Always Improving

This semester I was given two big assignments. One was a math case study and the other was a reading case study. The math assignment required me to pre-test a student, find an error pattern in their work, develop strategies and teach them to the student. For the reading assignment I used several different assessment tools to find the student's reading level and any areas they may be having difficulty with. The assessments took up most of the time I had to spend with the students that I was assigned to work with so I have been apprehensive about how much improvement they have made.

I completed the math case study last week. The results were amazing. The student went from getting 2 out of 16 problems correct to getting 16 out of 16 problems correct. This was the easier assignment. It only required me to pinpoint one concept or procedural error the student had and help them improve in that area.

The reading assignment was the more difficult of the two. It took longer to assess the student for reading. Several different tests had to be administered and each test took a significant amount of time to complete. This only left me with about 2.5 hours (total) to "teach" the student and tutor him/her in reading. I was not sure how much improvement I would see, if any. I am almost completely finished with the assessments and I am shocked. The student has definitely made significant improvements. I, by no means take full credit for this improvement but do like to believe that I did contribute to this growth. The student is also recieving reading intervention daily from a reading teacher.

My amazement is from the great change such little effort and time on the part of me and the other teacher has provided to this child. It is a huge reminder that our actions do matter. We affect people good, or bad, whether we want to or not. No man is an island. It is my wish to do good in my lifetime and to leave the world better than I found it. Thank you God for placing me where you have at this time and in this place. Use me to touch those around me and make me ever mindful of the impact You are able to make in someone's life through me. Remind me constantly that You are always improving me and those around me by Your Grace.

Always Improving

This semester I was given two big assignments. One was a math case study and the other was a reading case study. The math assignment required me to pre-test a student, find an error pattern in their work, develop strategies and teach them to the student. For the reading assignment I used several different assessment tools to find the student's reading level and any areas they may be having difficulty with. The assessments took up most of the time I had to spend with the students that I was assigned to work with so I have been apprehensive about how much improvement they have made.

I completed the math case study last week. The results were amazing. The student went from getting 2 out of 16 problems correct to getting 16 out of 16 problems correct. This was the easier assignment. It only required me to pinpoint one concept or procedural error the student had and help them improve in that area.

The reading assignment was the more difficult of the two. It took longer to assess the student for reading. Several different tests had to be administered and each test took a significant amount of time to complete. This only left me with about 2.5 hours (total) to "teach" the student and tutor him/her in reading. I was not sure how much improvement I would see, if any. I am almost completely finished with the assessments and I am shocked. The student has definitely made significant improvements. I, by no means take full credit for this improvement but do like to believe that I did contribute to this growth. The student is also recieving reading intervention daily from a reading teacher.

My amazement is from the great change such little effort and time on the part of me and the other teacher has provided to this child. It is a huge reminder that our actions do matter. We affect people good, or bad, whether we want to or not. No man is an island. It is my wish to do good in my lifetime and to leave the world better than I found it. Thank you God for placing me where you have at this time and in this place. Use me to touch those around me and make me ever mindful of the impact You are able to make in someone's life through me. Remind me constantly that You are always improving me and those around me by Your Grace.

Perfect Summer Day

It is a beautiful day in the summer of 1982. A sixteen year old girl looks anxiously down a country road looking for a car to come into view.  Puffy white clouds gently move across a sky that is the clearest, most beautiful shade of blue. There is a gentle wind blowing wisps of hair across her face. Rays of sunlight dance around her as if they too are celebrating his return. The birds are sweetly chirping because the girl's joy has surrounded them and provided them with the inspiration for their songs.

 
 

Time seems to stand still as she waits to see the one she has been missing for weeks. Finally, a car comes into view. The anticipation builds in the young girl and her heartbeat quickens as the car approaches. After what seems like an eternity he steps from the car. He is still dressed in the BDUs he wore that morning during his graduation ceremony on the parade grounds of Ft. Knox, Kentucky. His hair is cut close and is filled with highlights added by the many long hours he has spent in the sun. That same sunlight has provided his skin with the perfect glow. His green eyes smile as they look directly into her soul.

 

His strong arms encircle her waist and draw her close for a long awaited kiss. Finally they are reunited, and all is right again. Her days will no longer be filled with trips to the mailbox and long hours looking for something to occupy her time without him. The remainder of her days will be spent with him, laughing, crying, fighting, forgiving, rejoicing, celebrating, loving, and remembering the perfect summer day she spent waiting for him to return.

Perfect Summer Day

It is a beautiful day in the summer of 1982. A sixteen year old girl searches anxiously down a country road looking for a car to come into view. Puffy white clouds gently move across a sky that is the clearest, most beautiful shade of blue. There is a gentle wind blowing wisps of hair across her face. Rays of sunlight dance around her as if they too are celebrating his return. The birds are sweetly chirping because the girl's joy has surrounded them and provided them with the inspiration for their songs.

Time seems to stand still as she waits to see the one she has been missing for weeks. Finally, a car comes into view. The anticipation builds in the young girl and her heartbeat quickens as the car approaches. After what seems like an eternity he steps from the car. He is still dressed in the BDUs he wore that morning during his graduation ceremony on the parade grounds of Ft. Knox, Kentucky. His hair is cut close and is filled with highlights added by the many long hours he has spent in the sun. That same sunlight has provided his skin with the perfect glow. His green eyes smile as they look directly into her soul.

His strong arms encircle her waist and draw her close for a long awaited kiss. Finally they are reunited, and all is right again. Her days will no longer be filled with trips to the mailbox and long hours looking for something to occupy her time without him. The remainder of her days will be spent with him, laughing, crying, fighting, forgiving, rejoicing, celebrating, loving, and remembering the perfect summer day she spent waiting for him to return.

The Moon Made Me Do It??

Why is it when you determine to live closer to Christ that you always get on a slippery slope? This weekend I found myself spinning out of control. I am either loosing my mind, going through menopause, or possessed. Since I am a Christian I know that I am not possessed, although I think I've been carrying around a fallen angel for the past few days. I know that my family has expected to see my head spin around at any moment. In fact it acrually may have while no one was watching.

I would blame my behavior on the moon, but there hasn't been a full moon and there isn't going to be a full moon for a couple of weeks (December 2 to be exact). Oh, well I guess I have to take full responsibiltiy for my unacceptable behavior. I have been short tempered (even shorter tempered than usual). I appologize to my three precious men. I love each of you with all of my heart. Just hang in there and maybe the more civilized version of me will return by the end of the month and the semester.