A little time for a quick update

Well, it has been two whole weeks of student teaching. I feel pretty good. I'm getting to know the teacher, the students, the format of the lessons, the rules of the school, all that good stuff. There are some problem children, but what class doesn't have those? Right now, I'm basically just observing and lending assistance when needed. Starting next week, I'm going to teach some lessons. We'll start slow and ease into it. My comprehensive exam is next Saturday, and I'm really nervous about it. But, once that is out of the way, I'll be able to focus on teaching and getting my portfolio together. There's so much that goes into it! One of the things I need to do is n"Impact on student learning." This means that I need to give a pre-test, look at the scores, figure out what areas need to be taught and which don't, and then come up with a plan to teach those areas. After the lessons, I'll give a post-test and find out what my "impact" was on the students' learning. I have to write a paper about it, too. This is the big project for the student teaching experience. I think I've already given the pre-test. We're waiting for the scores to come back so I can make a plan of action and design some lessons. I'll give the same test as a post-test. Or maybe I'll do something simple like give a spelling pre-test, teach a lesson on how to spell the most frequently misspelled words, and then give a post-test. It could be that simple. We'll see what I end up having time to do.

I'm so happy, because I thought Matt was going to be on "fast cruise" for the next week or so, but I found out he's coming home tonight and he goes on leave on Monday (after a Sunday duty day). Way too exciting! (This will put a damper on my study plans for the weekend, but we can work around it, can't we? ;)

Anyways, I best get ready for Matt to come home. He's on his way! Talk to you all later!

Pam

Since Kate doesn't have a camera...

I'll post some pics from our recent outing to the zoo.











So, this morning I decided that I would try to weed my garden this morning. It is starting to look more like a garden, don't you think?



But then, I saw this...


And decided that I didn't really want to weed anymore.

Can you see it?

How's this?


Yes, Kate, this is the same type of spider you had at your house, but it is smaller. I almost put my face right in its web before I saw it. :( Needless to say, I ran away screaming, and I had to force myself to go out there and take a picture of it, just so I could share with you all...

Have a great day, everyone. Those picked weeds are going to stay there until Matt gets home tomorrow. I'm NOT going out back again today!

~Pam

PS. Oh, by the way, I opened my windows last night to let some fresh air in, and the house smells so fresh this morning! It is still cool right now, but I guess I should close them before it warms up too much...and maybe turn the AC back on....