January 22, 2008
Snow Days!
Is it just me or are snow days a gift from God (above or below, he or she)? It is like some spirit is looking down on me saying, "Lucas, you need another day..." Well thank you! I hope those of you who too are out today are enjoying and being productive, and those of you in today - best wishes.
It seems as though I can never get caught up without snow days. My grading is a bit behind, the KDE is coming (supposed to today...) next week to take some pictures of my classroom for the Kentucky Teacher magazine, I agreeded to do an interview regarding our Literacy Coach, and KTIP Cycle II is in full swing - not to even mention the battle I am in with the AP Board. Everyone knows a new teacher has limited resources...I had no intention of changing up the German program all at once - perhaps in 4 years - but not now. Well our AP friends say that the book that I have (not my choice) is never going to be approved. Great! So far today - in the 4 hours I have been awake (I did have to take a little nap after I saw that we were out today...) I have successfully completed updates on KTIP Cycle II materials. This took a little bit of time, because I have finished the special needs section, and the leadership section.
I need to appoligize for not blogging as often as I like. I am sorry. With the hustle and flow of secondary education, I sometime feel like I am a lost soul in the middle of the universe without a purpose. On those days, the last thing I want to do it sit at the computer and type. I appoligize again - if I ever go 2 weeks without blogging - send me an email and complain!
I hae been reflecting on the notion that first year teachers go through phases of depression, anxiety, and high stress. I do not think I have been doing this. People will ask me, "You surviving?" and I always reply, "No - I'm thriving!" I think it is all about the mindset of the teacher. If I go to work every day complain that I am there - then I have no business teaching. I am incredibly thankful and fortunate that I have the opportunity to change so many lives.
On a different note - Since my Arts & Humanities nightmare seemingly is stabalized, I have been able to focus on my German classes more. I have developed more hands on lessons, more exciting activities, and been able to successfully get the students more involved. All of this is possible - it just takes mental strength. I have been doing some TPRS based on the Michael & Sabine series by Michael Miller - I know this is mostly for middle school students - but my student thoroughly enjoy it too. I am amazed at the amount of vocabulary the students learn through doing these stories. We have done two stories now - and I feel that the students are more willing to speak in German. This is a huge hurdle to have jumpped...we obviously still have work to do though.
My German Club is doing great - one student has made it her personal mission to create a German Garden at the entrance of the school. Whether it has "German" flowers or not - it will still be fun. We plan to clean up the front landscaping of the school - and will hopefully get some good PR for this.
I'm sure I could continue on for hours and hours - but I will stop here. If you have any questions about anything - please feel free to let me know! lucas.gravitt@scott.kyschools.net
Posted by Lucas at January 22, 2008 12:18 PM