Wednesday, March 24, 2010

SB2K10

BOOM! WE MADE IT TO SPRING BREAK!

Can you believe it's been 9 months? Well, I can't! 9 months of the kiddies, 9 months of a new city, region, state, lifestyle! There are so many things that have been learned, taught, etc.

What a great feeling to have, to be successfully done with this long of the year! I hope the kids feel like they have grown so much this year, because I have truly seen such a transformation of expectations and performance from them. My feelings of success are of course coupled with many things I need to change next year, and many more thoughts of anxiousness regarding our EOC scores.

Either way, with the successful completion of 3 quarters, there are definitely some kiddies that have changed over this year. Some of the ones I loved the first days, I still love! Some...not so much. Amazing how first impressions have effected some of my relationships with kids (and I am sure effected their relationships with me!).

That saying "first impressions are the most important," is pretty true. Then the research that says it takes 64 positive interactions to change a first impression....I really believe in that one. A LOT. I have made my classroom comfortable for a majority of my students, but there are truly 2 or 3 that I am uncomfortable with and it's pretty obvious that it's a joint relationship. I'll have to work on suspending judgement a little more next year, and walking about from emotionally charged situations once in awhile!

picture updates!





Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Best Holiday of the Year!

Read some of these famous Irish blessings. Maybe then you'll understand why the Irish are the best heritage to be a part of!! :)

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortunes
and rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
from this day forward.

AND MY FAVORITE:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Post-Test Feelings

Well the test is over. Done and done.

I'm not sure how I feel about it all at this point. Last week after the test (Tuesday and Wednesday) I had trouble motivating myself to do anything with my students Thursday and Friday. I don't think I was supposed to, as it is time for the kids to relax, but I am hoping that those feelings will move away quickly over the next few weeks....since I still have 3 months of teaching to go!

I need to think of some new units that are fun but still teaching the objectives. First I am going to teach a business unit, where we build a resume, write a cover letter, and do something else for the portfolio. Then we'll research one job that they want to do (in the resource room) and put some effort into this. I think that'll be interesting for the kids.

After that I am thinking about teaching "Crank" a book of poetry. Some of the kids that have read it have absolutely loved it...so hopefully the rest will too!!

Monday, March 1, 2010

I think I'm too easy

We've been working on test prep for the last two weeks and the remainder of this week. At the beginning I thought I was totally going to be too hard on the kids....but now I am realizing, really they could have done much much more before the test (in this "unit").

I am not sure if I can do anything now, or if it would have really made a difference, but I think that we could have added a little grammar and a little open response practice. Eeeeekkks, maybe this is just one of those "hindsight is always 20/20" type of moments.

Either way, the ball is rolling and hopefully going to build momentum over the next week. We discussed today that the kids will have a healthy snack break, lunch provided, some breaks for relaxation, and other small things to hopefully help the students. I am thinking that these things will have a little impact (or so says the research) and hoping it will push those 10 bubble kids over the edge to success.

The staff has been great pepping up the kids and talking to specific students' that they have pull with. These relationships, coupled with lots of practice, and overall excitement are all motivational tools that can really pick up the spirit and anticipation. Prayers and thoughts are appreciated!