Testing, Testing, Testing

Tomorrow my students will begin day 1 of our standardized testing.  In addition, this is my first round of testing in my teaching career.  I feel anxious and just want this week to be over with.  Although I am not paid based upon test scores I feel the pressure for my students to perform well or I will look like I did not do a good job teaching.  Further, I want to prove to my principal as a first year teacher I did a good job.  However, test scores should not prove this-other authentic assessments and observations should prove this. Unfortunately this is the testing world we live in.  We need a national education movement to redirect learning to better our children. Curriculum that encourages critical thinking and problem solving not test taking 101.  This is a great article from a blog that explains who funds the new core standards as well as our tests: http://rdsathene.blogspot.com/2011/05/professor-michael-moore-cornering.html.

Also, read this article by Dianne Ravitch, I absoutely love reading what she has to say: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-05-10/arne-duncans-open-letter-makes-teachers-furious/#

My goal for next year is to write more on this blog about educational issues plaguing our world.  I know that it is not going to get any better in the near future so its going to be a hard fight in order for our children to receive a quality education.

April

Again, it has been months since I've posted.  I have so many ideas spinning in my head I do not know where to begin.  I have school, political, and personal issues all swirling and swirling in my head.  We are almost to the end of the school year-5 more days until spring break.  Unfortunately, I am teaching test taking strategies instead of teaching content.  I cannot wait until the end of the school year, however, this year has really proved to me that teaching is what I want to do.  I know I cannot do this forever making the pay I do but I absolutely love to do it.  Most days I am too tired to do anything when I come home but I know in the end it is all worth it.  I have so many goals for next year based upon what I have learned this year with my class that I cannot wait to initiate them.  However, we need to get there first.  I will find out if I have a job May 15th due to budget cuts.  I'm definitely going to make a post about that when it comes-until then I am going to keep continuing to fight the struggle and help my students learn each and every day.

February came and (is almost) gone

The weather is getting warmer and my students are gradually becoming crazier.  The warm weather has brought upon 4th grade: relationships, disrespectful behavior and chatting (and chatting and chatting and chatting.)  I have a lot of days where I feel really great about my career, school and students and then I have days (like today) where I feel stressed out, anxious, and isolated.  I have great support at school but the pressure put upon teachers cannot be described to a non-educator.  I absolutely enjoy what I do, however, something needs to be done about our workload and compensation.

Today I had my third and final observation.  I was told yesterday that my principal needed to fit me in before this Friday so we could discuss what I needed to improve by April for my summative.  I understand that it was necessary to do that, BUT, she came into my classroom with one of our PD instructors from a workshop we completed a couple weeks ago.  Now, I knew that we were going to be observed by this instructor-but seriously did she need to come in to observe when I was getting observed by my principal.  That is double stress!  The reason why the instructor came in was to make sure we were implementing what was said during the workshop.  I usually am not intimidated by anyone, however, having two strong women in the back of my room whom I admire was very stressful.  In addition, they were whispering and of course watching each step I was doing.  Out of my colleagues, of course I was the only one that was observed by both women.  I'm going to discuss this with my mentor tomorrow but it was something that I needed to get off my chest.

In other news, I'm thinking about what is going on in Wisconsin daily.  They are fighting for their rights to collectively bargain-somehting i wish we could do in North Carolina.  I truly think we are going to be pushed and pushed and pushed until we are going to pop.  NC teachers have not gotten a salary increase in 4 years.  I cannot support a family with the money I am making.  I love the education field but really need to reconsider what I want to do with my life because I do not see teaching improving in the near future-unless we put up a strong fight!!!  In solidarity with Wisconsin workers!!!

Time for rest

I've been meaning to write on this blog, however, teaching has taken over every aspect of my life the last couple of months.  These days off have been wonderful.  I would love to write about the last couple of months, but that would take quite a bit of time-especially for those who read it.  Instead, I would like to say that I'm slowly growing more confident in my teaching abilities, even though there have been many uncertainties along the way.  Recently my school hired a Title I lead teacher that has become a tremendous support as well as my mentor.  Most 1st year teachers are given their mentors the first month of school, however, I was not given mine until at least November.  I meet with her every Friday and talk about whatever is on my mind-it has helped tremendously.  Right now I'm concentrating on my teacher evaluation process (I'm going to write a post about this later) and helping my students learn each day.  Being that I'm in an upper grade, standardized state testing is crucial so unfortunately I know that I will be concentrating on that come January.  That topic will also be a forth coming post.  My New Year's resolution (one of them) is to write on my blog weekly-I hope I can keep this resolution!

Almost 25 days later....

Phew!  The last several weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions.  There has been anxiety, stress, exhaustion, happiness....the list could go on.  The first day of school (and the first week) were terrific.  I can confidently say that I laid out my rules, procedures, and expectations from the first minute my students walked into my classroom.  I have tried my very best to remain consistent so I do not end up with a discipline problem.  4th graders love to talk and talk back so it has been different from my experience in 2nd grade.

At my school we are switching blocks for different subjects areas, which has thrown the kids off completely.  I think after we all get into a routine it will become a wonderful experience for all of us (hopefully).  In the beginning of the year we had to wait for formal assessments to group our students so the students switched to a different teacher each day.  I did not like that!  I don't think the students did either.  After we begged the principal she decided to group them by ability group and teacher recommendation.  So, the literacy groups I have right now I have only had for 1 solid week.  I feel like I still need to build a foundation and relationship with them before we can start learning like my homeroom class has.

I hope to write more in here after the wedding.  With beginning of year procedures and wedding planning I feel very overwhelmed.  Until next time, have a great weekend!

Resources for Newbies

4th grade teacher's website This site is an excellent tool to help you set up your class, along with many other great resources.


Another 4th grade class' website


Harry Wong  is the author of The First Days of School.  A book that should be used by beginner and veteran teachers. 


Classroom Management   This website has a ton of resources not only on classroom management but classroom layout, centers, planning, etc. 

Professional Development

Last week I partook in a 4 day professional development at my school; with topics ranging in Literacy, Math, SIOP, Writing across the Curriculum, curriculum mapping, unpacking the standards, etc.  It was an excellent opportunity for me to meet my 4th grade team, tour the school, meet other staff, and figure out how this particular school runs.  I've been in many schools throughout my college career and every single one operates differently.  We were given many different resources to help us plan lessons for our students and really look at our standards/objectives instead of solely focusing on the "cutesy" activities.  After the 1st day I really felt like I was going to be working with a noteworthy team.  Every single one of the teachers helped me understand what was going on and took the time to explain how something works or where I should find something.  It also helped that there is another first year teacher along side me.  We actually had a couple college classes together.  After listening, learning, and brainstorming for four days I was able to work on my classroom.  Given the fact that I really only had about 3 hours to work on it, I didn't get much done.  I was able to move all my materials in and arrange the furniture how I like it but I have not decorated the class nor put my books up.  I'm going to post my "before" pictures of my class and in a week or so I'll post my "after" pictures.  I need so much for my classroom, I really wish there was a "Teacher sponsor program."

Back of the classroom

The window view.  This is where the computers will go and the TV in the corner.  

The front corner of the classroom.  

The students' cubbies.  To the left is where you exit the classroom.  

PS- I'm reading a superior book right now: The Death and Life of the Great American School System by Diane Ravitch.  I highly recommend it and would really like to talk about this book with someone.