End of Week 4 = hmph.

The week went fairly well. Here are the highlights (Compound Word! Ha.)

- I picked up reading (in addition to Math and Science).
- I had a 45 minute conversation with Jim the custodian while he swept our floor. 7 Mile, the German language, and smoking sausage on rooftops were among the topics discussed.
- The kids have NAILED congruence.
- I decided on a unit theme - Exploration and Discovery. The solar system will be our primary focus so I will have to work that into multiple subjects. My Very Elegant Mother Just Served Us Nine Piz...aww no. My Very Elegant Mother Just Served Us Noodles. I like it.
- My relationships with my Cooperating Teacher, principle, and other core teachers are strengthening. They make me laugh...often :)
- Three words: School House Rock.
- One precious little boy - known for his comprehension and focus issues - completely grasped the weekly story! A huge success that had my CT and I floored, yet so incredibly proud.

I'm excited to see what next week brings - teaching all subjects for 3 out of 4 days!

I slept in today :)

A big shout out to Mr. Lincoln and all our former (and current!) presidents for the two glorious days of rest that have been given to us all!

And so the updates begin...

Cooperating Teacher: I went into the experience knowing close to nothing about her. With this in mind, I tried to have as few expectations as possible. Thankfully, she is phenomenal. Teaching is her second career so she did her own student teaching just three years ago. She's kind, sweet-natured, incredibly caring, and insightful. She treats me like a person, not just a professional (a novice one at that), which I appreciate.

Farnsworth: The school is...interesting. The principle, although a bit elderly, is incredibly structured and firm. She refuses to turn down any student, regardless of ability level; therefore, the school has some solid services for students with special needs. As is expected, the building in a bit run-down, the technology is limited, and teacher morale is a not as high as I've seen in other schools; however, the kids are cared for, visitors are made to feel immensely welcome, and the core group of teachers that I work with are great.

Students: Aaah, the students :) 34 of the little ones in all: 12 English Language Learners (6 Hispanic, 1 Polish, 1 Philippian, 2 Middle Eastern, and 2 Asian). 6 of the students are Caucasian, 1 is African American, and the rest are Hispanic (English-speaking) or Multi-Racial. We also have a little one who is Visually Impaired. Reading levels range from 200 words per minute to 10. They're wonderful :) A wonderful challenge, but wonderful nonetheless.

In General: I'm feeling pretty good. My energy is up (so far!). I actually enjoy my commute (so long as I'm able to catch my first bus). The roommates are great. The students are great. My cooperating teacher is flexible and supportive. My ideas are a'flowin and I'm excited to go to school every day. I'm still nervous, perhaps a bit frightened, terrified maybe...but it's all coming out of my desire to do all I can for those kids.

I miss everyone very, very, very, very, very much. Very much. :)