Sneaker Teacher

Challenge Check In

So far I am four days into my 30 Day Shred challenge.

I have some thoughts.

1. I can't imagine doing the same workout routine 10 days in a row! First, I don't think it is beneficial to work the same exact muscles day after day without an opportunity for rest. I have tried mixing up the weights so I am not lifting the same amount each time, but I am still working the same muscle groups over and over and that seems counterintuitive.

2. I have only done level 1 four times so far and I am already getting bored with the same exact exercises day after day. I am pretty sure going one level at a time is the intent of the workout, yet for me, it just doesn't work!

3. I don't think there is a sufficient explanation of the intended process, but I feel rest/recovery days are important. Is the goal really to complete the program for 30 consecutive days or are rest days supposed to be included? None of that is really clear from the information provided on the box or by Jillian....She also does not give any info on how much weight should be used for various exercises. I can lift 15 pounds for chest flies, yet I can barely manage my tiny two pounders for the lateral arm raises. Shouldn't that be discussed? Especially for exercise newbies!

4. I need a little variety in my life! I think I am going to switch it up just a bit and alternate levels from day to day so that I am not doing the exact same thing for 10 days before going to the next level. I want to make sure I am working different muscles while giving other muscles time to recover. The challenge is still on, but I am not doing it just for the sake of doing it, so I need to make it work for me! I may include "rest days" where I just do cardio or maybe nothing at all. I don't want to damage by body in any way by doing this, so I am adjusting as I see fit.

Also, I wore high heel boots to work yesterday and somehow managed to really hurt my left foot! I did the shred last night anyway, but my foot is still hurting today. I would never recommend to anyone to exercise or continue pushing while injured, so I may do pilates today instead of the Shred just so I am not putting too much strain on my foot! I know all my healthful bloggy readers would fully support that choice!

I am still going strong (3 whole days!) without diet soda. I like to count days and keep track because the higher the number gets, the less likely I am to break my streak. I did the same with avoiding sugar/sweets last year and I was well over 100 days, but then Valentine's Day happened and so did chocolate consumption!

And here's a funny little workout inspired cartoon for November!

Bilingual students

Students from all over the world attend my school. There are about 40 different student nationalities which means the students speak a lot of different languages in addition to English. English is the language of instruction for most classes and students also study German as a second language (or first for some) and Spanish is offered in the upper grades.

On several occasions, I have heard teachers tell students to speak in English when they are using their native language (most often German) in the classroom. They are told that it's ok to speak other languages at lunch or recess, but that only English should be used in the classroom. I am fairly certain, but not positive, that this is a school policy.

I am torn.

English is the language of instruction, therefore it is the "common" language among all students and staff. When it comes to equal access for understanding documents and school business, it is reasonable to have one language selected as the primary language to be used because it would be quite difficult to get all documents and all information translated into 40 or so different languages.

I do, however, think that telling a student not to speak their native language is not okay. If a student is using his/her native language, chances are the language is being used to negotiate meaning or to help another student who is less proficient in English. I don't think either of those reasons is unacceptable. The ultimate goal is education and if using a second language can help students to comprehend better and make deeper connections, then by all means.....Native languages are a very significant part of who the students are. They are languages most likely spoken at home, with family members and grandparents. They represent some families' home countries, their origins, their roots, and their traditions. Who am I to tell them to turn that off? Knowledge in one's native language can be transferred to a second (or third) language, yet in order for that to happen, the native language cannot be suppressed or shunned, especially in the environment where learning takes place!

Each time I hear a teacher requesting that students use "English only," I cringe a little big. I know some teachers feel threatened when students communicate with each other in a language that the teacher does not understand. In certain circumstances, bullying or negative scenarios could be happening without the teacher's knowledge. It seems, however, at my current school, the insistence on English only is because it is the rule.

I just don't get why it's the rule. I feel like the wealth of languages and cultures should be embraced always. If a student says something in German or Japanese, or Italian, rather than tell them not to, I would want to ask them about what they were discussing and how it helped them to better understand what was being taught. It's not like students are refusing to speak English at all, simply that every once in awhile they might like to turn to their neighboring student and make a comment in their native language. Is that so bad?

What are your thoughts? Should students be able to use their native languages in the classroom if there are other students who speak the same language or is it okay to insist students speak English only?

A little of this and a little of that

Last night I started reading The Book Thief. My friend loaned it to me and raved about it. She said she stayed up really late trying to finish it because it was so good. I started reading it on the bike in the gym and was really excited to get in bed early and read for awhile because hubby was out at a soccer game and I knew he wouldn't be home until long after I was asleep. I would feel bad reading in bed if he were home, but since he was out, I was good to go! To me, reading in bed for a long time sounds like an ideal way to end the day!

Much to my disappointment, I could not stay awake! I kept dozing off in the middle of a page. I had no idea I was so tired, but I decided to just go to sleep. At 9:15. I have not been asleep that early in a LONG time, but it felt so good!

10 hours of sleep on a school night = happy teacher.

Today was one of my longer work days. I was physically at school for the entire day, but I only taught 6 periods, so I had 2 45-minute periods plus a 45-minute lunch off during that time. I really wanted to read my book, but I felt like I shouldn't. My supervisor said that my off time is my time and I can even leave the school, but I kind of just roamed and chatted with various teachers and friends. I still do not have a desk, so for the time being, I don't really have a space to be during my "prep" or off periods. Once I have my own desk and computer I think I will feel more comfortable during those times of day.

I worked for an hour and a half with my new high school friend and I loved it. He is really shy, but very sweet and he speaks up about not understanding which I think is very helpful since I want to help him understand better. I can see why math support is needed because some of the math teachers move very quickly and don't take time to explain certain parts of problems. When I worked 1:1 with this student, he did very well and understood what to do. It is so funny doing Algebra again, but I actually like it! I will take Algebra over Physics any day!

So far the new position has been great. My Thursday schedule is pretty light (4 classes and done at 11:45) so I am feeling pretty good right now!

Today is my big TV day because I watch The Biggest Loser, 90210, and Melrose Place which all recorded last night. That is 4 hours of TV minus the commercials since they are recorded. Sometimes I fast forward over certain segments of TBL as well because I can only watch them workout so much. Anyone else into the new 90210 and Melrose?? My mom and I always used to watch the original shows together when I was younger and I like the new ones. Not my favorite shows out there, but enjoyable. I may not get to all 3 of those shows now that I have a "real" job. hehe.

So far I am 2 days strong on my Shred challenge and have gone 2 days without diet soda. I read this article that said the artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas can be carcinogenic. I never thought diet coke was good for me, but carcinogenic???

"a carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide or radiation that is an agent directly involved in the exacerbation of cancer."

No thanks!

At this point, I have ingested a lot more diet soda than I ever should have, but I always felt like it was my only vice. I have never smoked. I have never done any kind of drug. I rarely drink alcohol. I figured it was okay to have one bad habit. Never did I really think that bad habit was just as bad for my body as smoking or doing drugs! Yikes.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, in the past to stop drinking diet soda. Since November seems to be all about setting goals, I figure I will give it another go. Doesn't mean I will never drink it again, but not everyday and not as much as I have been drinking lately.

Hope everyone is having a happy Wednesday!

30 Day Challenge

If the NaBloPoMo wasn't enough, I am throwing an additional challenge into the mix. When I dedicated myself to posting everyday throughout the month of November, I mentioned that I wanted to keep it interesting and post about a variety of topics.

Fitness is not something entirely new, but there's a new spin to it because it's

a fitness challenge!

I know many of my bloggy buddies are familiar with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred workout program.

We love her right?

Well, in the true "30 Days" fashion (are you familiar with the show that came out after Super Size me? Where "a person takes on a new identity for 30 days in order to see the world through a radically different perspective and to illustrate the complexities of a social issue".....), I am going to do a little experiment with Miss Jillian's program. Ok, so maybe my experiment is not really going to reveal the complexities of a social issue, but I plan to do major shredding and take notes on the process.

I know... it's gonna be fabulous.

Here's the deal. I've got 30 days and 3 levels. Normally, I like to mix it up and I don't do the levels in order, but this time, I will.

Here's how I'm gonna break it down:

10 days of level 1

10 days of level 2

10 days of level 3

equals 30 days!

I am wondering if the name of the program, the 30 Day Shred, has any validity. If I consistently do her routines for 30 consecutive days, will I be shredded?

I am curious to see if the routines become really boring since the same workout is repeated over and over before moving on to the next level.

I am curious to see if the workouts really do get easier if done consistently. (I have yet to complete one without feeling like it completely kicked my butt!)

I am curious to see if I can ever get beyond baby weights for the side lunge anterior raise exercise in the third circuit!

I am curious to see if devout daily Jillian worshipping changes my body and truly results in a shredded physique ala Britney in the 2000 VMA's when she tore off her tuxedo outfit to reveal a nude sparkly outfit and a slamming body...

just in case you need a reminder or a little motivation to hit the gym....

Anywho...

I will say that I am not only going to do the Shred because I would like to incorporate some biking as well, but the goal is to shred daily for 30 consecutive days in addition to some other (light) cardio. I am not making any changes in my diet (except trying ::sigh:: to give up Cola Light), so any changes should reflect the results of her program.

I took my measurements tonight (waist, hips, thighs) and I will measure again at the end of the month. I also weighed in this morning and will see if any lbs are missing a month from now.

I know for sure that I am going to need some major encouragement because I have owned his workout DVD for over a year and have never stuck it out for an entire 30 days.

When I am dying to skip a day, to give up, or to result to easy cardio instead of shredding I am turning to you, my bloggy buddies, for support! So bring on the 30 day challenge LOVE!!

I would like to post a weekly update to let you know how I'm doing and I would love for someone, anyone, to join me for the challenge!

First Day times 2

Today was my first day back at work after fall break and my first day in my new position! I was a little worried about what would take place today because I didn't have a schedule, or a caseload, or any information on the students I will be working with. Luckily, we got that all figured out today.

First I will share the two best parts of the position:

1. I get Fridays off. Every weekend is a three day weekend (in Europe). Life.Is.Good!

2. I am a specialist which means I work with students in elementary, middle, and high school, which means I get to partake in treat/goodies in all three of the staff work rooms. Whoopee!

Most of the students I will be working with are in middle school. Go figure. I never thought I would ever teach middle schoolers, but I am actually really looking forward to it. 5th graders are also considered to be in middle school which is funny to me because I always think of 5th grade as being the big fish in elementary school. I will push in or pull out of 5th grade English & Math, 6th grade Math, and 7th grade English.

I will also work with some 3rd and 4th graders in behavior modification, Reading, Writing, and Math.

Then I also have one high school boy to work with. He is taking an 8th grade Algebra class, so technically the material is still middle school, but he is a 9th grader. I can already tell he is going to have a special place in my heart. I got a short rundown of some of the issues that he is dealing with, but my co-worker/supervisor said that when she introduced him to me and let him know I would be working with him, he seemed excited and smiled (which is big for him) so that is good.

Monday is the busiest day with 5 consecutive 45-minute blocks before lunch, but the other 3 days have some off periods in between lessons, which will be nice. It will also be helpful to have Fridays off so I can stay on top of my doctoral stuff. So, now that I have some logistical info, I feel much better and I am ready to start teaching! Tomorrow I get to do some observing/helping to get a feel for some of the classrooms that I have not been in yet so this week gives me some time to ease into the new position. I am also happy that I will be working with some teachers that I already know (friends!) and some students I already know which definitely helps to make the new job seems a bit less daunting.

It is pouring rain out today, so I feel like hibernating in my apartment until hubby comes home. What a good night for soup or some kind of hot stew. Too bad I really need to hit up the grocery store because we are out of food! That happens to us a lot here because the fridge is so tiny. I definitely do not feel like walking to the store in the rain, so maybe "room service" is in order tonight. Thank goodness for pizza delivery!

NaBloPoMo & A little Christmas on Halloween

I am joining up with Jen and participating in National Blog Posting Month!

I post a lot, maybe not daily though, but I think this is a fun challenge nonetheless. Maybe I will find some new blogs to read and maybe some new readers will find me!

I think this would be a good time to open up my topic list and bring in some different material/subjects. I don't want to change the focus of my blog during the challenge, but I want to include a lot of variety.

I am thinking of incorporating a few familiar themes:

teaching

the new job

fitness

exercise

With a few new/different themes: