My first expedition.

I realized I missed an entire week of blogging.  Do forgive me, okay!

Things have been a little more crazy than usual - not for any particular reason, just the reality of how things are going right now.  We're starting MAP testing this week.  DRA is also on the agenda over the course of the next couple of weeks.  That, in addition to the regularly schedule learning keeps me on my toes.  I am enjoying my time, but sometimes feel like there is just too much going on. I know that is the way it always is in a school - there is always just one more task.  I just feel slightly more overwhelmed this year than I usually do.  Perhaps it is all the "new". Perhaps it is the circumstances upon which my journey here began.  Regardless of what it is, I am ready for the year to be over.

So, let's recap.  The last weeks have been busy with getting students prepared for their summative assessment task for our NPO unit.  Students did a great job on their brochures as well as presentations to the high school business class.  I guess I should provide some background for you since you've not been in my classroom for the last six week.  Students have been studying the organizational structure of non-profit organizations.  For their summative assessment task, they had to develop a promotional tool (brochure) that outlined the leadership structure, marketing strategies, fundraising strategies, distribution plan and sustainability plan for their organization.  Next, students needed to present their organization to the high school business class. The high schools (Grades 11 & 12) were given $435 to "donate" to the fourth graders organizations.  I was so impressed with my students' presentations. Even more, though, I was thrilled with the level of engagement that came from the high schoolers.  They were intent on making an informed decision, engaged and actively listening to my little 4th graders, asked questions to get additional information (or guide my kids presentation along) and so on.  It was a really rewarding opportunity for both my students and myself.  Needless to say, the high schoolers got some cookies today :)

We're also busy getting ready for the assembly.  It's actually not taken us much more than a few minutes in homeroom for the last week to get our presentation put together.  Students will be promoting reading as they sing and dance!  They are presenting a song called "Bright Book Lights".  It was a song and dance used at a school in the States this year for promoting reading.  The kids are doing a great job.  I have almost 3 times as many boys as girls - but I have boys who can sing, so it all works out.  They are really good sports - all the fourth graders - and I think the assembly will go off without a hitch.

So, even though there is tons of stuff to do for school, I really am a firm believer in the need for balance.  I think it is so important to take care of myself - away from school. As such, I take as little home in the evenings as I can.  When I leave school, I like to leave it all behind.  I go home, have a snack and head to the gym.  I am enjoying my workouts and feel energized when I get home.  Sometimes it takes a little while for my body to shut off so I can go to sleep, but it has been a great routine to get into.  Is there more work that I could be doing?  Absolutely, but I refuse to spend every minute of every day working.  Balance is just as important!  There are only so many hours in the day!  I set a reasonable amount of time aside from work (usually about 10 hours a day) and after that, regardless of the stage that I am at, I am done working for the day.  Yes, I am balanced :)

And on that note, I don't really have much  more to report.  Oh - I guess I should tell you all about the trip that I took on the weekend...one of the teachers at our school has been living in Surabaya for about 25 years.  Originally from Australia, he is quite the tour guide for all things Java (our island).  Anywho, he had arranged a tour for a number of people from the US consulate and invited a few teachers (me included) along for the day.  It was a long trip, but well worth it.  Sadly, I missed out on quiz night, but y'all have some loverly pictures to take a peek at now.  I did learn a valuable lesson though.  If you wish to travel inconspicuously, don't go with the people from the Consulate - police escorts with lights and sirens to make traffic easy to navigate, but kind of tips off all around to someone important.  Thankfully I am just a teacher and don't need such escorts (granted, when I lived in Damascus I did have a few armed guards outside my school for protection - but that is different somehow)

Love to you all

Ty