165

I learned...if you give a group of ready-for-summer-break-first-graders the letters "b" "oo" "t"and "y" in making words you will have to tell them an infinite amount of time to NOT make the word booty.

Something great that happened...seeing the amazing, appropriate words, the kids came up with and I considered the letter selection more challenging!

Something challenging that happened...seeing Shane totally unaware of his body throughout the day, it clearly is distressing to him too.

A question I have...is Malachi really learning off of the Lexia program or is another computer game to him?

I wonder...if all the Spanish they have learned this year will be retained over the summer.

164

I learned...that reflecting back on what it felt like on the 16th day of school with 16 days to go was a sweet and special moment to savor with the kids this morning.

Something great that happened...the kids did SO well on the end of the year math assessment! Over half of them got every one correct and everyone else only missed a few problems!

Something challenging that happened...so many kids having such insane cases of the sillies and spring fever, oy!

A question I have...how much learning is actually getting into their brains at this point?

I wonder...how much community we can maintain as we head into summer.

163

I learned...with the right cocktail of encouragement and faith, any child can turn their week/day around behaviorally.

Something great that happened...seeing Marty be so kind and supportive to Malachi and ask him how many stars he got for his reward! It is amazing to see how the other kids have become "cheerleaders" for the kids who need it most.

Something challenging that happened..seeing Bhavya get so upset, but not dangerously angry, about not being able to checkout a new library book since his other one was missing.

A question I have...is there a better way to get Neila the positive appreciation and attention she clearly desires?

I wonder...how the kids will do on the Math EOYA tomorrow.

162

I learned...that having first graders write juicy sentences is harder than you think!

Something great that happened...watching the kids have so much fun in gym with the parachute games! Super old school and super fun.

Something challenging that happened...getting so much back talk and sass from Neila and my just getting so frustrated with her and probably snapping back a few times, too.

A question I have...is some of the silly/rude/fresh behaviors that we are seeing because the end of the year is so near?

I wonder...if we'll ever have all 19 kids here again before the end of the year.

161

I learned...the sillies are so contagious...so so contagious. Something great that happened...seeing Bhavya come back after being away for a week and have such a great day. Something challenging that happened...having to make Jack take so many breaks, it's frustrating that he has gotten so silly lately. A question that I have...how do we deal end if the year silliness and nerves? I wonder...if everyone will begin to unravel as we get closer to the end of the year...

160

I learned...that only having 11 children makes for a calm and really nice Friday.

Something great that happened...seeing Shane, Jonathan, and Connor come up with such great words with a slightly challenging set of letters!

Something challenging that happened...Nicki going outside on her own to find Ms. Jackson and really having no clue what was wrong with that.

A question I have...is losing choice time always a way to get a child to understand they really did something wrong?

I wonder...how much learning will actually get done in the last 20 (!) days...

159

I learned....that sometimes teachers are better judges of when a child is sick than the nurse.

Something great that happened...seeing the kids have so much fun exploring with mirrors and flashlights. Reminded me of my science days.

Something challenging that happened...catching Neila with a paperclip in her mouth and the subsequent attitude came with that.

A question I have...why have Connor and Neila suddenly gotten so silly/rude again?

I wonder...why strep spreads like wild fire but not the flu...