Be Realz

im gunna b rlz 4 a sec. tk it r lv it.

I'm a little tired of sloppy work.  And by a "little," I mean A LOT.  I've gone through too much red ink...

I know my kiddos have a life outside of my class.  In fact, I regularly remind myself that my classroom is far from real life.

But seriously.

Marking up essay after essay and study guide after study guide is just exhausting.  I've been timing myself as I've been grading the latest batch of essays.  The strugglers take up to 10 minutes to grade while the beauties take 3-4 minutes.  I sigh.

And then there are the bright moments:

• The kiddo who stays until 5 to catch up in my class
• The connections made to the Kardashians...regardless of what we're reading
• The team who names themselves "Mrs. Carlson's Favorite"...and then wins the review game.  I laugh.
• The student who comes in at 7 am for help
• The last-minute unit switcheroo that actually works
• The sound of students thinking = silence 

 Teaching is wonderful.  Really wonderful.  But so so so exhausting.  To all you teachers out there - I feel your pain, and I rejoice in your light-bulb moments.

I've never been one to "live for the weekend," but I am thankful for Thanksgiving break.

I am also, however, thankful that my kids like what we're doing.

Life is too short to dwell with negative Nancy's.  As I tell my students:  it's all about perspective.

Current perspective I'm aiming for:  glass half-full.