"Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves."

What a fun week we had in the classroom! This was my first full week back in the classroom and let me tell you, I have never felt more exhausted. Eight ours of sleep just isn't cutting it! I hope that my body adjusts and I get used to it.


At the beginning of this week we had the Discover Alaska Southeast team stop by the classroom. This is a program that takes pride in educating children about the place they live in, Southeast Alaska. The last time they stopped by we were talking about the water cycle and they took our kids on a walk to Jordan Creek. The kids loved it! This time they brought a ton of (clean) dead birds with them.

Every child had a bird. The class worked on drawing these birds. They were able to hold them, to spread their wings out, and to position them. Then they drew them to the best of their ability. I had a blast just jumping from table to table and looking at the birds.

This picture is of an owl that was hit by a car. Most of the kids would never get the chance to see some of these birds up close if it were not for this program.


Moving on, we also had a field trip this week. We went ice skating. I was very nervous about this because I have only been ice skating three times. All of those times were up here and about a year apart. I was afraid that the kids would try to knock me down or hang on me and I really didn't want to end up on the ice. However, several of the kids had trouble skating and clung to the walls. I, on the other hand, felt pretty comfortable. I didn't fall once. They were playing great music and we were all having a blast. Not to mention that the kids think I'm cool now because I know Lady Gaga songs. Haha.

At the end of the lessons we had open skate. This is where they turned on the music and turned down the lights. The kids really enjoyed this part. I would zoom pass some of the kids and they would be singing at the top of their lungs. Kids at this age are so worried about what their peers think of them that it was really fun to see them letting loose, singing and dancing a little on their skates. After we returned to the classroom, we were all exhausted. The kids needed a nap. Heck, even my host teacher and I needed a nap.

The following day I was SO sore. I guess I was using some muscles that I haven't used in a long time! Either way, I need to get my ice skates back up here so I  can go skating again. I really enjoyed it!

What else do I have to add....let's see.... I have been working on my unit. Things are starting to come together I guess. Most units will end up around 75 pages long, or so I'm told. Right now, I'm on about page five. I guess I shouldn't be too optimistic at this point. haha. But the good news is that I have been working on it and I have been conversing with my host teacher and our team teachers and we all seem to be on the same page. This weekend, I am working on the unit and getting some of the lesson planned out for the first week. That's the goal!

Right now, I'm getting ready to head to the gym and then the grocery store. I may just hit up the used book store while I'm out and about!

"Genius without education is like silver in the mine. "-Benjamin Franklin

"The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but has no vision."

An Entire Month Without Posting! Sheesh. December was a hectic month though, with lots of school assignments and papers due. Not to mention, in the classroom we had many crafts and activities going on. It was exhausting. The two week break back to Missouri was much needed.

While I wish I could say the break was all fun and games, unfortunately, it was not. Kinsey was sick with the flu when I arrived. By the end of the trip I had the flu and was stuck inside. Several other family members caught the bug as well. It didn't ruin the trip. I ended up getting to see the majority of my family members. I got to spend a little time with Kinsey and she is growing like crazy! She says the funniest things as well. My favorite line was when she called Debbie a "Crazy Bum!" I wonder where she heard that from?!

I was able to do a ride along with my brother over the short vacation. There wasn't a lot of action but it was nice to catch up. I can't think of the last time we had the chance to sit and chat so much. Then, of course, there was all of the Christmas stuff going on. My family seems to grow every time I leave the state. Every time I return someone different seems to have had a baby. It's great though! I love seeing all the kiddos when I return home. They grow so quickly and I can play with them, get them into trouble, and then leave. haha.

Over the break I started researching schools along the East coast. Its difficult to narrow down where I want to live next. My main problem is that I love the school I am student teaching at and I want to find a school similar. That's probably not going to happen but I like to hope. Right now I am looking at South Carolina and Georgia. I want to go somewhere where I can help students.

After a long 15 hour flight back to Juneau on the 31st, I was shipped to downtown Juneau for dinner, then managed to stay up until midnight Alaska Standard Time (which was 24hrs awake for me). After wishing my friends a happy new year, it was back to bed where I slept the best I have in a long while. Yesterday was full of unpacking and cleaning. Today I ventured out to the elementary school to print some papers and prep for school to start tomorrow. That's right. School starts back up for me and my 4th and 5th graders tomorrow!

The count down to graduation begins and there is a lot to cover between now and then.

Remember your resolutions and Happy New Year Everyone!