Finally updating with more than just a picture.

This will be a long one.. so watch out. this is a school related one, spring break blog is coming.



Disclaimer: Some things are repeated from the last post because i wasn't sure if i had said them or not

A few weeks ago, we had "Family Fun Night" During Family Fun Night, I feel as though the teachers I work with are finally seeing me as a peer. The other second grade teachers took my opinions and insight and we really collaborated. They gave me actual lessons to teach to the parents. This is important because as a student teacher, parents do not always understand my role in the classroom. I was able to share some of my teaching methods. It was so important because I feel as I am no longer simply seen as a helper in the classroom, but an actual teacher.


During tutoring last week, I was helping some of my student practice counting money. One of them in particular had a break down during class because she was so frustrated and was struggling. So, I brought some fake money to tutoring in the dorm. I told my students they only had to do a few problems. As soon as I saw they were starting to get it, they were free to go. I really did not want to force them too much. The student who was struggling the most was there the longest because she “wants to get a 100%.” This made me feel good because she really wanted my help.

One Saturday one of the women who worked at the dorm invited us to go with her to her niece’s first birthday party. This was a great experience to have the opportunity to meet other people. We were able to see the grandfather give a prayer before we ate. We also helped put shiskabobs together for the meal. While there, we also had the opportunity to meet most of her family. After the Grandfather said the Prayer, before we ate, we all drank from the same glass of water this was particularly interesting to me because in the Jewish religion we do the same thing with a glass of wine. I was able to see a part of the religious aspect of Navajo culture. I also had a conversation about religion with another staff member and after talking to the residential director, I learned that the Navajo Religion and the Jewish religion are very similar.

Going horseback riding was a definite highlight even though I was so sore afterward. It had been many years since I had gone horseback riding, but it was a great way to talk to others and just relax while doing something almost new. I also got to enjoy an open landscape down in a canyon, which was amazing to see. During this time, I learned about how to groom a horse, which is just fun to know, and how horses are great at reading people. Personally, I really got to see how much I can enjoy something that I haven’t done in years; it is something that I might want to do even when I am back as a way to relax. Additionally, I really liked seeing the openness and the beauty the world had to offer of an almost untouched landscape. This is something that I might only be able to see here.

About few weeks or so before this, I went finishing with a family that works at the school. It was a great way to socialize with adults outside the school setting. I had some very nice conversations with one of the women about our families. This also opened the doors for other activities. Going on this outing setup the leaping pad I needed to help myself feel involved with people in Shonto. As I started to get the mid-semester blues, this pulled me out of my funk and helped me feel like I was doing something. It got me to really stop feeling sorry for myself. It was my first time fishing, and I caught a fish, one of the high school teachers cooked it for me, and it was amazing. (it was trot)


Before I left the classroom last week, I started my students on writing letters, they now have pen-pals in the 6th grade. I think this is a great way for them to learn on both a social and academic level. I just hope that my host teacher will keep up with this as I am now working with the reading Coaches, on a reading program I am not too found of. Leaving the classroom is a disappointment to me. As frustrated as I sometimes get, I really am going to miss the students and working with them. As I move into my reading placement, I feel like I might spend more time working with assessments and staff development. I will really miss working with the students and seeing the gains they make. I do not feel like I will get to see the classroom aspect because I will be so focused on assessments, especially as AIMS testing approaches; the school is extremely worried about that right now, so it is where most of the attention in being placed.
The AIMs( Arizona's Standardized test.. same thing as ISTEP or the Proficiency test) testing is a major issue in the school right now. There are a bunch of students in mandatory tutoring from 330-520 after school, which is such a long day or those kids. We have also received emails from the administration telling us to teach to the test. Meaning the teachers need to take time out of their normal instruction and teach the students what is on the test, and that's how they will spend the day. this is so important that the school passes the test (and makes AYP) because of school politics(which i will not get into on here). The test is in two weeks, so for the next week or so everything at the school be about this standardized test the third through 8th graders are taking. i can say much more but i don't want to get onto my soap box.


This is just fun....
Desert sand blowing in the wind

Desert sand blowing in the wind
Blowing in my mouth, hair and eyes.
It never seems to go away
For which I do despise.

Desert sand blowing in the wind
A peaceful calm as I hear your voice sing
over the playground and through the leaves
until I see the destruction you can bring.

Desert sand blowing in the wind
Sweeping up the floors is an endless chore
You always seem to come back no matter what I try
Whenever I turn my head, it seems you are even more.

Desert sand blowing in the wind
With your quiet beauty it seems to me,
That I can never complain of your color,
Your feel, but I think we will still disagree.

Desert sand blowing in the wind
It seems it seems I will never love you
Until you stop blowing in my eyes, hair and mouth.
For this is painful, you know it’s true.

Desert sand blowing in the wind
We will learn to tolerate
For being covered with sand from head toe.
Has become our unknowing fate.



Nikki- I replied to your questions in a comment on the post.