It's that time of year that I'm really starting to enjoy my students. Of course every day is different, and I've been able to get to know some better than others, but it's going well.
Today was our first round of Parent-Teacher conferences and compared to last year's conferences I feel so much more confident and relaxed and really enjoyed talking to parents today. It's great to hear how things are at home and see how that relates to what happens at school. One more day to go!
I was quite pleased with one thing we had prepared to show parents. Everyday students should be reading for 30 minutes - which is very important when most students only speak english at school and have a different language spoken at home. Last year I sent home a weekly Reading Log which was handed in each week. Over time the pile grew, with one week piling upon the other week because I dreaded marking them. That system was not working, so my goal for this year was to find something that worked. So, in my last minute organizing of papers (which so often produces great things) I decided to go with 2 Reading Log booklets each term, with a total of 6 over the year because we have 3 terms. So far it is SOOOO much better! The papers are together, and I can easily track who's been reading and who hasn't - which is really the point - as well as having the students become more responsible for their own reading. Then when this first booklet conveniently finished right before Parent-Teacher conferences we did a little reflection and created goals for how we can improve next time. Perfect timing. PLUS, it made teaching goal-setting nearly effortless (last year's lesson were flops!) So far, so good, and it provided 2 solid pieces to discuss with parents today :)
Of course the day started with the dilemma of what to wear... must impress those parents. It doesn't quite feel fall enough to wear boots yet, so I was forced to wear nylons (the leggings with the feet attached), which I mostly choose to avoid because I feel too fancy and uncomfortable. BUT today was a good day... a new day really, because today, I actually enjoyed them and even imagined wearing them again with a different outfit. hahaa! Shocking!
My transit reading has slightly evolved... 1) I am taking a break from my own bookshelf (I've strategically divided my shelf into books I have and haven't read and intend to conquor the "have-nots") and reading something my roommate recommended: "Red China Blues" by Jan Wong 2) It's nearly 400 pages, which is kinda a big deal 3) It's HISTORY, which I studied in University but whom I haven't hung out with for a while 4) It's good :)
Informative. Good night!
ps. I was sore like an old lady after playing soccer against students on Friday!
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