tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985047641236011498.post2705760644911508681..comments2024-01-14T19:04:25.573-05:00Comments on Polka Dot Lesson Plans: Confession: Too Much Too Soon Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02599783995819335329noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985047641236011498.post-71302189510570402922013-09-18T23:46:15.697-04:002013-09-18T23:46:15.697-04:00I would recommend that you replace one of your min...I would recommend that you replace one of your mini-lessons with one-to-one conference time with students. Those 19 readers need more guidance and encouragement and talking with them individually can influence their reading habits and skills more than a mini-lesson. Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01958900463224084769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985047641236011498.post-50629032278923252882013-09-17T22:19:40.628-04:002013-09-17T22:19:40.628-04:00The best advice I can give is...take each day one ...The best advice I can give is...take each day one day at a time. It's easy to get worked up thinking about how much you have to cover and such a short amount of time, but you have to get them through the basics in order to move forward. Take it back to where they are and go from there. You know in your heart, that's the best thing. Keep your expectations, but not so high that the kids and yourself are set up to fail. Use lots of positive motivators and give them breaks to be fourth graders...work hard and play hard. One of the best things that I found last year was getting rid of meaningless homework. It took so much pressure off of the kids as well as myself. All they were required to do was READ for at least 20-30 minutes a day. There is a ton of research to support that homework in elementary school does not help with achievement. I believe it! It's easy to read what everyone else is doing and feel pressure also. Don't do that...step back and realize that what you are doing for your kids is what is best for YOUR kids. You've got this, Courtney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <br />Alison<br /><a href="http://www.rockinandlovinlearnin.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'</a>Alison Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18353164628345963175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985047641236011498.post-21757481778206264412013-09-17T22:14:55.610-04:002013-09-17T22:14:55.610-04:00One day at a time!! We have so much pressure to ju...One day at a time!! We have so much pressure to jump right into the curriculum....don't blame yourself. You will move mountains.....just keep doing what you're doing :) Mandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09728092779351015995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985047641236011498.post-47673281720142814092013-09-16T21:29:26.720-04:002013-09-16T21:29:26.720-04:00My year is similar in ways. We are departmentalize...My year is similar in ways. We are departmentalized too, 55 minute sections. I'm forever behind this year, a grade level full of talkers, and several students who don't want to try. I had one student just today who when given the opportunity to redo an assignment, looked me in the eye and said, "No I don't want to, I don't care." A month in, I still spend 10-12 hours at the school everyday. I feel like my wheels are spinning, that I'm not making progress with the students, and the level of enjoyment is not there (lack of sleep probably doesn't help.) <br /><br />No the most encouraging response... but I feel for ya. We'll make it through the trenches this year and come out on top. Just wait and see! :) <br /><br />Christy<br /> <a href="http://teaching-in-oz.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Teaching Tales Along the Yellow Brick Road</a> Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07773634721264225907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985047641236011498.post-15909307070254917022013-09-16T20:30:39.543-04:002013-09-16T20:30:39.543-04:00Hang in there. We all have years that are more fru...Hang in there. We all have years that are more frustrating than others. I don't use Daily Five so I'm not really much help...but I know that you will make it work once you get the books you need. I'm glad to hear your principal is supportive. <br /><br /><a href="http://hunterteachingtales.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Hunter's Teaching Tales</a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hunterteachingtales" rel="nofollow">Find me on Facebook</a><br />Bethany Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12304642220863454586noreply@blogger.com