Nearly Over

I am sad to say that I'm excited the school year is almost over. My expectations proved to be SOOOO very different than the reality of teaching. Maybe it was the population? Maybe it was district expectations? Maybe it was reliving elementary school of the 1970s...whatever it was, I will be able to say I survived first grade.

Today was the big test for my First Graders. Called DIBELs, it assesses risk for reading. We don't use it for risk assessment, we use it for a benchmark (something that the creators of the test clearly stated was NOT the purpose of the test). The golden number is 40: 40 words in one minute. The 1st grade goal was 60% of the students reaching the 40 word goal. About 50% of my English Language Learners made the goal, which is pretty good. Only three little darlings are considered at risk, an even better number going into second grade. Three other little darlings tested at above 70 words/minute. This morning we did alot of mental preparation: we cheered for ourselves, we practiced High Frequency Words, we talked about reading strategies, we cheered some more, we engaged in positive mental feedback...and I think that, all in all, they did great. I'm really proud of the little honey-bunnies.

I had to go to a training tonight, the last of the year, for first year teachers. We spent a lot of time reflecting on what we'd learn, our greatest success and our greatest failures, what we'll do differently next year, etc. I left the question about the greatest lesson I learned blank because I just needed more time to think about it. But driving home I think I know what my greatest lesson is: it's not about me. It's not if I like the lesson, if I think it worked, if it is easy on me. Success is measure on how they do, how they grow, how they succeed. It's all about them. I guess I'll see if it works next year...

The word of the day is...

its side did!

As in, "Anthony came over to play with me and I was its side did!"

Seven Miracles that Saved America

I'm reading a really wonderful book called The Seven Miracles That Saved America and Why They are Important by Stewart. It is an awesome book! Although I love history, I like to read it in the form of fiction with a little romance thrown in. This book is written as parts fictional first hand account and historian's perspective. Did you know that the Chinese circumnavigated the globe long before anyone else? That they should have been the ones to find America and just think how that would change our history today. The books repeatedly shows that this nation has been under the protecting hand of Almighty God. As a Book of Mormon believer, I know why. But I also know what is going to happen to this nation. While I might slip into a momentary worry, I know who holds the future, and I know His plan. I pray that I am on the side of righteousness in that day.

I'm considering eating my young.

Home from the ranch. There was snow, but it wasn't too cold. Enjoyed having a fire in the stove when we came back from a little hike. Jim and I talked about our New Year's trip on 12/31/08-1/1/09 when we had to walk into the ranch in snow. As expected we laughed a lot about it, but that night I was in tears, soaking wet, and more tired than I've ever been in my life. Chase went along on this trip and we enjoyed having him there. I love it when the boys cook, we eat like kings! A great get away. Now I'm ready for a new week.

Word of the Day

Hairs

As in, "Mrs. Yates, you cut your hairs!"

I like...

1. my wonderful husband. He is great, supportive, kind, funny, attentive and loving.
2. my children. They can be SOOOOOOOOOO much fun, soooooo much help, and are becoming insightful adults.
3. my parents. I hated to see them go today.
4. my brothers.
5. fudge.
6. Mustang Convertables.
7. the book of James (in the Bible).
8. the book of Enos (in the Book of Mormon).
9. Anne of Green Gables, the movie and the book.
10. crochetting.
11. warm socks on a cold evening.
12. spiritual conversations with good friends.
13. Christmas break.
14. Christmas.
15. sleeping in a cold room when the bed is warm.
16. the color red.
17. spagetti and meatballs.
18. bonfires.
19. fall leaves.
20. snow.