Today, Jason's parents are here visiting with us. They will be here through Saturday I think. It's been a while since we've had a good visit with them, so it should be nice. Jason's mom, Jackie, hasn't gotten to see Ariel crawl yet; that should be fun too. I'm not entirely sure what we'll do while they visit, but it'll be fine if we just sit around the house and chat while we play with Ariel.
Tonight we are going up to VA for a shrimp boil with our church. I'm excited about this. It's at the park and I think I'm gonna see if we can go a little early so I can take Ariel over to the play ground. Obviously, she can't really do anything there, but she would LOVE to see the other kids playing. She just loves kids. The other day a commercial came on with kids laughing and she squealed and laughed and craned her neck to see if she could find the kids. It was really cute. If they have a baby swing, I might put her in one to see how she likes it. I'm not sure if she is technically old enough, but she is pretty strong and steady - I can't see how it would be too bad with me right there.
Onto another topic, this week I started teaching a couple sections of a study skills course at Mid-Atlantic Christian University. I'm really excited about this class and the first classes seemed to go pretty well. I was prepared, but not nearly as nervous (or over-practiced) as I tend to be. I decided to approach it more like I approached my student teaching experience. I wrote out my lesson plan based on the course objectives and the time for class. This was a little different than the past because I would have written it more like a speech to be delivered and rehearsed it and stressed over it. I think the new approach is much better - and technically the more appropriate one since the focus was more on the student than me talking. Basically, we went over the syllabus in this first class. We talked a little about my goals for the class and I asked them to give me a little feedback about themselves. Things like how they felt about being in this class, some things they bring to the table that will make them successful students, one thing they may hold them back as a student, and a commitment to putting their best efforts into the class. I did this activity because I felt it would engage the whole student, importantly acknowledging their emotions as part of their school experience and hopefully help them to focus on some of their abilities to increase their confidence a little. For most of them, my class was their first or second class. I hope they didn't get too overwhelmed when they got all their syllabi from their other classes. The first week of classes can be scary when you see all the work you have to do. I think it's going to be a good semester.
Well, Ariel is awake and Jason is going to get her. Time for me to go.
That's great Teri about the class!!! I know you're going to have a great semester... About the swing with Ariel...I think she'll be fine;))) I hope you put her in it!!!
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