And just like that, it's nearly October

Last week came and went like a flash. With the hybrid schedule moving along, we gave reading and writing benchmarks all week. And now, tomorrow is Friday once again. It has been bizarre in a way because we only really have had 6 days of school with each of the cohorts in person, but a month has already come and gone. Barring anything odd at the schoolboard meeting, next week the entire school is showing up each day. That is going to be like the first day of school all over again, plus its own set of challenges. We shall see how it goes!

I'm actually sort of bummed the hybrid is ending. I feel the smaller classes have allowed me to get to know the kids so much faster than needing to coral 30 students at once. Teachers always advocate for smaller class sizes, and hybrid really highlighted why it is important. Not only did I get to build relationships with all of my students so far, I also feel like I could interact with each and every one of them in a lesson. Even the kids who do not want to participate have a hard time hiding when there are only 13 in a classroom.

I am eager to see how the first month's worth of routine and relationship building holds up as well. As I wrote previously, I am happy how it played out but only time will tell if it worked. I sense that in the coming week or so I will have to lower the boom in front of the class to show that I mean business. I hope not, but I know it is coming.

My kids are really a delight, and I have to say I am enjoying teaching 8th grade a lot. I really loved my 9th graders last year as well. It will be so interesting to watch them grow over the year and I only hope the good times keep on rolling. Let us see come Tuesday!