I just wanted to give a quick update on how this year is going so far. I'm loving my new class, although it is definitely unique and will require more planning and attention. I have the most culturally diverse class in New Kent (most likely) with 3 students who speak a different language (all fluent in English as well though). One was born in Honduras, one in South Africa (has anyone else ever heard of the language African - pronounced Afrikhan?), and one that is Chinese. The first two are very low, which I think is due to a lack of background knowledge on basic things for American students. They speak well and actually blend in with the rest of the students nicely, but their comprehension is next to nothing.

Then I have two children that work with the Occupational Therapist. One can't hear out of one ear, so I have to be sure to speak on the correct side of him so he can hear me. The other has a keyboard that he uses for long amounts of writing. Then we plug the keyboard into the computer and print.

On top of this, I have a Special Ed. student that gets pulled out for math and all tests. I also have the Autistic and Multi-handicapped students for our grade level when we have parties and go to resources. Count it up with the Title 1 math and reading, and I am working with 7 different teachers just for my students!

Oh, and I have 16 boys and only 8 girls. Usually, this would be disaster ready to strike, but I really do have some of the sweetest kids ever! The only problem I've had so far is talking when they shouldn't be. I'm looking forward to a great year!

I've been trying to read my way through Jane Austen's Emma for a while now (well, really got to work on it this week), and I haven't been thrilled so far. Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion have become some of my favorite books ever because of these characters that are so strong and confident in themselves. Emma is young and a bit flaky so far. She's like the only child (her older sister is married with kids and lives "far away") of a rich father who lost his wife when Emma was very young, so Emma is a bit of a spoiled rich kid. She does no wrong in her daddy's eye, and she likes to play the role of "matchmaker". That's always a dangerous role because you're dealing with deep feelings of other people.

Anyway, I was looking at the endnotes and read that the movie Clueless is actually based off the book. If I remember correctly, Cher starts to get a little more sense by the end. I hope the same is the case in this book. I know there's a little bit of Emma/Cher in most females, but it still drives me crazy.

Well, I need to take Copper for a walk, and then I should work on my book. Steven is working late tonight (his entire office was going to WV and left at 5:45 this morning. They won't get back until 7ish), so I may even be able to finish the book.