no! no! no! no!

No, December 29 cannot already be upon me. No way can I be teaching in six days. Christmas break just began. My students haven't enjoyed enough time out.... haven't played with their toys enough, read enough books, or rolled around in enough snow.. I mean sunshine! The weather is SO weird.

I cannot face this. I have too many books to finish reading. I have too many lesson plans to write. I have to clean my classroom. I have to clean my house. I have to spend time with my little brother before he's deployed this spring. I have to enjoy having mama around to cook. I have to see so many friends before everyone goes their separate ways....

and........

I have fallen in love with Dr. Oz. How will I watch Dr. Oz when I'm teaching?

Maybe, I can pretend like I forgot school started back and play the new teacher card.
What? I'm not a new teacher this year. Shoot.

Maybe, I can bring my students with me home at 2:00 so I can watch Dr. Oz. I bet I can teach AND watch television.
What? That won't help my students prepare for the MCT2. Shoot.

Okay, then, I guess I need some motivation.
KLOVE Christian radio suggested three things to get you back in the mood to work after a Christmas slump.
1. Start a project.
2. Set goals for yourself.
3. I can't actually remember number three.

So, number 1. I'm going to start a project. Hmm.... what kind of project could I start with a group of AWESOME but challenging six & seven-year-olds.
I think I might just have to start writing workshop. Teach these babies how to write before the rigors of first grade. :) Writing workshop would be a fun thing to research and set up, and it doesn't require a lot of planning on my part. Woo hoo! My kind of project.

and Number 2. Goals. Plural. I would do much better with one goal, but I guess I'll set two goals.

1. I will leave school before 5:00 every day! (whoa.)
2. I will put file folders back in the filing cabinet immediately after use.


Nope, still not motivated to end Christmas break.....

time to slow down

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."-Zephaniah 3:17

The past 4 months have been a whirlwind of school work, tier notebooks, anxiety, evaluations, and testing. I think Thanksgiving & Christmas fall at wonderful times. I needed a break, and I need rest desperately.

I absolutely love the teachers I'm surrounded by each day. They are helping me grow professionally and personally. They are my mentors.

Every day, Amory is feeling more and more like home. I am only making two resolutions for the year 2011. I want to mentor and volunteer with the youth group at my church, and I plan to memorize two Bible passages each month.

May God bless you and your family during this Christmas season!