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.