A "Cool" Idea

This weekend I was in Des Moines, Iowa. I was a bridesmaid and my fiance, dad and brother were ushers in my aunt's wedding on Saturday! The weekend was pretty hectic but the wedding turned out beautiful.
Anyway, while we were there we had to run an errand and my cousins wanted to come with. (They are in 2nd and 6th grade ...I think). Well while we were driving, they kept trying to convince us they needed to stop at dairy queen for ice cream. Then, one of them shouted, "Ah man, we should've brought our ice cream sheets!" I was curious and asked them what that was. They both went on to tell me that at their school, if they read 20 books, they get a sheet that they can take to Dairy Queen in the area and get a free small ice cream cone, free dilly bar, or free small sundae! And they don't have to just pick just one, they can go back and get whichever one they want.
Ok, I don't know about you, but I love ice cream and to me that would be a pretty good incentive. I'm not sure how the whole thing works beyond what they told me, but how cool is that?

Diversity

Teaching with an awareness of diversity in the classroom can help to reach students more effectively. I believe that teaching is a great opportunity, to not only reach students with differences, but also create a sense of awareness in those same students about others of different race, religion, etc. Even though we as teachers, may not know all there is to know, we can build a classroom environment in which differences are discussed and accepted. Students may come into a classroom with their own stereotypes, but the teacher has a great voice to be the one to challenge these. It is easy to point out differences. But, I am sure that if we teach our students to take a closer look, they will find that we all have more in common than we realize.

Here We Are...

Today:
 I found out my placement school and I am very excited because I will be in a 1st grade class! I love this age group and am really looking forward to working with them.
Probability...oh my...
I enjoyed some yummy cheesecake squares.
The assignment list for the semester grew yet again... still feeling confident we can do it!
Corey and I attended Financial Peace University... I am learning many new things and preparing for the future.

I am having lots of ideas for lesson plans and cute ideas for integrating subjects running through my head all day while I sit in class. I especially got inspired by the video in Social Studies today. I love the approach the teachers were using in their classrooms! I hope to engage my future students by integrating different aspects of Social Studies with Reading and Science and Math in a creative way. I cannot wait to put my ideas into actual lessons! (I am definitely sure that I picked the right career).

Overall, after today I am not very stressed or worried. Maybe I should be? Maybe it is simply the peace of God, but despite the news of major upcoming assignments and a large wedding to-do list I am feeling alright.

 Every day is one step closer to new and exciting things coming up soon!

In the words of Dory from Finding Nemo "...just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."