So, my kids rocked their first assessment back--that's not to say they are all where they need to be--we have a lot of work to do before they will be ready for 1st grade, but right now, of the 18 students tested nearly 89% (16 students) of my class is proficient on the Reading and Writing benchmark, and again 16 of them are also proficient for their fluency. For fluency they are given a sheet with letters in random order, and they have one minute to make the correct sound for as many letters as possible. A student's fluency is the greatest predictor of later reading success so I'm happy at the moment.
The math benchmark is next week, which I am a little more concerned about since the way we teach is "standards-based." Essentially, I teach one standard, and then I never teach it again. So, if my students didn't understand patterns when I taught it over the course of a week in October, they technically are not introduced to it ever again, though they are tested on it now in January. ...I don't necessarily strictly abide to the pacing guide (I tend to deviate from the curriculum somewhat), so I am hoping they still will grow on this benchmark.
Right now, the biggest challenge I see is teaching them writing. It's such a daunting task, and it's scary! So, from now on they will be doing full-fledged writing 2x a week in class and for homework at least once a week. Almost all my students returned completed journals after Christmas break, so I am hoping to send them home with another journal soon. They were great to read, and I think the more work they do at home in addition to what we do in school the better. Since I only get them for half-day kinder, and in other districts full-day kinder is the norm, I expect that the other half of the day parents work with their students...which is why I send home more than one page of homework each day.
So what we really need to tackle for the next couple months are reading and writing. I think they are finally ready for reading and writing--they are comfortable enough to make mistakes and to practice and to work hard to be able to read, to write, to be ready for first grade.
...oh, and don't get me started on this, but we still have a LONG way to go with rhyming. I think for the rest of my life I will hate rhyming, because with the amount of time I've spent teaching it...and the variety of ways we practiced...there are still a lot of my students who do not get it. I think I need to find a song about rhyming for them.
In other news...
1. I attended a Make-A-Wish volunteer orientation session on Wednesday, and I'm filling out the application in hopes of becoming a Wish Granter!
2. I am taking Chloe to dog training classes tomorrow--wish us luck.... It's been great having her out here, and I think it will be good for Chloe to learn to listen to someone other than me...and someone who doesn't have a treat in his/her hand.
3. I got to see Julie before she left for Korea! So great--I still wish everyone lived in the same town again, but it was nice to see her and to feel like we were back in Malibu again! If only there were a John's Garden here.
4. I still am not sure what I want to do come 2011...granted I have plenty of time to think. Perhaps a book is in the works somewhere down to the road. I mean, cancer, Alzheimer's, TFA and the education gap--the book writes itself, hey? Plus, in a couple years, maybe I can write about how Chris was the youngest singer to ever premiere at the Met? I certainly hope so.
Here's hoping Week 2 back at school is just as great as Week 1 (and that I follow my resolution to leave ON TIME every day again).
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Is it really 2010?
Does school really start again on Monday?
...Okay, I'm not going to lie, I'm struggling at the moment, as everyone tells you you will when you go home for break after your first couple months teaching. I actually looked at jobs in Florida on Craigslist today...
HOWEVER, then I emailed back someone from Pepperdine who had asked about my TFA experience (I emailed him back very delayed...), and well, it made me feel better. There certainly is no way I could go back to Florida and feel good since I would be abandoning my kids, and I just couldn't do that to them.
I've heard people say that TFA is the toughest thing they've ever done in their lives. We all know I'd be stupid to say that. Cancer trumps TFA.
That said, I'm over 3000 miles away from my parents--my closest family is over 2000 miles away, and I do feel tired and stressed a lot. I'm also 23, and I'm terrible at planning for long periods of time, but I would like to know if this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I love teaching, and I love my students, but there are also many things that come with teaching of which I am not so fond...
So here is my list at the moment of careers I'm considering:
1. Pre-k or kinder teacher
2. Special ed teacher or consultant
3. Professor (yes, college)
4. Writer
5. Dog walker (could be fun...and I wouldn't have to leave Chloe...though is it technically a career?)
...Anyone have any more suggestions?
Happy New Year!
...Okay, I'm not going to lie, I'm struggling at the moment, as everyone tells you you will when you go home for break after your first couple months teaching. I actually looked at jobs in Florida on Craigslist today...
HOWEVER, then I emailed back someone from Pepperdine who had asked about my TFA experience (I emailed him back very delayed...), and well, it made me feel better. There certainly is no way I could go back to Florida and feel good since I would be abandoning my kids, and I just couldn't do that to them.
I've heard people say that TFA is the toughest thing they've ever done in their lives. We all know I'd be stupid to say that. Cancer trumps TFA.
That said, I'm over 3000 miles away from my parents--my closest family is over 2000 miles away, and I do feel tired and stressed a lot. I'm also 23, and I'm terrible at planning for long periods of time, but I would like to know if this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I love teaching, and I love my students, but there are also many things that come with teaching of which I am not so fond...
So here is my list at the moment of careers I'm considering:
1. Pre-k or kinder teacher
2. Special ed teacher or consultant
3. Professor (yes, college)
4. Writer
5. Dog walker (could be fun...and I wouldn't have to leave Chloe...though is it technically a career?)
...Anyone have any more suggestions?
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Quotes from my students the past couple months...
"Is it Christmas today?"
"Dooooo dooo dooooooooooooo dooooo dooooooooo"
"Ms. Magiera, I like your shirt."
"Me sees a flower."
"There's no school today?"
"I'm thankful for my tia, because she died. She died in my swimming pool, but then my dad tried to rescue her, but she still died."
"The dog black, he is boy?"
"A B C D E F G H I J K..."
"Ms. Magiera, I like your shoes."
"She put something in her mouth!"
"I see an exclamation point!"
"No school today?"
"He keeps touching me!"
"My mom went away to learn to be a better mom, because she smokes and she drinks."
"Sit criss-cross applesauce! You have to listen to the teacher!"
"Is there school tomorrow?"
"Ms. Magiera! Yesterday, I ate pizza!"
"Ms. Magiera, I like your necklace."
"I see a question mark!"
"We're on red! Stop talking! Look--red!"
"Put your shoe back on so Ms. Magiera doesn't take it again!"
"Stop all this noise! It's too noisy! Aghh why are they being so noisy?"
"Spinach gives you a healthy colon!"
"Dooooo dooo dooooooooooooo dooooo dooooooooo"
"Ms. Magiera, I like your shirt."
"Me sees a flower."
"There's no school today?"
"I'm thankful for my tia, because she died. She died in my swimming pool, but then my dad tried to rescue her, but she still died."
"The dog black, he is boy?"
"A B C D E F G H I J K..."
"Ms. Magiera, I like your shoes."
"She put something in her mouth!"
"I see an exclamation point!"
"No school today?"
"He keeps touching me!"
"My mom went away to learn to be a better mom, because she smokes and she drinks."
"Sit criss-cross applesauce! You have to listen to the teacher!"
"Is there school tomorrow?"
"Ms. Magiera! Yesterday, I ate pizza!"
"Ms. Magiera, I like your necklace."
"I see a question mark!"
"We're on red! Stop talking! Look--red!"
"Put your shoe back on so Ms. Magiera doesn't take it again!"
"Stop all this noise! It's too noisy! Aghh why are they being so noisy?"
"Spinach gives you a healthy colon!"
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Looks like I'll have 25 students next year...
...if I have a job in the district next year!
Oldest school in Alum Rock District to close
SAN JOSE, CA (KGO) -- Parents in San Jose are reacting with anger and sadness to the decision by the Alum Rock School Board to increase class sizes and close the oldest school in the district.
This is not the only district in the state to have to close a school or make other cost cuts in order to grapple with a funding decline due to state budget cuts.
But when you've got a school like Pala Middle that has been around for 71 years, there's bound to be even more emotion. Thursday's decision to close it drew boos from the community. This morning the reality is setting in and it's drawing tears.
From tears to anger and disbelief, parents of Pala Middle School students say they're not sure about the future of their children's education when the school closes its doors next year.
"It's not right. I don't know where the kids are going to go," said parent Angel Gomez.
It's the end of an era of education in the East San Jose community. Opened in 1938, this is the oldest school in the Alum Rock School District.
Now, 480 students will be redirected to other nearby middle schools because budget cuts led to a board decision last night to close this one campus.
None of the protests from hundreds of students, teachers and parents could stop the decision, and teachers say it will hurt the continuity of working closely with students they get to know.
"I was actually hoping to work with them another year, and at this point I'm not going to have that opportunity. They're going to be dispersed throughout the district," said Pala Middle School teacher Michael Kretsch.
Teachers have been told they will not be laid off, although 60 to 70 positions will be eliminated through attrition or retirement. The district's three-year budget plan also includes increasing class sizes at all its other schools.
The ratio will go from 21 to 25 students next year, then to 31 per teacher after that.
"I'm not happy with the state, what it's been doing... that's where it all began," said Pala Middle School Principal Suzanne Burneikis.
Burneikis understands the steep decline in state funding is what prompted the Alum Rock district to go so far. But she's invested nearly three decades working for the district and is confident the staff there cares enough to educate with whatever resources remain.
"In June when we need to leave, I'm sure there will be tears, but we can hold our head up high knowing that we have given them the best possible education," said Burneikis.
The Alum Rock School District's first interim financial report suggests these budget cut actions will save $11.5 million. Next March, its second financial statement comes out and could lead to further reductions.
(Copyright ©2009 KGO-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Oldest school in Alum Rock District to close
SAN JOSE, CA (KGO) -- Parents in San Jose are reacting with anger and sadness to the decision by the Alum Rock School Board to increase class sizes and close the oldest school in the district.
This is not the only district in the state to have to close a school or make other cost cuts in order to grapple with a funding decline due to state budget cuts.
But when you've got a school like Pala Middle that has been around for 71 years, there's bound to be even more emotion. Thursday's decision to close it drew boos from the community. This morning the reality is setting in and it's drawing tears.
From tears to anger and disbelief, parents of Pala Middle School students say they're not sure about the future of their children's education when the school closes its doors next year.
"It's not right. I don't know where the kids are going to go," said parent Angel Gomez.
It's the end of an era of education in the East San Jose community. Opened in 1938, this is the oldest school in the Alum Rock School District.
Now, 480 students will be redirected to other nearby middle schools because budget cuts led to a board decision last night to close this one campus.
None of the protests from hundreds of students, teachers and parents could stop the decision, and teachers say it will hurt the continuity of working closely with students they get to know.
"I was actually hoping to work with them another year, and at this point I'm not going to have that opportunity. They're going to be dispersed throughout the district," said Pala Middle School teacher Michael Kretsch.
Teachers have been told they will not be laid off, although 60 to 70 positions will be eliminated through attrition or retirement. The district's three-year budget plan also includes increasing class sizes at all its other schools.
The ratio will go from 21 to 25 students next year, then to 31 per teacher after that.
"I'm not happy with the state, what it's been doing... that's where it all began," said Pala Middle School Principal Suzanne Burneikis.
Burneikis understands the steep decline in state funding is what prompted the Alum Rock district to go so far. But she's invested nearly three decades working for the district and is confident the staff there cares enough to educate with whatever resources remain.
"In June when we need to leave, I'm sure there will be tears, but we can hold our head up high knowing that we have given them the best possible education," said Burneikis.
The Alum Rock School District's first interim financial report suggests these budget cut actions will save $11.5 million. Next March, its second financial statement comes out and could lead to further reductions.
(Copyright ©2009 KGO-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
I emailed my 1st grade teacher last week...
...and here is part of her email response to me:
Hi Alex,
Of course I remember you! You may not know this, but you were in my first class at Grove. I had taught two years in Houston and then moved back "home" to the suburbs. Anyway, your class has always held a special place in my heart because you guys were my rookie class in Northbrook. On top of that, I remember so clearly what a great group you all were. You in particular were a true gem. Adorable, hard working, smart, fun and a kind friend to your classmates. Oops. That kind of sounded like a report card. I still have a book of poems you made for me. The pages are torn and a little yellowed, but it always brightens my day and brings a smile to my face when I read it. I share it with my class every year when we study and write poetry. You are always an inspiration to my 7 year old friends.
Is it any wonder I loved first grade and my teacher that year?
Here's a photo of me, way back when...believe it or not, 1st grade was 15 years ago:
Hi Alex,
Of course I remember you! You may not know this, but you were in my first class at Grove. I had taught two years in Houston and then moved back "home" to the suburbs. Anyway, your class has always held a special place in my heart because you guys were my rookie class in Northbrook. On top of that, I remember so clearly what a great group you all were. You in particular were a true gem. Adorable, hard working, smart, fun and a kind friend to your classmates. Oops. That kind of sounded like a report card. I still have a book of poems you made for me. The pages are torn and a little yellowed, but it always brightens my day and brings a smile to my face when I read it. I share it with my class every year when we study and write poetry. You are always an inspiration to my 7 year old friends.
Is it any wonder I loved first grade and my teacher that year?
Here's a photo of me, way back when...believe it or not, 1st grade was 15 years ago:
