Where has the time gone?

It's hard to believe it is January already, and that I haven't posted a blog since the second week of school.  So, what has changed?

Well, to start, while the behavior problems (mostly talkative behavior) hasn't completely diminished, it has improved.  I hate to admit it, though, that there are some students who continuously "push" my buttons and I try my hardest to ignore such behavior but sometimes my patience gets the best of me.   However, I have had much less stress coming home than I did earlier in the school year. 

Another change to the classroom has been the use of center time.  To begin, I have began making 6 of the center choices "mandatory" and to be completed over 2 weeks (although, I think I may change it to monthly).  The mandatory centers include using a dictionary, working with current vocabulary and spelling words, and reading.  While these have been center choices all along, I think my students have favored the "easier" centers such as listening to reading.  I make the listening center mandatory, but now the students have to tell about the story by selecting a report card and doing what it says.  I've noticed a change in their independence and work ethic, which is great!  During center time, I'm working closely with the reading groups, one group a day.  One of the days, I work with my struggling spellers for phonics work.  I've noticed a big improvement in everyone's spelling and writing skills this quarter! 

Now, I've been thinking about my future as an educator, and I have decided to go back to school once again to earn a second Master's degree as a literacy specialist.  I'm hoping to enroll for the Fall 2013 semester.  Wish me luck!