My Sweet students

Teaching Grade 4/5 this year has been really busy. Not only am I learning a whole new curriculum, I'm also learning how to teach and interact with this age group. Some days they drive me crazy with all their arguing with each other and all the drama issues that I have to help them solve. Other times they make me laugh with just being who they are.

One day I find this:

Each month the students vote for the classmate who
shows the character trait of the month. This month is
Perseverance. I took a peak at the votes and found this.
So encouraged to keep going!

I have a wonderful, but crazy group of students!

New Bead, New Grade

Summer's almost over! In a few more weeks, I have to go back to school and this time I'm teaching a new grade: Grade 4/5. I'm pretty excited about teaching this grade level for a number of reasons. It's an age group where I'd be teaching less of the basics of reading and writing and more interesting content material. I've never taught this age group before so I can't wait for the new experience. The problem is I have a lot of primary materials from teaching Grade 1 and 2's for so long. So how do I turn my primary materials into a junior classroom without spending a lot more money?

A few weeks ago, I ordered a ceramic pendent from Marti Conrad. I've seen her work on the Bead Soup Cafe and loved it! But I could never give myself a reason to spend the money on a new bead... until I saw this.

It's a dark brownish fish pendent! And since I've been fishing a lot this summer (husband loves fishing) and I love her stuff, it was a great reason to finally get one of Marti's lovely beads. When I got it I was so happy! It's so pretty! But how do I make it into a necklace? Well, after blog hopping during the last reveal, I noticed many people used waxed linen to macrame jewellery pieces. I've never used waxed linen before so I think I'll try it on the fish pendent. I'll post the finished product once I get myself some waxed linen and create something.

Beading to Beat Autism

So far the bead soup is still brewing.  I've finished one necklace that I'm very happy with and a few other pieces that needs more work. I think I'm going to need a few more pins but I'm doing pretty well using all the scrap wires.  I think my next piece, I'm going to add some pearls onto it. Just a touch of "me" in these pieces.

Report cards were sent home last week, so weekends are a bit more relaxing.  More time to make jewellery and work on my Bead Soup!

Two weeks ago, a couple of colleagues and I started a beading club at my school for Grades 3-5. It all started when I found out about "Beading to Beat Autism".  A 14 year old girl from Kentucky raised money for an Autism treatment for her little brother just by selling beaded bracelets that she made.  Now she has taken on the mission of raising money to build a foundation center for Autism research. You can read more about her story on the link below or watch the video to find out how you can get your own "Michala's Kit".

www.beadingtobeatautism.org/

So far, our beading club has 30 or so girls participating and making bracelets. They're even bringing in their own beads to donate to this great cause. Maybe a few more weeks from now, we'll be able to sell them to the rest of the school and community!  

To my wonderful Grade 1s and 2s

Ever since I started school in September, I haven't had much time to do wedding planning or make new jewellery.  I started off with half time at the school and by God's grace, a few weeks in, I got to be the Grade 1/2 full time teacher.  It was exactly what I prayed for but little did I know how much work it involved.  After doing so many LTOs I should be used to jumping in, in the middle of the year (well, this time it was 3 weeks in). Even with all the work, this past few months has been the most enjoyable, fullfilling, rewarding time I've ever had. 

I have such a good class.  I mean, they can be chatty and exactly like kids but they are good kids and will settle down with the LOOK!.  hahah!  There are no behaviour problems and not many low level students. It's almost the perfect class but now I have to leave again to find a new job since the teacher I'm replacing is returning.  I'm gonna miss these kids.....

Especially one student who can't read very well but still has the motivation to keep trying and isn't afraid to ask for help.  I've been making progress with this student and I wish I could see what happens to him.  Well, all the best class and hopefully your new teacher can give you what you need.  Bye!

UPDATE: The week after this contracted ended, I ended up doing another LTO at the same school and the same grade but a different class.  God is good!

Monarch Butterflies

As a teacher, we go to many different types of workshops. It usually has something to do with literacy, classroom management, differentiation, blah, blah, blah....  While those workshops are all great for professional development, it's sometimes nice to have a change.  Last week, I went to a workshop for teachers that focused on Monarch Butterflies. Monarch Butterflies and teaching? Well, there were quit a few links to the curriculum but what I got out of it was a new interest.  So I found 2 caterpillar eggs and now have 2 tiny "cats" that eat like crazy! I'll be releasing them when they're adult butterflies to help with the Monarch population.  Go here for more info:  www.monarchwatch.org 

Caterpillars eating milkweed leaves

Crysalis

Butterfly emerging from its crysalis

Job Posting: Teacher

As a new teacher, I'm finding that my role in front of the classroom is more than just the person that delivers a lesson.  So I've developed this list titles that accompanies the role of a teacher.  I'll be adding more to it as I find more.

As a teacher you will have to be a:

• counsellor
• nurse
• mommy
• entertainer
• coach
• friend
• actor
  

Feel free to suggest any more roles you think a teacher faces everyday (comment below)

A little blurb about teaching and reading

When a reluctant reader suddenly becomes interested in a book about bears, he might say "I want to learn to read this book!" So he would begin to read other "just right" books in order to reach his goal of reading books of his own interest. As teachers, we need to provide these high interest books and expose them to our students. This will motivate them into learning to read. Intrinsic motivation.

*Just something I was thinking about while working on my online course.

I also found a really good link to taking photos of jewellery! here

Too much reading!

I just spent the last three days attending a "Reluctant Readers" workshop for teachers. There were tons of info and a lot of good "make and takes" where we got to make some sort of useful somethings that would help us motivate reluctant readers in a classroom. For example, one of the things we made was a "buzz jar" which basically was a jar that had discussion questions inside. The students would have to pick one of those questions and discuss it with a partner or two. It's to promote a "buzz" or purposeful talk in the classroom. So other than the useful info and free stuff, we also had awesome breakfasts and lunches! Smoked salmon sandwiches, bacon and eggs for breakfast, stir fry, salad with yummy dressing! Totally worth the $40 I payed.

Now I have to work on my AQ which happens to be on reading too. This online course leaves me no time to work on my etsy shop or make new products but I've been able to sneak in a few hours before bed (no wonder I'm tired in the mornings) to make a couple of new earrings. Hopefully I can take pics tomorrow and post them up.

Now back to my online course.. *sigh*

Cards, Cards, Cards and me

For the past few days, I've been making some promo cards. Yes, about 100 handmade promo cards. Good thing it was kinda fun to make. I'll be sending them to Erika (ErisSensations) so she can distribute them at her crafts show. Thanks a bunch Erika!

And here's a bit about me:
I graduated from teacher's college 3 years ago and started supplying and doing a few LTOs. The learning experience is great but I want to get that permanent teaching job. Trying to find a teaching position here in Toronto is getting harder and harder. It just seems rather depressing especially when you hear other teachers in the same situation. I think I just have to keep trying and praying. Hopefully something will come up.