87

I learned...that watching 19 children frolic in the snow makes the Monday blues melt away!

Something great that happened was...watching Malachi do so well on his Words Their Way assessment! Such an amazing improvement since September, I was so proud!

Something challenging that happened was...having to tell a child he couldn't go to the bathroom even though it was an "emergency" mainly because I was 99% sure he wanted because his best friend went 30 seconds earlier.

A question I have is...will we really be able to help Malachi even more now that we have this newest spelling information?

I wonder about...how well Malachi will do on the other assessments I am going to give him...

86

I learned...that watching your class perform in the music concert is one of the most adorable things ever!

Something great that happened was...watching Connor want to perform (and do it so well) in the concert this morning! AND! Watching Malachi do so so so well this afternoon in the LC, what a way to end the week!

Something challenging that happened was...honestly, today was a whirlwind, but I cannot think of anything challenging!

A question I have is...how will all the testing I am about to start on Malachi go?

I wonder about...how snowy the rest of the winter will be and if we'll get a snow day...

85

I learned...that it stinks to play the "bad guy" and punish a child for something as mundane as having to eat yogurt with a spoon rather than squishing it out of the container.

Something great that happened was...seeing the kids work so well with their 6M buddies and finish some great all-about books.

Something challenging that happened was...all the kids being on edge in anticipation of the music concert tomorrow. They were snipping at each other and it was a tense day.

A question I have is...what it really necessary to insist Malachi use a spoon to eat his yogurt.

I wonder about...how Connor and Bhavya will do in the concert tomorrow, as well as the rest of 1L!

84

I learned...when kids are loving what they are doing, they will take up their Center Time to continue working on their work!

Something great that happened was...seeing several of the kids' working numbers go up! Progress!

Something challenging that happened was...having to take Center Time away from Max because he hit Carter on the playground, never easy, but it had to be done.

A question I have is...are all these assessments really as daunting and high stakes as they are made out to be?

I wonder about...what I will find when I begin my assessments on Malachi.

83

I learned...that the only reason why you speak on the risers is if there is a fire or if you need to go to throw up.

Something great that happened was...after brining Nicki her lunch bag in extended day having her run to catch up with me and give me a huge hug good-bye.

Something challenging that happened was...seeing Daniel struggle so much with writing workshop and realize that in the two weeks of the unit he had written one page.

A question I have is...when you are taking dictation from an ELL is it right to take it verbatim to show what they could do?

I wonder about...how much instructional time is lost to putting on and taking off snow gear...

82

I learned...that creativity is great, but it's okay to draw the line when a child tries to invent "cream cheese-chocolate pudding" spread at lunch.

Something great that happened was...being able to ignore a child who was actively defying the rules and continue working with another child who was.

Something challenging that happened was...having to discipline Malachi for so many different issues.

A question I have is...when do you talk to parents about behavior issues and when don't you.

I wonder about...if these children will go on to make a difference in the world after learning about segregation.

81

I learned...that first graders know an amazing amount about topics that interest them and can really write about them.

Something great that happened was...seeing Malachi so excited about reading "Ed" today, it was really heart warming.

Something challenging that happened was...having the kids be so ornery during lunch. I think they spent more time standing than sitting and eating and they just, wouldn't listen, at all.

A question I have is...when do you just give up trying to get kids to sit down, or listen, and just let it be, especially if they aren't doing anything extremely wrong or dangerous?

I wonder about...if Connor will be a bit better tomorrow, even with Daniel out again.