SUMthing 2 Talk About

Can we talk family traditions? I recently found Rachel Hollis, her book " Girl, Wash Your Face ", her podcasts (Rise and Rise Together), and her #Last90Days challenge.  While I haven't really been "on it" the whole time, I am really trying to put a focus on being intentional with my kids and husband.  And that's where traditions come in.  Traditions we've had ... 1.  Each year on the kids' birthdays, we fill their beds with balloons and we jump on them. 2.  Elf on a Shelf - I said I wasn't going to do it, but at the start of the Christmas season last year, my husband was in India for work and this new "tradition" was such a welcome distraction.  We will keep it this year. 3.  Going to see the Christmas Train Exhibit at Union Station in Downtown KC. 4.  24 books of Christmas.  I wrap all our Christmas books and we unwrap and read one each night in December, leading up to Christmas.  5.  Monthly date nights o...

Whoops!  Started this and only got one post before I let it sit and collect cobwebs...  The year is well underway, 6 weeks in and conferences next week. Let's talk about how you prepare for conferences with parents. 1.  Update your grades (make up work etc). 2.  Print grade checks for each student. *Highlight discrepancies. *Note averages in Homework and Tests and how they are the same or different. 3.  Reflect on each student (of whom the parents have scheduled an appointment).  List out at least two to three positive things about that student, and one to two areas for which the student could improve. 4.  Ask students to reflect on how they are doing and why? (see below) 5.  Prepare handouts.  I always have one on how to get help and another on how to study math. (see below). 6.  Bring chocolate and play music day of (I like to play the Piano Guys station on Pandora). How do YOU prepare?  14 years in and I still feel s...