Happy October

Hello, everyone!

Well, it's been since the 2nd week that I've posted.  And a lot has happened!!  Here is the SparkNote version of the first 2 1/2 months:

1. I LOVE teaching juniors. I think I have some of the coolest kids ever. 
2. My friend got hired for the sophomore English position -- so it's nice to have her here.
3. Another young lady got hired for the other sophomore English position.
        -- so we now have a fairly young English department.
4. I have been busy exploring my surroundings based upon student recommendations.
5. I was "suckered" into coaching Cheerleading. I am really enjoying it though.  My friend coaches with me now; it is much easier to have 2 coaches versus just myself.
6. Homecoming is coming up in 2 weeks, but we don't have a homecoming dance.
7. I am teaching The Crucible right now, which I think is the perfect October play.  My students really seem to be into it. It's nice to listen to them read the parts -- especially my classes that get into it with the emotions and end up screaming "I saw _________ with the Devil!"  I am assigning a final project for them instead of a test and I hope that they put forth the effort that the project requires.

So far this year has been flying by! I can't believe I am already almost 1/3 of the way done with the school year. I am enjoying it, but am VERY open to any comments or suggestions.  My next major text is Catcher in the Rye (which is my FAVORITE!)... any ideas of things I can do?

Until next time,
Ms. Thompson :)

"It is only when the power of love overcomes the love of power that the world will know peace."

"I've got the Second Week Blues.."

Hello, everyone!

Well, I survived my first week, and here I am: week 2, day 2.  I don't really have any blues about being at school, but I was extremely tired yesterday, though I am not sure why, and when another teacher asked me why I was so tired I told him, "I've got the Second Week Blues."  His response? "Me too."  Well this week started the actual teaching -- so I am about to find out if I have what it takes or if I am cut out for this whole "teaching thing" that's going on all around me.  Here's this week's agenda:

Yesterday: Writing Process Introduction -- I explained to the students that writing is a process. We went through all 11 steps from picking a style of writing through publishing.  By the end I asked them, "Who wishes we still wrote in the Kindergarten process: write, turn in, get an A?"  All the hands went up.  However, I am doing all this writing in-class because a lot of my students don't have access to a computer and they commute quite a distance to come to school; therefore, in-class insures they get it done and that they can ask questions if they need to.
Today: Narrative Introduction followed by 20 minutes of brainstorming.  They must come up with 3 different narrative ideas.
Wednesday: Grammar -- partner work on verbs for 15 minutes.  Pre-writing.
Thursday&Friday: Rough Draft workshops.

In addition to this we start every class with a journal topic and quote of the day.  They can journal about either.  Each journal is worth 1 point (so 5 points each week) and I play 2 songs from Pandora to time them.  If you went to high school at Boylan, yes, this is what Ms. Connell did. She's great!

Any suggestions, ideas, comments?? I'm open to them all.

Ms. Thompson :)

"Promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -A.A. Milne

First Day.

Hello, everyone!!

So, today is my first day of school.  Technically it hasn't started yet, but it starts in 20 minutes.  People keep asking me if I am nervous for today...and the answer is: no. However, my response to them has been, "I am not nervous about the first day as much as I am nervous about days 2-180."  I was talking to Ben last night and his advice to me? "The first day is easy, Court. It's like shootin' fish in a barrel. The other days are harder."  Wow! Thanks, Ben! He's such a great brother.  In honesty, I am nervous; I don't think it would be normal to not be a little nervous.  However, I am very excited.
I'll add more to this post after I officially have my first day :)

Well --- I survived! I made it through my first day, and another teacher just popped his head in and said to me, "ONLY 179 LEFT!!" I had about 85% attendance today, and I think that will be my biggest battle: students being here.  I have some really shy students and just a hand-full of comedians. Overall, I think I have a good group of kids though.  I did a survey today which asked them about their skills and weakness in English, what books they enjoy, etc.  I also did an interest inventory on notecards and asked the following 5 questions: 1. What is your favorite and least favorite food? 2. What is your favorite book or story?  3. What do you want to be when you grow up? 4. What is your biggest fear/phobia? 5. If you could travel to anywhere in the world (money not an issue) where would you go and why?
I had a student, when sharing his notecard, respond that his biggest fear/phobia is Ms. Thompson.  I laughed and said, "As it should be." I guess I already broke the rule "No Smiling Until Christmas." So far though? All is well here in Room 132.

Ms. Thompson :)


"Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in your schools are the work of many generations. All this is put in your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honor it, and one day faithfully hand it on to your children." - Albert Einstein

Settling in...

Well, I made it to Many Farms safe and sound! It was a looonngggg 24 hour drive with Ben, but after all is said and done, it wasn't as terrible as a 24 hour drive may sound.  This week has been in-service and it's strange and exciting to be attending an in-service as a teacher versus a student teacher.  The staff here is great -- welcoming and helpful.  I have been approached on separate occasions from staff members, and what they have said to me makes me laugh.  So, I want to share it with you:  (not quite verbatim, but close) "Courtney, I must admit something to you.  When I saw your name on the list I thought -- because your last name is Thompson -- that you were Native."  I chuckled the first time but by the third time I was definitely laughing at the assumption.  In-service makes for long days full of information (and for me, full of new names and faces), but it is little comments like that which break the stress and wake us all up.
So, some things you may want to know about where I live (because it may help you understand what I think is funny this semester):
1. I have to drive 15 miles to get to a grocery store, but 2 hours to get to a Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target, etc.
2. There is open-grazing here. Translation: I have to yield to cows, horses, lambs, pigs, basically any animal.  And yes, I had to yield to an ostrich yesterday.. something I never thought would happen in my life.
3. There is dirt and dust everywhere -- I have a new appreciation for Out of the Dust.
4. I work with a lot of Indiana fans... but no fellow Hawkeye lovers.  In fact, most people haven't heard of the Hawkeyes, which also made me laugh when I said, "Where are all the Hawkeyes??" and a girl responded with, "Don't be disappointed, but there aren't a lot of hot guys here."  This is also a translation error I experienced in Germany (it never gets less funny!!)

I am sure there are more, but my brain is sleepy.  I wish you all the best as your school year approaches.  School starts here on Monday, so I can't wait to share more about being on the other side of the desk (or on the other side of 4 teaching desks -- which is what was stored in my room!)

Ms. Thompson :)

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" - E. Roosevelt

Every end is a new beginning -- cliche but true.

Well, my apartment is torn apart and a disaster zone right now.  I have been stepping over boxes and piles of junk for 24 hours now. I have thrown away more in 12 hours than I have in the last 23 years of my life.  And no, I am not completely done yet! I have made one poster for my classroom so far (it may be a bit bare during in-service, but I'm working on it).  I have stacks of stuff from Student Teaching and Teacher Education.  I don't feel 100% prepared or ready, but guess what?  The days of the week don't stop or pause just because I am nervous.  Now, on to more important matters....
The basics of why I am writing this blog:
1. What is it like to be a first-year teacher? I don't know.. but I am going to share my experience with you all.
2. I want to share what I am doing -- units, projects, assignments, ideas, etc. and get input from those I value and cherish.
3. I am NOT here to vent or give specific details about the school, classroom, staff, faculty, or students I have.  However, I want to share the funnies and the crazy with you all -- but completely anonymous and tasteful.
4. Let's face it: teaching is going to keep me busy -- emails and phone calls may be scarce in the first year (especially the first few months) but that doesn't mean I want to be isolated and alone.  
5. Lastly: I thought this would be a good idea. 


Okay, well I am not quite on "the other side of the desk" yet, but I start on Monday. I don't know how often I'll post, but I appreciate everything this blog has in store this coming school year, and I appreciate all of you. 


Until next time,
Ms. Thompson :)

“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been” -- Rainer Maria Rilke