Updates...

It has been a crazy month of September! The first week of teaching (which is always crazy) gave way to a frenzy of assessment in the classroom, along with Open House on only the eighth day of school and the first round of parent/teacher conferences on only the 15th day. It was a whirlwind to say the least! I was also anxious to get some of the other school things out of the way just so I could get them checked off my list and settle in. Therefore, I've already completed my peer observation (to be finished by 11/20) and my formal observation which had to be completed by my principal before December. Not to mention our first field trip (see pictures above). Calmness and relaxation can now begin... ;)

This weekend Jer and I headed to Denver to visit friends and family, as well as begin the process of getting my bridal gown fitted. It was kind of fun to put it back on and pretend to be a princess! They ended up only having to hem the bottom (nearly four inches) and put in the items needed to bustle the train. I'll head back in about a month to try it on again and make sure everything was done correctly.

Fall officially began last Monday and the mountains are definitely starting to show it. The colors are almost at peak: yellows, golds, reds, and bruning oranges. Our plan is to stop on the way home this week and snap some shots. I'll post them when I get a chance.

Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful time of year! Love Ya!

The first week of my fifth year of teaching…

It started out better than in the past, with a fairly good night’s sleep before the first day with kids. This was a good sign… On day one, however, I found that I had not quite mentally prepared myself for the vast change I was facing in my kids. I LOVE looping, but one of the hardest things to deal with is that in June you send off your kids to third grade reading, writing paragraphs, and following directions. Two and half months later your faced with 16 little one who can barely write their names, maybe read some very simple sentences, and absolutely cannot follow more than one step directions! I was in shock the first day, but things went MUCH better for the rest of the week.

All that being said, I had a WONDERFUL first week of school! My kids are incredibly sweet and sooooo little! When compared to my kids from the last two years (who are now in third grade) they’re only half the size! I do miss the others, but they have been stopping by before and after school to talk and attacking me with hugs in the hallway and at recess. It’s nice to feel loved…

Once again, I have sixteen students in my class, eight girls and eight boys. They are all very sweet with few behavior issues other than talkativeness. And who can blame them? Even I find myself wanting to delve into each of their very interesting personalities! I can’t wait to learn more about them and see how much they grow in the next two years! Hope everyone is having a great end to summer/beginning of fall!