Christmas

Cookies?

Translation: Ms. P, May you bake me some chocolate chip cookies, please?

Sometimes the students get off topic and so they have sticky notes that they can write questions/comments etc on and give them to the teacher so that they aren't interrupting the lesson. I received this note from a 7th grade boy. I think I used the example of making cookies when explaining the concept of combining things together. Maybe I will bake for them. By the way, spelling doesn't count in this special education class.

Class

Monday nights are no longer filled with going to my ward's FHE and relaxing. My class has started and the fun of writing papers and case studies have begun. I didn't take a class last term (Fall I) so I am a little off schedule. The good news is, that I found my textbook on Amazon for $38.00. Better news, the seller was here in CA and even though she sent it to me media mail, I still got it in 2 days. I guess I should start reading it...
Student teaching is going well...my master teacher is amazing and I am learning a lot. The kids are fantastic and I love being in a middle school! :) Six more weeks to go...

DNA

I started student teaching at a local middle school this week. I am finishing up my special education credential. I am taking my last class and have to student teach for 8 weeks. I have an amazing master teacher and I have learned so much from her already. She teaches 7th and 8th grade SDC Science. With the 7th graders, we have been learning about DNA and they made candy models this week. Here is a picture of some of the students' work.

Recess

Today was my last day teaching first grade and this past week I had recess duty. Everyday students come up to me to tell on others. Today I had a boy come up to me to tell me that another student had said a "bad" word. I asked him what the word was. He said it was "date". I said, "date"? He said "yes, that is a bad word because a date is when a boy and a girl out and we aren't old enough to go on dates". I tried not to laugh...these kids are too funny.

Target is Awesome

Victoria Elementary School was selected by Target as one of sixteen schools nationwide to receive a library makeover. I student taught at Victoria and did a long term sub job there last year and am currently teaching first grade for a teacher who is out for a few weeks. On Friday, the library makeover was complete and 200 volunteers came to the school from Target and from Heart of America. They came into the classrooms and gave all of the students new books and read to them. One of the teachers wrote a song to thank our wonderful volunteers and all of the students sang it. It was an awesome day! I am so thankful to Target for their hard work and that I was able to be there for it.

I posted the article from the local newspaper below.

School library in Riverside gets a 'readesign' | Riverside County | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

School library in Riverside gets a 'readesign' | Riverside County | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

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First Grade

I took a substitute job for a first grade teacher that had to be out for three weeks for surgery. Columbus Day was this week and I wanted to share my fabulous coloring page that I did with my students :-)

Newport Beach

My friend and I went to the Newport Beach Temple this morning for a session. The Redlands Temple is closed for two weeks. Luckily, it only took us about 45 min to drive there since there was no traffic. What a great way to start a Saturday! :-)

Master Degree

I received a letter from Chapman University a couple weeks ago stating that I had passed the comprehensive exams for my Master's Degree! I am excited to be done with that program at least. I am finishing up my special education credential right now and will be done by the end of the year. Hopefully I will be able to get a full-time teaching job in either regular or special education soon. In the meantime, I am subbing everyday and working at the insurance office afterwards.

Top 10

Top Ten Reasons I Don't Update My Blog....

1. I'm busy with the three classes I am taking this summer (2 more weeks!)
2. I'm busy applying for teaching jobs
3. I'm busy getting ready for the YSA Conference in August. www.californiaysa.org
4. I'm preparing for my Sunday School lesson.
5. I'm at work
6. I'm on Facebook
7. I'm trying to figure out Twitter
8. I'm busy reading other people's blogs
9. I'm throwing a bridal shower for a friend and getting ready for that
10. I'm watching Law and Order

Pictures

I haven't updated in a long time, but here are some pics of my adorable nephews and nieces! :-) Ricky

Me with Ella and Cambrie. It was Cambrie's 2nd birthday so we wore pink.
It is her favorite color!

With Megan. I tried to distract her with the flower.

Brothers!

Ricky and Billy having fun!

My nephew, Jackson (3)

My youngest nephew, Rusty. SO cute!! I stole him as much as I could!

Me with Grant (6), Cambrie (2) and Ricky (4)

"Superman"
My little brother (who is way taller than me) and his little boy, Jackson

My nieces

I know it has been forever since I posted last and I hope to post more this week after I finish my finals. I wanted to quickly post this picture of my beautiful nieces. My brother came into town with his family so we were able to get the nieces together.

Time with Cambrie

I have gotten the chance to spend lots of time with Cambrie, my cute niece the last few weekends while Jacob and Ethan had their birthday parties (they each went to the movies with their friends). One Saturday we went shopping and she wanted to ride in the jeep with "Elmo" so I let her and tried to explain it is "Garfield" and not "Elmo" :-)

Here's Cambrie showing off her freshly painted fingernails and toenails. She loved having me paint them pink--her favorite color.

MaRcH MaDnEsS

Don't confuse this post with the basketball (which I don't pay any attention to) playoffs! I'm merely describing March! :-)

I completed the first two of my Master's classes...it was extremely difficult, but I earned an "A" in both classes. It was soooo much work...seriously! I got one week off before starting my two new classes, so I was able to work some more hours at the insurance office.

My new classes with be equally demanding I'm afraid, but I do feel a sense of accomplishment and boost of self-confidence for my "A's".

This coming week is Spring break for the district where I sub, so I will be at the insurance office and school two nights.

I will be starting a long term sub job after Spring break until the end of the school (June 12th). I will be teaching the 4th grade. I'm excited to be able to have the same class for a long period.

Here are the March birthdays for my family. Happy Birthday to my 3 oldest nephews! I love you guys! :-)

March 20th--Jacob's Birthday!! I can't believe that my oldest nephew is 12! I am very proud of him passing the Sacrament at church now (I got to see him at Ella's blessing last week)

Jacob and little sister Ella. He is a great big brother to his brothers and sisters!

March 25th--Daniel's Birthday!! He's 11!

This is Daniel on a field trip he took.

March 30th--Ethan's Birthday!! He's 10!

At Ethan's party--he didn't want cake, so his birthday candles went into his root beer float!

February Update

You might think that I am such a slacker for never posting, but the truth is that I am so busy! I am still working the two jobs and going to school two nights a week. So, here is a quick update for the month of February.

I'll start off with family birthdays: I love you all!

February 18th--my sister-in-law Cindy's Birthday

Cindy with her new baby just a few weeks before her birthday. Cindy is amazing! Very creative and talented!

February 21st--Billy's 2nd Birthday (my nephew)

Billy is simply adorable!!

February 22nd--Joseph's 9th Birthday (my nephew)

Here's Joseph with his car from Pine Wood Derby. He's a cutie!

February 25th--my brother-in-law Scott's Birthday

Here is Scott with his three boys at BYU. Scott is very musically talented and a great chef!

Welcome Russell Brent Pendleton "Rusty"

On Monday, February 2nd I was blessed with a new nephew!

Rusty meeting his older brothers, Ricky and Billy! :-)


So sweet!

Congratulations to Kevin and Cindy! I love you guys!

JANUARY

This month has flown by! Here are some highlights:

1. I started my Masters Degree at Chapman University. I am taking two classes at night. I will be done with my Masters in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) in the beginning of August.

2. I have been subbing in a first grade classroom for the last few weeks at one of the schools I student taught at. It has been fun to see the same kids everyday (a drawback from regular subbing at various schools) and being able to see them progress.

3. I started on Tuesday (at the school I used to work at as an instructional assistant) subbing in a 4th grade class for 3 weeks. I am excited to return to this school and work with a great staff.

4. My nephew, Benjamin turned 7!


5. My mom turned 60! I don't have any pictures from her birthday, but this was taken in December while she was in Indiana. Here she is with her grandson, Jackson.
6. My niece, Megan Maatje Pendleton had her baby blessing

Welcome Baby Ella!

Here I am with my newest niece, Ella Janel Pendleton. She was born on Saturday morning. I have had a lot of fun with my nephews and niece while my brother, Marc and his wife Cindy were at the hospital. I am so lucky that I have 3 nephews and now 2 nieces that live so close!