One Week of School Completed

The first few weeks of school are so telling.  I am starting my  20th year of teaching...I don't think I am old enough to be an "old teacher" but  20 years says a lot.

I have spent  5 days with all of my classes.  They have told me a lot about themselves whether they know it or not.

I have found the  "leave me alone...I don't need any help" students.
I have found the "I need help with everything I do" students.
I have found the "You need to  watch everything I do or you'll be in trouble" students.
And I still have a contingent of  students that I do not have pegged yet but every year some of them just scream their needs during the  first days.

I also seem to have the most focused group of 9th graders I have seen in a long time.  They have been working like mad all week on their first assignments.  They also seem to have very engaged parents who have written me  notes and emails about  how they like what I am doing.

I feel a good year starting!