Bad, Bad Blogger...

I have been a terrible blogger, but I am just now starting to feel normal after the beginning of the school year rush. I'm sure all of you teachers understand that! It is crazy to get the classroom ready, start routines and procedures, get to know your students, figure out what makes them tick and what makes them happy/sad/eager to learn, and also try to get everything else done that needs to get done! (You know, like the real life things...)

My thesis is going to be a pain in my rear until I finally get it done. I'm scheduled to defend my thesis the first or second week of November. (So...I guess I'm not actually scheduled, and I need to get on that!) I'm just realizing that is only about 6-7 weeks away - yikes! My Review of Literature section is in revision mode, and my Methods and Results are in draft modes - both waiting for official decisions from my advisor on which data to analyze and how (ugh...). The final section is the Discussion section, which may end up the most difficult...we'll see. Anyway, I need to just keep telling myself it will be SO NICE to be DONE! I. Can. Do. This. I have an exciting and busy November with multiple big football games (OSU/Michigan and a Bengals game - Go Bucks! Who Dey!) and Thanksgiving in Chicago, followed by the holiday rush. So...being done at the beginning of November is ideal - I just need to FINISH. Easier said than done...

School is off to a great start! I am loving my coworkers and my students. A few of them seem very immature for kindergartners, with a lot of difficulty following directions and routines. However, they're all eager to please and are very sweet. I think we'll see huge gains in maturity levels with most of these kids this year.

I'm liking the position of After Care Director, also. It gives me the opportunity to work with K-8th graders, helping with homework, talking with them, and playing games. I'm definitely entertaining the idea of pursuing a position in a middle/upper elementary grade next year. Still early though - we'll see what pans out this year!

I'm very proud of the new library system I set up in my classroom this week. The kids are loving it and doing really well with keeping books where they belong. I'll take some pictures and report back on it tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll get back to football watching and thesis procrastinating...

Have a great week!!