"These Are a Few of My Favorite Things..."

* Johnny's new lime green hoodie - wears it EVERYDAY.
* Jarrett's latest movie obsession - Passion of the Christ! He won't stop talking about it, and how he thinks we should watch it in class next time we have a class celebration.
* David "Big D" sucks his thumb, and no one makes fun of him :)
* Bryan and JuJuanna - they are an item, and they carry each other's school pictures with them wherever they go, always placing them in the corners of their desks.
* Shamice - everyday for months straight in computer class looked up 'rolly back packs. She got one for Christmas, and rolls in up and down those hallways with pride!
* Timmisha got moved out of my class, but comes everyday during my planning period to 'take care of me'. She straightens up the desks while I grade, and we have girl talk.

I could go on, but I need to get back to class!

Who's Running this Joint?

We got an email over winter break from our principal informing us that she decided to quit...

Fortunately, one of our assistant principals stepped up and took over for her. We've still had several fights but we are no longer having them each and every day. I sincerely hope that our school will be able to turn itself around this semester.

The Great Schedule Change

Guess what... my classes changed AGAIN! I was moved out of teaching my first period class and placed into a new seventh period class. Seventh period used to be my planning time, and not only did I lose that, but I now have 24 special education students in one computer lab for the very last period of the day. Mr. Bhattacharyya and I have come up with a new curriculum that will hopefully work for keeping so many special education students in one classroom on track - keep your fingers crossed!

(Oh, and the reason some classes got switched is because our department head decided she didn't like her assistant anymore and had to pick another teacher to help her instead... hmm)

New Year's Resolutions

The first week back to school I taught a mini-lesson on the background of New Year's Resolutions, as well as tips for being successful with their own planning and execution. I had them write to me about their goals, and here are a few of my favorites:

ed - "My goal is to get straigth A's. Because I what to see my mom proud of me. I am going to work hard on my Quiz. Study hard and ever day."

chris - "My goal is to be a football playing. Why I like to football I what to paly foot ball of the st. Louis Rams tem. to get two years in high school."

bryan - "My goal is to treat my girlfriend JuJuanna will and nice. Because she loves me more then every one, and she wants to take relationship serous - exampel: like get marry! She and I plan on getting married, and have bebe's kids or some Three Stooges running around the house. like rats."

mike - "My goal in life for this year is to graduate from high school. I have this goal in mind because I first wanna prove first for myself that I can accomplish gettin out of school. I need to be happy an successful, and hopefully have a family that I can support and will love me an be proud of me."

william - "My life goal is to get a job as a chemist or as an inventor. I like science. Research."

I hope they will all be happy and successful!