You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around.

My first week of student teaching was:

• amazing
• crazy
• fun
• busy
• exhausting
• invigorating

and soooo much more. I expected to spend the entire week observing but knew as of day uno that I needed to be ready to push the envelope...to be ready and willing to break out of my comfort zone in order to really make the most of this experience.

After my second day (which ended at 6:30pm due to a professional development seminar I attended) I came home to a house full of sick family members. Looks like the flu decided to visit. Gotta love the timing! Although it does look like it's passed me by for now...thanks immune system!! You are awesome possum!

Day 3 - My teacher had to leave to get her son from school on an emergency, so I ended up TEACHING. Talk about being thrown into things! I was left to my own devices for a good hour and a half, with sporadic visits from the school social worker (for legal reasons). And guess what? I managed to keep the kiddos in line and get everything that needed to be done, done. If that isn't a great confidence booster, then I don't know what is!

The rest of the week progressed smoothly and I welcomed the three-day weekend with open arms.

Week 2 has been a joy so far. The second grade classes are participating in a pioneer school reenactment until next Wednesday. The students dress up like little pioneer children (ADORABLE), bringing their lunches in baskets and pails, and pretend like we are in a pioneer school. It's a lot of fun and makes me kind of wish I could land a perm job in 2nd grade :)

My responsibilities this week have stepped up quite a bit. I'm in charge of all morning rituals, transitions, small group RTI instruction, and phonics instruction this week.

My biggest concern is the phonics instruction....don't laugh at the reason why though.... we drill sounds and every time I've practiced one particular sound, I manage to mess up quite badly! The drill is "s.h. ship sh". Now imagine what I could mess up here!!! AH! Let's just hope it goes accordingly tomorrow and I don't end up cussing out a bunch of kids.

Image from: http://www.bridges4kids.org/ComSchools.html