Geez, I guess November up and went.
Me? Busy, as usual. My classroom and students are fabulous. I'm off for a week (well, if you can call two papers, a presentation, an online class and planning/grading "off" but we'll get to that). I'm excited about some changes I'm making to literacy in my classroom. I have felt I needed to mirror the teachers whose team I was joining, whichever team that was. I'm the perpetual newbie on the staff. The teachers around me are dedicated, inviting and bursting to share their great ideas. However, I had a little nagging voice in the back of my head saying "this should be easier - more direct - and feel more comfortable for you and your students." I was talking to my literacy/data coach and some of these things came up in conversation. She very nicely said "Well, Marta, reading is for....reading. You don't have to do what other teachers do." It felt like permission to de-complicate my reading time from "centers" with activities to empowering my students to select from several choices, as they wish, of READING whether it's independent, partnered, in a group or discussing/writing about their reading. YAY!! Then she recommended Daily 5 by Gail Boushey. I'm almost finished with it. FABULOUS book for teachers. I'm very excited to implement some of the tools and strategies mentioned.
Then there's the other class. The class I'm taking for a master's degree. bleh. I.am.so.tired. of taking classes. I have zero motivation and am wondering if I should take a break during the spring and take a couple classes over the summer. I've been told I'm a "very good writer." Maybe so, maybe not, but, let me tell ya, writing anything for my classes has been like being stuck in cement. It should be easy, take just a few minutes, be like any other task I have on my list but noooooooo, I fuss over it, dread it, put it off, stress during the putting it off then get buttitis from sitting on the couch all weekend wrenching the things out. The two papers and presentation are for this class. I have a team depending on me to do a good job on one of the papers and the presentation so, of course, that just adds to the stress. oh...and I forgot, we don't get this week's class off even though the entire district does (and it's offered through the district), we have to watch a presentation and slog through it all on our own. feh.
For today, I'm having a wonderful time with my girlies before taking them down to their dad's. I'll be alone at home tomorrow and will devote my attention solely to the papers, et al. We'll have a grand Thanksgiving over at my mom's, Grandma's, house with Aunt Anne on Thursday.
On the needles....
The Sonnet is too big. Doesn't surprise me in the least. I didn't like it anyway and have already started on something else. Yes, I'll be very carefully checking gauge this time. I also have a few smaller items going as gifts.
I've saved the best for last.
wait for it...
are you sitting down?
I'M GOING TO MADRONA IN FEBRUARY!!! I just did it. Decided I would scrimp and save and did it. and and and I'm just too excited to say it....
I got into Jacey Boggs' all freakin day Saturday class.
(oh dear, ah do believe ah have the vapors)
(gasp!)
(thud)
