Been awhile but I'm back

Been awhile since I've written. I've been pretty busy with school stuff and my own classes that I just haven't had the chance to write. Not to mention that I'm so dead tired by the time I get home from school, it's all I can do to stay awake long enough for dinner. But, I said I wouldn't mention that.

We've made it through the first report card period at school. Time is just flying by! Anyway, report cards went home October 30th and I received no requests for conferences, no threatening phone calls, and the principal hasn't called me in for any conferences. That is a wonderful thing. Probably because I have a great class this year. They're bright, motivated, willing to work, etc. I'm thrilled! My only complaint, if any, is that they talk too much. They do like to chatter at the most inopportune times and that causes them to miss some instruction, but not to the point of hurting their academics.

Now I understand that talking at this age is normal. They are becoming very "social" beings in 4th and 5th so talking is a natural part of that growth. However, they need to learn to control it. It's ok to talk at certain times, but not at others. It's ok to talk to ask a question, or to say something that you are just dying to say, but then get back to work. It's the latter part they have the most difficulty with as the "talking" part they've all mastered! In time they'll improve.

These are some pictures of my babies with their "babies". We have made friends with a Kindergarten class and meet with them once a week. During that time, my kids are helping the Kindergarteners with their reading skills. They read books together with the 5th graders acting as "teachers" for their little friends. They love doing this and this is the first time I have a class that actually can handle it and whose behavior is good enough to take out to another classroom. I want to use these pictures to put together a book for both classrooms. I'm hoping to get it done by Christmas so I best get started on it!

Well, that's it for now. I will try to do better with blogging. I know my millions of fans are counting on me (roflmbo). Until the next time...