All in a day's work

This day definitely deserves to be preserved for posterity. I can't even begin to do it justice, partly b/c I'm too tired to relate all the details. But, for what it's worth, here's a snapshot:

The Not-so-Good parts:

• Another fight occurred during lunch
• Fight was between 2 of our "good kids"
• Fight resulted in blood-splattered kids; cafeteria floor required mopping
• Parent of 1 fighter is blaming teachers for not responding sooner (we were on the scene within seconds of said altercation)
• Tyquan is perpetuating last year's cycle of ISS & OSS
  
• Kids have essentially created "gangs" (complete with signs & signals) within the team
• 5th period progress reports have un-graded work
• Somehow managed to lose TF's Eggs-periment Lab report
  
• Club Day is tomorrow & agenda for our Book Club is only loosely planned
• Endured a 3-day headache
  
• 7 kids in ISS today
  

The Better / Good parts:

• 7 kids in ISS today :)
  
• 2 normally off-the-wall kids were mildly engaged today
• Yeast respiration lab worked... all 4 periods!
• Managed to be cheerful in 5th, even after fight
• Kids asked intuitive questions today ... felt like real teaching, not crowd control
• This week's New Student has been befriended by last week's New Student
• Administration complimented me on my PowerPoint junk
  
• Mentor meeting was brief and helpful: have numerous new strategies
• Club Day is tomorrow & 2 girls have already read the book twice
• 4 days until Thanksgiving Break!!!
• Day before Thanksgiving Break is a Field Trip!!!
• Scary person/ghost was not hiding in closet, despite complaints from 4th period
  
• CG wrote "Thank you, Mrs. M!!" on 2 papers (I wasn't aware I'd gotten married, but hey... I'll take the thanks anyway)
• ES hugged me today for yesterday's intervention
• Grandpa's surgery went well
• Adorable niece & angelic nephew (who can now "write all my letters lower case") are visiting Friday
• 3-day headache is finally going away

Sometimes I can't believe all the things that actually happen in one day. First period seems like ages ago. I also sometimes think I'm partially getting what I deserve ... payback for all those times I sat in class & passed around notes that said, "At 10 o'clock, get up & sharpen your pencil," followed by, "At 10:10, everyone cough," etc. etc. etc. One thing about it, the upcoming 7th graders should be a breeze compared to this year's 8th graders.

And, nevertheless ... while I don't always like their choices, I can't help but love these kids.

More benchmarks?

Despite my conflicting views on standardized testing, I must say that I am thoroughly enjoying these 2 days of Benchmarks. Even though I wasn't really prepared to administer them, and I'm sure I messed something up along the way, I've totally loved these 50-minute chunks of time. Thankfully, I test with my angelic 1st period, who actually review their answers if they finish early or read if they have extra time (though I did confiscate 1 lollipop & several wads of gum).

My grades are entered, my week is halfway-planned, emails are answered (the important ones, at least), and I still have 20 minutes to check off a few more tasks on my ever-growing "to do" list.

I can't help but wonder, "Where'd I put that calendar with all the benchmark dates? When do they test again?"

The downside, of course, is that the kids are impossible to control in the afternoon, after sitting all day testing, but hey . . . I can't really complain. These mornings have been heavenly, compared to last week's fight, circus in the hallway, Team Lockdown, & the fire in the bathroom (which happens to be adjacent to my room).

Back to work.....