Life continues to move forward

Well, I have been horrible at writing lately and I know it. I just seem to not care very much sometimes. I wish it was Christmas Break and I could just sit back and not worry about all the big projects I assigned in one week to correct.
It has been a trip this past month. I was observed by my principal and I am so grateful for it. I honestly think I have the best principal. He was very helpful and positive. I always feel like I am failing and I am not getting the job done that I need. Then I talk to my principal or to my mentor and it all seems like it is okay and I can do anything. It is also nice because I feel like I have a personal relationship with my principal that no one can beat. He is the one I talk to when I have problems with students, or parents. He always has some bit of advice. I am so grateful for it.
I was also told that the other two teachers are starting to feel better about me and they are also thinking I am more willing to work with them. That makes me feel like I am starting to get out of the trial phase with them. I don't think I will ever be team teaching with them while they are both there. But, at least I can ask for help and not feel like I am going to offend them somewhere.
My class is getting to be a bit better. It is going to take some work but I think they are really starting to get it all. However, I feel bad sometimes my sarcasm comes out or I get annoyed and I yell. I need to be better at being patient with them. They are still trying to understand somethings. I have also found a way to get them to stop trying to distract me. I just take off five points when some one starts a story or says something that isn't helping us to move forward. I'm also getting to a point where I am praising more for the good behaviors rather than cutting down for the bad ones. I have also started to ask, "What are you supposed to be doing?" Instead of getting mad because they aren't doing what they are supposed to. This morning for morning work I asked that question and about two seconds later all the kids were writing and it was silent. I love that knowing my kids were doing what was asked of them. Then they took a test and there was no talking at all during the whole test taking process. HURRAY!!!! I just need to get them to that point after lunch and during math. I had to stop an activity because they were talking and not listening. I am not going to put up with that. They need to know I want to do fun things but they are choosing to do the boring book work.
I've been put on a committee for the community council. They are planning on buying math manipulative's for our school, and I get to pick out what we want. It is going to be fun, one of the 4th grade teachers and I are going to a workshop tomorrow and part of our job while we are there is to make a list of everything we want.
My favorite part of the year so far has been the country report on Israel. The boy who did it is Jewish, which is absolutely amazing in Utah. He was able to do his report on the 5th of December. It was amazing to watch his mom and him light the menorah candles to share the important celebration in his culture. It seriously was the best part of the year.
Next month we are going on an overnight trip with our students to go and play in the snow all day. I'm so excited, I am going cross-country skiing and it isn't just one day we take half on a Thursday-Friday, and the other half on a Monday-Tuesday. That is going to be exciting. I will write about it as it gets closer and it actually happens.
I also have to mention the great mentor I have. It has been the best thing for me to have her coming in every week to just say hi, and to make sure I am okay. I am so grateful to her.
I'm hoping in January I can get my reading a little different. I am going to get my class reading a literature circle book. While they are reading they will also be working on a center activities for reading. I am hoping this will help some of my lower readers (I only have about 5 everyone else is on grade level) and I also hope it will help my other students with vocabulary and all of that. That is my next observation in February. I hope it is all ready and rolling by then.
Well, I need to go to bed so I am awake and ready for my workshop tomorrow.