7 weeks of school on the wall

When Monday rolls around, there will be exactly 7 weeks of school left. This year has NOT flown. my various medical issues and all the time it has taken me to sort them out seems to have made the year drag. Mostly because I was not doing the best job I could be doing and I knew it. I am very excited about starting anew next year. I _know_ I can do better--- not that I sucked this year but 1) I was out a lot 2) When i was here, i physically/ mentally did not feel well 3) it was my first year at a new school 4) it was my first year in a new subject

I have harped on 1 and 2 in past posts, so I will not revisit that....but 3 and 4--- the newness of everything made this year sort of a trial run....especially as technology and curriculum are involved...I mean, the first month of school is a hectic time anyway--- but not knowing where anything is or how to use it ( still have not attempted to find the scantron machine) is enough added stress to put everything else (mostly ibook trainings) on the back burner. I have barely used technology in my classroom because I have no idea how--during the trainings, I was just trying to keep my head above water---survive, not thrive.....but I am excited to have the summer to toy around with my school blog and ibook and programs and a variety of webtools. I WILL be more tech savvy some August.

I also know better now what is expected of me and what I am working with (in terms or materials and curriculum and students and coworkers). I also have ideas of how to change myself----how i set up my classroom, expectations, and how I conduct my classes. I better understand how ot pace myself and the curriculum, what is important and what is not. Hopefully I will have SOME of the same students next year (the perk of teaching all 3 grades!) and will not have to start totally fresh in that regard. i will be a better teacher each year I do it.

speaking of which, I need to get some stuff done before class starts! happy thursday....