It's about time!

Yes, I know.  It has been a while, and after the year I had last year, you would think it couldn't have gotten worse.  Well, to make this part short and sweet, I have an awesome class!  The mix is so good and they are all so sweet and loving.  A little lazy, but definitely have good hearts.  All the other stuff going on like TKES, SLO's, lots of curriculum changes, lesson plan formats, book studys, etc. has me beyond overwhelmed.

I have been trying to keep my head afloat and be a great teacher at the same time.  I am beginning to feel like I am attempting to swim rather than doggy paddling.

The main focus of most of our changes seems to be differentiation, so I am totally on board with that.  We are starting the Guided Reading program this year in our county and it is starting to come together nicely.  I finally have it all organized, I've gotten students used to being responsible without me standing over them, and I've called my reading groups to the back table to run through a lesson.  I am excited to see how smooth this will be running by the end of next month.

I am also very excited about my dry erase board back table.  I ordered dry erase laminate from Amazon, and my amazing hubby put it on my back table for me.  The students love it and I love it!  They always tell me how much fun it is to come to the back table.  Some of them get UPSET when I don't call them during Differentiated Math group time.  Of course, this was a Pinterest idea that I saw so I can't take full credit.  And if my principal or asst. principal is reading this, it peels right up with no residue. LOL

I know said that I am totally on board with differentiation.  The problem is, all the things they are expecting us to do with it, mixed with all the other "stuff" (for lack of a nicer word), has me working ALL the time.  I have two little boys and big boy at home, as so many teachers do and I am torn everyday as to when to put it down.  I mean, I can't have the administrators walk in the next day and I not have it all together.  And I don't want my boys feeling like I don't spend enough time with them.  So, I am trying to figure all of that out.  I have been differentiating with my lessons, small groups, and pulling students when needed.  So, I guess it could be worse it I was having to completely figure it all out.

As I trudge through all the changes and differentiation going on this year, I will try to be better about posting.  I would like suggestions on differentiating SS, Science, and especially Language Arts.  I have to teach language arts skills, like collective nouns, reflexive pronouns, and have students write at the same time and I have a WIDE range of ability levels when it comes to writing in my room.  If you have any for me, please feel free to leave a comment.

I also have my place value organizers that I have been using for Math.  You can download the sampler from TPT here.  Or get the full product here.

And That's a Wrap!

Today was the official last day of school for teachers (the students' last day was Tues).  I am ready for the break, but the sad thing is, I can't turn it off!  I have been on my computer looking up Georgia Regions, Rivers, and the Creek and Cherokee Indians.  Why?  I just always want to do it better, I guess.  So, I am always looking for ways to make it better for the kids.
We have a lot of changes coming for the upcoming school year.  The "control freak" in me wants to deal with those now, so I can start preparing.  Every year, I keep thinking it will be a normal year, then BAM, some kind of wrench gets thrown in there.  One day, the higher ups will finally get it, right?  They will remember what it was like to be in a class with 25 2nd graders with no help, and they will send in reinforcements.  Hey a girl can dream!  *Sigh* 
Here's to wishful thinking.  For those still teaching those last few days, good luck winding it down.  I hope everyone has a restful summer!  
Tori

What a Year!

I haven't felt much like writing about this school year.  I have had an extremely challenging group of students.  Almost every thing I have planned for, I have had to go to Plan B or C.  Any type of Centers or independent work lasting more than a few minutes (no more than 5) wasn't possible.
As I said, I haven't felt like writing about it and I really still don't.  I have poured my heart and soul into this group of students who could seem to care less about anything and everything.  Of course, there was a handful that I wish I could have made things so much different for them.  They were exposed to so much and missed out on so many opportunities because the majority of the class couldn't handle it.  I pray that they can have an amazing year next year and that hopefully, through all the drama, they were still able to take some things away from their year with me.  And that goes for the others too, even though it was a tough year, maybe they will end up with a teacher that can reach them better than I could next year, and hopefully they can leave me with a little something.
I am just ready to get this year behind me, knowing that I did the best I can do.  As my IS says, " All you can do is the best you can do, and the best you can do is enough."  9 more days to continue to try and reach them and make a difference.  Wish me luck!

Is it already half way over?

I cannot believe how fast this school year is going.  I have an awesome class and have been working non-stop to keep them busy and engaged.  And then when I leave school I am full on mommy.  My youngest, Carter, is walking now (not quite full on yet), but is everywhere he doesn't need to be.  My oldest, Payton, played football and now soccer.  Needless to say this mommy is TIRED and hasn't had much "me" time lately.  
One thing I have had time to do is to create a sticky note rubric for my students' writing assignments.  I love it because I can stick it on their writing in the classroom and I also let them use it while they are writing to grade themselves.  I haven't had much time to be creative this year, I sure hope things slow down soon. I hope your school year has been going great so far! 

You can download and get a closer look at the rubric here.