What I Love About MY 2nd Graders

1. Their two-front teeth...that can be missing and/or two completely different sizes! 
2.  Because of the above mentioned...their lisp when they talk and are still getting control of their voice.
3.  How they are loving, sweet and kind.
4.  How they love to read.
5.  They are sooo literal.
6.  They are super fun.
7.  They enjoy school and like to learn.
8.  They listen to me and to each other...well, that may be a stretch.
9.  Sometimes I get to watch them turn into a learner that is aware of their learning and that is truly marvelous!
10.  They have the best, cutest, more wonderful-est smiles every morning when I greet them at the door!

(I will return to this post periodically...as needed.)

Did I mention I really enjoy my students...each and every year? 
I do.
I really, really do.

At the Crossroads...in the Middle

I am frustrated.
I am angry.
I feel as if my voice is not heard.
I feel the worst is yet to come.
I am preparing for the worst case scenario.
How can I find the positive?  What can I do?  Will the change be for good?

Here is what I know...

Our district just "won" a multi-million dollar grant.  Click here for the abstract. Where is this leading us as teachers and most importantly our children?  If you scroll up and down the abstracts you will read of other districts "winning" multi-million dollar grants (some up to over $50 million!) All of them are related to implement a performance-based compensation system.  Is this merit pay? 

Do all school counselors and therapists now have job security?  Students stressed out and students on anti-anxiety meds...is this around the corner? 

Now, where is the positive?  There is a silver lining?  Right? 

Let's hope.
Let's hope for the better...

The district collaborating.
The district given time and money to meet and effectively plan for teachers and students.
The district learning more from within.
The district being open to how teachers are being effective NOW.
The district realizing that everything new is not necessarily better than what is already in place.
The district working with teachers.

Teachers collaborating. 
Teachers given time and money to meet and effectively plan for students.
Teachers learning more from the outside and within.
Teachers being open to strategies and methods to better meet the need of their students.
Teachers realizing that what we learned in college (1, 2, 5, 10, 15 years ago) is not going to always work...every year.
Teachers working with the district.

The union collaborating.
The union seeing both sides of an issue.
The union being open to the realization that non-effective teachers do exist and they should not be protected by a union. 
The union realizing how to work well with others.
The union working with the district and the teachers. (Not for themselves, then teachers and against the district) 

Why can't we all just get along? 

The most important item on the agenda is our children. But that is not specific enough.

Our children need care, love and support from all staff members.  They do need to feel good about what they are doing.  Yes, feel good.  I didn't say "feel good teaching practices" or throw out testing or low grading practices.  They need to feel good, gain confidence in what the CAN do and then have their learning centered around their individual  needs.  Then we can truly see (and show) progress.  Right?
Our students will want to stay in school and graduate when they feel and see and are shown they are smart, kind and loving.  That a passing test and exceeding test is fabulous and so is making progress each year on said test. That they are contributing members to society...our global society.

Teachers need to adhere to state and national standards. 

Teachers need to be held accountable.

Teachers need to not be caught in the middle (or crossfire) between the district and the union.

Teachers need to teach.

Busy and then more busy...and then even busier

What is there to share...busy getting back into the swing of things at work, busy correcting papers, busy planning, busy keeping up with a 5th grader in football, busy with making sure he is doing his homework, busy running after a 2 year old. busy picking up after the fast 2 year old. washing dishes, doing laundry, changing diapers, hopefully remembering to feed the dog (or reminding someone to feed the dog), working long hours, not sleeping enough, staying up too late, waiting for the routine to settle down and to settle in...

Whew...busy! 

5th Grade

Note...this picture may  have been taken after the first day of 5th grade. It is also not the best picture, but it is a picture at least.  (He knows it is a fake smile and his eyes are closed, but he would not take another picture.  I could not use my camera because that would be at school on my desk.  The camera I took to school to take pictures of my 27 students on their first day...but not a picture my own!)  Insert Horrible-Mother-Award here.  He may need therapy at some point for this and well, many other reasons too, but there are too many to list at this point. I digress.

He started 5th grade today.  (I am saying screaming that over and over in my head!) I really am having a hard time believing it, taking it all in and grasping the idea that my "baby", 10 year-old baby is really growing up.  Really, really growing up.  He is a on his way to being a tween, well truth-be-told he is already acting like one!  He is super smart, very social, extremely funny and likes a variety of activities.  He will be playing football for the first time this year, too.  (I do like football more than soccer, but I am a little queasy about him tackling and being tackled!) We have been tossing the football around lately and that has been a blast! 

What else?

CJ is going to have a great year.  He is going to be busy, learn a lot (government, advanced math) and of course this spring it will be all about Outdoor School. 

"Exciting, fun and probably the best first day of school ever.  The best because it is the last in elementary school and I am at the top of the heap."  (Personally I think it is because he rock star teacher handed out slices of watermelon before recess!) 

I seriously think the next time I blog about him it will be announcing his college graduation or engagement. 

Time flies.