The first nine weeks flew by!

Oh my goodness! I cannot believe we are already finished with the first nine weeks! It is so crazy that Fall Break is looming and that we have already completed 1/4th of our school year!
I have yet to really catch my breath and have recently realized I need to take a moment and restructure my kids. I purchased 200 count manilla folders and brads, and we are making journals this week to organize our bellwork and notes. We are also doing a few catch up and wrap up moments throughout the week as it is short and sweet. I think before I know it, it will be over, and we will be facing Christmas!
One thing I have realized, and this is very recently, I am not a teacher who is a fan of not accepting late work. Okay, hate me for this...I am not that teacher who tells a kid "you cannot make that up." That kills me. I just want them to learn the 'hows' for an assignment. If they choose to not turn it in, fine, I will give them a zero; however, once they realize and decide to make it up, I take it. A few of my friends are groaning...I get it. I just cannot see the fact that when a kiddo- and yes, they are until they start to make their way in this world solo- asks for another chance, I just cannot turn to them and say no. I will reduce the grade, and yes, I will cut it off at the quarter, but I do feel the need to offer the chance to make a wrong right for a bit longer than I probably should... maybe it is my inborn need to feel that when I make a mistake, I can make it right if  I so choose to make the restitution. They will feel the pain in the gradebook, but they will learn and be able to make up at a reduced grade so they can move on...let someone else teach this life lesson- I am totally okay with that, and I may even make a few others mad at me for it, but if you know me, you know I only want what is best for mine :)  Sorry if you do not agree- all I ask is for the respect that I know what I am doing, and please know I will never tell you how to take care of yours.  I am looking forward from here and we are tying up the loose ends. I am ready to close this nine weeks out and start fresh next week!
Have a great week everyone! 

This may not relate so much to education as it does to faith, but I apply this to both. Without knowing who I am and my relationship with God, I could not set foot into the classroom and know that I am working with his children every single day. It is not always easy to reach each individual, and I often fall short of the mark, but I do know that as I go in and try to give my all, I will succeed one step at a time. I love this work. It is a work of service, love, tears, pain, happiness and pure joy. It is a selfless work we all do. I know that as I help build our future generations and teach each student, these children will know I am there to help in anyway that I can and that my love for them is genuine.
This year has been such a blessing thus far. I have such great classes. We just finished working on our news articles. I did the process with them and feel like they will know the work I expect them to produce. I believe those that still struggle will catch on far faster than students have in the past.
We are revisiting our grammar quizzes and going through them as a class on Tuesday. They need the help and I believe a class on clarity is definitely needed. The PreACT is here for Sophomores and we are reaching PTC next week. It is still up and busy, busy, busy!
Looking forward to a new week!
Good Monday Everyone!!!

Week three is complete- wholly cow this has flown!

This week was one of peace and thought development. Faced with the "why do we have to do this?" question a few times, I think I may have broken through to some of my kids. I know that Friday I walked away not feeling as confident with one young man in particular, but I do believe he will give me a chance to prove myself.

This week was full of spelling mistakes that the kids caught and helped me with (not sure where my mind was!) and grammar spoofs! I know this stuff- I really do! I guess it is what I get for not teaching it like this for years! Oh well- they love when I make the mistakes and they can fix it. Many told me it makes me human to them. I own up and the kids find it a relief. This being said, I am prepping a bit more to catch myself before they do! :)

The National Guard will be here on Monday for Juniors and The WPLS for Sophomores. I am flipping the reading day around and getting the rest of my foundation built for the year. It literally takes a full month to build, but I feel like it will be so worth all the effort and work in the end! The articles are almost finished- the writing process is about to commence. Then we will look at our novel projects and end this short week with a day of reading.

I have to say that I LOVE my kids! They are the best!

Hope this finds all in good health and facing an incredible week ahead!

"Teachers who love teaching teach children to love learning" ~Alan Sitomer, California Teacher of the Year

Looking forward to a new week!

Wheew! I had a BUSY weekend! We are almost finished with a house that we are working on as a family and I think coming to work will actually will be a slow down for a bit.

I am excited to get really into the units I have ready to go for my students once I have the final foundation for the classroom laid down! I am ready to see the classroom move forward!

So far we have some really great creeds written! I am excited to post them on my webpage! They will be unveiled next week as I hang them in the classroom :) I am super excited for the kids to see their work on display. They are pretty proud of the work they put into them! I am proud of them as well :)

Bell work and Grammar lessons are in full swing and we are finishing the news article that we began last week. This is to set the students up for their homework assignments in my classroom (thanks Ken Gallagher and his Article of the Week!)

Layer upon layer is being built and so far, this is the year I finally feel like I just might have a handle on this teaching thing!

Have a great week everyone!

The First Full Week

I have the most amazing classes this year! These kids came in ready to work and I could not be happier! I am super stoked to get them immersed into the materials and give them things to think about on a daily basis! I love it so!!! This is Monday and we have so much going on it is unreal, but I am facing it full force and making my way to success!
Happy Monday Everyone!