Look!

>>Two posts in a row, I AM SO IMPRESSED. Since the room and students are getting into the swing of things, I am feeling calmer and happier. I am still exhausted when I come home (especially because I pretty much work 2 jobs), but having only 9 students is AMAZING. I cannot say that enough. I am trying to relax with things in my classroom like sending my students into general education classes, and always working VERY VERY VERY hard on our work. I still think pushing into general education classes is important. VERY important. Without this, my students would not get exposure to important things like history, science, P.E, electives and such. BUT, (and a very important but) every student is different. Some students get A LOT from being social in other classes. They are able to sit through a lecture, follow along while other students are reading, even read out loud in class. Other students are not at this level. They cannot read, they cannot follow along. THey have difficulties taking notes. So, in these cases it is better to pull these students out, and teach them science they CAN understand. I had to learn that each grade level/student is on a case by case basis and sometimes these things work out better than others.

>>The other aspect is sitting through each period and getting a lot of work done. During language arts, math and reading (these are the periods I have my students) I really focused on them learning how to sit and work. Following teacher directions, and being able to sit and work until the period was over. Reading, math worksheets, flash cards, sight words. There was never a free moment and I SAW PROGRESS. But, as my students become lower leveled, there needs to be more of a focus on social skills, functional skills, and just how to be a productive member of a classroom. These students need to learn how to not interrupt during a conversation. How to keep your hands to yourself. How to raise your hand, sit quietly, and get along with others. How to cook, read a recipe, take the bus, file, push in your chair, say hello, how to answer how are you. What is appropriate to share with friends, adults, strangers. Every year my class changes depending on my students, and this year its VERY different. My focus has to change. and that is difficult. I felt like after getting my first full year finished I would be prepared, but I have to be adaptable. I have to realize that next year I may have students who need to be pushed with their academics, who can handle being pushed into regular education classes, but right now my class is not like that. It's a good realization, but its difficult just the same.

>>The first wednesday of every month our library has a book sale that I take my students to, which we did today. While looking at the movies one of my students looks at a movie and goes:
Student: YOU DONT WANT TO WATCH THAT! it's all about old people kissing!