school daze...

I have had a couple of long talks with my student teacher. I think she's finally feeling more comfortable. The other teacher she's working with has some of the same observations that I do, though, that she's got to make sure she has enough small activities that there isn't much down time after the big class activity. Even if it's the ability to do a quick review or to ask the classes what is one thing (0n topic) that they've learned this week or something that makes them talk and share. I don't know how to talk to her about her body language, either. But she seems very uncomfortable to be in the front of the room without a podium or something... and heck, I don't have one. She needs to be more prepared than she looks like she is, I can't put my finger on it but there's something slipshod about her presentation, almost as if she doesn't know the material even though she assures me that she has taught this content at her previous placement. I think there are three more weeks... oy vey!

I don't like to sit during class; I seem to keep their attention better when I wander. Plus, sometimes I get restless when I sit. I'm glad my students miss me, though. They are excited for me to teach again. I'm having such a good year, I hate losing momentum with them. But, it's good for me to have a student teacher, even though it's way more work and not what I want... she can get some good pointers from me. Talking to her today, her eyes grew big and round when I talked on the fly about how to tweak the lesson she did this morning for the afternoon class, even after I suggested that she come up with some more material for them. I guess it pays that I've done this so long. I hope she learns something... something valuable and useful.

We're having workshops next week. Two whole days to work on reaccreditation. It's time to read the reports and comment on them. We'll spend time discussing and revising the reports and finally, making our list of strengths and needs for the school. I think if I could envision some positive changes coming from the process I would be more enthusiastic or on board with the whole thing. But to me, it seems like a huge waste of time, when there are so many other things I could be doing this year. Two days of reading and discussing. No one will be critical, hopefully, but I also hope that it's not all picky grammar mistakes that are being pointed out. My committee's report has gone through one draft and revision process, I hope that is all it will need. I can't imagine how dry and boring this is going to be. Ah well...

At least we've gotten permission to leave early on one of the days, that will be good, I can't imagine staying both days until three-thirty. Yeesh, that's almost like punishment. It cracked me up that our superintendent emailed us to say we could leave early a couple of times, as though he didn't owe us the hour--because conference day went beyond our contracted time.

We'll leave a bit early and feel like we're getting some kind of bargain out of it. Maybe it will put everyone in a good mood, I just don't even know what to expect.

On another note, the Soc class is really excited about their music video project! That makes me happy. I think they can create some really amazing things and hopefully will really push the envelope in terms of choosing themes. I hope the buddy-system works for them, too. I would truly be disappointed if someone fails me on this and doesn't bother to do it. Friday is a hug-off day with them, that will be fun. We were talking about the statistics that say we each need eleven hugs per day and some of the kids came right up to hug me... and I think I may have mentioned a few times how much I love a hug. I got the best hug ever today which was awesome.

What if this is as good as it gets?