Finished

WOW!!!  It has been so long since I posted anything.  Alot has happened since January and thus I haven't been able to post.

In January I started my student teaching at Corprew Elementary.  I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work under 2 really great teachers.  I learned so much from them and from the other teachers at the school.  I feel in love with the students and had a blast at all the events I attended and helped.  I am really going to miss them.

I took my test for the state teachers certification and received a passing grade.  So, I have passed the 2 test I needed to get certified.  I also just finished yesterday my last 2 classes in my program.  Right now I have a 4.0 GPA.  I am hoping that these last 2 classes will also be A's so that I can maintain that 4.0.

I still have not found a teaching job for next year but I know that God has a plan for me.  I just need to develop a skill called patience.  If I don't get a job for next year teaching I will continue subbing in the MPISD area.  I am sure that the schools will keep me busy.

I started working out in February with my BFF, Heather, and a group personal trainer named Robert.  Heather has challenged me and Robert puts us through a tough workout.  However, the result have been great.  I have lost 30 pounds and gone from a size 16 to a size 10.  I am hoping to be in a bikini by next summer.

Zachary will be going into the 6th grade next year.  He is really excited.  This summer he will be attending a camp in Dallas, TX.  In this camp he will be learning how to design video games like Super Mario Bro's.  While he is at camp Brooke and I will be doing some shopping and having fun.

Brooke will be attending Kinderlight's Kindergarten program in August.  She would be happy to start school now but she has to wait.  She is growing and catching up to her brother everyday.  Just a couple of days ago she wanted to spell the word "Mat".  She sounded out the word, wrote the letters and then drew a picture.  She did everything correctly.  She is on her way to reading.  Good going Brooke!

Mark is very very busy at his mortgage company.

Really Big Changes

We have decided to take Zachary out of TXVA (virtual public school) and we are putting him into Annie Sims a brick and mortar public school. He will be going into the 4th grade. We didn't talk to the principal about subject acceleration or anything. I am going to try and continue to work with him in math on his level. He is excited about the new adventure. I know the first few weeks will be a huge change for him but I know he can handle it.

I will be taking about a month off from really doing anything other than keeping my house clean and running errands. However, I have decided that I would like to get a teaching certification. So, I will be talking to Texas A&M in Texarkana about their certification program. Probably starting in Nov. I will start substituting again but only on the days that Brooke goes to her preschool. Last time I did this I was pregnant with Brooke.

With Zachary going back to school that will leave me at the house with Brooke. So, I will start doing more than i've been doing with her. She is progressing at such a fast pace since she started Kindlelight. She knows all her colors now and has started tracing her letters and some numbers. It is amazing what they have gotten her to do at her preschool.

So, all in all there are huge changes at the Alexander's house.

Changes Coming Soon / Update for next school year

I had mention before how we were considering using Texas's virtual school next year. Well, we have decided that that program just didn't fit us right now. We will keep it in mind for the future.

Now, the changes. Starting after the New Year we will begin several new programs and new grades.

Rod and Staff English Grade 3 - we have finished 2nd grade.

Prima Latina - will be our language program. Not that we are dropping Spanish. We will continue to try to use it daily we believe that Latin will be more useful and Zachary is excited about learning it.

Abeka 2nd grade math - We are dropping Saxon Math for Abeka. Zachary grew up using Abeka and we believe the program fits him better than Saxon. It is an all workbook based program. Also, Abeka 2nd grade is equal to Saxon 3rd and parts of Saxon 5/4. So, the program seems to be more advanced.

Classical Writing - Classical writing starts the child out by copying good literature, rewriting stories in the childs own words and then moving on to writing without copying or retelling.

I hope to also start doing weekly updates as to what Zachary is learning.

Brooke has also been learning. Her vocabulary is increasing. She now says "Thank You". She is also learning to recognize the colors Red, Blue, and Green. We have also been working on couting. Normally I would only do 1-5 but she insist on going to 10. She knows the numbers 2, 5, 6, 7 and 10. Ten being her favorite number.