Anna’s Blog

So Michigan weather is as unpredictable as... well, let's just say you cannot bet on anything. Ever.

This past week has been one of the hottest I remember during a camp season (was having flashbacks of Texas way too often!), but we've been able to stay hydrated and watered by drinking LOTS of H20 and taking frequent trips to the lake for a swim.

I've been having a great time with my campers! Because of the nature of our day camp program at Beechpoint, I work with one male co-counselor and have several boy campers as well as girls. This creates an interesting dynamic. I feel like we function more like a family than anything else. Except that I like to boss people around (hey! I know what I'm doing!) and I think I'll be more submissive in a family setting. Haha.

The Lord has been teaching me a lot, too. I've lately learned the HUGE value of committing Scripture to memory, and have been working on the twelfth chapter of Hebrews. This is what I have so far:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you do not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood, and you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not grow weary when He rebukes you; For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and punishes everyone He accepts as a son."

I pray that is as encouraging to you as it is to me!

A few pictures!

Posted by Anna at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So... sorry I've been silent.

I'm busy.

Camp.

Love it.

Live it.

Takes up all of my time.

Here are a few pictures, though - I'll be back on soon, I hope!

Posted by Anna at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An excerpt from my practicum journal:

In my student teaching experience this week, I learned how easy it is to get burned out. Because Ms Wagner was away with the seniors on their trip to Virginia, I was eager to fill her shoes as teacher to the four 10th grade World Literature classes. However, I may have been mentally unprepared to do so for the entire week. While I was given plenty of time over the weekend to plan lessons, I spent Memorial Day weekend with my fiancé trying to make the most of our time together before we’re apart for the summer. That, paired with the fact that I’ve been moving from place to place (with friends, my aunt and uncle, back at PBU) has made for somewhat of a stressful time, personally. Tuesday, then, felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants (having hurriedly written the lesson the night before). Though the first class was somewhat difficult—both the students and I were exhausted—by fourth period, the lesson came naturally and I was able to have more fun with the material.

Ms. Wagner did an awesome job of making sure I had all the materials and information I needed to make it through the week alone, and I felt prepared for the week ahead. I enjoyed the content we discussed this week, but the students, I could tell, had lost a great amount of interest. This demanded that I be even more engaging and entertaining to keep the learning happening. We were on such a time crunch to finish the play by Friday for their final next week, and I wanted to do all that I could to keep them from checking out! Now I’m about ready to check out, myself!

This new understanding relates to the domain of Diversity and the theme, Classroom Manager. While I am aware that it is necessary for me to adapt lessons to fit the needs and interests of the students in class (which, at the end of a school year is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks… in the world), I must also take care of myself and my own sanity. By enforcing stricter organization (and curfews) for myself, I can be prepared for class far ahead of time and not have to ‘sweat it’ when life happens. While this ‘management’ refers to how I use my person time as opposed to class time, I think they are closely related. If I am not using my time wisely outside of the classroom by creating interactive and engaging lessons, it certainly affects the way I teach.

Before my learning and reflection this week, I used to think that I had a handle on time management. I was excited and full of enthusiasm for teaching this content. I still am excited and enthusiastic, but the weeks of little rest have caught up to me, it seems. Because I didn’t know what to expect, I have pushed myself to the limit and… just want to take a nap or two.

As a result of my learning throughout this experience, I plan to improve my teaching for student teaching next spring by being way over prepared. This is could be somewhat of an unrealistic goal, but if I have my curriculum lined out ahead of time, I have the ‘barebones’ lessons to which I can add fun activities and detail as necessary.

If I could condense my evaluation of this student teaching experience into one concise sentence, it would read: “‘Veni, vedi, vici,’ with the help of an awesome cooperating teacher, quirky and enjoyable students, and a lot of prayer and peanut butter and jelly.”

AND NOW - I'm back in Michigan, finishing up a week of training for summer camp! Check back to see what I'm up to as I update this space.............. :)

One of my students made the class some delicious (read: floral) cupcakes!

Posted by Anna at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)