Exhausted.

The title for this post seems to reflect how I feel all the time these days. I am just utterly exhausted (which is part of the reason I haven't updated since Aug.)! Yet, however exhausted I may become, at the end of the day, I still love what I'm doing.

Last Friday, I had my first field trip! I was so surprised at how well everything turned out! The kids were so great, even those we struggle with daily. And the parent chaperones turnout was awesome as well. We took the kiddos to the State Fair Academy. Needless to say, when my coworkers told me our first field trip would be to the State Fair, I was a bit worried. However, the educational exhibits they had set up were good. We were able to see baby goats, pigs, and chicks. We got to see some huge Clydesdales as well. There was a creative arts center where the students got to do some art which they liked. And of course, the baby pig races were tons of fun! One important thing I learned from this adventure however, was this: field trips take just as much, if not more energy, than actual teaching. I never slept so hard in my life as I did the night I got home!

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that in a week, I will be a quarter of the way finished with this school year. Right now, I am getting things together for parent-teacher conferences. I'm surprisingly not as nervous about this as I thought I would be. I'm sure that will change as the days get closer. It just seems to surreal to me that it's already time to for report cards and meeting with parents. Where has the time gone?

Academically, I think things are going well for my class and I. I struggled with Math for a bit, thinking my kids weren't going to take to Investigations, but I have hope and things are getting better everyday! I know this curriculum is new to them and I need to keep that in mind. But I realized today how badly students need a curriculum like Investigations: one that's hands on and inquiry-based. One of my boys today solved his equations but hadn't written anything on his paper. I told him he needed to write down how he got his answers (which were right) and he said "I don't know, I just know the answers." So I sat down with him and together we worked it step by step, the way he did in his head. I was just so surprised that he couldn't communicate in words (or numbers and symbols) what he did. I wish the 4th graders this year were taught Investigations so they would have some knowledge before they come to 5th grade. Oh well...

I think I'll sign off with a positive note. And what a wonderfully positive note it is! Our superintendent informed us during our staff meeting on Tuesday that, pending funds approval, every teacher will be getting a SMARTBoard! This is so, so exciting! I am really hoping we get them by next semester. I think my kids will really respond well to one and it will help keep their attention. There have been so many times already this year I have caught myself thinking, "If only I had a SMARTBoard." Now, I no longer have to worry! This is such a blessing and I'm so thankful that my kids and I will have this amazing opportunity to increase our learning!