently say that each of you are truly brilliant in your own way. I have seen your interactions with fellow students, heard your answers to controversial journal questions, and watched your moods fluctuate from one day to the next. Whether you are the boy who quietly sketches in the corner or the girl who is always answering questions when the class has fallen silent, I have learned that each of you are brilliant. It may not be in 20/21st History or Civics & Govt, but you are brilliantly created. Thank you for allowing me to come into your classroom this semester.

And be sure to remember what Socrates said: "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Good luck on your journey!

Ms. Hayes

Currently...

Suggestion Box

My kids in clinical wanted a suggestion box to privately ask their questions, so I made them a history themed one with map paper. (Thanks Kati for letting me use it!) Overall price for all supplies was about $5! Not too shabby. Here is a picture, as promised in a previous post. 

Let me know what you think. :)

Friday fun!

Yesterday, I traveled to South Charleston to observe my long-time mentor and friend, Jenn Wood. She's an autism specialist at Webberwood Elementary and teaches four equally different and sweet boys. Jenn was my middle school girls bible study leader when I was in the sixth grade, so we have known one another for a long time. I have always looked up to her as she has one of the kindest and funniest souls of those I know. Anyways, I was beyond excited when she agreed to let me observe a day! Let me just start out by saying that she is such a GREAT teacher. I may be a tad bit biased, but I am sure you would agree. :) She is so patient with the boys, and she incorporates so much technology in the classroom! My favorite was the SMART Table by Hatch. It was so neat! Here's a picture of one...

 

Jenn also uses a website called Spelling City in which the teacher enters the spelling words onto the website , and the child can then play numerous games and activities to learn them. When the child takes the test, she can access it and print it out. However, my favorite thing was her daily communication papers she made to send home with the students! They are so interactive, and I wish I would have taken a picture of it since it was her personal twist on it. My favorite moment of the day had was one of the boys who would scream "BRAVO!" and start clapping after we would finish a game on the SMART Table. It was so precious!

After school was out, Jenn and I waited on Andy to get home from work then went to Pies and Pints. I had never been before, so I was excited. My verdict?! It is so delish! I had the white pie with bacon, and it was amazing. The crust was so crispy and yum! We also got pork nachos with salsa, cheese, black beans, and jalapenos, and they were great too.  Afterward, we got Krispy Kremes. Mmmm. Hey... it was Friday! ;) We then returned to their house for the night and watched Netflix. It was a nice to getaway for a day. Plus, Jenn and Andy have to be one of my favorite married couples!! My car wasn't working when I went to leave this morning, so my momma had to pick me up from their house. It will have to be towed tomorrow which sucks, but oh well. Nothing I can really do about it!

Back to teaching talk. One of the main reasons I wanted to go observe Jenn's class is because I have been debating whether or not I wanted to add a Special Education endorsement to my major. I am still not sure,  but I do feel such a spark for being a part of a nationwide Special Education Reform. Every child deserves an individualized plan for learning, and it will make me so happy to one day carry this idea out. My observations are making me so excited to graduate and have a classroom of my own. Ah!!

Also, blogger world... I have a kinda important announcement. I have officially applied to add an English 5-Adult Endorsement! I really felt a pull towards English and really feel that I would enjoy it, so I added it this week. I cannot wait to start taking fun classes like Women Writers!

Have a good weekend, everyone!

China cabinets and suggestion boxes

Hi! I am sorry for my lack of posting. Last Monday I went to the doctor and was told that I had bronchitis and maybe whooping cough.  I was sent home with a laundry list of medications and to rest the remainder of the week. The steroid caused me to go into an insane cleaning mode during which I washed, cataloged, and organized our china cabinet! The china belonged to my great-grandmother, Mary O'Dell Wheeler, and I am SO proud of it. Homer Laughlin China Company from the early 1900's is the creator of our fine set. The chinaware is rimmed in pale pink with a black and pink floral design in the middle. I am the fourth generation to receive this set, and I cannot wait to (hopefully) pass these to my daughter(s) one day. Okay! I'll just show you a picture so you can see how beautiful it is.

 

Anywho. Tomorrow, I get to go back to Cabell Midland for my observation because I am no longer contagious. I am so excited. I have missed Mr. Scalise's current event discussions and his Music Monday picks. Also, speaking of his class, I am getting ready to work on the suggestion box for his classroom. There is a simple joy in crafting in my sweats on a Monday night. I will update you all tomorrow with a picture of the finished product and why I think it is important to have a suggestion box in the classroom!

Happy Monday, everyone!

First Day of Observation

I am doing my student observation for thirty-five hours at Cabell Midland High School. I have been placed in Mr. S's classroom, where he teaches AP Gov't and Dual Credit History 103 course.

Side note: Throughout high school, my classmates and I were judgmental of the students from this school. I went to Spring Valley High School, and we were rivals when it came to sports. Anywho. Here is what I wrote while in Mr. S's class today.

I have enjoyed being in Mr. S's classroom today. It is still strange to hear him refer to me as 'Ms. Hayes', but I do not think I will have any problem coming around to it. However, I am proud to say I was  very engaged with Mr. S and the students! My nervous feelings dissipated within ten minutes of walking through the door. I also have not been afraid to participate in discussion with the classes.  Speaking of discussions, I have to say that I like Mr. S's discussion based lessons. He starts out with a quote. Today, it was Ayn Rand: "The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." From there, he has a question that the students must write down because he does pop quizzes on the bell-ringers often. His question centered today on a scandal in Czechoslovakia where women who are running for Parliament created a revealing calendar  to attract voters. Mr. S asked, "Is it fair or foul?" After the class discussed their answers  and a few boys gawked at the photographs with sheepish grins, Mr. S asked the girls, "Would you do this if it meant you would win?" I must admit I was not that surprised that most girls said phrases such as "If you've got it, flaunt it!" or "Sex sells, baby!" In fact, I had already guessed the girls in the classroom that would say these things, and I was generally right. However, it truly brought a smile to my face to hear a few girls say things like, "I wouldn't have to do that. I could earn their vote with my brains." How nice to hear a self-respecting seventeen year old girl say that about herself that early in the morning! Throughout my morning though, I was actually more shocked to learn how big of a 'sexting' scandal Cabell Midland is having! Yeah, sure... When I was in school, a few girls were open about sending pictures, and even more lied and did it anyways, but did we use naked pictures of our classmates to humiliate and even bully them? Maybe some did. If so, I didn't hear about. Hmm... Anyhow. I am very interested in this matter, so be sure to looked for a post soon about 'sexting' interventions for schools and teachers. I am going to do some research on the topic in my free time. Overall, I had a kickass first day in Mr. S's classroom. I am not only inspired by how his room is decorated, but I am also encouraged that there still are great teachers such as him in this country.I once heard that a good teacher is measured by deciding whether you would want this teacher for child. While I cannot say it for sure, I am quite positive that one day when I have kids, I will want them to learn from Mr. S. Cannot wait to see where else my thirty-five hours of student observation takes me. :)

I cannot wait to get this blog up and running... stay tuned! Thanks for reading.

What I Learned Today

#1

Do not Google image search words or phrases when the projector is on in front of your class. Especially not 'Japanese imperialism flag' or the United States...?