13th and 14th week as Teacher Cadets!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Today we heard from 2011 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Kelly Nalley. Catherine and I had a wonderful time sitting at the green apple table and chatting with Mrs. Nalley. Amy's pumpkin muffins were also spectacular! Mrs. Nalley gave a wonderful presentation on her beginning teacher years with photos of her and her prior students. She has taught Montessori, Elementary and 6th grade and now teaches Spanish at the Elementary Level at Fork Shoals Elementary.

She was so full of joy when she spoke to us, too!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

We went to our separate observation sites. I was at Five Oaks Academy with Catherine. We started in Lower Elementary with Mrs. Karalee. The children were having their classic book day for the week. A teacher dressed up as Cinderella and read them the book! Mrs. Karalee showed us some activities around the classroom, showed us the coat and portfolio room along with their state of the art computer lab. Their portfolio has everything they need to learn for all three years they are in their class. When the teachers sees that they have completed the work to a satisfactory point, the work is checked off and the student can choose to preserve it in their portfolio. We then moved to be with Upper Elementary to see the kids in action. We were able to ask the kids what they were learning and go to different 'centers' of learning. I learned what a gerund was from a fifth grader. It was a truly humbling experience.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 14-16, 2012

We watched The Ron Clark Story about the genius mind of Ron Clark. He leaves his safe and warm teaching job in North Carolina and finds a position at Lower Harlem Elementary teaching 7th grade. He learns to teach through rap and dance. He hurts himself for their benefit and encourages his kids to reach beyond their expectations and to find their potential.

Monday, November 19, 2012

We went to Mauldin Elementary to spend quality time with Mrs. Vaugn's class. Olivia read us two Thanksgiving books and then we made Turkey Table Toppers. The eyes and feet were super hard to keep together but in the end they looked, fabulous and the kids loved them! When we were done we did phonetic spelling with our buddies. The word, 'turkey' would most likely be spelled, 'trke'. I can't wait to see how they grow!

Olivia read The Night Before Thanksgiving

Alex and her buddy's little turkey

Frannie and her two friends

Mrs Vaughn's Kindergarten Class

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

We had our Pilgrim Hat inservice today. We certainly cranked out just enough for every teacher and staff member. It was a great way to kick off Thanksgiving break!

"Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."         -Oscar Wilde