There are five days in the school week, and at least three of those days does not pass by without students saying one of the following phrases:
"When are you going to straighten your hair?"
"How long would your hair be if it was straight?"
"Why didn't you straighten your hair last night?"
"Is your hair naturally curly?"
Yes, after a few weeks this sing song of hair comments really gets on my nerves. The years I spent trying to avoid all discussions of my hair, what it looks like, and why it doesn't look normal, to then go into teaching where I am the center of the students focus...is a little strange.
One of these days though, when the weather permits (i.e., no humidity, rain, etc) I will give in and spend the two and a half hours to straighten every last curl, that will freak them out!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Rorschach v. 8th graders
We are reading Flowers for Algernon in class. Charlie (the main character) is subjected to many different tests including the Rorschach Inkblot Test. I thought that it would be a great idea for the students to make their own inkblots and then make up a story about what they see. Sounds great, right? I gave each student white paper, they folded it down the middle, and I went around with black paint. A few drops on the paper, they fold it back over and "rub" the paint, open and voila you have an inkblot. My first class does pretty well... the whole "rub" the paper thing was a little too much for them, as it was for my second hour class. However in second hour, one poor girl opens her paper and what to our eyes appear.... a piece of the male anatomy! Oh yes! The class was in hysterics. You would think that a real live naked person had just walked into the room. AND then... when I told them that they would have to write a story about their inkblot...again the class rolls with laughter.
Hormones... really they provide so much day to day entertainment.
Hormones... really they provide so much day to day entertainment.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
I survived the first TWO days!
Two days into the week, and there (thankfully) have been no castastrophes. WOO HOO
The schedule is pretty messed up because of mounds of paperwork, schedule changes, and generally just trying to get everyone where they are supposed to be. I can't wait until I can actually focus on teaching English, and not doing the latest warm body count. :o)
The schedule is pretty messed up because of mounds of paperwork, schedule changes, and generally just trying to get everyone where they are supposed to be. I can't wait until I can actually focus on teaching English, and not doing the latest warm body count. :o)
Sunday, August 17, 2008
What a little Elbow grease can do!


Well... After a couple of weeks, my room finally looks like a classroom. Don't worry... all of those boxes are not mine. My room was lucky to become the storage room for teachers transfering to the school. As a new teacher I would never have THAT much stuff to put in the room.
So this my room now. The desks are facing each other for now... it gives me a little runway to walk down. It might not stay that way forever but for now it will be easier to learn kids names if they are in assigned seats and in rows. I teach 8th grade English. Its my first year and I am a little nervous. I wanted to make my room fun but not in a childish way, I mean we are working with kids in the 8th grade... to them they are practically adults. We'll see.... I let you know if they say anything. According to the rest of the teachers on my team... I do have a pretty fantastic room!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
I saw my classroom!
It was really the moment I had been waiting for.... to have my VERY own classroom! I went by the school today to check it out, and for a first year teacher I feel extremely lucky. I have two windows, multiple whiteboards, and the room itself is quite large. There is a lot to be done before school, but I have pictures and a diagram of the room, so I will be prepare and walk in with a plan!
I also found out last week that I will be teaching 8th grade English.... I am SUPER excited! I have tons of ideas and look forward to the fall.
I also found out last week that I will be teaching 8th grade English.... I am SUPER excited! I have tons of ideas and look forward to the fall.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
No More Interviews!
After worrying for what seemed like FOREVER... it finally happened! I got a job... and one that I can get SUPER excited about. I will be teaching in one of the four main school districts... and teaching in a middle school!
For the past couple of months I have been stressing, second guessing, and wondering if going back to school was such a great idea... Along with those stresses... I would hear teacher horror stories about how they got their first jobs.. and basically not to worry until the end of July. Yeah Right...
But alas... I had one and only ONE interview... it went fantastically... and was with a school district that I really wanted to work for....
So now the rest of my summer can be spent relaxing.... planning... and now stressing about the First Day of School!
For the past couple of months I have been stressing, second guessing, and wondering if going back to school was such a great idea... Along with those stresses... I would hear teacher horror stories about how they got their first jobs.. and basically not to worry until the end of July. Yeah Right...
But alas... I had one and only ONE interview... it went fantastically... and was with a school district that I really wanted to work for....
So now the rest of my summer can be spent relaxing.... planning... and now stressing about the First Day of School!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
A New Adventure..
I have always wanted to sponser a club or extra curricular activity at school, but I have never found one that suited my abilities.... until now. At my current school there is no sponser for the Photography Club. PERFECT for me! I love taking pictures and trying to learn about composition. Secretly I would like to be good enough to take pictures on the side....but that will be in the far, far future.
So, I had to ask myself what I wanted for this club, what would be our goal or purpose?? Would every member even have a digital camera to experiment with??
This is what I have come up with....
Students will divide by teams or "pods," each group will be responsible for taking pictures of their teams of students (including all students) and teachers. They will also be responsible for conducting polls and interviews with students and teachers...
When all is said and done, we will create movies using Microsoft MovieMaker. I think this sounds like a blast!
I will keep you posted on how it goes... First meeting is in less than two weeks.
So, I had to ask myself what I wanted for this club, what would be our goal or purpose?? Would every member even have a digital camera to experiment with??
This is what I have come up with....
Students will divide by teams or "pods," each group will be responsible for taking pictures of their teams of students (including all students) and teachers. They will also be responsible for conducting polls and interviews with students and teachers...
When all is said and done, we will create movies using Microsoft MovieMaker. I think this sounds like a blast!
I will keep you posted on how it goes... First meeting is in less than two weeks.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Valentine's Day
What are kids missing out on in today's middle school? Tissue wrapped shoe boxes to hold all of those valentine's, cookies with pink and red frosting, and trying to decide who to give that "special" valentine to. You know the one... that may or may not suggest that you might or might not be in the love with the boy with the blue eyes.... We all remember this!
Unfortunately, in today's society many schools condone the Valentine's Day party. What are the kids missing? The fact that each and every student will get a Valentine's instead of having to watch other students hand them out to only their friends in the hall's between classes, having a party where all of the students are invited...
Lets make sure that kids are still allowed to be kids.
I miss the school parties!
Unfortunately, in today's society many schools condone the Valentine's Day party. What are the kids missing? The fact that each and every student will get a Valentine's instead of having to watch other students hand them out to only their friends in the hall's between classes, having a party where all of the students are invited...
Lets make sure that kids are still allowed to be kids.
I miss the school parties!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Like a carrot dangling in front of you...
Interviews are looming ahead. I am in the process of tweeking, or rather completely scratching my resume. Basically a resume must state that you are the best candidate for the job in one page, not two, and bullets that use action verbs that would attract a reader into noticing the amazing qualities you possess. In this era of the college graduate, I am competing against secondary people who think that middle school kids are cute, and yet have no idea what it means to teach a middle school kid. On their agenda are lectures and five page research papers! What a way to make a middle school kid want to drop out...
Back to the interviews.
My husband and I have been debating the proper attire to wear to the interviews. Some suggest suits which is my husband's choice. I want something that says I am a fun person, and I that I put more effort into my waredrobe then just picking out a basic suit. So, I have opted for the black pencil skirt, white button down shirt, bright green - short sleeved cardigan, peeptoe pumps, and a super awesome green ring. Does this say anything about my teaching ability?- no. BUT, it does say that I am not afraid of color, which could translate into a person who is not afraid to think outside of the box! Yeah me!
SO, I am the carrot dangling in front of you - with red hair (orange in certain light) and the green shirt!
Back to the interviews.
My husband and I have been debating the proper attire to wear to the interviews. Some suggest suits which is my husband's choice. I want something that says I am a fun person, and I that I put more effort into my waredrobe then just picking out a basic suit. So, I have opted for the black pencil skirt, white button down shirt, bright green - short sleeved cardigan, peeptoe pumps, and a super awesome green ring. Does this say anything about my teaching ability?- no. BUT, it does say that I am not afraid of color, which could translate into a person who is not afraid to think outside of the box! Yeah me!
SO, I am the carrot dangling in front of you - with red hair (orange in certain light) and the green shirt!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Anticipating the Snow day...
It's the day of the year that every student dreams of. On the eve of a prospective snow day, the students take time to perform various rituals to ensure that a frosty holiday is enveitable. These rituals include, but not limited to... Turning your shirt around backwards (did this become the fad after Kriss Kross or before)...flushing ice down the toilet, not sure what this will accomplish, but I have noticed that several teachers also participate in the ice flushing tribute to the Snow King.
It has been my experience that TEACHERS are the true Snow Day hopefuls. We check the weather every hour, talk about the possible logistics of a snow day, plan lessons incase school is canceled early, speak in hushed tones so as not to alert the students, and pray silent prayers after each class period.
On the day that massive blizzard should occur, teachers wake up twenty minutes before the alarm goes off. We sit in bed, with on the TV on, eyes focused on the School Closing list. As each name flies alphabetically across the screen, we inhale and hold it until our name appears. It is most dissappointing when our school name never shows. BUT, we do not lose hope. We continue to listen to the radio, in hopes that our school with be a last minute closing, but still no cancelations. We arrive at school, hoping, praying, and crossing our fingers that the snow will increase and the school will shut down early....
What will it be? Entire day off, a half day off, or the most painful....Nothing!
It has been my experience that TEACHERS are the true Snow Day hopefuls. We check the weather every hour, talk about the possible logistics of a snow day, plan lessons incase school is canceled early, speak in hushed tones so as not to alert the students, and pray silent prayers after each class period.
On the day that massive blizzard should occur, teachers wake up twenty minutes before the alarm goes off. We sit in bed, with on the TV on, eyes focused on the School Closing list. As each name flies alphabetically across the screen, we inhale and hold it until our name appears. It is most dissappointing when our school name never shows. BUT, we do not lose hope. We continue to listen to the radio, in hopes that our school with be a last minute closing, but still no cancelations. We arrive at school, hoping, praying, and crossing our fingers that the snow will increase and the school will shut down early....
What will it be? Entire day off, a half day off, or the most painful....Nothing!
Monday, January 28, 2008
I am a list maker...
I make lists....lots of lists. To do lists, grocery lists, book lists, craft lists....the "list" goes on and on. My problem is that I can hardly ever cross anything off of these lists. The grocery lists, well, I take it with me to the store and invariably I forget half of what was on there, and buy more than what I needed. My To Do lists for school are there to remind me of upcoming assignments that are due, or tasks I need to complete before the next class period. I wait and refer to these in the final hour before the tasks are supposed to be finished.
Each Monday I go to classes for my Master's degree... and each Monday my lists grow larger, and more detailed.....and YET.... the following Monday I show up without papers I was supposed to complete.
I need a list to help remind me of my list.
Each Monday I go to classes for my Master's degree... and each Monday my lists grow larger, and more detailed.....and YET.... the following Monday I show up without papers I was supposed to complete.
I need a list to help remind me of my list.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
New kids scare me...
In December I finished my first rotation as an intern (student teacher) at a local middle school. Needless to say, I was petrified at first. I had never taught in front of a class before, but the experience was AAAAmazing!! Towards the end of October I began teaching for 6 weeks on my OWN! Each day I walked into the classroom and thought I was going to throw up...but once I had the awkward stares from my first period class under my belt, I was good to go!
Now I am in a new school, with new faces and names to learn, and new butterflies and stares to deal with! Its been three weeks, and so far so good. I am not quite as nervous as I was, but there is still the feeling that I should be a PRO by now! But this is a learning experience, each day holds something new that I have yet to deal with up until now, so I take one day at a time, and learn as much as I can from my new students, and (fingers crossed) hope that they might learn a little something from me.
Now I am in a new school, with new faces and names to learn, and new butterflies and stares to deal with! Its been three weeks, and so far so good. I am not quite as nervous as I was, but there is still the feeling that I should be a PRO by now! But this is a learning experience, each day holds something new that I have yet to deal with up until now, so I take one day at a time, and learn as much as I can from my new students, and (fingers crossed) hope that they might learn a little something from me.
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Lesson plans, attendance, grading papers, teaching, monitoring progress, preparing tests, and preparing for tests, making sure lessons are structured for each learner in the classroom, faculty meetings, professional development, dealing with life at home, pets, husbands, laundry, AND managing to stay in control and SANE... This is the life of a teacher.