One Week Down!

So, we had our first week of school, and I survived. It actually went pretty well. I have six different classes -- my smallest has 6 kids and my largest has 22. That is probably the biggest class I've had in a few years! So far, things have been ok.

I am excited about my Presenting America class. It is one where we do a local history research project and then kids also do their own project following National History Day rules. The first year I did it, we made a pretty cool video on the history of our school, and last year we interviewed some WWII veterans and others who were alive at that time. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to actually make a video of the interviews, but I still have the tapes and am hoping to do something with it... in my free time! :) Anyway, this year we are working in conjunction with the Kickapoo Valley Reserve to make a museum dispay and possibly a movie. Our topic is the flood from this summer, and comparing it to other floods in La Farge -- from last fall, one in the 70s, one in 1907, and one in 1899. We are going to compare each of these, and then talk about the implications of building the dam on the Kickapoo that was supposed to happen in the 1970s, but didn't. I think the kids are interested in the topic, so that always helps.

Middle school volleyball started this week, too. I have 12, possibly 13 girls -- not many, but enough for two teams. We have had 2 "real" practices, and then an optional one last night. Our first game is Monday, so I'm not sure how well that will go. But the girls are really enthusiastic and excited to play. If anything, we will have a lot of fun this season!

Even though being back at school isn't too bad, it's still hard to adjust to being up EARLY every day, and not napping! So, today I slept until 9:30, and I definitely forsee a nap in my future...