Week Eight....The Final Stretch!

Week eight was probably the busiest week of them all. Even though I was beginning to release responsiblity back to my cooperating teacher, there were still a million and one things to accomplish. To begin with, the children practiced every morning for their Temples and Tombs musical that they formally performed for their families on Wednesday evening. Of course that meant that I was at school from 7:15 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening. To say the least, it was a long day, but it was well worth it!



Next, I requested to observe kindergarten, first, third and fifth grade teachers during my last week at John B. Dey. All I can say is....amazing! There was one teacher in particular that I was truly in awe of. What a talented and skilled teacher; I hope to one day be just like her! I took a gazillion pictures of her classroom so that I could implement similar ideas and strategies in my very own classroom. Take a look at her phenominal classroom....







Finally, I had planned a poetry book signing party on my last day. Poetry was one of the units that I taught the students during my time at John B. Dey. From the very beginning of the poetry writer's worshop, I had told the students that I was going to "publish" their very best poem in a class poetry book. They participated in a poetry writer's workshop and wrote three varieties of poetry (free verse, cinquain and couplet). I must say that the students were so excited and really put forth their very best effort knowing that there was an exciting reward in the end. So week eight was the week that I was pulling it all together, creating their poetry book and purchasing items for the poetry book signing event. I was at school on Thursday night until 9:30 PM. I wanted this event to be totally over the top because the students had worked SOOOOOO hard, and now it was time to share their work with their parents, grandparents, assistant principal and principal. I cannnot even begin to put into words how successful this event was. However, I think the pictures below say it all.









Friday was a bitter-sweet day. I was excited to be half way through my student teaching experience, yet it was hard to let go and move on to another school. I will greatly miss my second grade students at John B. Dey Elementary School! I am so thankful for the opportunity that I had to serve my cooperating teacher, second grade students and administration. The memories that were created in my first placement will forever be engraved in my mind.