Back to school--here comes the rush!

Everything has been so much better since Christmas break. I had heard about how bad the students would be before break from veteran teachers and wow--were they ever correct! The break was too short and I was really dreading coming back--not because I didnt want to teach but I know this semester is going to be extremely busy and stressful. Once I have gotten back into the flow of things, it has been going really well! We are also starting a new book in our series, "Accenture the Negative" which is one of my favorites so I am excited to teach this part of math. I am really starting to get my data collection stuff going. I set up my goal setting activity today and I am going to start it on Friday. I am also working on some surveys to give and I have decided exactly which 2 classes I am going to use. I have started my introduction as well. At the same time, I am really trying to start more MAP preparation while also getting through the material. We are only starting the 4th book which we should have FINISHED before Christmas! However, the other 7th grade math teacher is the same place I am so I am not too worried. I am going to choose my individual research students who have either a D or an F and also who I beleive can truely work to raise that grade through reflections, goal setting, and conferencing (my research basis). I am actually excited to see how the kids respond (hopefully in a positive manner) and what the outcomes are. I have definitely come to one conclusion that sums up everything I have learned this year and it includes everything going on this year: THERE SHOULD BE MORE HOURS IN A DAY! There is not enough time to accomplish everything. I keep thinking about how next year should seem so easy because I won't have so much "extra" work beyond general teaching duties! I am really excited about one student who I am really focusing on in general this semester. He was a huge problem for me before Christmas and failed most of his classes. He's been in a ton of trouble. He has switched classes and from the beginning, I started by giving him 'pep talks' about his new behavior, improvements, etc. Minus the fact that he was written up when I had a sub for the release day, he currently has an 'A' in my class, daily comes prepared, asks and answers questions, and conducts himself better in class than he ever has before! I am really hoping this this will be my 'miracle student' this semester, but we'll see. As a whole 7th grade team, we have decided our students need more time in school to complete homework because it is not getting done at home. Therefore, we have set aside our core enrichment class on Thursdays as a strict and structured studyhall. If they bring work AND work efficiently, they get a ticket. They bring this ticket to advisory where they get to play games the last 25 minutes of the day IF they earn it. So far, it is going well so hopefully this was a great intervention! More next time!

Happy New Year!!

I am so disappointed to not have worked on anything school related over this break. I had planned on working ahead and really preparing, but that did not happen. I was hoping the break would slow down, but no such luck. I cannot believe we are already to the spring 2008 semester . . . this is the semester that I will write this LONG paper, build a presentation, finish my masters . . . then give my first MAP tests at school and finish up my first year of teaching! WOW! Just as I feel like I really know that is going on and I feel in the flow of things, then something hits me and I just get lost for a few days . . . and wonder what the heck happened. The snow days threw things off and then I spent the last week and a half trying to catch up. Then I thought I could get so much accomplished during the last week despite warnings from experienced teachers . . . wow was I ever wrong again. And now I dont even know where to start tomorrow . . . I cant even hardly remember what we were doing so how can I expect the kids to remember exactly what a rate, ratio, unit rate, etc. is immediately . . . so I guess I'll start out reviewing and see where it goes from there. It just seems like we've been off longer than a week and a half and its going to be harder to get back in the groove of things.

As far as technology goes, I am hoping to get my students more involved in our team website. The social studies teacher should have gotten his eMINTS classroom finished over break with laptops for almost all students . . .therefore he will be doing much more with the students . . . so I am hoping to start planning a few things to do with the students that connect to his class as well. He will be teaching basic computer skills to my students, so that will really help me out when planning computer activities.