Days with the Dorans

Last year I was moved back to first grade after teaching third for quite a while. At first I was very upset (mostly because I knew the work (energy) that went into teaching the littles and it was the ONE grade I asked NOT to be moved to). I was comfortable where I was, loved teaching writing and was going to miss my team... Now in my second year (back) in first grade I am realizing that I have a lot I can do with these little people and what I can teach them (And what they are able to learn amazes me!). As I continue to 'settle' into my new role as a first grade teacher (hoping not to move again soon... especially after spending over a grand last year ...), I realize that perhaps my best ideas come off so well because I have some little guinea pigs at home that I can try them out on first. I am teaching the strategy of visualization- making 'movies in your mind' to help cement comprehension~ and so I chose my daughter's favorite song (which my current class LOVES...

Friday was our last full day Up North. The construction workers had moved down the road a bit so we all got a nice full night of sleep. We had a lazy morning (though Jeff got his run in and then later I got my walk in) and the Bigs enjoyed being allowed to watch cartoons (one of the highlights of vacation for them I imagine). We packed up and decided to go north to Charlevoix. Again, it wasn’t a long drive (for a good nap) but we decided if Sean needed a nap he could sleep in the stroller. We found a place to park, lubed up the kids with sunscreen and were on our way. The harbor there was nice but Jeff and I decided we liked Elk Rapids’ better. Still it was fun looking at all the boats. I told Jeff when we win the lottery and get a place up north (which would also include a huge boat) we could name it “Our Other Classroom”. One of the boats was called “The Boardroom II”~ I don’t think I would change my classroom for the boardroom even if it would mean I could afford a beautiful bo...