-
DAY 6: Adventures in Substitute Teaching
Textbook Thursday. At least that's what I themed the day. Two class periods had a Registration Orientation and the two had a class with me. I pretty much had the students read and summarize any story from the book but easily found out they have read most of the stories. Most chose a story they have read and "re-read" it for the assignment. Easy day. -
DAY 7: Adventures in Substitute Teaching
I yelled at my students today. 6th period. First time I did this as a classroom teacher and my neighbor-teacher and assistant Principal said this is fine, but I am not down with yelling. I am disappointed that the students who were disrespectful got to me, and they DID, but then I was fed up with the disrespect they had for each other, so I yelled. I've been loud, but not this loud. I am hoping that this was a shock to the students and learn their lesson. Hopefully. -
I'm on the move!
Substitute teaching puts a person on the move. I mean, really, a person needs to keep walking around and moving in order to keep a class managed. At least I think so. Anyway, today I kept myself on the move. I cleaned up my room and took the dogs for a walk. Twice. took Mongo and Bubbuh out, and that went well. Tickle went crazy and still needs to be trained so I took him on a walk on his own. He listened, but I need him to get used to walking with Mongo and Bubbuh. Dog walking = great workout! -
Writing. Phyiscally writing.
Decided to write Stephanie, my BFF, a card. Afterall, she did send me one to actually send back to her. I also owe Lindsay, a friend and former co-worker, a card as she has done the same. I do miss writing, and I think I plan to do it more often, especially that I have chosen to no longer use my cell phone (well, I couldn't afford ti use my cell phone.) -
Pita Chips!
Okay, the little things make me happy, such as finding Pita Bread at the .99 Cents Store and knowing I can make Pita Chips out of them. Mmmmm...Pita Chips! In addition to the day, Mom and Dad had a rotation of visitors come over. The first bath was involved two trucks and a family van packed with filipinos. This is what happens when your parents are popular. -
DAY 8: Adventures in Substitute Teaching
I did not have to do much teaching today because I had to give the students a Reading Assessment test. They sat there and took the test and I tried to plan for the rest of the week, and for the Sub who will be subbing for me on Wednesday. The students I yelled at walked into the classroom quietly and all was good. No need to ask for an apology or force once. Some kids are just not built to do that. -
DAY 9: Adventures in Substitute Teaching
Remember those students I yelled at? I realized of the three, there is only just ONE who has/is a problem. I know I can not save them all. Today, I have seen it and he did not even TRY taking his Assessment test. He guessed. The other two tried, that tells me they know what it's like to TRY. This other one, no. Gives up quite easily. -
Let's get Physical...exam.
Two months ago I was given a letter FINALLY stating that the state will cover some of my medical care (not to be confused with covering my medical bills). Today, I finally have an appointment with a Physician (or if I get lucky, an ACTUAL Doctor). I get to have a Physical exam and complete the remaining requirements for work (the District and State requires a physical examination). I need an update on my heart. Plus, I have gone four days without my medication and that can't be good, right? -
DAY 10: Computer Lab Substitute Teaching
First-time I sent my students to the computer lab and they became a bigger headache than planned. Note to self: ALWAYS separate students in computer lab. ALWAYS. The cool thing is that students create a few Wordle projects. This would be my teaching highlight of the day. -
DAY 11: Paint Swatches in the Classroom
I like doing things in the classroom that makes students question what they will be doing. For example, handing students various paint color swatches. I picked up four different colors at Home Depot and gave out the color swatches. I use this technique to create or divide groups. Today, I used it for a game I learned during my years as an After School Coordinator. It was called "Fruit Bowl" instead, I used paint swatches. oh, and the Assistant Principal visited class today. I was nervous. -
Family visit, a new baby, and an incoming baby.
My nephews and "grandchildren" from Northern California drove down to the desert to visit my mom. They managed to all get a day off and they all wanted to drive down to visit. Got to meet Chris' new daughter, Delilah, and got to see Cassie's baby bump. I predict a girl. -
Family still here!
Northern Cali still here. The older ones drank with Destry last night and the kids made S'mores. S'more never get old. Some talk about the reunion and of course, some people are hesitant because it's in Long Beach. Walked the dog a number times because Nicholas was bored. Poor kid. The only boy among girls and he's almost ALWAYS bored. -
DAY 12: Fact vs. Opinion
I decided to teach the kids a bit about knowing the difference between facts and opinion. Unfortunately that lesson did not go as planned. What I thought would take a day would actually take longer. I guess it was beyond their learning level. So I did a traditional let me read something and you tell me whether it's fact or opinion and hold up a card. If I assess that way, they understand. If I assess by having them write down whether something is fact or opinion, they don't understand. -
DAY 13: I'm sticking around.
Good news, I found out I'll be sticking around as a Substitute Teacher for P24 for another week. Excellent. I will get to plan better activities around learning. I'll drop the whole Fact vs.Opinion thing and do something else with the Reading Strategies. Not that I haven't been consistent, but I finally got used to teaching these guys. -
My birthday!
Chelsea surprised me with flowers at work. At, she bought a cake for my birthday when I came home. Dad made dinner and invited my Uncles and Auntie to the house. I slept early, decided to respond to all my Facebook greetings the next day, and chilled. I would not have it done any other way. :) -
DAY 14: Substitute Teaching (Birthday Edition)
It's my birthday and when I checked-in this morning, the lady I usually check-in with looked at me like I'm breaking up with her. And she did. Apparently I am not returning after Spring Break and that I am actually done on the 16th, this Friday. Sucks, huh? That's okay. I realized I can not be attached to a class or school as a Substitute Teacher. That's okay, a teacher called me to Sub for her. Moving on... -
DAY 15: Adventures in Substitute Teachiing coming to a close.
Met the teacher who is going to take over the class. I worked for him when he was a Special Education Teacher and I was a Substitute Instructional Assistant. I remembered how orderly his classroom was and the students seemed to respond to him well. Unfortunately he made a bad first-impression on my neighbor/mentor-teacher. At least the students will have someone with more experience and consistent. -
DAY 16: The Adventure ends.
I left my business card with my neighbor/mentor-teacher and any other person I thought would need a Sub. The day ended well, though each class was 30 minutes. I showed each class a movie: Scot Pilgrim vs. The World and started X-Men: First Class. I don't know how classroom appropriate either is, but they liked it. Packed up, cleaned up, and brought my clutter home. -
Happy St. Patrick's Day
My friends were suppose to come over and visit, unfortunately the weather here was very much like thunderstorms, so they wanted to back out of the drive and I let them. They don't have much experience driving in the crazy rain like I do, and so I don't expect them to make the drive. Plus, St. Patrick Day = green beer drinkers. Stay thirsty, but be careful, my friends. -
Let it snow, let it snow...
Actually, we had a bit of a hale storm. All that frost on my picture could be a combination of hale and freezing temperatures. It ended up being a beautiful day, cold, but rather beautiful. -
First day of Spring Break
Since I work in the same school district as my niece and nephew, that means I will be home, more often, with them. Apparently, I have a higher tolerance for ungrateful, moody, attitude-filled, teenage angst, high school students than for ungrateful, moody, attitude-filled, teenage angst family members. -
Ending the night with some niece bonding.
It was a nice night. Ended the night with Chelsea and Khaya in my room and we were just hanging out. It was nice. I wish we had more evenings like that. -
Had my Physical exam.
I had a standard Physical examination. I needed it for work, and for my general well-being, but so far so good. I had an EKG done and that seemed to go well because the NP (Nurse Practitioner) did not come back to see me. I am confident that's a good sign. Quite proud of myself! -
I have to learn how to control myself.
I am a very emotional person, this I know. I have never cried as much as I did today. Unfortunately, what comes with a good heart (physically and figuratively) comes the emotions, especially caused by Chelsea. That girl is tough and strong, not be able to cry at the sight of me crying. I'm embarassed to say it, but I looked like a little bitch compared to her "dont-care-attitude." I guess I am just overwhelmed with my Mom, and all Chelsea wants is to be priority. Ugh. Wait in line. -
Spring Break!
Still on Spring Break and not much going on except my Amazon order that my friends got me came in! Woot! Woot! Time to make sushi rolls, masubi, and FINALLY read The Great Gatsby! -
I'm sick!
I think my immune system just doesn't like the hospitals and clinics out here because, well, I'm sick. I don't know what it is, but I know I'm catching something. Must be from Jeriko when he had the fever (or was it a flu). Plan today: SLEEP ALL DAY. -
Uncle James passed away and I have a fever.
Uncle James' funeral was today and no one in my family attended the funeral. He's a close friend of my Dad's, and my parents already visited him in the hospital. Unfortunately, with all of us being sick, especially my mom, we didn't attend any services. Yeah, we're that sick. -
Slept off the fever.
I slept through my own sweat to get rid of this fever and forced myself to eat at least one slice of bread to keep somekind of carb in my system. Still feeling crappy though, but working my way through it. Back to sleep. -
Growling stomach.
My stomach is doing really weird things, like grumbling after I JUST ate. That must not be good. But I'll eat and remain hydrated. That's the best I can do! Oh, and I managed to have a horrible fight with my eldest niece again. I'm beginning to see her true colors, and it just might be me, but I'm feeling colder around her. -
Still a little sick.
Not much going on other than trying to handle my nasal-congestion. Pretty picture, I know. And just going about my business. My eldest niece has an appointment at the school she's applying to. She accused me of not caring about her future. I'll just let her keep thinking that because everything else I have done for her has gone unnoticed. -
I miss the classroom.
I had a Substitute Teaching gig today. I subbed my mentor/teacher-neighbor class today. It was great. The students had to read and answer questions on their own paper. We read aloud, as the teacher said to do, and the students began answering questions. I also did a raffle, which made the students behave a little better. It was a good day! -
TUMBLR #Education editor? whuht?!
So I got a message that I am a new (and in addition to) #Education Temblr editor. That's great, don't know why, don't know how, so I accpeted the position. Unpaid, and an honor, unfortunately I found out that a beloved editor was kicked out and I replaced her. Controversy ensues. For the record, I have no idea what happened, but I will go about my business as assigned. -
Being the little old lady from Pasadena...
I agreed (a LONG time ago) to house/cat-sit my friend's place. The treated me to this WONDERFUL place called Lemonade in Pasadena. It's awesome. I love it. And I wish I had a regular paycheck to go there ALL THE TIME. Dropped them off at LAX and now starts the life of being a lil' ol' lady from Pasadena. -
My BFF's birthday.
My "other" BFF, Ryan turned 30 this year and originally I had no plans to go to his birthday celebration because the drive to Pasadena and back into his side of the desert is costly for me. Then HIS BFF called me and he's going to pick me up and we're heading to Lancaster for Ryan's birthday. SURPRISE RYAN!
