I traveled to Vermont for our granddaughter’s high school graduation.
I’ve visited with family and friends.
I’ve read half a dozen books.
Our garden is now producing something each day and I’m enjoying the fruits of my labors.
I’ve cleaned the closets and cabinets.
I’m getting bored with bi-weekly lawn mowing.
So…yes…it’s time to start thinking about school. Four weeks and counting.
My first thoughts were about supplies. I need to replenish some games and some white boards and some markers and…I’m making a list.
My next thoughts were about my room. I need to tweak it a bit and make a couple of changes in “traffic flow”. I’m drawing a map.
I also want to make a minor change in my schedule- one that I hope will increase and improve our science lessons.
But most of my thoughts are about students. I had the rare experience last year of having only fifteen students for most of the year. I can’t even begin to describe what a difference that made in our routines, lessons, and even play time. Fifteen is the perfect number. Twenty are manageable. Beyond that lies insanity. I’ve done it a couple of times, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Now I hear from other areas of the country that some classes already in session (in year-round programs) have 25-30 students. In kindergarten and first grade!! What are our priorities in education? Where are federal mandates when you really need them?
I hope and pray that I will have a small class again.
I hope the people with the power to change education get a few things right this year.
I hope we don’t save money by denying our children what they need most- individual attention.
Mid-summer dreams.
