Song: "You'll Think of Me"- Keith Urban
Mood: Content

I made it to track out!!! I'm not sure how I did it, but somehow I was able to survive the first three weeks of teaching at Oak Grove. Let me mention, that my surviving was BARELY done. In three short weeks I have learned that the parents at this school are a breed of their own. I have never worked in a school where every parent thinks their child is brilliant (literally... they ALL think their kids are the most intelligent beings on Earth). I was told that the parents need their children to be challenged, so I've been doing just that... and then as a result I've have numerous (like five DIFFERENT parents) contact me for conferences because they're concerned about their child's grades. Mind you, this was all in week two... like six to ten days of school so far, and I had only given TWO assessments.

The whole assessment thing is another issue. We have goals and objectives that are from the NC Standard Course of Study... the same as the GLCEs in Michigan. Nothing that I haven't seen before. However, Wake County does Standards Based Grading (as did Childs with Bs, Ds and Ps) but with 1s, 2s, 3s and 4s. Each goal has multiple objectives and as a teacher, I have to give three different assessments per objective before I can give a final grade for the objective. The numbers work like this, a 1 means they cannot do the objective on their own. A 2 means they can do it with assistance but not without, a 3 means they get it and can do it on their own and then a 4 means they take the objective and go even further with it on their own. I was told that 4s are very rare and should only be given if the kid REALLY goes above and beyond what the objective is asking for.

SO... for reading, there are 16 objectives. If we multiply 16x3 we get 48. That means I have to have 48 assessment grades before I can give ONE reading grade (only one grade goes on the report card) and of those 48 I have ONE.

For math there are 28 objectives and if we do 28x3 we get 84. That means I have to have 84 different assessment grades before I can give ONE math grade. And of those 84 I have given ONE assessment.

So... you can imagine my shock when I had five parents tell me they were already concerned about their child's academics. I flipped out a little... okay, a lot because on the HUGE scheme of things we have only just begun. On many assignments I can only use a 1, 2 or 3 as the scale. They mean the same, but I have given a few 2s. Why give a 3 if they really can't do it?? Well... I've realized that many parents see the 2 as failure. Way to go Wake County... eliminate the logical letter grades that MAKE SENSE and use a stupid system where a 2 means failure. Grrr...

Anyway, I am tracked out and I can't express how happy I am!! I am going to a 3-5 Literacy training tomorrow and Tuesday. I am excited because EVERYONE in 4th grade has been trained and all plan on using this program after day 20 (we were given a step-by-step list of lessons for the first 20 days of school). It'll be nice to come back in August, finish that week and start using 3-5 Literacy.

Other than the training I don't have any plans! We spent all day yesterday cleaning the house and it finally looks good enough to take some pictures (just the downstairs though). Over track-out I am going to try and clean up here and unpack more boxes.

On Friday I was in my room working and Lisa came in and asked if I wanted to join a big group of people that were going to Chilis for drinks. So I wrapped up what I was doing and joined everyone that was going to go. I had such a great time! There were about eight of us that went and it was nice to just laugh and get to know people a little more outside of work. There are a lot of YOUNG teachers in my building!! They all go out (outside of work) and hang out together. I don't think I'll ever go that route, but I look forward to getting to know them better. Lisa asked me and Steve and Katie and her boyfriend Judson wanted to go camping and tubing with her and Chris (her new boyfriend) and all their friends. I think Katie is going to go, but after last year's tubing fun on the Rifle River (go back to July/August 2006 and read about it if you've forgotten)... I told her that we'd pass.

Last night Craig and Christine came over for a bbq. It was so much fun!! We hadn't had a chance to use the screen porch yet and now that we have we LOVE it even more!! We ate dinner out there and then stayed out there chatting and laughing and then had dessert and stayed out until like 11:30 or so. It was the first time that we met Christine... and she is wonderful!!! It's nice to have someone familiar here in NC that we can see!! For those of you not sure who Craig is, he was married to my friend Nicole (Phi Sigma Pi) and then moved down here in January and then a few months ago divorce papers were filed and now they're about to be divorced. Anyway... he is doing amazingly well. Better than I was a few months after going through a divorice!!! Christine is absolutely beautiful... she looks like she could be a Playboy Bunny... and she loves him so much. They're awesome together!

Anyway... there are some other issues with me... but I won't share just yet. Frustrating and annoying but I can't give much more info at this time. Just keep my sanity in your prayers please!!!

Until next time...
>^..^<

Song: "The Captain" by Casey Chambers
Mood: Tired

Well... Open House went well. I made a Power Point last weekend to use and I'm so glad I did! I added some notes to the bottom and then I'm going to email it to the parents. Some were not able to attend because it was the night for all the end-of-season swim banquets. I still had a pretty good turn-out though. All the parents were really nice and had great questions. It was a lot easier than I had expected.

I am really excited to have three weeks off soon!! I feel like there's so much to get done around here (our house)!! I absolutely HAVE to get my books put into my computer and then organized. I am going to start doing novel studies when we track back in in August. I plan on going into school the first week that I'm off, just to get some extra work done. I feel like I have a better idea of what I'm doing and I don't feel so stressed anymore. Oddly enough I have found that I'm not the only that doesn't really know what I'm doing. No one does really, so it's reassuring!!

Last Monday M.E. came to me and told me that she had gone to get her nails done and told the person about me. She gave me the business card and told me to call and make an appointment with Jennifer. As you all know, I spent about four hours removing my acrylic nails and ended up with sore and disgusting looking nails. So on one hand I was eager to get nails back on, but then apprehensive about having them look like they did before.

So anyway, I went on Friday and was so glad I did! I now have gel nails and they look absolutely incredible! I've never had gel, but my mom has and she's had hers for more than 12 years!!! I am so happy that I found someone great that I can go to for my nails!! On the flip side, Steve called my hair girl to ask about getting in to get his hair cut and was told that she no longer works there. So much for that... now the quest is on to find someone good to do my hair. I'm due for a touch-up next week.

Speaking of next week... we have the Kenny Concert a week from Friday! I am so excited I can't wait!!! We're just hoping that there are a bunch of people coming with him to NC like there are to Michigan.

Well... enough from me for now. I'll be writing again sometime soon.
Until next time...
>^..^<

Check out the slide show of my class!!

Song: "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band
Mood: Exhausted, sick and hungry

I survived my first week teaching 4th grade!! Not that I, or you, had any doubts about this. I made the little slide show about my room so everyone could get a better idea of what my classroom looks like and see where I live from 7:45am-7:00pm. Yes... I am putting in just under 12 hours each day and still cannot say I have everything done that I need to have done.

This weekend I brought home a butt-load of books and my plan book so I could spend today (Sunday) getting my plans in order for this next week. I've equated my feelings to that of a person in the ocean with no life-jacket and treding water HOPING that someone will come to their rescue. That's me... and if I don't get things planned this weekend, I will definitely drown this week.

My kids are all very cute and sweet. I have one boy that likes to talk A LOT and I've had to talk to him about his behavior one time too many, and then I have another boy that's just odd. He just is a little strange and does things that I think are on the mean side and he shows no remorse. I'm going to keep my eye on him... but so far I get a very weird vibe from him.

I have Open House on Thursday from 6:00-7:30. Now... at Lincoln we had Open House as well but there were a few differences. One... we were paid (there's the union hard at work for ya) and two... it was never a formal presentation to JUST parents. Thursday there are no kids coming at night and there are two sessions (for parents that have kids in two different rooms). I have to give a presentation about how my classroom works. AHHHH!! I HATE talking to adults! I can talk to kids until I am blue in the face, but I cringe at the thought of having to present to parents!!!

Friday we went to our favorite Mexican place for dinner in Fuquay-Varina and then stopped at DQ for some ice cream. Very tastey... and then yesterday we went to Red Robin for dinner. It was soooo good! I hadn't had Red Robin in months. We also went to Target and Lowes and were looking at their grills, but Steve wants to just go back to Home Depot and get one from there. He's supposed to be going today to get that.

After we went shopping yesterday we decided to take a drive and explore. We went to the Harris Nuclear Plant (VERY SCARY) and saw how absolutely close it is to where we live. We also drove around a little and then went to the lake. We're like just down the street from a HUGE lake!! It's amazing what you find when you start to really look!

I am sick right now. I have a student that was out Wednesday and Thursday with strep throat and I think he might have given me his cold. I don't have strep, but I am sick. Then it dawned on me that I was teaching 5th graders for three years and they aren't as germy as younger kids. When I taught 3rd I was sick for 8/10 months of school. I am hoping that my being sick after a week isn't a sign of things to come. The substitute system is so weird in Wake County... I've just decided to work everyday so I don't have to worry about it. You have to call in and then pre-arrange a sub (if you want) and then tell the system who you got to sub for you and then there's all these days that you can or can't take a leave... it's VERY complicated.

I am going to go eat breakfast and get started with my planning. Have a great week and I'm sure I'll be back to write sometime soon! Wish me luck for Thursday!!

Until next time...
>^..^<

Back to School!!

My summer vacation officially ended yesterday. Surprisingly enough, I wasn't as nervous as I normally am at this time. I think it's because it all crept up on me so quickly, I didn't have time to sit down and freak out.

My 4th graders are so damn cute!! I have to keep reminding myself that they're 4th graders and not as mature as 5th graders. They're also a week out of 3rd grade, so they're still like 3rd graders. I think it's going to be a lot of fun though. They giggle at my jokes and when I get serious, they know I mean business and they respect what I ask.

So far they're great. They REALLY want to have a teacher of the day... but they're not quite ready for it yet. I told them that I'm going to keep watching and I'd let them know if I think they're ready for it. They're striving to do better each day, and that's a wonderful thing!

My principal AND assistant principal have both been in my room EACH day to observe what I'm doing. Today, I was teaching grammar and didn't even notice my principal come in. I turned around and she was at my back table watching. It doesn't make me feel too uncomfortable... but they don't give me any feedback, so I'm not sure what they're thinking when they're there.

As each day passes I am learning more and more things. I am starting to feel more comfortable with what I'm doing (which is a good thing because it's been rough). I track out in three weeks (the 27th) and it'll be nice to have three weeks off. I am going to spend the first week of vacation coming in my room and working. It'll help SO MUCH to get things figured out and organized. Then I am going to spend the next two weeks on vacation!!!

I need to get to bed because 6am comes all too soon for me. I'll try to write more later and post some pictures!!

Until next time...
>^..^<

Music: "Get it Shawty"- Lloyd
Mood: Exhausted

What a long week!!!

Monday I went back to work and I was super excited to get into my classroom and start setting it up. Katie was there when I first got there and she helped me bring all my stuff into my room. She's such a sweet girl!!

Monday I spent the whole day working on my room. Setting everything up, organizing and making it look cute. At 10am on Monday I went to the teacher's store with Katie, a girl named Kristen and Lisa (Lisa is on my 4th grade team). We were each given $100 for anything we needed for our rooms. I got a plan book, stickers, some frog stuff, award stuff, a writing book and a frog number line.

When I got back to school I got most of my posters and stuff laminated and cut out. I went to lunch with Lisa, Katie and another person on my team named M.E. (she goes by ME). I stayed until 6:30 working on things and decided to head home.

Tuesday I got to school at 8am and worked all day. Katie had a thing to do at East Garner HS so it was just me, Lisa and M.E.. We went to lunch together (I had Moe's for the first time and was delighted)! Steve came by to help me with some things in my room and it was VERY nice of him. He got to see my room coming along and helped put up posters and my number line. He went home and I stayed and worked until 6:45 and got my room just about done.

Wednesday was the 4th of July. Talk about a sad day for me. I was depressed and cried off and on all day. My dad called me and invited me to come up to the cabin. It was funny and he was joking around, but when I hung up I started crying. I am so homesick and I miss my parents so much. My mom always said that homesickness and seasickness were two of the worst feelings in the world. I've never been sea-sick, but I just have this ache inside me and I yearn to see my parents. I worry that when I do see them, it's going to be all the harder to say goodbye.

Anyway, we didn't do anything major. Steve grilled us hotdogs and we had baked beans and potato salad for dinner. It was similar to what I'd be having with my parents so it brought a little comfort of home.

Thursday I had my teacher meetings ALL DAY. I got there around 7:30 and had a very brief time in my room to work. I had the new teacher meeting from 8:00-11:30. It was very nice... when I got to the media center, they had folders and binders with our names on them and a jean shirt that says Oak Grove staff. It's very cool!!

The new teacher meeting finished and then I went to Wendy's with Katie. We got back just in time to head to the ALL STAFF (like 50 people or so) meeting. We had introductions and then played a few team-building games. That meeting went from 1:00-4:00.

When the meeting ended I stayed until 7:00 working on more things. I still didn't have copies made for "Meet the Teacher" or lesson plans done for Monday. I went into panic mode.

This morning I got to school around 8am and tried to get as much done as I could before 8:30. Not a lot was done. At 8:30 the 4th and 5th grade teachers had a breakfast together. It was SO NICE!!! Each person brought something (I brought plates, cups, bowls and napkins) and we had a little potluck.

At 9:00 I had a meeting scheduled with the school nurse. She's kinda kooky. I haven't met a school nurse that isn't a little kooky yet. (LOL). She informed me that I have two students with allergies to eggs and egg products. I was trained on how to use an epi-pen (which I already knew from last year in 5th grade with Megan P.'s allergy to peanuts).

I was able to work in my room from 9:30-10:30 and then the 4th grade team had a meeting. We talked about field trips and curriculum stuff. At 11:30 I went back to my room to attempt to work. I went to Subway for lunch at 12:30 and then was back around 1:15 to work. I made copies for Meet the Teacher and tried to finalize things in the room.

Around 2:30 parents started to show up... but interestingly enough, Mrs. Turner (my principal) didn't let them in until 3:00 on the dot. Meet the Teacher went from 3-4 and it was DONE by 4:00.

I got to meet 14/24 students and their parents. I was overwhelmed by the support these parents gave. Most welcomed me to NC and were very nice to talk to. I had one dad that was a little confrontational... he assumed that I had never taught before. I didn't back down and answered all of his questions and I was quite proud of how I handled the situation!!

The kids were super cute and very tiny! I am so used to 5th graders!! It's odd too because they're in July of the summer before 4th, so they're still tiny like 3rd graders.

I had just about every parent sign-up to volunteer in my classroom. I had one mom ask if she could be the "room mom." I wasn't sure what that was... apparently each classroom has a "room mom" and that person coordinates the other parents to volunteer. Basically, I work with the room mom and she delegates to the others. It's VERY interesting.

The best was that right at 4:00 Mrs. Turner came on the announcements and thanked the parents for coming to the school and to finish their conversations. She wished them a nice weekend and said that we'd see their kids on Monday. Five minutes later, she came on again and said that all parents needed to vacate the building. THEN she came to each room and if there was a parent, she asked them to leave, and if there wasn't a parent in the room, she turned off the lights and closed the door. (She asked if we could work in the dark for about 5 minutes.)

So... that was my week. This weekend I plan on lesson planning and getting mentally ready for Monday. I stayed until 6:45 tonight. My room is DONE and ready. I just need to get my plans figured out!!

Until next time..

>^..^<