One week done.

So my first week is over, it was great.

First period ended today and all of a sudden "Circle of Life" (the Pink Pajamas with Penguins on the Botton song) started to play over the loud speakers. I thought it was a prank or something, like the seniors took control of the PA system (like Shawshank Redemption). After "Circle of Life," "Colors of the Wind" came on.

Apparently, on fridays the school plays music between classes. they also have daily themes. Today's was disney. We heard, "Circle of Life" "Colors of the Wind" "Hakuna Matata" "Kiss the Girl" "Under the Sea" "You've got a Friend in Me" "I'll Make a Man out of You" and "A Whole New World" it was HILARIOUS.

Also, tonight there's a big rivalry game in guy's basketball tonight. Both teams are undefeated so it should be a really good game. (I can't go, because I'm on duty tonight). But any how, the administration is predicting a riot tonight. So during class today, the teacher asked a group of students what they were talking about: "we're just talking about strategies as to how not to get arrested tonight."

And, a girl in one of the classes brought cookies in for everyone. They were chocolate chip cookies, but she added vanilla pudding to the cookie dough. They were awesome.

John could have done it better

So, today was kind of the first day I talked in class. I talked for 2 minutes explaining where the term "Jim Crow" came from while talking about Jim Crow Laws. But that was it.

The teacher's lounge is the most hilarious place in the school. But today the spent the whole lunch period telling me how much I will hate and be awful at my first year of teaching. One of the teachers asked if I knew how he got through his first year. His answer: lots and lots of alcohol. Great, that's something to look forward to.

But my classes are great, the students are outgoing, enthusiastic, and respectful too. One kid spent about 10 minutes today explaining that John Wilkes Booth could have done a completely better job. He then explained his strategy as to how JWB should have assassinated Lincoln. Sounds weird, but it was actually entertaining and interesting.

We got our planners/grade-books today. I feel so professional. it's weird. I don't like it.

Day 2

So I decided I needed to start working on memorizing names of students today. Especially, because i only known one girl (who's in two of my classes) as "fish-face" (my nickname for her, not her own).

So since I was just observing today and doing nothing productive, I fully memorized 4 classes worth of names. I know the kids by their seats, so if they change seats i'm screwed. And if I see them in the hallways i'm screwed.

We'll see how it goes. My CT (cooperating teacher) said out of all his classes, I'm gonna start taking over US History since 1877 first, but I don't know when that's gonna be.

Student Teaching

Woah, an update!

So I started officially student teaching today, well not "officially" because I haven't started teaching yet. Today I just sat there observing different teachers. My cooperating teacher is teaching 6 classes this semester, 2 Junior US History classes, 2 Senior 20th Century classes, and 2 Senior Advanced European Studies classes.

It went pretty well, the classes were relaxed and laid back, so I think my style of teaching will mesh well with my cooperating teacher's.

I don't have much else to say, there will be more in the future. But I'm pretty excited about what's coming up in the year.