Yep, I was a sock monkey for Halloween. It worked out well for many reasons. 1. The costume was essentially footie pajamas which means all day comfort. 2. It was just chilly enough to make it a nice, warm, cozy costume. 3. I could whack people with my tail. 4. Everyone smiled, laughed, giggled, or chuckled upon spotting me! 5. I could stand to wear it all day long!
So there ya go... 5 reasons why a Sock Monkey Costume is worthwhile! Anyhow It was such a busy day. All the kiddos could think about was "Halloween" all day long. Nothing was quite as important as that. We had an art project, a snack, and an episode of the "Munsters" for our party.
Now the sock monkey hears her pillow calling her name. The sugar crash that will come to the students tomorrow will make the day interesting. Yay for teachers trying to teach the day after Halloween!
October 31, 2012
October 27, 2012
Bread Junkie
I ordered some home-made bread from a local Bread-Making genius. Dad looked at that bread like a Junkie looks at Crack. I knew he liked bread but I was a little surprised by his reaction. Then I found out mom has been buying gluten-free bread. He really really likes it (ahem).
The 'rent helped me complete a few chores I haven't had time to do so that was great. They also helped at the Halloween Carnival. Dad took tickets and handed kids a "fishing" pole and mom was behind the scenes clipping prizes on the pole!
I ran around getting our volunteers needed supplies, cleaning up, chatting, and trying to keep track of it all. The high-school seniors had their annual Pie-in-the-face auction. The seniors are auctioned off to take the pie-in-the-face. It is a great fundraiser. The price is generally paid by the parents! The students are amazing sports about this annual tradition. It was great to see how many little kiddo's were running around. I may have a lot of them in a couple of years if I stay here. I don't know if I will love them as much as I love the current group of kiddos though! They are phenomenal. It was a large turn-out for the carnival. It was worth the effort we put into it.
Dad has been torturing me with RFDTV a "rural" television station with things like AG Reports, pig training, and country western music. Okay maybe I exaggerated on the second item but you get the idea that it is RURAL TV at its finest. Luckily we "forgot" to turn on the Duck Game or I would've had to suffer through that as well. We got some cooking done and some things put away in the freezer. I didn't have much butter left but didn't really think about it. I ran to my favorite mini-mart to buy some butter but they didn't have any. I knew the Mini-Mart Cashier (our english teacher). He called his wife so I drove up to their house and she gave me a pound of butter. Note to self: When the 'rents visit stock up on ketchup and BUTTER! I rarely use butter. If I do use it it is for baking. I just don't use it very often. Which is a good thing! It did shock the 'rents that I could forget to stock up on butter!
We were just discussing a song. Ma and Pa went to watch the Artist and brought me the children's c.d. by this artist. Dad thought the song was "Stand and Burp" Mom thought it was something about dirt. I read the c.d. cover and it is a song about "Stan and Bert". I like the 'rents versions better! Well I think I do I haven't listened to the c.d. yet. We listen to a lot of music in my classroom. The kiddos are listening to a lot of classical music and they don't know it. If I forget to turn on the classical station it doesn't take long for a student to remind me to do it. They all enjoy it which is awesome. I also play children's tunes. Sometimes the older kids or other teachers walk by when we are working and smile at me. If I can make a musical connection to what we are learning it clicks. We have the "a-e-i-o-u sometimes y" song. We also have "silent e is a ninja" song we sing on a daily basis. I also have some math tunes that help with counting by 2's, 5's, 10's. It makes it so much more fun and the students remember it which is the goal!
Next week we will start practice for our Christmas Program. The kids have been listening to the songs a little bit and are quite excited. I keep trying to encourage my colleague to make sure the little guys have lines in the play. After all it really is for them. I thought she'd be a little more receptive since her children are in my class. We'll see what happens. They are pretty excited to get going on that and my STEM project. So.... that's all I can think of for now!
Update: Tonight I asked Dad if he would like some "Chamomile Tea" He thought I asked him If He'd like some "Camel-Milk Tea"!
The 'rent helped me complete a few chores I haven't had time to do so that was great. They also helped at the Halloween Carnival. Dad took tickets and handed kids a "fishing" pole and mom was behind the scenes clipping prizes on the pole!
I ran around getting our volunteers needed supplies, cleaning up, chatting, and trying to keep track of it all. The high-school seniors had their annual Pie-in-the-face auction. The seniors are auctioned off to take the pie-in-the-face. It is a great fundraiser. The price is generally paid by the parents! The students are amazing sports about this annual tradition. It was great to see how many little kiddo's were running around. I may have a lot of them in a couple of years if I stay here. I don't know if I will love them as much as I love the current group of kiddos though! They are phenomenal. It was a large turn-out for the carnival. It was worth the effort we put into it.
Dad has been torturing me with RFDTV a "rural" television station with things like AG Reports, pig training, and country western music. Okay maybe I exaggerated on the second item but you get the idea that it is RURAL TV at its finest. Luckily we "forgot" to turn on the Duck Game or I would've had to suffer through that as well. We got some cooking done and some things put away in the freezer. I didn't have much butter left but didn't really think about it. I ran to my favorite mini-mart to buy some butter but they didn't have any. I knew the Mini-Mart Cashier (our english teacher). He called his wife so I drove up to their house and she gave me a pound of butter. Note to self: When the 'rents visit stock up on ketchup and BUTTER! I rarely use butter. If I do use it it is for baking. I just don't use it very often. Which is a good thing! It did shock the 'rents that I could forget to stock up on butter!
We were just discussing a song. Ma and Pa went to watch the Artist and brought me the children's c.d. by this artist. Dad thought the song was "Stand and Burp" Mom thought it was something about dirt. I read the c.d. cover and it is a song about "Stan and Bert". I like the 'rents versions better! Well I think I do I haven't listened to the c.d. yet. We listen to a lot of music in my classroom. The kiddos are listening to a lot of classical music and they don't know it. If I forget to turn on the classical station it doesn't take long for a student to remind me to do it. They all enjoy it which is awesome. I also play children's tunes. Sometimes the older kids or other teachers walk by when we are working and smile at me. If I can make a musical connection to what we are learning it clicks. We have the "a-e-i-o-u sometimes y" song. We also have "silent e is a ninja" song we sing on a daily basis. I also have some math tunes that help with counting by 2's, 5's, 10's. It makes it so much more fun and the students remember it which is the goal!
Next week we will start practice for our Christmas Program. The kids have been listening to the songs a little bit and are quite excited. I keep trying to encourage my colleague to make sure the little guys have lines in the play. After all it really is for them. I thought she'd be a little more receptive since her children are in my class. We'll see what happens. They are pretty excited to get going on that and my STEM project. So.... that's all I can think of for now!
Update: Tonight I asked Dad if he would like some "Chamomile Tea" He thought I asked him If He'd like some "Camel-Milk Tea"!
October 24, 2012
Halloween Madness
Awww man delegating IS NOT always the best idea. For instance you ask for help making a tri-fold stand alone plywood "divider" to use as a fish pond. Then they make it so short you have to have a oompa loompa sitting behind it on a really short chair to be hidden while hooking the prizes on. Then the smooth side that you would paint to look like a pond.... they put the hinges on. So it folds in the wrong direction. UGGH! Then you ask teenagers to help you paint it. Usually not a bad idea. Ummm it looks kind of like a pond. I will be repainting it for next year. It still looks better than what we had last year though. So there ya go. I am grateful an effort was made. The teenagers did run home to get a drill to put the hinges on the correct side... so They are problem solvers!
It has been such a roller coaster lately. I have been feeling pretty discouraged. Today I had an observer come from the state. It was so wonderful. I heard about so many things I was doing right. I got so much positive feedback I almost didn't know what to do! I can't even tell you how much I needed that. I feel like this class I am taking has done so much positive for me on so many levels. I am soooooo glad I signed up for it! The observer was very impressed by how eager to learn my students are as well. They are awesome. If anything they get upset when they don't feel like they are getting to participate or share their thoughts. I have awesome students. They are seriously AMAZING!
Tomorrow is our Halloween Carnival. Ready or not here it comes. I also have to get the clean clothes off the guestroom bed so my parents have a place to sleep. :) Aww laundry... never ever ends.
It has been such a roller coaster lately. I have been feeling pretty discouraged. Today I had an observer come from the state. It was so wonderful. I heard about so many things I was doing right. I got so much positive feedback I almost didn't know what to do! I can't even tell you how much I needed that. I feel like this class I am taking has done so much positive for me on so many levels. I am soooooo glad I signed up for it! The observer was very impressed by how eager to learn my students are as well. They are awesome. If anything they get upset when they don't feel like they are getting to participate or share their thoughts. I have awesome students. They are seriously AMAZING!
Tomorrow is our Halloween Carnival. Ready or not here it comes. I also have to get the clean clothes off the guestroom bed so my parents have a place to sleep. :) Aww laundry... never ever ends.
October 20, 2012
2 Months
Almost two months into school and I still haven't received my handwriting books. The kids are perpetually bugging me for them. I don't know why they aren't here yet and I am tired of asking the question. It is great the kids want to work on their writing though. Sigh.
I look back on last week and talk about a busy one. I was fighting getting sick and didn't really know it till Thursday afternoon when vomiting seemed like the best idea ever. I never managed it but I did manage to get a low fever and have the chills. I went to bed early which was good because the next day I had to get up early to leave for a training.
What I see happening here is the same I have seen in other districts. Administration gets stressed about test scores. So they decide a million trainings is the best idea. So you go to all the trainings and become a master of none of the strategies. I wish they would focus on one area. Give you tons of support on improving in that area and then move on to another. The brain gets overloaded.
I talk with a good friend quite often and we dream of our "dream school" when we when the lottery and build it. LOL. I know if I gave my students that many different strategies in one sitting. They'd be wandering out to recess with glazed over eyes much like I left the meeting. It is also a problem that some people are so resistant to the changes and insist they already teach this way they don't listen at all. They already know it. Oh dear. They predict with the changes to the Common Core Standards a lot of teachers will go into retirement. Change is hard.
I started painting our "fish pond" for the Halloween Carnival. I only have a coat of primer down. I need to get it done before Thursday so wish me luck! I also have an observer from the state coming to my classroom on Wednesday! Oh me oh my!
I had the joy of talking with a former colleague this week. It was so good and so encouraging to chat with her. She even e-mailed me some of her wonderful ideas and lessons I remembered from her class. I now wish I had spent more time in her classroom. She ran into one of the parents of my students and heard a glowing report. It was nice to hear because the past few weeks have been decidedly discouraging. It is all a tad overwhelming right now. I have hope this week will be a good one. If not the parents are coming down to see me. Wait till they meet my list of chores. :)
I look back on last week and talk about a busy one. I was fighting getting sick and didn't really know it till Thursday afternoon when vomiting seemed like the best idea ever. I never managed it but I did manage to get a low fever and have the chills. I went to bed early which was good because the next day I had to get up early to leave for a training.
What I see happening here is the same I have seen in other districts. Administration gets stressed about test scores. So they decide a million trainings is the best idea. So you go to all the trainings and become a master of none of the strategies. I wish they would focus on one area. Give you tons of support on improving in that area and then move on to another. The brain gets overloaded.
I talk with a good friend quite often and we dream of our "dream school" when we when the lottery and build it. LOL. I know if I gave my students that many different strategies in one sitting. They'd be wandering out to recess with glazed over eyes much like I left the meeting. It is also a problem that some people are so resistant to the changes and insist they already teach this way they don't listen at all. They already know it. Oh dear. They predict with the changes to the Common Core Standards a lot of teachers will go into retirement. Change is hard.
I started painting our "fish pond" for the Halloween Carnival. I only have a coat of primer down. I need to get it done before Thursday so wish me luck! I also have an observer from the state coming to my classroom on Wednesday! Oh me oh my!
I had the joy of talking with a former colleague this week. It was so good and so encouraging to chat with her. She even e-mailed me some of her wonderful ideas and lessons I remembered from her class. I now wish I had spent more time in her classroom. She ran into one of the parents of my students and heard a glowing report. It was nice to hear because the past few weeks have been decidedly discouraging. It is all a tad overwhelming right now. I have hope this week will be a good one. If not the parents are coming down to see me. Wait till they meet my list of chores. :)
October 16, 2012
The Jack Rabbit Hour
So I left at prime time to class and came back during prime time. Prime time for RABBITS that is! I only clipped one I think. So that went well. I had a wonderful class. We had a professor from Colorado School of Mines lead us through another PBL. It was fun. I could see a lot of us teacher have had a stressful fall. It made me feel better that I wasn't alone. What all of us in this class have in common is we really, genuinely care about our students. We want to do better for them. I've been feeling like the joy is being sucked from a job I truly love. I think changes are needed in the Education System but I think government goes about it allllllll wrong. I need to when the Lottery so I can open up a private school and hire motivated happy people.
I have had a serious job offer in another county. It would start after Christmas break. I love where I am at in so many ways but I feel like I have to seriously consider this offer. We'll see there are a lot of pros and cons. I think the stress I've been experiencing is making me look at it closer than perhaps I usually would.
Back to class. IT was great! I left it feeling up beat encouraged and like I could tackle some good stuff. I AM SOOOOOO glad I signed up for this class last year. I had no idea how much I would need it when I signed up for it. It gets me "off the island" so to speak and broadens my point of view a little. I really, really, really, need to stimulate my brain with things outside of work more. It is just that I care and love my job so much I can't turn it off.
I bought two pumpkins today to decorate for our Halloween Carnival Pumpkin Raffle. I don't know how I will decorate them yet but that will be fun In my oodles and oodles of Spare TIME! HA! I sold some raffle tickets for our "lamb raffle" today. For our field trip fund. I have a big idea for our field trip this year. So hopefully we can raise enough money to make it happen.
The parents are coming down in a week. This means I will have to remove the mountain of clean clothes from the guest bed before they come. :) Hey at least it's clean clothes :)
I have had a serious job offer in another county. It would start after Christmas break. I love where I am at in so many ways but I feel like I have to seriously consider this offer. We'll see there are a lot of pros and cons. I think the stress I've been experiencing is making me look at it closer than perhaps I usually would.
Back to class. IT was great! I left it feeling up beat encouraged and like I could tackle some good stuff. I AM SOOOOOO glad I signed up for this class last year. I had no idea how much I would need it when I signed up for it. It gets me "off the island" so to speak and broadens my point of view a little. I really, really, really, need to stimulate my brain with things outside of work more. It is just that I care and love my job so much I can't turn it off.
I bought two pumpkins today to decorate for our Halloween Carnival Pumpkin Raffle. I don't know how I will decorate them yet but that will be fun In my oodles and oodles of Spare TIME! HA! I sold some raffle tickets for our "lamb raffle" today. For our field trip fund. I have a big idea for our field trip this year. So hopefully we can raise enough money to make it happen.
The parents are coming down in a week. This means I will have to remove the mountain of clean clothes from the guest bed before they come. :) Hey at least it's clean clothes :)
October 15, 2012
one of those
This is one of those times when you just have to let go and hope it works out okay. I am absent tomorrow for my class and I have a sub. The sub said she will sit back and let the aide do the work. Ummm Okay... I said I'm not sure that will work. Oh my .... I don't ever want this sub again. We have a new sub but my colleague is gone for 2 days and so they put her in there. I have another person who just got her sub license but now has to wait for the paperwork to go through the county. I can't wait for that to happen. Having a good sub here is just the BEST THING EVER! I just try to be glad for progress.
I've been under a lot of stress lately. One of my friends said I don't know how you are handling this so well. I don't know either. I know part of it is having good people to talk to. Wise people who give good advice. I know I am flawed, imperfect, and all. But I know my priorities are in the right place. I did a lot of thinking this weekend to prepare my mind for another week. I could step back and look inward. I realized I just need to remain true to what I know is right. If I can do this and still be kind it will all come out okay.
Tomorrow I drive about 3 1/2 hours for my STEM class. I am so glad to have this to attend right now. It gets me around people who are excited and motivated and working to be better at their job. I came back energized and revived last time. I hope it does the same for me again. I really the refreshment.
I got a lot done this weekend but little was work related. I focused on projects at home for a nice change. I got a lot done and felt good about it. Part of me felt guilty that I might be neglecting work. It was good for my brain to move elsewhere for awhile.
My former aide and amazing person made a great suggestion to me. She said next time I have to be absent assign an Junior Substitute. She knows my students well and they LOVE to be bossy and in charge. I could give them a task list and have them help the sub in anyway they can. I think it is a great idea. They know the routine better than anyone. I will have to put that into action next time.
I've been making Tin Can Jack-O-Lanterns. At first I just looked at the picture and made the assumption that I could make them without directions. Wrong. Try to punch holes in a tin can without a solid surface behind it and well NOPE! So I went back and read the directions (bummer)! LOL So Freeze them full of water and then hammer nails or punches into them. It works. I have about 6 more to do. Then I will paint them.
I've been under a lot of stress lately. One of my friends said I don't know how you are handling this so well. I don't know either. I know part of it is having good people to talk to. Wise people who give good advice. I know I am flawed, imperfect, and all. But I know my priorities are in the right place. I did a lot of thinking this weekend to prepare my mind for another week. I could step back and look inward. I realized I just need to remain true to what I know is right. If I can do this and still be kind it will all come out okay.
Tomorrow I drive about 3 1/2 hours for my STEM class. I am so glad to have this to attend right now. It gets me around people who are excited and motivated and working to be better at their job. I came back energized and revived last time. I hope it does the same for me again. I really the refreshment.
I got a lot done this weekend but little was work related. I focused on projects at home for a nice change. I got a lot done and felt good about it. Part of me felt guilty that I might be neglecting work. It was good for my brain to move elsewhere for awhile.
My former aide and amazing person made a great suggestion to me. She said next time I have to be absent assign an Junior Substitute. She knows my students well and they LOVE to be bossy and in charge. I could give them a task list and have them help the sub in anyway they can. I think it is a great idea. They know the routine better than anyone. I will have to put that into action next time.
I've been making Tin Can Jack-O-Lanterns. At first I just looked at the picture and made the assumption that I could make them without directions. Wrong. Try to punch holes in a tin can without a solid surface behind it and well NOPE! So I went back and read the directions (bummer)! LOL So Freeze them full of water and then hammer nails or punches into them. It works. I have about 6 more to do. Then I will paint them.
October 9, 2012
Gas!
Welllllll..... Internet died, decided to work again, died again, is working again! (knock on wood). Luckily I have access at work or I wouldn't have worked on my online class, paid bills, and a variety of other exciting things. So I'm behind on the news. I probably forgot some of the news...bummer.
Over the weekend as a truck was going up the road and I was taking my trash to my car I heard a yell " That's MY Miss C" the truck pulled over a child jumped out and gave me a huge hug. Then they took my trash and drove off. That worked out well for me! :) So don't argue with a 1st graders ownership of their teacher or you may end up taking the teachers trash to the dump.
I drove the cross country team and the day after they ran 13 miles 2 of them beat their personal records. That is awesome! We took them out for Mexican food where I broke my own rule and ordered a Hamburger. I just didn't want to drive kids home in a van after eating beans. It was a delicious Hamburger but you know what.... next time I am having the beans anyway. That's why they put roll down windows in cars right?
Ummm it is Hunting Season which means a lot of hunters driving through with trailers, atvs, and camouflage gear! It is interesting to watch. You can tell "city" folks because they park their trailer right next to whatever highway and then drive their ATV's miles up to the mountains. The locals camp in the mountains, or at least well off the highway. Interesting. Dad was excited to hear about a 4 x 6 Mule Deer. Although the nagging has become incessant about me getting my hunting license. Sheesh!
A parent with their Agriculture Ed. degree came in this afternoon planted herbs with my students and discussed what things need to grow and where they grow best. It is great. She went home and her husband said "You look awful"! She really appreciates how much hard work teaching is! It is really nice to get that respect. It takes a lot of energy.
Speaking of that. I know that there is a lot of talk about teachers their vacations, not working much etc. I will be the first to say their are a lot of teachers abusing the system that are in it for the wrong reasons and aren't doing what they should be doing!....... Tonight I go to the gas station... the owner keeps asking me if I want to work there. He's had good luck hiring teachers. He's desperate for help. 1 day a week he says. How hard is it to get help, and how poor is your help, when you are recruiting teachers to work at the gas station? Not that we aren't capable... it just amazes me that people are so unwilling to work! The Math teacher works there on weekends at least a couple of shifts. Anyhow, I just had to shake my head, If I need a 2nd job....look for me at Chevron :)!
Over the weekend as a truck was going up the road and I was taking my trash to my car I heard a yell " That's MY Miss C" the truck pulled over a child jumped out and gave me a huge hug. Then they took my trash and drove off. That worked out well for me! :) So don't argue with a 1st graders ownership of their teacher or you may end up taking the teachers trash to the dump.
I drove the cross country team and the day after they ran 13 miles 2 of them beat their personal records. That is awesome! We took them out for Mexican food where I broke my own rule and ordered a Hamburger. I just didn't want to drive kids home in a van after eating beans. It was a delicious Hamburger but you know what.... next time I am having the beans anyway. That's why they put roll down windows in cars right?
Ummm it is Hunting Season which means a lot of hunters driving through with trailers, atvs, and camouflage gear! It is interesting to watch. You can tell "city" folks because they park their trailer right next to whatever highway and then drive their ATV's miles up to the mountains. The locals camp in the mountains, or at least well off the highway. Interesting. Dad was excited to hear about a 4 x 6 Mule Deer. Although the nagging has become incessant about me getting my hunting license. Sheesh!
A parent with their Agriculture Ed. degree came in this afternoon planted herbs with my students and discussed what things need to grow and where they grow best. It is great. She went home and her husband said "You look awful"! She really appreciates how much hard work teaching is! It is really nice to get that respect. It takes a lot of energy.
Speaking of that. I know that there is a lot of talk about teachers their vacations, not working much etc. I will be the first to say their are a lot of teachers abusing the system that are in it for the wrong reasons and aren't doing what they should be doing!....... Tonight I go to the gas station... the owner keeps asking me if I want to work there. He's had good luck hiring teachers. He's desperate for help. 1 day a week he says. How hard is it to get help, and how poor is your help, when you are recruiting teachers to work at the gas station? Not that we aren't capable... it just amazes me that people are so unwilling to work! The Math teacher works there on weekends at least a couple of shifts. Anyhow, I just had to shake my head, If I need a 2nd job....look for me at Chevron :)!
October 2, 2012
How did I???
Today was one of those days that when I got home I thought to myself... "How did I do all of that in one day?" I don't know but I did! Taking my vitamins to get through the rest of the week. I had no classroom aide this week which made more work for me but was a lot more peaceful. We worked on the Halloween Carnival after school, the big run coming up, and then our girls had a home volleyball game. I heard one of our girls after the game telling her mom off for not getting there on time. She kept telling her she was there (she wasn't) but the girl kept telling her you weren't I didn't see you and I couldn't hear you cheering for me. The kids notice people! They know when you show up. They may act like they don't notice but they do! So show up!
Tomorrow after school I go post the miles for the run, and work on other set up details. I have a lot of community volunteers as well as parent volunteers. So hopefully it all goes smoothly. It also sounds like I will be driving the cross country kids to their next meet this time it is about 2 1/2 hour drive away. I will probably do it just so they can attend. Saturday I am hosting a "painting party" at school to paint hopscotch, and four square on the playground! WHAT WAS I THINKING? I have to get ready for my STEM class, and work on my online class this weekend. Oh and Laundry so I can wear clothes to school. Anyone want to come be my chef, maid, organizer etc? I don't pay well but you won't be bored!!
Tomorrow after school I go post the miles for the run, and work on other set up details. I have a lot of community volunteers as well as parent volunteers. So hopefully it all goes smoothly. It also sounds like I will be driving the cross country kids to their next meet this time it is about 2 1/2 hour drive away. I will probably do it just so they can attend. Saturday I am hosting a "painting party" at school to paint hopscotch, and four square on the playground! WHAT WAS I THINKING? I have to get ready for my STEM class, and work on my online class this weekend. Oh and Laundry so I can wear clothes to school. Anyone want to come be my chef, maid, organizer etc? I don't pay well but you won't be bored!!
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