I think we are at 36 days of school left. It is incredible how quickly this year has gone by. I was asked to go to another training next week. I hope it is a good one. I really know very little about this structure we are being taught. Well I think I know very little I may get there and know more than I realize. It is a two day training so I really, really, want it to be a good one. If I leave my students for two days I definitely want it to be worth the time.
I am doing a little cooking this evening. Making the Taco Casserole I made awhile back. It was worth a repeat. Although next time I think I will add rice the recipe mentions as optional. I spent a lot of time at school yesterday planning next week. I don't think I am ready and will go in again tomorrow. Today I pretty much rested. I've been fighting either a head cold or allergies or a combination of the two this week. All I know for sure is that it was kicking my heiney! I did look in my flower bed and my bulbs are up about 2 inches so that is an encouraging sign of spring. Although here the snow isn't over till it's over and I don't know if it's over.
My students won the district spelling be on Thursday so I was super proud of them. They really wanted to compete at the next level (state) but I don't think that happens till 5th or 6th grade. So this isn't much but it's all I can think of for now... have a lovely weekend!
March 22, 2014
March 17, 2014
Learning
I have learned so much in such a short period of time I feel like my brain is overloaded. I went to a school visit to a 5 star school. I learned a lot from the teachers there and just the experience of being there. Our principal would like to recreate what they have done with their school. I don't know if we have the supports in place to make it possible. I do know that I learned a lot from the experience which will allow me to be better at my job. The teachers there were very generous with their time and resources. What impressed me besides great teaching and great students was the administration. They behaved as colleagues with their staff. They popped in and out of all classrooms throughout the day. They addressed behavior as needed but they really supported their teachers.
The next day we went to a parent engagement conference. I also learned a lot from this experience. More importantly it was uplifting and encouraging. We ended the conference feeling validated and celebrated as teachers. The four of us teachers that went to the conference kind of made a unsaid vow to be more encouraging to one another. It was a really great way to end those days of training.
We came back home late and the next day I had a math number model training. It was good but I was so tired I am not sure how much I retained. My favorite part of that day was that our Vice-principal sat down with us. She joined a group and asked questions, took notes, and went through the training with us. I can't explain how much that meant. It really impressed me and made me feel like she valued what we were doing and learning. She was as invested as we were. I told her I really appreciated her doing this with us. In contrast our principal sat in the corner and just observed and worked on other things.
So I packed a lot in three days. I know that it will be a fight to implement some of what I learned in our school. I am going to start with changing what I know I can. I won't forget the other things but I will change what I KNOW I can and will keep trying to push change in those other areas. We'll see how things go. I am going to continue to work on that bond with the people who experienced that conference with me. I think together if we really stay positive we can help changes occur. We really need some huge changes to occur.
In other exciting news in our school spelling bee my 2 second grade groups won. They will participate in the District spelling bee at the end of the week. See teaching phonics makes a difference. Ahem! They only take the top two groups from each grade level. I was really proud of my kiddos. I missed their spelling bee because they had it while I was gone.
I am sure there is more that is new but that is all I can think of right now. We have a math night at school this week. I also have three scheduled formal observations at school this week. We had to pack them in because I was gone and my administrator was gone and then will be gone again. She is coming in at three different times so it should give her a good snapshot of my day. I was struggling to stay positive today. My colleagues didn't get our common lesson plans done while I was gone. Then when I looked at the incomplete plans it was ridiculous. Then my colleague that is gone this week just did the bare minimum for her substitute. I had to help the substitute fill in the gaps. They were hard for me to fill because I didn't know what the heck they were thinking. The poor sub! I asked her "Could you follow my lesson plans, did you have what you needed?" She told me yes she did and that I gave her plenty of extra just in case. She is the type that would let me know if I forgot something or if it was lacking. Anyhow, I am glad I had those other days of training because I strongly feel that can overcome these impediments to success.
Update: I forgot to share what a 1st grader said on today St. Patrick's Day. He walks up to another teacher "Are you wearing a green shirt?" She says yes unzips her coat a little and shows him. Recess, Cold, Cold, Windy, Blustery, Day. Anyhow, he looks at me and GRINS HUGELY as he sees my bright green coat. "Are you....?" "Yes I am wearing a green shirt too" and I show him. He says " I am wearing a green jacket, a green shirt, and GREEN UNDERWEAR!" I said " That is great!" Luckily he didn't feel the need to show them too me. So stinking cute he was so proud! Anyhow, I hope you all wore green today.
The next day we went to a parent engagement conference. I also learned a lot from this experience. More importantly it was uplifting and encouraging. We ended the conference feeling validated and celebrated as teachers. The four of us teachers that went to the conference kind of made a unsaid vow to be more encouraging to one another. It was a really great way to end those days of training.
We came back home late and the next day I had a math number model training. It was good but I was so tired I am not sure how much I retained. My favorite part of that day was that our Vice-principal sat down with us. She joined a group and asked questions, took notes, and went through the training with us. I can't explain how much that meant. It really impressed me and made me feel like she valued what we were doing and learning. She was as invested as we were. I told her I really appreciated her doing this with us. In contrast our principal sat in the corner and just observed and worked on other things.
So I packed a lot in three days. I know that it will be a fight to implement some of what I learned in our school. I am going to start with changing what I know I can. I won't forget the other things but I will change what I KNOW I can and will keep trying to push change in those other areas. We'll see how things go. I am going to continue to work on that bond with the people who experienced that conference with me. I think together if we really stay positive we can help changes occur. We really need some huge changes to occur.
In other exciting news in our school spelling bee my 2 second grade groups won. They will participate in the District spelling bee at the end of the week. See teaching phonics makes a difference. Ahem! They only take the top two groups from each grade level. I was really proud of my kiddos. I missed their spelling bee because they had it while I was gone.
I am sure there is more that is new but that is all I can think of right now. We have a math night at school this week. I also have three scheduled formal observations at school this week. We had to pack them in because I was gone and my administrator was gone and then will be gone again. She is coming in at three different times so it should give her a good snapshot of my day. I was struggling to stay positive today. My colleagues didn't get our common lesson plans done while I was gone. Then when I looked at the incomplete plans it was ridiculous. Then my colleague that is gone this week just did the bare minimum for her substitute. I had to help the substitute fill in the gaps. They were hard for me to fill because I didn't know what the heck they were thinking. The poor sub! I asked her "Could you follow my lesson plans, did you have what you needed?" She told me yes she did and that I gave her plenty of extra just in case. She is the type that would let me know if I forgot something or if it was lacking. Anyhow, I am glad I had those other days of training because I strongly feel that can overcome these impediments to success.
Update: I forgot to share what a 1st grader said on today St. Patrick's Day. He walks up to another teacher "Are you wearing a green shirt?" She says yes unzips her coat a little and shows him. Recess, Cold, Cold, Windy, Blustery, Day. Anyhow, he looks at me and GRINS HUGELY as he sees my bright green coat. "Are you....?" "Yes I am wearing a green shirt too" and I show him. He says " I am wearing a green jacket, a green shirt, and GREEN UNDERWEAR!" I said " That is great!" Luckily he didn't feel the need to show them too me. So stinking cute he was so proud! Anyhow, I hope you all wore green today.
March 8, 2014
Cooking Saturday
A friend came over today and we cooked up a storm. We made this Lentil Soup. I changed it up by adding kale instead of spinach. We also made this Taco Casserole. Then I started my favorite Kalua Pork recipe. I didn't start the Zuppa Toscana on my to-do list. I need to do it before the weekend is over since I bought the ingredients. The weather has been beautiful this weekend. I picked up my bountiful basket which had some things not on my edible list like green chilies and brussel sprouts. It worked out find though because I found someone to take them off my hands. If they didn't my neighbors rabbits were going to eat the sprouts. I have some laundry to catch up on so I am ready for the crazy busy week.
Tomorrow I need to run up and finish my lesson plans for the week. I have a good sub coming in which makes it easier to leave.
Tomorrow I need to run up and finish my lesson plans for the week. I have a good sub coming in which makes it easier to leave.
March 7, 2014
Dress Up/Down
In my previous post I mentioned I made broccoli cheese soup. I haven't really tried it yet other than a quick sample at the end of the cooking process. I will say the cooking of broccoli cheese soup should be done in a well ventilated area. My house still smells like broccoli cheese soup. That could have a lot to do with why I haven't sampled any yet.
I went in to school this afternoon to watch some videos with a colleague and work on lesson planning for next week. There was a little snafu in that I couldn't make any copies because there were some meetings/training's/classes going on in several locations. I did a little bit and then I decided I would head home and do something constructive. That really didn't work out too well. I threw in a load of laundry and a load of dishes and then I took a nap. It felt wonderful. I did a few more dishes and went grocery shopping. So I can't say that I accomplished a lot but it wasn't a complete waste of a day either. I am always so wiped out on Fridays I feel like the wind up monkey at the end of the wind. My music went flat and I'm drooping.
We had a busy week with it being Reading Week. It was more than a little annoying how little thought went into the preparation of it. It was more than a little chaotic. What I discovered this week is the teacher cannot dress "down". No crazy hair, crazy hat, backwards anything. Do you know what happens to 2nd graders when this happens. You lose them. Yep their attention span goes to nothing. It is a distraction. I was trying to remember if my teachers dressed in anything wacky in elementary school. Other than an Ugly Christmas Sweater for the Holiday program. I do not recall any such goings on. They dressed professional. Way more so than I do. I don't know how they cleaned glue off themselves. Anyhow I thought you know I don't need to do this. Is it fun for the kids? Yes of course. What am I really hoping to accomplish? So I am thinking this over. Maybe I'll wear a crazy hat that I can take off and get down to business. I am probably viewed as a "spoil-sport". I want my students to have joy in learning which is way more important than their teacher dressing nutty! We'll see how my thoughts on this evolve.
When I look at the 144 days I have to teach my students and then realize how many of those teaching opportunities are eaten up by fire drills, assemblies, and other interruptions It gets a little discouraging. I can see why people can Home-school their children in a short window. Yep it is a challenge.
Oh yes... added to my food list of things I can never eat again without suffering:
cucumber. The flavor isn't bad. It feels great in a slice over your eyes. Ingesting it is agonizing. Instant suffering. Yep goodbye cucumber... you always tasted better as a pickle anyway.
I went in to school this afternoon to watch some videos with a colleague and work on lesson planning for next week. There was a little snafu in that I couldn't make any copies because there were some meetings/training's/classes going on in several locations. I did a little bit and then I decided I would head home and do something constructive. That really didn't work out too well. I threw in a load of laundry and a load of dishes and then I took a nap. It felt wonderful. I did a few more dishes and went grocery shopping. So I can't say that I accomplished a lot but it wasn't a complete waste of a day either. I am always so wiped out on Fridays I feel like the wind up monkey at the end of the wind. My music went flat and I'm drooping.
We had a busy week with it being Reading Week. It was more than a little annoying how little thought went into the preparation of it. It was more than a little chaotic. What I discovered this week is the teacher cannot dress "down". No crazy hair, crazy hat, backwards anything. Do you know what happens to 2nd graders when this happens. You lose them. Yep their attention span goes to nothing. It is a distraction. I was trying to remember if my teachers dressed in anything wacky in elementary school. Other than an Ugly Christmas Sweater for the Holiday program. I do not recall any such goings on. They dressed professional. Way more so than I do. I don't know how they cleaned glue off themselves. Anyhow I thought you know I don't need to do this. Is it fun for the kids? Yes of course. What am I really hoping to accomplish? So I am thinking this over. Maybe I'll wear a crazy hat that I can take off and get down to business. I am probably viewed as a "spoil-sport". I want my students to have joy in learning which is way more important than their teacher dressing nutty! We'll see how my thoughts on this evolve.
When I look at the 144 days I have to teach my students and then realize how many of those teaching opportunities are eaten up by fire drills, assemblies, and other interruptions It gets a little discouraging. I can see why people can Home-school their children in a short window. Yep it is a challenge.
Oh yes... added to my food list of things I can never eat again without suffering:
cucumber. The flavor isn't bad. It feels great in a slice over your eyes. Ingesting it is agonizing. Instant suffering. Yep goodbye cucumber... you always tasted better as a pickle anyway.
March 4, 2014
Here we go round and round
It has been a whirlwind lately that I am not sure I am keeping up! It was great to have visitors this weekend and have a bit of a change. We got some cooking done and even made Chicken Noodle Soup. I always forget to add the cornstarch... I don't know why. It is just a thickener so I have runny soup. We used Jules Gluten Free All Purpose Flour to make the egg noodles. It is a very fine flour but it will do what you ask all purpose flour to do and tastes pretty good. I also made a Hearty Beef Soup. Tonight I had some broccoli I needed to use and so I made this Gluten Free Broccoli Cheese Soup. I don't know that I've ever been a fan of broccoli cheese soup but I thought I would give it a try. I needed something different.
You never know what changes will come. I have been frustrated this year with our lack of reading curriculum. Finally, we get to pilot a reading curriculum that I really believe in. My neighbor that has really been helping support me fill in gaps in reading asked that I be purchased a curriculum as well. This was despite someone else on my grade level piloting it. I am sooo happy. I have said many times "if you cannot read who cares if you can identify the main idea of a story". If you can't read how are you going to solve a math story problem. So it may take awhile but eventually we are heard.
It was also really nice to have our Vice-Principal doing our observations in my grade level. She has been a teacher for a long time and she really looks at it from a different perspective. She gives constructive criticism but also focuses in on things you do well. She is very specific and not general which is also nice. I have another observation coming up this month. I am not sure when yet.
Another thing coming up is I am attending a training with some other teachers. We will be going to observe at a school that really focuses in on effective strategies and they are doing well on their test scores. It will be over 2 days. So it will be a change of scenery and I hope to learn some really good things. I also volunteered to be part of a team that is testing out a site that creates tests, tracks data, and more. I hope it is as beneficial as it seems to be. We have only a 2 week window to try it out. If we have good things to say the district will be purchasing it. If it works like we want it too it would really save the teachers a lot of time. We wouldn't have to focus on creating assessments as much and could focus more on creating great lessons. We'll see how it all goes. It will be very busy in the next few weeks. It is hopeful that I will have some great learning opportunities.
You never know what changes will come. I have been frustrated this year with our lack of reading curriculum. Finally, we get to pilot a reading curriculum that I really believe in. My neighbor that has really been helping support me fill in gaps in reading asked that I be purchased a curriculum as well. This was despite someone else on my grade level piloting it. I am sooo happy. I have said many times "if you cannot read who cares if you can identify the main idea of a story". If you can't read how are you going to solve a math story problem. So it may take awhile but eventually we are heard.
It was also really nice to have our Vice-Principal doing our observations in my grade level. She has been a teacher for a long time and she really looks at it from a different perspective. She gives constructive criticism but also focuses in on things you do well. She is very specific and not general which is also nice. I have another observation coming up this month. I am not sure when yet.
Another thing coming up is I am attending a training with some other teachers. We will be going to observe at a school that really focuses in on effective strategies and they are doing well on their test scores. It will be over 2 days. So it will be a change of scenery and I hope to learn some really good things. I also volunteered to be part of a team that is testing out a site that creates tests, tracks data, and more. I hope it is as beneficial as it seems to be. We have only a 2 week window to try it out. If we have good things to say the district will be purchasing it. If it works like we want it too it would really save the teachers a lot of time. We wouldn't have to focus on creating assessments as much and could focus more on creating great lessons. We'll see how it all goes. It will be very busy in the next few weeks. It is hopeful that I will have some great learning opportunities.
February 23, 2014
Crock-pot Sunday!
I think my mom always had a crock pot. I was just thinking of how in the past women couldn't go far from the stove or they might burn their dish or their house down. I love the crock-pot. We've come a loooonnng way from a life by the stove. I have a crock-pot with cowboy beans going and a crock-pot with Kalua pork going. I am going to eat a little dinner and see if I can get a pot of soup on the stove. My stash was soooo low things were looking grim. I know that it is going to be busy between now and spring break. We have about 8 weeks until spring break.
I have a electric tea-pot that a former aide gave me. It is the best thing ever! I love it! It was getting some build-up on the inside from minerals in the water. I put water and vinegar in it and heated it up a couple of times. It came out sparkling clean. I was desperate for my tea. I ran out a couple of weeks ago and it came just in time for my second round of Parent/Teacher conferences. Some people have their morning coffee and I have my morning tea. I only have one 8 oz cup a day during the school week. So I don't think I am doing too badly.
I also went down to school today for several hours. I realized I was at school every day this weekend. I did get quite a few things done on my "to-do" list. I also created a pile of things for my parent volunteer to do. So I feel good about that! A colleague and I made a deal that every weekend we would spend 1 1/2 hours a piece in each others classroom. You really can get a lot more done with a buddy than by yourself. It keeps you going if nothing else. I hope it works out well. It will keep me motivated and moving a long.
There is also a rumor I may have visitors from the land up north so I may have to get that pile of clean laundry off my couch and put away so my guests can sit down. Well I'm off to get more done so I can give my all to the kids this week.
I have a electric tea-pot that a former aide gave me. It is the best thing ever! I love it! It was getting some build-up on the inside from minerals in the water. I put water and vinegar in it and heated it up a couple of times. It came out sparkling clean. I was desperate for my tea. I ran out a couple of weeks ago and it came just in time for my second round of Parent/Teacher conferences. Some people have their morning coffee and I have my morning tea. I only have one 8 oz cup a day during the school week. So I don't think I am doing too badly.
I also went down to school today for several hours. I realized I was at school every day this weekend. I did get quite a few things done on my "to-do" list. I also created a pile of things for my parent volunteer to do. So I feel good about that! A colleague and I made a deal that every weekend we would spend 1 1/2 hours a piece in each others classroom. You really can get a lot more done with a buddy than by yourself. It keeps you going if nothing else. I hope it works out well. It will keep me motivated and moving a long.
There is also a rumor I may have visitors from the land up north so I may have to get that pile of clean laundry off my couch and put away so my guests can sit down. Well I'm off to get more done so I can give my all to the kids this week.
February 19, 2014
The Conferences
Day 1 ..... super long day. A day when I could have used a caffeine i.v. I made it. One more day till the weekend! I can do this! Uh Oh I just remembered I forgot to take the trash out this a.m. Oh well it will come the same time next week. One more day of conferences ! Hurrah. A parent volunteer is coming in next week to help me get several things done that I just haven't been able to get to. I am so glad to have her help. She is a great volunteer. Proficient parent volunteers are awesome. This one is upbeat, helpful, and understands what is needed of her. I love that she can help in my classroom.
Parent-Teacher conferences are tiring. It is the talking and the late nights. Even when it all goes well and it is positive it is so tiring. I am off to find my pillow!
Parent-Teacher conferences are tiring. It is the talking and the late nights. Even when it all goes well and it is positive it is so tiring. I am off to find my pillow!
Happy Birthday Granny!
I hope your birthday was wonderful and you were able to do something you enjoy! I miss you!
February 18, 2014
Child Wrangling
Whew! I don't know if it was the long weekend or what. The kids were wired and tired today. I felt like I was wrangling 3 year old children instead of 7 or 8 year old children. I am exhausted. I wasn't alone in my feelings. All of the teachers expressed that the kids were wound up today. I also had an observation by the Vice-Principal. She stated that every class she had been in that day the kids were bouncing. We have a couple of short days this week so we can do parent-teacher conferences. It will be hectic but with some moments to breath thrown in there.
I finally did a taste test on my soup I made over the weekend. It wasn't bad. It wasn't my favorite but it was pretty good. It was a nice hot lunch on a school day.
I finally did a taste test on my soup I made over the weekend. It wasn't bad. It wasn't my favorite but it was pretty good. It was a nice hot lunch on a school day.
February 16, 2014
Weekend
Just knowing you have one extra day in the weekend is bliss! It will be a hectic week with only one full school day, and two half days. The rest of my free time will be spent in Parent-Teacher Conferences. I never know what to expect with these.
Tonight I am attempting to make gluten free spaghetti. I attempted it before and the rice spaghetti noodles just weren't all that good. I have corn spaghetti noodles this time. I am going to let the sauce really soak into the noodles before I eat it. I am hoping that will overcome the flavor I don't enjoy. I will freeze some as well. Hopefully this experiment will work out well. I never know... I do know that the sauce smells wonderful so I am hopeful.
I have a lot to get done at school tomorrow before I face another busy week. Last week I found out that pink eye is traveling around the school. So I got out the Lysol and sprayed things down. None of my students have had it yet so "knock-on-wood" hopefully we can keep that contagion away.
I can't believe some of the things that young people have to deal with in their lives. It is one of the most difficult things to deal with as a teacher. It has been good to have a long weekend to regroup and face another week.
Tonight I am attempting to make gluten free spaghetti. I attempted it before and the rice spaghetti noodles just weren't all that good. I have corn spaghetti noodles this time. I am going to let the sauce really soak into the noodles before I eat it. I am hoping that will overcome the flavor I don't enjoy. I will freeze some as well. Hopefully this experiment will work out well. I never know... I do know that the sauce smells wonderful so I am hopeful.
I have a lot to get done at school tomorrow before I face another busy week. Last week I found out that pink eye is traveling around the school. So I got out the Lysol and sprayed things down. None of my students have had it yet so "knock-on-wood" hopefully we can keep that contagion away.
I can't believe some of the things that young people have to deal with in their lives. It is one of the most difficult things to deal with as a teacher. It has been good to have a long weekend to regroup and face another week.
February 9, 2014
Soup Night! Revisited...
I attempted THIS soup tonight! We'll see how it turns out. I didn't have fresh carrots, celery, or onions. I also didn't want to go to the store tonight! So I used my dehydrated veggies to put it together. I also added a wee bit of Italian seasoning and a cup of rice. I hope it turns out well. I never quite measure the dehydrated vegetables correctly. I have to err on the side of less is better! I purchase my dehydrated vegetables at Honeyville Farms. The quality is good and the flavor seems to be there. It is a great option to have on hand. Especially if you live in the boonies. I don't know this year some of you "townies" have had trouble getting to the store with the Artic Vortex. I had a moment of panic when I thought I was out of basil but in my shuffling it got shuffled to the back of the spice shelf. I will freeze this and it will provide me around 2 -2 1/2 weeks of lunches.
Technology woes...
So I thought I had cell phone issues. I couldn't receive or make any calls. I kept getting messages from friends that they left me a voice mail. I haven't been able to access those. I can send and receive texts and get on the internet with my phone but really isn't the whole point of a phone to talk to people?? Anyhow, I spent some time on my neighbors phone with tech support. They couldn't fix it or reset it which led them to believe it is a "network" issue and their engineers would get right on it. UH HUH! In 1-3 days they will....! So hopefully they get it fixed sooner rather than later and I will be able to hear your lovely voices. I feel very disconnected. About a year ago my cell phone completely died and I had internet issues, and no neighbors to go borrow a phone from. So there is a silver lining. I haven't had a chance to get much done at school today as I was dealing with these issues. The best laid plans...and all of that! :)
My neighbor's kids are making me a "Tattle-box" for my classroom. I am hoping they will use that instead of telling me all of the infractions. The big ones I want to hear. I also think it might help the kids who rarely complain. It might give them a space to have a voice. If they finish the box today I will take a picture. Now if they were only a little bit older I could really add to that chore list :)!
My neighbor's kids are making me a "Tattle-box" for my classroom. I am hoping they will use that instead of telling me all of the infractions. The big ones I want to hear. I also think it might help the kids who rarely complain. It might give them a space to have a voice. If they finish the box today I will take a picture. Now if they were only a little bit older I could really add to that chore list :)!
February 8, 2014
Weekend!
This weekend I found out that my class had made the most gains of all the classes in the district at my grade level. I felt really proud but at the same time new how much was due to a LOT of hard work. Most of my students have worked hard and so have I. What bums me out is that this will not be acknowledged to me personally by administration. I am glad I have a connection that let me know this information. It made a lot of the struggles I have gone through a little more worthwhile. It is the paycheck I work for. I want my students to have success in school because I understand the importance of it.
I also successfully completed many chores on my chore list this weekend. I had a mountain of laundry, a pile of dishes, and a pile of old bills and mail to shred. Then of course house cleaning as well. I made progress in all areas which makes me feel good. I also made my "salad-in-a-jar" for my work week. I had almost burnt myself out on all my favorite soups.
I've been enjoying the Olympics while working on all of my home chores. It reminded me of my favorite neighbor that I grew up with. I was lucky enough to be able to go to her house to watch the Olympics. I remember the winter Olympics the most. I don't know how old I was when I saw my first one but I was definitely a teenager. It is one of my favorite memories of spending time with her. We loved watching the ice-skating. It made me miss her again! I would've loved to call her and say "What did you think of....?"
We are working on finishing our class "invention" for the science fair. It has been really fun to see how engaged my students have been in this process. What I love the most is that they all have been able to contribute their thoughts and ideas. The analysis it prompted has been awesome to see. I am excited for them to present their "invention". I think it will be a really positive experience for my class. I hope that all of the parents will visit the science fair to see their students contribution.
Tomorrow I will be at school most of the day to get ready for the week. I have a new parent volunteer coming in that I am excited about. I think she is skilled enough to really help me reach some of those struggling kids. It isn't easy to be everything for everyone in the classroom. Good parent volunteers can help make a huge difference.
I also successfully completed many chores on my chore list this weekend. I had a mountain of laundry, a pile of dishes, and a pile of old bills and mail to shred. Then of course house cleaning as well. I made progress in all areas which makes me feel good. I also made my "salad-in-a-jar" for my work week. I had almost burnt myself out on all my favorite soups.
I've been enjoying the Olympics while working on all of my home chores. It reminded me of my favorite neighbor that I grew up with. I was lucky enough to be able to go to her house to watch the Olympics. I remember the winter Olympics the most. I don't know how old I was when I saw my first one but I was definitely a teenager. It is one of my favorite memories of spending time with her. We loved watching the ice-skating. It made me miss her again! I would've loved to call her and say "What did you think of....?"
We are working on finishing our class "invention" for the science fair. It has been really fun to see how engaged my students have been in this process. What I love the most is that they all have been able to contribute their thoughts and ideas. The analysis it prompted has been awesome to see. I am excited for them to present their "invention". I think it will be a really positive experience for my class. I hope that all of the parents will visit the science fair to see their students contribution.
Tomorrow I will be at school most of the day to get ready for the week. I have a new parent volunteer coming in that I am excited about. I think she is skilled enough to really help me reach some of those struggling kids. It isn't easy to be everything for everyone in the classroom. Good parent volunteers can help make a huge difference.
February 4, 2014
Common Core, Crazy, Heat Waves, Brats, and Smarty-pants!
THIS is the best argument I have read against the Common Core State Standards. The incredibly high cost to states and districts. As with most bureaucracies I don't think they really consider the cost ramifications when making decisions. The change of curriculum which involves everything from text books to software. The changes in assessment. I mean it really just continues on. The technology needed to implement it. I hope that districts make the investment in the right places but I'm not optimistic about that.
Today was a crazy day I think our high was in the low twenties today and just a minute ago I checked our temperature and it was three degrees Fahrenheit. So nice and toasty basically. I don't know if it was the weather, a full moon, post Super Bowl sugar crashes, but the kids were wound tightly today!
You want to know the biggest lie teachers hear from parents? "We never have problems with him/her at home." If you think your student's teacher believes that one you are delusional. We don't buy it. We know you probably ignore a lot of behavior at home that we just can't overlook in a large classroom where a lot of other children are trying to tolerate your little darling. Parents just please PARENT your kids. If you don't know how there are classes, resources, self help books, and friends. Oh yes and if you hear the same criticism of your child from the teacher, principal, lunch lady, secretary, other teachers, your parents, etc. Your child IS having a behavior problem. Not everyone around can be wrong about your kid.
I have some smart kids in my class. I was doing an assessment today and realized I need to kick it up a notch for some of them. I have some thinking to do this weekend. In "government" schools as my cousin so fondly calls them. The higher kids are the survivors and the low ones need sooo much more from us and demand so much more that well we don't offer enrichment like we should. Do you think my principal has asked me one time this year what I am going to do to enrich the education of the high kids? Nope. Has she asked me how I am going to help the low kids? Yes so many times I've lost count. This isn't okay. It is just reality.
Today was a crazy day I think our high was in the low twenties today and just a minute ago I checked our temperature and it was three degrees Fahrenheit. So nice and toasty basically. I don't know if it was the weather, a full moon, post Super Bowl sugar crashes, but the kids were wound tightly today!
You want to know the biggest lie teachers hear from parents? "We never have problems with him/her at home." If you think your student's teacher believes that one you are delusional. We don't buy it. We know you probably ignore a lot of behavior at home that we just can't overlook in a large classroom where a lot of other children are trying to tolerate your little darling. Parents just please PARENT your kids. If you don't know how there are classes, resources, self help books, and friends. Oh yes and if you hear the same criticism of your child from the teacher, principal, lunch lady, secretary, other teachers, your parents, etc. Your child IS having a behavior problem. Not everyone around can be wrong about your kid.
I have some smart kids in my class. I was doing an assessment today and realized I need to kick it up a notch for some of them. I have some thinking to do this weekend. In "government" schools as my cousin so fondly calls them. The higher kids are the survivors and the low ones need sooo much more from us and demand so much more that well we don't offer enrichment like we should. Do you think my principal has asked me one time this year what I am going to do to enrich the education of the high kids? Nope. Has she asked me how I am going to help the low kids? Yes so many times I've lost count. This isn't okay. It is just reality.
February 3, 2014
The Right Thing
Sometimes doing the right thing takes a little more effort than you'd like it too. Like when you get a package via UPS and it isn't your name on the box. You try to call UPS and you can never get a warm body that understands that you're not trying to ship something, receive something, or track something. So you give up on that and decide the only option is to open the box. You do and discover 2 brand new phones. I spent an hour on the phone with Sprint explaining the situation and trying to help them identify the customer based on the limited information on the packaging slip. We finally found the right number that they could look up the customer. Then I had to wait while they decided to send me a re-send box. I don't know when that will come. I am sure there is a very cranky Sprint Customer out there that ordered next day air on their phones that is REALLY Mad they didn't get their phones. It went against everything in me to open the box. So I went to the neighbors (witnesses). Sprint did thank me for my honesty. That is reward enough.
Sometime now I have to grade some papers.... etc... G'nite
Sometime now I have to grade some papers.... etc... G'nite
January 31, 2014
The Price.
A story was shared with me tonight that will stay with me. A soldier shared a story from wartime. As soon as he started talking I understood this wasn't a story shared often if at all. A story that I am thankful he shared because I learned from it. I also have a better understanding of the price paid by our soldiers that go to war. I am not sharing details because it isn't my story to share. What I am sharing is that there is a cost. A cost I don't always stop to consider and don't always completely understand. I am not saying I haven't thought of it or haven't appreciated it. When the story comes from someone you know you have a deeper understanding of the price, the cost, the sacrifice. We were standing in the great out doors looking at the starlit sky followed by flakes of snow and clouds, and clear skies again. It was a quiet moment where we both could appreciate where we are. I am glad I heard the story and that I could learn from it.
January 30, 2014
Weeks End.
Well we wrapped up our study of Ancient China with our celebration with food today! The kids were so excited and loved it so much that it made it easier for me to suffer through the smell of that stinky food. They loved everything about it. Well not all of them liked the food but they all tried some. We painted Happy New Year in Chinese (I hope). It is always interesting to see what students excel at projects like this. There is usually one that really surprises you. This is why having projects at school is important even if your principal thinks it is "fluff". It engages a another part of the brain. We also danced to this song HERE. What is great is most of the boys got moving for this dance! Sometimes even 2nd graders are a little too cool to dance to the crazy songs their teacher brings up.
The kids that test all of my patience were well relatively well behaved today. It started snowing early this morning and hasn't let up yet I think we have around 8-10 inches. I wasn't as lucky today with the shoveling/plowing. I had to shovel the driveway. I have been so lucky most of our snowstorms that I am not complaining! It was my turn to do the work! I did borrow the neighbors amazing snow-shovel
the SNOWBOSS! It moves a lot of snow at once! It is great for that dry snow we generally have here! It doesn't work quite as well with a wet snow.
One of my students keeps stealing his mom's cell phone. I get messages "I miss you"... and I am thinking ummm it has been hours since I've seen you and I am not quite sure I miss you yet :)! I do find it very sweet though!
I had a formal observation on Monday and the principal went over the evaluation with me today. It went well. I was very nervous because she has been in a rip-roaring bad mood. Today she perked up. So I am glad she typed my evaluation today. I also had a chance to look over most of my students growth in their test scores. There was one student that was absent so I am not sure about that one. All of the other students except for one made significant growth. It made me feel like I am doing something right. I have to keep plugging away at it.
I went to dinner tonight with a pal! I hadn't been to this restaurant before and It was pretty good! I will probably go back. It was also nice to end a crazy busy week with a little stress relief. Well the bottoms of my pants soaked up a little too much snow and I am getting chilly. G'nite
The kids that test all of my patience were well relatively well behaved today. It started snowing early this morning and hasn't let up yet I think we have around 8-10 inches. I wasn't as lucky today with the shoveling/plowing. I had to shovel the driveway. I have been so lucky most of our snowstorms that I am not complaining! It was my turn to do the work! I did borrow the neighbors amazing snow-shovel
the SNOWBOSS! It moves a lot of snow at once! It is great for that dry snow we generally have here! It doesn't work quite as well with a wet snow.
One of my students keeps stealing his mom's cell phone. I get messages "I miss you"... and I am thinking ummm it has been hours since I've seen you and I am not quite sure I miss you yet :)! I do find it very sweet though!
I had a formal observation on Monday and the principal went over the evaluation with me today. It went well. I was very nervous because she has been in a rip-roaring bad mood. Today she perked up. So I am glad she typed my evaluation today. I also had a chance to look over most of my students growth in their test scores. There was one student that was absent so I am not sure about that one. All of the other students except for one made significant growth. It made me feel like I am doing something right. I have to keep plugging away at it.
I went to dinner tonight with a pal! I hadn't been to this restaurant before and It was pretty good! I will probably go back. It was also nice to end a crazy busy week with a little stress relief. Well the bottoms of my pants soaked up a little too much snow and I am getting chilly. G'nite
January 29, 2014
Eat the cookie!
When it is a student's birthday and they insisted their mom bring Chocolate Chip Cookies straight from the oven still gooey and warm because their teacher loves them that way you eat them. Even if you've gone gluten free. You eat the cookie, you savor it, you enjoy it and you hope that you don't pay for it later. YOU EAT THE COOKIE! Sometimes no thank you isn't a possibility.
Tomorrow we have our "Ancient China" celebration. To wrap up this study we are eating Chinese food and having lunch in the classroom with the teacher. Am I excited about this uh nope! I really hope Chinese Food is actually better than any Chinese food I have ever had to choke down at a Chinese Food restaurant. UGGH! I don't even like to eat a Fortune Cookie. Yep Yep! I think I can get away with not eating the cookie in this case. Unless some mom makes them by and and delivers them fresh from the ....uh whatever they cook them in!
Today was a hectic day. My behavior problems were at the top of their game! They had both barrels loaded and were ready to do well as little as possible unless it involved driving someone else crazy. Tomorrow is my Friday! I will be able to make it yet!
I am ready for the weekend!
Tomorrow we have our "Ancient China" celebration. To wrap up this study we are eating Chinese food and having lunch in the classroom with the teacher. Am I excited about this uh nope! I really hope Chinese Food is actually better than any Chinese food I have ever had to choke down at a Chinese Food restaurant. UGGH! I don't even like to eat a Fortune Cookie. Yep Yep! I think I can get away with not eating the cookie in this case. Unless some mom makes them by and and delivers them fresh from the ....uh whatever they cook them in!
Today was a hectic day. My behavior problems were at the top of their game! They had both barrels loaded and were ready to do well as little as possible unless it involved driving someone else crazy. Tomorrow is my Friday! I will be able to make it yet!
I am ready for the weekend!
January 27, 2014
Rough day
Pray for me to be able to help a student in the best possible way. Today was one of those days as a teacher that makes you want to go do another job. Not because I don't love the job but sometimes the heartache is huge! I don't know what the next days will bring but I know I need to help a student through a difficult time.
Thanks
Thanks
January 24, 2014
Visitors... of a sort
You're home sick. Making a lot of visits to the bathroom. What happens? You get visitors. With way to much frequency. Those kind of visitors that can't accept that you really are home sick. So far it has been Kirby Vacuum (NOT SALESMAN) people. They assured me they didn't want to sell me anything but just wanted to give me a free carpet cleaning. Then the Home Security people came. I told them I had home security a revolver and a bad attitude. I did leave them speechless for a moment before I told them to have a goodnight and closed the door. I missed another visitor when I was (ahem) indisposed. I can only assume it was somebody that wanted to help me to find Jesus, sell Avon products, or an Amway salesman. Well the girls scouts are out an about too so maybe I missed the chance to buy some thin mints. Bummer. Whatever the opportunity I missed was I don't feel sad about it. I need to use that little peephole on my door. Apparently January is the month to make some sales in the boonies. It reminds me of one of my favorite movies of all time. Second Hand Lions! I love how they deal with their unwanted visitors!
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