Another Week

  I have enjoyed another week at school with my sweet 7 and 8 year olds.  There is nothing like it. They love to please and for the most part want to learn.  In their eyes I am the smartest, prettiest, funniest, and sweetest person alive (next to their Mommy).  You have to love the adoration.
   I know we start school too early, but I am so glad that the first 4 weeks are behind us.  The hardest part about starting a new school year is the establishing routines and building a sense of independence.  I have already finished bench marking the kids for their reading levels and have begun guided reading groups.  We are using Jan Richardson's, The Next Steps in Guided Reading.  Jan worked with several schools in our district while working on her book.  The schools that had more government or grant funding have been using this plan for quite a few years.  This is my second year using it and have found it to be very helpful.  There is a strict time frame which gives me problems, but I am much more comfortable this year.  I find it is helpful to see it in action as well as to read the book.  We are so fortunate to have had our Literacy Coaches taught by Jan.