50

I learned...a fre children being out of the room can really change the dynamic of the group. It's so interesting to watch it then change instantly when they come back into the room.

Something great that happened was...successfully helping the kids read "Strega Nona" and determine the story's problem and solution was. Plus, I got to read one of my favorite books!

Something challenging that happened was...trying to get a child to focus when his mind was clearly checked out for the weekend.

A question I have is...how many times can you say a child's' name before they are intentionally tuning you out?

I wonder about...how crazy our first very short week of school will be, I know my mind is halfway to vacation, I bet theirs are too.

58

I learned...that sometimes all it takes for a reluctant child to participate is a good friend by their side.

Something great that happened was...Bhavya being able to easily get over a small scuffle during soccer and after a small cool down he was able to rejoin the soccer game. Progress!

Something challenging that happened was...watching a child who is usually well behaved get hurt because he and his friend were goofing off during lunch.

A question I have is...where the kids just off today or are the expectations of first grade becoming too much for all of them?

I wonder about...what the next 3 weeks hols leading up to the holidays...

57

I learned...that it's totally normal to write up a "script" for your lesson to help you stay focused and on task.

Something great that happened was...my lesson went well and I got great feedback from Jane and Elaine. I am so proud of myself for taking a huge chance with this google earth lesson and seeing it come to life!

Something challenging that happened was...the class being on crazy pills during this lesson, cheese and crackers it was a classroom management nightmare!

A question I have is...how do you address serious behavior issues like that? Do you let them slide and the next day is a new day?

I wonder about...how the class will be the next time I teach a lesson in front of Elaine, oy!

56

I learned...that sometimes the best way to help a child who can be indifferent and struggle with routines is to have his best friend be their "cheerleader"

Something great that happened was...feeling validated when Jane wanted to use a worksheet I designed for math again in another lesson!

Something challenging that happened was...having Neila give me serious attitude and say to me "I nodded my head, are you blind?" - but I kept my cool and followed through with a consequence.

A question I have is...how do you help a child who already has trouble with reading to read something other than "Nickolodeon" books?

I wonder about...how my big supervised lesson will go tomorrow?

55

I learned...that it's totally fine to call for help when you need it. Even if you think you can do the problem, nothing wrong in showing you can ask for the help that is available to you.

Something great that happened was...I taught my students something I learned from my teacher when I was in second grade. It felt great to pass on something that I loved and clearly still remembered!

Something challenging that happened was...being stretched in 18 different directions today during mapping. Oy!

A question I have is...is it appropriate that many of the kids have no idea where the continents go, even when looking at a map? If so, why teach a concept they aren't ready to grasp?

I wonder about...if the class will remember things I teach them when they're 23, just like I do...

54

I learned...that it's great to get back to school after a break, I really had missed the kiddos.

Something great that happened was...we all had a smooth day back from our first vacation of the year. We all fell back into the groove with minimal fuss and had a great day.

Something challenging that happened was...despite the overall smooth transition, having Connor having a rough morning, it was too be expected but it's still unsettling.

A question I have is...how do you respond to a parent who is convinced that something is wrong with their 6 year old's handwriting and spelling, and therefore something else is wrong, even when the child is fine?

I wonder about...how the next few weeks, as we get closer to the holidays and winter vacation will be for all of us...

53

I learned...that a half day before a holiday is a day of fun learning, because let's face it, everyone's mind is on vacation!

Something great that happened was...sitting down and planning all next week with Jane, holy moly, I'm teaching a ton, but I'm so stoked about it.

Something challenging that happened was...trying to keep everyone focused on the little bit of learning we were going to accomplish today!

A question I have is...is it better to barely teach about Thanksgiving or to teach it and risk "othering" or getting to "cute"?

I wonder about...how refreshed everyone will or won't be on Monday.