Sunday, July 31, 2011

Lesson Planning..YEP, already.

Yes, I made it back from my training. I think I went about 60 miles out of my way, but I was determined not to get lost. I took the long way around and took I-20 to 35. I only made about 3 panicked phone calls to my husband to make sure I was on the right track, but around 11 pm on Friday night, I made it home.

I was so happy to see my dog, Chauncey and to sleep in my own bed.

Project Lead the Way’s (PLTW) training is extremely intense as we pack in a whole years worth of material in two weeks. I was out of my comfort zone the whole time. Engineering/computer programming is nowhere near to my forte.

Yet at the same time, it was the coolest training I have ever been to. I learned so much! I am by no means an expert, but, I should be at least a half a step ahead of my students. Truly, I am so excited to get into my classroom!

Today I actually started planning an outline of the school year. I just hate not having something to do, and as I grabbed my bag and opened up my laptop, my husband knew exactly what was on my mind. Yes, lesson plans.

I know, I know. But, if you had just gone to the training you would want to work on your lesson plans too. Right?

I also really want to get a PLTW polo shirt. I got one from the training (for free) but it is a men’s large.

The free one--it is not the most attractive shirt, and I was trying to find a women’s cut polo shirt. But not any polo shirt, I want that wicking material. I can’t find it. Really, I can’t find any polo shirts from PLTW online. I will keep looking.

When I get something stuck in my mind, I can’t stop thinking about it until I have it. Therefore, I really need that polo shirt.

One last thing, I am freaking exhausted. I am hoping that I am simply suffering from brain overload and lack of sleepitis.

Anyway, it is good to be home. I have two more weeks of summer and then I get to put my new knowledge to use.

But, I really do want to go back for the advanced training next summer…and I want that polo shirt.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

I did it (well almost)!


My time in Tyler is coming to an end.

The first night I thought I would not be able to make it. I called my husband as I was in tears. Thankfully, he talked me down off the ledge. Truly, my job depends on this training. Without it I can’t teach in the fall.

Then, I started learning a computer design program, and doing/creating other things that a Language Arts/Social Studies/Science person would never do. I was way out of my comfort zone. I would go to class from 8-5 and then I would do homework for about 4-5 hours a night. Even my most challenging classes in college paled in comparison to the brain workout I have received these last two weeks.

Tonight, I finished my major project--the playground design. It’s not perfect but it looks pretty darn good in my opinion. I did get a bit of direction, but I would say it’s 80% mine.

Tomorrow, I become a computer programmer. Today was the introduction and it was actually pretty easy to follow. (Hopefully my optimism doesn’t come back around to bite me in the badonkadonk.)

I also made two new friends. Since there are only three girls in our class, we have started eating lunch and dinner together. It is actually pretty nice especially since I hate going to restaurants alone.

Things have really turned around. I have learned a ton and I can't wait to start school.

But, I am ready to go home. Now, I just hope I can find my way back.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Help me, but not because I am a girl.

Training Week 2
Location: Tyler, TX

Project Lead the Way Gateways to Technology Training
I am all about girl power. I usually don’t let boys (including my husband) open the door for me. But, I will say during these 2 weeks, I have had no shame in playing the “please help me card.”

I know, it’s awful. I am not proud of it. But, there are only three girls in our class. There are about 20 boys in our class. When I start looking around, I usually have five boys close by that I can ask for help.

They are usually already done and are waiting for me to move on, so they notice my struggles and ask what I need. It is actually pretty awesome.

So, we are working on this ridiculously tough project where we are following dimensions to create a playground.

It is on a computer design system that is the bane of my existence--Inventor. I am learning more and more about it every day but this project is complete craziness.

There are a ton of parts to it, but no directions. There is a rock wall, two slides, monkey bars, all kinds of stuff and we have to create it all…line by line and pole by pole. It is not fun.

Of course most of the boys already have it done. So, they are willing to help.
I have learned how to do most of it, but when I can’t get something to line up right, I ask.

It is not a project we will teach our kids. It is only something that we are doing so we, as the teacher, can learn Inventor better. So, I am not worried that I am getting too much help.

Really, it’s ok to ask for help. Right?

But, I won’t let anyone carry my books or hold the door open for me. I still have some standards.

Plus, I don’t think my husband would like that very much.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Monumental(ly) Crappy Day

Today was monumental for me.
I drove myself five hours to Tyler for a two week training. I will be teaching a new class this fall and the training is a prerequisite for the class.
Normal people probably take long trips all the time, but I don’t. I am the most directionally challenged person. I also have no faith in my driving abilities, and if you combine that with the fact that I had no idea where I was going…you don’t have to be a Language Arts genius, but I bet you can infer the results of my trip.
Yes, I got lost and had no idea where I was for about an hour. Yes, I had a Tom-Tom but it stopped working right around when I needed to make a change from one highway to another. Yes, I cried but, it was only when I finally go to the campus and I could not find the dorm I was staying in.
Computers without the proper programs downloaded on them, a cold shower with a trickle of water pressure, spotty internet and cell phone service. There is more but I hate to bore you.
In conclusion, today was monumental(ly crappy)….but I am able to reflect on a few things.
It made me realize how much I miss my partner in crime. I really do ride well in the passenger seat and I appreciate the fact that my husband is an excellent driver and a navigator. He really doesn’t need my help! I think next time I have to travel anywhere over 3 hours (my previous record before today’s disaster) by myself, I am flying.
I am thankful for my I-phone. AT&T’s 3G was a bit spotty from time to time, but it worked better than that darn Tom-Tom.
Lastly, I appreciate my Honda CR-V. I averaged 28mpg and I am pretty happy about that.
And, best of all—tomorrow is a new day. I should learn some awesome stuff.
Funny, I can barely turn on a computer (much less find the spell cheek button) and the guy who is running the training asked me if I knew anything about computer programming.
I think he understood that NO, I did not when he saw the tears in my eyes as I was thinking, “God, what have I gotten myself into?”
He assured me by the end of these two weeks, I will know a ton about computer programming.
Sweet…as long as I can stay ½ of a baby step ahead of my 6th graders.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Name Change

Changing my name of my blog..I figured Musings from a Teacher was too generic. So, I decided to go with Chicken Noodle Ramblings and here's why:

As a teacher with the last name of Campbell, each year I am asked if I like chicken noodle soup. In fact, this year, one hilarious child even brought me a can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup. I proudly displayed it on my shelf in my classroom.

I figured, why fight it?

The kids always want to know how if I am related to the "real" Campbell's soup people. I wish.

Campbell is my husband's last name. My maiden name was Thompson. Yes, I went from one generic last name to another.

If you are bored you should check out the following website:

http://howmanyofme.com/search/

Here you can see just how many people share your name. I learned there are 429,807 people in the U.S. with the last name Campbell. It is the 43rd most popular last name.

Interesting, huh?

Friday, July 8, 2011

What I did my summer vacation....

Summer vacation...Here's what mine has looked like so far...

June: Mr. Campbell and I taught summer school. (Not easy by any means, but the $ was nice.)

July: 4 day trip to Las Vegas.
5 day trip to Michigan to attend a wedding for a cousin and to visit my parents.

Then, I am home for 4 days and I am off to Tyler, Texas for 2 weeks of professional development in preparation for...my new job!

I am going to teach an engineering class to 6th graders called Gateways to Technology, from Project Lead the Way 1/2 the day, and the other 1/2 of the day I will teach a web design class.

Then, the next year I will teach engineering all day long...or so that is the plan right now.

August: Random trainings here and there and then it is back to work full time in mid August.

Once August hits, I will be ready to work...but today...at this moment, I am exhausted.

It's never good when you need a vacation from your vacation.

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