tdl, parents and origami

Can I come up with titles or what? I don't beat around the bush; I cut to the chase. My titles are in line with 18th and 19th Century Titles that are about 20 words long, communicating exactly the journey on which you're embarking.

My overwhelming To Do List has been whittled down to reasonable. My departure date of Sunday is eminently reasonable. I feel a sense of accomplishment that I got so much completed-- I still have some to do, but not nearly what it was. I'm still missing some of my students' writing assessments, which makes me nervous. I've scoured my desk and all the papers around my room. So, that's unresolved. But, much of the other work I tore through.

We had parent-teacher conferences from 12-7 tonight. Six parents signed up, and fifteen parents showed up. I was hoping for a little more down time to grade, but some of the meetings were productive. Again I felt the profound differences between my teammate and me; we're different on many levels. However, I had a more rational approach than emotional this time around. It's an interesting spot working as an equal with someone who's twenty years older. Furthermore, our educations, intellects, interests and backgrounds differ. I need to decide whether to ask for a switch now or later.

I'm excited about tomorrow's lesson that integrates Language Arts and Social Studies. We're going to make origami. First, we're going to read the directions and analyze it as an informational text. Then, we're going to make a couple. Then, I'm going to read Sadaku and the 1,000 Paper Cranes. The story will integrate the origami with yesterday's lesson about the atom bomb and Hiroshima. I want to talk about the power of story and art over facts. I want to talk about how origami is a great lesson in Japanese culture (it's slow and kind of pointless, but it's also beautiful and requires a high level of patience and attentiveness). I'm really excited. I hope my kids like it!

This week has been full and good. It's surreal that April is upon us! Surreal and sweet.