If I can figure this out.....Here are the pictures of my classroom...Finally....

An Interesting Development

Thursday night I was feeling tired and glad the next day was Friday. I needed sleep. Well I awoke early Friday morning (around 2:00am) itching all over. Even the bottoms of my feet and the palms of my hands were itching. I went to the bathroom to splash water on my face and was surprised by my reflection in the mirror. I was splotchy red all over. My face, neck, chest, hands, etc were covered with red itchy spots. I didn't know what it was, but I needed sleep and thought I would deal with it in the morning. I went fitfully back to sleep and got up at 5:00am. I called my mom and dad at 6:00am to ask what they thought it might be. We decided I had obviously been exposed to some poison ivy somewhere. I went to school, it was Friday after all and you can't call out sick on a Friday--I mean come on--faker!. Hee, hee. I went to school, checked in with the principal so he would know my dilemma and then proceeded to teach school all day itchy and wearing latex gloves so as not to spread my rash (if it was even contagious). My mom called her doctor and got me a prescription for Prednisolone. I have been taking that for the last couple of days. My read splotches have gone away mostly. I still have periods of itchiness. I guess I will be known as "The teacher who wore gloves." Not exactly what I had hoped for. At any rate - I survived another week.

And the race is on....and I'm behind already....

It seems like yesterday that school started, but it has been almost 3 weeks. I feel like I am already behind. I seem to grade papers, grade papers, and then grade more papers. Every time I turn around there is something else to grade. Michelle says that I'll soon learn not to take so many things for a grade. I want my students to have ample opportunity to keep their averages up and I also need to assess what they have learned so far. We are quickly approaching midterm exams in October. I hope that I can move things along soon. Everything seems to take twice as long as I thought it would. Oh well. Who knew 9th graders could get into so much trouble. Everyday I get a note about a different student who is in In School Suspension (ISS) or Out of School Suspension (OS).

On a good note - I had my first lesson plan check and snapshot evaluation. Both of those went well. The only note he gave me that was in the slightest bit negative was that my standards posted on the wall aren't big enough. I'll try to print those out bigger soon and get them posted before my next evaluation. I am in the middle of trying to figure out our online grade book. Of course we have to keep a written copy as well.

Chloe is doing okay adjusting to the school schedule. Some days she can't hold it until I get home, but overall she has many more good days than bad days. We are both still trying to adjust to our new place. I still have a lot that needs to be unpacked and put away. It is starting to weigh on me, so hopefully I can get to a lot of it this weekend.