I'm a total slacker.....but only in the blogging sense.

Things at school have been ridiculously busy, but I am finally feeling like I've found a rhythm. I'm able to look ahead and plan farther in advance. I'm using my resources (people and materials) to answer my questions and improve my teaching. I'm still feeling exhausted when I wake up, and dreaming about school (usually waking up at least once because of it) but I'm feeling less "burned out" when the kids leave at 2:30.

I would have to say that this week my kids have made great improvements in their behavior. They are a needy group- always getting out of their seats (without considering if it's an appropriate time) to ask questions that I've usually answered already. I find myself repeating directions more than once, writing them down, and referring kids to them over and over. While this is tedious, I'm already seeing a change. The kids are starting to consider whether their question is one that is crucial and requires an immediate answer, or whether they can answer it themselves or leave it on a post-it note. I'm trying to make them more independent, and I think that by Thanksgiving (HOPEFULLY) they will have it down.

Schedules are always thrown off at the beginning of the year with testing. As benchmark tests and standardized tests are administered, we have to give up teaching time. So far, that's ok with me, because the information I get from those tests will help me figure out how to meet their needs better. In the mean time, however, I have a lot of space to fill, so here's to thinking on your feet!

I know I've been slacking with pictures. I'll get there, promise.