Spring 2007 Student Mamas spinoff from Fall 2006 - Page 4

[Dar]

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

I also prefer group discussions as apposed to pure lecture. I need to SPEAK it many times to retain it It's why I talk to myself a lot

Me, too! And do you find that you speak up more than other students? because I sure do! Last semester, in my two core classes, there were two of us who asked and answered a lot of questions, and the other students rarely contributed... even though some of them told us later that they didn't really understand the material. I guess that didn't bother them? Or they were afraid to speak up?

FWIW, the other person who spoke up was also a single mother in her thirties, originally from California (just like I am). I don't know which aspect of that turned us into tallkers - or maybe it was a combination...

dar

[Houdini]

You earned 36 out of 38 points for a 94.74% on the exam. That's a great start Rebecca. Very nice work.
Have an excellent weekend!

I just got that email from my Stats prof. I am so happy. I really wasn't sure how I did on the test.

[Potty Diva]

Originally Posted by Dar

Me, too! And do you find that you speak up more than other students? because I sure do! Last semester, in my two core classes, there were two of us who asked and answered a lot of questions, and the other students rarely contributed... even though some of them told us later that they didn't really understand the material. I guess that didn't bother them? Or they were afraid to speak up?

FWIW, the other person who spoke up was also a single mother in her thirties, originally from California (just like I am). I don't know which aspect of that turned us into tallkers - or maybe it was a combination...

dar

Oh Holy Heck YES! I talk like crazy in class and to the othe studnts dismay I argue their points if they make backass comments (generalizing, stereotyping).

In my African American Literature class two of us spoke in class. We seemed to be the only ones reading too! Before class started people would ask me about the reading or be trying to speed read it before class. I found that I spoke up much more than other students or that i was the only one. In my Sociology class I definitely was the only one who would talk in class. I would often leave say to the professor, "it was nice talking to you today." and he would get a good chuckle out of it. I also communicate with professors via email etc outside of class. I have comments and questions about so many details of class - I just want to absorb as much as I can. I just am so digging learning (maybe making up for lost time?).

I'm originally from Oregon, very outspoken, opinionated, and love to learn- even about typically boring subject matter (aspects of the english language anyone?)

Many traditional students I have met (at the community college and at university), don't really want to learn what is being taught in the class, except as it pertains to passing the overall class. I do want to learn and do well grade-wise, but I also want to LEARN and be changed by the information given to me, ya know?

Check this out...we went to a friend's house to play and ride bikes and I was having to keep myself from telling Kailey we had to leave. I wanted to come home and study I am really serious about learning German

[Potty Diva]

INCREDIBLE REBECCA! That is a great start to the semester!!! Congrats!

I've only turned in one assignment, an explication of Chopin's "The Yellow Wallpaper". I can't wait to see how I did.

[mirabella]

That's awsome Houdini! Always nice to recieve positive reinforcement.

I'm excited because I decided, on the last day of Drop/Add, to drop Biology (I'm very bad at Science for some reason...) and add Women in Literature, which is much more my kind of class. Because of the MLK holiday the first class will not be until the following Monday, but it looks like it will be very challenging, in a good way.

[Holland73]

Reading about all your guys' classes makes me a bit jealous and wish I could clone myself!

I am intensely overwhelmed right now.

My 3 classes are very time consuming...with a lot of mental reflection, application and work.

BTW: these classes are, in addition, to my 1/2 day student teaching and preparation of teaching my own unit plan. I teach my unit the first 2 weeks of February and I cannot tell you how much revision, lesson plan writing and material gathering I have to do. :

OK...as for classes:

1. Math/Science Methods: A very interactive class where we will be "doing" the actual lesson plans. But, she has a lot of projects for us to do, in addition to the reading.

2. Human Relations (aka Classroom Management): I am very fortunate that my University's program is very progressive in their Philosophy of Education. It is absolutely awesome. This is a HUGE class for me, one I have been looking forward to for years.

The professor is amazing. There is a lot of focus on community building, student-centered/generated techniques and focus on the developmental stages of the students (as individuals), in regards to expectations.

This is going to be a GREAT class for me.

3. Action Research. I LOVE research, so this class is going to be fun for me. BUT...the instructor (who is also my Guide Group leader) is HORRIBLE!!! On a personal level, he is great and I enjoy chatting, discussing and debating issues with him. As an instructor, he is a nightmare. A mind-numbling boring nightmare.

I have already decided on my action research topic. I am going to focus on classroom community, with a focus on morning meetings. I will be implementing morning meetings into my 1st grade classroom. The classroom community in my 1st grade classroom is completely non-existent. Plus, I am sure the students will be relieved, because currently, their teacher has them come into the classroom and do worksheets for the first 30 minutes of the day! :

[Holland73]

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

I'm originally from Oregon, very outspoken, opinionated, and love to learn- even about typically boring subject matter (aspects of the english language anyone?)

Me too, me too, me too! Including being a native Oregonian!

[Potty Diva]

LOL- ya know every time I see someone from Oregon I wonder if I know them. Like everyone in oregon knows each other

But, do I know you?
grew up in Redland, Oregon a bit outside of Oregon City. Went to Gladstone High School - class of '89

Oh- but I did want to tell you all. My research paper in Aspects of the English Language will be on the evolution of profanity and my research paper in Foundations of Education will be on UNSCHOOLING! like to keep people on their toes!

[Holland73]

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

love to learn- even about typically boring subject matter (aspects of the english language anyone?)

My undergraduate degree is in Applied Linguistic, personally, I love learning about any aspect of any language.

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

I am really serious about learning German

Something else in common...I studied German for 5 years and even studied at the Universitaet Wien (University of Vienna) for 6 months.

Although, after having lived in the Netherland for 4 years and learning Dutch, my German is a mess.

Have fun with it!

[Holland73]

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

But, do I know you?
grew up in Redland, Oregon a bit outside of Oregon City. Went to Gladstone High School - class of '89

Don't think so.

Born in Roseburg, raised in Medford.

[Potty Diva]

I am so jealous Heather!! Studying at Wien!!
Now you've got me excited!
I think you should move to NC and becoem my German tutor. I need help with akkusativ cases

[Potty Diva]

We lived in Roseburg for a short time (my mom and me and my younger sister). I don't even remember it really.

[Holland73]

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

I am so jealous Heather!! Studying at Wien!!
Now you've got me excited!
I think you should move to NC and becoem my German tutor. I need help with akkusativ cases

My biggest problem was the prepositions. I had this awesome professor who was completely off the wall. He would jump on table, run around the room, etc.

But, the best thing I learned from him was the preposition song for the dative case. I can still sing them now.

[dakotamidnight]

I guess I should join in here too - the semester starts for me on wednesday.

I'm taking fairly easy classes this term - still getting used to being a mom

[aurora1979]

Hi everyone! I just found this thread, and I'm really happy to have a place to come to commiserate with and get advice from student mamas! I'm currently pregnant with my first (due in July) and will be starting the fourth semester of law school next week. My DH works from home, so our current plan for next fall is that we'll share child-care and try to structure our schedule around my classes. It's daunting, but we're so excited -- and I'm relieved that after this semester I'll only have 2 to go!

[~ATenthMuse~]

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

The bulk of my weekend will be spent reviewing and refreshing my German knowledge

I just finished my second semester of German. I'd planned to take the next level, but it's not being offered this semester. I'm going to work on my own with it. I'm sharing what I learn with the kiddos and dh just finished his first semester.

This semester I'm taking Spanish. I have to take either 6 hours each of two languages or 9 of one for my degree. There's a really good Mexican restaurant not too far from here (a real one), I'm planning to practice on them. Lol. Hopefully, they'll not kick me out (they've got the best homemade tortillas EVER).

Classes start for me tomorrow. I'm ready to get started, but then again...

We need to get some kind of textbook exchange going on here. I've got so many, as I'm sure we all do. I've been listing them on half.com, but it would be so nice to exchange with you all.

[Moon Faerie]

Originally Posted by Dar

Me, too! And do you find that you speak up more than other students? because I sure do! Last semester, in my two core classes, there were two of us who asked and answered a lot of questions, and the other students rarely contributed... even though some of them told us later that they didn't really understand the material. I guess that didn't bother them? Or they were afraid to speak up?

FWIW, the other person who spoke up was also a single mother in her thirties, originally from California (just like I am). I don't know which aspect of that turned us into tallkers - or maybe it was a combination...

dar

Oh yes, me too. I've noticed that "adult" (older) students talk much more than the traditional students. And I speak up way more than I did when I was a traditional college student. I think part of it is that, for the most part, we know who we are better and are more comfortable with it. Many young adults just believe what their parents or teachers told them to but don't really know why. Last semester in my women's health class I really annoyed on of the students. We were on opposite sides of a discussion and everything she threw at me, I could back up.


My TR classes don't seem like I'll enjoy them as much. Largely because of the profs - Women in Music - her speech and mannerisms just irk me, plus it looks like its gonna be a snooze fest. Sad because it had so much potential. Emergence of the Modern American Woman - I think I'll enjoy the subject material and projects. The prof though is a more abrasive in-your-face feminist and has a very rigid formal structure to the class.

[Potty Diva]

Oh a textbook exchange would be GREAT!
I really need that Deutsch Heute text and workbook!

I have done nothing in the way of homework, although I was given the day off and am attempting to rememdy that. I miss Kailey like crazy though (she wanted to stay at the center and play).

I'm working on one of two explications and it is going pretty slowly- ugh! I'll work on a presentation I have for Wednesday after I'm finished with this, and I better get back to work.

Hope you ladies are doing well and have had a fabulous weekend. Talk to y'all later.

[~ATenthMuse~]

I wish I had the book you needed, PD. I used Kontakte. I do have an extra copy of that book for exchange, if anyone is in need.

How could we do an exchange on here? I've had the idea rolling around in my head for awhile, but I'm not sure how we'd go about it. Any ideas?

Two of my classes are up and running, Art Appreciation and Physical Geography. Waiting on the other ones. I'm still enrolled with the University of New Orleans, despite having moved back to WA state. I made it last semester, and barely found classes online to take this term. I have to decide quickly whether I plan to take math & science classes locally, so that I can still graduate from UNO. I'm so undecided... The school has some kind of program/affiliation with Innsbruck University in Austria, that I'd just about sell a kidney to be able to attend.

[Holland73]

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

Oh a textbook exchange would be GREAT!
I really need that Deutsch Heute text and workbook!

I also cannot help you with that one. I have 3 different textbooks, but none are Deustsch Heute. Sorry!