As I get older, the faster time seems to go. Everyone always tells me, just wait until you you get older. But, I am older. Some days just fly by and I don't even realize it's over, until it's too late. The first quarter of my third year is over on Thursday. I don't know where this quarter went to. In my mind it's the second week of the quarter and we still have plenty of time to complete assignments. Reality, it's four days until the end of the quarter, and projects are in full swing.
I have all these great intentions of hitting all the standards before the quarter ends, and it always starts off fantastic. Then, we hit a speed bump, I have to reteach something, or they pull me out of the building for two days and then it's just playing catch up. Excuses, I know. But, I'd like to think that over the lastthree years, I've actually gotten my shit together. First year teacher me, would be freaking out and having no clue what to do? Second year me, would have it a little more put together, still with a freak out.
This year, well I'm kinda ready for the quarter to be over already. I've learned that it's okay to not necessarily get all of the standards covered, if you go in depth and focus on a couple of them. Yes, I need to go over all of them, but sometimes you have to stop and slow it down and make sure they understand the ones you're going over.
At first, I thought it was a bad idea starting of the year with this whole reading thing I was doing. But, you know what? I'm glad I did it. My kids have shown me their love of reading, far more than my previous two years. Constantly, I am asked to send a student to the library so they could get a new book. It's such a great feeling see how excited they get when they enjoy the books their reading. Getting them to love reading has giving me the opportunity to read more and that has been just as cute ok. I never read during the school year because, "I never have time," but I definitely do, just have to put my mind to it.
My eighth graders have not been enjoying their books as much as I hoped, but I think their dystopian societies they've created are more than I could have asked for. Half of them have only read a few chapters of their books, so I'm hoping next quarter they will show more enthusiasm for reading books that they get to choose oh their own. It hasn't discouraged their imaginations and creations though. The societies they've come up with so far are truly incredible. My takeaway from this, don't let them work in groups for this long without more structured activities. Some groups are all over the place. Lesson learned.
Seventh grade. They are loving The Watson's go to Birmingham. Today about half of them finished and said it was one of their favorites. It always makes me feel good when I can introduce a book that the kids love. We've talked a little bit about The Civil Rights and I can't wait to see what they have to say when we argue about whether or not segregation still exists. Such a hot topic and I can't wait to keep coming back to it.
As the quarter nears the end and a new one starts, I hope I can stay on top of it, but I know how fast time seems to go now adays and reality is I will always think I'm ahead even though I'm not.
Love from the girl who constantly feels like she's going crazy, but remembers that it's the only way to stay sane.
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