Children Learn What They Live

This is a picture of my 2 little cousins. They discovered a small friendly creature hiding away in a hole.
It claimed their attention for 2 hours.
For reasons such as this - that is how I know teaching is for me.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.

If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.

If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with security, they learn faith.

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

If children live with acceptance, and friendship, they learn to find love in the world.

Copyright © 1972/1975 by Dorothy Law

Internship Days are Over!

Tomorrow we all begin our official observation days! I can't believe that they are already here. I am really happy that I have had the chance to get to know my grade 4 students and my associate up until this point. This will really benefit me when I begin teaching, but I still can't help but feel nervous.

This entire experience thus far has been invaluable. I see why it is so important that we need to invest time in the classroom as student teachers. I can remember my first day at St.Vincent de Paul...I was unfamiliar with my fellow peers, the area, my responsibilities and Brock University in general. I was nervous and felt very self-conscious about my place in my grade 4 classroom. I am still conscious of my boundaries as a student teacher and do maintain a professional attitute at all times, but can now enjoy the students and what they are learning so much more! I have been blessed with a great set of students who will challenge me along the way, as I remember back on my first day. The students peered closely at me, with what looked like a thousand questions running through their minds. Not many of them felt comfortable with my presence, so I made sure to introduce and speak to each one of them when I had the chance. Comparing that first day to now, I am delighted by my place in that classroom and the friendly connections I have made with the grade 4 students.

Looking forward now to the observation days, and soon-to-be teaching this grade 4 class, I am ready and willing for the challenge and can't believe it is already here. I wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to sharing some great stories with all of you!

Angela :)

a thought for the soul...

"I am only one, but I am one.
I can't do everything, but I can do something.
The something I ought to do, I can do.
And by the grace of God, I will."


- Edward Everett Hale

The 'Glory' is Over

My Micro-Teaching is complete. As of 10:35am this past Friday, Oct. 19th I took a big breath! Hooray!
My thoughts? well...
Pre: Decided on my topic 2 weeks before - Had my associate review it -Bought enough beads for 100 students + (it was fun though) - Thought about making another trip to the dollar store.
During: I was so happy with my students - I knew I had enough beads - I could feel the eyes of the camera - I was somewhat unnatural? - 20 minutes went fast!
After: Happy it was over - Nervous for the comments - Satisfied with the results - Can't wait to get better!

Overall, I really want to commend everyone at St.Vincent de Paul! You all did fabulous and I loved every lesson! Congrats :)

Check Out My Eggs!

Check out this picture.....Can you see the 8 eggs nestled perfectly in my front garden?

The long story short: one day my mom woke up to find that we had a new addition to our family. My Italian grandfather had many ideas himself, my Dad was in awe and my sister couldn't believe her eyes.

Our concern was that this mom lost her nesting place and we could only imagine why. We tried so hard not to bother her, but eventually this mom didn't come back for her babies...and they never hatched.

This is sad story because nature couldn't complete its course...but it also teaches us an amazing lesson about our connection to nature and the environment. Every mother only wants to protect her child(ren)...

I decided to post this thought because I am going to be teaching my grade 4s a lesson relating to habitats. I can only hope that they, as the next generations, are taught to respect this earth as not just their own.