A long weekend awaits me. I can't wait! It will be busy, but a good kind of busy, you know?
Tonight we are hosting a sleepover, tomorrow I am attending a bridal shower for my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Sunday we have a get together with some folks from church, and Monday I hope to hook up with my best friend for some shopping. (Really need some new work pants!)
I will try my best not to think about school this weekend, except for the hour or two I am going in Saturday morning to clean my room a bit. I don't know about you, but I am always surprised at the amount of dust that accumulates on surfaces in such a short amount of time. My room's not gross, but I know it's there and I can't stand it.
I am also going to rearrange my class library by level because I've discovered that some of my kiddos have been taking the easy way out in regards to choosing their independent reading books. They are supposed to choose books on their reading level in accordance to our school-wide reading program, but some of them have been choosing the same book more than once or are choosing books below their level because they are easy reads. Never mind that I have reminded them of the five finger rule over and over again. (Although I have modified it to three fingers because I think it is more accurate.) I called the class on it today and told them that a change is a-comin'! I am also implementing a weekly tracking guide to keep them accountable.
Why on the weekend you ask? Why on a LONG weekend? Simply put, it's when I have a bit of time. I've had something after school every night this week, and I want it done by Tuesday. So there it is.
So aside from that minor inconvenience, I am going to have a good weekend and I wish the same to all of you!
Have fun!
Showing posts with label Break. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Break. Show all posts
Friday, January 14, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Day 77: It's Over. {Sigh}
Happy New Year!
My holiday break has already come. And gone. {sigh.}
Not that I didn't enjoy my break. I spent some much-deserved time with my family, both in town and out of town. Several hundred miles out of town, to be exact. All with bitterly cold weather (but NO SNOW! YES!). My children enjoyed their holiday, and I had a chance to catch up on my leisure reading (Amazing how much of that doesn't get done during the school year...)
Then...
The clock read 6:30 yesterday evening. Being the slightly anal-retentive person that I am, I began to immediately count down the last few moments of freedom I had until I needed to return to school this morning. I desperately wanted at least one more day. But alas, that was not to be. (Slight confession/question: Does anyone else out there secretly set their alarm a bit later in the hope to squeeze out just a few more minutes of vacation? Or am I the only one? It's okay. You can admit it. We'll join a support group together.)
Apparently, I was not the only one feeling this way this morning. My own two children were dragging. My students were dragging (when they first got into the classroom, anyway. Then they perked up and revved along like they had caffeinated coffee with their breakfasts.). We did get a lot accomplished, but they were SO CHATTY today! Of course they wanted to tell all about their break, presents, who they saw, what they ate, etc. I gave them a period of the day to talk about those things (outside of recess and lunch) thinking it would help squelch some of that. Nope. Not at all.
Hopefully tomorrow they will be a bit better, but I don't know. (I have a sub for the morning. I'm going to have my knee checked out again. My doctor only had a 9 a.m. appointment available for the next two weeks after being closed during the holiday, so I took it. This is not something I would normally do to a sub, but I need to be sure I'll be able to get around.) I hope they will be decaffeinated by then!
For those of you still on your break, enjoy the time! For those of you who have started back with me, repeat as often as needed: four more days, four more days. (Or if you are a foodie like me: chocolate, chocolate...)
My holiday break has already come. And gone. {sigh.}
Not that I didn't enjoy my break. I spent some much-deserved time with my family, both in town and out of town. Several hundred miles out of town, to be exact. All with bitterly cold weather (but NO SNOW! YES!). My children enjoyed their holiday, and I had a chance to catch up on my leisure reading (Amazing how much of that doesn't get done during the school year...)
Then...
The clock read 6:30 yesterday evening. Being the slightly anal-retentive person that I am, I began to immediately count down the last few moments of freedom I had until I needed to return to school this morning. I desperately wanted at least one more day. But alas, that was not to be. (Slight confession/question: Does anyone else out there secretly set their alarm a bit later in the hope to squeeze out just a few more minutes of vacation? Or am I the only one? It's okay. You can admit it. We'll join a support group together.)
Apparently, I was not the only one feeling this way this morning. My own two children were dragging. My students were dragging (when they first got into the classroom, anyway. Then they perked up and revved along like they had caffeinated coffee with their breakfasts.). We did get a lot accomplished, but they were SO CHATTY today! Of course they wanted to tell all about their break, presents, who they saw, what they ate, etc. I gave them a period of the day to talk about those things (outside of recess and lunch) thinking it would help squelch some of that. Nope. Not at all.
Hopefully tomorrow they will be a bit better, but I don't know. (I have a sub for the morning. I'm going to have my knee checked out again. My doctor only had a 9 a.m. appointment available for the next two weeks after being closed during the holiday, so I took it. This is not something I would normally do to a sub, but I need to be sure I'll be able to get around.) I hope they will be decaffeinated by then!
For those of you still on your break, enjoy the time! For those of you who have started back with me, repeat as often as needed: four more days, four more days. (Or if you are a foodie like me: chocolate, chocolate...)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Day 59: We're Baaack!
Welcome back!
Today was our first day back after having five days off (including the weekend). I don't know about you and your students, but my students and I were completely in a fog this morning. Just getting my own two children moving and out the door this morning was a bit of a struggle. I think everyone just wanted to stay nice and warm in bed.
When I got to school I really didn't have much to do except change the jobs for the week, put up the new banner for our new reading theme, and write in my LEQs (Lesson Essential Questions) on my lesson boards. It was nice to just sit there and get myself mentally prepared for another school day after my time off. (This of course, after I realized it was School Spirit Day. I was supposed to be dressed in blue and white. I wore purple and black. Oops. Although it seems quite a few of the staff and students forgot as well so I didn't feel like such a loser.)
The bell rang at 8:45 and the students came in. Dreary eyed. Shuffling. Looking a bit like deer in headlights. You know the look I mean. Then to top off the fact that they were back in school and seemingly functioning at a basic level, I gave them MORNING WORK! (Enter screams here.) I gave them two daily edits (yesterday's and today's) and a set of math boxes. (Side note: Our district uses the Everyday Math curriculum. Each lesson has six problems arranged in boxes on a page. The students do one of these pages just about every morning. And if you're wondering about my feelings on Everyday Math, let me just say "Don't get me started!") Once everyone was in and the announcements were made (around 9:05), the students were perking up a bit. It was just a bit slow going at first!
We made it through the school day without anyone falling asleep or calling me "Mom. I mean, Mrs._______!" We finished (nearly) all of what I had planned. (This week's story discussion was intense. We actually have to finish tomorrow because we ran out of time!) Ah well. Tomorrow's another day.
Today was our first day back after having five days off (including the weekend). I don't know about you and your students, but my students and I were completely in a fog this morning. Just getting my own two children moving and out the door this morning was a bit of a struggle. I think everyone just wanted to stay nice and warm in bed.
When I got to school I really didn't have much to do except change the jobs for the week, put up the new banner for our new reading theme, and write in my LEQs (Lesson Essential Questions) on my lesson boards. It was nice to just sit there and get myself mentally prepared for another school day after my time off. (This of course, after I realized it was School Spirit Day. I was supposed to be dressed in blue and white. I wore purple and black. Oops. Although it seems quite a few of the staff and students forgot as well so I didn't feel like such a loser.)
The bell rang at 8:45 and the students came in. Dreary eyed. Shuffling. Looking a bit like deer in headlights. You know the look I mean. Then to top off the fact that they were back in school and seemingly functioning at a basic level, I gave them MORNING WORK! (Enter screams here.) I gave them two daily edits (yesterday's and today's) and a set of math boxes. (Side note: Our district uses the Everyday Math curriculum. Each lesson has six problems arranged in boxes on a page. The students do one of these pages just about every morning. And if you're wondering about my feelings on Everyday Math, let me just say "Don't get me started!") Once everyone was in and the announcements were made (around 9:05), the students were perking up a bit. It was just a bit slow going at first!
We made it through the school day without anyone falling asleep or calling me "Mom. I mean, Mrs._______!" We finished (nearly) all of what I had planned. (This week's story discussion was intense. We actually have to finish tomorrow because we ran out of time!) Ah well. Tomorrow's another day.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Day 58: Almost There!
The day is almost here! My husband is already home enjoying the first few moments of his holiday vacation. Me, not so much. My little darlings are outside enjoying the last few minutes of recess before they are dismissed in about 35-40 minutes.
Now before I get flack from some of you, my plans for next week are already done, my room is clean and ready to go for next week, and I'm just trying to kill some time.
There should be something written for every school district in the nation that the day before a major holiday should be a half day or just plain off. This day, while it counts as one of our 180, was a waste. This morning, we had a grade-level reward movie (part of our monthly behavior plan), although some of mine didn't make it because of owed work. After that was first recess. Then a read aloud from our principal. Then lunch. Then special. Then a quick review of today's daily edit followed by an assembly. That followed by a Thanksgiving graphing activity before recess (where they are now.) After recess we will get packed up and have a read aloud or silent reading until dismissal. Sure it makes for easy planning, but I think that time could have been used for more productive things. Ah well. It's almost over.
I hope all of you have a wonderful break and really take some time to enjoy yourselves! And if you score some great Black Friday/holiday weekend deals, don't be afraid to tell the rest of us where the savings are!
Now before I get flack from some of you, my plans for next week are already done, my room is clean and ready to go for next week, and I'm just trying to kill some time.
There should be something written for every school district in the nation that the day before a major holiday should be a half day or just plain off. This day, while it counts as one of our 180, was a waste. This morning, we had a grade-level reward movie (part of our monthly behavior plan), although some of mine didn't make it because of owed work. After that was first recess. Then a read aloud from our principal. Then lunch. Then special. Then a quick review of today's daily edit followed by an assembly. That followed by a Thanksgiving graphing activity before recess (where they are now.) After recess we will get packed up and have a read aloud or silent reading until dismissal. Sure it makes for easy planning, but I think that time could have been used for more productive things. Ah well. It's almost over.
I hope all of you have a wonderful break and really take some time to enjoy yourselves! And if you score some great Black Friday/holiday weekend deals, don't be afraid to tell the rest of us where the savings are!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Day 57: Children
It's something to observe children on the eve of any sort of time off from school. While they enjoy being with you during the day and may draw you pictures, or give you hugs, or tell you that you are the best teacher ever, they enjoy being away from you (and the school) just as much. Maybe more!
My students thought they had me today during our review of the date. We have Thursday through the following Monday off for the Thanksgiving holiday. A student looks at me, smiles, and says, "Mrs. ______, this says 'No school!'"
Smiling, I told her I saw it. Having been through this many times, I know what's coming. Wait for it...
She then proceeds to tell me that she likes when we have days off. (I don't know why little kids think this will shock you, but anyway...)
I told her I did, too.
(She looks confused, like "Really?")
"You do?" (Asked by the student and two others who have joined the conversation by this point.)
"Sure," I said. "I get to sleep in and I can walk around in my PJs and slippers all day if I want to!" (Of course, trying to imagine your teacher in PJs and slippers is hilariously funny to them and they are giggling like mad.)
(Enter smile and head shake.) "Okay guys, time to get back to your seats."
Children...are...funny.
My students thought they had me today during our review of the date. We have Thursday through the following Monday off for the Thanksgiving holiday. A student looks at me, smiles, and says, "Mrs. ______, this says 'No school!'"
Smiling, I told her I saw it. Having been through this many times, I know what's coming. Wait for it...
She then proceeds to tell me that she likes when we have days off. (I don't know why little kids think this will shock you, but anyway...)
I told her I did, too.
(She looks confused, like "Really?")
"You do?" (Asked by the student and two others who have joined the conversation by this point.)
"Sure," I said. "I get to sleep in and I can walk around in my PJs and slippers all day if I want to!" (Of course, trying to imagine your teacher in PJs and slippers is hilariously funny to them and they are giggling like mad.)
(Enter smile and head shake.) "Okay guys, time to get back to your seats."
Children...are...funny.
Day 56: One Day Down, Two Days to Go!
There are three days until Thanksgiving Break. I know some of you out there have already gotten a head start on your break and I can only wait for my time to come. Ah well. I hope you are enjoying a much needed break! For the rest of us, hang on a bit longer! We're almost there!
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