Back in the saddle

So as we geared up for students in 2015, I felt like I was Muhammad Ali floating around the boxing ring. No seriously, I was trying to float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee when it came to grabbing my student's attention. There are two monumental times in each school year when students jump on the learning train or tuck and roll right off of the train. One of those moments occurs at the beginning. First impressions are a must, and I take pride in my first few weeks of Middle School Orientation. The second is right after Christmas Break, when you are back in the saddle again. You either hook each child, or you plan on sinking to the bottom with them. We run out of the gates, and never, I mean never slow down.

As I said in my earlier posts, I am an Interactive Notebook Queen. Well, Queen sounds a bit vain, maybe we will say Goddess? No no no, just kidding. I am an Interactive Notebook Guru. Yes, Guru. I was selected by my Principal to teach some of our teachers about my INB experience on the Monday before students came back, so that super charged my Ali skills. When my students walked in on their first day back, they didn't know what hit them. I absolutely believe that students want to learn. My students get geeked up about it. I had some of my lowest kids hugging, literally, hugging their Interactive Notebooks when we got back. I'd say that is a success. What is not a success is my 8:00 pm bedtime. I'm literally cooking dinner with my eyes closed. So maybe it's going to take longer than a few days to get used to being back in the saddle.

I have a new motto for my students in 2015. HARD WORK PAYS OFF! LITERALLY! I vowed to pay one student 10$ for the best and most comprehensive INB of 2015. I can't wait to have you all voting and cheering them on as well.

It's Friday, I gotta go date my husband and our wild men. Cheers, and Happy New Year Friends.