Monday, October 6, 2008

God Bless...

...these people who I am watching on TV who have 14 kids and have only been married 16 years. Literally, they just went to their 14th ultrasound and the Doctor said "See you next year!" and they said "Sounds good!" Seven girls, seven boys...can't even stand it!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

"But I don't feel like Writing..."

No not my students, ME! Monday is the 24th day of school and this is my first post since school began. So many times I have heard "but I don't feel like writing..." from students, NOW I FEEL IT TOO! My day starts at 5:45 when my alarm goes off, I roll out of bed by 6:00 and am out the door by 7:00. In my classroom by 7:15, teaching by 9:00, kids leave at 3:30 and I'm home by 5. And then .... I don't feel like writing.

Anyway, today is different. I've cleaned my house, had my coffee, and am getting mentally prepared for the bills possibly being 5-0 for the first time since 1991. I'm finally ready to write.

For the past 24 days in school I have been dealing with a private situation with a student. I cannot elaborate here but I must say, sometimes I feel as though I haven't conferred with anyone because I spend my day trying to avoid a meltdown. Needless to say, even with all that is going on in my room, I have been able to see many reading and writing lives developing and growing.

Reader's Workshop is in full swing! I may have one or two readers still confused on choosing appropriate books but other than that we are independent reading for 20 minutes and partner reading for 20 minutes. Since I looped it has been much easier to get in to the thick of it. They know what to expect, and most do exactly what they need to during that time. I'm excited about partnerships because I'm already seeing how rewarding they can be.

Writing Workshop is amazing. My 14 from last year are SOARING! Just this week I noticed many students taking ideas from are Shared Reading book and using it in their writing! THEY ARE WRITING LIKE READERS and READING LIKE WRITERS...and I haven't even taught them how to do that yet! It's crazy how following WW for 1 year can create amazing writers (proof that I wanted!). You can see some of our writing soon on www.debaccokrecisz.pbwiki.com

As far as community, I feel that my old friends and new friends are meshing well. As far as the behavior issues...i'm taking it day by day. I'm not giving up.