Chuck, What a strange name to linger on as a legend. I know some pretty cool Chucks though from my past lives (AKA my childhood and high school years, so it is isn't that surprising to again be presented with a pretty cool Chuck. The problem with this is that presentation of Chuck has not been fully revealed to me.
Chuck was a teacher here at my school for many many many many years. One of the teachers here said that she taught with Chuck for more than 15 years, and Chuck was around before she was. Chuck taught fourth and fifth grade, and his legend lives on.
The teacher's lounge here at school is affectionately called Chuck's lounge, because Chuck spent so much of his "extra time" there. E-mails go out that say, "birthdays are posted on the fridge in Chuck's Lounge." I feel cheated because I have not met this glorious Chuck, and I fear I never will.
Chuck lives right close to the school, so some times they announce things to him. (Our P.A. system is heard clearly even if you are about a block away from the school.) Teachers meetings begin with, "All teacher's please come to the library for staff meeting. Chuck, you can come on over if you would like."
I have even seen this legendary Chuck in the hallway. He passed me by one day while stating that he was here to eat lunch with his 15+ year teaching partner, but I didn't have the guts to say, "Wow, you are the legendary Chuck...I expected you to be taller."
It just goes to show how one person can make an impact on so many people. Even on people like me who have never met Chuck, and even on people driving by the school at 7:30am with their windows down.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
My school days roll with the weather, My Rollerblades don't roll at all
This morning I had someone ask me how my days went. I started to think about it, and my school days literally roll with the weather.
If you have ever been in the kid business, you will know that Kids are like little barometers - their moods change with the shape of the atmosphere. If a front rolls through, and doesn't matter what kind of front, the kids change their behavior in a somewhat Jekyll and Hyde way. For example yesterday was a cloudy and stormy Wednesday. The children who I teach on this morning of the week have a pretty good track record, and the students who I teach in the afternoon are known for giving me small ulcers. Well yesterday, I hung up my hat after my morning classes went poorly. (Ha, who am I kidding, they were full of threats of no behavior note, and missed recess time.) Yet, the afternoon classes all got their behavior notes. (A reward that the students get for good behavior and class participation.)
Today the weather is nice and bright. After I post I am going to check up on the front forecast to see if I will have to plan any back up lessons.
NEXT STORY
A couple of nights ago, Chris and I got inspired to go rollerblading. Both of us had loved it in our youth. Chris even used to go to a park in W and Rollerblade a lot. Well, we both got our skates and headed for the park. After we parked the car and pulled on our stellar (child of the 90's) skates, we set off. I will admit that I was a little perturbed that Chris was better than me, and seemingly more in shape. If you don't know, I have been exercising more than I ever have in my entire life as of late. I have been running, jogging, elliptical, biking, and walking a lot. I didn't get why I was the one breathing hard and trying to keep up.
I deduced, My Skates Don't Work!
I complained to Christopher...
"These skates don't work! They Stink! This is hard! SLOW DOWN! No, I do not know how to put all of my weight on one blade and push off with the other one! SHUT UP!!!"
I was not kind... I was um... a brat.
So Finally, after pushing me for a while, Chris conceded that the barrings in my wheels were shot. I finally agreed with him on something.
I decided to persevere for just a little while longer, when I looked down and saw that the front wheel on my right skate had CRACKED DOWN THE CENTER AND WAS FALLING AWAY IN CHUNKS!!!
To end a long and painful story, I ran while he bladed. Then I huffed back to his apartment where we both drank a gallon of water, and then I went home to bed.
Like I said, My school days roll with the weather, My Rollerblades will NEVER ROLL AGAIN!
If you have ever been in the kid business, you will know that Kids are like little barometers - their moods change with the shape of the atmosphere. If a front rolls through, and doesn't matter what kind of front, the kids change their behavior in a somewhat Jekyll and Hyde way. For example yesterday was a cloudy and stormy Wednesday. The children who I teach on this morning of the week have a pretty good track record, and the students who I teach in the afternoon are known for giving me small ulcers. Well yesterday, I hung up my hat after my morning classes went poorly. (Ha, who am I kidding, they were full of threats of no behavior note, and missed recess time.) Yet, the afternoon classes all got their behavior notes. (A reward that the students get for good behavior and class participation.)
Today the weather is nice and bright. After I post I am going to check up on the front forecast to see if I will have to plan any back up lessons.
NEXT STORY
A couple of nights ago, Chris and I got inspired to go rollerblading. Both of us had loved it in our youth. Chris even used to go to a park in W and Rollerblade a lot. Well, we both got our skates and headed for the park. After we parked the car and pulled on our stellar (child of the 90's) skates, we set off. I will admit that I was a little perturbed that Chris was better than me, and seemingly more in shape. If you don't know, I have been exercising more than I ever have in my entire life as of late. I have been running, jogging, elliptical, biking, and walking a lot. I didn't get why I was the one breathing hard and trying to keep up.
I deduced, My Skates Don't Work!
I complained to Christopher...
"These skates don't work! They Stink! This is hard! SLOW DOWN! No, I do not know how to put all of my weight on one blade and push off with the other one! SHUT UP!!!"
I was not kind... I was um... a brat.
So Finally, after pushing me for a while, Chris conceded that the barrings in my wheels were shot. I finally agreed with him on something.
I decided to persevere for just a little while longer, when I looked down and saw that the front wheel on my right skate had CRACKED DOWN THE CENTER AND WAS FALLING AWAY IN CHUNKS!!!
To end a long and painful story, I ran while he bladed. Then I huffed back to his apartment where we both drank a gallon of water, and then I went home to bed.
Like I said, My school days roll with the weather, My Rollerblades will NEVER ROLL AGAIN!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
MISS MUSIC ABANDONS SHIP / KINDERGARTEN BOREDOM
I can earnestly say that I have abandoned ship.
I have recently been trying to figure out the inner-workings of the average kindergarten student's mind. Let me tell you, It has been no picnic.
I knew that kindergartners could get bored, but I never knew that they had their own language of communicating this boredom.
The first surprising sign of boredom is the "Scab Pick." This strong cry of self mutalation surprised me as a sign of simple boredom, but even more surprising is the fact that this symptom or sign can follow a child until he or she reaches third and in some extreme cases even fourth grade. As evidence to this symptom, I offer the fact that I have been through 15 band aids in the first two weeks of school in the primary grades alone. (Kindergarten-Second)
The second symptom of boredom is the "Excuse Me" accompanied by the ever wiggling raised hand. This is the "Excuse Me" that begins with "One Time + a sibling = blood, guts, and pain." It ends with me saying, "That was not a question, that was a statement. A question would be you asking me something, and not telling me a story."
The third sign of kindergarten boredom is the worried hand to the mouth accompanied by an "I'm going to be sick face." I have affectionately named this one the "I'm gonna frow up, or the I frew up." Now this one can not be taken lightly. This needs to be met with a bio hazard bucket, which will be spit in, and taken to the bio hazard dump (aka the maintenance room).
(perfectly good waste of a bio hazard bag)
The first three symptoms of boredom are quick recovery symptoms. They can be dealt with and brushed away. The next two are worse to deal with because they could sink your ship and cause you to abandon your lesson.
The fourth and ever threatening sign of boredom has a lot to do with the third, but this demonstrates the true power of suggestion. When a child claims the: "I don't feel good" what they really mean is: "you are not interesting enough for me to pretend to be interested, so instead I will pretend to be sick so that I can sit and watch you try to entertain the rest of these suckers." If this statement is allowed to sink into the rest of the minds in the classroom, you will immediately deal with 35% to 45% of your students who have the "I don't feel goods," or the "I feel sicks." AKA ABANDON SHIP!!!
The fifth and final symptom of kindergarten boredom is the most deathly to a well planned lesson. I call it the "Miss Music? I have to go to the bafroom." I have just two words for you, GAME OVER! That's it, Pack up your bag O' tricks and go home!
So that's what I did, I packed up my bag of tricks, but I didn't go home. Instead of going home, I went back to the tricks that I knew would work.
We can sing eight variations of Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes till the cows come home as long as I never have to hear, "Miss Music, I have to go to the bafroom!"
I have recently been trying to figure out the inner-workings of the average kindergarten student's mind. Let me tell you, It has been no picnic.
I knew that kindergartners could get bored, but I never knew that they had their own language of communicating this boredom.
The first surprising sign of boredom is the "Scab Pick." This strong cry of self mutalation surprised me as a sign of simple boredom, but even more surprising is the fact that this symptom or sign can follow a child until he or she reaches third and in some extreme cases even fourth grade. As evidence to this symptom, I offer the fact that I have been through 15 band aids in the first two weeks of school in the primary grades alone. (Kindergarten-Second)
The second symptom of boredom is the "Excuse Me" accompanied by the ever wiggling raised hand. This is the "Excuse Me" that begins with "One Time + a sibling = blood, guts, and pain." It ends with me saying, "That was not a question, that was a statement. A question would be you asking me something, and not telling me a story."
The third sign of kindergarten boredom is the worried hand to the mouth accompanied by an "I'm going to be sick face." I have affectionately named this one the "I'm gonna frow up, or the I frew up." Now this one can not be taken lightly. This needs to be met with a bio hazard bucket, which will be spit in, and taken to the bio hazard dump (aka the maintenance room).
(perfectly good waste of a bio hazard bag)
The first three symptoms of boredom are quick recovery symptoms. They can be dealt with and brushed away. The next two are worse to deal with because they could sink your ship and cause you to abandon your lesson.
The fourth and ever threatening sign of boredom has a lot to do with the third, but this demonstrates the true power of suggestion. When a child claims the: "I don't feel good" what they really mean is: "you are not interesting enough for me to pretend to be interested, so instead I will pretend to be sick so that I can sit and watch you try to entertain the rest of these suckers." If this statement is allowed to sink into the rest of the minds in the classroom, you will immediately deal with 35% to 45% of your students who have the "I don't feel goods," or the "I feel sicks." AKA ABANDON SHIP!!!
The fifth and final symptom of kindergarten boredom is the most deathly to a well planned lesson. I call it the "Miss Music? I have to go to the bafroom." I have just two words for you, GAME OVER! That's it, Pack up your bag O' tricks and go home!
So that's what I did, I packed up my bag of tricks, but I didn't go home. Instead of going home, I went back to the tricks that I knew would work.
We can sing eight variations of Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes till the cows come home as long as I never have to hear, "Miss Music, I have to go to the bafroom!"
Friday, August 24, 2007
Why can't I sew a circle to a square and have it come out right?
Last night I was AGAIN stuffing and sewing pillows for Christopher's new place. This wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't had the brilliant idea of making cylindrical pillows for the chairs. "Come on," I said, "They will look so cool!"
Well, they didn't start off bad. One seam and I had a cylinder. Next I took a circle. I pinned, I sewed, I ripped, I pinned, I sewed, I ripped. I pinned, I substitute cursed*, I ripped. Finally I came up with a plan. "sew the dumb thing on and fix it once it is connected." This was not the best idea in the world, but in the end it turned out OK.
The point being, If you are ever in the vicinity of Chris' living room and happen to see a couple of lumpy dumpy cylendars... do not complain to me... I fought the cloth and the cloth won.
*A substitute curse is a word that makes no sense. I throw this word into my vocabulary instead of a real curse word. Most of these words sound like the German word for Eating House. (don't ask why)
Well, they didn't start off bad. One seam and I had a cylinder. Next I took a circle. I pinned, I sewed, I ripped, I pinned, I sewed, I ripped. I pinned, I substitute cursed*, I ripped. Finally I came up with a plan. "sew the dumb thing on and fix it once it is connected." This was not the best idea in the world, but in the end it turned out OK.
The point being, If you are ever in the vicinity of Chris' living room and happen to see a couple of lumpy dumpy cylendars... do not complain to me... I fought the cloth and the cloth won.
*A substitute curse is a word that makes no sense. I throw this word into my vocabulary instead of a real curse word. Most of these words sound like the German word for Eating House. (don't ask why)
Thursday, August 23, 2007
87 million new passwords
So,
As a part of being a teacher, I have to know a lot of passwords. My network log-in and password, my e-mail log-in and password, my grade book log-in and password, my phone log-in and yes... password, as well as many others that I can't remember right now. I started thinking about this Log-in and password system. It is great in theory, but the fact that some of the log-in and passwords change every 75 days, and others change every 45 days is beginning to seem daunting. That plus the rule that your new log-in and password must not be the same or similar as the last 12 passwords that I have chosen. In some cases that means that I can not use any of the same Log-in and passwords for the next three years.
For some people, this would be no problem. Yet, I am not some people. In fact, I am not most people. I have had the same or similar log-in and password for the past 5 years, and I am a creature of Habit. When 75 days roll around, I fear that I will freeze up and go into something similar to diabetic shock. Why oh why can't this system be like the system in the burro. One log-in, One password, Every year the same. I am ceremoniously sticking my tongue out at my cruddy compy. (PC for you techies out there)
Random Thought: If you really want to throw someone off in a durring a task that should be mindless and uneducational, Press the Spanish button in the self check out at the grocery store for them. It is amazing how much more we have to stop and think about what we should do next.
As a part of being a teacher, I have to know a lot of passwords. My network log-in and password, my e-mail log-in and password, my grade book log-in and password, my phone log-in and yes... password, as well as many others that I can't remember right now. I started thinking about this Log-in and password system. It is great in theory, but the fact that some of the log-in and passwords change every 75 days, and others change every 45 days is beginning to seem daunting. That plus the rule that your new log-in and password must not be the same or similar as the last 12 passwords that I have chosen. In some cases that means that I can not use any of the same Log-in and passwords for the next three years.
For some people, this would be no problem. Yet, I am not some people. In fact, I am not most people. I have had the same or similar log-in and password for the past 5 years, and I am a creature of Habit. When 75 days roll around, I fear that I will freeze up and go into something similar to diabetic shock. Why oh why can't this system be like the system in the burro. One log-in, One password, Every year the same. I am ceremoniously sticking my tongue out at my cruddy compy. (PC for you techies out there)
Random Thought: If you really want to throw someone off in a durring a task that should be mindless and uneducational, Press the Spanish button in the self check out at the grocery store for them. It is amazing how much more we have to stop and think about what we should do next.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Week one down, Week two in progress
Well,
I am successfully done with my first week of being a real teacher. It is an unusual experience to have a classroom and get to do whatever one wants (within reason). I am learning a lot about the developmental abilities of elementary students. Just when I think I might have second grade figured out, they pull a fast one on me and I am back at square one. All that I have to say is that the only lesson that I think went amazingly wonderful with my second graders involved me singing and dancing to a song called Zudio for about an hour. I did not go to the YMCA that day. I already had cardio jumping around with those kids.
I also have made a wonderful discovery about the wonders of exercise. Just when you think that you have given it your all, you should try pushing yourself physically to the next level. It will do wonders for your relaxation ability. (burning 400-500 calories doesn't hurt either). I have already told Amy that I am going to become a Y rat, and I am well on my way. The only draw back to the y rat-ness is the fact that there are other more fit and physically gorgeous Y rats who make me feel like a Y possum rather than a Y rat. My goal is to become a Y prairie dog. That way I won't feel so intimidating or as intimidated as a true Y rat.
(if you understood the last paragraph, you need mental assistance.)
Another new event in my life is the fact that Chris finally has a job in the same town as me. It is a wonderful feeling that he is just minutes away working hard at a new thing just like I am. Yesterday we tackled getting him settled in his new little duplex. I am not kidding when I said it was little. It works Great for him, but the closet system in the place leaves something to be desired. Thank goodness that there is a wonderful second hand furniture shop in which he bought a beautiful cedar lined wardrobe for less bucks than big bucks. Tonight after group conferences we will probably again tackle getting him settled, and hopefully the fiber fill from stuffing chair cushions will someday dislodge itself from every crevice of my living room floor.
Well, I fear that I have rambled on long enough. I guess that this is enough information for you to sink your teeth into for a while. If you want to know what I did on the weekend, the answer is simple: I did what I have done every weekend since I moved north.
Spent Friday night at my parents house. Saw my friend Sabrah from CA. Talked in my sleep to my sister, which included saying "boom" when she dropped her boot while putting it away, as well as telling her "make sure you put the books on the shelf, like the doctor did." Spent Saturday with Justin and Elise, Spent Saturday night at Rachel's, Spent Sunday in the burro, and came back north on Sunday afternoon.
Off to great adventure and molding young minds!
Lots back to being gone!!!
I am successfully done with my first week of being a real teacher. It is an unusual experience to have a classroom and get to do whatever one wants (within reason). I am learning a lot about the developmental abilities of elementary students. Just when I think I might have second grade figured out, they pull a fast one on me and I am back at square one. All that I have to say is that the only lesson that I think went amazingly wonderful with my second graders involved me singing and dancing to a song called Zudio for about an hour. I did not go to the YMCA that day. I already had cardio jumping around with those kids.
I also have made a wonderful discovery about the wonders of exercise. Just when you think that you have given it your all, you should try pushing yourself physically to the next level. It will do wonders for your relaxation ability. (burning 400-500 calories doesn't hurt either). I have already told Amy that I am going to become a Y rat, and I am well on my way. The only draw back to the y rat-ness is the fact that there are other more fit and physically gorgeous Y rats who make me feel like a Y possum rather than a Y rat. My goal is to become a Y prairie dog. That way I won't feel so intimidating or as intimidated as a true Y rat.
(if you understood the last paragraph, you need mental assistance.)
Another new event in my life is the fact that Chris finally has a job in the same town as me. It is a wonderful feeling that he is just minutes away working hard at a new thing just like I am. Yesterday we tackled getting him settled in his new little duplex. I am not kidding when I said it was little. It works Great for him, but the closet system in the place leaves something to be desired. Thank goodness that there is a wonderful second hand furniture shop in which he bought a beautiful cedar lined wardrobe for less bucks than big bucks. Tonight after group conferences we will probably again tackle getting him settled, and hopefully the fiber fill from stuffing chair cushions will someday dislodge itself from every crevice of my living room floor.
Well, I fear that I have rambled on long enough. I guess that this is enough information for you to sink your teeth into for a while. If you want to know what I did on the weekend, the answer is simple: I did what I have done every weekend since I moved north.
Spent Friday night at my parents house. Saw my friend Sabrah from CA. Talked in my sleep to my sister, which included saying "boom" when she dropped her boot while putting it away, as well as telling her "make sure you put the books on the shelf, like the doctor did." Spent Saturday with Justin and Elise, Spent Saturday night at Rachel's, Spent Sunday in the burro, and came back north on Sunday afternoon.
Off to great adventure and molding young minds!
Lots back to being gone!!!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
57 hours
Last week I worked 57 hours in my classroom. I am still tired.
Anyway...
The kids come tomorrow. I am nervous. I am in Mac town with my family for my mother's birthday. I don't want to go back up north to work because of my nerves. Da' Gum...
I know that once I start, It will be better, but man... If it doesn't start I might run scared.
Here are some interesting facts about starting my job.
1. I will be on evaluation for the next three years.
2. It will take three years to become a tenured teacher.
3. It will take two years to get my complete teaching certification.
4. It will take me a lifetime of teaching to actually reach the best I will ever be, and then I will retire because the life of a teacher is constant improvement.
5. Changing school districts is a pain in the butt.
Although these things sound discouraging, It is all part of the great governmental plot to try to inspire teachers to be lifetime learners. I believe that they have some of their screws loose.
Anyway...
The kids come tomorrow. I am nervous. I am in Mac town with my family for my mother's birthday. I don't want to go back up north to work because of my nerves. Da' Gum...
I know that once I start, It will be better, but man... If it doesn't start I might run scared.
Here are some interesting facts about starting my job.
1. I will be on evaluation for the next three years.
2. It will take three years to become a tenured teacher.
3. It will take two years to get my complete teaching certification.
4. It will take me a lifetime of teaching to actually reach the best I will ever be, and then I will retire because the life of a teacher is constant improvement.
5. Changing school districts is a pain in the butt.
Although these things sound discouraging, It is all part of the great governmental plot to try to inspire teachers to be lifetime learners. I believe that they have some of their screws loose.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
New Things
I have not posted in a while. I will attribute that to the exceedingly long days I have been working in preparation for the school year. Yesterday in fact I worked a 13 and 1/2 hour day. Yes, From 7:00 am to 8:00pm I was either in meetings or working to get my classroom in order. Which is why I am not going to let this post linger on.
All that I have to say about being a new teacher so far is that getting used to a new school system is a bigger job than I thought that it would be. I also miss Sharon and Patti over at the burro M.S.
This afternoon calls for a Pride and Prejudice sound track and a cup of iced tea. Too bad I only get one of those things.
Well, I am going to plan some seriously awesome first week of school lessons. Ta ta for now.
All that I have to say about being a new teacher so far is that getting used to a new school system is a bigger job than I thought that it would be. I also miss Sharon and Patti over at the burro M.S.
This afternoon calls for a Pride and Prejudice sound track and a cup of iced tea. Too bad I only get one of those things.
Well, I am going to plan some seriously awesome first week of school lessons. Ta ta for now.
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