Sometimes I feel as though I am on top of the world...
Finally have the relationship I want with my students' parents...and found that is truly the key to success with these middle school darlings that I have come to know and love.
On the urging of my 8th graders last year (it was my second year with them after I followed them from the 7th grade); they thought it was a fabulous idea for me to repeat the process with a new group of students. So far, so good. We have been in school for a month now... and I am in contact with over 55% of my parents already. If I could stop being so darn tired, I would be able to reach out to more...
My lessons are more and more involving technology... I try to use the SMARTBOARD for the intitial presentation for each lesson... the kids are really getting excited about them now (which feeds my energy to do it); we have examined NONFICTION qualities, and we just looked at PLOT in this manner. If I had my way, I would have been successful in my grant and this would only be the tip of the iceberg... Still hopeful to find some funding for this project.
Last year our class had 70% of the students reach grade level for reading... my goal with this group is 85%. I know that I could do it if I were able to implement my plan... wish me luck!