138

I learned...that sometimes the only way to deal with insane behavior days is to laugh it off.

Something great that happened...having the kids love the last science lesson so much! Hearing Jack proclaim, "this is the best science class ever!" and the kids not wanting to stop for center time was just what I needed for my teacher's ego!

Something challenging that happened...both Malachi and Neila being so off. It pained me to send Malachi to his table for the rest of the day, but it had to be done...

A question I have is...is this one bad day for Malachi sour his motivation for his behavior plan?

I wonder...if we'll all make it to 2:20 on Friday in one piece...

137

I learned...first graders can be such prolific poets! Something great that happened...seeing Malachi go all the way "Around the World" during math with Ms. demons together. Even better was seeing the class be so proud of Malachi too! Something challenging that happened...getting clawed, hard, by Bhavya When I told him a 12 point break was not an option. A question I have is...what caused Marty to get so upset when I asked him to not be so silly during the word wall word retirement test? I wonder...how the kids will do next year when they go back to a regular math class format...

136

I learned...that a behavior plan is only as motivating as the child who it is for.

Something great that happened...when Jane said that in her eyes I have done more than a take-over week with all the days I have been flying solo.

Something challenging that happened...being unable to get the kids to line up and get ready to go outside for extra recess. Sheesh, we had been doing so well, too.

A question I have is...how do we address/deal with the factor that half of Connor's stuff is Connor's stuff and half is Connor not wanting to do things on some days?

I wonder...how the new computer sign up for choice time will work...

135

I learned...that Elaine is a visual learner and that our math centers are really unique and special. Something great that happened...having the math centers go so well today, smoother than I can even have imagined! Seething challenging that happened...it being a great week for his behavior and then have him hit Malachi with an hour left to go... A question I have is...Is it giving in to Bhavya by allowing him to not always wait for his turn like the other kids, how does he learn that it's part of life? I wonder...hiw much spring break fever we'll have to battle next week.

134

I learned...that more often than not, a child is really different at home than to in school!

Something great that happened...seeing Jane really support me and feel bad that I have to face Elaine alone tomorrow, it is also really great knowing that she has faith in my ability to manage it all!

Something challenging that happened...seeing Bhavya suddenly get so upset when Jane asked him, innocently, what had happened at the end of math.

A question I have is...will Bhavya always be like a shaken coke can waiting to be opened?

I wonder...if Elaine will have different thoughts after the math lesson tomorrow...

133

I learned...that having a substitute is so helpful when I am dealing with Connor leaving the classroom at 8:10 am. Something great that happened...reading the amazing poems the kids wrote with Ms. Steinberg, I was blown away by their prose. Something challenging that happened...being so flustered so early in the morning, it was truly starting the day off n the wrong foot. A question I have is...why does Connor suddenly snap our of his funks at the same time everyday? I wonder...if Malachi's plan will begin to work for him and motivate him...

132

I learned...that first graders are amazingly tech-savy. I honestly didn't know they could use a back button!

Something great that happened...enjoying the new, quieter, lunch system with the kids. It went faster and was calmer than I could have imagined!

Something challenging that happened...playing a nearly hour long game of cat and mouse with Connor and having only an inkling of an idea of what was bothering him.

A question I have is...will I always feel slightly guilty when ratting out kids and their less than desired behavior to their parents?

I wonder...how everyone will do with all the Plan B's tomorrow.