Teaching Philosophy (Homework Assignment)

Growing up, I didn't ever really want to be a teacher.  I had some really GREAT teachers, and some really not so great teachers.  When it was time to go to college, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but my mom suggested that she could see me as a teacher.  I told her that she was crazy, and that I absolutely would not want to teach and be around kids ALL day long!  After switching my major 4 times and having many life experiences, I realized that I loved being around children, and that it suited me very well.

I want to make sure that all of my students are successful.  There will be students who will be easier to help become successful than others.  What I need to be able to do is reach all of my students.  I need to make sure that all of my students know that I care about each one of them as an individual no matter who they are.  If I can create a warm and caring environment, my students will feel more comfortable around me, and therefore be more apt to learning the material because they will be able to ask questions and discuss their opinions more freely.  I need to treat everyone equally and fairly.  I don't want to have favorites, but I want everyone to feel like they are a favorite.  I want my students to also treat each other fairly so that we can keep a balance in the classroom.  There will be many students who don't learn the same way, so I am going to have to teach material in different ways to the different learning styles.  I want to have fun and do many hands on activities that will really help my students gain the understandings behind concepts.  What I really want to do is just make a difference in each child's life, and enable them to know that they can become anyone that they want to be and do anything that they want to do.  This to me equals success!

Educational Blogs

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/

This blog is a great educational tool that I plan on following because it has many free technology tools that are available to teachers that can be implemented into the classroom and how to use them.

http://historyiselementary.blogspot.com/

I really liked this blog because I think it is really creative and clever the way the author explores history.  I have never been a history buff, so having a fun blog like this would be beneficial to helping me improve history lessons for my students.  

http://learningismessy.com/blog/

I really liked this blog because it is coming from a teacher and how he implements blogs and other things into his teaching and why it is so beneficial.  

Random Happenings

This post is just random pictures that I have of Austin.  

I know I put one of these up with one of the cousins, but we got to watch this little sweetheart for a while one day.  These two are 4 1/2 months apart.  

Snuggling with Mom!

Relaxing in the tub!

Mom taking silly pictures.

Falling asleep with feet out of the covers like mom does.

Falling back asleep with my hand straight up in the air.  

Just being a cute little munchkin!

Happy 4th!

This year for the 4th we had lots of fun.  But before any of the festivities we had to take pictures of Austin in his cute onesie his Aunt gave him.  I sure do love all of the cute faces that he pulls when I go back through the pictures!

"My mom likes to take pictures of me."

"Do we really have to take another picture"

"Mom, I'm so tired of taking all of these pictures"

"Pleeeaassee stop taking pictures of me!"

"Ok... if I pull a cute face, will you please stop!"

We celebrated the 4th by going to the Moroni and Mt. Pleasant parades, having a barbecue with Brett's family, and going to the fireworks show in Moroni.  We had a great day celebrating the wonderful Country that we live in.  We are so blessed to live here and have the freedoms that we do!  Thank you to all of those who serve to protect these freedoms!  

2 months!

On July 2nd, Our little Munchkin turned 2 months old!  Where has the time gone?!  The stats for his two month checkup were: 

Weight: 9 lb 2 oz 5th percentile

Height: 20 3/4 in 3rd percentile

Head: 14 cm 3rd percentile

We actually made the charts this time!  And he doubled his weight from his last appointment at 4 lb 8 oz!

This appointment wasn't so fun because of the shots, but Austin did so good and only cried for a couple of minutes after.  

The sad boy after the shots.

Because of the shots he was a little ornery the rest of the day, and really attached to his binky which made getting pictures very difficult.  Here is our first attempt at pictures.  

We were doing good with the binky...

 So we decided to take it out...

 And when that didn't work... we tried putting it back in...

So we decided to just try again later when he was happier and feeling better! 

We sure love this little munchkin and all of the Joy he brings into our life.  He's so much fun, and even cute when he's mad! :)

Blessing Day!

On June 23, we had Austin blessed.  It was such a wonderful day filled with love and family.  We had a great day, and were grateful for all of the family that came to support Austin.

The cute little munchkin looking all handsome in his Tux that Grandma made for him.  

 

Grandma and Grandpa Farnsworth

Grandpa Roberts and Beth Ann

Great Grandpa and Grandma

Shortly after Moab, we headed up to the Provo area for a day.  While we were up there, we stopped in to see my Grandparents in Pleasant Grove.  It was so fun to let them meet little Austin, and they were just as excited about it too.  When we arrived, both of my grandparents were right there and just waiting for us to get him out.  My grandma can't really remember things well so she kept asking us the same questions over and over.  It was so fun to see her expression every time she would look at Austin because she would say "My goodness, he is so little.  How big was he when he was born?" or "I never had any this little.  You forget how little they are."  When my Grandpa was holding him, Austin just looked at him intently and kept doing sweet little faces.  It was so fun to take Austin to visit his Great Grandpa and Grandma Farnsworth.  He may not ever remember them because I don't know how much longer they will be around, but it will be neat to show him these pictures when he gets older.  

  

Moab

June 16-18 we were able to spend time with family down on the Southeastern side of Utah.  On the 16, we headed for Green River where we met up with my parents and my brother and his family.  We had an enjoyable evening, and the next morning they headed down to Goblin Valley.  We opted not to go to Goblin Vally with Austin, so we moseyed on down to Moab where we would meet up with the Lever's for our family reunion.  We did a little sight seeing around Moab and then checked into the RV Park where we were staying in a little Cabin.  

Close to the park, we noticed this pedestrian bridge that went across the Colorado River, so after dinner Brett and I headed over to check it out.   

The next morning, we asked my mom if she would watch Austin while we went and hiked Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.  Grandma wasn't too hard to convince, so the next morning Brett and I headed off to hike the most famous Arch in Utah!  

Along the way we found this little Arch!

Walking up, almost to the Arch!  (Don't get too blinded, it was the first time my legs have seen any sun for a long time)

We can see it!  Oh and I'm just resting for a bit :)

Almost there, Just around these rocks!

J

 Delicate Arch!

Both of us together (If you can see us)

After we hiked Delicate Arch, we went back and picked up my Mom and Austin to explore Arches a little more.

 Darn wind was blowing!

We had to go home after the exploring and weren't able to stay the whole reunion, but we had so much fun getting away for a few days.  It is so cool to have places like this so close to us!  It will be fun to go back someday when Austin can enjoy things a little more too!