cooling off!

The humidity has FINALLY resided and it is now 80 degrees and VERY enjoyable, Finally! It is so nice to wake up in the morning to the temperature being in the 50's and getting to wear a coat or a sweatshirt. Life continues to trek on. We just finished our first 9 weeks, so 1/4 of the way through the school year. Time is flying by! I still have my 4th graders who I am growing to really enjoy. It is amazing how attached a teacher can become, they're in my dreams and nightmares while I sleep which is scary! The first thought I wake up with in the morning is usually something about one of my children, yikes!

I am somewhat terrified of the idea that they have to pass the writing state assessment with a 90% this year when last year's 4th graders scored a 40%. This is a climb! In some ways I feel really prepared and in other ways I do not. I don't feel like I am know how to teach writing perfectly, not even close. I am having a hard time teaching my students to find voice in their writing. Also, how to pull things out of their heads and put them on paper, motivating the reluctant writer is so hard!

Coaching swimming has been my highlight down here. I love it. I have a lot more experience than the head coach of my team (and he is a year younger and still a college student) but it doesn't seem to be a problem. He trusts me and allows me to do a lot. Including writing workouts. The guys had their first swimmeet yesterday and swam a ton faster than their times at the same meet a year ago. This Saturday we have an all day invitational. It is wonderful being around swimming and even nicer to be around older students that I can converse with about college, goals, life, news, etc. They're really a bunch of fun.

One of my close fraternity brothers from Whitman is training in Houston this week for his new job in Alaska. It has been wonderful getting to be around a Whittie and someone who I have a relationship with.

I hope all is well at home, looking forward to hearing from you guys!
Robert