Things are [slowly] starting to turn around!

Finally I feel like I can start to take a breath. :) I'm nearing page 100 on my work sample, but as of this weekend I finished writing all of my lesson plans and was able to choose my action research topic to begin working on until I graduate. I'll be researching how and if the use of goal-setting conferences and weekly teacher/student accountability can improve the intrinsic motivation of middle school students.

With my science lesson topic chosen, my social studies lesson topic chosen, my work sample nearly finished and my action research topic chosen, I'm feeling pretty good about the work load I have left. It's still a lot, but with a lot more focus and resources to help me get where I need to be.

Oh, and I'm officially studying abroad in Vienna in May!!! :D That was by far the best news of today! I will be teaching at an International school, and leading my students on a service learning project in the city of Vienna during my time there. We'll also get to visit Prague and Salzburg while we're on the trip. :) I can't wait!! We leave the day after graduation. Talk about a busy season.

language arts bio poem

A fun type of poetry called a "I am from..." (0r a bio poem) is a great way to connect students thinking about poetry and how it can connect with their lives. Bio poems can go any direction the students want-- from talking about their interests and hobbies, to thinking about memories or people in their lives. I wrote this one in language arts class today as I thought about my own "I am from" poem...

I am from the homeschooling years.
From sheltered stability,
mornings with my mom and sister,
and afternoons in the backyard fort.

I am from the worry-free cul de sac,
with big wheel races, skits and plays
and weekend sleepovers.

I am from a changing family.
"You'll adjust," "Meet your new siblings,"
and every-other-week suitcases.
New school, new friends,
and new first impressions.

Still from the same mom,
with the same sheltered stability.

I am from crisp fall nights,
filled with warm soups
and spiced candles.

I am from douglas firs,
Christmas on the piano,
pumpkin pies,
Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra.

I am from raising ducklings in the rainy spring,
to motorhome trips in the warm, dry summers

I am from kissing posters of JTT,
playing N'Sync on repeat,
and making videos with Tiffany
of our amazing dance moves.

I am from tradition and love,
defined non-traditionally.
I am still from,
"you'll adjust," "keep your head up,"
and "start your own path."

From these things is where I'll go.
Still missing mom's sheltered stability,
and our cozy fall evenings.

thankfulness

This has been a really difficult week in a lot of ways, but I am refusing to give into the temptation to complain. :) I tried fighting off the sickness going around but it finally got me on Monday... and it hasn't been welcome. I don't remember being this sick for this long in a long time... but I think it's just a combination of stress, lack of sleep, competing priorities and the fact that I'm trying to be conservative with my heat bill in this cold weather... ;)

I finally gave in to sleeping and resting instead of feeling like I needed to do work all weekend, so I think that's helped me finally get some energy back. But it is definitely preparing me for reality-- when you have to keep working even when you're sick (ha). Most of my kids were sick last week and I really thought with all my vitamin C and water I was drinking that I could hold off.... but no such luck.

So instead of complaining, I want to be thankful. Thankful that even though my students probably passed their germs on when we were having meetings or shaking hands at the end of the day, I have a school to work in and get great experience in. Or even though I'm totally overwhelmed by multiple assignments due this weekend, at least I'm fortunate enough to be in a graduate school program and getting a degree I'm passionate about. And even though I'm feeling sick, at least I have a warm house, some soup, some tea and a nice couch to rest on in the process. Yes, I feel thankful. :)