Back by popular demand...

Ok, ok, I know, for those of you out there in the blogging world, I've pretty much dropped off the face of the earth! :(
I've been so busy trying to get everything in order for school starting back and trying to be able to enjoy the last little bit of my summer, my little blog here has been...well...a little more than neglected. I do have several posts I need to put up in an effort to catch up on the last month, but my goal for this is to just check in and be brief. I do NEED some serious rest!
I had my students back for the first time today. It really went well, all in all. It was a day full of stress and confusion that is beyond the control of anyone, but we did the best we could and it made for a decent day. I have to say, it is SO nice to be able to have the same students again this year that I had last year. It really is like picking up right where we left off. They seem to have grown a little and some of them are acting a little more mature. However, the key is they are accustomed to me. They know what to expect from me and know what I expect from them and that is what leads to a successful classroom situation. They are all glad to be back, I'm sure they won't be all that thrilled when I start to introduce all the more "advanced" curriculum we are going to be using this year. I'm trying to bring everyone in my class up to a 2nd grade level. In the past, they have been taught Kindergarten and First grade material, over and over, year after year. There is no room to grow or advance in that situation. The majority of my kids are in the Fifth grade (I have 13 total students this year), and they have the capacity to perform on a Second grade level, provided the right pace and support. I have faith this is going to work. I am also confident it is not going to be easy! :)
I'm looking forward to the challenges of the year to come. I'll be updating more often I hope, I've just got to get life back on this "normal" schedule and get into the swing of things.
Thanks for reading!!!