100

I learned...that you can spend two fun hours celebrating the 100th day of school and the kids have no idea they are actually learning!

Something great that happened was...seeing the kids have so much fun celebrating the 100th day and get so into counting out 100 things! I hope they are always this energized on the 100th day!

Something challenging that happened was...still have to remind some of the kids how to behave, maybe it was all the excitement, but some of them have forgotten how first graders behave.

A question I have is...when are kids "crushing" on each other and when is it becoming teasing?

I wonder...how the next 80 days will go and how much more the kids will grow by then.

99

I learned...that 99 days into the school year, its normal to have to review the rules and talk about how we act.

Something great that happened was...having Bhavya do so well pushing me on the tire swing, not to mention getting to play on the tire swing with the kids!

Something challenging that happened was...having to handle the situation between Connor and his dad this afternoon. I know I handled it well, but it was challenging and stressful.

A question I have is...how will my boys doing reading next Friday when Elaine comes?

I wonder...how quickly the last 80 days of school will go...

98

I learned...watching six and seven year olds act out folktales is pretty hilarious.

Something great that happened was...administering the CTOPP and it going so smoothly and being able to score it easily!

Something challenging that happened was...having the whole class be so ornery and out of control at 8:15 this morning. I felt like I had no power over them and they wouldn't respect or listen to me.

A question I have is...why do full moons really affect kids (and adults)?

I wonder about...if they will remember how to behave on the 99th day of school...

97

I learned...that sometimes first graders can be downright mean over nothing.

Something great that happened was...playing on the structure with the kids today and playing some basketball as well. Nothing like impressing your class before 10am on a Monday.

Something challenging that happened was...seeing Marty not want to play with Connor, for no apparent reason.

A question I have is...when do you get involved when a child refuses to include another child?

I wonder about...how Bhavya will do with the new upheaval in his life...

96

I learned...that even at age 6.5 Malachi realizes that he isn't getting everything in the classroom. It's heartbreaking, but also encouraging to see that he can realize this.

Something great that happened was...seeing Malachi do so much better on his BOYA! Only getting a few problems wrong, but being close on them, so great to see progress.

Something challenging that happened was...having the kids all picked up the tattling bug. I mean really, where does this come from?

A question I have is...why you have to be 7 to be tested for CAPD, isn't that wasting valuable treatment time?

I wonder about...how Bhavya will do with no recess next week.

95

I learned...that even first graders know that pulling a poor groundhog out of its hole to "predict" the end of winter is lame and not probable.

Something great that happened was...a fabulous field trip to the puppet theater, the kids were great, the show was great, we all had fun!

Something challenging that happened was...have Max and Shane being so mean to Nicki in the block area, six year olds saying someone's rear end is too big, really?

A question I have is...how do you deal with a child that may fabricate the truth quite a bit during share time? Do you let it slide so he'll share?

I wonder about...why Neila has suddenly slipped with her behavior.

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!