This is a fabulous idea from Ruth Ayres in which we write about something to celebrate each Saturday. I love participating in this link up each week and hearing about the awesome things happening in everyone’s classrooms and lives.
First, I want to celebrate reading. There were multiple times this week that my students begged for me to read aloud. We are reading The Maze Runner and they are hooked. We watched the movie trailer this week too which made them excited to hear more of the story. I love that Shannon Hale had a picture of James Dashner in her photo essay about The Princess Academy, because she talked about him and The Maze Runner and got my students more excited about the read aloud. I stop at cliffhangers on purpose and love it when students beg me to please keep reading. Sometimes I indulge them and sometimes they just have to wait. I am really proud of this community of readers that has been created this year. So many of them found their passion for reading and I am really loving seeing the way they pass books around and talk to each other about the books they are reading.
Second, I want to celebrate changes and new beginnings. I don’t know yet what I will be doing next year. I am applying right now for some coaching positions around my district. It is a really cumbersome process. I had an interview this week and hope to have more next week. Whatever happens, I celebrate the opportunity to explore my options and reflect on my career.
Third, I want to celebrate fun times with students. We went on an incentive field trip on Friday to the local roller-skating place. The students who had earned the trip had so much fun. I did too. It is so nice to be able to talk to students and watch them having fun. Sometimes during the week at school it is easy to fall into the trap of negativity. Working with middle schoolers is not a walk in the park. It is challenging every day to keep them engaged and motivated to learn. Having times like this to just enjoy the company of these adolescents helps me to remember to keep it positive and enjoy the company of these young people.
Fourth, I want to celebrate stationary. My new notebook from Erin Condren arrived this week along with fun colorful pens to use. I love being able to use the stickers to mark up my calendar and keep track of my daily to do lists. I also have started giving myself a gold star for every day I exercise. It is a small celebration, but I love it.
Lastly, I want to celebrate cupcakes. I bought some cupcakes at my favorite bakery on Thursday and indulged in some sweet cravings. Yum!
What do you have to celebrate this week? I hope you had a great week. I would love to hear from you in the comments!
I also love spending time with my middle schoolers away from the classroom. Celebrating cupcakes and reading, so fun! Good luck with the possible change on your horizon. We don't have coaches, but I'm envious of schools that do!
Lovely celebrations this week! It is so wonderful to be part of the excitement about books with a bunch of students. It's the one thing I miss when I am on break from my students – seeing what they are reading! My own son walked into our room at midnight last night shouting, "I finished my book!" The power of time off to read! 🙂 Good luck with the coaching positions. Would that be a full time role? We don't have anything like this where I am from.
I always love to hear you talk about reading, Andrea, It does sound like a great group of readers! And I'm interested in your possible new positions. Hope you find something that fits very well. I'm sure you'll be an asset to wherever you go. Have a heat weekend!
Students begging for reading makes my heart happy. What a great community you have developed. Exciting possibilities with a new position. Good luck!
Loved your post this week, Andrea! You're celebrating several of my favorite things–students begging for more reading aloud, notebooks, gold stars, cupcakes. I follow a few blogs of literacy coaches and their work sounds so varied and interesting. Good luck with your search!
I can imagine The Maze Runner is a great read aloud! I had some small groups read it, and they loved it. Good luck on your job hunt. Sounds exciting. It's great that you got some fun time with you students. It's great to see them in a different light. And YAY to cupcakes!