Monday, May 14, 2012

Another One Bites the Dust

Oh, 2011- 2012 school year, where have you gone?
It seems like Christmas just happened.

I can't believe I only have 12 more days of school left!

Actually, the gray hairs on my head beg to differ.

Now, I won't say that this years' class has been the "best ever" and I'm crying as I type this just thinking about them graduating on to second grade because then I'd be a darn liar.
To be honest, {some of} them have been a challenge - a real challenge - and still are.

But, they all have good hearts, despite their challenges, and I will miss them.
ESPECIALLY MY GIRLS - LOVE my girls.

Anywho, I am linking up with Amber at Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher for her Another One Bites the Dust Linky Party.


3 GREATS:

1. Getting a SMART Board


I wasn't even going to apply for the grant. 
Our district had 10 oldish SMART Boards that they were going to award to teachers who best completed the grant application. Since I had just won the grant last year for the class set of iPod Touches, I felt awkward applying for this grant. However, the day before the grant was due, my mom talked me into applying.

I waited about two months before I heard the news that I had been chosen for the board.

I LOVE it! I am soooooo glad that I listened to my mama!

2. Busch Gardens Teacher Night


Another event I won.
Our state's DOE was awarding 200 teachers a chance to spend 24 hours in the park.
Actually, I didn't win at first. Someone rejected their spot, and I was on the wait list.

It was an incredible experience. The animals, the rides, the teachers - so cool.
I met some teachers from districts in my state that I hadn't even heard of!
Good times, for sure.

3. My Team
Just think of the A-Team as my grade level team!
I wish I had a picture of the ladies on my grade level.

My team has been really awesome this year.
No drama! 
It was so nice to have a team that just got along with each other, helped out when we needed it, and worked together when the time called for it.
Since I've been grade level chair for a while now, I've seen a lot over the years. Every year my team has changed and grown. We have seven teachers on our team! It just isn't easy to manage a group so big. We have one of our members retiring this year and I am going to miss her a TON.

-----------------************---------------*************---------------

3 NOT-SO-GREATS:

1. The Lost Weekends

Every year, I talk about spending less time in my classroom.
Every year, I add a little more time spent in the classroom {typically on Sundays.}

What the heck?!?!?

I wish I could get all of my school work completed in a timely manner.
I'd like to have more of a life during the school year.
Will it ever happen?

2. Anger Management

Like I had mentioned before, I have some very challenging students in my classroom this year. For the most part, I have dealt with it well, but there have been some days where I wasn't as nice as I should have been. And there have been a lot of days, where my little guy was sent out of my room. I feel bad about that, but he just couldn't control himself and I needed to teach my other 17 students without the constant disruptions.
I am hoping for some relief next year - PLEASE!
A person can only take so much before breaking.

3. Losing My Freedom

Slowly, our district has been moving to more and more scripted programs. It is really difficult to find the extra time to teach anything outside of the pacing guides. As much as I have learned a lot from these new programs, I still feel like my kids are losing out on the important social/developmental/fine motor activities that I used to have time for.
I have two days a week, where I am not allowed to go to recess, so I try to do the fun lessons then. It hasn't been easy. I feel for these kids. 
School isn't the same as it used to be...


There's my list for better or worse.
Link up with Amber and join the party!

Now, I need to start thinking about what to do during the summer....

9 comments:

  1. Oh my...did you write your 3 "Not so greats" for me. I could copy this word for word and it would describe my year!

    Jodi
    fun-in-first.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Having a good team makes such a difference! We have 15 teachers on our K team and it makes for a challenge sometimes :) So sorry about your "scripts"....I would be so sad if our district made us use a certain program.
    Vickie
    Mrs. Plant's Press

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for linking up! I'm a new follower and I love your blog design!

    I agree with you on all of your not-so-greats. My list could have probably been a lot longer than 3! haha

    Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  4. What do you mean that you don't get to go to recess? Don't the kids get to play? If so, that is very sad indeed. I feel for your kids. I think that would cause a huge uproar here - I don't think they'd get away with it (I hope anyway!).

    With our new national curriculum, I'm feeling like you. There is no time to do things the way we like anymore and it's the kids who suffer.

    Kylie
    Down Under Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  5. I feel for the kids too! We have no recess here except for 15 minutes at lunch time. Our school has tightened the reins on giving students snacks or treats due to obesity epidemic but I believe that kids need to play especially my poor adhd children who can't sit still.

    Misty
    Think, Wonder, & Teach

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm totally with you on the anger management thing. I have a few kiddos who probably spent too much time out of my room this year. I hope you [and I] get a break next year!

    Meg
    Third Grade in the First State

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very jealous of your smart board!! Someday... I am so sad they took away your recess. We have actually had the oppostie implemented here. Kids are not allowed to be held in during recess, no matter what!! Studies have shown that kids need physical excercise, especially your ADHD kids!! I agree with you teaching has changed so much. I am a rulebreaker though, shhh...don't tell;)

    Aloha,
    Corinna
    Surfin' Through Second

    ReplyDelete
  8. this year did def go by so quick im sad to see it end =( ...im your newest follower...drop by =)

    Just Wild About Teaching

    ReplyDelete
  9. I realize this comment is really late, but your "Not So Greats" sound like my story. I have gotten better about spending less time at school though. I had to send one little guy out of my class at least once a week. He came to me about five weeks before the end of school, so he didn't know who he was dealing with. Talk about "loss of freedom"!!!! I felt like my students learned more and were more engaged with their learning, after the End-of-Grade assessments were completed.

    ReplyDelete