More progress!

My student desks and a one of my bookcases arrived on Friday...yes, progress!

The students are excited about the changes and were glad to see the desks arrive. I now have have 16 desks (instead of 12), so that is more floor space gone.

One of my goals is to not have the "clutter" I have had in the previous years. By the way, that was not the easiest admission on my part, for I enjoy having my "stuff" that I just "might use one day." Unfortunately, that "one day" has not gotten here, and I have become too blessed! So File 13 is growing! Yes, I am actually recycling a lot! Emptied three more boxes this week! Only have one to go...that one has journalism computer keyboards, cords, and scanners in it.

Mr. Kevin and Mr. Mark hope to return on Tuesday to install the journalism built-in. I hope so, for the yearbook staff will be in class on Wednesday. Time to go to work creating this year's history book of Batesville High!

Had we not had to give the Targit Test this week, we would have gotten all our "start-up" accounts created, including Google (email, blog, Reader, iGoogle), Penzu, Delicious, and Good Reads.

SIDENOTE ABOUT STUDENT BLOGS: The writing process metaphor papers the students wrote did seem to help in creating blog titles and thematic elements. Good thing!

Thus, we will have to complete the creation of our techie accounts, and then I will introduce each to his/her new "quackie" friend. Yes, we will begin our Ducks Galore Project this week.

TO-DO List:

• Lit Circles: tolerance activity and lit circle names/groups. I have not formed these yet. Needed to get to know the students before forming the small groups. I have decided on an over-all title: Three+Me. I am going to have groups of three, with the fourth seat in the pod being reserved for myself, thus further insuring even more conference time, more 1:1 time.
• Writing/Reading Workshop: This will happen on a more structured basis than what I have right now...once the students create their techie accounts, for they need these for much of what we will be working on in class. Then we can work on routines and procedures, with one of those being daily mini-lessons. I am ready for the routine!

It was a good week...am now getting ready for another one!