Ahhh that time of year to get together with family and friends. A time to detox from stress at work and hopefully get to some of those things you've been putting off. Like your Christmas shopping. For me it was mostly a Amazon Christmas or Gift Cards. Shopping online sure takes the stress out of shopping. At least for me. I made it up north with only a little bit of hazardous driving. I am hoping my trip south will be as smooth. I drove over to see my Granny and Aunt, Uncle, and a couple cousins. It was a nice Christmas Day. Quite relaxed. Especially since my Aunt and Uncle did all the cooking. We just had to show up!
Dad and I are working on shampooing the living-room carpet. That has been entertaining. If you come to my parents on Sundays you may be missing your favorite cobweb or dust bunny. Don't be sad they grow quickly when you have a cat, a dog, a grand-dog, and lots of people in and out. Oh yes and a couple half-feral children and a feral husband help enormously.
Most of the teacher gifts I got this year were chocolate (I've trained my students well), or something to keep me warm. I received four pairs of hand warmers. I guess I've looked cold! The nice thing is my classroom heat works very well. A little too well sometimes but we won't complain about that, we can always open a window.
Tomorrow Dad is spending his morning duck hunting and checking traps. I will join him later and practice shooting my new Christmas gift. It feels like a good fit. I don't know how it will feel to shoot but I am excited.
It won't be long till I head south again. I have to put my Classroom Elf on a Shelf ummm I mean our Classroom Elf has to go back to the North Pole till next December. I also have some paper grading to do as well. I will probably do a little house cleaning and all before the January back to school craziness occurs. I haven't had a chance to send out Christmas Cards this year... Here's hoping I get a New Year's Card done. So it goes... Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!
December 27, 2013
December 8, 2013
Roux
I've come to write a post several times in the last while and never got far. It has been busy. I ended one of my classes on Friday, and finished my Singapore Math class this weekend. Well, I kind of finished it. We are meeting this Friday with a Professional Development Math Co-ordinater to do some more learning this Friday. The upside of this class is that the district paid for the class and they are paying for my hours this Friday. So I am down two classes, I have my vocabulary class continuing, and soon I will start another Singapore Math class. Oh yes, my STEM class as well. The exciting news is I am down to two classes for now. I don't think the S.M. class will begin till January. I hope anyhow, I need the break. I decided not to add to my class load this spring. I really need to put more time and focus into my classroom and my students.
It has been a long chilly weekend. I had class on Friday. The heat wasn't working in that room and gusts of cold air came up through the heater. I sat through the whole class with my winter coat and tweety-bird hat on. I went home and crawled into my bed just to warm up! I went to the gymnastics recital for my neighbors kiddos then went home and finished my online class. The gymnastics recital was about as exciting as one could imagine. Yesterday I did laundry, and dishes, and laundry, (repeat). We also had some snow yesterday so I shoveled my driveway. I was using my snow shovel which works fine but isn't exactly speedy. My neighbor said to use his snow shovel. It is great for this light dry snow that we get here. You can use this SnoBoss two handed and it holds A LOT of snow. It made a long job into a short job. I may need to invest in one of these. It doesn't scrape snow as well as some shovels but it moves a lot of snow quickly. The back is kind of like a sled and moves easily. Anyhow as you can see I am a little excited about a snow shovel! :) You can watch a video about this snow shovel HERE.
Today I spend staying warm, reading, and contemplating tomorrows work. I also decided I wanted to attempt to make a Gluten-Free Roux (White Sauce) to use in one of my favorite winter casseroles. I just ordered a Gluten-Free All purpose flour I had heard about. It was quite a lot of money for flour. I don't use very much, very often, so I decided to give it a try. It does seem to work as well as regular flour. It doesn't have that odd flavor that many Gluten-Free Flours have as well. I will try a few more experiments to see if I really love it. You can check it out here: Jules Gluten Free.
I forgot to mention on Friday I also had a Dr. appointment. I had a thorough check up. It has been awhile since I've done that. He is going to do a couple of blood tests and see if my levels have changed since my last blood test. I had also lost 10 pounds since September and 20 pounds since last spring. I didn't really notice. My mom kept mentioning it... anyhow. I think going Gluten Free has been a very good decision for me. For one thing I cook a lot at home. When you cook things yourself you know all of the ingredients. I also made the change of drinking whole milk. At first it was a little gross to me. I am used to it now. I've read that they add a lot of sugars to 1 percent, 2 percent and lowfat milk. I prefer to get my sugar in my Chocolate fix. I mean really! :) I have my priorities and they start with Chocolate!
It isn't long till Christmas break and I will be heading north. I am looking forward to seeing Family and Friends and a change of scenery. Let's hope this Arctic Blast heads back to the Arctic when I am driving home!
It has been a long chilly weekend. I had class on Friday. The heat wasn't working in that room and gusts of cold air came up through the heater. I sat through the whole class with my winter coat and tweety-bird hat on. I went home and crawled into my bed just to warm up! I went to the gymnastics recital for my neighbors kiddos then went home and finished my online class. The gymnastics recital was about as exciting as one could imagine. Yesterday I did laundry, and dishes, and laundry, (repeat). We also had some snow yesterday so I shoveled my driveway. I was using my snow shovel which works fine but isn't exactly speedy. My neighbor said to use his snow shovel. It is great for this light dry snow that we get here. You can use this SnoBoss two handed and it holds A LOT of snow. It made a long job into a short job. I may need to invest in one of these. It doesn't scrape snow as well as some shovels but it moves a lot of snow quickly. The back is kind of like a sled and moves easily. Anyhow as you can see I am a little excited about a snow shovel! :) You can watch a video about this snow shovel HERE.
Today I spend staying warm, reading, and contemplating tomorrows work. I also decided I wanted to attempt to make a Gluten-Free Roux (White Sauce) to use in one of my favorite winter casseroles. I just ordered a Gluten-Free All purpose flour I had heard about. It was quite a lot of money for flour. I don't use very much, very often, so I decided to give it a try. It does seem to work as well as regular flour. It doesn't have that odd flavor that many Gluten-Free Flours have as well. I will try a few more experiments to see if I really love it. You can check it out here: Jules Gluten Free.
I forgot to mention on Friday I also had a Dr. appointment. I had a thorough check up. It has been awhile since I've done that. He is going to do a couple of blood tests and see if my levels have changed since my last blood test. I had also lost 10 pounds since September and 20 pounds since last spring. I didn't really notice. My mom kept mentioning it... anyhow. I think going Gluten Free has been a very good decision for me. For one thing I cook a lot at home. When you cook things yourself you know all of the ingredients. I also made the change of drinking whole milk. At first it was a little gross to me. I am used to it now. I've read that they add a lot of sugars to 1 percent, 2 percent and lowfat milk. I prefer to get my sugar in my Chocolate fix. I mean really! :) I have my priorities and they start with Chocolate!
It isn't long till Christmas break and I will be heading north. I am looking forward to seeing Family and Friends and a change of scenery. Let's hope this Arctic Blast heads back to the Arctic when I am driving home!
November 24, 2013
Preparation
Ahhh the last day of the weekend. I did get caught up on laundry and dishes. My sink overfloweth! :) I made Kalua Pork in my crock-pot and it was delicious. That will be my school lunch this week. All two days of school that is. I am grateful we have Wednesday off school. Since we are such a rural community most people have a long way for Thanksgiving. I also managed to get some house cleaning done. I have a lot more to do but I feel like I made some progress. My home is still in a "moving" state. Not quite sure where I want everything and I change the plan quite often. So it is still in transition. I did find my winter gloves this weekend. That was a relief because the cold has come to visit. On the up side by Thursday we are supposed to have a high of 50 degrees. That will make for nice Thanksgiving weather. My toes have been soo cold all week I am wondering when they will defrost. Luckily I also found the box with all my warm slippers. Gloves and slippers. The gloves are so important in the mornings. My hands hurt sometimes it is sooo cold. It is this time of year when I have to plan time into my morning for the car to warm up.
I am almost ready for the parents visit. The guest room is ready with electric mattress pad and many extra blankets. I really miss having a wood stove. This electric heat just doesn't warm you up as quickly. I have cleaned out my entire stash of pre-made lunches. I am hoping mom and I will have lots of cooking time. I have two soup pots and two crock pots. So If we prepped things well we could have 4 going at a time! Ummmm that may be asking too much of my wee kitchen. HA! I am just so glad to have a kitchen w/ all my kitchen tools.
I am almost ready for the parents visit. The guest room is ready with electric mattress pad and many extra blankets. I really miss having a wood stove. This electric heat just doesn't warm you up as quickly. I have cleaned out my entire stash of pre-made lunches. I am hoping mom and I will have lots of cooking time. I have two soup pots and two crock pots. So If we prepped things well we could have 4 going at a time! Ummmm that may be asking too much of my wee kitchen. HA! I am just so glad to have a kitchen w/ all my kitchen tools.
November 19, 2013
Monday Made it!
I was observed today for one of my classes all about vocabulary. The class is ran by such sweet people that they just make you feel good about yourself while offering constructive criticism. Their methods bring forth change because they are so invested in helping you to do well. It is positive, encouraging feedback.
I don't know if it was an answer to a prayer from upstairs that new my limitations today but many of my students were out sick. Their teacher wasn't feeling peachy either. I did a lot of self talk today to make it through. There were several teachers out today so I knew the availability of subs was limited. I was supposed to attend class this evening but by the time school was out I just didn't think I could do it. I came home and crashed for a few hours. I had done a little work before I left school to get ready for the sub but it was incomplete. So I did my classic midnight run to school. This is the kind of thing that gives mother stress :)! Anyhow the nice part is there is no one to share the copier with, it is quiet and I can get it done quickly. I checked on our online sub-finding program and I do have a sub for tomorrow. That won't just be a relief to me but to any extra staff that may have had to fill in for me tomorrow.
This afternoon we made catapults for science. The kids were very enthusiastic about making these. Tomorrow is their opportunity to launch items through the air. These aren't the most sturdy catapults and I know they will be put to the test. I hope the sub survives all of this action!
I want to feel well. My immune system is quite low this fall despite all of my best efforts to boost it. My insurance kicks in soon and I can't wait to see the Dr. On Wednesday we are having a meeting to get some training on our states new Teacher Evaluation. Our district volunteered themselves to be one of the pilot districts to work the kinks out on the new Evaluation. Then when it rolls out officially we will be accustomed to the process. I wonder how this all will go. It may give an opportunity to move on some not so great teachers. In a small rural district such as ours that never has enough teachers. What are the options? Will they keep not so great ones? Will the evaluations have validity? I don't know the answer but I do know it probably won't be a fun roll out for us teachers. It isn't that we aren't all giving our best, I just don't think the district has the supports in place for us to be as successful as we could be.
Speaking of that we signed our contracts they were just ratified last month. Hurrah! I am making more than at my last district (including extra duty pay I earned there). With our contracts we also received an evaluation on the district. I sat down and discussed some of the items with another teacher. It didn't take us long to realize we had different forms. The questions were good questions and I really felt like it gave me a voice on things that were frustrating me. I don't know if it will elicit change, but there is always hope. There isn't a school district in the land that doesn't have issues. So it is part of the job.
On an up note. I recorded the CMA's (Country Music Awards) to watch at my leisure. Over the weekend I watched them. It was such a wonderful contrast to the previous awards show I heard so much about in the so called "news". It was fun and refreshing. Although I am noticing a trend in music that kind of disturbs me. This "go your own way", "My Way", "Follow your arrow", "That's who we are" I could go on but I think you get the general idea. Follow your heart, your bliss, your path. Um does anyone else see the problem here?
I don't know if it was an answer to a prayer from upstairs that new my limitations today but many of my students were out sick. Their teacher wasn't feeling peachy either. I did a lot of self talk today to make it through. There were several teachers out today so I knew the availability of subs was limited. I was supposed to attend class this evening but by the time school was out I just didn't think I could do it. I came home and crashed for a few hours. I had done a little work before I left school to get ready for the sub but it was incomplete. So I did my classic midnight run to school. This is the kind of thing that gives mother stress :)! Anyhow the nice part is there is no one to share the copier with, it is quiet and I can get it done quickly. I checked on our online sub-finding program and I do have a sub for tomorrow. That won't just be a relief to me but to any extra staff that may have had to fill in for me tomorrow.
This afternoon we made catapults for science. The kids were very enthusiastic about making these. Tomorrow is their opportunity to launch items through the air. These aren't the most sturdy catapults and I know they will be put to the test. I hope the sub survives all of this action!
I want to feel well. My immune system is quite low this fall despite all of my best efforts to boost it. My insurance kicks in soon and I can't wait to see the Dr. On Wednesday we are having a meeting to get some training on our states new Teacher Evaluation. Our district volunteered themselves to be one of the pilot districts to work the kinks out on the new Evaluation. Then when it rolls out officially we will be accustomed to the process. I wonder how this all will go. It may give an opportunity to move on some not so great teachers. In a small rural district such as ours that never has enough teachers. What are the options? Will they keep not so great ones? Will the evaluations have validity? I don't know the answer but I do know it probably won't be a fun roll out for us teachers. It isn't that we aren't all giving our best, I just don't think the district has the supports in place for us to be as successful as we could be.
Speaking of that we signed our contracts they were just ratified last month. Hurrah! I am making more than at my last district (including extra duty pay I earned there). With our contracts we also received an evaluation on the district. I sat down and discussed some of the items with another teacher. It didn't take us long to realize we had different forms. The questions were good questions and I really felt like it gave me a voice on things that were frustrating me. I don't know if it will elicit change, but there is always hope. There isn't a school district in the land that doesn't have issues. So it is part of the job.
On an up note. I recorded the CMA's (Country Music Awards) to watch at my leisure. Over the weekend I watched them. It was such a wonderful contrast to the previous awards show I heard so much about in the so called "news". It was fun and refreshing. Although I am noticing a trend in music that kind of disturbs me. This "go your own way", "My Way", "Follow your arrow", "That's who we are" I could go on but I think you get the general idea. Follow your heart, your bliss, your path. Um does anyone else see the problem here?
November 9, 2013
Cook, Clean, Laundry!
I picked up my basket of fresh produce. I hadn't bought one for about a month I think. I was busy and still hadn't used a lot of my produce. Since Thanksgiving is coming soon and my frozen dinner stash is low I thought that I need to do some cooking. For the first time I grilled some tomatoes. Did I go online and look at a recipe or instructions on how to do this. Nope! Instructions are for people who do it wrong the first try. AHEM. I had the general idea correct. Put on a little olive oil sprinkle with some salt and throw them on the grill. I probably should have left them on a little longer but overall I think I did an okay job. I tossed them into the soup pot where they will cook some more anyway.
My first soup for today is:
My first soup for today is:
Taco Soup
1 lb. ground beef (cooked and drained)
2 cans Pinto beans, (undrained, I substitute a can of black beans)
1 can whole kernel corn (undrained, if I can get it I prefer white corn)
2 cans stewed tomatoes,(undrained) or like today about 6 small grilled tomatoes.
1 pkg. Taco Seasoning (get the low sodium if you can)
1 pkg. Ranch Dressing Mix ( I've used both Uncle Dan's and Hidden Valley with similar results)
1 1/2 Cup water
Add cooked drained ground beef throw in large soup pot. Add all other ingredients and simmer.
As my experiment continues today I also added some rice. I have no idea how the rice will turn out but it seemed like a good idea. If you have problems with acidity. This isn't the soup for you. Although, you can cut it by adding sour cream when eating it. I usually throw in a little shredded cheese after I heat it to eat it.
I also received some mushrooms today in my pack so I will probably make a gluten free Beef Stroganoff. It is quite a simple recipe but I really like it. It also freezes nicely. I don't buy gluten free noodles to put it on. I do as the recipe shows and eat it over white rice. This is where a rice cooker comes in quite handy. You can cook a lot of rice quickly. Wal-mart has them quite cheap. It is worth it. I think I bought the cheapest and smallest one they had at my former local Wal-mart. I dont' think I spent over 20 dollars for it.
As I was grilling my tomatoes I could hear my doorbell ring. So I walked around to the front of the house. The Fed-ex lady confirmed I was cooking them correctly. :) Anyhow, I received my transcripts for my finished class. I am waiting for one more set to arrive then I can send off my licensure paperwork.
I don't know yet what other cooking I will do this weekend. I can confirm I will be doing A LOT OF laundry and housecleaning. I have some work to do at school as well. It is good to have a long weekend.
November 8, 2013
My evening in Jail
This morning I had class. It was very inspiring to me. The research that we were looking at had to do with reading aloud. The research backs this up as one of the most important aspects to help children learn to read. They learn text direction, vocabulary, predicting, and other skills. It is imperative that parents read in the home. We read as much as we can in the school day, but that simply isn't enough. PLEASE READ to your kids. If you are not a confident reader that is what audible.com is for or books on c.d. What I loved is that it really gave me permission to do what I've always felt is important. Reading to students. They get exposure to texts they might not have the skills to read. It helps them to make connections and creates opportunities for great discussions. Anyhow, READ! It is everything!
After class I had the opportunity to put on my pj's and take an afternoon nap. It was heavenly. I am so wiped by the end of my school week I sometimes feel like it takes the entire weekend to refill my tank. It was one of the best naps I've taken in awhile.
I am working on the paperwork to renew my teaching license. One of the things I needed to do was go to the bank and get a cashiers check to send in with my application. I waited for my turn and then none of the ladies behind the counter had every done a cashiers check before. What I thought would be a 10 minute trip to the bank turned into a 25 minute trip to the bank. The ladies were very apologetic and I said " hey we have to learn something new every day right?". It was surprising to me that they didn't know how.
Then I ran home to get some paperwork to take to the Sheriff for my appointment to get finger-printed. It is a little spooky you walk in the front door to an empty waiting room. At the back of the room is one way glass. A voice from the beyond asks if they can help you. You tell them why you are there and they say " please wait a minute". So a minute turned into 10 minutes which turned into 20 minutes. Officers walked in and out and asked if I had been helped. I would say yes "she said to please wait a minute". They'd ask if I was waiting to get finger printed and I would confirm this. Their response would be "ya that's going to be awhile". My imagination ran away with me. What was going on behind the scenes? Were they attempting to prop up a drunk person for fingerprinting? Who knows. I was thinking of how difficult that would be. The fingerprinting you have to stand for and it is a digital pad that takes a picture of your prints. I can't imagine attempting to finger print someone resistant or sloppy. So 30 minutes, 40 minutes passed, and 50 minutes passed. I was getting to the point I thought of leaving when the Deputy came out and had me come back. That took about 10 minutes and I was on my way. FYI the empty lobby contained a bench, and empty desk with a seat, and an ATM machine. So that was my every so exciting evening in jail. :)
After class I had the opportunity to put on my pj's and take an afternoon nap. It was heavenly. I am so wiped by the end of my school week I sometimes feel like it takes the entire weekend to refill my tank. It was one of the best naps I've taken in awhile.
I am working on the paperwork to renew my teaching license. One of the things I needed to do was go to the bank and get a cashiers check to send in with my application. I waited for my turn and then none of the ladies behind the counter had every done a cashiers check before. What I thought would be a 10 minute trip to the bank turned into a 25 minute trip to the bank. The ladies were very apologetic and I said " hey we have to learn something new every day right?". It was surprising to me that they didn't know how.
Then I ran home to get some paperwork to take to the Sheriff for my appointment to get finger-printed. It is a little spooky you walk in the front door to an empty waiting room. At the back of the room is one way glass. A voice from the beyond asks if they can help you. You tell them why you are there and they say " please wait a minute". So a minute turned into 10 minutes which turned into 20 minutes. Officers walked in and out and asked if I had been helped. I would say yes "she said to please wait a minute". They'd ask if I was waiting to get finger printed and I would confirm this. Their response would be "ya that's going to be awhile". My imagination ran away with me. What was going on behind the scenes? Were they attempting to prop up a drunk person for fingerprinting? Who knows. I was thinking of how difficult that would be. The fingerprinting you have to stand for and it is a digital pad that takes a picture of your prints. I can't imagine attempting to finger print someone resistant or sloppy. So 30 minutes, 40 minutes passed, and 50 minutes passed. I was getting to the point I thought of leaving when the Deputy came out and had me come back. That took about 10 minutes and I was on my way. FYI the empty lobby contained a bench, and empty desk with a seat, and an ATM machine. So that was my every so exciting evening in jail. :)
November 3, 2013
HURRAY!!!!
Done with my online class for licensure! Soooo happy took my final exam today. Now I just need to get my transcripts, get finger printed, send in my paperwork... and done! I don't know if you noticed but I really disliked this class. WOOT WOOT
It's OVER!
It's OVER!
November 2, 2013
Small accomplishments
Have I accomplished much for work this weekend. No not really. I have one more day to get there. What have I accomplished not enough. I did get my bathroom cleaned. Finished shampooing the carpet of one of the bedrooms. Got a couple loads of laundry done. Worked a little on my online class. Mostly I relaxed.
I also went out and purchased a cast iron pan this weekend. I am over the teflon non-stick madness. Can't take cooking on it anymore. So then I had to research how to season a cast iron skillet. Almost every website I found suggested LARD or Bacon Grease. I decided to try the non-traditional Olive Oil. If it doesn't work out I will have to go buy some lard I suppose. My skillet is now in the oven getting its seasoning on. I always imagined actual seasonings being involved in the seasoning process. Turns out it is just oil and heat. I greased it up my skillet with olive oil. Followed the instructions of putting some aluminum foil on the bottom rack to catch the drips from the pan on the top rack. Hope this all works and I can throw in some chicken breasts or something yummy.
I am still trying to get stuff out of boxes and put away. I've moved so often in the past few years there is some reluctance to get too comfortable. It has been great to have a kitchen and my own things again. I need to run to the grocery store this weekend. I ran out of Milk and a couple other necessities. I decided to go back to drinking whole milk. It has less sugars in it than the low fat milks. It also has more iodine in it. It was a hard adjustment because I am NOT fond of milk. I have adjusted to it now and it almost tastes good.
I got a nice e-mail from my Granny this weekend and I really need to give her a call. I haven't forgotten you Granny!!! We will chat soon!
I also went out and purchased a cast iron pan this weekend. I am over the teflon non-stick madness. Can't take cooking on it anymore. So then I had to research how to season a cast iron skillet. Almost every website I found suggested LARD or Bacon Grease. I decided to try the non-traditional Olive Oil. If it doesn't work out I will have to go buy some lard I suppose. My skillet is now in the oven getting its seasoning on. I always imagined actual seasonings being involved in the seasoning process. Turns out it is just oil and heat. I greased it up my skillet with olive oil. Followed the instructions of putting some aluminum foil on the bottom rack to catch the drips from the pan on the top rack. Hope this all works and I can throw in some chicken breasts or something yummy.
I am still trying to get stuff out of boxes and put away. I've moved so often in the past few years there is some reluctance to get too comfortable. It has been great to have a kitchen and my own things again. I need to run to the grocery store this weekend. I ran out of Milk and a couple other necessities. I decided to go back to drinking whole milk. It has less sugars in it than the low fat milks. It also has more iodine in it. It was a hard adjustment because I am NOT fond of milk. I have adjusted to it now and it almost tastes good.
I got a nice e-mail from my Granny this weekend and I really need to give her a call. I haven't forgotten you Granny!!! We will chat soon!
November 1, 2013
Happy Halloween
Whew.. I survived the sugar high. I didn't eat sugar... just 20 or so students did. All day long.. "when is the party" As one of my friends posted this picture today I had to smile. It is difficult to maintain learning when all your students are thinking about is.. PARTY!!!
Our district decided to form a coalition to decide what would be the best next steps to take as a district to raise test scores, and really have a deep understanding of common core. In one way I was relieved about their decision. Instead of focusing on writing assessments we are now focusing on unpacking standards. Here is the thing... This has already been done. Why are we focusing on this? Why not just give us some classes or professional development on what all the standards contain? Okay then they decided that we don't need to use "curriculum" in the traditional sense of a created curriculum to purchase and use to teach the standards. HUH WHAT? So I went from a assessment writer (even though I have little training in assessment writing) to a curriculum creator/writer?
I am disgusted there is so much research already done by people specialized in curriculum. There are curriculum's that have decades of research behind them with improvements made based on their research. Now you want me to teach and create a curriculum? To a certain extent teachers should do this. For instance there isn't a lot I had to teach my students about this state. I had to do some research and find some curriculum and information to share with my students. I just had to shake my head. I am not a curriculum writer, nor an assessment writer. I just want to teach my students to the best of my ability. I want to spend time thinking about my lesson plans so that I can give great enriching lessons that will stay with students. That is why I became a teacher, to teach!
On the upside in one area we are using a WONDERFUL curriculum. Singapore Math. I am also taking a class online right now that I was to be honest procrastinating on a bit. I LOVE the class. It is so great. I am printing off all of the lessons from the class the extra materials and ideas provided. It has been so engaging. I was pleasantly surprised. Some of our teachers don't really like Singapore math. I think it is weak in Kindergarten, and involves way more cutting up papers than most teachers/students can handle with a large class. It also doesn't have enough manipulatives in Kindergarten. However, up from there it is amazing how it helps students to grow in their math abilities. The upper elementary teachers are beginning to like it because now they are finally getting the students who have been with the program a few years so it isn't brand new to them. To throw students into it without prior exposure... is really hard. Those students struggle so their teachers hate the program. Hopefully, taking this class and seeing students over the next couple years will change some minds.
I went to my neighbors for Halloween. It was nice to hang out with them and hand out candy for them while they went on their own trick-or-treat rounds through the neighborhood. We didn't have a huge amount of trick-or-treaters because of something that happens locally. Trunk-or-treat! It is done by a local church in their parking lot. They have all the treats in their trunks and even provide a free dinner. When I first heard about this it seemed so shady to me. Handing kids candy out of your trunk sounded like a drug deal. Anyhow, it is a safe place and kids are in a safe location. It was great to chill out next door. It just feels so great to have neighbors that care about me and want the best for me.
Our district decided to form a coalition to decide what would be the best next steps to take as a district to raise test scores, and really have a deep understanding of common core. In one way I was relieved about their decision. Instead of focusing on writing assessments we are now focusing on unpacking standards. Here is the thing... This has already been done. Why are we focusing on this? Why not just give us some classes or professional development on what all the standards contain? Okay then they decided that we don't need to use "curriculum" in the traditional sense of a created curriculum to purchase and use to teach the standards. HUH WHAT? So I went from a assessment writer (even though I have little training in assessment writing) to a curriculum creator/writer?
I am disgusted there is so much research already done by people specialized in curriculum. There are curriculum's that have decades of research behind them with improvements made based on their research. Now you want me to teach and create a curriculum? To a certain extent teachers should do this. For instance there isn't a lot I had to teach my students about this state. I had to do some research and find some curriculum and information to share with my students. I just had to shake my head. I am not a curriculum writer, nor an assessment writer. I just want to teach my students to the best of my ability. I want to spend time thinking about my lesson plans so that I can give great enriching lessons that will stay with students. That is why I became a teacher, to teach!
On the upside in one area we are using a WONDERFUL curriculum. Singapore Math. I am also taking a class online right now that I was to be honest procrastinating on a bit. I LOVE the class. It is so great. I am printing off all of the lessons from the class the extra materials and ideas provided. It has been so engaging. I was pleasantly surprised. Some of our teachers don't really like Singapore math. I think it is weak in Kindergarten, and involves way more cutting up papers than most teachers/students can handle with a large class. It also doesn't have enough manipulatives in Kindergarten. However, up from there it is amazing how it helps students to grow in their math abilities. The upper elementary teachers are beginning to like it because now they are finally getting the students who have been with the program a few years so it isn't brand new to them. To throw students into it without prior exposure... is really hard. Those students struggle so their teachers hate the program. Hopefully, taking this class and seeing students over the next couple years will change some minds.
I went to my neighbors for Halloween. It was nice to hang out with them and hand out candy for them while they went on their own trick-or-treat rounds through the neighborhood. We didn't have a huge amount of trick-or-treaters because of something that happens locally. Trunk-or-treat! It is done by a local church in their parking lot. They have all the treats in their trunks and even provide a free dinner. When I first heard about this it seemed so shady to me. Handing kids candy out of your trunk sounded like a drug deal. Anyhow, it is a safe place and kids are in a safe location. It was great to chill out next door. It just feels so great to have neighbors that care about me and want the best for me.
October 29, 2013
Midnight Learning Plans
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
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 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?
September 30, 2013
Sub
There is nothing like having a cranky, old, sub make your students love you! I had more hugs this afternoon than I've received all year. :)
September 28, 2013
Saturday Cooking
I went and picked up my Bountiful Basket today. It was full of interesting things and so of course I had to decide what I wanted to cook up this weekend. I found this Gluten Free Crock-pot Beef Stew and decided to give it a try. I am just not sure about the Worcestershire Sauce. It has some less than desirable ingredients in it. When I decided I was cooking today every recipe called for an ingredient I did not have so I ran to the grocery store. What a privilege to have one so near by. I also picked up some ingredients for a different lentil soup recipe than I usually make and this Gluten Free Banana Bread. I'll let you know how these cooking experiments turn out. The first one I started cooking today was the beef stew. I've been cutting, chopping, and tossing into the crock-pot. It had better not disappoint.
The grocery store is always an adventure as a teacher in a small town. You know you are going to run into a student or two, a parent, etc. There are days when you would rather be anonymous and just run in and out. I am trying to get some laundry done and PUT AWAY. It is the second part of that equation I've been struggling with lately. It seems as though I am feeling perkier today. I am hoping this means I am on the down-side of the cold/allergy whatever it is making me tired. The last two nights I slept and last night without Nyquil.
I also got to hang out with an old friend for awhile today which is always fun. I need to get to work on my online class. G'day to ya
The grocery store is always an adventure as a teacher in a small town. You know you are going to run into a student or two, a parent, etc. There are days when you would rather be anonymous and just run in and out. I am trying to get some laundry done and PUT AWAY. It is the second part of that equation I've been struggling with lately. It seems as though I am feeling perkier today. I am hoping this means I am on the down-side of the cold/allergy whatever it is making me tired. The last two nights I slept and last night without Nyquil.
I also got to hang out with an old friend for awhile today which is always fun. I need to get to work on my online class. G'day to ya
September 27, 2013
P/T Conferences and more!
There hasn't been much time to write lately. I am still fighting my cold/allergy/sinus thing which is just great (uggh)! This week was parent teacher conferences which involved a couple of 14 + hour days. Every time I have parent teacher conferences it strikes me again how important it is parents place value on their students education. If parents don't care neither do their children. Children are eager to please their parents and if they see education as having value they will work hard to be successful even if they have challenges. I see so much potential with some students but their parents don't place value on learning. I'm not saying they don't care, I'm saying the value they place on school is very, very, low. This is another attitude a teacher must fight when working with students in the classroom. It is frustrating.
I am taking a vocabulary class. It so far has been absolutely wonderful! As a teacher of COURSE I know vocabulary is important, and all of the reasons why. What I feel like I was missing was some well researched and FUN strategies to teach vocabulary. I am excited about the potential of what I can do with my students. I hope I can make it engaging enough to get all of my students excited about words!
My not so fun political science class I have to take for licensure well this is the message I got from my professor today:
PSC 101,
I am taking a vocabulary class. It so far has been absolutely wonderful! As a teacher of COURSE I know vocabulary is important, and all of the reasons why. What I feel like I was missing was some well researched and FUN strategies to teach vocabulary. I am excited about the potential of what I can do with my students. I hope I can make it engaging enough to get all of my students excited about words!
My not so fun political science class I have to take for licensure well this is the message I got from my professor today:
It’s What the Doctor (a.k.a. Mad Political Scientist) Ordered: Fa13PSC101_1009_WB, Intro American Politics
PSC 101,
Good morning!
I have received several emails regarding the news challenge that
I presented to you last week, and it does not surprise me how
protective some of you are about your source of news, including
your friends of family. I appreciate that many of you have
emailed me your early observations.
If you or your friends and family members believe that by
watching CNN or MSNBC you will turn into a liberal or that by
watching FOX or reading The Wall Street Journal that you will
turn into a conservative, I can assure you that this conversion
is not life threatening. However, you may want to have some
Rolaids and aspirin on hand.
In fact, there are several support groups for these types of
groups of individuals that display liberal and conservative
tendencies. The support groups are called political parties. JOIN
ONE! Check them out:
Republican National Committee
http://www.gop.com/ ( http://www.gop.com/ )
Democratic National Committee
http://www.democrats.org/ ( http://www.democrats.org/ )
Directory of U.S. Political Parties
http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm ( http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm )
I still stand by my news challenge to you. This prescription will
stay in place for the remainder of the semester. It's what the
doctor ordered.
With the focus of the news recently on global events and affairs,
the BBC World Services offers an international perspective that
other classes have enjoyed. Check out the following website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/ )
Keep me posted on any developments. Are there any questions?
Anyone in the house need a refill?
Anyhow, I think this guy is trying to persuade some people to look in alternative directions. I can't fault him that. I am not an impressionable 18 year old just beginning the college experience. So I haven't changed my news sources. Although to be honest when school is in session I rarely have time to catch up on the news. I am invited to my neighbors for a belated birthday dinner tonight. Their son was born on my birthday but he was sick and then I was sick. So now we can enjoy it! FYI if you don't drink even 1/2 a Nyquil dose will kick your heiney! I still felt a little loopy this afternoon. It was worth the wonderful sleep that I finally had. I needed the rest.
On Monday I will be missing a 1/2 day of teaching to go for a training on a foreign language program the district has purchased. I did a little research on it I think the program they chose is great for upper grades I don't see it working well for the younger students. That frustrates me because what I know about language and development is that small children will learn it more quickly and be able to immerse themselves in a new language more easily. Sigh. I am hoping once I see what it is I won't be disappointed.
Anyhow I'm off to the neighbors for supper have a lovely evening!
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