Making an Effort

OK, so this morning I tried to scan some papers to show my class on my projector and they never came over.  This will be another thing that I will add to my list of "How do you do this?"  I did use my Smart Slate and I just can't quite get a handle on how to use the pen.  No wonder my little 6year old students can't do it.  I will just keep plugging away at this and also try to scan another document tomorrow.

Getting ready for more technology...

Since my blogging is mostly about what I am finding and learning to make me a better teacher I thought I would start today with SMART Board technology.  I was very lucky this year because our principal has decided all by himself to give all the first grade teachers Smart Boards.  We will not be getting them until the holiday season or January at the latest, but I was able to add the Smart Technology to my computer, (thanks to the tech support people in my district).  Now I am going to attempt to teach myself how to make lessons that the students can manipulate when we get the board.

What Weekend?

Whew!  Ok, What a day and it's only 5pm.  I think I know why people need maids.  Chores are done and so is most of my grading of papers.  The family is just finishing up naps and then we are supposed to go look for some Christmas Decorations.  This was a very long week at school.  Although things should have been a bit easier with a new teacher the students were a little out of sorts and acting different.  I feel kind of bad for a few teachers.  They are young (teaching about 3 years) and there are 4 of them that are going to quit after 5 years so they can do something that does not have as much work.  I would love to tell them why not to do that, but since I did it and loved it at the time I can see why they want to get away.  Now that I am back I know I will never leave again, but sometimes it is good to try other things.  One of the other teachers just announced that she is going to Africa next year to teach.  She will be near the Congo (which scares me)!  She will make a huge hole in our team, but I think it is wonderful for her to have that experience.  Well, my next task is to get in to RSS.  After reading about the advantages I am a bit excited to create one, but having just read about only using RSS and not "doing" all the other things that I still have to do I will see very quickly what I want to keep up and what I don't when my graduate degree is finished.  Catch you soon!  Sue