full moon?!?!?

We are using the CAST system to be "graded" again this year. Last year I was marked down on a couple of silly things. For example, My kids did not keep their own data... They are 7 years old!! Well I made a point for that  NOT happening again! I made them their own data books! They chart reading, writing, math and behavior. Well today was day one of having them try graphing their grades without my guidance for part of their morning work (we have done it twice together before today). YIKES! They definitely managed, but they were a bit crazy all morning! They talked the rest of the morning (You know how change in a routine goes). I got to lunch and another teacher asked if anyone else had a chatty class. YES! Thought there may have been a full moon... No such luck. A friend sent me an email with the moon's schedule. Waxing crescent!
On another note with the data books, I am having them bring it to our guided reading groups. They write the date, the book we are reading and there is a place for them to write something they learned. Our skill this week was Predicting and Inferring. We stopped in the middle to predict what would happen in their data book. MAN! You could really tell who got the skill and who didn't. It was a great teachable moment. I mean I was doing these data books to prove it to the man, but it really has helped me see where they are! I do recommend it!
Another moment that made me smile today was during guided reading as well. I had a a group playing "pick a stick" where they pick a stick with a word that has a multiple meaning and have to use it in two sentences correctly or or give both definitions. The one with the most sticks won. Well, the group (of four) got so loud... Go figure! I was reminding them to quiet down several times, but I could hear them and knew they were just discussing what the words meant. When it was time to clean up I overheard one say, "That game was so much fun!" Made me smile (felt a little bad for getting on to them, but I could barely hear my group!). Their excitement was really showing! I loved it!
I have such a great class which is the reason for this post about my chatty class today! I love moments when I can see their excitement, but also enjoy a little peace and quiet every now and then. ;)