We just started trying to get pregnant, so that's occupying most of my thoughts. Had a dream last night that Mike got killed. I woke up in a panic, but luckily he was right next to me, safe and sound. Probably because I watched "House" last night and a woman died during child birth.
My students are restless and don't want to do their work. I've started giving a quiz over every section, but they said they would prefer homework. We'll try this for awhile and see how it goes. I think that they prefer homework because there is a lesser consequence when they don't do it. When they are presented with a quiz that they are not prepared for, the consequences of their inaction are much more severe and obvious. Next year, I will try this tactic from the beginning of the year.
I've realized my major mistake for the year: I tried to be a math teacher. I got so wrapped up in the OGT, and NCLB that I forgot that I teach children and children need to learn a lot more than math. They need to learn responsibility, organization, work ethic and that's just the beginning. In any effective classroom, the subject matter should be at least 3rd on the list of things being taught at any given moment. Next year will be better...