Have I mentioned my kids are awesome??? 

     So first, here is the background info.... I am teaching fourth this year. I told my students after 10 years in third, I finally passed! I had a 59% pass rate in 2013-14 in math. Yes....ouch.... Although I believe there are multiple reasons several of my kids struggled...and I cannot stress enough how proud I am of this score...I watched the kids take an incredibly high level, tough, and looooooong (4 hours) test. But numbers being what they are, my administrator proposed a move. So now I teach language arts and social studies for fourth graders.... A change for my twentieth year in the classroom.

    When starting a new curriculum (New SOLs) it is a pretty massive undertaking. The year is spent trying to not only teach, but stay enough ahead of the instruction that you are actually instructing! There are a million things you need to make, organize, and master. So my kids have been wonderfully patient as I undertake this! 

     Confession....I do not enjoy Social Studies..... I am trying to love it, but so far we are just covering pretty dry geographical info. I was directed by a colleague to use interactive notes and foldables. Maybe these will be a catalyst to my teaching passion! I feel like a newborn colt trying to stand...wobbly! I always use these types of experiences to empathize with my kids...so many of them feel this way much of the time...

     In reading, we are actually ahead of my original plans, and these students are really keeping me hopping! We started a new reading series, Wonders, this year. It is always a challenge to learn a new program as a teacher...last week one lesson was an epic bore...I apologized to the kids...they agreed it was "lame-o." I do however like some of the basic procedures...especially collaborative conversation. The students have actual rules for sharing, listening, and adding ideas. I was amazed to see how well they followed directions. 

     My classroom is blessed to have 1:1 iPads for students! Today we got them out and used the dictionary.com app to find definitions and synonyms. We also used a gradient colored SMARTBOARD to chart shades of meaning. Advanced material...but the kids were successful! We tried out some apps McGraw-Hill created for use with their program. Kids loved it! I also used the iPads for individual white boards using Screen Chomp. These are valuable tools and my kids do so well with them.

     With so much going on, behavior hasn't even been on the radar...everyone is too busy to test limits! I am sure the honeymoon will end, but I appreciate the cooperation right now!

     Ok...enough blabbering.... Please feel free to post comments, suggestions, or advice!!! I deeply appreciate all the insight and suggestions I am given! :)