Hellllllllllllloooooooooooooo snow days!  Friday and Monday didn’t happen, so instead of being day 101, it’s day 99.  I’m grateful for these snow days for two reasons:

1. Who doesn’t need a surprise break?
2. I had called out on Thursday and Friday.

Originally I thought I would be late, because I needed blood drawn, but on a hunch (and based on my cough) I asked my doctor to look at my ears.  I won the extra-super-awesome prize there: double ear infection with bronchial infection as well!  So, in conclusion, I only needed a sub for Thursday, instead of Thursday, Friday, and possibly yesterday as well, and teachers benefit from surprise breaks.

Now I’m back at school and trying to focus on making sure that my grades for second quarter are confirmed.  Grading is a tricky subject.  On the one hand, I get that grades should indicate to students where they are toward mastery of the subject.  On the other, I think that students don’t always get that.  And, if there could be an additional hand to go with that other hand, administration doesn’t seem to understand that either all the time.

Another discussion for another time.  On to more exciting things: I’m working on some unit supplements with interactive notebook/foldables.  In the 9th grade, we read several books, but I’m focusing on two of them: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.  I’m excited about both of them.  Some of my former students have been strong armed volunteered to try them for me.  Hopefully I can get the first one out by the end of February break.  Fingers crossed.  Also, I need to sign up for the North East Teachers Pay Teachers conference.  I hope there’s still room to sign up.