Read Aloud

1. Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2 "Don't Forget To Remember Me" by Heather Mcpherson

I remember reading this story when I was in late elementary school and into middle school. This story always touched me very strongly throughout those years. I think it is told very well and fits in perfectly with the death and dying barrier. 

2. Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2 "Forever in my Heart" by Lauren Ashley Welbacker

This story was very touching. I think this story fit in very well with the death and dying barrier also. It went well with the things we were learning in class. This would be a good story to start a lesson about community service or to start a community service project. 

3. Always Looking Up, The Adventures of an Optimist by Michael J Fox

This book is very good to read if you need some hope or inspiration. This book would be prefect to try and give students inspiration. I think it is very easy to relate to also. 

4. Big Bear Little Bear by Jane Chapman, David Beaford 

This book is very cute and has very colorful illustrations.  I think this book would be very good for young kids or even teenagers that are ready to grow up and not be young anymore. They need to instead enjoy being young while they still are. 

5. The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers, Erin Gruwell

The story shows courage. It made me want to have more courage after I read it. It would be a great activity to get students to write a journal entry of a time they had courage or maybe a time they needed to have more courage. 

Learning Experiences

Making the barrier books the past week was so much fun. I really enjoyed making a book for myself. It made me feel very good about myself. I also really enjoyed going around and reading everyones books. It was very cool to see all the different types of stories my classmates wrote. They all resembled each student which I found very cool and interesting. 

Current Event

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/11/14/12softskills_ep.h32.html

This current event is about how college students need "soft skills" in order to succeed. Some of these soft skills are managing their own time, getting along with roommates and dealing with setbacks. This article states that college student must have these traits in order to be ready for college. I defiantly agree with this article. I also feel it is very important for student to attain these traits in order to help the succeed in college.

Quote of the Week

 "Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of becoming." -- Goethe

I felt as if this quote went very will the our discussions on barriers. I think it is saying no matter the things a person might be going through or struggling with, still treat them as if they are a normal person. This quote really reminded me of the barriers we talked about. 

Observations

Throughout the past couple of days I have tried looking back on myself as a person and leader of the cheerleading team. I have be analyzing the decisions I have made regarding cheer leading and trying to decide if I made those decisions for the better. In doing so I realized it isn't necessarily about what I did being right or wrong but more about if I learned from the decisions I made. I think if I made a wrong decision and learned from it, that isn't any worse that making a good decision. Looking back I hope I can continue to learn from my mistakes and realize how to not make the same mistakes twice.

Reflections

Throughout the past weekend I have found being positive is takes a lot of work to achieve. I am one of the captains of the cheer leading team I we had state this weekend. I was trying very hard to be positive for all of the younger girls so that they felt more comfortable. I learned it was very hard to show how uncomfortable and nervous I was. In the end, I think I did a fairly good job staying positive but I also think I could have done better. 

Read Aloud

1. No Limits by Michael Phelps

The excerpt from this book that we heard was very inspiring. I think
it would help a student before a big test. If someone read it to us
before a big test I would feel more confident and ready to take it.

2. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

The excerpt from this book that we heard was about a girl with an
eating disorder. This book related to the barriers wer are talking
about in class and it helped me understand the eating disorder barrier
we were thliing about.

3.Come Fly With Me by Satomi Ichikawa

This story would be perfect to use if you were talking about the
weather. The book is about the plain and it also invloves the weather
and that would be very good to help the kids have something to relate
the weather to.

4. Why Are You So Grumpy

This book would be really good to read to a high school aged kids. I
think this book shows a lot about how students are grumpy for no
reason a lot when they could be happy and just have a better day

Learning Experiences

When we watched the bullying video in class my eyes were opened to something new. James, the guy in the video, was very open about his situation and I think that really helped me understand about bullying. I didn't realize the huge effect bullying can have on children and I also didn't realize how often bullying occurs in schools. This video opened my eyes to all of the kids in our school. I am now open to looking for kids who are being bullied or bullying people and if I see t happening I would try to stop it. I'm glad  we got to see this video and witness James' life.

Current Event

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2012/10/teen_pregnancy_rate_drops_to_lowest_ever_recorded_cdc_says.html

This current event is about teen pregnancy. Although this does not directly have to do with education and schools. I think this article has a lot to do with high school students. The article says the pregnancy rate is at an all time low for the United States. That is very good and I think that will improve education a little. I think this because a pregnant teenager is not able to live a normal high school life and therefore can not succeed in the same ways as a normal high school student. 

Quote of the Week

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.  ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"

This quote is basically saying that teachers should give more to students than homework such as deeper thoughts and feelings. I think teachers should be more than someone who just teaches math or reading but instead someone who helps teach you about life and growing up. In turn giving you more to think about than just homework because they would make you think about those things with you get home. 

Observations 

I became very acquainted with he special ed students throughout my junior year. These kids are so much fun to be around and spending so much time with them last year was an amazing experience. Earlier this week I was walking through the cafeteria to go eat and Stephanie, one of the girls, ran up to me. The fact that she remembered my name and was so excited to see me made me feel so special and I loved knowing I had made her day just by seeing me. It made my day to make her day. 

Reflections

This year is going by so fast for me. Its crazy to think I only have two cheer leading competitions left and those are lower state and state. Where did the year go? I know it wouldn't matter to me as much if this wasn't my last year. Senior year has been very enjoyable so far just way to fast. This Friday night is out last home game which means it is senior night. When you've been cheering for that football team every week during football season since seventh grade it become really sad when you know you will never do it again. I am going to miss cheering for Dutch Fork so much its ridiculous but I have to look to the future for bigger and better things to come in my life. 

Read Aloud

1. A Very Hungry Caterpillar by: Eric Carle

This book is about a Caterpillar finding food to grow up eating and essentially turn into a butterfly. This book would be perfect for teaching colors. It would be awesome for counting in a math class also.

 

2. One by Kathryn Otashi

One a book about bullying. It would be perfect for any grade class to read and experience the bullying aspect of the story.

 

3. You Are Special by Max Lucado

This book is would be perfect to create a little art project for a class, It would also help teach about being unique and yourself no matter what. This book would be good for elementary level students to learn about themselves.

 

4. The Very Little Boy by Phyllis Krasilovsky

This book would help the self-esteem of younger kids. Reading this book would give the kids hope that they two will one grow big one day. This book would be good for teaching proportions also.

 

Learning Experiences

 

Last week we did the try on a disability day. This experience opened my eyes a lot to the many different problems people with disabilities experience. The trust walk activity where we had to do a couple of tasks while blind folded was very interesting. I found it very hard to find the page numbers in books because you never know if the book will have a title page or a dedication page. For the mouth writing activity, I found it difficult to hold the plate still while I was trying to write letters with my mouth. I didn’t expect this activity to be as difficult as it was. The physical disabilities with the chair and crutches were very hard also. I found it very tiring to have to travel with the assistance of the crutches or the wheel chair. Overall, the try on a disability was very eye opening to the problems other people face. It made me feel very blessed and grateful for the things that I am able to do with assistance.

 

Current Event

 

My current event is about the meal rules changing in school and causing boycotts. Many schools are trying to reduce the about of unhealthy foods being available to students. They have cut down on many fatty foods.

 

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2012/10/new_school_meal_rules_trigger_p.html

 

 

Quote of the Week

 

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
William Arthur Ward

I really like this quote because to me it shows the many different types of teachers there are. I think it shows that a teacher needs to be inspirational to their students in order to leave and impact on their lives.

 

Observations

 

My mom is a teacher at the alternative academy. A couple of nights ago we were sitting in the living room watching tv when my dad changed the channel to a breaking news story about a guy who was going to just out of a capsule all the way  in space. As we started watching this my mom became very excited. She said, “I’M GOING TO SHOW THIS TO MY STUDENT TOMORROW. THEY WILL LOVE IT AND WE CAN MAKE A LINE GRAPH.” She was so excited that she found this real world event that she could let her students watch and they turn in to a math problem. I thought it was really cool that she was thinking of her students while sitting at home with her family watching tv.

 

Reflections

 

I have been offered another scholarship to go cheer at a college but this time it is a college in Michigan. This is such a great opportunity for me once again but I don’t know if I can go that far away from home. I am still applying to this college and others in the state as well. It has been very hard for me to find time to apply for these colleges though because of all the time I am spending with cheerleading and the rest of my schoolwork. I am hoping I will be able to find some more time to spend preparing for college.

Read Aloud

1. Kittens First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

This book is about a kitten who think the full moon is a bowl of milk. The story tells the struggle of the kitten trying to get the 'bowl of milk.' This book would be good to use in a science class teaching about the phases of the moon. 

2. I Knew You Could by Craig Derfman

This book is about a train that had to have determination to make it where he was going. This would be a good book to teach about pushing through your problems and being successful. 

3. Mr. Tall and Mr. Small by Barbara Brenner

This book is about a giraffe and a rat that compare themselves to each other but have to work together to save themselves. This book would be good to start a lesson on opposites. 

4. Big Black Bear by Wong Herbert Yee

This book is about a bear who is using bad manners and taking over a woman's house. Another little bear comes in and uses good manners with the woman though. This would be a good book to teach  manners or rhyming. 

5. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

This book is about an owl who is scared to go to school because he does not want to leave his mom. I think this book would be perfect for a lesson on nocturnal animals and it incorporates a good story line. 

Learning Experiences

I absolutely loved doing the skit about self esteem. I really enjoyed meeting the people in my group that I did not previously know and I also really enjoyed getting to dress up. I'm glad I have grown closer to the people that were in my group. I have learned a lot about those people. I also enjoyed watching all of the other groups presentations on self esteem. 

Current Event

This article is about an elementary school that decided to assign students to read for 30 minutes after school instead of assigning homework. The school says this is making the students more motivated to read which is helping them learn. 

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/19477877/gaithersburg-elementary-school-abolishes-homework

Quote of the Week

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
Epictetus

I think this quote pertains to older students. I know I've seen people in my classes that think they know everything and do not want to listen to their teachers. I think this quote shows how hard it is for teachers to teach their students, especially higher level teachers. It also shows that a student needs to be willing to learn before a teacher can really teach him or her. 

Observations

At cheerleading practice one day last week one of the girls on my team was very upset but she did not want to talk about what was wrong. Instead of my team trying to figure out why she was upset, we decided to ignore the fact that she was upset and tried to make her laugh instead. We kept just kidding around with her trying to make her tell us. I thought this was a good way to make her happier so that we could continue to have practice. I am proud of my team for making her cheer up and finish practice strong. 

Reflections

I know this is not a reflection because it has not happened my but I can't contain my excitement. I am getting baptized tonight and I am so excited. I know it is going to be a great experience that I will remember forever. I am so happy I am getting the opportunity to get closer to God and officially become one of his children. 

Read Aloud

1. Mrs. Spitzer's Garden by Edith Pattou

I though this book was very clever. I loved the way the fact that the whole story was an extended metaphor for students growing like flowers. I thought the book was cute for little kids. This book could be used in a science class planting seeds.

2. My Losing Season by Pat Conray

“The great teachers fill you up with hope and shower you with a thousand reasons to embrace all aspects of life. I wanted to follow Mr. Monte around for the rest of my life, learning everything he wished to share of impart, but I didn't know how to ask.” 
This is a quote from the book. I think this quote really shows how much of a difference a teacher make make on a students life. I think this would be a good book to read at a teachers meeting. I feel like this excerpt from the book really shows teacher the way they should aspire to be in order to leave such an impact on their students. 

3. Teachers Pet by D. Jakobs

This book was so cute. I thought it was  wonderful for teaching many different classes. The book stressed the importance of being active in school and it said things about many types of animals. This book would be wonderful in a class learning about animals, along with a class teaching about the types of careers available. These Hands by Hope Lynn C price

4. These Hands by Hope Lynn C. Price

This book is about the many things you can do with your hands. It expresses the many things people don't think about that they couldn't do if they did not have hands. The book makes you appreciate your hands more. This would be an awesome book to use in a class learning about the hand such as an anatomy class.

Learning Experiences

My favorite activity we did in class these past two weeks was the bag sharing activity. I learned a lot about my classmates that I did not know before. Even my classmates that I have know for a long time said something about themselves that I did not know. I enjoyed getting to learn the new things about the people i get to spend the next year with in teacher cadets.

Current Event

The current event I read is about the potential outbreak in sicknesses such as whooping cough in schools. The writers of this article believe that the reason for the increase in sicknesses of students is from the decrease in the requirements for kindergarten vaccinations. 

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2012/08/study_more_students_forgoing_i.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2

Quote of the Week

“Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.” 
― Aristotle

This quote is meaningful to me because it resembles how important teachers are in a child's life. I feel like this quote really pertains to younger children because if adult figures aren't around at home then a teacher at school becomes a child adult figure. 

Observations

Friday night at the first football game of the year I was on the sideline cheering with my team. We were located right in front of the student section. I noticed one of the foreign exchange students that is in my economics standing on the front row of the student section. It warmed my heart to see that my peers had allowed to let her on the front row of the student section so she could have a wonderful first experience of her first football game ever. They pep club takes who gets to stand on the front row very seriously, to them it would be the end of the world to not be on the first row. I could tell how much she was enjoying being at that football game. I want to make sure I include "new" students from now on. They might not always be able to put themselves in the front row like she did. 

Reflections

I have been thinking a lot about college, obviously considering that time is coming, but I got an offer to cheer at a school in Montana. The school offered to pay half of my tuition if I became a cheerleader there. They also offered to pay the other half of my tuition because of my grades. This has been a very eye opening experience for me. Montana is very very very very far away. I have always wanted to go to college in South Carolina, but not I have to make the decision to go to college for free in Montana or pay for college here in SC. Decisions, decisions.