80

I learned...that when a kid is "on" you have to seize the moment and ride the wave!

Something great that happened was...administering my first assessment to Jack and having it go super well and being super excited to see his results and begin analyzing them.

Something challenging that happened was...watching Shane struggle to read the book during reading groups, even when we moved him back into an "easier" level.

A question I have is...what is the reason behind Malachi's good days and how do we capitalize on them?

I wonder about...how quickly the 20 days to the 100th day of school will go.

79

I learned...that even six year olds know that segregation was wrong and that what they did to Rosa Parks was "non-sense"

Something great that happened...Jane thanking me for launching the "all-about" unit so well!

Something challenging that happened...having Malachi downright defy me when I asked him to move his seat during the assembly.

A question I have...is it really wrong that my challenging situations revolve around the same kids most days?

I wonder...if kids really are understanding the civil rights lessons on a deeper level.

78

I learned...that Jonathan has enough English to laugh at slightly bad jokes!

Something great that happened was...sitting down at consult with Jane and Marsha and really talking shop, feeling like I could put my two cents in and feeling like their equal.

Something challenging that happened was...seeing Shane struggle to focus in the classroom because he was just so distracted, even though he knew what to do and how to do it.

A question I have is...is it okay to use things like "if I have to say anything on our walk back to 1L I'll take time off center time" if it worked?

I wonder about...if the testing we're hoping to get for Malachi will really reveal what's going on and ways to help him.

77

I learned...that Jane really does have faith in me and felt 100% comfortable with me at the helm while she was sick.

Something great that happened was...Jane was back! Even though it went so well the past 3 days it was great to have back-up and everything back to normal today!

Something challenging that happened was...Shane and Max goofing off and not staying focused during working with words.

A question I have is...did I explain how to write their all about books well enough to let result in a great finished product?

I wonder about...if the powers at be had any clue that I was rocking it on my own this past week...

76

I learned...that I really can manage a classroom and do it well!

Something great that happened was...really feeling like I was in control today and really feeling like I can do this, plan, teach, manage, breathe, all at once.

Something challenging that happened was...being totally alone during writing workshop and having to support 3 kids so intensively, which kinda resulted in my ignoring the other kiddos.

A question I have is...seriously, how do you teach writing to 19 kids, alone, with no aid, when 2 have behavioral needs, 1 has an LD, and 2 are ELLs? Oy!

I wonder about...if this counts as my takeover week...

75

I learned...that it just being me and the kids for 2 (going on 3 days) had resulted in them really respecting my authority, which is really great.

Something great that happened was...really being in the groover today, day 2 of being the sole (alone) teacher and it feeling really great.

Something challenging that happened was...having Malachi being so out of it and ornery today. It's hard because I know why he is so lost and I have pity, but he is also just out of control.

A question I have is...what is the best way to help Jonathan learn to read the English words he now knows?

I wonder about...if this counts as my take-over weak.

74

I learned...that kids can come back after a vacation and get back into the groove, really well.

Something great that happened was...that despite being alone on the first day back from vacation it went really well and I felt totally in charge and on top of everything.

Something challenging that happened was...being a bit flustered about trying to introduce our new writing topic, I knew what I was doing, I was just nervous. I think they got it, I hope.

A question I have is...how do you re-explain a new topic to kids without confusing them even more?

I wonder about...how tomorrow will go, being alone with the kiddos again.