Sign language for me - pay no attention! :)

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/SEASON/5329/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/OF/6086/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/WONDER/8129/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/LIGHT/5590/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/STAR/2619/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/SHINE/4487/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/BRIGHT/3072/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/AGAINST/865/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/COLD/533/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/DARK/1190/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/NIGHT/22/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/POUR/2173/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/YOUR/501/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/DOWN/1239/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/LOVE/255/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/FROM/159/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/GREAT/3557/1

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/SKY/2523/1

STRESS! (a major theme of my life)

As the busiest time of year looms ahead, I'm bracing myself...I have to keep remembering to stay as relaxed as possible and to de-stress whenever I can! I bought some new sneaks, which is usually great motivation to get back out there. I used to run regularly, but haven't for the last year or so, mainly because my knees starting acting up and also because I think it can actually ADD stress to my life. However, I think it's time to start it up again, just not so intense.

(they look sort of like this...)

My main purpose of this post, however, is to get some feedback from my devoted fans... (whoever you may be...)

How stressful do you find teaching? What is "normal" stress and what are the signs that you might be happier or better suited somewhere else?

I'm not necessarily speaking about me, although there have been MANY times when I've contemplated changing jobs or switching careers. (Not that I would probably have that luxury at this time...) I'm just wondering how normal that is?

Also...what are your tricks for staying fresh and not getting burned out? I've found the following things are great distractions and hopefully relieve some stress:

• Exercise (but not too crazy!)
• Shopping (I'm contemplating starting a separate blog dedicated to my love of Vera Bradley...)
• Baking
• Yoga (ok I only did it once but I need to do it more!)
• Blogging!

...but I would love more outlets for stress relief, because it's something I will always be dealing with. 

Thanks!

good times

So this term has been pretty great so far. I know it's only Wednesday but I'm really feeling much better about everything. I think one of the main reasons is that I implemented seating charts right away. I used to only use seating charts when I felt I needed to, as a last resort in a way, but this time I decided to just start right away. It seems to set the tone immediately that I'm in control - plus it keeps them away from their friends a bit. :)

I've also FINALLY started doing singing, solfege and sight-reading with my 5th graders and I looooove it. I love how the kids are responding and how they're so eager to demonstrate exercises and sing. I used to do so much talking and now I'm starting to realize how much kids want to participate and talk and show off and be a part of the lesson, especially younger ones. I love hearing them sing!

We were also treated to a concert by the York Consort. The kids were really fascinated by the instruments and asked so many questions. (Actually they were mostly fascinated by the sheep gut strings, haha). The concert was so informative and enjoyable. It was awesome! Thanks, Nancy!

fighting the couch potato urge...

I am soooo lazy today. This probably has something to do with the fact that I spent all day yesterday at a great wedding! I was honored to be asked to cantor at the ceremony, and then of course we all partied a lot at the reception! So that combined with the gray skies outside makes me want to sit around for the rest of the night in pajamas and do nothing productive.

But of course I can't! Why, you ask? Tomorrow starts the second arts rotation, which means I will be seeing brand new groups in my general music classes. I have to start alllll over again! This schedule is great in lots of ways. The kids have music every day for eight weeks, then switch to another arts class. If I decide I want to change or modify any of my projects or units, I don't have to wait until the next school year to do so. I get four chances to try things in different ways - so that's great. The hard part is, well, I have to start from scratch four times. So I know I have to sit down with my plan book and lesson plans and reflect upon the term and what I want to do differently or make sure I do the same.  Of course if I want to make any big changes, it's Sunday at 5:30...so probably nothing drastic will be happening.

I made it one of my goals this year to keep daily lesson plans for all of my classes - like full, hand-written lesson plans with objectives and staging and all of that good stuff. I've done a decent job, but pretty much forgot about it for the last couple of weeks. It seems that it's hard to map out a unit in days (such as "Unit 1: Day 3: students will blah blah blah...") because it seems to change with every term. Different kids, different schedules, etc. But as long as I can keep the general structure, pacing and timing of a unit on record, I think it will help me a lot.

I'm quite a planner. I am not good at "winging it". Even when it's something like making a speech to my students, I always practice what I'm going to say. I just don't work well when I'm under that kind of pressure. It's like I can't think straight about what I'm trying to accomplish because I'm usually distracted by something. So it's always best for me to know ahead of time what I'm going to say or do. This can get kind of annoying though, because there are often times when I have to think on my feet. Those lessons or discussions or activities never feel like they go as well. Hopefully this is something I can work on.

I also want to say how much I loved my 5th grade group this time around. They were the sweetest kids ever and were genuinely sad to leave to go to their next arts class. I had them fill out a brief course evaluation and one thing I asked was for their favorite and least favorite unit. Most, if not all, said they didn't have a least favorite and liked everything! So that was great. I think it has made a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE difference this year  being an advisor.

It totally changes the way kids see me as compared to last year's 5th graders. There has just been much less behavior issues than ever before. I know it's only November, but I am just so pleased with how well the 5th grade has been going this year. Even in Chorus, where I would typically count on the 6th graders to lead the way, the 5th grade has been much better behaved and more responsive overall.

I better go knock on some wood like right now.

Ok, I did.

Thanks for all of the comments last time by the way! Keep them coming!