Finally - Friday...

So it's finally Friday, after a very long week. Lots of tired teachers floating around, just waiting for 3 PM. The grind is amazing, and I continue to lose sleep, worrying about the upcoming AIMS. How do you get kids to actually do the math - how hard is it to add a series of numbers - not even fractions or decimals? The kids just don't want to do it.

That is probably the most eye-opening issue this year - the kids will not do the work. I have never been in that situation before. Usually I am pretty good at getting kids to do the work, but not this year. Even walking around trying to assure that they are trying the math doesn't work. This is not a language issue - the kids understand fine what I am asking - they will be the first ones to say they don't want to do the work.

The lack of any light of learning at this school is making me nuts. Not only am I having to constantly work with a "laser-like focus" on the math standards, but I am constantly trying to work on ways to make a 98-minute period more exciting. And I have to take additional classes for the English-language learner, learn more about inclusion, try to develop an art program, score papers, and plan. For two weeks I haven't gotten my lesson plans in.

Seventy school days - time to begin looking for something else, but if the district closes schools, there will be four schools of elementary teachers looking for work. Just give me a classroom where no one will bother me and perhaps we can enjoy some learning for the pure enjoyment of chasing an idea. What a novel thought....