This is a summer of healing and mental preparation.
I am healing from the emotional beating I took from my classroom this year. I did not realize how much it affected me until I was completely removed from it all. I think they call that perspective.
At the time, I knew I was stressed. I knew I was frustrated. I knew I felt like crying from those 2 factors. I knew my kids' parents did not raise them well. I knew I did an excellent job at teaching them. My scores showed that, their kind letters told me that and their hugs and tears showed me that. But, my body's reactions to normal classroom suggestions tell me that I did not handle my stress well.
When we were given iPads, my first thought was- there is no way I can give this to kids. They will break it, look up bad things and misuse it in every way.
No- No they won't. You had a few kids last year who wouldn't be trusted to breathe in the same room as the iPad, but you don't have those kids anymore. In fact you are going to have sweet babies who will benefit from these iPads.
One of my favorite things it to set up my room. I NEED to do this. My room was packed and moved in about 25 minutes on the only day of pre planning. So yeah- it NEEDS to happen. In fact it needs to happen with a committee of about 3 people. But alas- It will be me feeling overwhelmed... so I don't want to. I don't want to because I am afraid it will cause me anxiety. .
More healing- Time- More healing.
Showing posts with label students. Show all posts
Showing posts with label students. Show all posts
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Disappointed
So I know how I just wrote this whole thing on how my personality type thinks the best of people and they tend to bristle if they think they are not going to reach my expectations and how that is not how it really is. I will just lift them up if they fall short in my eye- which isn't even the right way to say it. Most people don't fall short- I just see opportunities to help, not to look down on.
So that is not entirely true. If someone does something that is WAY below them. If someone I trust and expect the best out of does something truly low, I do become disappointed.
So my grade level has a leader who is our "go to" person. They have bi monthly meetings with administration, they lead our team meetings. They are supposed to be organized and set the tone for our group. Sounds like a general description of anyone in a mid level leadership position.
When I first met this person, I felt we had a lot in common. She stepped up when my car broke down and I needed a ride to work for a month.
Over the last 5 years, she has slowly slipped lower and lower in my rank of people I want to be in the same room as. Here is another thing you have to understand. I will stick with someone, even if it is not good. Boys always break up with me, I am not the one to break up. I will hold on the scraps of a friendship because I feel there is always something worthy in that friend, even if we have drifted. But, I think I need to distance myself as much as possible, or I may be the recipient of her wrath very soon.
Her personal life is kind of mess. Her hubby is a loving man, but he doesn't keep a job. Consequently, they are behind on their bills. She has 2 older boys but then had 2 miscarriages before having her youngest boy who is the same age as my baby boy. She has a rocky relationship with her mom and sisters. So she takes this stress out on us.
It started with me when I was in a different grade level and announced I was pregnant. This was after her first miscarriage (which was later in her pregnancy.) I was then told that she had a second miscarriage and to stay away from her. She was angry with me. This I TOTALLY get. for real. She must have been in a lot of pain and seeing me made it fresh again. I completely avoided her, didn't wave in the hall. I didn't make a big deal of myself, down played when others did, and she was around. I didn't want to be the cause of her pain.
Shortly after she found out she was pregnant with her youngest, I found out I was too. I thought it was something we could share together. Apparently not. I quickly found out pregnancy made her grouchy and snappy. I wasn't always susie sunshine, but everyone was always wrong and in her way. I think she was resentful to me because she wasn't getting all the pregnancy attention. She felt she deserved it more because of her 2 losses in the past 2 years. Now here I was again, getting the attention also. So I had to avoid her again. Only this time we were on the same grade level. Much more difficult. When she went out on maternity leave at the end of the year, we carried on. When she came back at the very end of the year, she was surprised that we didn't call her for anything. But the way she said it, she was pissed that we didn't call her for anything.
One of my personality things said that I will confront people if I feel slighted. More than once I had to tell her that I felt she was unduly snappy with me. Her response wasn't "Sorry, blah blah blah" it was "Oh, you always think I am picking on you." ok...
Fast forward. More of the same. One of my best friends on our grade level received Teacher of the year. I can not tell you how much she deserved it. Beyond deserves it. THe grade leaver was pissed.. Visibly angry that her co worker that she has worked with for 5 years, and seen how hard she works, won and not her. The coworker left right after the announcement for a luncheon. Our grade leader canceled our meeting that afternoon and left right after school. She then started giving the, very deserving teacher of the year, the cold shoulder and was snappy at her. When my friend stated that she hoped that only 6 of her special ed babies was going to fail the standardized test (this was a good thing, 14 of them failed the year before.) Our leader responded with "Why so many?" When my friend explained that number is actually very low and a good thing, the leader responded under her breath thinking no one could hear "teacher of the year, huh?" I wanted to smack her in her face. I was so furious. and I don't usually have that impulse to hit...
Last week her son was the ONLY kid in a different teacher's class to fail the writing test. In fact that teacher had 6 exceed (more than anyone else in the grade level combined.) She waited until that teacher and I were at a history grant to rant and rail against that teacher claiming that the history grant was the reason her kid failed. We have been doing this grant for 3 years. She never claimed the History grant was a problem for our writing scores before. In fact the other teacher's students did all the grade level writings AND 3 additional papers. So her son got more writing instruction than the rest of the kids. Before they took the writing test, he had told her several times he was concerned with his writing because he doesn't write enough. She admitted she had not worked with him at all. Then when that teacher told her when they took the test, her son did not write enough. Her response was "Oh well, he made that decision. If he fails, he fails." Then he did. And now, it is the other teachers fault.
What bothers me the most is she ranted for over a half hour when she knew he was gone. I am sure no one stood up to her. If I had been there I would have said something. I would have shut that down and now it is too late. I am just furious. No one is safe. There is no trust. It is gone.
And here I am- Disappointed. Disappointed in her leadership, her choice to bash her co workers, her not owning her child's choices, her not helping her child when she was asked to, in her not living up to my expectations.
Sigh.
So that is not entirely true. If someone does something that is WAY below them. If someone I trust and expect the best out of does something truly low, I do become disappointed.
So my grade level has a leader who is our "go to" person. They have bi monthly meetings with administration, they lead our team meetings. They are supposed to be organized and set the tone for our group. Sounds like a general description of anyone in a mid level leadership position.
When I first met this person, I felt we had a lot in common. She stepped up when my car broke down and I needed a ride to work for a month.
Over the last 5 years, she has slowly slipped lower and lower in my rank of people I want to be in the same room as. Here is another thing you have to understand. I will stick with someone, even if it is not good. Boys always break up with me, I am not the one to break up. I will hold on the scraps of a friendship because I feel there is always something worthy in that friend, even if we have drifted. But, I think I need to distance myself as much as possible, or I may be the recipient of her wrath very soon.
Her personal life is kind of mess. Her hubby is a loving man, but he doesn't keep a job. Consequently, they are behind on their bills. She has 2 older boys but then had 2 miscarriages before having her youngest boy who is the same age as my baby boy. She has a rocky relationship with her mom and sisters. So she takes this stress out on us.
It started with me when I was in a different grade level and announced I was pregnant. This was after her first miscarriage (which was later in her pregnancy.) I was then told that she had a second miscarriage and to stay away from her. She was angry with me. This I TOTALLY get. for real. She must have been in a lot of pain and seeing me made it fresh again. I completely avoided her, didn't wave in the hall. I didn't make a big deal of myself, down played when others did, and she was around. I didn't want to be the cause of her pain.
Shortly after she found out she was pregnant with her youngest, I found out I was too. I thought it was something we could share together. Apparently not. I quickly found out pregnancy made her grouchy and snappy. I wasn't always susie sunshine, but everyone was always wrong and in her way. I think she was resentful to me because she wasn't getting all the pregnancy attention. She felt she deserved it more because of her 2 losses in the past 2 years. Now here I was again, getting the attention also. So I had to avoid her again. Only this time we were on the same grade level. Much more difficult. When she went out on maternity leave at the end of the year, we carried on. When she came back at the very end of the year, she was surprised that we didn't call her for anything. But the way she said it, she was pissed that we didn't call her for anything.
One of my personality things said that I will confront people if I feel slighted. More than once I had to tell her that I felt she was unduly snappy with me. Her response wasn't "Sorry, blah blah blah" it was "Oh, you always think I am picking on you." ok...
Fast forward. More of the same. One of my best friends on our grade level received Teacher of the year. I can not tell you how much she deserved it. Beyond deserves it. THe grade leaver was pissed.. Visibly angry that her co worker that she has worked with for 5 years, and seen how hard she works, won and not her. The coworker left right after the announcement for a luncheon. Our grade leader canceled our meeting that afternoon and left right after school. She then started giving the, very deserving teacher of the year, the cold shoulder and was snappy at her. When my friend stated that she hoped that only 6 of her special ed babies was going to fail the standardized test (this was a good thing, 14 of them failed the year before.) Our leader responded with "Why so many?" When my friend explained that number is actually very low and a good thing, the leader responded under her breath thinking no one could hear "teacher of the year, huh?" I wanted to smack her in her face. I was so furious. and I don't usually have that impulse to hit...
Last week her son was the ONLY kid in a different teacher's class to fail the writing test. In fact that teacher had 6 exceed (more than anyone else in the grade level combined.) She waited until that teacher and I were at a history grant to rant and rail against that teacher claiming that the history grant was the reason her kid failed. We have been doing this grant for 3 years. She never claimed the History grant was a problem for our writing scores before. In fact the other teacher's students did all the grade level writings AND 3 additional papers. So her son got more writing instruction than the rest of the kids. Before they took the writing test, he had told her several times he was concerned with his writing because he doesn't write enough. She admitted she had not worked with him at all. Then when that teacher told her when they took the test, her son did not write enough. Her response was "Oh well, he made that decision. If he fails, he fails." Then he did. And now, it is the other teachers fault.
What bothers me the most is she ranted for over a half hour when she knew he was gone. I am sure no one stood up to her. If I had been there I would have said something. I would have shut that down and now it is too late. I am just furious. No one is safe. There is no trust. It is gone.
And here I am- Disappointed. Disappointed in her leadership, her choice to bash her co workers, her not owning her child's choices, her not helping her child when she was asked to, in her not living up to my expectations.
Sigh.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
BS- I call BS
I saw an article on FB about how the latest Sports Illustrated model was being called "border line chunky." I call BS. A healthy curvy woman is soooo much more attractive to men than super skinny with rock hard implant hanging off the bones.
Gaaaawd- You get shit for being "A tractor sized hippo" and " borderline chunky" but in real life I always took shit for being skinny. There really is no winning. Women can't win. It is bs.
The 19th amendment is given one sentence in my students social studies book. ONE SENTENCE. Women get the right to vote 40 years after slaves were given the same right. With the risk of sounding racist I have to ask REALLY?! People who were considered cattle and simply property were granted the right to make political decisions before women... As horrible as slavery was I just can't get over it. Men (you know, who made the laws) had so little faith in the intelligence and strength of women that they chose to give the right to vote to former property first. Now, I don't think black people are any less deserving, and I am incredibly impressed at the swiftness they received their vote.
Let's go back to what set this off. One sentence in my social studies book. ONE- there is not enough emphasis I can put on this word to show my rage. I started off my lesson by asking the kids if they knew the idom "On my soap box" or "Getting off my soap box" Some did. I explained the history of "soap box" I then explained that I was going to get ON my soap box. I told them some of the more mild things that happened to women who tried to vote and get the vote. There are many things I left out because their poor little 5th grad psyches don't need to know about the torture and rape. But they did need to know about being put in jail, being divorced, being shunned in public places, they needed to be shocked. They needed to be inspired to become registered, informed voters.
I kindly stepped off my soap box to shocked faces and hopefully some inspired girls. One can only hope.
The funny thing is, I am not really a feminist. I like to be taken care of. I like my car door opened. I like wearing my bra, I like letting my husband be the head of the household.
But I am. I have a career that is important. I am raising boys to be independent and self sufficient. I get bent out of shape about women's rights. I am a registered republican- but my own party pisses me off when it comes to women. SOOOOOO much. So maybe I am.
Identity crisis? Nah
Gaaaawd- You get shit for being "A tractor sized hippo" and " borderline chunky" but in real life I always took shit for being skinny. There really is no winning. Women can't win. It is bs.
The 19th amendment is given one sentence in my students social studies book. ONE SENTENCE. Women get the right to vote 40 years after slaves were given the same right. With the risk of sounding racist I have to ask REALLY?! People who were considered cattle and simply property were granted the right to make political decisions before women... As horrible as slavery was I just can't get over it. Men (you know, who made the laws) had so little faith in the intelligence and strength of women that they chose to give the right to vote to former property first. Now, I don't think black people are any less deserving, and I am incredibly impressed at the swiftness they received their vote.
Let's go back to what set this off. One sentence in my social studies book. ONE- there is not enough emphasis I can put on this word to show my rage. I started off my lesson by asking the kids if they knew the idom "On my soap box" or "Getting off my soap box" Some did. I explained the history of "soap box" I then explained that I was going to get ON my soap box. I told them some of the more mild things that happened to women who tried to vote and get the vote. There are many things I left out because their poor little 5th grad psyches don't need to know about the torture and rape. But they did need to know about being put in jail, being divorced, being shunned in public places, they needed to be shocked. They needed to be inspired to become registered, informed voters.
I kindly stepped off my soap box to shocked faces and hopefully some inspired girls. One can only hope.
The funny thing is, I am not really a feminist. I like to be taken care of. I like my car door opened. I like wearing my bra, I like letting my husband be the head of the household.
But I am. I have a career that is important. I am raising boys to be independent and self sufficient. I get bent out of shape about women's rights. I am a registered republican- but my own party pisses me off when it comes to women. SOOOOOO much. So maybe I am.
Identity crisis? Nah
Monday, October 22, 2012
good teacher
You know that movie bad teacher? The one with the gorgeous Cameron Diaz. She really is a bad teacher. I thought watching that movie would piss me off, but I had a good laugh with it. I was able to take of my "teacher hat" and just enjoy.
That is a really strange and barely related introduction to the post that has to do with the ridiculousness that is my job. This is the first time since I have been teaching that I have wondered if this is the job for me? OK wrong question, this is definitely the job for me, but is it the job I want to do? Again- wrong question because I desperately want to do my job, and do it well. Maybe the question is Can I do this job any more?
I was telling my cousin this weekend, as his phone rang off the hook from his job, that it was such a blessing that no one calls me after I leave school to ask me to do my job some more. Sure, if I was a glutton for pain, I could check my e-mail. I am and I usually do. But it is not mandatory and no one expects me to do anything about the e-mail they send after hours until the next day. I take that back, there are a few crazies out there who can't understand why I cant provide a multiple choice make-up test the very next day when they e-mail me at 11 pm. But again- few and far between. Anyway, so I am watching him take these calls, most of which I feel if the person on the other line had tried, they themselves could have handled the task, and I realize there is no perfect job.
I could teach college, but the hours would suck in a different way. AND I would have to go to school to get my PhD. That would be way expensive. I have a girl friend who teaches the "teaching" class at her local high school. That seems like a really sweet deal.
I would love to work for a text book company, but no one is buying text books these days- I know we haven't had an adoption in 5 years. Our reading books are about 10 years old- at least. There is a lady who comes to our grant training, and shows us how to use the materials we purchased as a grant. She is a former teacher and seems to have a lot of fun.
In reality, I am not going anywhere. I am going to stay a teacher. Continue grading papers. Still disciplining, encouraging, and bonding.
That is a really strange and barely related introduction to the post that has to do with the ridiculousness that is my job. This is the first time since I have been teaching that I have wondered if this is the job for me? OK wrong question, this is definitely the job for me, but is it the job I want to do? Again- wrong question because I desperately want to do my job, and do it well. Maybe the question is Can I do this job any more?
I was telling my cousin this weekend, as his phone rang off the hook from his job, that it was such a blessing that no one calls me after I leave school to ask me to do my job some more. Sure, if I was a glutton for pain, I could check my e-mail. I am and I usually do. But it is not mandatory and no one expects me to do anything about the e-mail they send after hours until the next day. I take that back, there are a few crazies out there who can't understand why I cant provide a multiple choice make-up test the very next day when they e-mail me at 11 pm. But again- few and far between. Anyway, so I am watching him take these calls, most of which I feel if the person on the other line had tried, they themselves could have handled the task, and I realize there is no perfect job.
I could teach college, but the hours would suck in a different way. AND I would have to go to school to get my PhD. That would be way expensive. I have a girl friend who teaches the "teaching" class at her local high school. That seems like a really sweet deal.
I would love to work for a text book company, but no one is buying text books these days- I know we haven't had an adoption in 5 years. Our reading books are about 10 years old- at least. There is a lady who comes to our grant training, and shows us how to use the materials we purchased as a grant. She is a former teacher and seems to have a lot of fun.
In reality, I am not going anywhere. I am going to stay a teacher. Continue grading papers. Still disciplining, encouraging, and bonding.
Monday, August 27, 2012
a little ramble for your day
So I have been making a mental list of things I wanted to blog about.
I finally have a moment to write- and I can't think of a single one.
figures
So I'll ramble a bit and see what comes of it.
We went to the zoo yesterday. My mom, my mother-in-law, my hubby and kids, my sister-in-law her hubby and kid, and my sister-in-law's husband's uncle's girlfriend/baby mamma and her kid. But really we are much closer than the ridiculous distance the title implies. The extended relative is actually younger than me by a few months. And it is not an eww factor because the bro-in-law's uncle is only a few years older than me. It is one of those funny things where the kids were way apart and one kid was born to a young mother...ect. It is a really complicated story, but none the less, we are all about the same age and at the same stage in life.
We all have young children. I cap them off with the oldest and the youngest.
Anyway- The zoo was tons of fun. It is definitely one of those places you only need to go to once every few years, and this was our second trip in 6 months. Last time it was just us and my mother and father-in-law. So it was all new to my sis-in-law and her son. We went to commemorate the first anniversary of his birth. Which is a fancy pants way of saying we went for his birthday. lol
Thankfully my sis-I-L is not one of those who insists on seeing every single element and spending 30 min at each exhibit kind of people. Going to the zoo with an 18 month old and a 5 week old is EXHAUSTING. Especially when the newborn doesn't eat well. You know he makes with the pukey face sometimes. Well, a lot of times.
BUT that may be resolved. We are awaiting a prescription right now!
Back to work on Thursday- boo
I was looking forward to it. I have been sick for 2 weeks with astubborn fiercely independent 18 month old who has been treading the terrible 2s for about 4 months now and a pukey baby- and my mom. I was READY to be out of the house- in the world of adults- meeting my students FINALLY.
But now that it is upon me, I am sad about it. A little sad that I am not going to be able to clean my kitchen slowly through out the day as the kid allows me, a little sad that I can't nap in the middle of the day. But mostly sad about leaving the boys. I really am enjoying being with them. I will miss snuggling after naps. I will miss him saying all sorts of new words now that he can hear. I will miss it.
Speaking of- he is up!
I finally have a moment to write- and I can't think of a single one.
figures
So I'll ramble a bit and see what comes of it.
We went to the zoo yesterday. My mom, my mother-in-law, my hubby and kids, my sister-in-law her hubby and kid, and my sister-in-law's husband's uncle's girlfriend/baby mamma and her kid. But really we are much closer than the ridiculous distance the title implies. The extended relative is actually younger than me by a few months. And it is not an eww factor because the bro-in-law's uncle is only a few years older than me. It is one of those funny things where the kids were way apart and one kid was born to a young mother...ect. It is a really complicated story, but none the less, we are all about the same age and at the same stage in life.
We all have young children. I cap them off with the oldest and the youngest.
Anyway- The zoo was tons of fun. It is definitely one of those places you only need to go to once every few years, and this was our second trip in 6 months. Last time it was just us and my mother and father-in-law. So it was all new to my sis-in-law and her son. We went to commemorate the first anniversary of his birth. Which is a fancy pants way of saying we went for his birthday. lol
Thankfully my sis-I-L is not one of those who insists on seeing every single element and spending 30 min at each exhibit kind of people. Going to the zoo with an 18 month old and a 5 week old is EXHAUSTING. Especially when the newborn doesn't eat well. You know he makes with the pukey face sometimes. Well, a lot of times.
BUT that may be resolved. We are awaiting a prescription right now!
Back to work on Thursday- boo
I was looking forward to it. I have been sick for 2 weeks with a
But now that it is upon me, I am sad about it. A little sad that I am not going to be able to clean my kitchen slowly through out the day as the kid allows me, a little sad that I can't nap in the middle of the day. But mostly sad about leaving the boys. I really am enjoying being with them. I will miss snuggling after naps. I will miss him saying all sorts of new words now that he can hear. I will miss it.
Speaking of- he is up!
Monday, May 21, 2012
last week of school
Last week of school-
OH MY GOD- These kids have lost their minds. The worst part? I could care less. Seriously. They are good kids and they are just hyper, but holy cow. It is like someone kicked an ant hill in there. I am glad when the Principal came in today, I was actually doing something academic, because the rest of the day was a fair guess if they were doing what they were supposed to be doing.
There is a one question a kid could (and will) ask that just infuriates teachers. "Is this for a grade?" I know that if I answer no- all motivation has left the room. I am not a big fan of lying to my kids, especially when I fail to actually give them a grade on the stinking thing. Today the answer was "No, but if you don't do it, and if you don't do it with complete effort, you can work in the office." Now that is one of my rare empty threats, but because I don't often threat without following through, I was taken seriously.
The hardest part is we are all done- and I get it- I am done too. It is like senior-itis for 5th graders. And 5th grade teachers. And parents. And administrators. And lunch ladies--
Oh lunch ladies- gotta rant here-
We have a GREAT lunch staff, they just have STUPID RULES
Today when I arrived at the lunch room I was disappointed by bbq sandwiches or hot dogs. Sides of baked beans and coleslaw. Lesser of 2 evils was the hot dog. I don't like the sides offered. So I got my apple, and put in my lunch number THEN asked that since I don't eat the sides could I have another hotdog. NO, they would charge me1.50 for the stupid hotdog. SO I paid 2.50 for a hotdog, apple and milk. I call bullshit.
anyway- over it.
4 more days...
OH MY GOD- These kids have lost their minds. The worst part? I could care less. Seriously. They are good kids and they are just hyper, but holy cow. It is like someone kicked an ant hill in there. I am glad when the Principal came in today, I was actually doing something academic, because the rest of the day was a fair guess if they were doing what they were supposed to be doing.
There is a one question a kid could (and will) ask that just infuriates teachers. "Is this for a grade?" I know that if I answer no- all motivation has left the room. I am not a big fan of lying to my kids, especially when I fail to actually give them a grade on the stinking thing. Today the answer was "No, but if you don't do it, and if you don't do it with complete effort, you can work in the office." Now that is one of my rare empty threats, but because I don't often threat without following through, I was taken seriously.
The hardest part is we are all done- and I get it- I am done too. It is like senior-itis for 5th graders. And 5th grade teachers. And parents. And administrators. And lunch ladies--
Oh lunch ladies- gotta rant here-
We have a GREAT lunch staff, they just have STUPID RULES
Today when I arrived at the lunch room I was disappointed by bbq sandwiches or hot dogs. Sides of baked beans and coleslaw. Lesser of 2 evils was the hot dog. I don't like the sides offered. So I got my apple, and put in my lunch number THEN asked that since I don't eat the sides could I have another hotdog. NO, they would charge me1.50 for the stupid hotdog. SO I paid 2.50 for a hotdog, apple and milk. I call bullshit.
anyway- over it.
4 more days...
Monday, May 14, 2012
refreshed
The hubby and I went to Blairsville this weekend. My students went in together, at Christmas, for a sweet jack deal that included a cabin in the woods and a massage. I got a beautiful pair of opal earrings from the hubbs for mother's day. He always makes sure that I feel appreciated on special days. He is really good like that.
We went antique-ing. Which for us mostly involves walking around antique stores either laughing or lusting after items in the store. I did manage find a really fake gold ring with some really fake gemstones. The great part was the beautiful opals as the main setting. The ring cost $8- WINNING.
I am really cheap, I mean REALLY cheap. I bought that thing like I was stealing from the place. The seller had no idea how much money she could have gotten from the opals alone. She sure couldn't get much for the fake gold and mis-matched gem stones. I was rushing the hubby out of the store like I was shoplifting. I did not want them to realize what I was getting away with. So now I had opal earrings and a ring with opals. I was a pretty happy girl. BTW my love language is gifts. AND a massage, cannot forget the massage.
We hosted a mother's day lunch for our super extended family. The grandmas had steaks, everyone else was relegated to bbq chicken or brats. I don't care for bbq sauce, so I assumed my hubby would make me chicken without the sauce- fail. I can't complain too much, he changed both poopy diapers yesterday. Win
MORE good news. Went to the dentist (the specialist) to have my root canal. He was looking at my x-rays and asked why the dentist refered me. I told him that a piece of my tooth came out and he felt the cavity was too close to the roots to just clean it out. He also did not want to do the root canal because the roots were curved. When I told him the part about curved roots he laughed at me- almost giggled and said "Curved" was an understatement. My roots take a straight up 90 degree turn. He showed me on the x-rays, and he is not even exaggerating. He said he was going to try and clean out the cavity with out hitting the root, thus rendering the root canal unnecessary. I am very thankful for his skills, he managed to do it! No root canal for me today! I am very grateful and so is my bank account. Saved me about $500!
It is good to feel good again.
We went antique-ing. Which for us mostly involves walking around antique stores either laughing or lusting after items in the store. I did manage find a really fake gold ring with some really fake gemstones. The great part was the beautiful opals as the main setting. The ring cost $8- WINNING.
I am really cheap, I mean REALLY cheap. I bought that thing like I was stealing from the place. The seller had no idea how much money she could have gotten from the opals alone. She sure couldn't get much for the fake gold and mis-matched gem stones. I was rushing the hubby out of the store like I was shoplifting. I did not want them to realize what I was getting away with. So now I had opal earrings and a ring with opals. I was a pretty happy girl. BTW my love language is gifts. AND a massage, cannot forget the massage.
We hosted a mother's day lunch for our super extended family. The grandmas had steaks, everyone else was relegated to bbq chicken or brats. I don't care for bbq sauce, so I assumed my hubby would make me chicken without the sauce- fail. I can't complain too much, he changed both poopy diapers yesterday. Win
MORE good news. Went to the dentist (the specialist) to have my root canal. He was looking at my x-rays and asked why the dentist refered me. I told him that a piece of my tooth came out and he felt the cavity was too close to the roots to just clean it out. He also did not want to do the root canal because the roots were curved. When I told him the part about curved roots he laughed at me- almost giggled and said "Curved" was an understatement. My roots take a straight up 90 degree turn. He showed me on the x-rays, and he is not even exaggerating. He said he was going to try and clean out the cavity with out hitting the root, thus rendering the root canal unnecessary. I am very thankful for his skills, he managed to do it! No root canal for me today! I am very grateful and so is my bank account. Saved me about $500!
It is good to feel good again.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Today- is book worthy
Today is the type of day that teachers write books about. You know the ones that "regular" people find humorous and chuckle about. The kind that teachers will laugh out loud, shake their head in sympathy, and think "yeh, that is right" about.
Happy Monday morning after being out unexpectedly for 1/2 day.
100 e-mails waiting. 70 from book companies and websites wanting to pitch me crap. 20 from parents confused at to what the hw was after I left (there was no homework) and 10 from staff members with reminders and such for the end of the year.
We have changed our schedule to more reflect a "middle school" style day for our 5th graders. All the kids on our pod are mixed up and I am teaching SS and Science 3 blocks.
Homeroom runs smoothly with the exception of a normally very cool kid, calling out class clown style. Ignored.
I had to e-mail the parents asking if they saw the progress reports because I only had 3 come in signed from Friday. Whenever I send out a mass e-mail that is BEGGING for every 5th parent to e-mail me back with 10 random and unrelated questions. It is like the Pandora's box of parent e-mails. Most of these questions can be answered by referring to the MASSIVE list of dates on my calendar. Oh and that same list is sent out EVERY MONDAY with the newsletter. So as they respond to my e-mail, the answer they seek is on the very e-mail they are replying to.
One VERY sweet, overly concerned parent wants to know where the 65 came from, she did not see it come home. Check with your sweet 11 year old who probably stuffed it in the garbage.
One joking about women's panties.
One finding a pair of his own underwear in his backpack and pulling it out and acting like a clown in general. (Underwear later identified as stragglers from his last sleep over and forgotten about)
One kid managing to loose 3 very important pieces of paper for 3 different classes, thus racking up 3 zeros in one day. Then wanting ME to fix it. No sir.
Girl Drama- not even going there.
Happy Monday morning after being out unexpectedly for 1/2 day.
100 e-mails waiting. 70 from book companies and websites wanting to pitch me crap. 20 from parents confused at to what the hw was after I left (there was no homework) and 10 from staff members with reminders and such for the end of the year.
We have changed our schedule to more reflect a "middle school" style day for our 5th graders. All the kids on our pod are mixed up and I am teaching SS and Science 3 blocks.
Homeroom runs smoothly with the exception of a normally very cool kid, calling out class clown style. Ignored.
I had to e-mail the parents asking if they saw the progress reports because I only had 3 come in signed from Friday. Whenever I send out a mass e-mail that is BEGGING for every 5th parent to e-mail me back with 10 random and unrelated questions. It is like the Pandora's box of parent e-mails. Most of these questions can be answered by referring to the MASSIVE list of dates on my calendar. Oh and that same list is sent out EVERY MONDAY with the newsletter. So as they respond to my e-mail, the answer they seek is on the very e-mail they are replying to.
One VERY sweet, overly concerned parent wants to know where the 65 came from, she did not see it come home. Check with your sweet 11 year old who probably stuffed it in the garbage.
One joking about women's panties.
One finding a pair of his own underwear in his backpack and pulling it out and acting like a clown in general. (Underwear later identified as stragglers from his last sleep over and forgotten about)
One kid managing to loose 3 very important pieces of paper for 3 different classes, thus racking up 3 zeros in one day. Then wanting ME to fix it. No sir.
Girl Drama- not even going there.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
a better outlook
So I don't want this to become a forum to vent about my students. So instead of telling of the rudeness, playing in the bathroom until someone's finger was smashed, and lying that happened today. I will tell about the good things.
We read a poem today. They had a few short response questions, to which I intended a certain answer.
They AMAZED my by going deeper and really pulling out some great stuff. I was super proud.
We had a talk about connecting to texts differently. How reading a book now might be good, but reading it in 5 years will allow them to emotionally connect differently. How your experiences with death or injury will help you understand a characters experiences differently. They were really making great connections.
This morning they came in, and did what they were supposed to do.
They put in a serious effort into their ss test.
There was no girl drama. THANK GOD
Apparently everyone wore deodorant and showered because there was NO stink in the room.
small favors... :)
We read a poem today. They had a few short response questions, to which I intended a certain answer.
They AMAZED my by going deeper and really pulling out some great stuff. I was super proud.
We had a talk about connecting to texts differently. How reading a book now might be good, but reading it in 5 years will allow them to emotionally connect differently. How your experiences with death or injury will help you understand a characters experiences differently. They were really making great connections.
This morning they came in, and did what they were supposed to do.
They put in a serious effort into their ss test.
There was no girl drama. THANK GOD
Apparently everyone wore deodorant and showered because there was NO stink in the room.
small favors... :)
Friday, April 13, 2012
Really?!
So we are in the midst of standardized testing hell. Overall MY kids are doing well. They are working hard, using scratch paper, and not asking me ridiculous questions (that I can't even answer anyway.)
I have one student who takes all standardized tests in a separate group because they get extra time. So basically this student can take up to 85 minutes to answer 35 questions. There are two sections like that. so in total they can take up to 170 minutes for 70 questions. That is nearly 2 and 1/2 minutes per question. They did not finish the first section. Then during the break proceeded to throw a temper tantrum that included writhing on the ground crying, throwing his pencil and calling the test ugly names. He had to be removed.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!? 11 years old.
I have had this kid for 2 years. (See previous post Getting Loopy) About 2 months into 4th grade, last year, they failed a spelling test (admittedly for lack of studying.) They proceeded to throw themselves on the ground and throw a fit. I ignored them and proceeded to pass out papers to the other students. Allowing them to step over the tantrum-in-process in order to do so. I knelt down on the ground and told him to get up. This is not acceptable behavior and would not be tolerated. If they were to continue they would spend the rest of the day in the office AFTER we called their mother at the middle school to explain what happened. They got up, calmly apologized and went to their seat. Never had another fit again.
2 YEARS LATER they decides to throw a fit with another teacher because he was frustrated with the test and did not finish.
Here is the thing- I did not find out until after school.
When they came back in to my room after testing, I asked how it went. They said "fine."
IF I HAD KNOWN right away, I would have had a "chat" with them, and then there would have be consequences- BIG TIME.
Called mom- She is just as upset.
So a kid that I had NO concerns over failing a test, probably failed.. awesome!
Please ignore the grammar and punctuation errors. I am terribly exhausted and don't really want to edit.
I have one student who takes all standardized tests in a separate group because they get extra time. So basically this student can take up to 85 minutes to answer 35 questions. There are two sections like that. so in total they can take up to 170 minutes for 70 questions. That is nearly 2 and 1/2 minutes per question. They did not finish the first section. Then during the break proceeded to throw a temper tantrum that included writhing on the ground crying, throwing his pencil and calling the test ugly names. He had to be removed.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!? 11 years old.
I have had this kid for 2 years. (See previous post Getting Loopy) About 2 months into 4th grade, last year, they failed a spelling test (admittedly for lack of studying.) They proceeded to throw themselves on the ground and throw a fit. I ignored them and proceeded to pass out papers to the other students. Allowing them to step over the tantrum-in-process in order to do so. I knelt down on the ground and told him to get up. This is not acceptable behavior and would not be tolerated. If they were to continue they would spend the rest of the day in the office AFTER we called their mother at the middle school to explain what happened. They got up, calmly apologized and went to their seat. Never had another fit again.
2 YEARS LATER they decides to throw a fit with another teacher because he was frustrated with the test and did not finish.
Here is the thing- I did not find out until after school.
When they came back in to my room after testing, I asked how it went. They said "fine."
IF I HAD KNOWN right away, I would have had a "chat" with them, and then there would have be consequences- BIG TIME.
Called mom- She is just as upset.
So a kid that I had NO concerns over failing a test, probably failed.. awesome!
Please ignore the grammar and punctuation errors. I am terribly exhausted and don't really want to edit.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
getting loopy
ok enough with the heavy.
Today I was reflecting on the last 2 years I have spend with my students. We are in the middle of standardized testing hell. It gives me a LOT of time to think.
I have had the awesome opportunity to loop with my students. That means I get to have the same kids (mostly) for 2 years. I have some serious punks in my room, not bad, just punks. The one who can't stay in his seat to save his life. The one who says EVERY word that comes across his mind, he feels that each comment is the most important thing ever. I have typical 11 year old girl drama. But I also have the funniest, most sarcastic, most creative, most caring students. I have developed a strong relationship with the students and their families. I feel like their mom sometimes. I get called mom at least 3 times a week. I am hurt when they make bad decisions, and I am sad with them when they experience tragedy.
In the last two years we have laughed so hard we have cried. We have cried over lost pets. Rejoiced in new life (twice.) I have inadvertently lied to them. We were talking about what would happen when I went on maternity leave last year. The conversation had lingered on past the time allotted. They were asking the most ridiculous questions. " What if the sub forgets to do the attendance?" Same thing when I forget, the office will call down and tell her to do it. We had breached the world of "What ifs"and I was over it. I told them " Look guys, we have another month to discuss this, I am not having this baby tomorrow."
Then I did.
ooops.
This is something they have NEVER let me forget either. The first day back I get "You said you weren't going to have the baby tomorrow!" Six. Weeks. LATER. 10 year olds have a long memory.
Ever since then, anytime I give an absolute, they remind me of my "not having the baby tomorrow" absolute.
"They will let you know when the pictures are."
"Are you sure? I mean, you said you weren't going to have the baby the next day, then you did."
I swear- an actual conversation.
Kids :)
I have never cried at the end of the year- I think it is a given this year.
Today I was reflecting on the last 2 years I have spend with my students. We are in the middle of standardized testing hell. It gives me a LOT of time to think.
I have had the awesome opportunity to loop with my students. That means I get to have the same kids (mostly) for 2 years. I have some serious punks in my room, not bad, just punks. The one who can't stay in his seat to save his life. The one who says EVERY word that comes across his mind, he feels that each comment is the most important thing ever. I have typical 11 year old girl drama. But I also have the funniest, most sarcastic, most creative, most caring students. I have developed a strong relationship with the students and their families. I feel like their mom sometimes. I get called mom at least 3 times a week. I am hurt when they make bad decisions, and I am sad with them when they experience tragedy.
In the last two years we have laughed so hard we have cried. We have cried over lost pets. Rejoiced in new life (twice.) I have inadvertently lied to them. We were talking about what would happen when I went on maternity leave last year. The conversation had lingered on past the time allotted. They were asking the most ridiculous questions. " What if the sub forgets to do the attendance?" Same thing when I forget, the office will call down and tell her to do it. We had breached the world of "What ifs"and I was over it. I told them " Look guys, we have another month to discuss this, I am not having this baby tomorrow."
Then I did.
ooops.
This is something they have NEVER let me forget either. The first day back I get "You said you weren't going to have the baby tomorrow!" Six. Weeks. LATER. 10 year olds have a long memory.
Ever since then, anytime I give an absolute, they remind me of my "not having the baby tomorrow" absolute.
"They will let you know when the pictures are."
"Are you sure? I mean, you said you weren't going to have the baby the next day, then you did."
I swear- an actual conversation.
Kids :)
I have never cried at the end of the year- I think it is a given this year.
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