131

I learned...that we have a great group of kids who are going to Bhavya's birthday party, even though they may have mixed feelings about him and how he acts in the classroom.

Something great that happened...the science lesson went so well! The kids were engaged, really grasping the concepts, and using science talk! I felt like I had a great command over the kids and it just felt great!

Something challenging that happened...having Malachi pitch a fit during word work because I asked him to wait to make his word and then not want to do it when it was his turn.

A question I have is...will the choppy week throw the kids for a loop next week?

I wonder...how the new lunch system will go on Monday for our very routine based kiddos

130

I learned...that you have to tell seven year olds that it is just down right nasty to chew on your shoe laces...

Something great that happened...seeing the kids get the concept I was teaching during science today, after I was doubtful they were getting it. It made me feel really good to know that I was effective in how I taught the concept today!

Something challenging that happened...having to snap at Malachi today because he was saying my name over and over and over again. It seemed to get through to him though...

A question I have is...was I wrong to snap at Malachi? I didn't raise my voice, but I felt bad about what I did...

I wonder...what Malachi's hearing test will show...

129

I learned...that 1/2 of my class has some idea of what happens to an apple core and yogurt cup left out for a few days and the other 1/2 really need this unit.

Something great that happened was...seeing Malachi have one of his most successful days in a long time, thanks to his new behavior plan.

Something challenging that happened was...having Shane be so off today, between being mean to Annabelle at lunch and hurting Max at dismissal, it was very unexpected.

A question I have is...do kids magically know when we're meeting with their parents/met with their parents? Because their behavior is pretty insane on either side of the conferences!

I wonder...how I'll do planning the math centers for two weeks time.

128

I learned...seeing a struggling child have a successful day can really lift your sprits as well as theirs.

Something great that happened was...having Bhavya come back and do so well, for the first time in a while. He seems to really like his new plan and it was great to see him happy and successful at school.

Something challenging that happened was...having to deal with a few of the girls being, pretty much, mean. Talking about other kids, being sneaky about it, etc. It was very unlike them.

A question I have is...will Malachi's new behavior plan really work for him?

I wonder...how the kickoff to my unit will go tomorrow...

127

I learned...that more often than not you spend conferences discussing issues totally unrelated to academics, but rather social matters and other various miscellaneous matters.

Something great that happened was...enjoying the 8th grade musical with the kids and them being so engaged and well behaved, which allowed me to be able to enjoy it!

Something challenging that happened was...having a child make mention of being smacked and then having to tell Jane, and then have us all go through the motions of dealing with it, including asking the child to go to the nurse to be checked for marks.

A question I have is...will Daniel regress after being gone for 3 weeks in Israel, where he won't be speaking English or academics?

I wonder...what the kids are "planting" out on the playground, because they are sure involved in it!

126

I learned...that if you tell first graders there is going to be a fire drill some of them will run to the rug and assume the fetal position like it's an earthquake...

Something great that happened was...being able to sit on the rug with the kids during Spanish and listen and write the numbers and see them so excited when I got it right.

Something challenging that happened was...hearing from Jack and his mom that there was inappropriate behavior again on the playground yesterday, even after the serious talk with all the kids last week.

A question I have is...does Shane really not realize when he is being crazy and really out of control?

I wonder...if the new plans will work come Monday for Bhavya...

125

I learned...that there is a great group of people who are really on Bhavya's side and fighting for him.

Something great that happened was...sitting with Jack and Nico and making flower petals for the newest bulletin board, just being able to do crafts and chat with them, a great 20 minutes.

Something challenging that happened was...having Jed pretty much tell us straight out that Bhavya can't get an aid (yet/right now?) because that person wouldn't be experienced. Um what?

A question I have is...in the long run, will the class be stronger and more accepting because of their experiences with Bhavya and Connor?

I wonder...why Neila has regressed so much this week...

124

I learned...that suddenly the kids are so much closer and more like second graders than kindergartners. Where did the time go!?

Something great that happened was...seeing Shane read at a Level G and actually see the wheels turning as he really worked to read the texts well!

Something challenging that happened was...sadly having to spend the morning waiting for the ball to drop with Bhavya, literally.

A question I have is...what do you do when a child calls you rude and is just rude herself?

I wonder...what the outcome will be from the emergency meeting tomorrow.

123

I learned...it is a huge relief that when a bunch of kids have no clue what the directions are, a large majority of the kids do. At least someone understood!

Something great that happened was...having Jane pay me that wonderful compliment on all I have been doing while she polishes off the BAS work with the kids.

Something challenging that happened was...having Malachi get so upset during writing because he really couldn't think of a small moment to write about.  It is sad that he can really only think about video games.

A question I have is...was I wrong to force Malachi to write about something other than a video game?

I wonder...if reentry will be harder the longer Bhavya has been away from school.

122

I learned...that the kids that irk you for much of the year can with the drop of a hat be so endearing and on.

Something great that happened...seeing the kids so excited to be playing Sorry! during math and center time! Brought back such amazing memories from my childhood.

Something challenging that happened...having Neila hide under the table during science, all because I asked her to clean up  some blocks she accidentally dropped on the floor.

A question I have...how do we deal with Connor turning inward lately and not wanting to participate?

I wonder...if Bhavya will be back tomorrow and how it will go.

121

I learned...that it is possible for an entire team to be at a loss over what to do with a child.

Something great that happened was...seeing Malachi be so successful in working with words, and him being so proud over the number of words he wrote.

Something challenging that happened was...Bhavya hitting me and having him tell me that he meant to hit me and he needed to hit me. I can honestly say that I was scared.

A question I have...how soon is it to amend an IEP?

I wonder...if Monday will be the fresh start that many of us need so much.

120

I learned...that it is okay to feel frazzled and off when a child attacks you, a sad feeling to have but good to know even veteran teachers feel that way too.

Something great that happened was...my lesson going so well. The kids were engaged, learning, loving what they were doing, and behaving!

Something challenging that happened was...this whole mess with Bhavya - just all of us being at our whits end and so frazzled.

A question I have is...how does he not have an aide? Who else does he have to hurt?

I wonder...what the future holds for Bhavya and his behavior in our class.

119

I learned...that having another body in the room is a godsent when someone needs the break spot!

Something great that happened was...having Christin just up and offer letting me give Malachi the BAS, on my own. And then being able to sit with her and have her help me score it!

Something challenging that happened was...having Connor get super cheeky about not wanting to clean up the block area.

A question I have is...should I have pursued what happened with Neila hitting during center time or trusted Ms. Lynch to handle it.

I wonder...if my previewing about Elaine coming will help with how they act tomorrow...

118

I learned...that sometimes a good idea just doesn't translate to reality. Oh well.

Something great that happened was...despite the new idea for Tuesday handwriting not working, I was able to put the kibosh on it and salvage the lesson, on my own.

Something challenging that happened was...seeing a kid who was so sweet in the beginning of the year become "too cool for school."

A question I have is...

I wonder...how tomorrow will go with Jane out again tomorrow. I'm hoping for the best!

117

I learned...three kids out, really makes a large difference!

Something great that happened was...really feeling on my game, even though I wasn't feeling 100% - particularly when I offered Jane the idea for our Level E reading group and she really liked it!

Something challenging that happened was...having Marty snap/yell at Annabelle and Stephan over his bragging. Wow, didn't expect that at 9:30!

A question I have is...can Malachi get an aide, based on his need to have someone always keeping him on task/behaving?

I wonder...if the velcro under his chair will help...

116

I learned...to some children, do unto others as you wish others to do to you is lost and unimportant.

Something great that happened was...giving Bhavya long math problems and seeing him solve them and then having him give me some back!

Something challenging that happened was...having Marty straight out say that he doesn't like Bhavya and for me to have to talk to him about keeping certain emotions inside.

A question I have...was it right to tell Marty he can not like Bhavya, as long as he doesn't say it to people?

I wonder...why kids can be mean sometimes and why it starts...

115

I learned...asking a child to write what they think the rules are is a great method of reverse psychology.

Something great that happened was...brainstorming a fraction math center with Jane and then coming up with and designing a great center!

Something challenging that happened...Neila snapping at me and rolling her eyes several times when I would ask her to listen and follow the directions.

A question I have is...could charges be pressed against that father for what he did on the playground?

I wonder...how the reader's theater performances will go...

114

I learned...that it's actually possible for my class to work silently! Who knew! And it was amazing.

Something great that happened was...seeing the smile on Connor's face as he worked so hard during writing workshop and shared his story. It made all the tough times so worth it!

Something challenging that happened was...being thrust into the meeting with Sally, Carrie, and John about accusations of bullying from one parent, which seem to be fabricated by his child. Hello, serious stuff at 9am.

A question I have is...if this parent egging their kid on? Or is the kid making it up?

I wonder...if we're back on a good behavior upswing...

113

I learned...that some days are hard, but it's even harder to not let your bad mood sour the day.

Something great that happened was...hearing Max's personal narrative. He put so much time, effort, and details into it and it was so wonderful to hear him share it.

Something challenging that happened was...Bhavya pulling out a chunk of my hair and that just putting me in a funk for the rest of the day.

A question I have is...does making Bhavya write an apology help in any way besides teaching him manners?

I wonder...if tomorrow will be the best day in a week?

112

I learned...that trying not to introduce "bossy r" by saying "ar says arrrr like a pirate" takes every ounce of strength in my at 9am.

Something great that happened was...having the majority of the class being back to "normal" today and being able to get through some great lessons with them, today.

Something challenging that happened was...having Malachi spend much of the day in his cubby, just trying to get attention.

A question I have is...what do you do with children who are just calling out for attention - how do you break the habbit?

I wonder...in the long term what it means for the kids who are learning to ignore children with disruptive behaviors.

111

I learned...that if you think your day is already one of those days, wait 15 minutes and your orthodontist will be the special guest dentist giving a presentation to the class.

Something great that happened was...being able to ignore Malachi and give a great lesson on sequencing the progression of a plant and then having the kids go make the mini-book themselves.

Something challenging that happened was...having Connor, Malachi, and Bhavya all be "off" today, on a Friday, after an already long week.

A question I have is...how do you not laugh (from  exasperation) when a kid is just off the wall and unmanageable?

I wonder...what next week will be like...

110

I learned...that seeing Jonathan, who spoke two words of English 110 school days ago, phonetically spell words during writing workshop, can make any bad day melt away!

Something great that happened was...being able to easily calm down Bhavya when he was upset about not being able to find a spot for him to sit at math centers. I used what I knew worked and it felt great, for both of us.

Something challenging that happened was...the kids being so insanely out of it today. Whoa, nelly.

A question I have is...how do you talk to a child about their behavior without them thinking you are picking on them?

I wonder...how much farther Jonathan's English proficiency will come in the next 70 days.