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.
