One down... 2 to go...

Three weeks of little to no sleep, and many lesson plans later, I am DONE my first practicum! I finished on Friday with a bang - I played "math jeopardy" as a review with the kids (they loved this!), finished marking their art work on "warm & cool colours" ( a lesson which I had taught them the previous day), had my last science lesson on "metamorphic rocks" with the grade fours, and finished off with a party in the afternoon! After giving the kids their 'draw' prizes and pumpkin cookies, I was given some of the best compliments yet since starting at Western. I was told I was " 'almost better' than their actual teacher" (a great compliment in relation to my associate teacher), and that I was their "favourite student teacher ever" (awe... i bet they say that to every student teacher.. ;)), and that they didn't want me to leave. They then bombarded me with cards and well wishes and even gave me chocolate! But the best was when they went to leave at the end of the day and almost all the kids gave me a great big group hug :) (even some of the boys!). That made all the hard work worthwhile... it was great! I decided I truly love working with this age bracket - we'll have to see how working with the 'older' kids goes now! Thanks for all the advice and support from many of you!

An exerpt from one of the cards:
"Thankyou for teaching here we had fun with you! When I needed hep, you would help me thank you!"

And my ultimate favourite:
"I will miss you so much, you were so nice and I know you will be a great teacher (and good luck on geting maried.) Some things in life come slow, but for you it will be fast I can feel it you are the best studet teacher ever! That is why you will get the job and get a great class (but not as good as us I hope). I would love to keep in touch. good luck!! :)

p.s. On an ending note - while i'm sad to go - i'm quite happy I won't need to teach any lesson plans to any kids the day after Halloween!!!

So I'm a little late...

... but I just wanted to extend a huge CONGRATULATIONS to my beautiful cousin and friend Michelle & her oh-so-wonderful fiancee Jared on their engagement this past Saturday! I am so excited for the both of you! I wish you all God's blessings in your wedding plans! Let me know what I can do to help!

It's begining to look a lot like.. winter??

I would love to do a study some time on how weather affects kids' temp- eraments, but I can say this much - the first snow fall = absolute craziness! The kids in 'my' class today were wild! Every time the flurries flew the kids made sure we knew it and when recess came I've never seen kids run for the outdoors so fast! Mind you, normally I love the first snow fall as well, but I must admit the sights of THIS so soon made me cringe a little - i'm not so sure I'm ready for winter yet - hopefully we get a bit more 'fall-like' weather before the flakes fly again!

September = good times

September was a busy but fun-filled month, filled with plenty of birthdays and ending off with a bang with the marriage of the oh-so-wonderful Jenny & Brian. Here are a few pictures of the honorees...

The first birthday wishes go out to the oh so sweet Esther, Marty's oldest neice who turned 4! :)

Secondly came my wonderful Mom who turned 1/2 a century old this year!

Next came the love of my life :). This wonderful man turned yet another
year older on Sept 18th. He is now 22 yearsold! I am so blessed to have him in my life. Congratulations sweetie!

Next came the beautiful Mrs. Vanderdeen, my dear friend since highschool who turned 24! Congrats Rachel! :)

The last birthday wishes go out to Marty's youngest neice, miss cutie-pie Rebecca who turned 2! :)

And.... last, but certainly not least, congratulations to Jenny & Brian VanOosten who were married September 30th! Despite some rain, the wedding was beautiful and the bride & groom radiant! :) Have fun on your honeymoon!

Needed: Good Ideas

All you teachery type people &/or creative folk, I need help creating a number of lesson plans for grades 4 & 5'ers teaching about perimeter & area and mass & capacity. Any great ideas? Let me know!