I debated all evening whether or not I would work tomorrow. I finally decided one more day would give me a chance to get well enough to make it through the rest of my busy week. I had great plans of getting up early and going in to get the lessons ready for the sub. I attempted sleep and realized the coughing wasn't going to allow for much sleep tonight. I gave up the fight. Used my inhaler, warmed up my car, and drove to school at midnight. It is soo my style to do this. I don't know why I wait till the middle of the night... but if you can't sleep why not? I set my timer for 1 hour. I decided to do this to help keep me focused and get the job done. Just as I was setting the last items down for the sub my timer went off. I was glad I was able to get it done in that time.
We got some snow early yesterday. I love the snow! It has definitely put a chill in the air here. I don't know if we are ready for winter yet but it may be here. I didn't get another pot of soup made yesterday so hopefully I can get one made today. I did get some other chores done. I really want to feel well enough this weekend to focus on something other than school.
Anyhow, my coughs seem to have slowed so I am going to attempt some sleep... g'nite
October 29, 2013
October 27, 2013
Hamster Wheel
I've felt like a hamster on a wheel lately. Going full speed ahead but not really going anywhere. This isn't a good feeling. I had a rough week last week. I just hope it is something I can learn from and move on. It wasn't much fun. I've been pushing myself so hard to keep going I think my body started to yell at me this weekend. It was time to STOP and re-evaluate. My saw blade was beyond dull. I have been trying to rest it hasn't worked as planned. I finally decided to take tomorrow off. The thing about taking a day off is that... it feels like it takes a day to get ready to take a day off.
Someone decided to do standards based report cards. This is good. Seriously it is good. Problem is they haven't saved this in our grading program. It makes grading a pain. A HUGE PAIN. A time consuming pain. Because it is not saved into our grading program we have a two page step by step program to follow to print grades. If you miss one little check or click... you have to start over from the beginning again. I can't fathom why they haven't saved this system into our grading software. Somehow, someone, isn't doing what they should be doing. It takes about 1 hour to get through this to print report cards. Then we have to print grade verification reports which is another step by step pain in the patootie that should be saved into the software correctly so that we can just click and print. It makes me want to yell loudly and curse a lot every time we go through this. I know just enough about this software to question why we are doing this, in this way. I did question it, and quickly shut up before I was shut up. Bureaucracy at it's best. Making paper work 10,000 times worse than it needs to be.
I have a pot of stew in the crock-pot to cook all night. My freezer stash is depleted so I am hoping I can throw together a couple of my easy recipes tomorrow. I am soooooo looking forward to a good sleep and a good rest.
Someone decided to do standards based report cards. This is good. Seriously it is good. Problem is they haven't saved this in our grading program. It makes grading a pain. A HUGE PAIN. A time consuming pain. Because it is not saved into our grading program we have a two page step by step program to follow to print grades. If you miss one little check or click... you have to start over from the beginning again. I can't fathom why they haven't saved this system into our grading software. Somehow, someone, isn't doing what they should be doing. It takes about 1 hour to get through this to print report cards. Then we have to print grade verification reports which is another step by step pain in the patootie that should be saved into the software correctly so that we can just click and print. It makes me want to yell loudly and curse a lot every time we go through this. I know just enough about this software to question why we are doing this, in this way. I did question it, and quickly shut up before I was shut up. Bureaucracy at it's best. Making paper work 10,000 times worse than it needs to be.
I have a pot of stew in the crock-pot to cook all night. My freezer stash is depleted so I am hoping I can throw together a couple of my easy recipes tomorrow. I am soooooo looking forward to a good sleep and a good rest.
October 20, 2013
Lesson Planning
I need to refuel. A school nearby uses Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as their school philosophy. They also use The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. One of Stephens philosophies is "Sharpening your saw." This simply means if you have a dull blade you're working twice as hard for the same outcome. Sometimes you have to stop and sharpen your saw. I have been thinking my blade is pretty dull and I'm getting pretty worn out. What I'm going to do about that I'm not sure yet. On Friday I went to my a.m. class then in exhaustion went home and took a long nap. Then I worked on lesson plans from the afternoon into the evening. I did the same thing most of the day Saturday. Sunday I spent at school attempting to get ready for the week.
Am I whining? Yes Probably. I am frustrated. We are supposed to be doing this as a team effort not alone. My team's lesson plans have been a mess. A complete mess. Something you can't even use as a planning tool mess. We are supposed to do a grade level lesson plan. The theory is if you work together on it you can collaborate and get a good plan, using quality resources, and quality strategies. This has NOT been happening. It was my turn to type up the lesson plans. After meeting three different days to work on them I was completely fed up with my grade level. I met with my friend to get some help. I keep wondering "WHY IS THIS SO HARD?". Well my blade is dull, and I'm not sure my grade level ever had a saw let alone a blade to sharpen.
Am I going to have to clean up our lesson plans every week? Probably. Yep. I can't keep this up that is for sure. The format we do our lesson plans in is different in many ways than what I have done in the past. However, a lot of it is the same. It shouldn't take this much effort. If I worked with others who were doing their part it would go much faster. The way the lesson plans have to be done are not "teacher friendly". The principal doesn't want how we are going to execute the plans, just a brief overview of the standard, the strategy, the objective, and the assessment. It sounds easy in theory right? The problem is we spend so much time typing all of this in we don't get to spend enough time thinking about the quality resources we want to use, or time to look for other strategies, or is this going to be part of our reading lesson, or writing lesson. It is just a pain. I don't know what else to do to make it better. I've pushed my grade level, and asked, and asked, and pushed.
Today I realized. You may be asking something of someone who isn't capable of doing what you need them to do. Maybe my student teaching, and education gave me more structure than I realized. I literally don't see the evidence in their classrooms they are doing what they say they are doing. On our planning day they've matched strategies to standards incorrectly, they've chosen standards we aren't even teaching yet, they've messed up again and again and again. How can I make this better and not burn myself out? I don't know.
I have a couple more weeks of my ridiculously time consuming but silly online course. I started the Singapore Math course which is going to be very informative and helpful. I will be glad to have one class done so I can focus on the others. I didn't get any cooking done this weekend. This week is the end of our grading quarter. So I have a lot of grading to enter and things to get done. The principal claimed we would not have any meetings this week after school. I am praying she holds to that so maybe we will have a little breathing room. I do meet with her in the morning for my evaluation. I hope that goes well.
Am I whining? Yes Probably. I am frustrated. We are supposed to be doing this as a team effort not alone. My team's lesson plans have been a mess. A complete mess. Something you can't even use as a planning tool mess. We are supposed to do a grade level lesson plan. The theory is if you work together on it you can collaborate and get a good plan, using quality resources, and quality strategies. This has NOT been happening. It was my turn to type up the lesson plans. After meeting three different days to work on them I was completely fed up with my grade level. I met with my friend to get some help. I keep wondering "WHY IS THIS SO HARD?". Well my blade is dull, and I'm not sure my grade level ever had a saw let alone a blade to sharpen.
Am I going to have to clean up our lesson plans every week? Probably. Yep. I can't keep this up that is for sure. The format we do our lesson plans in is different in many ways than what I have done in the past. However, a lot of it is the same. It shouldn't take this much effort. If I worked with others who were doing their part it would go much faster. The way the lesson plans have to be done are not "teacher friendly". The principal doesn't want how we are going to execute the plans, just a brief overview of the standard, the strategy, the objective, and the assessment. It sounds easy in theory right? The problem is we spend so much time typing all of this in we don't get to spend enough time thinking about the quality resources we want to use, or time to look for other strategies, or is this going to be part of our reading lesson, or writing lesson. It is just a pain. I don't know what else to do to make it better. I've pushed my grade level, and asked, and asked, and pushed.
Today I realized. You may be asking something of someone who isn't capable of doing what you need them to do. Maybe my student teaching, and education gave me more structure than I realized. I literally don't see the evidence in their classrooms they are doing what they say they are doing. On our planning day they've matched strategies to standards incorrectly, they've chosen standards we aren't even teaching yet, they've messed up again and again and again. How can I make this better and not burn myself out? I don't know.
I have a couple more weeks of my ridiculously time consuming but silly online course. I started the Singapore Math course which is going to be very informative and helpful. I will be glad to have one class done so I can focus on the others. I didn't get any cooking done this weekend. This week is the end of our grading quarter. So I have a lot of grading to enter and things to get done. The principal claimed we would not have any meetings this week after school. I am praying she holds to that so maybe we will have a little breathing room. I do meet with her in the morning for my evaluation. I hope that goes well.
October 16, 2013
Late Night Soup!
This has been a crazy busy week. I was so grateful to my neighbors having me over for dinner last night. Then I came home and remembered I have hamburger defrosting that I had to cook up. So I made a pot of Hearty Beef -Tomato Soup last night. I took it for lunch today, I was having salad every day but since it got cooler I've been eating whatever soup I make. Today I realized I was creating some Break-Room Envy. After the third teacher came in and said " Your lunch always smells sooo good" and they start to heat up their TV dinner. I decided maybe I'd better bring some to share sometime! I was up later than I should have been. We are working on Common Assessments at school, end of quarter grading, Lesson Planning, Professional Development, oh.... I don't even know at this point. We're working on too much and when that happens I wonder if you do anything well.
To make a busy week more stressful one of my students tripped and fell into my laptop provided by the district. Sigghhhhh.... BIG SIGHHHH! I don't know the outcome of this yet. I feel sick to my stomach about it but what can I do??
I talked with a friend after work today and she said " I can hear by your breathing you need to use your inhaler!" I was like "You're right, why didn't I reach for it sooner?" I rarely have to use my inhaler so it tends to be my last thought. This is part of why I've had this cough. It happened before and once I started using my inhaler the cough went away. So it is out and being use. Getting proper oxygen will probably improve my energy levels. Sheesh!
Another teacher asked me after school how my day was "I felt like I was wrangling feral cats". It is true I did feel that way. There are a few non-feral cats in there trying to survive the feral cats. There are a couple parts of my day that are teaching bliss. We have an amazing computer program that improves concentration, spacial awareness, reading, processing and more. The students when they are on that program are VERY focused. It is just awesome. Another favorite part of my day is my intervention time. The kids are so good, so motivated, it is just good fun. They aren't students at a high level, they are low. They just really like what we are doing and they feel successful. I feel like I'm making a difference and it is just joy! I wish all day could be like that but... the feral cats problem. Anyhow I started another online class on Singapore Math today. The feedback I am getting from the other teachers is that it is good stuff, what they have done so far. So I am excited about that even though it is one more thing! Well my pj's are on and I used my inhaler so now it is time for dinner and some R & R before tomorrows....Earthquake Drill... it will be hard to come back from that!
To make a busy week more stressful one of my students tripped and fell into my laptop provided by the district. Sigghhhhh.... BIG SIGHHHH! I don't know the outcome of this yet. I feel sick to my stomach about it but what can I do??
I talked with a friend after work today and she said " I can hear by your breathing you need to use your inhaler!" I was like "You're right, why didn't I reach for it sooner?" I rarely have to use my inhaler so it tends to be my last thought. This is part of why I've had this cough. It happened before and once I started using my inhaler the cough went away. So it is out and being use. Getting proper oxygen will probably improve my energy levels. Sheesh!
Another teacher asked me after school how my day was "I felt like I was wrangling feral cats". It is true I did feel that way. There are a few non-feral cats in there trying to survive the feral cats. There are a couple parts of my day that are teaching bliss. We have an amazing computer program that improves concentration, spacial awareness, reading, processing and more. The students when they are on that program are VERY focused. It is just awesome. Another favorite part of my day is my intervention time. The kids are so good, so motivated, it is just good fun. They aren't students at a high level, they are low. They just really like what we are doing and they feel successful. I feel like I'm making a difference and it is just joy! I wish all day could be like that but... the feral cats problem. Anyhow I started another online class on Singapore Math today. The feedback I am getting from the other teachers is that it is good stuff, what they have done so far. So I am excited about that even though it is one more thing! Well my pj's are on and I used my inhaler so now it is time for dinner and some R & R before tomorrows....Earthquake Drill... it will be hard to come back from that!
October 12, 2013
Saturday, Cooking, studying!
Oh Saturday..! I love that cold fall crisp air and knowing that I can sleep just a little longer. Maybe read in my toasty warm bed, and stay in my pj's for a ridiculously long time. I started making a pot of soup a little later than I should have last night. So I stayed up later than I planned. Oh well, more soup for my freezer and my stash was low. I probably should've doubled the recipe but I realized I was out of freezer dishes so that worked out okay.
I also did an 8 p.m. grocery store run. I smiled to myself as I drove home. It had taken me this long to realize that if I wanted to go to the grocery store at night I could. It is weird to have the possibility after two years of remembering the whole town shut down (not the saloons) by 8 p.m. and there wasn't a grocery store. So that made my trip to the store more enjoyable. I picked up a few things I had run out of and that would help me in my cooking adventures this weekend.
Then I talked to Mom for a few minutes and she was talking about making a casserole which made me decide to make a casserole. It is in the oven now. I can't wait. I also looked up one of my other favorite soup recipes to start this afternoon. I hadn't made it since last winter so I am looking forward to having some of it. We'll see what other inspiration strikes this weekend on the cooking front. I may have to do another grocery store run for some freezer containers. I have broken a few dropping them straight from the freezer. So now I seem to have a lot of lids but not enough containers.
Here is my soup I am making today I got it from a school parent last year. I am not sure where she got it. I haven't found it online. It freezes quite nicely.
I also did an 8 p.m. grocery store run. I smiled to myself as I drove home. It had taken me this long to realize that if I wanted to go to the grocery store at night I could. It is weird to have the possibility after two years of remembering the whole town shut down (not the saloons) by 8 p.m. and there wasn't a grocery store. So that made my trip to the store more enjoyable. I picked up a few things I had run out of and that would help me in my cooking adventures this weekend.
Then I talked to Mom for a few minutes and she was talking about making a casserole which made me decide to make a casserole. It is in the oven now. I can't wait. I also looked up one of my other favorite soup recipes to start this afternoon. I hadn't made it since last winter so I am looking forward to having some of it. We'll see what other inspiration strikes this weekend on the cooking front. I may have to do another grocery store run for some freezer containers. I have broken a few dropping them straight from the freezer. So now I seem to have a lot of lids but not enough containers.
Here is my soup I am making today I got it from a school parent last year. I am not sure where she got it. I haven't found it online. It freezes quite nicely.
Hearty Beef Tomato Soup
1lb Ground Beef ( I usually double it)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 TBSP Butter
1 16 oz can Fire Roasted diced Tomatoes (sometimes all you can find is 14.9 oz that works)
1 Tsp. Salt
1/2 Tsp.
Chili Powder
1 Bay Leaf
2 Beef Boullion Cubes (gluten free)
2 1/2 cups water ( I usually have to add quite a bit more)
1/3 Cup Rice ( I add a little more of this too, prob. why I need more water)
Saute beef, onion, and celery in butter. Stir in all other ingredients. Bring to a boil, and simmer until rice is done.
The casserole I am making is the traditional tater-tot casserole without the cream-o-mushroom soup. I make a gluten free Bechamel Sauce with gluten free flour and milk.(without the butter) Then I just add some salt and pepper to taste. It makes a nice white gravy to add to the hamburger. The tator-tots I have to carefully read the label. You never know what you will get mixed into them.
After my casserole cooking I have to finish the work for my online class. Then study for my Monday class. I am thinking tomorrow will be the day spent getting ready for the school week. Oh and in between and during all of that I really have to do some laundry and clean house. Where does the time quickly go?
October 11, 2013
Weekend Refresher
Ahhhhh the weekend. I left school on Thursday feeling pretty disgusted and frustrated. It isn't a great way to finish the week. I met with a friend yesterday who has been a strong advocate for me. I've been getting some great ideas on how to handle situations that are driving me nuts! I met with another 2nd grade teacher from another school. I realized a couple of things today. The focus on testing has created a "competition" mentality among teachers. Is this a good thing or not? If I had a student in the school and I didn't have a choice between teachers I wouldn't like it because my student wouldn't have access to the same quality. I feel that if teachers have a great idea, resource, strategy, they should share. If we can all win together wouldn't that be better? I don't know but it finally clicked why the other teachers were not sharing items they are supposed to be rotating amongst our grade level. It is ridiculous but it is true. I am finding ways around this situation.
What I also realized today is that I thought I was failing pretty miserably as a teacher this fall. Then I met with a veteran teacher today to get ideas and help from. It was great because I realized while I need work in some areas there is a lot I am doing right. I learned a couple of new strategies from her, was reminded of some old ones, and saw how she implemented them. It was really refreshing for me to meet with her. She has a positive attitude and was super supportive. I hope this can continue.
What I am going to continue to do is keep learning and talking with people I know have the experience to help me get there! I spent a lot of time working on teaching today but it isn't over for the weekend. I have work to do to prepare for next week. There is a lot going on. I have another change in my schedule. Fall so far has been the perpetually changing schedule. You are just hoping you fit everything you are supposed to into the day. The students are in the computer lab for a brain-based reading program. It has been very interesting to read about so I am looking forward to seeing it work in person. The program is very strong and if students spend the allotted time in the lab working on it they usually see one and a half years growth in reading. As a teacher it has to be a priority.
It was so great to be able to sleep in a little today. I even took a little afternoon nap. It was WONDERFUL! My body was yelling at me to get some rest. I have some cooking I need to do this weekend as well. My stash of frozen meals is getting very low. I have a few ideas to switch it up. I had eaten so much lentil soup that I need a change. So we'll see what I cook up. So this Friday I really felt like this weekend I am refreshed.
What I also realized today is that I thought I was failing pretty miserably as a teacher this fall. Then I met with a veteran teacher today to get ideas and help from. It was great because I realized while I need work in some areas there is a lot I am doing right. I learned a couple of new strategies from her, was reminded of some old ones, and saw how she implemented them. It was really refreshing for me to meet with her. She has a positive attitude and was super supportive. I hope this can continue.
What I am going to continue to do is keep learning and talking with people I know have the experience to help me get there! I spent a lot of time working on teaching today but it isn't over for the weekend. I have work to do to prepare for next week. There is a lot going on. I have another change in my schedule. Fall so far has been the perpetually changing schedule. You are just hoping you fit everything you are supposed to into the day. The students are in the computer lab for a brain-based reading program. It has been very interesting to read about so I am looking forward to seeing it work in person. The program is very strong and if students spend the allotted time in the lab working on it they usually see one and a half years growth in reading. As a teacher it has to be a priority.
It was so great to be able to sleep in a little today. I even took a little afternoon nap. It was WONDERFUL! My body was yelling at me to get some rest. I have some cooking I need to do this weekend as well. My stash of frozen meals is getting very low. I have a few ideas to switch it up. I had eaten so much lentil soup that I need a change. So we'll see what I cook up. So this Friday I really felt like this weekend I am refreshed.
October 7, 2013
STEM
I love my S.T.E.M. class. I wish I could enjoy it way more often. It is invigorating, inspiring, and fun. I come back with great ideas and strategies. If every professional development was as useful as this one we would all be happy teachers. Well most of us.. you have one Eeyore in every crowd. Today we did a couple of experiments with greenhouse gases, we had planning time, and we looked at some new technology.
I have a lot going on. I realized that I am going to have to surrender my weekends to school. To reading, to planning, to researching. Until I finish a couple of the courses I am taking and get a better handle on the curriculum this is just the way it is going to be. I will have to find some balance between that and home. I mean after all laundry has to get done at some point! I need some down time but in order to feel more prepared and ready to take on the next challenge this is what I need to do, spend more time at work. Most school days I arrive by 6:30 and am lucky to leave by 5 p.m. I do this because I love it and care about the kids.
On Mondays after school we have Professional Development in writing across the curriculum. On Monday Nights once a month I have a College Course I am taking in Vocabulary. On the Weekends I work on my Political Science Class for teacher licensure. Every other Friday I take a class on Balanced Literacy. I am also taking this STEM Class. Next week I start a Singapore Math Course. That is six classes in case you were not able to count. Granted some of these I signed up for and have over-extended myself but some are mandated by the district. The wonderful part is I bring great strategies back to my students and I extend my own learning. The not so great part is the time commitment. My online class ends in November which is quite exciting. I can't wait, especially after the latest message from my professor:
Good morning! You have completed 60% of the class. Party on
Wayne! Party on Garth! Excellent! Can you name the movie? I have
a few announcements.
First, grades from the last Discussion will be uploaded by
tomorrow afternoon. The lack of direct references to the AM GOV
text in all parts of the response where applicable continues to
result in a deduction of 2-3 points. Typos and improper
capitalization are also impacting some of your BBD grades.
Second, materials for Chapter 9 -- Parties and Political
Campaigns: Citizens and the Electoral Process have been posted
under Learning Modules. It's one of my FAVORITE parts of
political science. Check out the 50-minute PBS clip on Karl Rove:
The Architect under Web Links. You'll see the food and beer
preferences of Republicans and Democrats. Based on credit card
and debit purchases, political campaigns are able to profile
voters and their tendencies to vote for either conservative or
liberal candidates.
Third, Exam 2 will be posted next week. I'll be posting an
announcement with Exam 2 details very soon.
Fourth, an OPTIONAL bonus assignment worth 10-points regarding
interest groups will be posted after Exam 2. Stay tuned for
additional details.
Fifth, third political parties in general don't win presidential
elections but do make a difference. In The War Room, can anyone
name the last third political party and their candidate to win a
presidential election? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Wikipedia is not a reliable source.
Are there any questions?
I have a lot going on. I realized that I am going to have to surrender my weekends to school. To reading, to planning, to researching. Until I finish a couple of the courses I am taking and get a better handle on the curriculum this is just the way it is going to be. I will have to find some balance between that and home. I mean after all laundry has to get done at some point! I need some down time but in order to feel more prepared and ready to take on the next challenge this is what I need to do, spend more time at work. Most school days I arrive by 6:30 and am lucky to leave by 5 p.m. I do this because I love it and care about the kids.
On Mondays after school we have Professional Development in writing across the curriculum. On Monday Nights once a month I have a College Course I am taking in Vocabulary. On the Weekends I work on my Political Science Class for teacher licensure. Every other Friday I take a class on Balanced Literacy. I am also taking this STEM Class. Next week I start a Singapore Math Course. That is six classes in case you were not able to count. Granted some of these I signed up for and have over-extended myself but some are mandated by the district. The wonderful part is I bring great strategies back to my students and I extend my own learning. The not so great part is the time commitment. My online class ends in November which is quite exciting. I can't wait, especially after the latest message from my professor:
Good morning! You have completed 60% of the class. Party on
Wayne! Party on Garth! Excellent! Can you name the movie? I have
a few announcements.
First, grades from the last Discussion will be uploaded by
tomorrow afternoon. The lack of direct references to the AM GOV
text in all parts of the response where applicable continues to
result in a deduction of 2-3 points. Typos and improper
capitalization are also impacting some of your BBD grades.
Second, materials for Chapter 9 -- Parties and Political
Campaigns: Citizens and the Electoral Process have been posted
under Learning Modules. It's one of my FAVORITE parts of
political science. Check out the 50-minute PBS clip on Karl Rove:
The Architect under Web Links. You'll see the food and beer
preferences of Republicans and Democrats. Based on credit card
and debit purchases, political campaigns are able to profile
voters and their tendencies to vote for either conservative or
liberal candidates.
Third, Exam 2 will be posted next week. I'll be posting an
announcement with Exam 2 details very soon.
Fourth, an OPTIONAL bonus assignment worth 10-points regarding
interest groups will be posted after Exam 2. Stay tuned for
additional details.
Fifth, third political parties in general don't win presidential
elections but do make a difference. In The War Room, can anyone
name the last third political party and their candidate to win a
presidential election? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Wikipedia is not a reliable source.
Are there any questions?
October 5, 2013
Online Class
Every time I work on my online class I end up irritated by the outrageous silliness of my professor. Here are is latest offerings of Online Quizzes:
http://www.people-press.org/typology/
http://pewresearch.org/millennials/quiz/
What do you think?
http://www.people-press.org/typology/
http://pewresearch.org/millennials/quiz/
What do you think?
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