What Worked and What Didn't

Part 1: Reflective Journal
It's that time of the quarter: Unit Tests and large-content quizzes occupied the beginning of the week.  At the same time, in Language Arts (8th grade) we moved forward with writing mysteries. 

This group loves the routines, and like all students, they crave the knowledge of "where is this lesson going". We started with brainstorming three places that they were interested in. Then, we moved on to the "things" that were probably found at these locations. 

Today, a student confessed to me that she was really disappointed because we weren't writing about the "people" until next week. She's excited to continue her writing and so are many other students. They see where we're heading and they are anxious to get there. I'm thrilled! I have high hopes for this project!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm always searching for new and better ways to address the needs of my struggling readers. I'm pushing my older students on vocabulary drills. The most encouraging teacher-moments happened this week when I left one of the students with a stack of vocab. cards and he began, without my direction, to sort, repeat, and use strategies he's used before to learn the words. Anyone who thinks students don't want to learn, hasn't met these kids! Within the next week, I'd like to set some short-term goals with these kiddos.

Part 2: Teaching-Wear (Week 3)

I still have around 20 or more skirts hanging in my closet, but what's left is harder to match to the rest of my closet. I've also come to the conclusion that I need more patterns in my life! (Time to go shopping?) However, there is a plastic tub in the basement that I haven't opened yet...

<= On Monday, I wore boots. That helps me feel better 100%. Shoes are my enemy after breaking my foot but boots always look good with a skirt. I love the comfort of this skirt and it's brown tweed pattern is a good base for any color. It's a keeper!

My rating­: 4(Sadly, no pockets...)

<= Tuesday, I didn't plan ahead. I grabbed the closest skirt I found and matched the top to an accent color in the skirt. Although the skirt was a rayon mix that was super comfortable, it was slightly too big and kept "twisting" throughout the day. It has two side-slits and as a Junior High teacher, the twisting isn't a good thing at all! It's already in the discard pile!

My rating: 3 Even though I hated the slipping due to the size, I liked the pattern and the browns/blues.

<= By Wednesday, I was beginning to realize that I'm subconsciously picking out skirts I definitely "like" to wear to school. This has always been one of my favorites. The grey skirt is stretchy with a random "scrunchy" pattern throughout. It's perfect without tights and will be wonderful with them!

My rating: 5 (Still no pockets though...)

<= Each Thursday, I try to wear pink. (My self-proclaimed "girlie" day.) But in the a.m. when I put on the shirt/skirt combo I had set out, I quickly noticed that this skirt DEMANDED a shirt that was tucked in. Not sure about the top, but I love this skirt. It's a heavier material, a soft cotton. AND IT HAS POCKETS!

My rating--5 Easy style and comfortable.