September 21, 2013

Mama Mindy's Week 5 of Classes: Huh?

Hi friends!

Re-cap:  Last week I was busy...but getting in the swing of things...

This week's re-cap:

This semester I am taking 13 credit hours, which doesn't sound like a lot...but I am actually taking 5 courses.

Elementary Music (2 hours). The focus this week is on qualities of a good teacher focusing on the following topics: teaching presence, voice, expression and carriage, eye contact and scanning of class, enthusiasm and energy, and preparation.  We also took notes for our midterm coming up next week.  Midterm already?  :)    More recorder and a paper to read entitled, "Children's Literature as a Springboard for Music."

Advanced Instructional Technology (3 hours).  No class this week.  I did get my picture files and video files completed. :)

Math for Elementary Ed & Middle School Teachers I (3 hours). I got an A on my first exam. Super happy about that...  This week we had three sections to discuss and when you discuss three section, guess how much homework you have?  Yep...you guessed it three sections...plus activities...plus common core standards. Yikes!  It's okay though as the topic makes sense. Yay!  We learned how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in multiple ways.  It was a fun class.

Homework left:  Three sections of homework (both online and in the book)

Field & Lab Biology (3 hours).  Took the Second Exam.  Let's just say on the lab portion I could not remember the state bird or the state tree...I said Eastern Meadowlark instead of Western Meadowlark for the bird and instead of Cottonwood I said Eastern Redbud.  At least I tried. :)  The written exam had me scratching my head and asking "Huh?" hence the title of the post this week.  Let's just say I was not as prepared as I thought I was...especially when the words heterotroph, autotroph, metabolism, and cellular respiration (in detail, not just general) was discussed.  I'm sure I passed, but I hope it was "You got an A" pass instead of "You just made it...barely" pass.

Next week: No class on Thursday...instead a trade off for a Saturday "Free Resource Workshop."

Elementary Art (2 hours).  This week we looked at Chapter's 1 & 2 in the book dealing with elements of art and what a school that encompasses art would look like to the outside observer.  I created a Van Gogh Still Life for my art lesson and project.  It was fun to make...colored chalk is very forgiving.

So...next week, I will only be in class on M-W and on Saturday.

Much Love,
Mama Mindy :)

8 comments:

Sketching with Dogs said...

Sounds like you are enjoying your classes. I bet the coloured chalk worked well for Van Gogh inspired pictures.
Lynne x

Mollie said...

I can play London's Burning on the recorder..LOL xxooxx

Mollie and Alfie

Elgor82 said...

WOW ... hope there is time for some snuggles in there! 13 hours and 5 clasess don't sound like much but then there is homework and that is a zillion hours according to our cousin who is a college freshman!

Love Zoe, Peyton, Webster, Liberty & Whitney

Tweedles -- that's me said...

your learning sooo much- we are proud of you!
love
tweedles

Noodles said...

Hi, I wanted to respond to your comment on my post today - don't worry, nothing bad. . .
Mama Mindy - I actually agree with you 100%. I even "yelled" at some of my Fb FURiends who used to be my Blogville FURiends about abandoning Blogville. But I think they will be back someday. We will see. In the meantime, I enjoy both worlds as I have an innate need to express my opinions to a large audience.
Love Noodles

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

good golly that is a busy week!

White Dog Blog said...

You and my dad have the same tough schedule but we are so proud of you both for this fantastic effort that will, when you are through, make the world better for the students you will touch and change forever. Good luck!

Asta said...

Mama Mindy
it sounds like yoo awe wowking vewy hawd, but it's all soopew intewesting..I know all the puggums awe helping you study and you'll do awfully well
smoochie kisses
ASTA