94

I learned...that I am giving good positive reinforcement to Malachi, because when he was the "teacher" today he gave me and Marsha the same type of feedback, "you got it!" and "correct!" Pretty adorable!

Something great that happened was...playing soccer with the boys during recess. Way to help me feel like a kid again!

Something challenging that happened was...having Connor not want to go help clean up the blocks and having to tell him that if he didn't he wouldn't be able to have blocks at all tomorrow.

A question I have is...did I threaten Connor or was that setting expectations?

I wonder about...how our field trip will be tomorrow, I know I'm excited!

93

I learned...that for every "scolding" it's 5 steps back and it takes 15 more "praises" to get back to par.

Something great that happened was...seeing the kids really learn the contractions today during working with words.

Something challenging that happened was...having Connor being all over the place - from high to low - and dealing with the fallout from telling us that his dad had hit him, which was a lie.

A question I have is...what do you do with a child who excuses a parent of hurting them, especially when the child is known to fabricate the truth?

I wonder about...how Malachi will be in the long term, socially and academically.

92

I learned...switching lunch spots around is not as easy as it seems. at. all.

Something great that happened was...being able to sign the beam and be with the kids as we all watched it get lifted into place!

Something challenging that happened was...working with Connor on his reading and seeing him struggle over reading his own name. His brain wasn't in automatic mode...

A question I have is...is Malachi really a danger to himself right now or is it attention seeking?

I wonder about...why Malachi and Connor tested so low on BAS compared to what they read in class.

91

I learned...that writing TGIF as the morning greeting can actually offend some children!

Something great that happened was...ending the week on a positive note with the classes behavior overall, great to end on a more positive note.

Something challenging that happened was...having a child hurt himself and say things about harming himself.

A question I have is...when is a child trying to get attention with threats of hurting them self and when is it serious?

I wonder about...how my lessons on contractions will go next week...

90

I learned...that even with massive amounts of waterworks and drama I can stand firm and not give into a kid who was not listening.

Something great that happened was...having Connor actually write using the computer, it wasn't super easy but he did it!

Something challenging that happened was...having to give the class a "talk" about following the rules and behaving like big 6 and 7 year olds.

A question I have is...is Malachi beginning to throw tantrums because he is confused or because he is trying to be ornery?

I wonder about...if our class is about to get the "bug"

89

I learned...that one way to get a bunch of kids who are excited for recess quiet quickly is to have the Vice Principal walk into the room.

Something great that happened was...giving Malachi the Peabody and it going well! Even better was that I was able to score it, all by myself!

Something challenging that happened was...having Bhavya hurt Connor during Center Time, when I was alone in the room with the kids. But again, I managed it.

A question I have is...is Malachi always saying he has to go to the bathroom his new way to get out of the room when he is overwhelmed?

I wonder about...what the Chinese New Year celebration will be like tomorrow, I'm excited.

88

I learned...that solar flairs and a new moon make kids insane!!

Something great that happened was...having my kiddos wish me a happy birthday, give me hugs, and cards, and sing to me today!

Something challenging that happened was...having to lower the boom on the kids and give them the "behaving talk" - not fun!

A question I have is...how do you deal with a class when they are all off the wall and misbehaving?

I wonder about...if the kids will be a bit more balanced tomorrow...