Chicks On Lit discussion

And because it's summer I am back in full force. My intention has never been to only be active during the summer, but this year that's what it is.

Last August my school was taken over by a high performing charter school network. The requirements placed on teachers were really hard. I didn't sleep much during this school year and while I checked the goings on from time to time, I was literally too exhausted to post. I've never been pushed like that as a teacher before, but it yielded great results. Our school which was scheduled to close because of extremely poor performance on state tests, was given a new 5 year charter. Our state test results are expected to grow 30%. Our kids finally have learned.

So while I've been a member of CoL for years, I'm super excited to be back.

~Kristie

Welcome back Kristie. I know standard tests are important. I think it is wrong to put that kind of pressure on teachers and students. I work in a high school setting as a teacher assistant for Special Education. We do alternative assessments for our Special Education students.

the changes we made are amazing and the best part is that we have never made it about the testing. its always been about education....test results will be a plus. we have become a school of rigorous curriculum and high expectations. it has been amazing to see

that's good :)

Welcome back Kristie. How is your pet hamster doing? :o)

(you were the one that got a hamster last summer, right? )

Welcome back Kristie - glad to hear about the exciting progress in the classroom. Its a challenge to try and find ways to change it up and grow every year you are teaching. I often dream lesson plans! Hope you can get some rest!!!

my hamster Bonzi, is doing well. she's a weirdo but she's fun. thanks for asking sheila

Sheila - with all of us floating in and out of here, some of us for years, how can you remember details like that!?!? I'm impressed! Kristie - you've been on my "friend" list for a long time, but somehow I missed the hamster memo - cool! They're so cute.

Nancy, I remember that Kristie posted a picture of her hamster, and had talked about adopting it, and I always had hamsters as a kid and loved them, so for some reason it stuck in my mind. The things I remember or associate with people sometimes. LOL!

"LIKE" :^)

Has your hamster reached old age yet? They don't live very long.

Bonzi's expectancy is 2-4 years. She turned one on April 4th. She's a moody little girl who only loves her mommy.

I really want a dog or a cat. I'm just not home enough to really be fair to either though I know cats are self-sufficient.

Cats are easier to take care of. You don't have to walk them. You just need to clean out the kitty litter and give them food and water.

Welcome back, Kristie. Teachers are the heroes in life as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for your service to our kids and I hope you get caught up on your sleep!

I have two dogs and two cats. I work at home, so I am guilt free at the moment, except I "should" walk my pups more!

All the best,
Susan Gabriel
author of The Secret Sense of Wildflower
(starred review by Kirkus Reviews and voted a best book of 2012)

I have a dog and they are a lot of work. I didn't realize that until I got him, but he's a ton of fun too. If you aren't home a lot a cat is a much better choice. They're pretty easy pets. Goldfish are even easier pets, but you can't cuddle with them.