73

I learned...that hearing kids say they want to come to school over vacation means they clearly love you and what you are doing!

Something great that happened was...having a great last day before vacation with the kids, and not counting down the minutes to 2:20, too much!

Something challenging that happened was...being slightly distracted all day waiting for my MTEL results (I passed!!!)

A question I have is...how much will we have to reteach after vacation?

I wonder about...what the coming new year/rest of the year will bring...

72

I learned...that playing soccer with a bunch of six year olds is one of the best ways to spend 20 minutes!

Something great that happened was...having Jane tell me (in her card) that I am one of her best interns to date! Hello compliment!

Something challenging that happened was...seeing Malachi struggle with what to do during quiet time, despite making him a social story for it.

A question I have is...how do you encourage a child to choose a center they have no interest in?

I wonder about...how tomorrow will drag on....

71

I learned...that watching a child reach a goal is so heart warming!

Something great that happened was...getting such a generous gift from the families in the class, I was not expecting that, at all!

Something challenging that happened was...having to convince Jeremy and Shane that screaming in people's faces is not nice nor is it acceptable, then watching them do it twenty minutes later...

A question I have is...how much will the kids retain, routine and learning wise over break?

I wonder about...how quickly the next two days will go...

70

I learned...sometimes center time is all it needs for a child to forget her stomach hurts.

Something great that happened was...seeing how many words the kids can spell now, it's amazing how far they've come in 70 days!

Something challenging that happened was...having Bhavya push the chair out from under me when he was upset about not being able to play sum swamp.

A question I have is...what is the point of handwriting books if the kids' writing is horrid once they are writing on their own later?

I wonder about...how lost Malachi really is...

69

I learned...kids today don't know the phrase "it has your name on it" and that they will look at you like you are nuts when you use it.

Something great that happened was...bringing some great worksheets to Jane and her wanting to use them for learning!

Something challenging that happened was...having Malachi have no idea what we were talking about. Was it his processing issues or was it just a lack of focus by choice.

A question I have is...when do you use your stern teacher voice and when do you stick with the more responsive approach?

I wonder about...if we can get out next 5 paperclips!

68

I learned...that children love being able to be the example for other children!

Something great that happened was...reading the kiddos a William Steig book that I had never read before, even at 23 story time is fun!

Something challenging that happened was...having Nico get very upset when I asked him to try a harder "level" in race for the dime.

A question I have is...how will our new math centers rotation go over?

I wonder about...if we'll be able to get our last paperclip on Monday!

67

I learned...that children are so proud of their work and were beaming from ear to ear as they sold it to their parents!

Something great that happened was...hearing Malachi say "I like coming up to the learning center!"

Something challenging that happened was...trying to keep Carter from provoking Bhavya during lunch, without wanting to lose my cool at him...

A question I have is...how will we get through the next week?

I wonder about...how many kids will not be here next week...

66

I learned...if you give a bunch of 6 and 7 year olds sharpies and ask them to make signs for the learning shop they will be entertained and calm for 20 minutes!

Something great that happened was...watching Daniel read today and realizing how far he has come in 66 days.

Something challenging that happened was...seeing Bhavya so upset and worried about his dog who has a broken leg...

A question I have is...are the aggressive issues the cause of social problems or are the social problems causing the frustration and aggression.

I wonder about...how well out learning shop will go tomorrow!

65

I learned...that if you move one kid's chair you need to move pretty much everyone's chair...the seating domino effect.

Something great that happened was...the sub we had while Jane was out at the BAS training for the AM wasn't a useless body!

Something challenging that happened was...having Neila tell me she was done with her chips, then throwing them out, and her saying she "tricked" me...

A question I have is...how do you know when a "consequence" is needed, is it per child, or situation?

I wonder about...if the kids will get the money values we've learned when we actually practice with the money tomorrow...

64

I learned...that playing musical chairs with the kids' table spots breaths some new life into the classroom on the 64th day of school!

Something great that happened was...having a mother tell me how appreciative she was at how well I communicate with her about her son and things going on in the classroom.

Something challenging that happened was...having to handle a situation after a child found a torn envelope with "from Santa" written on it...I needed to be delicate, that's for sure!

A question I have is...how do we carefully approach the winter holidays without stepping on toes or ruining beliefs?

I wonder about...how many of my kid really believe in Santa...

63

I learned...that 6 year olds really have a sense of the scientific method and that it's amazing to watch their thought processes.

Something great that happened was...we had a smooth day today, which was needed so after a long hard week.

Something challenging that happened was...having Jeremy try to lie, to my face, over his needing/wanting/not needing an eraser.

A question I have is...how do you keep from getting frustrated at a child who is not "listening" because it appears he "can't" - I know how it feels, but it's still frustrating...

I wonder about...how Monday's math centers will go since I will be introducing them!

62

I learned...that I am impressing and doing great in my placement.  It was great to hear Marsha give Elaine

Something great that happened was...Jane seeming really impressed that I made a photocopy of the "How to Make Butter" book for each child to take home.

Something challenging that happened was...having Bhavya attack Shane and then try to kick and hit Stephanie and I. We were trying to handel it to the best of our ability, but it was so challenging and

A question I have is...when is it okay to restrain a child, even when you're not trained...isn't there some sort of good Samaritan law?

I wonder about...how tomorrow will go for everyone...is one easy day this week too much to ask?

61

I learned...that when a child is not complying you don't continue to ask them to do what is expected, you tell them.

Something great that happened was...how well my writing workshop lesson went today and how impressed Jane was with what I put together.

Something challenging that happened was...having to confront a child who called another child stupid, even when he denied it and two other children heard it.

A question I have is...how do you know what they right type of consequence is for a child who is misbehaving?

I wonder about...if Connor will have a better day tomorrow.

60

I learned...that making butter is the best arm workout, ever!

Something great that happened was...having Jane say "going great, Ms. Benjamin." after I lead everything from Morning Meeting through Working with Words.

Something challenging that happened was...just trying to keep Malachi focused on task, I feel awful for having to say his name 100x a day, but it's the only way...

A question I have is...will the kid's like the butter I slaved over?

I wonder about...if the class grasped the reason behind our making butter...

59

I learned...that some times a kid is on, and some times they are off. And you may never know what caused the switch to flip!

Something great that happened was...hearing Jonathan use so much English today, in context!

Something challenging that happened was...having Malachi just be all over the place today and being unable to refocus him.

A question I have is...how do you know when a child is "being goofy" and playing with you and actually has no idea what they are doing?

I wonder about...if Malachi's testing will reveal an issue that we can really help him overcome.