It's a New Week...

Yikes, I have been such a terrible blogger. But in my defense, I had the worst week of my (small) teaching career last week. I had meetings every day after school and two before school. I was just physically and emotionally so exhausted and overworked, and I have never looked forward to the weekend more than this one. 

This weekend was so nice and needed. For starters, I was able to sleep in BOTH days! Normally I can only manage to sleep in on Sunday, but I was so wiped out that I snoozed until 7:00 both days. So wonderful. And Evan and I went to the Arizona Audubon Center last night for this adorable Halloween activity. Granted it was aimed at kids, but still fun nonetheless. And we went to Culver's too! Culver's is one of my favorite places to eat. Their food tastes so yummy and it's a little bit of home since it originated in Wisconsin. And I got to talk to a dear friend whom I haven't been able to call in a long time. It was wonderful to hear her voice and since she's a teacher too, we spent our whole conversation talking about school! And wedding planning too! 
But the most important part of the weekend is that I feel rested and rejuvenated for a new week. Which is a good thing since I'm having my first formal observation tomorrow. Yikes!! I'm a little nervous, but I think it will go well since I'll be teaching writing and writing is my all time favorite thing to teach.

Well, here's hoping this week is better than last week :)

October Currently

Yay!! It is now my favorite month: October. I love everything about October. The colorful leaves and how they crunch. The crisp weather - perfect for boots, chunky sweaters and scarves. The food - pumpkin everything, hot chocolate, apple everything. So yum. And Halloween. I love Halloween.

So what better way to start off October than with a Currently from Oh' Boy Fourth Grade!

So I am beyond pumped for Fall Break. I am going back to Wisconsin for some fall fun and wedding planning. Seriously can't wait!! Because even though October will always be my favorite month, it's not the same here. No colors, no crisp weather...so sad. So I need to go home to get my fall fix. And free Jimmy John's!?!?! Yes please.

So this week has been Galileo testing week. My kids have had to take two standardized tests, one in reading and one in math, and then complete a writing prompt. I'm actually pretty pumped about the writing since I'm anxious to see how they have grown as writers over the past two months (seriously been in school that long?!?! Scary!!!). But the reading and math tests are just crazy. Some of my kids' scores improved but others decreased so I don't know what to think. I know that I can't define myself as a teacher based on test scores, but now is one of those times where I can't help it. And I know that standardized tests aren't an authentic way of measuring a student's progress but I'm feeling a bit defeated about it. Especially since it counts for 50% of a child's overall grade and plays a big part in assessing me as a teacher. Wah.

And to top it off, I have had a persistent headache all week long. It always goes away overnight, but returns mid-day and sticks around until bed. Such a drag.

But Fall Break is just. around. the. corner!!!!!!! Yay!!!! And tomorrow and Friday are early release days. The kids go home at 11:15. Tomorrow I have to stick around until 7:00 for parent-teacher conferences, but on Friday, I can leave promptly at 11:15. We'll see if that actually happens though...

So Marlee and I are off to pick up Evan from ASU. Wednesdays are his late days since he has class until 7 so to avoid the long light rail ride back home, I always go get him.