Really deep thoughts on (almost) finishing the year

*How are so many of you on summer break ALREADY? Who the heck lets out before Memorial Day? Stop posting about all the free time you’ve got now. I’ll return the favor for late-enders after next Friday when our countdown is finally over.

*Why can’t we use the abbreviation CR for Cumulative Records? Using the first three letters of ‘cumulative’ (not capitalized, natch) in written correspondence with staff is more than a bit uncomfortable and always makes someone snicker. Not me. Someone.

*CRs (yeah, I’m totally going with that, or my blog hits will triple with people looking for something else) are one of my least favorite parts of the year’s end. If all the teachers have to organize the files every year (AND have them checked by a grade chair), how can EVERY folder have papers out of order? And does it even matter?

*I’m finding it impossible not to tack ‘since August’ onto the end of every answer I give students about procedures. “We push our chairs in after we line up, like we’ve done every day SINCE AUGUST. I’m looking to see who remembered to write their last name on their paper, like I’ve shown you SINCE AUGUST. You don’t know where to put your folder? The same place you’ve kept it SINCE AUGUST.” The fact that I’ve written a book instructing teachers not to say this only makes me want to say it more.

*I didn’t go on Twitter for an entire week (and haven’t been reading it much this past week, either) simply because I don’t feel like thinking about school in my free time. The education-related links and ideas I relished last month have become an unwelcome distraction from obsessing over centerpieces, tiaras, and all things wedding. I’m kinda over school right now, period. The fact that you’re only skimming through the ed blogs in your feed reader today proves you feel the same way (yes, I see you, and I’m not insulted).

*A student bragged to me, “Ms. Powell, I’ve been telling allllll the second graders how fun your class is, and now they all want you as their teacher next year.” Thanks, kid, but can you spread the word selectively? And I’ve already turned in report cards, so nice try.

Where are you at in the countdown? Are you still hanging in there or totally over it?