Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
My 3am friend.
P-set done, studying for midterm done, last paper here we come. And, the faithful stimulant. Stanford: where Diet Coke happens.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Blessed
I know I've been writing about work and my students a lot lately, but I seriously feel so so blessed to have the kids I do this year. In the beginning of the year (when all the drama was going on with my toe) I thought they were tons of work, but I'm realizing now how great they are. Today we had a small assembly for just the 4th graders at my school and my kids were BY FAR the most well-behaved; they made me so PROUD. There are three fourth grade classes and the other two were OUT OF CONTROL! It was chaos in that room--kids were shouting out, being extremely rude and disruptive, yet every single one of my students (including the few who usually give me some trouble) were angels. They sat there trying to listen to the history presentation the entire time. I made a HUGE deal about it when they came back to class. I was beyond impressed. I know God heard every one of my prayers last year and all of the others that were offered up in my behalf as I struggled. I can't help but feel that he sent me extra special kids this year. ;) I just feel so blessed.
Also, one of my boy's moms keeps bringing me the most beautiful plants. After I was out for a few days from the injury, she brought me an Orchid. This week I received a Freesia. (It smells WONDERFUL!) How special is that?
Also, one of my boy's moms keeps bringing me the most beautiful plants. After I was out for a few days from the injury, she brought me an Orchid. This week I received a Freesia. (It smells WONDERFUL!) How special is that?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
I Know These Are Hard Times...
...but my students would be so excited to finally have these in their hands!!! If you want a little bit of money to go a long way, please click the link below :)
http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=203099
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I just feel like sharing.
I can finally say with conviction that this year is better in so many ways than last. (I hope tomorrow doesn't make me regret saying this!!) Not only are my students coming in with a little more knowledge, but I have so much more confidence in what I'm doing. Here are some of the highlights from the year so far:
1) At Back to School Night one of my student's parents told me that she asked who the best 4th grade teacher was (who knows who she asked!) and whoever she asked told her that teacher was me. So, she went to the office and requested me. And she told me that. I'm eating this up!
2) When a parent attempted to chew me out last week because she did not like how I enforced the school uniform policy, I wasn't even phased. I explained to her calmly what the policy is and how teachers are expected to enforce it. That was the end of that and her child comes in uniform every day now.
3) I'm getting so much more planning done, ahead of when I'll be teaching it, so I feel less stressed in general.
4) I no longer cry on Mondays on my way to work.
5) I have some exceptionally kind students who are like miniature teachers to their classmates. There are two boys and one girl in particular who are all so patient in re-explaining things to students who don't understand. And I'm learning a lot from watching the students interact with my difficult students.
6) Instead of every day being a "hard day," I now have decently good days. Most of the days in the week are not "hard ones."
7) I'm differentiating my instruction so much more and I'm able to work with small groups to re-teach the students who don't understand things the first time.
8) I'm allowing myself and my students some time every week to do something fun and enjoyable. We have 2nd grade buddies that come to our classroom every Friday and my students love it! The other thing that happens, which is the highlight of the week for the kids (and me!) is that Jameson comes in to do art. They adore him! I have a hard time keeping them from running over to the window to look if he's coming! When I tell them he's coming in two times during the week they always cheer and clap their hands! Most of my students do not have male figures in their lives, so it is HUGE to have him there.
Things aren't perfect, but they're a lot better than last year. And this year, I'm trying to take the time to notice these things.
1) At Back to School Night one of my student's parents told me that she asked who the best 4th grade teacher was (who knows who she asked!) and whoever she asked told her that teacher was me. So, she went to the office and requested me. And she told me that. I'm eating this up!
2) When a parent attempted to chew me out last week because she did not like how I enforced the school uniform policy, I wasn't even phased. I explained to her calmly what the policy is and how teachers are expected to enforce it. That was the end of that and her child comes in uniform every day now.
3) I'm getting so much more planning done, ahead of when I'll be teaching it, so I feel less stressed in general.
4) I no longer cry on Mondays on my way to work.
5) I have some exceptionally kind students who are like miniature teachers to their classmates. There are two boys and one girl in particular who are all so patient in re-explaining things to students who don't understand. And I'm learning a lot from watching the students interact with my difficult students.
6) Instead of every day being a "hard day," I now have decently good days. Most of the days in the week are not "hard ones."
7) I'm differentiating my instruction so much more and I'm able to work with small groups to re-teach the students who don't understand things the first time.
8) I'm allowing myself and my students some time every week to do something fun and enjoyable. We have 2nd grade buddies that come to our classroom every Friday and my students love it! The other thing that happens, which is the highlight of the week for the kids (and me!) is that Jameson comes in to do art. They adore him! I have a hard time keeping them from running over to the window to look if he's coming! When I tell them he's coming in two times during the week they always cheer and clap their hands! Most of my students do not have male figures in their lives, so it is HUGE to have him there.
Things aren't perfect, but they're a lot better than last year. And this year, I'm trying to take the time to notice these things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)