Finally Friday

Friday, November 22: Oh - yuck this is like the worst kind of walking. There is ice under snow, ice on blacktop, slippery ice, black ice. I guess over break I NEED to find my YakTrax, for sure. Yes, 

there are some challenging days where paying attention to each step is pretty important. But...really great week!  No kidding - it seemed way more than 5 days, though. The best thing is the menu assessment and the kids' efforts. Today, all the 7th grade classes will be doing book passes and 'shopping' for books for book clubs (lit. circles, book groups...). No stress for them or me. Good conversations about books. And then it will be Thanksgiving Break. WooHoo!
I will be bringing home all the assessments, all the homework turned in today, and all the book pass sheets with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices - as well as a list of how many of each book the library and I have on hand. Oh, and I need to do all the goals and adjusted instruction for Read180 students in SOARS. But, the good news is I can do it sitting on my comfy chair in my comfy clothes. Sort of heavenly.

What a difference a day makes

Wednesday, November 20
Beautiful morning. Yesterday was too cloudy to see the moon, but today is clear and pretty. I'm pretty
excited (not to mention exhausted.)
The all day our on the computer finding data, assessing data, and setting and entering goals for each and every student on a literacy plan... left no time for Cheryl and I to write our unit test. So that is how I spent all yesterday evening. But I love it! I created a "Assessment Cafe Menu" of questions and activities. Light and Tasty choices - simpler tasks worth few points to Challenge Yourself selections - more difficult tasks worth the most points. Students will choose any combination to equal 15 points. I, also, included several pages of short nonfiction passages which they can use to answer some of the questions or find examples. I think students will love it - well, as much as they can love any assessment.

Thursday, November 21
Okay, snow. Not such a beautiful morning today.  I guess it's really fine. Many people love it. Slippery, though and cars are sliding. I texted Dani that cars are sliding all over Kipling.  Ooops, auto correct said '...cats are sliding...' Oh, well - If cats are sliding it must be really, really slippery. Anyway - my fabulous students are really impressing me with their effort and focus. Some will have to finish today. I spent a lot of time making sure they understood directions and felt confident with the format. I really am stunned at how engaged and thoughtful they are!

TG I'm Back

Saturday, November 9: I am finally back from an unexpected absence from my blog. Switched to Windows 8 and developed LOTS of computer issues, including the inability to upload pictures to my computer. Most of them were due to lack of knowledge on my part - but knowing that didn't fix them :) Because I was, also, busy with Amendment 66 and the school board election and end of trimester... I didn't resolve the problem until today. (The problem with the election, I can't even think about...at all. What can't be cured must be endured) So, here is a favorite picture from the missing time.

This is the fabulous view when I walk in my room at several times of the year when the timing is just perfect. This view is inspirational and uplifting every day - Well, not so much on the cold, drizzly days; but this is Colorado. We don't have many.
I am feeling very optimistic about my classes and student growth. I found an AMAZING book by Gary Paulsen, Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas, that is so raw and engaging that I start each day with it in Read180. Students have learned what it is like to believe in the reality of a character they know is fictional. They have talked aloud in front of each other about fear and nightmares and being alone in that place. Gosh, it is fabulous! What will I do when we finish?