Two Poems

I wrote two poems while inspired by a lead the class discussion in my Student Teaching Methods class. I thought I'd share them.

We Both Are.

You talk, I curse
you know, I learn.
A walk in life
Different places, anew.
I heard, you listened,
a hope, rekindled
to judge I cant
change places, renew.
Please hear, ignored.
You inspire, adorned.
Red and blue, grey and gold.
Red and gold, grey and blue.
Not in place, so few.
Hold your hand high,
call your name loud.
Be proud of the answer
even if it's wrong.
Happy place, on cue.
Verbs, syntax, imagery
Figurative language, religiously.
You earn, not give.
don't take, but leave.
Your place, so you
So know I'm here
and so are they
Never give up
futures never fray.

My Real Fraternity

So I joined a group, a clique

without knowing it.

We read, we write, love and hate characters

Our dreams similar, our goals the same.

We're like a frat of English majors

On books we binge, the words we drink

drunk on plot, devices, and critique.

We gossip, it hurts. We lift each other up.

We share, and grow. Our lives meet

then separate

Singularity, connected, a tie for us all

Some hired, some hurt, some moving instead

Common lives, Common Core, and not so common classes

Our students, best or worst,

our babies forevermore.

I care for them, for us, for our little classroom

in our college hall. Soon to be alums

Students ourselves, ideas and stories unique

But shared in safety, we understood what it means

ELL, 6 trait, PBR, 504,

So I joined a group, a clique

without knowing it.

Advice and Technology with Writing

This last month has been a good type of challenge. I’ve been working on finishing my KPTP and brainstorming with another teacher who works really well under pressure. She’s given me a lot of insight on life and teaching so I decided to make a list for teachers to remember when they are finishing up their last 9 weeks in the school system and things I’ve heard in the building and classroom that student teachers and first few years teaching.

1.       We are all winding down with the last few weeks of school but don’t let that trick you. There’s no more “time” to put off the little things so get them done early so they don’t catch up with you later

2.       Be resourceful. Use the Wiki we made in class and resources others give you with pride and confidence. Don’t be too proud to accept help from others

3.       Be positive. Do not get into the rut of thinking the kids can’t learn today or there’s no  hope for them.

4.       Never give up. Not only should you not give up on your students but also yourself. Remember to keep sane and don’t stretch yourself too thin. Give yourself time to grade those last essays and finals at the end of the year.

5.       Be smart about your decisions. Be careful what you say and who you say it too or you might hear about it later from people you least expected.

6.       Be professional. Be professional even when you are friends with the teachers. This will help you out positively in the long run.

7.       Learn when to say yes and no. This includes in stretching yourself too thin. Don’t do it if you cant fit it in with your regular duties.

8.       Rework your KPTP even when you think you are finished. This will insure that you are finished and are confident with your answers. Keep academic honesty and professionalism throughout your experience.

One thing I’ve also been working with is the fact I got hired at the place I am currently student teaching at. I am incredibly excited but also incredibly nervous. I’m unsure how I could approach the new year. I am working on getting my new classroom ready from afar but also about to garage sale dive for books and resources for my room. I learned (sort of ) where I’ll be and what classes I have but that all could change, too.  I’ve been working on grading tests after my KPTP and finishing up with my other hours that I will be co teaching after the 1^st of April. We are doing a unit of writing so I’m currently looking for resources for writing. I’ve had to apply what I’ve learned in classes such as Writing for Secondary Students and our scaffolding pieces in our current textbooks as well. Our writing 680 comp class really will be the biggest help for our writing unit.  Technology was the biggest factor in the comp class so students are using technology to help their writing instead of hindering it. Students are doing their prewriting using some help from teacherspayteachers.com for topic ideas for Fahrenheit 451.  Then they will do their rough draft and final on the laptops in class. This will ensure they are getting the best of worlds, writing and typing.