Halloween Holiday

The students are excited today and so are the teachers! It's October 31st and the Student Council of MS 328 has initiated and organized a school-wide Halloween Party that will take place during the last two periods of the day. The kids were not allowed to wear costumes, but did get to come to school without their uniform so it's a very special day for them. Most of the teachers are also a bit dressed down (jeans and tennis shoes are abundant) and most people have a big smile on their face. It's now the middle of the school day and the mayhem has yet to begin, but I expect it will be quite a party.
This past weekend I had my second all day Saturday graduate school class at Pace University. These sessions are extremely informative and yet potentially overwhelming. I have already tried to sift through all the information and suggestions that were thrown at me and pick some that I can effectively implement in my classroom. First off - a new book to guide me through beginning ESL. My clearest revelation in the past few weeks has been that I am trying to teach too much, too fast. I have to slow things way down or the students (and the teacher) will surely go crazy.
Autumn in New York really is spectacular (Ella Fitzgerald actually sang a song about it). This week is sunny and much warmer than the last. The leaves are changing colors and everything is slowing down a bit. Tonight will be the exception - kids in costumes, laughing, and merry making all around. I'll be off to my class at St. Bart's and then home to plan and grade. I would also like to avoid the egging and other crazy activities that I hear often happen in Washington Heights on this very ghoulish holiday.