I feel like this blog is negative a great deal of the time, so this week I'd like to focus on the positive. Fortunately, there are several things I could talk about (yay!!! finally!!!) so let's get to it:

I had my first evaluation meeting this week. My district uses the Danielson framework as the model for staff evaluations, which dictates that the evaluation process should be an ongoing dialogue between the staff member and the principal. I prepared thoroughly by going through all 4 domains that I was required to provide evidence for with my instructional coach the day before, and I had post-it notes everywhere (reminding myself of the Ferg). My principal arrived and basically said "Just tell me everything." So I did. I talked for a good 25 minutes, pointing out evidence in my classroom as I went along and providing examples as she asked me questions. I felt it was a really productive time for a few reasons:

1. It helped me uncover all of my accomplishments. I have done A LOT of really good work so far this year, and I continue to refine and improve my practices.
2. My principal seemed impressed with the amount of evidence I was able to provide, and she warned me not to take on too much - that I was doing a great job already and that I shouldn't push it.
3. It gave me a way to think through my goals for the short and long term and prioritize a bit.

I also learned this week that I know my students a little bit better than I originally thought. Because of the overwhelming nature of a first-year teaching job, I feel more scatterbrained than I ever have in my entire life. If you know me even a little bit, you know that I am a very orderly, routine-oriented, goal setter. I know what I'm doing, how, and why, well in advance. Teaching has proven to be a very different experience, however. I find it very hard to focus on any one thing, because in a classroom full of 5th graders there are always at least 5 things that require my attention. And don't even get me started on how much there is to remember. I have post-it notes EVERYWHERE (again, I'm turning into Ferg). Despite all this, I was able to fill out mid-term reports with a higher level of confidence about my knowledge of my students' progress than I thought possible. It turned out to be a very nice exercise - forcing me to stop and reflect on each student individually. It also gave me an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the group. Now that I trust myself to have a handle on the kids, I"m not nearly as nervous about communicating with parents because I definitely have something to say about each kid.

We are at a point of transition in fifth grade this month. We are starting new books in reading, a new math unit, a new science unit, wrapping up a writing assignment.... So, naturally, I am using this as an opportunity to up the ante in the area of expectations. I explained to the kids that work that is less than quality (quality being something we defined as a class) will be graded and returned with the requirement of corrections. I will not be allowing students to make corrections for points back, rather they must correct their mistakes for the good of the exercise. I explained to them that it is time to start turning in fifth grade work, now that they have been fifth graders for a full month. The results? Great so far! It seems like I made at least a small impact. The homework I graded so far this weekend has been much closer to what I expect to see. Now if only I could get these kids to TURN IN THEIR WORK ON TIME (or at all) with names written on their papers. It's the little things.....

And finally, some teacher moments:

• We started book clubs this week, and had our first group meetings on Friday. The kids were amazing. They were excited about their books and totally focused on the task at hand. They were inquisitive and eager to solve the mysteries, even after reading only the first 2 chapters. I love literature circles because they put full responsibility into the hands of the students, and let them explore books on their own terms. It's awesome.
• I've been grading personal writing journals from last month. The kids have to write 8-10 pages each month - and they can write ANYTHING they want. One of my girls wrote a 13 page story about me and included everyone in our class. Her writing was superb, and the story was awesome. With just enough fifth grade goofiness, she wrote about my birthday. On that day I didn't come to school, and through the magical powers of unicorns (....she is a fifth grader after all) they discovered that I was writing my letter of resignation because I felt like the kids didn't appreciate or respect me. To prevent me from this crazy act, they threw a surprise birthday party in my backyard featuring the musical stylings of Michael Jackson. It. Was. Awesome.

So that's that folks. Yes, there are still many worries weighing on me where school is concerned, but I'm finally getting a handle on this. For one thing, I was able to plan the ENTIRE week (all the subjects!) and do some grading, aaaannnnnndddd write a blog post, all before bedtime! Maybe I can handle this after all....