Guided Reading: Jan Richardson

The guided reading guru, Jan Richardson (author of The Next Step in Guided Reading), will be back at our school tomorrow.  Normally she is here for several days, but this time, it's just going to be one day.  From what I understand, we are going to be observing model lessons.  I'm not sure if it will be a guided reading lesson or a whole group lesson.  It should be informative.  It always feels like a whirlwind takes over our school when she's visiting, but we always learn a lot.

Anywho, I rarely reach my breaking point, but yesterday pushed me there.  After school, we had a meeting about the new NC grading program that has so many kinks it's ridiculous (but thankfully the date of interim reports was pushed back), had to get our grade-level planning done, had OPEN HOUSE, we had to show a video at open house and my computer went stupid 10 minutes before it started, I didn't get a break to have dinner, and then I had one parent show up on time (4 showed up the whole night).  I was just done.  This week is packed with TOO MUCH!!  So to make myself feel better, I ate fatty food.  I can't even afford McDonald's this month, but I collected enough pennies in my car to pay.

Here's to hoping the week gets better...

Here We Go Again

Now that I've wasted about 4 hours getting this blog set up how I like it, I thought I might as well make a post.  Hopefully, I'll update this blog regularly unlike my past blogs.  This blog will primarily revolve around the education world (specifically, elementary); however, I cannot guarantee that I won't throw in a random post... probably about food. :)  I'm going to end this post now, because I just realized that I'm starving.  It's 3:10 pm and I have only had a cup of coffee today.  I suppose it's needless to say I can get caught up in things pretty easily and forget to eat.  Until next time...

*Update*

Now that I have been fed, I can now, properly, continue my first blog post.  Let me tell you a little bit about me.  I have just completed my first year of teaching in a small town in North Carolina.  The area where I teach has a very low socioeconomic status.  This past year, we had 1 student in 5th grade who paid for his/her lunch.  I work at a challenging school, but I do know that I would have it any other way.  I love these kids.  Enough about the kids and more about me! :)  My first year consisted of me teaching reading to 5th graders...  ALL DAY!  It wasn't a glamorous first year, but I learned a TON!!  I'm thankful for the learning experience.

This past week, I signed my contract for the 2012-2013 school year.  I don't know what I will be teaching, but I was told that my principal is 99% sure I will be a classroom teacher.  There is a 5th grade position that I am, crossing my fingers and toes, hoping to get.   5th grade is where I'm most comfortable and happy.  I have an amazing team that I don't want to leave.  Who knows.... maybe I'll get lucky!

I have so many great ideas and I've started making tons of cool things!  I will begin sharing some of those things in the following entries.  Again, I hope I stay with 5th grade; otherwise, I'll have to rethink some of my great ideas!

Stay tuned!