Well...We'll Call it Halfway

So at the end of this week I will officially be halfway through with my first semester of student teaching...time has FLOWN! I feel like I'm just starting to build meaningful relationships with these kids and pretty soon I'm going to have to leave...but I'll worry about that later.

I had my evaluation by my university supervisor on Monday...let's just say I don't think she quite gets my situation. She wants me to put on all of these bells and whistles with the kids and teach the way educational books tell you how to teach. NEWSFLASH: That WILL NOT work with these kids! I know my students, and what she's telling me to do WILL NOT work for them. But...I learned from the experts when it comes to dealing with bureaucratic crap (my parents) and I just sat there, nodded my head and said okay. When she comes in for her second visit I'll make sure those bells and whistles are there...since her recommendation is 35% of my final grade for student teaching, but what I do when she's not around frankly isn't her concern.

On a different, and better, note...my kids are finally figuring it out! They are finally realizing what it takes to do well in school and that they are going to have put some effort in to pass the class. I'm getting some really good quality work from my students and I can tell they are really, really trying. The content is not easy...but they're doing their best. I'm giving them my test tomorrow and I'm really anxious and excited to see how they do! In the meantime...here's some pictures (finally)!

Here's a 3D model of an animal cell that one of my students made...so creative!

A couple views of my classroom and the view of the garden outside my windows. Also, there's another 3D model of an animal cell that a student made using food...love it!