I have to remember this. This week was very challenging. At the beginning of the week, my kids took a major test. This test measures what they learned in a 5 week span during reading. The test is hard, and it's tricky, but I thought my kids had learned so much. After the first test 6 weeks ago, I thought they could only go up. Man, was I ever wrong! On Monday, they took one portion of the test. Tuesday, they took the next portion. I graded them and wanted to cry. My instruction this second 5 weeks had been better, more intense. Between the interventionist and the special ed teacher, my kids are receiving the best instruction. But, their scores went down. I took this information very hard. I was so disappointed in myself as their teacher.
So, last night I did some reflecting. Two weeks ago, my kids didn't know why we celebrate Thanksgiving, who Indians were, where Pilgrims came from, the boat they rode on, the 13 colonies. Now, they could carry on a conversation with you about it. This makes me happy. I don't know why there aren't understanding and applying what they are learning in reading. BUT, I am thrilled that I am giving them deeper understanding about every day things. Thanksgiving is important to our history, culture, and tradition. And they understand that.
Thanksgiving isn't the only important thing they have learned this year. They know LOTS of information on penguins. They can tell you about Veterans. They know what it means to brainstorm. They understand the importance of a topic sentence. They know they have to try before I'll ever help them. They can ALL spell because. They know what it means to explain your answer.
I am still figuring out how to be a better teacher for them, but it is comforting to know they are learning "stuff" they can use to understand the world around them.
