What's the best thing that happened this week? (It's been a long week out here with just 4 school days this week and we have one more week until spring break!)
All my sophomores are at a special event today, which means that my first three classes will be almost empty--between 1 and 6 students. I brought some snacks (cookies and fruit) and a DVD, and we're going to have a relaxing morning. Also, I ordered $500 in office supplies on Monday and it all arrived yesterday! Only part of the order was for me, and the rest was for the rest of my department. Even so, I loved seeing and opening all the boxes!
One of my intensive reading student asked if he can have my class again next year, even if he passes our state reading test and no longer needs the class.
I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant and felt a cold coming on, so called in sick. The last thing I need is a cold at the end of my pregnancy! Funny enough though after a few more hours of rest, I feel MUCH better. Normally I'd feel badly being home and basically well now. But my class is covered (maternity sub already transitioning in) and honestly because I'm almost due, I'm going to cherish this relaxing day!
State Testing! :haha: I'll put it in perspective: I have 2 students (1st and 8th). The first grader doesn't test yet, so she stays home on testing days. My 8th had her braces removed Tues and was gone. I've had 1 student all week (save for yesterday)!
I BASed one of my babies at a P guided reading level yesterday! Up from a K at the beginning of the year. That's like 2nd grade to beginning of 4th grade....still low, but progress. I'm super proud of him.
My school was designated as one of the top ten in county, best 37 in state for performance on state test.:thumb:
One of my kids told me about her two dogs, one of which is a "chi-chi-wawa." I also was asked if "we were singing our new songs again tomorrow, because they're super awesome."
My friend who teaches special ed took a picture of two kids who are in my lower-level English class, hanging out in her room, completely engrossed in reading Catching Fire. We finished Hunger Games this week, and they started the second book on their own.
These posts makes me heart smile. Love hearing.... Celebrating accomplishments...should be everyday, right? LOL Office supplies arriving...almost like Christmas! Getting through state testing...kids passing! Kids showing progress in their learning...HUGE accomplishments! Getting your first job teaching...amazing experience! Getting through pregnanacy....oh my! Best wishes! I hope there are more to come!
When driving to school a bus of kids saw me and everyone started waving at me and giving me the peace sign (I always give out the peace sign). Even kids who I don't have in class. Then I had a girl bring her mom up to my classroom so she could show her our "secret handshake". Finally, some other kids came and asked me to turn the jump rope since I'm "the best turner in the school!"
I've been consistent for 7 days now on working out the first thing in the morning and I am already noticing subtle changes.
Well, I'm on spring break and actually spent an entire day all to myself. Don't know when the last time that happened!
Took a personal day this week, spent the day at the Lancaster County, PA archives, went through the land ownership deeds, and found that my first ancestor to arrive in America purchased his land from one of William Penn's sons. (It's looking like that's our family's closest brush with fame in ??? hundred years! LOL!! :lol Then discovered that my first American ancestor's son fought in the American Revolution. It may sound trivial, but I sure got a charge out of it!
I got a call this morning for an interview! I'm applying for the reading specialist position at my school. I honestly don't think I'll get the job, but I'm going to try. Earlier this week my P & I talked & I know that I will not being teaching Kindergarten again next year. So, even if I don't get the reading specialist position, I'll have a new position this fall which I'm excited about!
One of my students who came in almost not reading was able to read an entire page which he picked himself and wanted to read to the whole class. It was not a simple read.
Having a student realize he could remember the order of the Metric prefixes for length. (This student has issues with memorizing things) He was soooooo proud of himself and left my class smiling (and totally not caring he had missed his whole recess to review with me).
One of my seniors had ripped his book bag straps, and even after claiming "Sewing is for chicks" he sat down with me and let me show him how to fix it himself with needle and thread. Afterwards he said, "Wow, this is so much better than stapling." (He did a pretty good job for his first time holding a needle and thread.)
I actually had a really rough week - I've had a bad cold and have been having a really rough time with a student who has severe behaviors - BUT some positive things did happen: 1) Four of my highest readers finally took the bait and started reading low level chapter books for the first time. They hated the lack of pictures and really resisted at first, but I just made them available and waited, and my patience paid off! Now they come in telling me about what they read every day, and they are SO excited and proud of themselves. :wub: 2) My "Fun Friday" time was a little longer than usual this week, and I really enjoyed spending time with the kids as they drew pictures, built things with connecting cubes, made things out of play dough, and played board games. I forget sometimes that they are just little kids, and it was nice to get to just enjoy spending time with them for awhile without teaching or assessing.
1. I dressed in a princess dress for a spirit day this week and one of my little girls asked me to 'twirl' 2. Finishing up my assessment and seeing the growth in my students' achievements 3. One of my students made a suggestion (I don't even remember what her idea was!) and then she said, "That's a good idea, right?"
My little girl who arrived from Iraq with NO English a year ago, just moved up a reading level! She was so excited and jumped around the classroom when I told her
I've been working with a student who struggles a lot with pretty much everything academically and behaviorally. She's sweet but very stubborn, and she's had a bit of a rocky life. I always thought she wasn't my biggest fan because I'm pretty strict with keeping her on task when we work together. This week, she came up and hugged me and asked me to stay the rest of the day. She's also started asking me for help when she needs it rather than just giving up and running around the room. I'm so proud and happy!
One of my students called me Grandma by mistake. I've been worrying that I wasn't reaching him. I guess I am!
Two weeks ago I began a new position. As you may realize, taking over after 3/4 of the year isn't easy. It's even more difficult when: 1) the kids loved the teacher, 2) the teacher didn't actually teach the kids much of anything, 3) there was no behavior management system in place, and 4) it's a special needs school. But after only a few days with the students, I'd say about 80 to 90% of them have started accepting me and the new policies. All in all, after the week I was expecting, it was smooth sailing!
I have a couple of things that definitely fall in the best thing of this week now. First I was able to get together with a friend that moved away several years ago and had the best of time catching up and sharing. Also an ex student of mine texted me to wish me a belated birthday---very sweet. It made my day!
I had a stressful, but awesome week! 1. I completely rearranged my classroom to include a large sensory area (I teach self contained EC) and I can already see how well the kids are responding to it! 2. I was reimbursed for the money I spent on the sensory area-Unexpected- AND, my P told me he was getting a color printer for my room so I can effectively use Boardmaker. 3. I had a half day on Friday and only 3 students showed up. 4. We are doing a gardening unit and one of my students (with very limited speaking skills) took a bunch of fake flowers and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. 5. I found out my behavior support assistant will be staying with my class next year (phew!) 6. I ran The Color Run 5K yesterday with some visiting friends and finished the entire thing without stopping! 7. Got my taxes back! 8. Got permission from my landlord to have a dog. Snuggle time!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I know how good it feels to finally be done with the requirements!!! Wait until it's "official" on the CTC website - it was so cool to be able to look up my name and finally see the credential listed there for the first time! Here's hoping you'll find a GREAT job!
Super heart all these posts! It's a new week, so I hope everyone will keep looking for something positive that happens this week and continues sharing. The sun was so shiny and warm today with a little bit of wind. I couldn't say no to playing basketball with my little friends today at recess. Of course I played "easy" by just showing them how to block, and of course how to make a slam dunk! (It pays to be almost as tall as the lowered basketball hoops!)
