Probably next week, I will start my first novel with my students.  Now, I realize that I cannot read the entire 84 minutes.  My concern is what else do I do?  What do experienced teachers of the block do while reading a novel?  I worry with the memory component, since I only see my students every other day.  I am also worried that the other activities become busy work instead of really focusing on the novel and the story line.  Once again readers I could use some imput.

Along with feeling completely displaced in my own room, the new desks are HUGE!  I am on the second arrangement.  I originally had the desks arranged in a theatre type setting.  Four desks on a diagonal, two rows on each side of the room.  Then two rows across the back with four desks each.  It just wasn’t conducive for quizzes and of course the urge to chat continuously to the people on either side was just too desirable.   Today when students walked in I had a new configuration; two desks right next to each other that make four rows across the front.  I expected a larger reaction from the students when they came to class, but it wasn’t really that bad.  I quickly told them their new seat assignments and on we went.  I guess time will tell how this set up will work.  Rows seems so “old school” but it really works.