Highlights

Highlights of the day:

- Our class winning the ABC of sports contest (and then proceeding to go nuts when they announced us winning over the intercom)
- Winning a game of wall ball in aftercare (against a bunch of 4th and 5th graders)
- Getting my act together as far as enrollment benefits for next schoolyear
- Enjoying a school-wide sports dress-down (Go Michigan State!)

With only one more week (and some change) of school to go, it's the little things, people.

Cheers to the weekend!

Change in plans...

Sooooooo, I recently agreed to take on a new position at my school next year. Instead of co-teaching 4th grade (self-contained), I will be teaching middle school religion.

Next year's plans have been brought up with a few people (mostly family and close friends). Here are some responses I've received when I've explained the change for next year:

Middle School? Good luck with that...

Is that all you're teaching?

It is a full time job, right?

Wow, you're brave.

Well, that will be different...

I'd love teaching religion all day...if it weren't to middle school students...

Thanks for the support, guys.

Just kidding. Most of these comments have been followed by things like "You'll be good at that" or "I'm sure you'll be ready to meet the challenge."

It is going to be different, that's for sure. I'll miss working with my current co-teacher, and I will miss the 4th grade age group (and having one class for the whole day). But this opportunity will allow me to experience teaching other grade levels - can't expect to stick to just 4th grade "4"-ever. (Though, I must admit, it is a pretty ideal age group.) In addition, the principal has been very supportive in assuring me that if, in a year or two, I want to go back down to 4th grade (or thereabouts) that she would support that decision.

So, for now, we'll just have to finish out the year strong and then wait and see. Middle school, here I come!

On My Lips

The other night at young adult book club, we talked briefly, among other things, about how praying for a person or making an intentional effort to really see a situation allows us to truly experience that person (and our interactions with him/her) in a totally different light.

I, personally, have found this to be true, both during Lent (when I tried to pray for one specific student each day) and more recently - when that student's name was on my lips (in prayer), I found I was able to face any struggles or annoyances with him/her more easily.

And, I suppose, that makes perfect common sense. Yet, how often do I allow myself to get caught up in a moment or to be silently frustrated (in a shaking-of-the-head kind of way) with a student or co-worker?

Too often.

So, what can we do about it?

One thing I want to try is to be in more constant communication (i.e. PRAYER) with God. The days in which I have achieved this more intimate and continuous conversation are ones in which I have been filled with more joy and peace about all that comes my way.

And that, my friend, is no coincidence.

My Kids

Another Monday has come and gone.

We're nearly to the end - just a few more weeks to go.

Hard to believe...hard to believe.

It reminds me of a quote I came across on Pinterest awhile back - so true:

Some days ahead will certainly be challenging, but our time left together is short. We have to remember to treasure and enjoy it for all it's worth.

Summer Time and the Reading is Easy...

We still have 3.5 weeks to go in our classroom, but that doesn't mean we haven't been gearing up for summer.

For the students, that means dreaming of camps, sleeping in, and going on family vacations.

But for us teachers, it means planning student summer reading.

The term "summer slide" gets thrown around a lot, but it should not be taken lightly. Our kids like to read, so that is probably why it is so disappointing that many of them choose not to read over the summer. (That is, they read the assigned 1 or 2 books right after school gets out OR right before school starts up again.)

As we finalize up our summer reading plans (which may include some student blogging - woo hoo!), let me direct your attention to these 5 practical tips for reading over Summer from Scholastic: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/pam-allyns-5-tips-summer-reading

Read on, my friends. Read on...

Because of Mr. Terupt, I am recommending this book

Just finished Because of Mr. Terupt - wow.

Funny.
Smart.
Poignant.

The fifth grade students (and their families) are transformed in this novel...all because of Mr. Terupt. (Um, just guessing, but I think that's how the book got its name.)

Hands down, this is one of the best upper elementary/early middle school books I have read in a long time (except for The One and Only Ivan). The chapters are short, and they trade off points of view among the 7 main students in the book. (In fact, the way the story is written almost makes it seem like there are only 7 students in the class - that might be its only downfall.) The voice in the writing is superb, and it is specific to each student. And each student carries baggage. And each student needs some kind of reassurance and reconciliation...and...and...

All right, I'll stop there.

HOWEVER, if you teach in the 4th-6th grade range, you NEED to read this book. (And then, more importantly, pass it on to your colleagues and students.)

Random Friday Night Thoughts...

I don't know about you, but this week has been loooooong. When I think it's Thursday and it's really just Tuesday, that says it all. Yep, that's what it's been like.

Not that I'm complaining - more like stating a fact about my life. My nights have actually been filled with fun things: volleyball, trivia (for the win!), school spring concert, and dinner with my sister. (Maybe I just haven't been getting enough sleep.)

There's just a lot bouncing around in my brain right now - lots to think about. Sorry if I'm not making any sense - we've been looking over student data, looking ahead to next year, preparing for changes in faculty, and more...so I'm a little lost in thought right now.

So, can I ask you just to send a prayer up for me?

Thank you.

P.S. Check out our superintendent's spotlight in the ACE News.