Fall

Tis the season for cool weather, pumpkins, leaves, and conferences!!! I love this time of the year for many reasons. Some are personal, such as the cool weather and the beautiful leaves, but I also love the fun things you can do with students. We were able to find a few minutes to decorate a pumpkin yesterday. You have to mix a little fun into their day. Our week was filled, especially with conferences. Since we are following a family model, we are conferencing with ALL fourth grade parents together. We successfully completed 18 conferences last week. We have 23 to go! It was refreshing to meet with the parents and communicate needs of their children and successes. I truly enjoy following the family model because it brings cohesiveness to our grade. Even though I may be a little tired from all the conferencing, it is well worth it!

First quarter

We are nearing the end of the first quarter of school and I am spending time reflecting about the strategies that have been effective and new ones I want to try. We have adjusted to the daily routine and I am now focusing on individual needs. Everything that must be accomplished over the next three quarters can sometimes be overwhelming, to say the least.

As I dedicate so much of my time, inside and outside of school, I am torn with the tasks of preparing lesson plans and meeting the demands of a school system that holds a high level of accountability. Even though everything I must do seems to be more than my plate can hold, I know I must go on the field and give everything I have to give. The game is not over until the end of the fourth quarter. The focus is the students and their achievement so I will go on the field and fight for their chance to succeed. I know I sound like a coach talking to his team. . .I think I am coaching myself!