New Year Wrap Up and School Resolutions

So, apparently I'm not very good at this whole posting on my blog thing.  One of my resolutions for the new year is to post more frequently.  Hopefully I'll be able to do that.

Overall this has been a very successful half a year.  It's been a great transition, a little challenging at times, but overall great.  Even with the challenges, I wouldn't go back to middle school.  It's amazing how when you find the place you are supposed to be, even the tough stuff isn't as bad.  While things aren't perfect, nothing ever is, I wouldn't trade my new school, kiddos, and colleagues.

The most difficult part of moving to elementary has been figuring out the curriculum.  I have to create so much of it myself.  At the middle school level in my district they have several curriculums that the district bought for special ed that we are supposed to use.  In elementary, that is not really the case.  While there are some resources, it's mainly what reg ed has and we have to adapt it.  I'm starting to get the hang of it and really like the freedom and ability to tailor my lessons to what my groups need instead of using a boxed program that I'm given.

I have seen such huge gains in some of my students.  One of my groups went from not understanding how their writing and pictures relate to illustrating the words they are trying to write.  They have also started to sound out their writing!  It's so exciting seeing the changes and growth in each of them since the beginning of the year.

Now for the second part of this post.  I'm hoping by writing down my resolutions, I will be better able to follow them.

1. Post on here more often!
2. Keep better data.  I have data on each of my students, but I need to find a better way to track and record it.  I plan to spend the last couple days of break, working on a plan to tackle to this.
3. Go to more PD about writing and math.

I'm so excited to start a new year.  I hope the second half of the school year is as good as the first.

One Month Down

So, I'm a little over one month into my first year as an elementary special ed teacher and I LOVE IT.  It is so amazing going to work every day.  The kids are so excited and ready to learn.  They are happy when I come to pull them and don't mind leaving class.  Things seem to be clicking with them too.  They are learning what we are going over in class and retaining it!  I can see such growth in them  It's so amazing.  Heck sometimes they try to leave during my push-in time!  The staff has been so supportive and willing to help.  They share resources and ideas, the teacher I work with actually want to plan together.   I do still miss my middle schoolers sometimes and the teachers I work with but would not go back.  Elementary is definitely where I'm supposed to be.

The First Two Weeks

The first two weeks of school are almost up.  It's been a bit of a whirlwind, but every minute has been great.  I'm starting to get used to elementary and the students are great.  I started pulling groups this week for services and the kids seem to be doing well.  My biggest issue has been adjusting to the difference between middle school and elementary.  Some of it came pretty natural but other things have been more difficult.  The schedule has probably been the most difficult.  In middle school there are set times for every class so things are pretty much the same across the board as far as student minutes go.  In elementary, the grade levels set their own schedules so it's been a little difficult trying to figure out how to get my students scheduled, but I think I'm about there!  The school rocks.  Everyone seems flexible and supportive.  The teachers whose rooms I'm in seem to want to include me as a part of the class and they really seem to like having my students in their class.  Overall I give the first two weeks, two thumbs up!

Almost There

Teacher meetings started Wednesday.  I am so excited about the new journey I am beginning.  We spent Wednesday in meetings at the building level and I've gotten to meet some of the teachers I will be working with next year.  The faculty seems like a great bunch of people.  I think it will be a good year. On Thursday, I got a chance to look through my caseload and start to get things ready for the year.  Most of last week and Monday and Tuesday of this week were spent in either professional development or unpacking and setting up my room.  The room is close to being finished as far as unpacking and setting up go but no where close as far as decorating.  I'm hoping I'll be able to do that Monday, but we'll see.

Meet the Teacher night was last night.  It got me so ready for students to start.  Seeing all their faces and how excited they are to come back really got me excited for Tuesday.  I can't wait for them to start.  I know the transition may be a little difficult but I'm ready for it and so glad to finally be in elementary.  It's were I've always wanted to be and to finally be there is amazing!

Getting Ready

So I'm slowly but surely getting ready for school start.  I've spent the summer taking professional development classes through my school district and an online class about the ELA Common Core State Standards.  Taking the class has made me so excited to to move to elementary.  The standards for grades k-2 are really good and provide a good foundation for students.  The last things to tackle will be going through my curriculum materials and putting the finishing touches on my schedule.  It does't seem like much but it's going to keep me pretty busy the next few weeks.  I need to get it done though because I want to hit the ground running when school starts, not spend the first several weeks trying to figure out what I'm doing.  I know there will still be some of that but I'm hoping to not have as much with some summer prep work.

Moving on down

I'm starting to get really excited about this coming year!  I will be moving from middle school to elementary.  This is the age group that I wanted to work with when I decided to become a teacher.  During the year I will be working with students who are in grades k-2.  This is a pretty big transition from my 6th and 7th graders.  It may be a challenge but I am excited to begin the journey!