Finally a new update...

It's been a busy last 2 weeks! I left Dogwood and my 1st graders and entered into the world of Kindergarten. I've been in this classroom now for a week and half. It's taken me a while to get used to the routines and kids in this class, but I'm feeling more at home and will be sad to move again in a few more weeks. I am looking forward to finally being in an upper grade for my 2nd rotation.
Not sure what it is, but my teachers like to be absent when I've only been in the class for about a week. I like having total responsibility of the classroom, but I don't like the fact that I feel like a substitute and the kids know I'm not the real teacher. I'm learning and getting better at showing them that I mean business as well.
I'm also seeing that kindergarten is very different from 1st grade. My first graders stuggle with reading and writing, but these students aren't even in the beginning stages to be able to struggle. They've only learned 5 alphabet letters so far, although some know all or most of the letters. These kids are also very germy to me...lol. Some still suck their thumbs and they don't completely understand the concept of blowing their noses either. I wash my hands or use hand sanitizer constantly! I don't want to get sick!
Last week I got to go back to Dogwood for parent/teacher conferences. It was great to see my mentor teacher again and meet some of the parents of my students. It was good to hear of all the great things going on and that they did miss me lots. I also learned that one of the students might be moving after Christmas. Hopefully I will get to return to say goodbye if he does move! :( They are having group photos tomorrow for the yearbook and I'm rather upset that I will be missing them!
I got done with my big chunk of my action research paper and now I'm moving on to studying for my Praxis exams, which are like standarized test that all states require for teacher licensure. My first 2 are on November 14th. I've worked out a study schedule so hopefully I will be well prepared!