Have a Happy Day

A Little Bit of a Stomach Ache

Do you have a little bit of a stomach ache this morning? I do. 

You see, my grandson, Carter aka Zoom starts kindergarten today. Now I really think he will be OK, but I'm just a little worried. Thoughts are running through my head: Will he like school? Will he work hard? Will he keep out of trouble? Will the teacher like him? Will the other kids like him? Does he know enough? Will he be successful?

Reading Workshop students, you might be wondering by now, what does that have to do with me? Well really, it has everything to do with you. There is someone feeling the same way about you. It might be your mom or dad. I might be a grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Hopefully for all of you there is someone whose stomach has a little knot hoping for the best for you.

To tell you the truth, I am a little nervous with a knot in my stomach, worrying about you on this first day of school. I want you to have an amazing year. I want you to love school. I want you to work harder than you have ever worked and learn more than you knew was possible. I want to be proud of you and I want you to be proud of yourself.

It's a lot harder for you than it is for Zoom though. School is new to him. You have a history. You know a lot about school. There are things you like and things you don't. You are better at some things than others. You have had some successes, but maybe a few failures along the way.

The thing is, only you can control your success. Others may worry, but you are the one in charge. You make decisions that determine if this is the best year of your life. So choose success this year. Make it an outstanding year. I believe in you. Let's work together to make this an amazing year and when it's over, we'll know there never was any reason to have a little stomach ache today!

Helping Anyone?

Happy Monday!

Image from @VAeducatorRJW

Three Rules

Do you have rules for life?

 

Spread Some Awesome!

Overcoming the Monster

Recently in Reading Workshop we have been discussing the meaning of the lyrics in the song The Monster by Eminem. In this song, he relates the struggles he has facing himself and his doubts. We studied the lyrics and looked at this from the standpoint of the poetic voice.

Students final assignment is to compare this to their own life and how they overcome.

Impose Your Will

These Amazing Kids

I have sat and watched sixth grade students take tests this week. All I can say is that I am amazed. The work ethic and effort I have witnessed is unbelievable. Students gave everything they had to do their best. As a teacher it is humbling to see such effort. I am so glad to have had the chance to spend the year in language arts with these students.

The MAP Test measures students' growth throughout the school year and the scores were through the roof. Students took the first MAP test in September. It projected a score that they should achieve by the end of the year. Over 92% of the Reading Workshop students exceeded the projected score and most were much higher than projected.

If I was in charge of schools, I would put an immediate end to testing. I know it serves a purpose, but there are better ways to evaluate students, teachers, and schools. Unfortunately, testing controls education today. I guess this points even more towards what a remarkable event I witnessed this week. 

No one in schools likes testing, and especially not students. Considering this, the drive and determination I watched this week will be something I will remember always. And even more important, this strength of character will lead these students to unimagined successes down the road.

Great job Reading Workshop students!

See the Good

 

Image from @marcandangel

What Will You Use Your Success For?

This year in Reading Workshop we have talked a lot about being successful. Dr. Cornel West, speaking at Columbus State University asks about the next step--what will you use your success for?

Dr. West also says, you are going to have to muster the courage to examine who you are. Thoughts? Opinions?

Do You Have Drive?

Do Something

Power of Dreams

Making Mistakes

Do you have courage enough to make mistakes?

Be Successful

Take Control of the Rest of the Year

Do You Have What it Takes to Succeed?

A Poster Child for Success

Her first month of school was tough. She was in trouble for not doing her school work. She spent every recess in study table. Her grades were not good. She got a lecture, or had to listen to teachers talk about not getting her work done daily. I had several conversations with her myself, and none seemed to help.

Fast forward to December and she is a success. She is getting every assignment complete and never has to go to study table. She is working hard to do her best. Her teachers are proud of her.

Annie's story started with the decision that she didn't want study table any more. She was tired of the pressure to do her work. She made the decision to start doing her work. Then she talked to all of her teachers about her missing assignments and how to get caught up on her work. She spent a few days working real hard to get everything done. Then she made sure she did all of her homework every night.

So what's the message here? Success is possible. It can and did happen. It seems simple when you read about it. Annie made it look easy. And when it happened it was amazing. Everyone felt good. The teachers were so proud of her. All it took was a little hard work and a lot of determination. Great job Annie!

Be Who You Are