Connecting with the Little People!

Today was a noteworthy sort of day.

First of all, I am tackling DRA2 and am enjoying it. I thought, after everything I had heard last year, that it would be AWFUL. It's really been good for me as I am now TRULY getting a picture of where these little people are in reading. It is also giving me one-on-one time with each of my students, which I haven't had yet. It has been very insightful.

Prior to doing the DRA2, I did a whole group lesson where I set up my expectations for the one-on-one conferencing. My fourth grade students were upset that I would expect them to work while I did the DRA2. They wanted to do puzzles or games instead. I explained to them that that wasn't what I wanted. MizzouFan turned to me and said, "But why do we have to work?" And, I did my standard, "It's because I'm a mean, rotten, horrible teacher." Usually kids say "No you're not." MizzouKid said, "Yes, you are." And grinned WIDE! I smiled back. And a connection was made.

Later on, we did his DRA2, and we were the only people in the room. He made another comment that I can't remember at the moment and I smiled at him and said, "You are one of my favorite people." He paused and said, "You can name your dog after me too. My (real) name starts with J. too!"

I smiled.

And said, "Yeah, I like that!"

I tell ya, my job rocks!

Life.
Is.
Good.