We've been through a lot, Brandi and I. Sunday school, newspaper, beach trips, carpools, mutual, sleepovers, girls camp, band practices, theme parks, high school crisises, boy problems, late night phone calls, classes, laughing so hard we can't breath, inside jokes, and now two weddings...one for each of us :) I love this girl to death and cannot even imagine high school or life without her!

If you know Brandi, you know that she has been taking "wedding notes" since she was a little girl. I remember one of the first times that I went over to her house, she pulled out a wedding binder. Inside were photos and notes of things she wanted for her future wedding. So needless to say, I wanted everything to be perfect for her real wedding! And this, of course, started with marrying the perfect guy. Cameron is wonderful and I couldn't ask for someone better for my bestie. It's been three long years (at least), but I am so glad that they are so happily married now.

There were so many times I almost cried during this wonderful day. No, I'm not pregnant, just sappy and sentimental. There's just something about weddings! It brought me back to my own wedding, almost nine months ago. But I just loved how happy Brandi and Cameron looked. The reception was beautiful, and I was surrounded by my very best friends. Brandi looked absolutely stunning. The whole day was just the best.

I am so grateful for my best friends. I just love that when we get together, not a single thing changes. Sure, two of us have rings on our fingers now, but other than that, we are the same immature, ridiculous, silly girls that we were back then. We have all grown up so much, but we haven't outgrown our friendship. #cheesyalert

Bachelorette Party Kickoff

A lot has happened in the last month, as shown by my lack of posts. Tonight, I've convinced myself that I finally have time to blog, but I really should be getting ahead on my homework assignments. But it's more time than I've had this past month, that is for sure. A bit has changed for me recently. Since my last post, I've survived and LOVED teaching 5th grade, landed an internship at East Meadows Elementary, spent a weekend in California, bought a tent and changed my blog.

Fifth grade was fantastic. There were days when my lessons were freaking awesome. There were days when my lessons tanked. But there were always days when I smiled. And never a day when I questioned being a teacher. Challenging as it is to make 10 and 11 year-olds interested in converting metric units, or heredity, or writing a rough draft, there really is a sense of accomplishment you get from spending some time working with children. And I am happy to say that starting in August, I will be spending an entire year in my own classroom! I still don't know what grade, but I am very excited and grateful to have this experience. And Lendrum and I will be rich! Half a teacher's salary baby!

We took a little trip down to California for Easter weekend to visit my family and enjoy the sunshine. We missed Julia, but we had a great time with the rest of the fam. Saturday was the perfect day for a day at the beach. The water was crystal blue and it was warm and sunny all along the coast. We rode bikes along the Mission Beach Boardwalk after we had a tasty lunch by the coast. It was fun to see my cousins from Idaho that night. On Sunday we had Grandma and Grandpa over for Easter dinner, which was worth the trip all by itself!

Lately, all I want to do is travel. I looked up hotels in different parts of the world all during my science methods class today. But...we ain't got no moneys. Maybe one day...But for now, we will just have fun with our new tent, trips to California, and each other. We will be married 8 months tomorrow. Just a fun fact :) It's the greatest.

I've been wanting to do this fun activity with my 5th graders where we make trading cards for famous people. I heard about this activity at a recent social studies conference. The kids are all researching a famous person for their wax museum project. I figured this was the perfect opportunity to have a few laughs. I wanted them to practice organizing the information they had collected, as well as be able to think what would make their person stronger or weaker (represented with up or down arrow). And let's be honest, I wanted to laugh a little bit too. They did not disappoint! Here were some of the responses and illustrations I got:

John Wilkes Booth. Sad guy.

Poor Orville doesn't look happy

I just love this illustration. And the apology that goes along with it.

Chuck Norris jokes are always funny.

Practicum is now in full swing and I have been with fifth graders for over a week now. I just LOVE my class! I am at Art City Elementary School in Springville. The best word to describe my class is exuberant. I'm pretty sure fifth grade boys never run out of energy. Ever. At least this is the case in my class. The kids are wonderful, they just have a lot to say about, well, everything! I was really worried that this might be a problem during my lessons. I wanted the kids to know that I was still down for having fun, but that I had high expectations for what they should be doing while I am teaching. So far, it hasn't been a problem at all. I just make sure that they know what I expect, and I don't accept anything less.

My biggest struggle: teaching math. My mentor teacher has put me in charge of teaching all the math for the time that I am there. I am really trying to get the kids to know WHY they do things, not just formulas and algorithms. I'll be honest, it seems so much easier to teach the standard algorithm right up front. But I know that my students will understand and remember math better if they explore concepts and come up with methods themselves. This means more work for me and the students, but I think they will have a better grasp of math concepts by the time I'm through. That's my goal.

This week has just been really stressful, but it's a good kind of stress. With practicum and two jobs, I'm up until about 1am every night planning lessons, but I actually enjoy planning for now. I love that I am teaching real students. And not just real students, but enthusiastic kids who I have gotten to know over this past week. I am getting a feel for how the students learn, who might need extra help, and what motivates them. I love learning more about my students every day. And, let's be honest: fifth graders are hilarious!

First day in 5th grade doesn't seem too bad

Fun Friday Auction. This was the funniest thing to those kids.

Just a little treat at Art City Trolley. #teacherfriends #cardigantwins

Tomorrow I am a teacher again.

It's been a busy semester, and although I know that starting my one-month teaching practicum will bring stress of its own kind, it is definitely rewarding to teach real children and see them grow. I had such an incredible practicum experience last semester in Kindergarten, I almost worry that I will be disappointed this time around. And instead of miniature, adorable humans, I am getting big, bad fifth graders! I am so excited for this challenge. I can throw a little bit more of my personality into my lessons and will relate a little more with the older kids, who have had twice the life experience as my sweet kindergarteners. I really cannot wait to see how much I have grown at the end of March.

Teaching and children are my passion. What an honorable position to hold as teacher: one who truly makes a difference in the lives of the next generation. I take great offense by people who imply that teaching is a waste of a career, and that education is an avenue for people who have no other aspirations in life, and decide they "might as well" teach. I hope that these people change their view when they have children of their own and can see the impact that teachers have. I hope to be one of those teachers who change the opinions of people who look down on teachers as a "second rate" position. I put my heart and soul into this profession.

Here's to many more learning opportunities in the next month, and to becoming the best teacher I can be! And let's hope I survive subbing my mystery class tomorrow...

 

You know, I really haven't been a big fan of this year's winter here in Utah. But I was glad I had the chance to actually get out and play in it! Snow can actually be a lot of fun, especially when you don't have to drive in it. I missed our little sledding get-together with the old roommates, so Lisa and I went sledding the next day just the two of us. We did the typical childhood snow activities: snow angels, sledding, and an awesome snow man! Rock Canyon Park is as close as I've come to the "slopes" up here in snow valley. Perhaps one day I'll learn to ski...But for now, sledding sure is fun too!