15 days and counting. . . .

Ever had a day where you were utterly exhausted. That’s me today. . . that’s me every Monday. Mondays are the long days of my week. I have a day of teaching followed by gymnastics and usually do not make it home until after 7pm. I decided to journal before turning in—thinking it could clear my head so that I can rest deeply.

It is another week of testing for me. I’m administering/proctoring every day this week. I’m disappointed because it means I have NO planning period at all this week. This means I need to make sure I get to school EXTRA early to use the copy machine for my lessons. Yes, I am going to attempt to teach this week! I am determined to teach the lessons I have planned to get out before the testing period begins. There are some things that I don’t want my students to leave my class without knowing. Am I crazy or what? I know, I should probably just go with the flow, but I can’t see allowing my kids to have 2 complete weeks of videos and free time.
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On Friday night, I had insomnia so I played around with Windows MovieMaker and made my first home video DVD with background music and commentary—of my cheerleaders practicing. It was soooo exciting. I went to bed after 1:00 am, b/c I am such a perfectionist. (I would love to share it on my blog, but I’m sure I’d be violating some type of rule—don’t know which one—about protecting the privacy of my students.)

I played and played and played with the MovieMaker AND then I started dreaming. Oh, how I wish I had a 21st century classroom. My kids would love doing an activity like this. I had heard that district was testing laptops in some schools to replace books—I wish my school had been chosen. Doing these types of activities motivates students! I remember making a movie as apart of college project (with a different program), it was so much fun and I learned a lot about my topic in the process. I can dream can’t I?

p.s. does anyone have suggestions of a movie making programs that don’t crash all the time?
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5th pd always makes me laugh: I don’t know if I’ve shared this before on my blog, but in my 5th period class, I have an “amen” corner. I have a young man R, that all of the kids call “Preacha” b/c he wants to be a minister when grows up. He dreams of having a congregation of more than 2,000 and a BIG beautiful church. He has told me so on many occasions. At any rate, whenever were having class discussions or I’m lecturing and he agrees with something that is said, he nods his head in a preacherly way or he might say “say that, now,” or he might say “amen” from time to time. Depending on the day, I might crack up in laughter rather than continue on with my lesson and ignoring him.

On Thursday of last week, one of my cheerleaders came to my room on her lunch. She was helping to remove things from the walls and clean up the room, while the students were viewing “Hotel Rwanda.” For extra credit, Preacha was helping me, too. In the midst of working, Preacha stopped and seemed to be engaged in a serious conversation with the cheerleader. I told him jokingly, “stop flirting and get back to work or watch the film.” Student D, overhead this and began to tease him, “We’re gonna have pastor and wife’s anniversary, today. Cheerleader, you are the new first lady.” The entire class cracked up. I couldn’t help it; I laughed, too. After class, I spoke with him. I felt so bad for laughing. It had not bothered him at all. He said “she’s a nice young lady. Pretty, too.” I began to giggle again. I reminded him that she only needed to date guys with straight A’s. He said I was “blocking.” I laughed more and said it was my job to block for the cheerleaders. So now, I’m an OFFICIAL BLOCKER!!! Woo hoo!!!

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After all this journaling, I now feel alert and am smiling. I can face another day!