Short Day

Today was the second day into my self-concept lesson and I decided today was a lecture day.  I created a Powerpoint Self Concept PPT and we talked about our self-concept.  It went well and the kids responded to it.  The activity in it was to rate yourself so we can see where their self-concept was.  It was rated as 1 is hardly true, 5 means usually, 10 means always.  I meant for this to be a scale and they could pick any number between 1-10, but they took it as 1, 5, or 10.  I need to work on better explaining things as sometimes since I created it I think other people will know what I mean.  After they calculated this we found the average and we saw that it was just a little or a half.  We then discussed what could we do with am extra 25% if we believed in ourselves.  Some discussion was had but it's a little harder for them to talk.  I need to work on my probing questions.  Overall it was pretty successful and for an early out on a friday of a 3 day weekend the kids did great!

The Day With the Sub

My cooperating teacher had to go to a training today for the AEA, so this means I was with a sub, a retired middle school english teacher.  We had our day all planned out and we were supposed to facilitate the students in completing chapter 1 study guides.  I was very surprised how great the kids were.  They wanted to put their ipods in  and they got right to work. It was an early out so classes were only 32 minutes so the study guide was perfect.

Family relations today took my first made quiz.  We did a little review at the beginning and then the kids took the quiz.  I was very happy with their results.  Attached is my quiz on personality and the six stages or growth.  Personality Growth Quiz.  We are now starting the next section about self-concept and self-esteem!

I Got A Feeling WooOOOoo HOOOooooO

Today was a great day in Family Relations.  I felt some uncertainty from my students yesterday about whether or not they understood the lesson.  So today we did a review for out quiz tomorrow.  The quiz was supposed to be today but with our early out and school pictures students are in and out continuously. This is how my review went.

1.  I first had the students name the six stages of growth. ( I wrote these on the white board)  
2. I had pre made cardboard strips with the definitions on them. I read the definition and had them tell me which category it went to.  
3. I taped up the definition next to the stage so they could see and read what it was.
4. I then read through several scenarios that I made and we talked about which growth stage they would go under.  (see attachment)

This created conversation and we talked about how they can go under many different categories.  I had the main people speak up but I called on different rows and they spoke up.  Today I got some interaction and discussion and it went a lot better.

I am my toughest critic and my first 3 days went a little roughly and I was questioning am I going to be a good teacher? Can I do this? Is this to boring?  but today was better and hopefully it will only go up.

Growth Stage Review Flash Cards 

Presentations with a dud

As of now Family Relationsis still my baby and the class I have taken over.  Well today the students were to present their Growth Pattern presentation.  Well after a little struggle with the projector we were off to the most feared thing in high school, PUBLIC SPEAKING! Well it turns out presenting means lights shut completely off and face right infront of the computer.  Most were about as quite as church mice.  I need to work on getting the students out of their shells and not give me blank stares.  Presentations went okay, and after we did a quick review on our quiz tomorrow.  I wrote the three factos that make up your personality (heredity, response, and environment) and the six growth patterns (emotional, social, philosophical, physical, intellectual, chronological).  They were to either tell a personality trait that fell under the factors and why or give an example of how they grow in the selected stage.  Well I must not have taught it well because a lot of them did not know the answer or asked for help.  I am not sure if I am a bad teacher, they haven't warmed up to me, they're shy, they do't like socializing with other people, or the content is boring.  Tomorrow is supposed to be the quiz, but I might take half the period to really review and go over it.  

This just in!! We learned we will be having a two hour dismissal Wednesday and Thursday because unfortunately the middle and elementary schools do not have air.  YIPPIE!!! 

Second Week Begins

My second week begins as Miss Bolton.  After having my first full week I know cherish weekends so much more!  We started out campaign for FCCLA today, as we put in our official announcement in the school announcements.  At the beginning of each period we took sometime to talk about FCCLA and some of the projects we could do.  Some students really responded well and I am hoping for a positive turn out.

Day two of my Family Relations take over.  We did a think, pair, share today over our growth patterns.  We had six groups with 3 students in each group.  They were assigned one of the six growth patterns: emotional, social, physical, philosophical, chronological, and intellectual.  They were given a rubric and  an outline of what the expectations were.  I had the computer assign random groups (they weren't to happy with that) and they started working.  I attached the powerpoint of what my expectations were and also the rubric which we went over.     Growth Pattern Rubric  Growth Pattern PowerPoint

I need to work on my time management.  I am used to writing lesson plans for forty minutes, and presenting them in ten minutes so when stepping into the classroom it is a hard adjustment to fill up that class time.  I need to have extra activities for those extra 10 minutes.  Teaching day two was beter but I still didn't see that interaction with students who were not friends.  This day was better and hopefully it will keep improving.

First Class Taught

I made my transition today into teaching.  I decided to start with Family Relations.  It has 20 students (juniors and seniors), 19 females and 1 male.  I ensured our lone male that we value his opinion and he will not be taken down by the estrogen in the room.  The first unit is all about Self.  Self-esteem, self-concept, personality, growth, and any other side conversations that come up.  So I started with personality and  how it involves your heredity, environment, and your response.  I tried to have this become a conversation, but I was faced with blank faces and I had to call on names to get responses.  I hate doing this.  I see my teaching strategy as a big group discussion.  Family and Consume Sciences is a class where we teach stuff that will be used after high school and I want my students to get the most meaning out of our content.  I want my students to lead the class while I take them in the right direction.    I was met with hesitation, but maybe they are getting used to me as a person.  I was a little discourage, but it was the first week and it will get better!

Questionare/Norway Meeting

Wednesday was a very hectic day! I never knew high school students switched their schedules so much!  Every hour, every class period, everyday we have new students in class, one switching to be with their best friend, in one day out the other.  Tomorrow is the day that schedules are official and getting to know students names will become easier.  It is hard to start on content with so many changes.  We decide to make questionares to get to know the students better and figure out why the want to take electives.  I attached the forms on this blog!

Child Development Questionare

Health Questionare

Foods I Questionare

Family Relations Questionare


After school on Wednesday I headed down to a meeting to meet with my other student teachers that will be taking the trip with me to Norway.  We had a great opportunity to meet a former Norway student teacher and got the time to ask questions.  A lot of questions!!!  This meeting has really got me excited for my trip and the great opportunity to travel abroad.

PLC Group

Day 2 down!  Today was a crazy day full of excitement, kids, and meetings.  We ran a three hour dismal so this means short quick classes.  We just did a syllabus type day and outlined the classes.  The day flew by and before I knew it 12:11 arrived.  After a quick lunch we headed off to professional development meetings all afternoon.  We started with our advisors group meetings.  Every Thursdays we have a special 20 minute class to meet with our advisor groups (I have juniors), and with this group we need goals and activities we will do throughout the year.  I had a similar experience in high school but we shall see how it goes.  After our advisor meetings we went back to the classroom to meet with our PLC groups.  Our PLC groups are made up of all the CTLT teachers and we covered the basics of meeting times and Perkin funds.  I am familiar with Perkin's money, but I am not one hundred percent sure on what I should use it for in my classroom.  This meeting was very helpful, but very overwhelming as I need to start about second semester already when I am really trying to get the most out of my student teaching experience and learn as much as possible.

Tomorrow is a new day and we are continuing to do introductions!

My Survival Tips for Future Student Teachers

I know I have not finished student teaching each but I thought I would start a continuous list of tips of survival for student teaching:

1. Establish a great rapport with your cooperative teaching.
1. Your cooperating teacher is the greatest tool you will have and establishing a great relationship will make this transition and learning experience a great one.
2. Network, Network, Network.
1. One of the greatest things I did was attend the IAFCSEP conference and meet a bunch of Iowa FCS teachers.  I learned different apps and websites helpful in the classroom, and also meet a lot of people to follow on Pinterest.
3. Get Pinterest.
1. While many probably have it for personal use it is a great resource for new and creative ideas for the classroom.  It gives you a chance to follow other Family and Consumer Sciences teachers and see whats going on around Iowa classrooms and also teachers from all over.
4. Look out for Job Openings.
1. As a FCS teacher we are very much in demand, and while this might be a topic you might think you will deal with after graduation you can actually secure a job before student teaching.  The advisors at Iowa State are wonderful at sending out information about job openings and I would pay close to this.  I had a great opportunity to interview and accept a job following my student teaching.  Many FCS student teachers have this luxury as the demand is higher than the supply.  I posted my resume at iareap.net, and then waited for a reply or a tip from Iowa State.  I am blessed to have a job before I graduate, and also the chance to student teach where I will be employed.  
5. Keep all of your lessons or ideas!
1. We are starting out at scratch with our materials and resources.  Hopefully your school will come with materials you can use, but if not it is important to keep the materials you used so when you start you have somewhat of a start.  Dropbox, google drive, or a usb are great tools to keep all your files together.
6. Smile!
1. After my first lesson I got really discouraged, but I had to use a lot of positive talk to help my self esteem and tell myself it will get better.  You will have days you want to cry and that is NORMAL, and sometimes needed.  SMILE, tomorrow is a new day.
7. Clothes
1. BUY TEACHER CLOTHES IN COLLEGE.  I was advised to slowly buy teacher clothes every time I went shopping.  Well as a poor college kid I took that information and threw it to the wind.  Well now when I have no income during student teaching I am scrounging for appropriate clothes to wear.  Buying clothes for teaching can be hard it has to cover your chest and not show your lower back when you bend down.  If you do it slowly you will have a collection instead of going on a shopping spree for clothes with very little money.
8. Supportive Shoes
1. Buy shoes that you can stand in during long hours!  Also if you buy new shoes make sure to break them in before student teaching starts.  Blisters are horrible and you just have to teach through them!
9. Find time for bathroom breaks.
1. I never realized that as a teacher it seems I never have time to use the restroom!  I have to set up for each class between classes because I have so many different preps.  You have to know when you can use it and do it quickly.  It sounds silly but it does cause a problem!

First Day Complete!

My mom had to take the traditional "first day" picture!

Well, my first day down and I survived!  Today as I walked into the front doors of the high school I felt strangely calm.  I thought I would get the nervous knot feeling in my stomach, but I was collected and excited.  It just felt right.  Today was a different day as it was just freshman, and also a 3 hour dismal.  Today was a great transition day, as I too felt like a freshmen, brand new to the school!  I think one of the hardest thing for me to adjust is to be called Miss Bolton!  It is a brand new title and I need to own it.  Tomorrow it is the whole school 9-12th graders.  This is the real test, but today was a great transition. It's not easy, but it's easing into the situation.

Becoming Familiar with FCCLA

It wasn't until I transferred to Iowa State that I heard about FCCLA (Family, Career, Community Leaders of America).  Well I am lucky that my school where I am student teaching has an active FCCLA chapter.  I am not too familiar with FCCLA, but I have networked with great advisors and I hope I can really start up an active and exciting FCCLA chapter.  With second semester being my first year as a teacher I have hopes of entering some star events, but I will see how the rest of the year goes.  Trying to get some excitement about FCCLA I made a bulletin board to get my students familiar with FCCLA! The theme this year was Ignite Your Light.

The Time Starts Now

Welcome to my blog!  I am an Iowa State student majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences Education!! I am about to start my student teaching journey and I wanted to share it with you and also with myself so I can see myself grow and become the best teacher I can be.  Thank you for coming on this journey with me.

I will start my journey student teaching at a nearby high school in Iowa for eight weeks, and then I will be student teaching in Norway.  Everyone asks me "Why Norway?"  Well I studied at Marshalltown Community College for two years where I obtained my Associates Degree in Liberal Arts, and with all of my gen eds taken care of I couldn't find the right travel abroad study for myself until I heard about I heard about student teaching abroad.  I went to an international affair and the only abroad placement for Family and Consumer Sciences was in Norway, and I couldn't be happier.  I applied, interviewed, and accepted my student teaching abroad in Norway.  But before I leave I start right here in Iowa.


I've been studying for four years for this moment right here, and it's all surreal.  I recently moved back home with my mother to be closer to my school (45 minutes!), and with this transitions of leaving college and moving back home is a very weird place for me.  I am in a transition of leaving my college life behind and entering the "real world" as a working women who now has to worry about legislation, insurance, and retirement funds is a journey in itself.

The whole last week I spent time in the classroom getting familiar with the space, getting to know my cooperating teacher (love her), meeting other faculty and administration members, and organizing the classroom.  My official date started this past Thursday with professional development, but this monday I will be starting with the students.  The time has finally arrived!  Tomorrow I am officially Miss Bolton, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher.  I can't even begin to explain my emotions.  I'm nervous, excited, anxious, curious, and ready for the journey to begin!!!1

Book Pass Out

Today was the last day for students to switch classes and I think we officially have our class list (hopefully)!  Today again was a day to get to know names and start to plan out our beginning lessons.  I am at a larger school with roughly 500 some students; bigger than my 63 per class high school.  I find it harder to connect with the students as some of them haven't ever connected with each other.  Seniors don't know juniros, they definitely don't know the freshman, and I am not sure if they even want to get to know each other.  This is a very hard adjustment for me and I am not sure a big school is where I fit. Walking down the hallways saying hi to students and being ignored or asking questions and they just give you a blank stare and aren't engaged is very new to me.  I am trying to adjust and during the biggest change I should see a big difference in myself.  I am just trying to breath right now.