Observation Day

Today is indeed my first observation with the principal. I am teaching "I Have a Dream," and while I don't have an exact plan in place, I know roughly how the class will go. I'm trying to consider ways that I can have them chat with their neighbor--I have a journal to start, a series of large group questions, and a think aloud planned. Maybe I don't need a small group activity... Oh, here's one--have them find something that represents one of the literary terms we have studied so far (simile, metaphor, etc.).

Wish me luck. I chose third hour because I have great rapport with most of the kids, but it has become my "worst" hour in its rowdiness in the past several weeks. Gulp.