The End of State Testing

Well, we made it through the week and finished testing. All in all it was a good week. Our butterflies hatched and we let them go, only to get new caterpillars on Thursday. We love our mealworms, although they continue hiding under the oatmeal.

I think the kids did ok on the test. They were good and they tried, that's all I can ask. I take pleasure in realizing that we covered everything that was asked, so either they knew it or they didn't.

We have 13 teachers changing rooms next year. The man who helped me get my job out here is coming to our school next year - yahoo! He was asked when my principal first came, but felt God wanted him to stay where he was. Now he is coming and moving to fourth grade. I am excited! He is an awesome Christian with a good reputation with our staff. Most knew him from our former school. Just to fill in the blanks - when I first moved here we worked together at one school (Armada), then our principal moved to a brand new school (Towngate) and a bunch of teachers and I moved with her. Does this make sense? Anyway, I guess he's decided it's time for him to come. I know my principal has wanted him from day one. Anyway, I know some of the changes but all changes will be announced on May 14. No surprises - just change. Change is good.

Floor Saga

Monday we measure for carpet, Tuesday we measure for wood floor. Keep you posted

New on Carpet/Floor

Now we are thinking about carpeting the living room, dining room, and the two small bedrooms and wood flooring the entryway, hallway and master bedroom and retreat area. Any thoughts on this?

State Testing

YUCK! The past two weeks I have been reviewing, reviewing, and reviewing the second grade state standards with my sweet second graders. All of us are SICK TO DEATH of it! Thankfully, one parent gave us some caterpillars (her mom is a pre-school teacher) and another parent gave us some mealworms. We are all involved in watching the circle of life while we prepare for and this coming week take the state standardized test. We are also reading and getting grossed out by the book Andrew Lost on the Dog - I never remember the exact name of the book, but it's great! I'm hoping after Wednesday we can relax and enjoy school. Also, there are some big changes coming down in our school with switches in personnel and grade level, etc. etc. So far, I am safe, but my team will have big changes - maybe this will be an answer to the DRAMA we've experienced this year - I pray so! Ok - off to work, I need to pack up some ebay and pack up our study and my thousands of books so sweet hubby can paint. We are still up in the air about carpet vs. wood. Could use some more opinions and ideas, PLEASE??????????

Floor

Ok, if you had the choice, would you prefer carpet or wood floor? We are debating. Of course there is lots more to consider than what we "prefer," but I want opinions.

Messy, Sloppy, Heaps and Piles

My spring break was very awesome, I got SO much done, but now - one week back at school and it is all undone. We bought some new furniture, which necessitated painting and hopefully new carpet. WELL..... everything is now again in heaps and piles and all over the house. Why????? Because in order to paint, everything needs to be out of the bedroom. AND...since we bought bedroom furniture, we have to rearrange and make room for it anyway. Oh well, life is NEVER dull!

We are taking Spanish lessons, I have been going to listen to a Reading expert with lots of new ideas - very useful for my second graders, and we are still preparing for state testing. I am overwhelmed.

Back in the Saddle Again

My first day back at school was pretty good. The most challenging thing about teaching is getting the children to LISTEN. I think this is a problem universally with PEOPLE. We are NOT good listeners. Today, I blew my stack at them - then I have to go back and apologize for getting angry. They know I care about them and their learning, they just can't seem to help themselves. Why is focusing so hard? I keep them moving and we do a wide variety of activities, but still we expect so much out of these sweet little people. Today when I was teaching what is 4/5 of 20, I wondered...what do THEY care??? Again I wondered, WHY is this a second grade lesson? I also wondered this yesterday when I was (for the umpteenth time) trying to explain the difference between a fact and an opinion. Did I even know these words in second grade? Why do we rush them? If someone has a good answer for this, please share........

Good Friday

Well, today is Good Friday and my break is almost over. It was good, really good. I didn't do lots of traveling, although Steve and I did some driving and visiting. I'm almost ready to see those fresh, young faces again. I have been into my classroom twice to work and both times felt rather productive. I got lots done at home as well. I have no complaints.