Target Test...Schmarget Test

Just when you thought you were making some progress...Target Test scores come back. I wonder am I the only one feeling like I am stinking it up? I got my scores back thinking my students were finally coming around, but when I looked at the number of students that passed I began to think differently. I had about half my class pass the literacy portion and about half of both sections pass the math portion. Half. That means the other half has no clue what we have covered the first 15 weeks. This is such a dissappointment. I wish they would keep the scores and not let us see them. I guess we can only start here and move forward...

My Family

I just added a picture of my family. My wife Crystal and I just celebrated our 4th anniversary on November 20th. She teaches 4th grade in the same building I teach in. She is a WONDERFUL teacher. God has given her a tremendous talent and love for children. In the middle is our dog, Patch. He is a 4 year old Boston Terrier. He is spoiled rotten, but the best dog in the world. We got Patch 2 weeks after we got married, so we have always been a family. Just thought I would share my family with you guys.

After School...Is it worth it?

I teach a book club after school on Monday afternoon. I have 9 boys and they had to apply to get into the club. I have been disappointed in their commitment and wonder if the $25 an hour is worth the headache. On most days, only about half of the boys show up and 2-3 of the ones that are there don't have their book. How can you participate in a book club when you don't have your book? We started the book club as an extracurricular class thinking the boys would enjoy the book and start reading more. They have enjoyed the book, There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom, but I am not too sure they have started reading more. We have had fun discussing the book, but when you're tired the last thing you want is another hour of undedicated, unprepared students. I hate to stop teaching because they are already short teachers in the afterschool program, but I don't need one more thing.