#Truth

A few truths I've discovered this year:

• Positive phone calls home are soooo worth it. 
• You will never win them all; focus on the 98 doing the right thing and don't lose (too much) sleep over the other 2 who are intent on fighting tooth & nail.
• There is no such thing as too much coffee.
• Love and Logic is magic. Read it. Learn it. Use it.
• Kids that wear you out make great errand runners. 
• 50% of the parental population need to empty their voicemail boxes. Too many messages from last year's teachers, perhaps?

-Mrs. C

Google Win

Today was such a great first day of school! I am exhausted, but I am excited to go back to these kids tomorrow. Since this is my second year with eighth, I actually knew what to expect walking into the room today. Last year I was a little caught off guard by the difference two years makes. An eight grader on day one is NOT like a sixth grader on day one. Having experience with this level definitely helped. After some of the kiddos and attitudes I dealt with last year, I'm pretty sure I can handle anything.

The great thing is that the personalities we have this year seem to be a little more drama free than what we experienced last year. That probably has to do with the boy to girl ratio. I feel like my biggest challenge will be ornery boys, and that doesn't bother me one bit! Boys are easier to handle at this age, I think.

Part of what made today so great was how successful my first day activity was. We have been fortunate enough to get a set of iPads to share between our two English classes. I snagged them today and had my kiddos fill out a survey using Google Forms. IT. IS. AWESOME.

I wanted to know specific things about them:

• What tech they have
• If they enjoy reading
• What are they like outside of English class
• If/why they need preferential seating
• What worries them about the year
• If they will have a need for supplies

The survey took them all of 10 minutes, and it allowed me to show them that if they use technology right, we will use it as much as possible. I was dying to see their answers, but had to wait until the end of the day. The great thing about Google Forms is that it compiles their answers into a summary. So I could see immediately how many kids had smartphones and gauge the level of reading enjoyment for the whole class at once. I have access to each students' complete survey as well. Here are what a few of my questions produced!

 

I was surprised at how honest some of them were in their answers. I wonder if answering the survey on the iPads made it feel a little more safe? Either way, it was a win. I learned a lot about each of them, I don't have stacks of papers lying around, and I have this information at my fingertips all year long. 

Now I'm off to bed. 

-Mrs. C

She's (maybe) back!

I'm back!

Maybe.

It's been a few years, and quite a bit has changed. By "quite a bit," I mean that I've changed schools, changed grade level, and birthed a toddler. He's pretty awesome, but he does take up 22ish hours of my day. Also, I'm learning Spanish, folding a load of laundry every once in a while, and updating my Facebook. I'm a busy gal.

Needless to say, this return to blogging may not stick. It looks like I wrote a total of ONE last year. Now THAT is commitment.

I'm not sure what direction it will take. Eighth graders - my new adventure- are a whole new animal compared to sixth. They aren't nearly as cute and funny, though they do have redeeming qualities that I'll (maybe) blog about later.

I guess the most notable thing going on right now is my syllabus. I'm geeking out over its design and the fact I have included QR codes that link to the gradebook, handbook, and other important info. Rough draft of page 1 below!

'Night! Gotta grab some ZZZs before Brantley steals them from me.

-Mrs. Combs