Cares:
May is here and May is busy. Especially for teachers, who are in a mad-dash to squeeze in two months worth of teaching into twenty days, finish report cards (wait…did I say finish? I haven’t even started yet), get end-of-the-year projects wrapped up, and clean, organize, and pack up the classroom so we can be home free on the last day (all while managing a class full of hyperactive, spring-fevered children). I’m not one of those teachers who likes coming to school to tinker around in the summer. Summer is summer, which means NO school. With that said, I’m busy. Very, very busy. Especially since Brogan’s been sick, which means calling in a sub, which means even more work to make up. The logical thing to do is take a blogging break. I’m not always logical, but this time I’m going to be. No blogging for me until Friday, May 28th, during which I will hoot and holler because summer break will be here!
If anything awesome happens with my writing career between then and now, I will, of course, come back early to really hoot and holler, but let’s not hold our breath for that. I’m still waiting, and May 28th is only 3 weeks away, which is chump change in the publishing world. Hopefully no bad news comes between then and now, and if it does, I shall sulk in privacy and update you all accordingly on the 28th.
Concerns:
Busy. Very, very busy.
Celebrations:
I’m pumped to start plotting my new story. The characters are solid. Research is packed away in my brain. GMC charts filled out. Now it’s time to throw the story together. Plotting is always an exhilarating, magical, stomach-tingly time for me. I’m hoping to finish plotting and start the rough draft by June 1st. It’s an ambitious goal.
My students took MAP tests this week (Measures of Academic Progress). These are high-stakes tests taken on the computer. They take the test in the fall, and then again in the spring. See, I’m sort of anti-test. I hate standardized testing. I think they deflate children, but we’re forced to give them anyway. However, I love the MAP tests. They’re the coolest thing. They’re the opposite of standardized. They’re completely individualized. As you get problems right or wrong, the questions get easier or harder, until the test narrows down exactly where each student is as a reader and a math student. No two tests are the same. Then, when they take the tests again in the spring, it shows their growth from the beginning of the year until now. So instead of competing against their peers, they are competing against themselves. I had several of my struggling readers just BLOW this test out of the water. I mean, they did phenomenal. Just completely crushed their fall scores. The proud smiles on their faces were priceless. It’s like something clicked in their head and they finally believed what I’ve been telling them all year, “You are smart! You can do this!” Those smiles reminded me of why I teach.
Question to Ponder: What are your cares, concerns, and celebrations today?
See you on the 28th!
Sounds like you are a good plotter. I have a terrible time with this. I just want to write the story. But I have to keep going back to figure out who my characters are and where they are going. I feel like it's taking forever. Ugh. Good luck with everything, Katie, and do keep us posted!
Oh, the end of the year. It's the worst and the best time. Right? Right. I'm with ya on the "holy cows, I'm BUSY!" wagon.
Hope it's been going well. Catcha next week.
Thanks for stopping by to comment on my blog today, especially since you are on break! I know how crazy it is…our students are just done. And there are so many discipline issues this time of year. Everyone wants to be through!!!
Yay for breaks!
I come back and my super sweet, lovable blogging pal is taking a break. I totally get it! =)
I hope all goes well. Can't wait to see you.
Cares? Hmmm lots.
But the writing is great. So onward and upward! I have missed you, Katie. Lots!!!!!!!!!!!! ^_^
You really are busy! I hope we hear from you soon with good news!!! But in the meantime, see you in a few weeks:))
Will miss u terribly over the next few weeks.
BUT have a surprise comin' your way.
Persevere, dear one. P.e.r.s.e.v.e.r.e.
P
Cares- Africa- our future son!
Concerns- Sending out proposals to publishers this week!
Celebrations- Headed to Cabo for anniversary after it all gets out!
Is Brogan doing better? I hope he's feeling okay.
I have pizza and a Diet Dr. Pepper in my hand, so I'm not even thinking about my cares or concerns!
Have fun plotting!
Will miss you!! (Already do!) But I love how you know when and how to set the right priorities. You're a great example for all of us!
I'll miss your cheery presence until the 28th but it makes sense to take a break when there's so much going on for you.
Cares & Concerns: Our grandchildren's other grandma died this week. Children always seem to think their parents and grandparents are indestructible, so it's a difficult time for them.
Celebrations: We've just returned from a family wedding and I'm still basking in the joy of being together with so many of our loved ones. 🙂
Have a Happy Mother's Day and a productive blogging break.
I got a little misty about your students' reading success. Yay! Glad that test is a good one. Standarized tests are annoying, and I think they restrict you creatively as a teacher and as a student.
Cares: friends who are going through tough times.
Concerns: summer's coming and all the boys are here, in and out and hanging around. I like it, but find myself wanting to say: Can't you find something to do.
Celebrations: I have four happy, healthy sons. We're going to Ironman 2 tomorrow to celebrate Mom's Day.
Hi Katie –
Happy Mother's Day! I hope Brogan feels better soon.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
I agree with standardized testing. But the MAPS sound great! I'm glad they did so well.
OK Breathe!!! LOL! I have to laugh at the hoot n' holler regarding summer coming. 😉
Care: That I can finish my children's schooling before June.
Concern: That we have a safe flight on the Blimp my husband is taking the family on Saturday. Ack!
Celebration: Mother's day!!!!
Cares: Those in my Bible study with serious problems in their family
Celebration: NEARLY finished with my latest proposal. Just a teensy bit more proofreading and jabbing in the corrections.
Concerns: Getting everything done so I can leave my boys and house for 17 days. (The fact that they are 22 and 60 is a bit consoling)
Have a great weekend, teach!!
Patti
That's awesome about your school kids! Your kids are fortunate to have you as a teacher!!
Enjoy your break!!
My husband (he teaches too!) is in full "end of school" mode & coaching Varsity baseball, so he's away from home…A LOT! That's my major concern at the moment. I'm celebrating that one of my dear friends just found out she's pregnant after trying for a really long time.
Enjoy your break and have a WONDERFUL Mother's Day 🙂
What a wise decision! SEe you in JUne!
Breaks can be such a good thing! Have a happy Mother's Day, and good luck reaching your plotting goal. I look forward to the good news I'm sure you'll be sharing soon.
Wow, those MAP tests sound great! Finally a test that encourages and motivates kids! Is that something new?
Good luck getting everything done. You can do it! And have a wonderful Mother's Day!!!
Busy, busy! I hope you have a great and productive break. I hope little Brogan gets to feeling better quick, too!
Celebrations? I get to work on a new story this week. Yay! I'm super excited.
Katie, my teacher hubby's last day is May 28th as well, so I'm seeing the rush to end of the year firsthand. I think you're wise to take a break from blogging, even though I'll miss your posts. I feel certain that if you have BIG news you'll shout it on Twitter, so I'll be on the lookout. I'm eager to happy dance with you.
The end of the school year is sooo exciting! My daughter has one moe week until she's done with her senior year! YIKES!
So smart of you to take a break. Hope you survive this crazy time!
And your comment about May 28 being 3 weeks away just sent me into a panic attack. That's when I'm planning to be done with my rewrites. Eek! Back to work…
I wish I had you as a teacher in middle school…wait, that would be kinda weird. You'd be like 20 years older than me and we wouldn't be friends. Well, you get what I mean. You're an awesome teacher!
Cares: Gearing up for a summer spent in and out of the maternity ward as my friends start to pop starting next week.
Concerns: My throat feels funny and it's 43 degrees outside. Blah.
Celebrations: Joel is officially a pastor! Which means I'm officially a pastor's wife (this should be a "concern").
Love you!
H
Hang in there for that end of school rush! I remember it well.
Have a nice break – I mean from blogging, because it sounds like your life will be anything but.
So proud of you. Your encouragement helped those kids score great and they can feel such achievement for their improvement. Praying a smooth end of the year for you. :O)
Happy Mother's Day!
You DO sound busy. Enjoy the blogging break. HOpe you get fabulous news in the next 3 weeks. See you on the 28th! 🙂
Celebrations: The Eldest returned home from college for the Summer. The Young One graduates high school at the end of this month.
Concerns will I get the dorm room stuff and clothes cleaned out of the living room before my mother comes for Mother's Day.
Hope your Little Man is feeling better.
Summer is just around the corner. Hang on. I hated standerized testing. It showed. Give me a little blue book or an essay test any day of the week over one of those, blech!
Cares: Enjoying time with the fam. this weekend.
Concerns: Missing my mom.
Celebrations: This time of year I get a little emotional and thankful for the three children I have. I celebrate them…that God blessed me w/ their lives.
Happy Mother's Day!
~ Wendy
Oh boy, you are BUSY! Makes my weeks sound very lazy 🙂
My cares and concerns… can I say me? I have been struggling a bit lately. I am looking forward to some more sunshine in my life.
I am also looking forward to great news from you on your book :)))
you sound busy! Wow.
Thanks for sharing that about the Map tests. Sounds awesome! I don't care for standardized tests, even though I personally liked them in high school because…well, I like a challenge. LOL
But I don't think they're adequate reflections of a kid's brains. I'm going to mention this Map thing to my kindergartener's teacher!!!
Enjoy your break. Hope you come back soon for some hooting and hollering! 🙂