C.A.T. s--stressful, yes.
Yesterday and today my kids are taking the C.A.T.s. It's a little stressful for me--I have this awful fear that there is something I missed teaching them (like in Grammar) that they will need to know for the test. It's funny, the only times I worry about worst case scenarios are when it has to do with my students. I guess I just feel like there is so much riding on this, not just my students performances, but my future job. I shouldn't be worried though: the kids here always do really well on achievement tests.
This week is also a weird school week. The kids are working on learning poems for a poetry recital competition, so I get to use my SP 101 and 102 teacher-type skills again. These kids are actually pretty good. I haven't listened to my upper school students yet, though, because of the testing--I haven't had composition for two days. (I am on high school student withdrawal, I'm afraid--it's going to be difficult next year) So tomorrow I have to cram 13 poetry readings into 45 minutes--that should be fun. I realized that as many work copies as I've done, and as familiar as I am with them, it isn't very easy to explain them to people who haven't done them. But I utilized my syllabi and we plowed through. Mr. Grainger is much better at it than I am! At any rate, while it is a fun change of pace, it makes the school day a little wierd--change-of-paces tend to do that. And to top it off, with testing and the short week, I decided not to give a new history card this week, so we're just filling in and around to finish up the week. It makes things feel disorganized and random. Bleh. It's alright, though, we'll survive--as long as someone doesn't decide to observe me :).
On a completely different note, my athletic director and I had a long talk about the basketball team last week, and the decision that has been made is a good one, but one that puts me in another grow/learn place. Sigh. Actually, it's what we should have done this year but couldn't because of the business he was starting. The decision is that he will be the official head coach of the girls team so that I can learn how to become a better, competitive coach. It's hard for me because I've been in charge of the team for a year, but I know it's what I need to do in order to become the coach I need to be for the team to be competitive in this league. Jeff knows more about which drills to use to develop the skills I know the girls need. So, this should be interesting. Based on what I saw of how he worked with the JV assistant coach, I think I'll have a lot of input and leeway, especially as the year progresses. I also intend to teach myself a lot this summer (which I did not have time to do last summer due to the last minuteness of it all). Sometimes I get so tired of growing!
On an even different note, the varsity softball and baseball teams won last night. My brother has a win for his pitching stats!!!!!!! I'm so proud. They played a great game. The girls played well, but they had an advantage as their opponents are in their first year of play. It showed. But the other school's basketball teams kicked ours this year, so it all evened out. :) They play again tomorrow--the boys have a double header--so I hope they can hold their record. Go Patriots!