It is the Sunday after the first week of school. Looking back, I am impressed at the way things have started. Other than some major issues with our new interactive boards, I would say that this has been the smoothest start of the year I've had yet. It feels like things are finally starting to click, and since this is my eighth "beginning of the year," it is about time. It feels like I'm actually teaching, not just pretending.
I'm excited to introduce my seventh graders to many new books and ideas. I talk about reading and they are still too nervous to say "I hate reading" but I can see it in some of their faces. I can't wait until we get past that point and they are reading book after book. I have to remember that it takes a lot of work. At this point they are still sixth graders that struggle to follow directions. Soon, they will be to handle more and more on their own.
I'm nervous and excited to work with the students I had last year as seventh graders and push them even farther as eighth graders. I've already had a few run ins with students that feel a little too comfortable since they are with me last year. I've got to figure out a way for us to work together. One upside is, I know a lot about them and they know how my classroom runs. (I guess that is 2). Another positive note, Friday was a great day with both of my 8th grade classes.
Overall, it was a great first week. Of course, I can already see a few "issues" that may come up but for now, things are one the right path. Later in the year, I want to look back at this and remember how I felt after the first week.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Thinking Back 1
This past year I had a major change to my schedule. Instead of teaching Reading and Writing, I only taught Reading. That meant I only saw each group of students once a day. I loved it! I had fewer discipline problems and my day seemed a little less stressful. Yes, I had to pick up one 8th grade class again, which was a challenge, but I really like my new schedule.
Another change I made was adding a Reading Workshop day. It is something I really wanted to do but I wasn't sure if I could make it work. Honestly, as I was doing it, I wasn't sure if it was worth all the extra stress. The student groups, the conferences, the mini lessons, I felt like I was always running around. My students still complained that they did not like to read. Starting in January, my workshop schedule was not a consistent and I considered not bothering with it next year. Then, at the end of the year, I realized a few things. 1. Middle school students are always going to say they don't like to things. That is just the way they communicate. 2. Many of my students, no matter what they say, enjoy reading. My proof? For 2 1/2 weeks after the OAA, I could look around my room and see my students reading. I didn't have to remind them to read, I didn't have to tell them to be quiet. All I had to do was say " Find a spot" and I could look around and see kids all over the room (under desks, on bar stools, at their desks). They flew through their Lit. circle books and many, actually most, read a second book during the allotted time. I have NEVER had groups do this during Lit. Circles at the end of the year. Normally I fight to get my students to sit and read.
I will be doing workshop again this year. I will be going through my workshop curriculum guide ( my masters project) and making some adjustments. I just wanted to take this space to remind myself of how excited I was to see my students reading!
Another change I made was adding a Reading Workshop day. It is something I really wanted to do but I wasn't sure if I could make it work. Honestly, as I was doing it, I wasn't sure if it was worth all the extra stress. The student groups, the conferences, the mini lessons, I felt like I was always running around. My students still complained that they did not like to read. Starting in January, my workshop schedule was not a consistent and I considered not bothering with it next year. Then, at the end of the year, I realized a few things. 1. Middle school students are always going to say they don't like to things. That is just the way they communicate. 2. Many of my students, no matter what they say, enjoy reading. My proof? For 2 1/2 weeks after the OAA, I could look around my room and see my students reading. I didn't have to remind them to read, I didn't have to tell them to be quiet. All I had to do was say " Find a spot" and I could look around and see kids all over the room (under desks, on bar stools, at their desks). They flew through their Lit. circle books and many, actually most, read a second book during the allotted time. I have NEVER had groups do this during Lit. Circles at the end of the year. Normally I fight to get my students to sit and read.
I will be doing workshop again this year. I will be going through my workshop curriculum guide ( my masters project) and making some adjustments. I just wanted to take this space to remind myself of how excited I was to see my students reading!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Starting Again
My attempts at blogging have never worked. I think it is because I get caught up in to many other things and this is the easiest thing to drop. I've decided to take a new approach. This will be a place of reflection. I want to document what I've tried and how it has or has not worked. This way I have all my info in one place instead of scribbled on random pieces of paper.
In the next few days or weeks I will try to make some notes on things that went well and things that didn't last year. I always want to improve. My goal is to write at least once a week when the school year starts.
In the next few days or weeks I will try to make some notes on things that went well and things that didn't last year. I always want to improve. My goal is to write at least once a week when the school year starts.
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