What a night! We just had our last, first home basket-ball game, I have to write an essay, and I'm going to the midnight premire of Harry Potter! I am very excited, so I just wanted to share that with everyone. :)
Now, in regards to Senior Project, I had a fantastic week this week! The kids explored props again today by making up scenes in which they had to incorporate their props! We have some work to do in some areas...but overall I was impressed! They were all so excited about it and kept on asking if they could do it again! They loved it! It really makes a teacher proud when the students are fully engaged in a subject and come up with things you didn't come up with yourself. I had a lot of good laughs this week! Also, I was so encouraged this morning because one of the moms of one of my students came up to me and told me how much her child was enjoying drama and how she really thought that he had found his passion! She also told me that she was looking into drama classes he would take part in the spring! I was stoked! My desire of my whole Senior Project was to share my passion with others and hopefully help kids discover their own passion. God is so good!
I have done several corrections on my Research Paper, but I still have to find a lot of statistics to support my subject. However, it is ironic because I am taking AP Statistics this year and the whole class enforces the idea not to trust statistics. It makes me laugh, but I know I just have to look in the right place! I have a lot to do, but I know God never gives us more than what we can handle...I just have to remind myself of that every day!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Entry 12: There are Giants in the Sky
This week we all received our Research papers (giants) back. To be honest, I was frightened when I saw the pencil grade in the corner of the paper. However, it just proves that I have a lot of room for improvement. I thoroughly enjoy my research topic and I would like to go visit a college library soon. Ms. Autenzio was giving us tips about research and she strongly encouraged a visit to the college library. I need to get on that (and everything else). It blows my mind that nothing ever stops. Every single minute of every single day I can be doing something, and if I'm not doing anything productive I feel horrible and can't thoroughly enjoy myself. My solution: Keep pressing on until you can't press on anymore.
Even though it does not seem pleasant now...I know this whole pile-everything-in-one-week strategy will help me become a stronger individual as I learn how to respond correctly to overwhelming situations. I understand it's beneficial...but it is not a fun process.
In order to revise my research paper, I plan to take 2 or 3 hours every weekend to work on it. I could say 2/3 pages revised...but we'll have to see about that later. I have some statistics I have to find and terms I have to define. I look forward to the end product of this experience...it's just going to be grueling getting there!
By the way: my title is a reference to the musical Into The Woods. :)
Even though it does not seem pleasant now...I know this whole pile-everything-in-one-week strategy will help me become a stronger individual as I learn how to respond correctly to overwhelming situations. I understand it's beneficial...but it is not a fun process.
In order to revise my research paper, I plan to take 2 or 3 hours every weekend to work on it. I could say 2/3 pages revised...but we'll have to see about that later. I have some statistics I have to find and terms I have to define. I look forward to the end product of this experience...it's just going to be grueling getting there!
By the way: my title is a reference to the musical Into The Woods. :)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Entry 11: Put on a Happy Face!
Well another week is gone and another weekend is approaching! I can't express how much I love the weekends! :)
This week has been a good week with my senior project. I was able to go down and teach the kids about using their imagination and the whole concept of props! I had three different objects for them in which they had to take and use in a different way each time. For example, I had a roll of tape and someone pretended like it was a frisbee, or a doughnut. They were all very creative! It was easier for some students than others, but every class enjoyed it! I was encouraged watching them stretch their imagination while truly enjoying themselves.
Today, when I was reviewing with the class I asked them, "Who remembers what we did last week?" It was so cute because one of the boys in the class answered, "We had fun!" Needless to say, that made me very, very happy! It seems like the kids are enjoying my classes as mich as I'm enoying teaching them! I hope that's the case!! :))
This week has been a good week with my senior project. I was able to go down and teach the kids about using their imagination and the whole concept of props! I had three different objects for them in which they had to take and use in a different way each time. For example, I had a roll of tape and someone pretended like it was a frisbee, or a doughnut. They were all very creative! It was easier for some students than others, but every class enjoyed it! I was encouraged watching them stretch their imagination while truly enjoying themselves.
Today, when I was reviewing with the class I asked them, "Who remembers what we did last week?" It was so cute because one of the boys in the class answered, "We had fun!" Needless to say, that made me very, very happy! It seems like the kids are enjoying my classes as mich as I'm enoying teaching them! I hope that's the case!! :))
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Entry 9 (and 10): The Show Must Go On
Last week I forgot to write my blog out of a moment of absentmindedness and a time of pure anxiety. Everyone who talks to a Senior hears how tired, flustered, and busy we are. It is discouraging because when I place myself in the role of the objective bystander, it seems that Seniors are a bunch of lazy complainers who never get to work. However, we are working! We're actually working very, very hard. This year I have been reminded that "I can't do it all" countless times. Everyone is telling me I need to make trade-offs and limit time on certain subjects. However, this is very hard to do when you want to do your best in every aspect of life (including your educaiton).
Thankfully the Research Paper Rough Draft has been turned in. I confess, this draft is very, very ROUGH, but that was what I was instructed to do. I put forth great effort, especially with my outline. The outline made the paper writing a lot easier and on Wednesday night I only spend 6 to 7 hours on it. This is actually very good for me when it comes to papers. Next, I have to plan a new lesson for the kids next week. I look forward to my project each week. However, I do not think 8 lessons are enough to get them excited about drama. For instance, there is one class I have only met once with and that time I had to only discuss with them; they weren't able to do the exercises. All the rest I have taught 3 times. Everything now is in the planning stages, but hopefully in the near future I hope to extend my drama teaching into the spring. I am not certain yet, but before I reacha decision I need to talk with my parents, Mr. Tinkler, Mrs. Zion, and Mrs. Nail (my Senior Project Board Advisor). There is still alot to do left in this semester, but I am thankful that the research paper rough draft is turned in and ready for corrections. I am ready to make it perfect before December 6! :)
Thankfully the Research Paper Rough Draft has been turned in. I confess, this draft is very, very ROUGH, but that was what I was instructed to do. I put forth great effort, especially with my outline. The outline made the paper writing a lot easier and on Wednesday night I only spend 6 to 7 hours on it. This is actually very good for me when it comes to papers. Next, I have to plan a new lesson for the kids next week. I look forward to my project each week. However, I do not think 8 lessons are enough to get them excited about drama. For instance, there is one class I have only met once with and that time I had to only discuss with them; they weren't able to do the exercises. All the rest I have taught 3 times. Everything now is in the planning stages, but hopefully in the near future I hope to extend my drama teaching into the spring. I am not certain yet, but before I reacha decision I need to talk with my parents, Mr. Tinkler, Mrs. Zion, and Mrs. Nail (my Senior Project Board Advisor). There is still alot to do left in this semester, but I am thankful that the research paper rough draft is turned in and ready for corrections. I am ready to make it perfect before December 6! :)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Entry 8: Research paper oh research paper, wherefore thou art due so soon?
For my senior project research paper I am writing about how the integration of the arts, specifically Drama, in schools is profitable for the elementary child because it encourages independent creative thinking, development of social skills, and self-discovery.
To be honest, since I have written my thesis I have not been doing a lot of research. I need help with Time management skills. It's terrible. When sports season starts I usually discipline myself better. However, I'm not wasting any of my time! I rarely spend time watching TV, getting on facebook, or even socializing but I am still struggling to get everything done. There is just so much to do and it seems like too little time to do it! The only other thing I have done relating to my Research paper is highlighting my information of what I want to include in my paper. It has not hit me that it is due in about 2 weeks. I cannot fathom it. It is frustrating because I am not wasting my time, yet I still do not have enough time to spend on college applications or my paper. I have not applied to a single college yet. I know that God will never give me more than what I can handle, but right now I am to the point I am so stressed I don't feel anything anymore. That sounds melodramatic, I understand, but it portrays how I feel right now.
On a different note, I have discovered that I am an individual who needs deadlines. I have self-discipline in a lot of areas, but when it comes to getting things in on my own personal time clock, it doesn't work out. The subject that has a deadline sooner is higher priority than something due way down the road. It is not that I do not want to work on this paper, that is not it. I'm excited about my paper and researching the subject, but I still need to do well in my other classes and apply to colleges, but I can only do so much, and I don't know what to sacrfice.
To be honest, since I have written my thesis I have not been doing a lot of research. I need help with Time management skills. It's terrible. When sports season starts I usually discipline myself better. However, I'm not wasting any of my time! I rarely spend time watching TV, getting on facebook, or even socializing but I am still struggling to get everything done. There is just so much to do and it seems like too little time to do it! The only other thing I have done relating to my Research paper is highlighting my information of what I want to include in my paper. It has not hit me that it is due in about 2 weeks. I cannot fathom it. It is frustrating because I am not wasting my time, yet I still do not have enough time to spend on college applications or my paper. I have not applied to a single college yet. I know that God will never give me more than what I can handle, but right now I am to the point I am so stressed I don't feel anything anymore. That sounds melodramatic, I understand, but it portrays how I feel right now.
On a different note, I have discovered that I am an individual who needs deadlines. I have self-discipline in a lot of areas, but when it comes to getting things in on my own personal time clock, it doesn't work out. The subject that has a deadline sooner is higher priority than something due way down the road. It is not that I do not want to work on this paper, that is not it. I'm excited about my paper and researching the subject, but I still need to do well in my other classes and apply to colleges, but I can only do so much, and I don't know what to sacrfice.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Entry 7: I Couldn't be Happier!
Another week is nearly coming to a close. It flies, but I am so thankful because I am so tired!
School has been educating us like it is supposed to, it just happens all at once and at time it can be overwhelming! Oh, the joy of Senior year! However, God is in control and I am still working to balance my social life with my academics and now I'll be participating in the 1 Act play and the beginning of November I will be playing basket-ball. Busy, busy, busy!
Today in my second lesson of Drama class with the 1st and 2nd graders we talked about the importance of concentration in Drama. For actors and actresses it is very important to be able to focus on a specific duty because there can be a lot of different distractions from a response in the audience, a fellow actor's lines, the possibility of a fellow actor forgetting his lines, and so on. At first it was difficult getting their attention, but their excitement made them want to play the game. The game was fairly challenging because they had to focus on calling out different numbers and continue keeping the same beat as the beat got faster. Now, granted, it never really got faster, and the whole "saying the number on the beat" didn't work out as much, but there were some who got it and all the rest worked really hard (concentrated) on getting it. Interesting observation: almost every single child stopped with their beat when they called numbers. I pointed this out to them, and some were able to maintain some rhythm, but it was very hard for others. It is so encouraging to know that the kids are excited about learning Drama! I have loved spending/teaching the kids even more than I imagined I would and I look forward to the rest of the lessons!
Now the research paper...that's a different story. I have not even switched gears into writing a paper. Yes, I realize I have about 20 days and I am scared to death about it. I have a feeling I know what I'll be doing this weekend! (After the boy's soccer game of course! :P)
School has been educating us like it is supposed to, it just happens all at once and at time it can be overwhelming! Oh, the joy of Senior year! However, God is in control and I am still working to balance my social life with my academics and now I'll be participating in the 1 Act play and the beginning of November I will be playing basket-ball. Busy, busy, busy!
Today in my second lesson of Drama class with the 1st and 2nd graders we talked about the importance of concentration in Drama. For actors and actresses it is very important to be able to focus on a specific duty because there can be a lot of different distractions from a response in the audience, a fellow actor's lines, the possibility of a fellow actor forgetting his lines, and so on. At first it was difficult getting their attention, but their excitement made them want to play the game. The game was fairly challenging because they had to focus on calling out different numbers and continue keeping the same beat as the beat got faster. Now, granted, it never really got faster, and the whole "saying the number on the beat" didn't work out as much, but there were some who got it and all the rest worked really hard (concentrated) on getting it. Interesting observation: almost every single child stopped with their beat when they called numbers. I pointed this out to them, and some were able to maintain some rhythm, but it was very hard for others. It is so encouraging to know that the kids are excited about learning Drama! I have loved spending/teaching the kids even more than I imagined I would and I look forward to the rest of the lessons!
Now the research paper...that's a different story. I have not even switched gears into writing a paper. Yes, I realize I have about 20 days and I am scared to death about it. I have a feeling I know what I'll be doing this weekend! (After the boy's soccer game of course! :P)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Entry 6: Something There
It seems so long ago since we've gone on the Senior Retreat! My goodness, time flies when you don't want it to! God has blessed us with such a remarkable Senior class. We all got a long, we all learned the worm and the jerk (well...at least some of us did..). It was FANTASTIC! God is doing a lot in our lives, and I believe it is evident in a lot of us! Praise God!
I really have to start diving into my research paper now. I have a Thesis so it is easier to begin now. I am excited about it, but I really have to work on Time Management (like we all do). I am exhausted (partly from Senior Retreat and from my weekend at Liberty University). However, I have a lot to do.
This past Thursday I was able to work with Mrs. Hollingsworth class. They were all so excited! It was so cute! Several of them had been involved in drama classes and were very excited about the class! :) I was so encouraged! This next week I believe we're going to start working on Concentration games. This should be very interesting. ;) We need to start focusing on different aspects of drama. Last lessons were warm up and now I'm going to build on it. I'm so excited!
The more I think about Senior Project...the more I realize it is beneficial in many ways. Also, after visiting college the more I think about it, the more excited I am! That is huge for me to admit! The idea of leaving Oakbrook is still hard for me to imagine....but by God's grace I am becoming more comfortable with the idea. I have the rest of the year to wrap my head around it, but at least I'm starting early! :)
I really have to start diving into my research paper now. I have a Thesis so it is easier to begin now. I am excited about it, but I really have to work on Time Management (like we all do). I am exhausted (partly from Senior Retreat and from my weekend at Liberty University). However, I have a lot to do.
This past Thursday I was able to work with Mrs. Hollingsworth class. They were all so excited! It was so cute! Several of them had been involved in drama classes and were very excited about the class! :) I was so encouraged! This next week I believe we're going to start working on Concentration games. This should be very interesting. ;) We need to start focusing on different aspects of drama. Last lessons were warm up and now I'm going to build on it. I'm so excited!
The more I think about Senior Project...the more I realize it is beneficial in many ways. Also, after visiting college the more I think about it, the more excited I am! That is huge for me to admit! The idea of leaving Oakbrook is still hard for me to imagine....but by God's grace I am becoming more comfortable with the idea. I have the rest of the year to wrap my head around it, but at least I'm starting early! :)
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