Funny how...

.... as soon as school starts I have very little to share.

This first week back to school was actually not too bad. The kids (for the most part) were ready to jump back into things and now it feels like we've been there all along. Because we've had such a long break and are nearing the end of first semester, both the students and I shared some goals we have for the 2nd half of the year. My goals include:

1. Providing more feedback to students (more individual check-ins) during math rather than waiting for them to have questions.
2. Utilizing student jobs more to help make the classroom more autonomous. 
3. Taking science notes in a more meaningful way. 
4. Be more consistent with expectations (as always, I feel like I slip a bit through the year)

Nothing too big and life-changing, but just things to keep me on my toes. Honestly, I've been much more lax with these students because they are so good, and because I was burnt out from being so tough last year. I foresee my third year teaching being a successful one in terms of finding my groove and what works for me (it will also help that I will be teaching the same thing again).


So, I don't think I've mentioned yet, but I am getting very excited to go on my first big trip of the year. My partner teacher organizes a student trip for the 6th and 7th graders in the district to go to Washington D.C., and I get to go, too. It's all through a program called World Strides, and they organize the itinerary, flight, hotel, everything. They also provide night chaperones to watch the rooms overnight (which is the most tiring part!).We're going in April, and I really look forward to it.

Our second big trip is an Alaskan cruise that my parents, my sister and her boyfriend, and John and I are going to in August. It's my parent's 30th anniversary, my mom's 60th birthday, and our 2nd anniversary. None of us has ever been on a cruise, and we thought we'd try one out that we didn't have to fly to. While it isn't necessarily a "party cruise" for us twenty-somethings, I think it'll be more our speed. Looking at all the brochures and information online, we're getting pretty excited for it. Too bad we have to wait until August!


Alright, some friends are coming over tonight, so I better make things presentable around here.. :)

Classroom Additions

Look what the students brought in today:

6 Goldfish to be exact. Quite charming. We will be voting on names this week some time. As long as they don't die by then. Ha! I also figured out how to take some better pictures of things like aquariums. Since a fancy camera is not in our budget right now, I'm trying to take time to figure out my point-and-shoot camera a little better. Anyway, the kids are excited, and it does add something calming to the room.

I also got this:

Allow me to explain. Students had an extra credit opportunity - they could do many things, one of which was to make a model of one of the types of joints. This kid (who obviously had a lot of help from his dad) created an arm - hinge joint. Not totally accurately since the arm moved backwards 90 degrees, but I'm stoked to have this little piece of art in my classroom!

I love these kids.

Quickie

Just checking in really quick - this hasn't necessarily been a busy week, I've just been trying to be very productive. Thankfully, I am nearly done with every single one of my plans (for both math classes and science) for the next two weeks, so I don't have to "think" about school too much (I'm prepared).

Tonight I'll be busy in the kitchen baking some desserts for our staff holiday party on Friday. Tomorrow night I'll be attending my students' band/orchestra concert, so that evening will be shot (I went to the choir concert, so it's only fair).

Christmas shopping is nearly all complete, just one or two more things for the mister (just need the truck to pick them up :)). This weekend we'll be watching John's little brother, which should be fine, despite his energy. Perhaps we'll see a movie or bake some cut-out cookies together (I have to watch him most of the day by myself). Sunday will be Swedish Pancake Breakfast (at the Sons of Norway Hall) and Christmas-light-looking in Kent (where one house puts on a big show). Should be great!

And may I just say...

... that I have some of the sweetest students this year.

Today for morning announcements our VP reminded students to be kind to one another and others in the school. Compliment your peers and teachers, etc. as we navigate through the next 12 (eek!) days of school until break.

When the announcements finished 3 of my students had their hands raised (I thought they had a question about the day or something). Here is what they said:

"Thank you for being such a great teacher!"

"I'm really glad I have you this year."

"You really get 7th graders and I appreciate that you don't yell at us."

"This is one of my favorite school years."

Now, I know the cardinal rule of being in education is to be their teacher and not their friend, but hearing stuff like this still feels good. :)

Time flies...

... when you're learning about AIDS.

Today I attended a training in preparation for teaching the HIV/AIDS curriculum to our 7th graders in January. It was my first day off at this school and I wasn't nearly as nervous as I was when I taught my little toughies last year. It was sort of nice to have the day off (and come home early - as tempted as I was to go to the school and check in). However, tomorrow starts 4 days of conferences and tomorrow is our late day. I'm sure it will be fine since I've been in pretty good contact with the parents so far this year. 

It's crazy that it's nearly December. This school year has been flying. I know I often mention how hard my first year of teaching was, my I am noticing so many differences in my everyday life this year. For one, there is no pit in my stomach every single night before I head to school. Sure, no one particularly wants to get up early and go to work, but it's not nearly the stressor it was before. I also am getting up refreshed and often get up early. Last year on weekends I could easily sleep until 11 but now I can't sleep in anymore and find myself being much more productive. I don't get as nervous contacting parents at work, I contribute more to my team, I don't mind having administrators coming in. I have only given out 1 detention for behavior this year, which absolutely blows my mind. Thinking back, I have no idea how I did it. This isn't to tout how great of a teacher I am or how strong I am. I just truly have no idea how I got through it. 

Every. single. day. was challenging. I don't know how I smiled in the staff room.

Was I an excellent educator? Probably not. Did I do as much as I could have? No. It probably wouldn't have been as hard if I was a better teacher, perhaps?

I am so glad it's over. I can barely think about it sometimes without crying.

And I'm a better teacher because of it. Am I probably too tolerant of some behaviors at my new school, but I think it has ultimately helped me. Do I feel like I gave up because I didn't want to deal with that demographic of student? A little bit. And maybe some day I'll go back to that, but I'm not ready to take that on again. It truly rules your life. 

Anyway, enough of a downer. The point is, I am SO happy at the school I'm at now, and I wish teachers that have been there a while could see how truly lucky they are to be there. I know they are not all naive, but it sometimes seems like they have no idea what's out there as far as student populations. 

Happy Wednesday all! Keep up on your Christmas shopping but keep things simple!