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May 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
2:34:00 PM EDT
It’s been a while, but soon we will be on break and I know that I will have so much more time to write and put in journal entries.
The last month I have seen my friend relocate to the UK – which thrills me and makes me sad all in one. It thrills me because the ocean she is across is a smaller one than before, and, God willing, we should be able to see each other in the not too distant future – it’s already been 3 years! It makes me sad because another part of my life in SA has gone – a part that I shared in for 18 years! Whenever we get to go back to visit, she won’t be there.
I am so happy for her, though, because they can start a new life – a secure life for their boys. It’s hard leaving everything and everyone behind, but when God preplans it, it is always good.
We are coming up to the end of another school year – my first in 5th grade. It has been a learning experience this year. I have learned that you can do so much more with 5th graders than you can with 2nd graders. I have learned that special needs children are more demanding at this age. I have learned how to deal with world war II in my class between 2 special needs children who don’t have social skills. I have learned that 5th graders want to be loved and accepted as much as 2nd graders do, but they are going through changes that they don’t yet understand. I have learned that these changes cause attitude explosions, temper tantrums, pouting and mood swings that are definitely far removed from the 2nd graders I used to teach. The curriculum is great, the stress is not as much fun. EOG’s were scary but all except one of my students passed.
10 ½ days to go and then a good long break. I do know, however, that much of this break will be used planning for next year. Now that I’ve done it once, I want to refine what I’ve done and make it better for next year. There are going to be some challenges ahead – we’ve seen it in the current 4th graders so I want to make sure that I am planned for them.
For now, I am going to go and relax before the busy week ahead!
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2:34:00 PM EDT
Monday, Monday - so good to me
The last month I have seen my friend relocate to the UK – which thrills me and makes me sad all in one. It thrills me because the ocean she is across is a smaller one than before, and, God willing, we should be able to see each other in the not too distant future – it’s already been 3 years! It makes me sad because another part of my life in SA has gone – a part that I shared in for 18 years! Whenever we get to go back to visit, she won’t be there.
I am so happy for her, though, because they can start a new life – a secure life for their boys. It’s hard leaving everything and everyone behind, but when God preplans it, it is always good.
We are coming up to the end of another school year – my first in 5th grade. It has been a learning experience this year. I have learned that you can do so much more with 5th graders than you can with 2nd graders. I have learned that special needs children are more demanding at this age. I have learned how to deal with world war II in my class between 2 special needs children who don’t have social skills. I have learned that 5th graders want to be loved and accepted as much as 2nd graders do, but they are going through changes that they don’t yet understand. I have learned that these changes cause attitude explosions, temper tantrums, pouting and mood swings that are definitely far removed from the 2nd graders I used to teach. The curriculum is great, the stress is not as much fun. EOG’s were scary but all except one of my students passed.
10 ½ days to go and then a good long break. I do know, however, that much of this break will be used planning for next year. Now that I’ve done it once, I want to refine what I’ve done and make it better for next year. There are going to be some challenges ahead – we’ve seen it in the current 4th graders so I want to make sure that I am planned for them.
For now, I am going to go and relax before the busy week ahead!
Written by caromarls Blog about this entry |
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This entry has 3 comments: (Add your own)
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You've had an outstanding year, Caroline... but you probably won't recognize that until it is over. Congratulations for bringing those fifth graders to the brink of 6th grade! At the beginning of this year, you had some reservations, some fears, but boldly you took it on, new curricululm, older kids, testing demands... all new things for you as a teacher. But like any good teacher, you adapted, and learned what you had to learn to teach those kids. I know you put in many hours above and beyond the classroom time. I am proud of you for once again stepping into new territory. I know I am excited about having the summer months to prepare my room and my lesson plans for next year. Our school population is so large that we have to stage two field days ... one for K-2, and one for 3-5, and we're going to have our field days this week. Then 4th grade is going on a field trip to the Outer Banks... my art teaching schedule is going to be erratic this week. I'll be one of the field day people, outside, running an activity rather than inside finishing up art projects. Blah, it wasn't my call! I hope you have a grand week. love,bea
http://journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/ -
I hope your long break comes very quickly and that you can enjoy some of it.
:-)
Amy
6/6/08 4:04 PM