It's been a busy few days since I last posted. We're having fun, that's for sure. We've had 3 tests in 4 days and we're gearing up for the big collection test on Thursday (it's a unit test, covering everything we've learned since school started from the textbook). My kids are a bit nervous, as they should be, and I am too. I had about half my students fail their first test last week and about half of those stay after school the last 2 days to retake it. Good news though - almost all of them got As on the retest! Woohoo! Our hard work is paying off.
But I've decided I really really really do not like staying after school. The bell rings at 3:57 and they have to be back in my room by 4. Then the activities bus doesn't come until 5:25. That's a long time to be after school. Luckily today everyone had an alternate ride home so they left a little earlier but still - no fun! After a long day it was a long afternoon.
I had a parent meeting last week where the parents yelled in Spainish for a while, so I guess I need to brush up on that in my spare time. Oh yeah - and I had my first evaluation today.
In our district they have the T4S form, Teach 4 Success. It's a 20-minute evaluation and you are graded on what's up in your room, what you are teaching, how you do it, etc. My principal surprised me today in 4th period by coming in and taking a seat. I was pretty nervous but luckily we were doing a great activity that involved all the students, discussion, me drawing plot graphs on the board, and them periodically standing and sitting depending on their level of understanding. When she got up to leave she said I was a natural and I did great so that was reassuring. Especially for my first time!
Tomorrow I have meetings both before and after school, this is my least favorite part of the job, my most favorite is being in the classroom with the kids talking and learning. Today we learned about putting things in context and that words have multiple meanings.
Along with all of that today we had our first lockdown drill. Teachers knew it was coming but we didn't know when exactly. My class did very well and I did too, though I was a bit nervous. I have very important responsibilities when the announcement comes over the PA for teachers to secure their classrooms. I have to go out into the hall (potentially in the line of fire) and lock my door, pull down and fasten my makeshift door window shade, shut the blinds, turn off the light, and get my kids (silently) into the corner of the room, seated. It went well today though, only a few giggles and cracked knuckles on their part. I stood sternly over them with my arms crossed and afterwards reminded them that we all could be in danger when that happens and my life is on the line too. Can't wait for the earthquake drill.
Ok - it's off to bed, tomorrow's our short day of classes, as Wednesdays are early release days (2:28 instead of 3:57) so us teachers can go to even more meetings, and we're going to the library! Woohoo, our first "field trip".
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage is $5.15/hour. This is not much money. I figured it out last week - I BRING HOME (which is WAY different than what they say your salary will be) $7.28/hour. I find this absurb. Especially since I have to jump through hoops every single day, since I work an average, if not above, 50 hours a week. Since my supposed benefits don't even come close to making up for this terrible pay rate. Health insurance - yeah, great coverage. Yes. Find a doctor who actually charges what the insurance will pay and I'll talk to you. Days off - yeah, ask me when I am here on Saturday and Sundays or am grading tests until 11:30. Planning time - yep. Talk to me on Wednesdays when I have meetings at 8:05 until the bell rings at 8:55 and then meetings again from 2:40 (the bell rings at 2:29) until 4pm.
Can you tell it's a nonpay week. Can you tell we're all a little bitter we have to order pizza tonight and stay in instead of hitting the town. Can you tell I have $29 left in my checkbook:-)
So that's my rant.
PAY TEACHERS MORE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!
Can you tell it's a nonpay week. Can you tell we're all a little bitter we have to order pizza tonight and stay in instead of hitting the town. Can you tell I have $29 left in my checkbook:-)
So that's my rant.
PAY TEACHERS MORE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Firsts
Today was a day of firsts! It started right off. It was the first day I have arrived at school and felt like I knew what was going to happen. I was prepared, organized, even have Wednesday's plans laid out. I didn't know what to do with myself. There were no papers to grade, nothing! I got to check my email even!!!
Then another first - it was the first time we have had a team (mini staff) meeting I enjoyed. It went quickly, we got our stuff done, laughed a bit, made a decision and were done in 10 minutes flat! Nice!
Another first - I had a substitute in my room today. I was nervouse. I typed 2 pages of instructions and the kids were taking a test. But lucky girl that I am, I got who I hear is the best sub in the building, and when Ang brought home my tests and sub report, I was overjoyed. I had students who wrote killer essays and I had an awesome sub report! Woo hoo! (Granted I had kids who put a big question mark on the essay page as well but I am not focusing on that right now.)
Yet another first - I went to the dentist (not even close to being a first, not even the first time this month) and had the dentist clean my teeth. I've never had the dentist do it, always a hygenist. Ang thought maybe it was because she wanted to be extra careful of my root canal, I think it's because she had a slow afternoon. Who knows. Also, it was the first time I had my teeth cleaned with the water pick, no scraping involved and it was so quick! It rocks!
I was in the dentist chair over 3 hours. I dropped over five hundred dollars there as well. It was a very long day - a cleaning, an old filling torn out (it felt like it, the novicane had worn off) and refilled, and a temporary crown put in. Not to mention a full set of x-rays and 2 molds taken off (20 minutes of goop sitting in my mouth, it's a good thing I don't throw up easily). I think of it all the x-rays hurt the most. By then time they were done, I was literally bleeding from those stupid little plastic films. Ugh. And I get to go back to the dentist on September 14th. Yippee! So now I have a nice silver tooth in the back of my mouth, I think it looks cool. I'll see what the kids think tomorrow. They wanted me to get a bright white tooth for my crown but I chose dingy white to match the rest. Apparently they thought I should get bright white and have my other teeth whitened. I told them I didn't think I would ever choose to have elective dental work. EVER.
Then another first - it was the first time we have had a team (mini staff) meeting I enjoyed. It went quickly, we got our stuff done, laughed a bit, made a decision and were done in 10 minutes flat! Nice!
Another first - I had a substitute in my room today. I was nervouse. I typed 2 pages of instructions and the kids were taking a test. But lucky girl that I am, I got who I hear is the best sub in the building, and when Ang brought home my tests and sub report, I was overjoyed. I had students who wrote killer essays and I had an awesome sub report! Woo hoo! (Granted I had kids who put a big question mark on the essay page as well but I am not focusing on that right now.)
Yet another first - I went to the dentist (not even close to being a first, not even the first time this month) and had the dentist clean my teeth. I've never had the dentist do it, always a hygenist. Ang thought maybe it was because she wanted to be extra careful of my root canal, I think it's because she had a slow afternoon. Who knows. Also, it was the first time I had my teeth cleaned with the water pick, no scraping involved and it was so quick! It rocks!
I was in the dentist chair over 3 hours. I dropped over five hundred dollars there as well. It was a very long day - a cleaning, an old filling torn out (it felt like it, the novicane had worn off) and refilled, and a temporary crown put in. Not to mention a full set of x-rays and 2 molds taken off (20 minutes of goop sitting in my mouth, it's a good thing I don't throw up easily). I think of it all the x-rays hurt the most. By then time they were done, I was literally bleeding from those stupid little plastic films. Ugh. And I get to go back to the dentist on September 14th. Yippee! So now I have a nice silver tooth in the back of my mouth, I think it looks cool. I'll see what the kids think tomorrow. They wanted me to get a bright white tooth for my crown but I chose dingy white to match the rest. Apparently they thought I should get bright white and have my other teeth whitened. I told them I didn't think I would ever choose to have elective dental work. EVER.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
The Plague part 2
I am still not feeling well. I am determined not to let it get me down but it's hard not to be upset when your stomach is;-) Ah well - I've decided that instead of injections they should just send people who need to be immunized to seventh grade for a few months and nothin' will touch them then.
We had open house this Thursday, it went well - I had a whole script worked out, 2 pages and I went through it 3 times. Our students' families followed their schedules for the night. I was anticipating open houses like I'd been to when I was younger but this was very different. I had 14 parents over the course of the whole night. Not exactly standing room only. But I figure work with what you have! And we did.
My kids are reading "Rikki-tikki-tavi" by Rudyard Kipling right now, it's about snakes and mongooses and little birds who all talk to each other - not exactly my favorite type of story but they seem to be enjoying that. And they all passed their spelling tests yesterday which rocks!
I am really enjoying my time in the classroom with them, really. I thought I would be terrified and not know what to do but I am surprising myself. I am confident with the kids, I discipline them in what I think is an effective manner and fairly, and I think they are learning stuff. Though we still are working on what constitutes a noun and what doesn't. Things move a lot slower in seventh grade than I imagined.
Ok, it's back to hanging out in Ang's comfy bed. We're watching Entourage right now, the HBO show. It's pretty funny. Gotta love lazy Saturday afternoons. It's too hot to go outside so we're using the excuse to lay around!
We had open house this Thursday, it went well - I had a whole script worked out, 2 pages and I went through it 3 times. Our students' families followed their schedules for the night. I was anticipating open houses like I'd been to when I was younger but this was very different. I had 14 parents over the course of the whole night. Not exactly standing room only. But I figure work with what you have! And we did.
My kids are reading "Rikki-tikki-tavi" by Rudyard Kipling right now, it's about snakes and mongooses and little birds who all talk to each other - not exactly my favorite type of story but they seem to be enjoying that. And they all passed their spelling tests yesterday which rocks!
I am really enjoying my time in the classroom with them, really. I thought I would be terrified and not know what to do but I am surprising myself. I am confident with the kids, I discipline them in what I think is an effective manner and fairly, and I think they are learning stuff. Though we still are working on what constitutes a noun and what doesn't. Things move a lot slower in seventh grade than I imagined.
Ok, it's back to hanging out in Ang's comfy bed. We're watching Entourage right now, the HBO show. It's pretty funny. Gotta love lazy Saturday afternoons. It's too hot to go outside so we're using the excuse to lay around!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
The Seventh Grade Plague
Yes I've got it. The seventh grade plague. This week has included a stomach bug that kept me in the bathroom all night, the sniffles, and now allergy eyes. Add that to the infestation of crickets in my classroom and I am sure it's a plague - just for me (by the way, plague is one of our spelling words this week!).
So I wore my glasses today and dealt with the barrage of questions that all went like this: "Miss Knapp, you wear glasses?" or and I quote - "Yo teach, what's up with the glasses?" as if I was just wearing them for high fashion or to keep the sun out of my eyes.
But I'm feeling better so the plague may be passing, I lucked out on this one. I can hope to only be so lucky this time.
But in a week that also included a root canal, let's just say God is pressing his luck with me;-)
So I wore my glasses today and dealt with the barrage of questions that all went like this: "Miss Knapp, you wear glasses?" or and I quote - "Yo teach, what's up with the glasses?" as if I was just wearing them for high fashion or to keep the sun out of my eyes.
But I'm feeling better so the plague may be passing, I lucked out on this one. I can hope to only be so lucky this time.
But in a week that also included a root canal, let's just say God is pressing his luck with me;-)
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
The root canal
I survived, quite well actually. Today was D-Day. I had my kids line up in our last class, I had my purse over my shoulder and the lights off and explained to them that Ms. Knapp had a dentist appointment and they needed to leave immediately when the bell rang. And they did! I made it with 5 minutes to spare to my appointment!
The actual procedure took a mere 40 minutes, which is awesome because my dad tells tales of 5 plus hours in the chair for some of his. Mine was painless, really and the folks at the endontics office were great. We'll see how the crown goes next Tuesday - that I have to take the whole afternoon off for.
School went relatively well today, considering I think my students gave me a stomach bug and I was sure I might pass out in 5th period. The other Ms. Knapp popped in on her prep and gave me a ten-second breather in the hallway and I went back at it. I'm sure all the kids noticed today was that I kept track of tardies (though they aren't going in the computer just yet - shhhh!), I had to ask them to be quiet A LOT, and I draw not-so-great looking stick people on the white board.
Oh yes - then there's the cricket problem in our school. You might call it an infestation. Apparently crickets love bug bombs and when the one was set off last week in school, they all came running toward it. I've gotten quite adept at stomping them as I read to the kids, trying to keep their attention on my and not the critters running around the room. They make a slight crunching noise though when I step on them and then there's always the dead bodies lying around after but ah well.
Ok, off to bed - tomorrow's another day. Classes and then a meeting after school with the principal about evaluation systems with all the new teachers.
Oh yeah - good news! I was evaluated again yesterday while teaching and was told my class was awesome. We did transitions while the woman was there and they were so quiet so quick! They rock!!!!
The actual procedure took a mere 40 minutes, which is awesome because my dad tells tales of 5 plus hours in the chair for some of his. Mine was painless, really and the folks at the endontics office were great. We'll see how the crown goes next Tuesday - that I have to take the whole afternoon off for.
School went relatively well today, considering I think my students gave me a stomach bug and I was sure I might pass out in 5th period. The other Ms. Knapp popped in on her prep and gave me a ten-second breather in the hallway and I went back at it. I'm sure all the kids noticed today was that I kept track of tardies (though they aren't going in the computer just yet - shhhh!), I had to ask them to be quiet A LOT, and I draw not-so-great looking stick people on the white board.
Oh yes - then there's the cricket problem in our school. You might call it an infestation. Apparently crickets love bug bombs and when the one was set off last week in school, they all came running toward it. I've gotten quite adept at stomping them as I read to the kids, trying to keep their attention on my and not the critters running around the room. They make a slight crunching noise though when I step on them and then there's always the dead bodies lying around after but ah well.
Ok, off to bed - tomorrow's another day. Classes and then a meeting after school with the principal about evaluation systems with all the new teachers.
Oh yeah - good news! I was evaluated again yesterday while teaching and was told my class was awesome. We did transitions while the woman was there and they were so quiet so quick! They rock!!!!
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Another country
Today is the first time I've felt out of place, like I am living in a foreign land. Mind you I technically live in the United States. But I do live in a border city. I know this and I knew some of what to expect. But it's still crazy to me that when I go to Walmart, hearing English is rare. Today I was standing at the register and I didn't hear a word of English until the woman waiting on me said hello. She'd had a lengthy conversation with the woman in front of me in line, in Spanish. I got a hello and a thank you. You know, it's fine really, but it's just that I don't feel like I belong at times. I feel like because I don't speak their language or because I'm the white girl, I am an outsider. I know I am but it's still odd to me.
We went to Mexico Friday night and I didn't even feel like this there - there I expect it. I'm in another country. I don't expect to hear English.
I've also been introduced to this culture shock at school, particulary a lesson in cholos. Cholo is the word for Mexican gangster or gangbanger. And because I'm a white girl, I apparently shouldn't really say Cholo (though Shannon does and this makes me laugh! The white Irish Catholic from Wisconsin calling out Cholos in her class - but I suppose marrying a Mexican gives her the cred needed).
We have wannabe Cholos and real Cholos, in seventh grade. Yeah - welcome to our life.
So that's all I wanted to say - I got annoyed at first but there's nothing I can do about it. But it really pisses me off when there are billboards in MY neighborhood that I can't read because they're in Spanish. Guess I'd better get some Berlitz tapes;-)
We went to Mexico Friday night and I didn't even feel like this there - there I expect it. I'm in another country. I don't expect to hear English.
I've also been introduced to this culture shock at school, particulary a lesson in cholos. Cholo is the word for Mexican gangster or gangbanger. And because I'm a white girl, I apparently shouldn't really say Cholo (though Shannon does and this makes me laugh! The white Irish Catholic from Wisconsin calling out Cholos in her class - but I suppose marrying a Mexican gives her the cred needed).
We have wannabe Cholos and real Cholos, in seventh grade. Yeah - welcome to our life.
So that's all I wanted to say - I got annoyed at first but there's nothing I can do about it. But it really pisses me off when there are billboards in MY neighborhood that I can't read because they're in Spanish. Guess I'd better get some Berlitz tapes;-)
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
News Flash!
It's raining in Yuma, Arizona!!!!!! Yep - it's true. It's down to 89 degrees and we have thunder and lightening!
It's such a rare occurance here in the desert that I made Angela go outside and stand on the patio in the dark and watch it with me. It's even a full moon tonight. We watched it rain and the water splash on our feet until the thunder came. Then Ang said she'd had enough.
Off to bed - seventh grade comes very early!
It's such a rare occurance here in the desert that I made Angela go outside and stand on the patio in the dark and watch it with me. It's even a full moon tonight. We watched it rain and the water splash on our feet until the thunder came. Then Ang said she'd had enough.
Off to bed - seventh grade comes very early!
Day Three and Counting...
Today was my best day so far as a seventh grade teacher. I know, I know. It's not hard to imagine since it's only my third day but I thought today went really well. I only forgot to do one major thing (walk my kids to lunch because there's a new schedule already and they have a new door to go in - but I figure they'll end up eating something either way) and we accomplished quite a bit in each of my three classes!
I had them read a poem today and write a three paragraph response. Some did so great. Some tried really hard. Some have a lot of work to do. But I am not giving up, in fact, we're going to push straight ahead! We're going to start a novel tomorrow, Lois Lowry's The Giver. I checked a class set out from the library today and I can't wait to read to with them tomorrow. We're also going to dive into the textbook tomorrow and start studying plot and conflict in fiction writing.
It was just an overall good day in the room, there were my students - all working away, classical music playing in the background, and I got to read their work and even organize my attendance.
And then I went to our department meeting.
Let's just say meetings never end up well when someone is in tears, someone shows their passive aggressive side, and someone else acts like a donkey (you know what I'm saying).
So yeah - that was a downer. But then we had the meeting after the meeting (you Wesley folks know what I'm talkin' about) and I felt better, like I knew what I needed to do tomorrow (at least) and then I came home.
And guess what - tonight I'm not tired!
I did laundry, I made dinner. I cleaned up. I even got to EMPTY my inbox (there were 29 messages earlier today). And I got to read the news.
So yeah - it does get better. I might not die of exhaustion.
But I sure am glad tomorrow's Thursday!
I had them read a poem today and write a three paragraph response. Some did so great. Some tried really hard. Some have a lot of work to do. But I am not giving up, in fact, we're going to push straight ahead! We're going to start a novel tomorrow, Lois Lowry's The Giver. I checked a class set out from the library today and I can't wait to read to with them tomorrow. We're also going to dive into the textbook tomorrow and start studying plot and conflict in fiction writing.
It was just an overall good day in the room, there were my students - all working away, classical music playing in the background, and I got to read their work and even organize my attendance.
And then I went to our department meeting.
Let's just say meetings never end up well when someone is in tears, someone shows their passive aggressive side, and someone else acts like a donkey (you know what I'm saying).
So yeah - that was a downer. But then we had the meeting after the meeting (you Wesley folks know what I'm talkin' about) and I felt better, like I knew what I needed to do tomorrow (at least) and then I came home.
And guess what - tonight I'm not tired!
I did laundry, I made dinner. I cleaned up. I even got to EMPTY my inbox (there were 29 messages earlier today). And I got to read the news.
So yeah - it does get better. I might not die of exhaustion.
But I sure am glad tomorrow's Thursday!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
The First Day
I survived. It's really just a big blur in my mind. The first 2 and 1/2 hours specifically. There was a 55 minute locker crash course. No one could open them. I forgot to give out lunch letters and PINs. Oh well - no one looked hungry after lunch. I forgot to tell them to have the team letter signed. Maybe they'll read it. We got through maybe one page of my 5 page lesson plan.
And guess what?
We're going to try it again today!
I think that was my biggest lesson learned from yesterday. I get to try again tomorrow. And the next day and the next. And it's going to be okay.
Sure it is:-)
I am alive, for those of you who haven't heard from me in a while. I went home last night at 5 with grand intentions of answering emails, blogging, reading a magazine. I heated up dinner and fell asleep on the couch. Yeah.
So I guess what I'm trying to tell you is I'll talk to you in June:-) Or maybe October when we get our first 2 week break - I'm already counting the days!
And guess what?
We're going to try it again today!
I think that was my biggest lesson learned from yesterday. I get to try again tomorrow. And the next day and the next. And it's going to be okay.
Sure it is:-)
I am alive, for those of you who haven't heard from me in a while. I went home last night at 5 with grand intentions of answering emails, blogging, reading a magazine. I heated up dinner and fell asleep on the couch. Yeah.
So I guess what I'm trying to tell you is I'll talk to you in June:-) Or maybe October when we get our first 2 week break - I'm already counting the days!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
The weekend
Ohmygosh. It has been a whirlwind. We had open house Friday morning. I met a TON of kids and their parents. And their grandparents. And their aunts. And their siblings. And their siblings friends. And their puppies. I am not making this up.
I had mothers who couldn't understand anything I said but hello. I had families already wanting conferences with me. I had kids who overachieve. Kids who are busybodies. Kids who are not well. Kids who need glasses. Kids who are writing books. Kids who don't read well. Kids who can't be quiet or sit still. And all of this is just what people told me about their kids.
Friday was also payday. A joyous occassion - until I realized that I really still don't make enough to live off of. The 200 dollar savings I thought I'd tuck away every month - it is now 20 bucks. And the minimums are still only being met on payments. Sometimes life doesn't change very much.
Then Friday night we went on base and were the "experts" for the SemperFit Friday night activity - scrapbooking. A bunch of military wives getting a night out. It was fun, and crazy to be considered experts but they were sweet and funny and gave us cookies!
Then Saturday we worked at school some more, it never ends - and I mean this literally. There is always something more to do. Then we decided to go with Shannon on a little road trip. To Phoneix. At 4:30. To buy "professional" work clothes per the new mandate by our boss. No more tank tops. No more casual. It's professional attire now. So we hopped in the car and went. Not realizing that the trip is really 3 hrs. So we had 2 hrs to shop once we got there and then headed home. But it was a great ride, great conversation, lots of fun. Stopping at the Waffle House, to see it full of scary looking men and leaving before even shutting off the car. Then stopping in Gila Bend at 12:30 am for hot fudge sundaes. Good times!
Then there was today. A very long day. We got home at 2am yet made it to church at 10! Then we did some grocery shopping - Ang's favorite store, Walmart! Then we went back to school. For 5 and 1/2 hrs. I wrote out a 5 page lesson plan for TOMORROW. Yeah. Haven't even touched Tuesday. And the copier is broken. Never fails. But here's the cutest thing.
As we were leaving tonight it was about 8 o'clock, just dusk. And there was this boy and his father walking around the outside of the school. The dad asked us if the schedules were still posted on the windows. We said no but come back tomorrow and they will be. He told us they would. The little boy looked so scared. He had his notebook with him and his dad's arm around him. It was just too cute. He is getting ready for middle school. Just like me.
In my classroom I framed this and posted it just inside the door. It's our classroom motto:
Breathe deep and jump in.
That's what I'll do...in seven hours!
Goodnight:-)
I had mothers who couldn't understand anything I said but hello. I had families already wanting conferences with me. I had kids who overachieve. Kids who are busybodies. Kids who are not well. Kids who need glasses. Kids who are writing books. Kids who don't read well. Kids who can't be quiet or sit still. And all of this is just what people told me about their kids.
Friday was also payday. A joyous occassion - until I realized that I really still don't make enough to live off of. The 200 dollar savings I thought I'd tuck away every month - it is now 20 bucks. And the minimums are still only being met on payments. Sometimes life doesn't change very much.
Then Friday night we went on base and were the "experts" for the SemperFit Friday night activity - scrapbooking. A bunch of military wives getting a night out. It was fun, and crazy to be considered experts but they were sweet and funny and gave us cookies!
Then Saturday we worked at school some more, it never ends - and I mean this literally. There is always something more to do. Then we decided to go with Shannon on a little road trip. To Phoneix. At 4:30. To buy "professional" work clothes per the new mandate by our boss. No more tank tops. No more casual. It's professional attire now. So we hopped in the car and went. Not realizing that the trip is really 3 hrs. So we had 2 hrs to shop once we got there and then headed home. But it was a great ride, great conversation, lots of fun. Stopping at the Waffle House, to see it full of scary looking men and leaving before even shutting off the car. Then stopping in Gila Bend at 12:30 am for hot fudge sundaes. Good times!
Then there was today. A very long day. We got home at 2am yet made it to church at 10! Then we did some grocery shopping - Ang's favorite store, Walmart! Then we went back to school. For 5 and 1/2 hrs. I wrote out a 5 page lesson plan for TOMORROW. Yeah. Haven't even touched Tuesday. And the copier is broken. Never fails. But here's the cutest thing.
As we were leaving tonight it was about 8 o'clock, just dusk. And there was this boy and his father walking around the outside of the school. The dad asked us if the schedules were still posted on the windows. We said no but come back tomorrow and they will be. He told us they would. The little boy looked so scared. He had his notebook with him and his dad's arm around him. It was just too cute. He is getting ready for middle school. Just like me.
In my classroom I framed this and posted it just inside the door. It's our classroom motto:
Breathe deep and jump in.
That's what I'll do...in seven hours!
Goodnight:-)
Friday, August 04, 2006
Open House
I have been awake since 5am. I have been ready to go since 6:05. The reason? I am pretty terrified. Today I will meet the actual living, breathing children everyone has been talking about for the past 2 weeks. It's open house this morning.
We have to be there at 7 because apparently parents line up out the doors to meet us. This goes on for 4 hours. Then we get to get back to work.
Should be interesting. And I'm going to start today just as my students will start Monday morning, reading our class motto:
Take a deep breath and jump in.
Here goes nothin'!
We have to be there at 7 because apparently parents line up out the doors to meet us. This goes on for 4 hours. Then we get to get back to work.
Should be interesting. And I'm going to start today just as my students will start Monday morning, reading our class motto:
Take a deep breath and jump in.
Here goes nothin'!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Exhausted...
This is gonna be short. This morning started out with a 140 minute meeting without a break. Yeah - good sign, I know. But it wasn't all boring. I learned that one of the wonderful janitors we have at our school likes rice krispie treats (during a get-to-know-you activity) so now we have a new bribery system in place.
But now I am exhausted. This afternoon we had more meetings and a little time to work in our rooms. I learned about the 6 traits for writing. I numbered popsicle sticks. I made 2 bulletin boards. I wrote out my first week's agenda. I drew my seating chart. FIVE times.
And at 6:30 we called it a day.
Tomorrow it starts all over again with an 8am team meeting.
I'm going to bed.
But now I am exhausted. This afternoon we had more meetings and a little time to work in our rooms. I learned about the 6 traits for writing. I numbered popsicle sticks. I made 2 bulletin boards. I wrote out my first week's agenda. I drew my seating chart. FIVE times.
And at 6:30 we called it a day.
Tomorrow it starts all over again with an 8am team meeting.
I'm going to bed.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Catch a wave!
Yesterday Angela and I did something we've never done before - swam in the Pacific Ocean! And it was exciting. We went to San Diego bright and early in the morning, even though it was rainy and foggy in the mountains and found our way to La Jolla, a beautiful suburb city of San Diego. This is where Ang's new neurologist is located and we were doing a dry run for her appointment in 2 weeks. It's a good thing we did this as La Jolla's a much bigger place than we anticipated - so big that they have 2 roads with the exact same name. Which is where the hospital is, go figure!
We also found IKEA, and got some fun stuff for our classrooms then wound our way to Seaport Village downtown San Diego. There were ships and fishermen and just this ocean smell, it was great. Popcorn and fish and sun cotton candy and relaxation.
Then we went on our quest to find the beach. The map stated 4 larges beaches on the coast in SD. We couldn't find any of them. We did find ourselves back in La Jolla and eventually found a beach. It was a beautiful place, right in a middle of what looked to be a very high-end neighborhood.
And we went swimming.
There was sand and all these colorful umbrellas and the water was 87 degrees and the sun was hot but not too hot and it was perfect.
And the water tasted like salt. It was a shock when I first got hit with it. I haven't been in the ocean in a very long time. Maybe 12 or 14 years. But it was great. And there were these huge mounds of seaweed that I kept throwing toward Angela (who was a great sport but not terribly impressed at all to be in the ocean - a body of water that contains whales and sharks and all sorts of things).
We played for an hour and a half and then got out, it was already cooling down and as we were leaving folks were heading toward the beach with firewood.
This morning I told Ang I want to go back, soon! Maybe this weekend or next:-) It's hard to believe just how beautiful it is there. She said maybe, but there was that 8 year old there at the beach who kept yelling about seeing a stingray and that did not impress Ang. But I think I'll wear her down:-)
We also found IKEA, and got some fun stuff for our classrooms then wound our way to Seaport Village downtown San Diego. There were ships and fishermen and just this ocean smell, it was great. Popcorn and fish and sun cotton candy and relaxation.
Then we went on our quest to find the beach. The map stated 4 larges beaches on the coast in SD. We couldn't find any of them. We did find ourselves back in La Jolla and eventually found a beach. It was a beautiful place, right in a middle of what looked to be a very high-end neighborhood.
And we went swimming.
There was sand and all these colorful umbrellas and the water was 87 degrees and the sun was hot but not too hot and it was perfect.
And the water tasted like salt. It was a shock when I first got hit with it. I haven't been in the ocean in a very long time. Maybe 12 or 14 years. But it was great. And there were these huge mounds of seaweed that I kept throwing toward Angela (who was a great sport but not terribly impressed at all to be in the ocean - a body of water that contains whales and sharks and all sorts of things).
We played for an hour and a half and then got out, it was already cooling down and as we were leaving folks were heading toward the beach with firewood.
This morning I told Ang I want to go back, soon! Maybe this weekend or next:-) It's hard to believe just how beautiful it is there. She said maybe, but there was that 8 year old there at the beach who kept yelling about seeing a stingray and that did not impress Ang. But I think I'll wear her down:-)
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