My Favorite Lab Ever

The first lesson I was observed with, my senior year student teaching, was this baby! Genetics! I love science! It is my absolute favorite! I thought why not relate the lesson to something the kids like and understand? Better yet, how about I relate it to a movie. What better movie than one that concerns stereotypes, character and inherited traits, and learned behaviors? What could be better than "How to Train Your Dragon,"? The students discovered genetic traits for their dragons by choosing colored M&M's from different bowls. Each combination warranted a different physical trait. The kids loved it, I loved it, it was a blast! Hands-on, inquiry-based, open-discussion: the kids were hooked! We went through this Prezi and discussed what we saw. The kids didn't wanna stop watching the videos... until I brought out the M&M's and dragon coloring sheets that is!!! What fun!

Just Dance

 

Today I was reminded by watching a video of the adorable Kid President to "dance." I was inspired to "Be A Party." To spend every day "trying to be more awesome." It reminded me that it is okay to be an adult and be a little "childish" sometimes. I am happy knowing that these uplifting thoughts will guide me through tomorrow as opposed to the late night and few hours of sleep I will be walking into my classroom with instead... :) "Just dance." In Nicaragua, that was the best form of communication I could share with these little girls. I think the picture really says it all. A smile, a happy heart, and a little love can be the best motivator in the world.

Meet Our Adorable Kid President! He taught me a thing or two!

Jet Setter...

Today was an easy day. Thank goodness! Classes, student teaching, and work have me going seven days a week, not to mention all the homework, bathing, and eating I have to do in between! Who has the time? While I'm sitting up awake instead of being sound asleep as I should be, I'm missing vacation! This summer I traveled to Italy with my Mama and I caught the bug... the travel bug! I can not wait to go somewhere again! I was thinking Christmas in New York City! Us Georgia girls don't do so well in the snow, but I think I could make an exception. Hot chocolate and a sleigh ride around Central Park sounds fantastic... however, so does going back to the beaches in Sorrento! I could definitely go for some pampering and relaxation. A little family teacher getaway might be nice. However, tomorrow its back to reality... lesson planning, stressing over the GACE, stressing over my resume, stressing over my homework... WHICH OH MY GOSH IS DUE TOMORROW NIGHT... Oh goodness... I knew I was forgetting something.

Thinking back on Nicaragua...

Over the summer, I went to Nicaragua with the education department at the University of North Georgia. The study abroad trip required me to get a passport as I had never left the United States before this past May. On the 18th, we flew into Managua, Nicaragua and prepared ourselves for two weeks of mission work and teaching. I never would have known how broken education is in our world if I had never felt a calling to go there. The children living in El Chunco, a village created after families were relocated from living in the trash dumps in Managua, had no desire or motivation to attend school. Public education was so broken and students only had minimal knowledge of math and reading. Where was the science?! Where was the desire to inquire and question the world around them? I didn't understand. I couldn't understand. How would these children ever learn to wonder if they were never taught how to question? I've thought about this often lately, I keep having flashbacks to the children I met in Nicaragua. Seeing students who lack motivation, who have yet to find their desire to learn, who don't know how to actively seek knowledge broke my heart there just like it does here. How different the world would be if they found a passion. The most powerful moment I experienced in Nicaragua was spent breaking down and crying in frustration after walking out of a classroom observation. The students were told answers rather than instructed to find them on their own. It was detrimental in my eyes and it broke my heart. That moment made me realize that all I want to do is help students like these. I want to be their inspiration when they have none. I want to inspire in them a desire to set out for answers on their own. The students I see each day are given the opportunities unlike the children I met in Central America. I hope to be one of the positive influences these students experience this school year. Knowing I can do this here, in a small town in Georgia, just might convince me that I can make a difference in Nicaragua or maybe somewhere completely different one day. All I know is, nothing felt worse than seeing Nicaragua out my airplane window.
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,Nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss

The Classroom Chick...

I'm Katie Barker. I am an extremely eager, senior General Education and Special Education major at the University of North Georgia. I got the idea to make this blog late the other night, when I should have been working on my author study, writing lessons plans, developing my case study, reading my assigned chapters, or slaving away over the excessive amount of World Literature studies I have been given lately. I thought it would be neat to look back over my last year in college. Especially, when I am (hopefully) up late grading papers next year. It would be something to distract me for a minute or two so I can give poor Pinterest a break. I've found over the last two years of interning, that I have developed some pretty distinct ideas about what I believe in and how I want to teach my students. I thought, "Why not share and find others who feel like I do!?" So... there you have it. My reason for starting up, "The Classroom Chick." I can only hope that over the years it explodes into something truly unique and helpful and fun to other educators out there!