28 days til' Halloween!

On our way to recess I over heard students saying, "it smells like Fall! It's so beautiful outside! I love the breeze!" It warmed my heart. I love Fall too. It reminded me that this is the perfect time of year to take them outdoors for learning. I am thankful that our school has several areas designed just for that. I'll definitely need to work out the logistics of our protocol to ensure their success and my sanity. We are a wiggly, talkative class.

Students took their first benchmark. The most difficult aspect was the length. They had been prepared to see content we hadn't covered and they knew the test would take several hours. They knew they would have brain breaks.

But still, 3 students shed tears. We powered through. And I mean POWERED. It was inspiring to see how dedicated and tenacious they were, and how they persevered through the rough patches. The ones who needed it took peace corner breaks and came back strong.

All in all, they did great. I am so moved by what they can do. I have a very cool class of amazing, young people.

A few things to consider for myself

• use more bubble sheets
• velcro under a few of their desks or a stress ball would have been helpful. I did take a colleague's suggestion to let one of them stand up to take the test and that was huge.
• use more Supplemental STAAR aids
• have snacks!!!

I am going to start implementing these things as soon as possible. Here's to an improved experience next go round! And to their only being 28 more days til' Halloween is upon us.

We are so excited. During writing and other quiet times we have been listening to the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack. They are addicted. I am too.