Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Learning

     Last week I spent two days at a conference about improving instruction.  The speaker was energizing.  She was a fun speaker with a wealth of information that I can use.  The price of writing two days of sub plans was pretty steep, but wow! What a pay off!  I returned home with concrete ideas to change my instruction.  As we made the 100 mile round trip each day we had plenty of time to debrief and yes, laugh.
     Today the learning continues, my book order was delivered a day early.  I ordered her book on Amazon and I can't wait to dig in.  The price of dusty end tables and unvacuumed  rugs is steep, but I think it will be well worth the price.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

When It Rains It Pours!

This morning I woke up to the realization that my alarm had not woke me.  The room was full of light rather than my customary dark awakening.   My i-Phone has a setting for 5:30 weekdays but it’s hard to hear an alarm when it’s in the garage.  I’d forgotten my phone in the car after shopping several stores in search of wedding decorations for our daughter’s wedding.  I don’t even have the excuse that my hands were full.  I left all the loot in the trunk.
I always arrive at school at least an hour early.  But sleeping an extra 80  minutes didn’t allow much of a morning routine. I washed up , fluffed my hair, brushed my teeth, packed a quick lunch and grabbed a portable breakfast. Unfortunately Monday night we’d had an after school meeting at a different school so I hadn’t done my usual preparations for the morning.  No Morning Message written.   No bell ringer activity on the tables. 

When the students arrived my hurriedly written message was ready, I had music playing on the sound system and my students all had puzzle choices at their tables.  As I submitted attendance and greeted my students I checked my plans.  As we finished the pledge and our morning greeting we turned to the Morning Message.  I looked up at a movement in the doorway.  In walked my principal.  My third yearly observation was about to begin.