Learning Experiences

I realized I don’t prefer going out unless I do something productive in the process. For example, my mom and my sister always seek to go somewhere just to sit and talk or walk around. I understand how they would want to do that, I feel like you have to be mindful of the time period we’re in. Because of that, I love going out, but only if I’m accomplishing something. That makes going out seem less of a pointless risk that I’m taking.

Current Events

I can’t believe the government chooses to reveal UFOs to us now of all times, haha. If I were any type of alien living out there, I wouldn’t want anything to do with us. This planet is dying, and as a whole, humans kinda suck.

Quote

“I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready, for someone to love me.”

-Sam Smith, “I’m Ready”

Observations

One really finds out who their real friends that will stick by them during quarantine. There’s lots of birthdays going on, and I bet you can realize who remembers, and who will take time out of their day to get you present of simply text or facetime you to show love. I just find it so interesting. More and more I find quarantine may be more beneficial than it appears.

Reflections

My sleep schedule is officially beyond saving. I go to sleep around sunrise, and when I wake up, I rarely do any work. I simply do minimal studying for my exams so I won’t be completely lost, and then I lay around all day. I’m kind of shameless about it because I’m proud that I’m just staying positive after I’ve been deprived of so many things that I love. And if my grades suffer because of my choice to maintain happiness, so be it. Besides, I’ve already made it into the college I wanted, and grades are almost impossible to go down now. The only thing that would benefit me from working harder is having to pay less for classes if I pass these AP exams. So that’s why I’m applying effort, but admittedly the bare minimum.

Learning Experiences

I I’m starting to realize that the more I focus on moving forward and bettering myself, the more productive I become. I say this because I keep listening for updates on the status of our society instead of focusing on myself and paying attention to what I’m contributing to my personal life in the meanwhile. I feel like once everyone starts to adopt this habit, people start to feel better in the transition of getting out of quarantine won’t be as bad.

Current Events

I’ve checked the news about Florida, and I am absolutely amazed. I’m amazed that after countless sources saying that he won’t really recover from this virus until next year, that people of power are already deciding to open up highly populated places such as the beach and other areas. I feel like once one person does it, others will follow. And soon enough will be back to square one with everyone being infected and everyone being afraid again. I just wish people would take it a little bit more seriously.

Quote of the Week

“We drink the poison our minds poor for us and wonder why we feel so sick.”

-Atticus

Observations

Being Quarantine really helps me get into the mindset of what it will be like in college. My parents really interest me with the responsibility of keeping up my grades. They go on with their lives as usual and don’t really hound me to work. Living like this, I realize that this is basically how it’s going to be in college. That being said, this quarantine acts so much like a blessing and a teaching lesson. I’m learning how I would need to stay motivated when I get to college, and I’m learning where I find my happiness when I feel lonely. I feel like I’m going to be grateful for that when I finally start college.

Reflections

I’m doing much better than I was last week. Working out really picks up my spirits and I’ve started practicing the piano more. It’s really just about picking yourself up and starting to do what you love since you have more time. I keep staying connected with my friends and family, and I make sure to open the window so I can feel the sunlight on my face. It’s the little things, but they make a huge difference in the end.

Learning Experiences

To be completely honest, I’ve completely fallen off of school after the shutdown. I think I’m going through some form of depression. I just keep feeling like every piece of work I do is pointless. Every grade I do is minor, and any well-meaning college will know this period of grades is mostly null. The only thing really keeping me motivated is music and my friends. So I’ll soldier on either way.

Current Events

I just read an article about how people that are expecting or women that are given birth are having a hard time during the pandemic. Some hospitals that they were planning to deliver in banned any further visits, and with complications of curfews and traveling, they can’t find other places to deliver. They also fear going to hospitals because of the patients that have contracted the virus. I really hope that there is an action taken for this, like making hospitals specifically for non-COVID cases.

Quote of the Week

“Where my pain lies
Let me take a breath
My everythin’
My blood and tears
Got no fears“

-“ON” by BTS

Observations

Being separated, it reminds me of the different learning styles that students have, and the ones that thrive off of group work and interactions must be struggling right now. Also, students that like hands on (kinesthetic) learning are also struggling unless they have some sort of way to engage in their learning at home as well. It just reminds me that a lot of people are struggling more than I thought.

Reflections

I just want to sleep, and wait for it all to be over. Sometimes I feel like school work just adds on to all my problems. Parents think that since we’re at home more, that means we have more time to do chores. On top of that, I’d rather just talk to my friends and do things I’m passionate about because this time really just has me on edge all the time, and doing those things eases me little by little. Then school work is there to drag me down more. I understand teachers need some sort of way to get income, but selfishly, I value my mental wellbeing over grades and paychecks. I just remind myself that people are working hard out there, and so should I.

Observations

I observed how the students reacted to the teacher this week. I saw that the students look up to her. Whenever they were being too talkative, or whenever they were getting a bit out of control, my teacher would always count and they would immediately settle down, as if they didn’t want to disappoint her in anyway. This shows me that in order to build a relationship with my students I need to make sure they know that I have their best interests at heart and I care about.

Learning Experiences

A learning experience that really stood out to me this week was win in one of my classes, a student was very interested in my ability to dance. So, he asked the teacher if he could show me how he does “the worm.” I was expecting a mediocre warm from the child but he got up and wowed me with a spectacular break dance moves. That taught me that sometimes my students will know more than I do, and I always have something to learn from them. And it was a pretty sick worm, might I add.

Reflection

Although I love my teachers connection with her students, I realize that the students don’t retain as much because her lessons usually involve a 15 or more minute video about the lesson that she’s trying to teach. Remembering what I’ve learned in teacher cadet, I know that children will not retain as much information because their minds start to wander the longer they sit down looking at a screen.

Stories to Share

I can’t disclose the name, but one of my English teacher’s daughter Is it one of my classes. I happen to mention her while I was introducing the role and the sweet child piped up and shouted, “That’s MY mom!!!!” One of the sweetest encounters I’ve had so far. And to make it even cuter she looks just like her mom, and is just as smart. I look forward to getting to know her as the month goes on.

Learning Experiences

This week I read an article on the affects of having too much homework. I already understand that homework is meant to increase the student’s experience in the subject, but now that society is pushing the younger crowd to fix world problems, the average student has too many extra curricular and home activities to engage fully on 4-8 hours of homework each night.

Quote of the Week

“How are you gonna sit there and wallow in your own pain without even trying everything remotely humanly possible to fix it?”

-Maya Fanning

Observations

This week I learned how much work went into planning a lesson. Especially, with a partner. When I’m working with McKenzie I realize that there’s so many things that teachers need to consult with each other with to hear different sides of how her lesson can be taught and how to get students engaged–all while doing it efficiently. It’s been an amazing experience, though, and I’m so excited to teach with her and even more excited to see how the class reacts to what we have planned.

Reflections

This year’s musical has been the most stressful, but at the same time, I strangely thing that will make it the best one I’ve been.

Learning Experiences

This week I read in dept in the standards of dance within South Carolina. I was surprised to see that so many factors went in to a teacher conveying the meaning of dance along with the history and technique that goes with it. I have a newfound respect for all of my dance teachers, no matter how challenging it seemed to be their student. I know now that they were preparing me in the best way they knew how to follow along with the standards that were required of them.

Quote of the Week

“No good deed goes unpunished
No act of charity goes unresented
No good deed goes unpunished
That’s my new creed.”

• From Elphaba, Wicked the Musical

Observations

One day in one of my core classes, I was so nervous to ask a question because I knew that the teacher already elaborated on it. Because it was a key detail in the assignment, I asked anyway. Soon enough, the teacher asked the class if they went over that, and everyone agreed. I didn’t realize how much a student wouldn’t like that until I was put in that situation. I know it will be difficult to achieve, but no matter how redundant it will be, I will always answer any questions I can as a teacher.

Reflection

Seeing Wicked really picked up my spirits to remember my passion. Sometimes all the noise in my head and all the doubts I have make me shrink into a small version of myself that thinks my dreams are far-fetched. Sometimes I just need to see a good musical and I’m back in the game.

Read-Aloud

My absolute favorite “read-aloud” we did was “What Teachers Make” by Taylor Mali. It really shed a light on how people discourage the art and passion of teaching because of the poor pay. What is ironic is that now seems the time where you have a sure way of gaining income since the demand of teachers is so high now. But despite that, I related to that a lot because of peoples reactions when I say I want to be a singer/dancer. That job isn’t known for having much pay either, but it makes my soul feel wealthy. I think people are started to forget the importance of that.

Learning Experiences

I happened upon an article that discussed how LGTBQ+ communities in schools are still being treated unfairly, and it really shows. I still hear kids using the term “gay” as a derogatory term against their peers, and making fun of others whenever a male shows a feminine quality of vice versa. The article showed what states banned teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues, and SC is one of them. This violates students’ human rights, and hope that one day the law will change one day.

Quote of the Week

“In order to stand up, you gotta know what falling down feels like.”

-Anonymous

Observations

I believe this current week was the worst week I ever experienced while being in a teachers presence. It started with a quiz that was very difficult because the content is always different from what the teacher shows us. Then, we had a lab to do. When I mispronounced a word he belittled me in a non-joking manner (to where he didn’t find it funny and wanted me to be ashamed) and finally, after struggling with the lab, I was too afraid to ask any questions because of the whiplash I’d get. I never want a student of mine to feel that scared of me that they struggle to learn, and at the same time, refuse to seek help from the main person that needs to guide them.

Reflection

At this point, I just want to sit on the couch, eat chips and queso, and laugh with my friends about our futures as billionaires. Until then, these 2 essays, 4 part test, 2 lab reports, 8 songs to learn, 7 pieces to choreograph, 16 long pages to read, major quiz, and a musical will have to come first.

Read-Aloud

I think this was my favorite set of read-alouds over the course of these two weeks. Each reader and the book they chose really helped me in ways I didn’t think they would whenever I sit down to listen to the story. CJ’s read-aloud really almost made me cry because it reminded me of me and my mother and the connection we have.

Learning Experiences

After reading the news article about the boy and his christmas letter to Santa Claus, I really start to realize that I need to be thankful for what I have and how the divorce with my parents panned out. For him, he’s young and doesn’t have a lot of people to reach out to and I hope that he finds those people and a happy place in life.

Quote of the Week

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

From Elf the Film

Observations

I slowly start to see how teachers plan their years of teaching according to how students change as well. For example, my dance teacher takes the time to study new dance waves in the young community in order to relate to us and incorporate that into dances to reach younger audiences as well. I will learn to take the time to do that because it will lead to happy students and a more successful classroom.

Reflections

I just realized I’m obsessed with chicken noodle soup and cinnamon rolls. ‘Tis the season!

Read-Aloud

My absolute favorite read aloud of the week was Reflection of Peacemaker: A portrait through Heartsongs by Mattie Stepanek. It was so heartwarming to know that someone so young has so much wisdom about the world and how to treat people. It really opened my mind toward how I should look at the world and cherish every moment that I have. I also loved Halee’s read-aloud about disabilities And how it affects someone’s life. It was lighthearted yet informative and I was glad I got to learn more about someone’s life being disabled, but loving theirselves and spreading awareness.

Learning Experiences

I actually wanted to base my research off of the learning barrier that I researched this week: divorce. As a child who experienced divorce with my parents and sister, it was interesting to learn the facts about what other children go through and what other parents experience throughout a divorce. I’m glad to see that divorce rates are decreasing, but I hope to see an increase in ways to cater to children’s needs and mental health during the process.

Quote of the Week

“What doesn’t kill you simply makes you… stranger”

-Joker, from film Dark Knight Rises

Observations

I had a horrible time in my anatomy class over the pass couple of weeks. I swear, being a student of Mrs. Jackson is a blessing and a curse. Because I see such sound and magnificent ways to teach a class, it’s as if my anatomy teacher does all of the opposite things. Yes, they provide the information. Yes, they want us to pass. But that seems to be it. Whenever we don’t understand something at a college level yet, they ridicule us as if we’re all monkeys, and lectures us on the importance of learning something half of the class isn’t passionate about. I just wish they’d know that we’re trying, and not be so judgemental. I’ll remember to be patient with my class, no matter how they struggle or what their future plans are outside of what I teach them.

Reflection

Can Christmas and New Years come any faster? Oh! And I got into Winthrop, so I’m over the moon! Now I can only hope that all my friends succeed to get into the colleges they want so we can all go forth and change the world for the better.

Read-Alouds

My favorite read-aloud this week was Becoming by Michelle Obama, read by Korbyn. It really opened my eyes because I didn’t really know what the Obamas went through as they entered into office, and I felt more informed about what they went through as African Americans. I also am interested in reading and watching Wonder by R.J. Palacio. It sounds like a story that I would want to look more into regarding how people are treated based off of how they look. Another book that stood out to me was Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I loved the excerpt on how I need to be comfortable with fear and not fight it anymore. It’s easier said than done, but it inspired me to take baby steps towards my goals that scare me.

Learning Experiences

This week I started to research the top foreign languages spoken within the U.S. are Tagalog, Chinese, and Spanish from corelanguages.com. I was inspired to look more into this after our session with our guest this week, and I find it strange that English is our first and required language, yet we’re called the melting pot. I want to look into more cultures in the future and see what I can do to expand the type of language education is the U.S. if I can.

Quote of the Week

“I need to take these chances
Let all my feelings show
Can’t tell what’s waiting
Still I need to go
I need to know.” -From Barbie as the Island Princess

Observations

Outside of school, I’m learning not to ridicule others if they don’t know something that is otherwise known by the majority. My aunt was really patient with my niece when she put the wrong type of gas in her car. Lots of my family laughed at her, and she felt really self-conscious, but my aunt was patient the whole time and made sure to teach her the right way.

Reflections

I’m learning to be thankful more and more every day. Learning what our speaker went through coming to the United States and the struggle she had to getting where she is today makes me look at my life and be thankful, and then seek to make sure people like her feel loved and accepted into this country. I’m not very patriotic, and coming from an African American girl, I know how cold and ignorant people can be when they don’t take the time to understand your life and your culture. I’ll be more mindful whenever I complain about my school, the food I eat, or the life I live in general. I realize things could be much worse.