The one in which she goes back to school

Tomorrow I celebrate the 30th year I've had a first day of school. Not counting preschool. Wow. That's a lot of school.

Some things to remember for this year - my 13th year in charge of a classroom of teenagers:
• try not to get discouraged when they forget their writing utensils (again)
• make them write a lot - for a purpose, with modeling and coached practice and independent work
• make them read a lot - for a purpose, with modeling and coached practice and independent work
• use my prep time and not waste it dilly-dallying on emails

That's a good start. The fewer goals, the more I can concentrate on actually accomplishing the ones I put out there.

I'll have to report back at the semester for a status report.