Overload

This has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life. It all started last Thursday morning. I had a paper due that morning on my philosophy of teaching reading. I was already overwhelmed by all the assignments that were due all in the same week. I stayed up late on Wednesday night to finish the paper and just couldn't stay up until it was done. I woke up early on Thursday to finish the paper and get it printed before heading off to school. As I was typing my last few words I asked my teenage son T to proofread it for me. He turned and looked at me in a what I perceived in my altered mental state to infer, "are you stupid?" With that one look I burst into tears. It was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. I don't usually cry that easily but on that morning the tears came quickly and refused to stop.

I kept trying to compose myself as I drove G to school, but just could not keep it together. I did manage to pull it together long enough to get G to his classroom and find my way back out of the school before the floodgates opened once more. I continued to cry as I made the short drive to my school. When I arrived at school, I parked in the back near the library where my class meets. I decided to sit in the car and pull myself together before going inside. While sitting in my car I noticed the cutest little chipmunk playing in the grass in front of my car. He was so cute with his little tail sticking straight into the air as he repeatedly hopped back and forth across the grass. Now I don't know if God sent that little chipmunk specifically to cheer me up or not; but nevertheless I felt as if it was dancing around cheering me up. I never cease to be amazed by the little things of nature. You know how it feels to go to the nicest, most well planned event where not one detail is missed? That is how I feel when I look at a blade of grass, a creepy crawly bug, or a playful chipmunk. God didn't leave out one detail. He is an amazing creator.

Overload

This has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life. It all started last Thursday morning. I had a paper due that morning on my philosophy of teaching reading. I was already overwhelmed by all the assignments that were due all in the same week. I stayed up late on Wednesday night to finish the paper and just couldn't stay up until it was done. I woke up early on Thursday to finish the paper and get it printed before heading off to school. As I was typing my last few words I asked my teenage son T to proofread it for me. He turned and looked at me in a what I perceived in my altered mental state to infer, "are you stupid?" With that one look I burst into tears. It was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. I don't usually cry that easily but on that morning the tears came quickly and refused to stop.

I kept trying to compose myself as I drove G to school, but just could not keep it together. I did manage to pull it together long enough to get G to his classroom and find my way back out of the school before the floodgates opened once more. I continued to cry as I made the short drive to my school. When I arrived at school, I parked in the back near the library where my class meets. I decided to sit in the car and pull myself together before going inside. While sitting in my car I noticed the cutest little chipmunk playing in the grass in front of my car. He was so cute with his little tail sticking straight into the air as he repeatedly hopped back and forth across the grass. Now I don't know if God sent that little chipmunk specifically to cheer me up or not; but nevertheless I felt as if it was dancing around cheering me up. I never cease to be amazed by the little things of nature. You know how it feels to go to the nicest, most well planned event where not one detail is missed? That is how I feel when I look at a blade of grass, a creepy crawly bug, or a playful chipmunk. God didn't leave out one detail. He is an amazing creator.

My Days in Third Grade

I was placed in a third grade class for my practicum this semester. I absolutely love it. I think this is my favorite placement yet. I love the fact that the kids are more independent, are able to use problem solving skills, and are able to follow directions. They are able to handle a wider variety of activities and they are not yet obnoxious. The teacher that I have been placed with has a personality very much like mine. We both are perfectionists and we understand how the other thinks.

I love the environment that the school has. It is funny how each school has a personality of its own. There are so many cool things about this school that I like. It is very warm and inviting. The children are put first, above all else. I love the fact that I have spent two days there and have not heard or seen anyone speak an unkind word or use a harsh or rude tone of voice. I pray that I will get a position in a school like this when I graduate.

I am very excited about all the things that I am going to learn during this placement. I have already learned so much in two days. I see the importance of being flexible and being prepared. All the copiers in the school are broken right now except one. That makes things difficult! I am thrilled to see that school can be more than worksheets and lecturing, and can truly be a fun experience.

My Days in Third Grade

I was placed in a third grade class for my practicum this semester. I absolutely love it. I think this is my favorite placement yet. I love the fact that the kids are more independent, are able to use problem solving skills, and are able to follow directions. They are able to handle a wider variety of activities and they are not yet obnoxious. The teacher that I have been placed with has a personality very much like mine. We both are perfectionists and we understand how the other thinks.

I love the environment that the school has. It is funny how each school has a personality of its own. There are so many cool things about this school that I like. It is very warm and inviting. The children are put first, above all else. I love the fact that I have spent two days there and have not heard or seen anyone speak an unkind word or use a harsh or rude tone of voice. I pray that I will get a position in a school like this when I graduate.

I am very excited about all the things that I am going to learn during this placement. I have already learned so much in two days. I see the importance of being flexible and being prepared. All the copiers in the school are broken right now except one. That makes things difficult! I am thrilled to see that school can be more than worksheets and lecturing, and can truly be a fun experience.

I Am a Little Girl Sitting In a Backyard Swing

I am a little girl sitting in a backyard swing
I am sweet tea with a slice of lemon
I hear the distant sound of crickets from my childhood
I smell the coming of rain in the air
I feel the refreshing dew on the grass
I build pine straw houses under the shade of a tall Georgia pine
I stand at the backdoor waiting for freshly mopped floors to dry
I am a little girl sitting in a backyard swing

I am the feel of a cool summer breeze
I am Conway Twitty and George Jones blaring on the breeze of a spring cleaning
I hear little girl voices singing shake, shake my playmate
I feel the hot pavement on my bare feet
I mix delicious mud pies with my little sister
I climb an apple tree for a snack and ride in a wheel barrel around dead man’s curve
I call a friend, just because
I am a little girl sitting in a backyard swing

I am fried green tomatoes, pintos, and cornbread
I am the smell of honeysuckle in the summer air
I hear the faint sound of the snowball truck coming down a country road
I see the bright stars of summer nights as I play hide and seek
I skate in sock-feet to the sound of Charlie Pride coming from an old record player
I ride my bike down long country roads
I glide through the house on a magic blanket
I am a little girl sitting in a backyard swing

I am a plate of gravy and biscuits topped with tomatoes
I am clothes hanging on the line to dry
I hear the sound of an attic fan on a hot Georgia night
I taste warm blackberries picked fresh from the vine
I hear the sweet sound of birds in the morning air
I feel cold water coming from a hose on a hot summer day
I walk down a long country road with a friend
I am a little girl sitting in a backyard swing