Essay 3 revision plan

To peer reviewers all agreed that my paper was enjoyable to read, and that my story was well written. They also agreed that my targeted audience was my peers and any high school students who are considering the profession of teaching. Emily had made the suggestion that I should add a quick little story to the beginning of my first paragraph to maybe explain the reason of why I was lonely growing up. Anna gave me the suggestion to add a little more details about my schooling at the vocational program. They all agreed that my paragraphs were well put together but to add a little more to my conclusion paragraph and to add some more pictures to explain my story a little better.

To improve my writing I will take careful consideration to what my peers have said about my paper. The first thing I will do is read over my paper out loud and fix any grammar mistakes that I have made. Then I will add a little story to fix my first paragraph about why I grew up with younger children and how I always enjoyed helping them out. I will then read through my paper once again and add a few details into my paper about my education at the vocational school. Lastly I will possibly add a little more into the conclusion of my paper. This is my plan for revising my paper and making it better for my final copy due on Friday.

Essay 3 A Smile on My Face

Growing up as an only child I didn’t have many people to play with. As I got older I found myself to be around more people; more specifically, around little kids. I always knew I wanted to work with kids, no matter what career choice I had in mind. I have gone from the medical field of being a pediatrician to the social science field of social work. Growing up I was always told that I would make a good teacher but it was never a decided career choice until the spring semester of my senior year.

During my senior year I was able to participate in a vocational program in my county. I could choose from a number of different career choices, but my heart was set on education. I had applied for the South Haven Elementary School, hoping I would get in. My guidance counselor had bore me the bad news that it was already full, but gave me another option. I could participate in the SELF School which was just like South Haven except for it had special needs kids. I had worked with special needs children before and I enjoyed it, so I thought that I might like this to. I wasn’t expecting what happened next.

On the first day of class our teacher gave us a tour of the school and had explained to us the different activities that we would be doing for the next year. During the year I learned how to create interactive bulletin boards, file folders, and lesson plans. I never knew how much work a teacher put into their job until I started school there. The most important thing I learned while attending that school was how to work with and teach special needs students.

During each semester we were assigned to a classroom which was called our worksite. We spent 5hrs a week in that classroom interacting with the students and doing whatever the teacher asked of us. During this time I was given the opportunity to observe the teacher and their teaching methods. Being in the worksite was my favorite time of school. I would sometimes show up early, or leave later just so I could spend more time with the kids. I loved being in the environment of laughter and smiles, especially when these were coming from students who have had a rough past or were just upset. I was assigned to both a preschool classroom, and a developmental kindergarten.

In preschool kids learn through play and that is exactly what we did. I would sit with the children and play with the farm, house, or dress up. It was amazing to just listen to what their imaginations would come up with. During those few minutes, they would bring the child out of me and that’s what I started to like about teaching.

While I was in the developmental kindergarten class, we would work on more academic things like learning the alphabet, counting numbers, and writing their name. My favorite memory of being in the class was when I taught a little boy how to write his name. He wasn’t very bright and one of the teachers told me that if he didn’t learn to write it by the end of the year that he would have to repeat kindergarten. So every day I would sit down with him and we would write it 3 or 4 times. Finally one day he did it all on his own. He had the biggest smile on his face, and so did I. This is when I realized that teaching would be my career. The feeling I got that day is a feeling I want to have every day.

I’ve heard from many different people that teaching is a gift. But that being able to teach special needs is a blessing. I have learned so much more from those students and teachers, then what they have learned from me. Participating in a special education program has opened my eyes to something I never knew before. I plan to major in elementary education as a fall back career in case I can’t find a job in special education or it just becomes too stressful, but in the future I see myself as a developmental kindergarten teacher in a special needs school. I have seen the hard work that has been put in by these teachers and the amazing outcome from it. I want to be a part of that everyday experience and that is why I have chosen a minor in special education. I want to give back to the kids what they have given me.

A smile on my face

Growing up as an only child I didn’t have many people to play with. As I got older I found myself to be around more people; more specifically, around little kids. I always knew I wanted to work with kids, no matter what career choice I had in mind. I have gone from the medical field of being a pediatrician to the social science field of social work. Growing up I was always told that I would make a good teacher but it was never a decided career choice until the spring semester of my senior year.

During my senior year I was able to participate in a vocational program in my county. I could choose from a number of different career choices, but my heart was set on education. I had applied for the South Haven Elementary School, hoping I would get in. My guidance counselor had bore me the bad news that it was already full, but gave me another option. I could participate in the SELF School which was just like South Haven except for it had special needs kids. I have worked with special needs children before and I enjoyed it, so I thought that I might like this to. I wasn’t expecting what happened next.

On the first day of class our teacher gave us a tour of the school and had explained to us the different activities that we would be doing for the next year. During the year I learned how to create interactive bulletin boards, file folders, and lesson plans. I never know how much work a teacher put into their job until I started school there. The most important thing I learned while attending that school was how to work with and teach special needs students.

During each semester we were assigned to a classroom which was called our worksite. We spent 5hrs a week in that classroom interacting with the students and doing whatever the teacher asked of us. During this time I was given the opportunity to observe the teacher and their teaching methods. Being in the worksite was my favorite time of school. I would sometimes show up early, or leave later just so I could spend more time with the kids. I loved being in the environment of laughter and smiles, especially when these were coming from students who have had a rough past or were just upset. I was assigned to both a preschool classroom, and a developmental kindergarten. In preschool kids learn through play and that is exactly what we did. I would sit with the children and play with the farm, house, or dress up. It was amazing to just listen to what their imaginations would come up with. During those few minutes, they would bring the child out of me and that’s what I started to like about teaching. While I was in the developmental kindergarten class, we would work on more academic things like learning the alphabet, counting numbers, and writing their name. My favorite memory of being in the class was when I taught a little boy how to write his name. He wasn’t very bright and one of the teachers told me that if he didn’t learn to write it by the end of the year that he would have to repeat kindergarten. So every day I would sit down with him and we would write it 3 or 4 times. Finally one day he did it all on his own. He had the biggest smile on his face, and so did I. This is when I realized that teaching would be my career. The feeling I got that day is a feeling I want to have every day.

I’ve heard from many different people that teaching is a gift. But that being able to teach special needs is a blessing. I have learned so much more from those students and teachers, then what they have learned from me. Participating in a special education program has opened my eyes something I never knew before. I plan to major in elementary education as a fall back career in case I can’t find a job in special education or it just becomes too stressful, but in the future I see myself as a developmental kindergarten teacher in a special needs school. I have seen the hard work that has been put in by these teachers and the amazing outcome from it. I want to be a part of that everyday experience and that is why I have chosen a minor in special education. I want to give back to the kids what they have given me.

His Existence = Not Good

I cannot stand this kid! Let’s call him Blake. I have known Blake ever since my freshman year of high school. We were always involved in the same groups of people and we had the same group of friends. But as we got older I learned that I could not stand this kid! He is so annoying. His mannerisms are extremely girly and he’s a guy. I have nothing against gay guys but this kid just takes it too far. He is always talking like “oh my God you guys” with his wrist bent over like a twig. And he talks in such an annoying voice like he’s faking his feelings or something. Seriously if you’re unset about something then just show it. There is no reason for you to go around and hide it. Every time I hear him talk I just want to wring out his neck or strangle him or something. Just so I don’t have to hear it anymore.

Blake always likes to act like a leader. Just because some people respect you and your fakeness doesn’t mean everyone will. I refuse to be in any group he was in just because I could not be around him. He tries and lead people he just can’t. He doesn’t have the respect for it, and without that you can’t get much done. Blake tries to tell people what to do, and I just don’t respect that. If anyone tried to demand me to do something I would laugh and walk the other way. I would be in a sound booth with him and some other people and he would try and count us off to play and no one would start together with him. He would then get mad and just walk outside the room and tell the teacher like a cry baby or something. Really? You’re in high school, try manning up once in a while and just grow a pair.

Another thing I don’t like about this kid is that he butts into everyone else’s life. He would have nothing to do with it and he would still butt in like he knew what was going on and that it was his business. News flash buddy, the world doesn’t revolve around you! I remember he once got involved in a relationship between me and a guy he considered a best friend. He went off on my boyfriend saying how we shouldn’t mess around with our relationship and that they are precious things and that you shouldn’t get involved in them if your heart isn’t completely in it. This of course had nothing to do with him and I of course got very upset about this. My boyfriend then responded that it wasn’t his business and that he should get over it. It was the end of their friendship and I was glad to hear it.

Blake tries to make the pity party on him. He could have gone away from home for college but then stayed at home because of his family. He does not get along with his parents especially with his dad, so why he stayed home beats me. But what I get annoyed with is that he complains about it all the time. He always goes on and on about how he can’t stand his parents and that he just cannot wait until he’s able to move out and blah, blah, blah. Thing is it’s his fault for not getting out. He’s 18 and has a job. If you hate living at home so much then get your butt out there and find a place to live! He has the tendency to make everything about him, and have the world on his shoulders and it’d not.

Blake and I’s personalities clash and it just doesn’t work out. My friends know this and now when I come home on the weekends and I hang out with them, they know not to have this kid around. I have told them countless times that if I go to a party and he is there that I will turn around and leave. Just being in the same room with him will make me upset, aggravated and mad. Thanks for letting me rant!

Busy Bee Me

I don’t just have one specific hobby. When in my free time I do whatever I can find that sounds fun. I was always interested in sports while I was younger and now that I think of it, I played a lot of them. I was never bored or not busy. I always had a game, a practice, or a competition to be at. There was never a relax period in my life or a pause button and I enjoyed that. Growing up I did many different things, from sports to theatre. You will hear them all.

My first hobby would have my gymnastics. Every week I would run home and get dressed in my leotard and wait until 6 pm for class. I had a great teacher and being the age of 4 I had a lot of energy to waste. I loved being able to do flips on the mats and jumps on the trampoline. I think my parents say this because they had bought me a trampoline and every day I would be out there jumping on it. I would learn front flips, back flips, and different bounces. I continued gymnastics until I was 6.

Then I get interested in dance. My school had a small dance team and the coach had asked me if I would be interested in it. I of course said yes and my hip hop dance career had started. I loved moving around to the sound of music in a rhythmic way. My favorite part was the competitions. I’m very competitive and so was the rest of my team so we would always go out there and give it our all. I continued dancing until the 4th grade.
While in gymnastics and dance I also played soccer, softball, and basketball. I started soccer around the age of 4, when I started tumbling.

I loved soccer; being able to run up and down that field trying to make a goal. It can be a very competitive sport especially when you have your mom on the sidelines cheering you on to get the ball. Growing up with the sport of soccer I mostly played defense and sometimes midfield. I was very strong willed and if I didn’t want tat ball going into the goalies net, it wasn’t going to. My 4th coach saw me as a goalie and for some reason he wouldn’t stop bothering me about it until I was in that net. I hated the position but he would always say “I wouldn’t put you in there if you weren’t good at it.” He was one of my favorite coaches, and I learned the most with him. I played with him for 5 years until I broke my toe. I was too scared to play after that so it took me a while to get back on the field; but once I did it was worth it. I played soccer for my high school for 2 years and in total about 11 years. Softball was also a passion of mine when I was younger. I met a lot of great friends from that sport; ones I still talk to today. I started softball when I turned 5 years old. I always like watching baseball so I thought I’d give softball a try. I have had my ups and downs with this game; but I always got up and going again. I played all positions at one point or another but my favorite was shortstop and third base. Most balls would come flying that way and I wanted to be where the action was. I grew up playing this sport as well and also played my freshman year of high school. I played softball for about 11 years and sometimes I wish I was playing it again. Basketball started when I was in the 2nd grade. It was a town thing, and being the busy body I was I told my mom to sign me up. I enjoyed playing it, but I wouldn’t say it was a passion of mine.

At the end of my third grade year I started playing the trumpet for my school band. I would go home and practice every night just so I would get better. I loved solo time because I could show off what I had learned and I was able to perform. I would sit on the phone with my grandma and just play for her while she listened on the other line. If I was to have a passion, trumpet playing would be it.

At the age of 11 I could start playing sports for my grade school. They only had volleyball, basketball, and track and field but I played them all. Volleyball was my favorite because I have never played it before. It was something new that I enjoyed. I played volleyball up until my eighth grade year. Next was basketball. This was fun until my mom started coaching it. After that I wasn’t a big fan. While participating in track and field I threw the discus. Wasn’t very good but I tried and had fun with it.

After entering high school, I tried getting away from the sports and more into the arts. I tried out and played trumpet for our school marching band, pep band, concert band, and jazz band. Anytime I could play I would. My sophomore year I got involved in theatre. My speech teacher was the director and asked if I could play my trumpet for a part of the play. I of course accepted and once I was on that stage you couldn’t get me off. The following years I participated in both the student directed plays and the musical. I didn’t have much talent for singing, but I could play and that’s exactly what I did.

Being in college now I’ve had time to continue my hobbies, maybe not all the time but at least once a week. I joined the schools pep band so I can still play my trumpet, and I have played intramural sports like softball and flag football to keep me active. As the year progresses on I plan to play more sports and just keep involved.

Crown Point, Indiana

Crown Point Indiana is the place to be. The town may be growing bigger but it still has its hometown charm. When you walk down the brick roads around the square, you see all the old town charm. The square is lined up with old shops like antique stores, pawn shops, and restaurants. In the middle of town you see the huge and famous courthouse. The town is centered around this building that is still in use today. In the basement of the courthouse there are many different shops and a really delicious restaurant called Valentino’s. I recommend the asparagus soup if you decide to eat there. The Courthouse was once used as a jail where John Dillinger was held before his famous escape. The Courthouse is also known to be haunted and during the Halloween season, you can go on ghost tours there.

Across from the Courthouse is the Crown Theatre. Here every two weeks a new movie is shown. I love going there to see movies because of the old time charm and the fact that it’s cheap. The movies that are shown there are recent and popular ones.

Right outside of downtown there is a graveyard known as Gypsy’s Graveyard. The story that is told is that 150 years ago a group of gypsies decided to stop in Crown Point for a couple of weeks. After only a couple of days they were kicked out because the farmers in the town said that the gypsies were stealing their livestock and the towns’ people just didn’t like them being there. The gypsies said that they couldn’t leave because many of their people were sick and dying, but the towns’ people didn’t care and made them leave anyways. It is known that the gypsies left but put a curse on the town and buried many of their people along the way. Today when you walk into the graveyard you can see blood on your pants, balls of light chase you and orbs everywhere.

The Lake County Fairgrounds are a big deal in Crown Point. It’s down the street from the square. Every year it holds the lake County Fair and a lot of other things. The Fair goes on for about two weeks in August. They have games, and rides for all ages. In the buildings they have contests from baking, to dress making, and even growing flowers. Everyone around comes to the fair at least two or three different times and has a great time.

The Crown Point Square always has something going on during each season of the year. During Summer Fest they have craft shows where people set up around the square and sell crafts they’ve made and art shows where people come to sell different paintings or jewelry. Also during this time they have the Taste of Crown Point. This is where food businesses from all around town come together in the square, set up booths, and have people come and taste their food. The best thing about Summer Fest is the Corn Roast. The Corn Roast starts off the summer by having people come together on a Friday night to listen to live music, and eat tons of delicious food. It’s like a big party for everyone to get together and just have a good time. By the end of Summer Fest the leaves start changing and it turns to fall. During the fall we have hayrides that go around town, showing people what the town has to offer. Also during this time we have the haunted hayrides which give the town’s history in a haunted way. Once Christmas has come and the snow begins to fall the town starts to offer horse pulled sleigh rides. This time of year is my favorite because it’s so beautiful. The town decorates with white lights and decorations all over town.

I love my town and everything it has to offer. It has the old historic side if it, and the young hip side for the younger generation. This town has something to offer for all ages, and all personalities. No matter what time of the year you come a visit, you will always find something fun to do.