Since I'm embarking on this new journey in my life, I thought I'd start a semi-regular feature called "Teachable Moments" wherein I fill you all in on my path to becoming a Teacher.
I had my first real "teachable moment" today in my grade 12 History class. It's only my second week doing placement, so I've spent most of my time so far sitting in the back of the classes observing and taking notes on teaching styles.
The class was just starting and the teacher was setting up a movie ("Amadeus" - based on the life of Mozart, excellent movie) when one of the girls came over to me. She seemed a little hesitant at first, but then timidly said she had a few questions.
Her questions and concerns were all about University, and by the sounds of it she was quite panicked at the thought of attending lectures and having to copy everything down quickly and she was overwhelmed at the prospect of picking a school and career path.
Her fears were the same ones I had when I entered my first year of University, just like I'm sure many of you had as well.
I ended up talking to her and her friend for a good 15 minutes. I covered everything from lectures to note taking, to considering other options like College instead of University and gave them my personal experiences since I did both. They both seemed a lot calmer after my talk, and I walked away feeling very good about myself.
It didn't occur to me that I was assuming a teacher role by giving advice, but that's exactly what I was doing.
My first Teachable Moment!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The beginning of a new (school) year
Blog Status: Ella is feeling very accomplished
I've been writing this post in my head for days during my down time - ie. in the car or before falling asleep - but for some reason I just haven't had the time to actually type it out until right now.
Since I've pretty much spent my life in a classroom, my internal clock always sees September as a new year. To me, New Years is just another holiday between Christmas and my birthday but September is the beginning of fall, the end of summer and the start of another school year. In other words, a new beginning.
This particular September has found yours truly back in a highschool setting. My placement school. I've now completed one week of placement and the verdict - I love it! I almost squealed with glee when I walked into my first class and they were studying World War I.
Although I'm exhausted from doing my placement in the morning, having my own classes in the afternoon and then coming home and doing homework I really can't wait to actually start teaching.
I spent the day today washing all my scarves and gloves in perparation for the upcoming season. There's just something about fall that I really love.
Pumpkin and harvest flavoured candles, a crisp wind in the air, taking out my Uggs for the first time and creating new outfits involving leggings and long sweaters
What do you love about fall?
I've been writing this post in my head for days during my down time - ie. in the car or before falling asleep - but for some reason I just haven't had the time to actually type it out until right now.
Since I've pretty much spent my life in a classroom, my internal clock always sees September as a new year. To me, New Years is just another holiday between Christmas and my birthday but September is the beginning of fall, the end of summer and the start of another school year. In other words, a new beginning.
This particular September has found yours truly back in a highschool setting. My placement school. I've now completed one week of placement and the verdict - I love it! I almost squealed with glee when I walked into my first class and they were studying World War I.
Although I'm exhausted from doing my placement in the morning, having my own classes in the afternoon and then coming home and doing homework I really can't wait to actually start teaching.
I spent the day today washing all my scarves and gloves in perparation for the upcoming season. There's just something about fall that I really love.
Pumpkin and harvest flavoured candles, a crisp wind in the air, taking out my Uggs for the first time and creating new outfits involving leggings and long sweaters
What do you love about fall?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
school + love = Glee
Blog Status: Ella is in full school mode!
Good morning bloggers, I hope you've all had a good weekend around the world. Mine was a good balance of quiet and busy, which is exactly the way I like it.
As my status up above says, I'm in complete school mode now. This has to do with 2 things, one being the start of my placement in an actual high school and the other being my new obsession with Glee. I blogged about Glee being my inspiration to pursue Teachers College here and since then that inspiration has grown exponentially.
The complete first season of Glee came out on tuesday, and I'm a little ashamed to admit I actually left for school early in order to be able to stop at WalMart on the way and pick it up. Since then I've been a self-admitted "Gleek". I'm half way through the first season, and determined to finish before the season premier on tuesday. Oh, and I'm completely in love with Will Schuester - just thought I'd point that out.
On friday I had my first taste of a "real" Glee experience. I got to meet my placement school! I was a little terrified, but luckily there are about 6 other people from my classes going to the same school so I wasn't alone. The VP of the school gave us an extensive tour of the school and introduced us to some of the teachers. I haven't stepped foot into a high school since I was in high school, so needless to say it was definitely a trip down memory lane!
I'm both excited and scared to begin working in an actual classroom on tuesday morning. Most likely I'm going to be placed in a history class, which is my main teachable anyway. This semester I have to volunteer a minimum of 75 hours, most of which will be spent observing or mentoring small groups of students within the class.
I'm spending today alternating between catching up on school readings and watching Glee, either way you can bet my mindset is completely in high school mode at the moment
Good morning bloggers, I hope you've all had a good weekend around the world. Mine was a good balance of quiet and busy, which is exactly the way I like it.
As my status up above says, I'm in complete school mode now. This has to do with 2 things, one being the start of my placement in an actual high school and the other being my new obsession with Glee. I blogged about Glee being my inspiration to pursue Teachers College here and since then that inspiration has grown exponentially.
The complete first season of Glee came out on tuesday, and I'm a little ashamed to admit I actually left for school early in order to be able to stop at WalMart on the way and pick it up. Since then I've been a self-admitted "Gleek". I'm half way through the first season, and determined to finish before the season premier on tuesday. Oh, and I'm completely in love with Will Schuester - just thought I'd point that out.
On friday I had my first taste of a "real" Glee experience. I got to meet my placement school! I was a little terrified, but luckily there are about 6 other people from my classes going to the same school so I wasn't alone. The VP of the school gave us an extensive tour of the school and introduced us to some of the teachers. I haven't stepped foot into a high school since I was in high school, so needless to say it was definitely a trip down memory lane!
I'm both excited and scared to begin working in an actual classroom on tuesday morning. Most likely I'm going to be placed in a history class, which is my main teachable anyway. This semester I have to volunteer a minimum of 75 hours, most of which will be spent observing or mentoring small groups of students within the class.
I'm spending today alternating between catching up on school readings and watching Glee, either way you can bet my mindset is completely in high school mode at the moment
Friday, September 17, 2010
Favorite Fridays - TV Show!
Blog Status: rain rain go away
2 posts in 1 week, I think I'm improving slightly!
It's pouring rain here, and I feel like I drowned my poor car on the way to school this morning. The most exciting for me right now is the fact that I'm meeting my placement school tomorrow! I'm completely terrified excited to be starting this new phase of my life. I'm counting on my GPS to get me to the school on time tomorrow as I only have a vague idea of where it is.
Anyway, I'll do a real school update after I've actually been to the school, today's topic is about one of my favorite past times - television!
This week's Favorite Friday's topic is favorite television show
I'm actually really torn to pick just one - because I can't. I watch too much television to narrow it down, so you're going to get my whole list
In no real order:
- Glee
- Big Bang Theory
- Grey's Anatomy
- Jepardie
- Gossip Girl
- Amazing Race
- America's Next Top Model
- Mad Men
- CSI New York
Those are all the current shows that I love, but doesn't include old favorites like Friends or Sex and the City
Monday, September 13, 2010
school.
Blog Status: Ella is in class
September = blog fail
Majorly.
Since I went back to school 2 weeks ago it seems to have consumed my entire life. I spend my days in front of my laptop so by the time I get home (after an hour long drive) the last thing I want to do is spend more time in front of a computer screen.
Sorry.
I have this occuring fear that I'm going to log onto blogger one day and all my followers will have left me - this is where I insert a little plea to not un-follow me - so I'm making an attempt to return to my little piece of the blogosphere
That all being said, I am liking my program, especially the people and teachers, so all in all I'm pretty content. The workload is starting to pile up drastically, so don't be too surprised if I dissapear from the blogosphere periodically. But don't be alarmed, I will always return. Eventually.
I feel a little better now that I've at least contributed a small (albeit pointless) post and now I'm off to learn about teaching students with special needs
September = blog fail
Majorly.
Since I went back to school 2 weeks ago it seems to have consumed my entire life. I spend my days in front of my laptop so by the time I get home (after an hour long drive) the last thing I want to do is spend more time in front of a computer screen.
Sorry.
I have this occuring fear that I'm going to log onto blogger one day and all my followers will have left me - this is where I insert a little plea to not un-follow me - so I'm making an attempt to return to my little piece of the blogosphere
That all being said, I am liking my program, especially the people and teachers, so all in all I'm pretty content. The workload is starting to pile up drastically, so don't be too surprised if I dissapear from the blogosphere periodically. But don't be alarmed, I will always return. Eventually.
I feel a little better now that I've at least contributed a small (albeit pointless) post and now I'm off to learn about teaching students with special needs
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
vroom vroom..
Blog Status: Ella is feeling very tired
May I introduce to you..
Name: Avi
Make: Chevrolet Aveo
Date of Birth: August 2010
I'm in love with this little piece of machinery. Like fully. I have no idea what the engine size is or how many miles/km I get to the gallon/liter but I do know that he (yes he) is a sparkly blue colour, has a good radio and sunroof!
It's my very first car, and although I was overwhelmed at first, Avi and I have driven enough kilometers together in the last week and a half that we've become good friends.
Does all that sound totally cheesy and lame?
Do you guys name your cars and give them personalities?
Now that I'm back in school, my daily commute is about 45 minutes each way which is a big change from my previous driving which may have been to the local mall and back.
Isn't he pretty?
May I introduce to you..
Name: Avi
Make: Chevrolet Aveo
Date of Birth: August 2010
I'm in love with this little piece of machinery. Like fully. I have no idea what the engine size is or how many miles/km I get to the gallon/liter but I do know that he (yes he) is a sparkly blue colour, has a good radio and sunroof!
It's my very first car, and although I was overwhelmed at first, Avi and I have driven enough kilometers together in the last week and a half that we've become good friends.
Does all that sound totally cheesy and lame?
Do you guys name your cars and give them personalities?
Now that I'm back in school, my daily commute is about 45 minutes each way which is a big change from my previous driving which may have been to the local mall and back.
Isn't he pretty?
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