Once Again Into the Fray

So we started back to school.  It was a LONG week.  As a teacher, I usually feel like I am ready when the kids come back to school.  This year we only had two days to prepare.  The room was all set up, and the kids seemed ready, but all week I have been flying by the seat of my pants.  We have a new math program that I am still getting use to.  I am use to the old program where we teach a lesson, then give the kids an assignment everyday.  With the new program, a lesson can go on for two or three days.  I find it difficult to pace myself.  I hope by the end of the year, I have taught it all.

I also teach science.  I decided to start with the scientific process this year.  It has gone alright. We made tin foil ships that had to hold as many pennies as it could before it sank, and then we had a contest to see which team would win. I was a little bit disconcerted when I got some of their papers back and they were basically blank.  I KNOW they all did the experiment because I watched them all do it.  I guess it just isn't any fun to write things down.  I had to think to myself, "It is their first time doing anything like this, just have patients."  So we did the experiment again as a whole class using some of the knowledge they discovered during their first experiment. We went through the process again, this time writing everythings down.  I felt better.  The first few days were an important part of the learning process, so it wasn't a complete waste of time.  I don't think they would have learned as much if we had started out as a class doing it all together, and it wouldn't have been as much fun. 

My own kids are also back into school.  Jordan was feeling quite stressed last week after the first day of school, but he has relaxed since then.  I don't get much information from him, just a lot of sighing and grumbling about too much homework. He was the one who wanted to take all those AP classes:)  He also ran in his first cross country race last week.  He decided to run cross country this year, partly due to the 5K we ran in May and then Jessica had him running with her while she prepared for her 1/2 marathon last week.  He really enjoys running.  I think it is good for him to get some excercise and work off some of that stress.

Valerie is in junior high school now and loving it.  She had me take her out of pre-algebra and put her into regular algebra.  I wasn't sure if I should, but she thinks she can do it, and she is up for the challenge.  Her favorite classes are her musical theater class and choir (go figure).  I am glad she has found something that makes her happy.  That kind of thing scared me to death when I was in junior high school.  I loved singing in choir, but drama was NOT my forte.  She seems to be thriving in junior high.

Marie is taking school one day at a time.  She is still getting use to a new teacher and her schedule. She really likes Mrs. Swanson.  She was in our old ward so we already knew her.  I think Marie is enjoying school, but like Jordan, she doesn't say much about it.  I do know that Marie would much rather be at home than going to school, but who can blame her.  One of our challenges this year is to get that stupid homework done each night.  We struggle to remember to do it each night.  I guess it's like the plumber with the leaky pipes in his own house.  The teacher's daughter can't seem to get her homework done, but it's not because she can't, we just always forget.  I guess I need to make up some kind of a schedule.  We'll work on it.

As for me, I vowed I would take home my books this weekend and make some good solid plans for next week, and I did crack the cover last night, but didn't get a whole lot of planning done.  I had too much else to do (Big Surprise!)  I did manage to get my living room painted again.  When I painted last time I wanted it yellow, but after we were finished it looked a little green.  This time I decided to warm it up a little, still yellow just warmer, but now the room is a little too orange. From one extreme to another.  It matches my room better, and  I like it okay, but it wasn't really what I had in mind.  Paint swatches are so hard to use.  Next time maybe I will spring for the three dollar paint can sample.  As for my planning, I still have the Labor Day holiday to get my lesson plans done.  Wish me luck.