University of Dayton, Ohio

Registering for Spring 2013

Hello! I have a million things that I should be doing right now besides writing this blog, but I can't help but share my sadness as the series of lasts begins. The realities of being a senior are beginning to hit more and more as this semester quickly approaches the end. I register for spring 2013 courses tomorrow afternoon, and it really started to sink in that I am quickly nearing the end of my days as a traditional undergraduate student.

Normally at this time of year, I am frantically trying to figure out my complicated schedule between education and biology. I would sit here with my desk covered in various check sheets, a calculator, many windows open on my computer, and a puzzled look on my face. I would calculate how many hours I had left for each degree and how many hours I had left to take at UD to ensure that I graduated on time. I would make various schedules and try to craft the puzzle just right, so I could fit in all of the classes. I would also try to hypothetically estimate my GPA for the end of the semester and for graduation. I would poll all my friends to ensure I was taking all the "good" classes with the favorite professors. Once I thought I had my schedule just right with the best classes, professors, and time, I would obsessively check the enrollment for each class and hope that I could get a spot in the classes I wanted. This year I have no papers out, only the usually windows up, and no calculator. All I have to do is register to student teach and figure out how I am going to get a geology to finish my integrated license. As stressful as scheduling was, I have to admit that I am a bit sad that that phase in my life has ended....

To prevent myself from getting all upset about this list of lasts, I am going to get back to my lesson plans for tomorrow. Have a great night!

Day 1 of Cell Unit

Hi! I believe winter is upon us. I am sitting here in my house absolutely freezing. My house on campus has a half story that serves as the second floo... More

Day 1 of Cell Unit

Hi! I believe winter is upon us. I am sitting here in my house absolutely freezing. My house on campus has a half story that serves as the second floor, so we really struggle to keep the room warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I sleep with my heated blanket on high every night with a sweatshirt, flannel pants, and fuzzy socks, and then I fear the morning when I have to crawl out of my little "den."

Anyways, this week I am teaching a five-day unit on cells in one of my biology classes. Up to this point, I have been co-teaching and doing a little bit of teaching, but I have never planned my own lesson plans for class yet. I have been slaving away on this unit for the past week and I feel completely unprepared for the rest of the week. Today went swimmingly, though! I have to video-tape myself teaching one lesson this fall, so I taped myself teaching today, and it went great! I have a great group of students in my second period class, so it was a safe choice. We learned all about the scientists who historically contributed to the cell theory in biology. I was all excited because I made these cute little tombstones (touch of Halloween) for each of the scientists. I put a little paragraph about that person's research and a bunch of pictures to display their research. The students then had to become an "expert" on one scientist, and go back to teach their group about that one scientist. This method is called jigsaw and encourages all of the students to do the work because they are each responsible for something. After the students learned about each of the scientists, they had to devise the three principles of the cell theory based on the scientists' findings. I was completely shocked that most of the students got two of the three principles on their own! I hope they actually enjoyed the activity and learned something.

I enjoyed seeing them carry out the plans that I had been working on forever. It is such an awesome feeling to see the planning come to life. It is also exciting to see the students actually discover the knowledge! I hope I have the same success tomorrow. As for today, I have anatomy at 2:00 and genetics of disease at 3:00. Have a great Monday!

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