September 22, 2003

The process is progressing slowly. I wish I had more time after school to work, but my own children are keeping me very busy. One thing I do have to say is that being back at work keeps me more focused on national boards than I was at home during the summer. It was much easier then to choose to do something fun, instead of work. In spite of feeling a little unmotivated, I have managed to make some decisions on the social studies lessons I want to videotape. For this entry, I need to show how I build a classroom community through social studies. In fourth grade, our focus is on the regions of the United States. We look at geography, history, and culture. I am feeling confident that with my student's cooperation, I have chosen lessons that create a classroom community. I continue to meet with my friend and colleague and we share our questions and concerns. This is a great support. I definitely think its better to go through this kind of experience with a friend. I am hopeful that things will start to pick up and once I have some taping under my belt and I can start to critique it and write about it. That will prove to be a challenge I'm sure.

Meet Elizabeth Scheibl Elizabeth Scheibl received her bachelor's degree in English literature and elementary education from Providence College in May 1990. For five years, she was a resource teacher at Bradford Elementary School in Westerly, Rhode Island. For the past eight years, she has taught fourth grade at the school. Elizabeth enjoys the daily challenges that teaching offers and strives to grow and better herself as an educator.