My First Semester as a Teacher

I am a student intern at North Ridge Elementary School.

I intern in a first grade class for Mrs. Kathy Acres and also in a second grade class for Mrs. Susan Burns.

While I'm in my first grade class we are usually working on science and in my second grade class we do math. 

The first day I got there, I was a little nervous just live anyone would be. My nervousness quickly disappeared and I was very excited to see what the rest of the year had in store for me. 

During the second semester I'm looking forward to learning new things from both of my mentor teachers and the students. I can't wait to see how much the students have grown from the beginning of the year to the end.

This blog is in response to Mrs. Stevens blog. 

My Plans for the Future

Here are three things I want to change-
1. I want to make better grades next semester. I can change this by doing my homework and getting it in on time if not earlier. I don't want to wait until the very last second to get things done. If I change this, it will eliminate stress.
2. I want to be more motivated to go to college and start applying for scholarships at any chance I have. It will save me a lot of money and stress if I do this. I can apply for scholarships instead of getting distracted by the television or social networks.
3. Lastly, I want to apply for colleges. I need to start this ASAP. I should've started a year ago. This goes along with procrastinating.. I've waited til the very end to do something. I can start applying to colleges in my free time instead of going out with my friends or getting on social networks.

20 Minutes

If I was a teacher I would encourage my students to read at least 20 minutes outside of school by telling them that it would make them smarter. I could give them extra recess time, rewards like bringing a stuffed animal to school, having extra computer time, give them stickers for their reward charts, wearing slippers instead of regular shoes or being able to watch a fun movie. 

I like to read, although I don't read as much as I should. If I read more than it could help enlighten me in other subjects. I have plenty of extra time in my day to be able to read for 20 minutes but of course media and social networks take up that extra time.

As in intern, I can definitely tell a difference in the students who read outside of school. Their vocabulary is significantly better than the other students. They also understand and comprehend things at a faster pace. Same with the homework- I can tell who does and doesn't do their homework. It takes the kids that didn't do their homework a lot longer to grasp things that are going on in the classroom. It is definitely a set back for those kids. 

If I had the chance to redo my last 14 years of school, I would take it in a heartbeat. I would study more and for longer hours. I would do my homework and make that a habit. I wouldn't procrastinate and I would do things 100% instead of just trying to get by. 

When I read, I enjoy reading mysterious books. I like when books leave me wanting to read more. 

Solutions

I think our country should put certain laws on who should be able to purchase/own a gun. Background checks should be more thorough than they are now. Individuals with a mental illness should not be able to purchase a gun because a majority of the shootings that have happened in this country are committed by someone with a mental illness. Our country should also offer more help to people who suffer from mental illnesses.

Are you Pinterested in Resources?

Here is a good blog to help you with math- Teach the Math
Here is a good blog for a second grade classroom- 2nd Grade Pad
Here is a good blog for a kindergarten classroom- Smedley's Smorgasbord
Here is a good idea for a science lesson.. Solid/Liquid Activity
A VERY cute idea for a homework station at home- Homework Table Idea
An activity for helping to understand adjectives- Popcorn Adjective