Sick...

The week is over, and I've learned lots--much of it about what not to do. I've decided I want to go back to what I learned with the Tribes program at Williamsburg on placement last fall, and insert more energizers (e.g. interesting activities that change the pace for a few minutes) between lessons to help expend extra energy and focus kids who've been sitting too long. I've been learning the hard way that it is a waste of my energy to try to carry on a lesson when the kids are restless. Working on pacing my lessons for their attention spans and finding more fun introductions (called "hooks" at teacher's college) to get the kids primed for learning is my first priority now. I'm also convinced I need to yell less, after staying home today with laryngitis from overuse of my voice (primary cause) and a cold infection that's going around. Note to my mother: I have been drinking lots of hot lemon drinks and resting for most of the day--not to mention massaging my neck :^) I didn't bring home all of the materials I was planning to for the coming week, so have most of the materials I need for Monday, and will have to wing a bit of it. On the whole though (other than having a sore throat), I'm feeling good about where I'm at. Signs of Christmas have gone up everywhere here in the last week, and I decided tonight to reward myself by listening to Bach's Christmas Oratorio as I do a few light school-related tasks.

Have a good weekend, everyone.