TT #5: Sincere Apologies with Comments

I want to apologize to all of you for my delay in blogging (reading and comment on your stuff) this week I realized I was very behind when my bloglines reflected that I had 61 posts to read. I guess I’ve been enjoying my vacation and I haven’t posted as many comments as I normally do and I haven’t responded to many of you who have commented on my blog. So, here are my apologies & responses in one big swoop. (After writing it I realized, it is also a shameless post of blogs I LOVE to read. I guess I'm hoping that you will discover them & enjoy them as much as I do!)

Responses and thoughts that should havegone out a LONG time ago. To Everone. Thank you to EVERY ONE who gave me well wishes on my Blogiversary. It made me feel good. I’m glad that you are enjoying my site. To School Teacher. Thank you for starting another important dialogue with your blog post on the Supreme Court recent decision. I try not to engage in political discussions on this blog, but I do talk about race. But something about this teacher’s post on the supreme court's ruling struck a cord with me. I have left a LONG response. Engage in this dialogue. It is SO very worth it! I think it will help everyone think about where we are at in this country. To Frum Teacher--Thank you showing me that a lot of things are universal in teaching. I didn’t realize that the educators in Europe experience the same things we do. P.S. Take one thing at a time—don’t make too many goals b/c you want to be successful at something. Classroom management was something I struggled a lot with my first year. So that’s all I concentrated on my 2nd year, I don’t think it was a bad trade off. To Frum Teacher--part 2. The US is a good example of a democracy, but unfortunately there are still racial tensions from 200 years of slavery and 50 years of Jim Crow. It is not all over the country, I personally believe that exists mostly in the South. I think the reason is still here is the economic/class disparity among folks living in the South. Please don’t stop teaching about what a great democracy we have here, it is just that we still have things we need to work on To Mrs. BlueBird. Thank you for the recommendation on Zike’s book. I tried to get it locally but didn’t find it at the teacher supply store. I will be ordering one or two of her things. I think this will help with my essay writing. I could have them write paragraphs from these things. I saw some samples of foldables at other websites—this a great strategy I’ll be incorporating this year. YOU ROCK!!!! To Betsy. Thank You, you gave me so much information! I went to the resource center at the local university and found a book about writing research papers that 11th graders in our district use. The problem I think that will be an issue is simple paragraph writing. I’ve got to start from there. I’m worried about it. But I’m going to keep looking. I remembered reading Native Son when I was in high school and I remembered how much I loved it. When I looked at in the bookstore, I was thinking about using the abridged version. I don’t know that they will give me access to my students reading scores. If they do, I will have to look them up individually, they are not kept in any type of computer system where teachers can just have access to them. I never thought much about short stories. GREAT IDEA. Now, I’ve got to get to library to find some. I might do that instead of Native Son. To Betsy part 2. I hate our district’s motto, (I can’t put it on here, b/c if I did everyone would know where I worked). We are supposed to being our kids a college prep education. The idea is that the education we give them should prepare all students for college whether they want to go or not. I like that every student is "supposed" to be getting a great education, but I hate that we don’t promote other alternatives. Not everyone is college material. However, it is all we seem to talk about. And you can get a decent / good job with vocational schools. My hair stylist makes more money than I do. To Eric—Thanks for pushing me in a new blogging direction. A friend helped me come up with that title. I was telling her that blogging is like therapy. . .and that I was playing with Therapy for A Third Year Teacher. And I guess, in her mind, she saw me laying on someone’s couch. . . lol, telling all my business. Although, I’m giving you a hard time, I’m glad that I’m moving up in the teaching world. LOL. To Bethany—I’m soooo sorry I didn’t get to read your post b/c you lost it. I have gotten to the point where I type most of my stuff in word and then cut and paste it. Do you have a blog? I would love to add it to the list of ones I read daily. To Joel--Thanks for keeping me company on aim from time to time. I think that you are organization king. I've learned a few things that will help keep my desk from looking like "who did it and what for" in the next academic year. To City Teacher and Third Grade Teacher--Teachers hoard stuff b/c we like stuff. We are afraid that we won't get anymore of whatever it is. Or, we might use it again. Or, if we throw it away, we might have to buy a new one. We like stuff--Plain and Simple. To Leesepea--Thank you for reminding me how blessed I am. Your AC situation definitely makes me appreciate that my thermostat is set at 68. To America. I am not the most patriotic person, as you will see below. But A Belated Happy Independence Day to you. I Am 52% American Most times I am proud to be an American. Though sometimes the good ole US of A makes me cringe Still, I know there's no place better suited to be my home. I love your freedom and no one's going to take it away from me! How American Are You? Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Thirteen Favorite Movies by Eric 2. Thirteen Places In America I Have Been To by Toni (Leave your link in the comments & I'll post it here) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen in Pictures

I decided that I had a lot of pics on my camera that I never get to share with anyone. So I selected Thirteen of them and decided to comment on them. Most of them deal with school. But you can get an idea of what my life is like in these pictures. Enjoy a twist on the Thursday Thirteen. You may click on the pictures to make them larger if you can not see the text.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Why I am Glad Summer School is Over by Teacher Girl

2. Leave your Link in comments and I'll post it.



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

TT #3: Words of Warning

I had my students complete end of the year reflections, so that I that as I plan for next year, I could better meet their needs. Following the example of another teacher, I had my students do words of warning for the next year's students. I am going to place the 13 best here-- these were the most truthful and/or caused me to laugh. When I reflect on them, they are all classroom management issues. I may not handle them in the best way, but they helped make my second year better than my first.

Words of Warning for Ms. A's 2007-08 classesfrom her 2006-07 students Don't walk around. I admit it, I can't stand students on the floor, especially when I'm teaching. It is distracting to everyone in the class. If you do not do the work, you will not pass the class. In my best church voice: AMEN!! SPEAK TRUTH, SISTA . . . the student who wrote this was mainstreamed into my class and managed to get no grade below a C on her report card (she had very few modifications) Don't fail! Many students wrote this. . . none of them offered solutions to not failing Don't make her mad or Don't get on her nerves. Again, many students said this. I guess they didn't like my lectures on misbehavior or inappropriate attitudes. One person could affect the whole class and the "fussing" for the day. I've really got to work on that one! Get on Ms. A's good side. What more can be said about this? It works for every teacher. However, this does not mean talk to me all the time; specifically during my lunch--I need peace and quiet. You will get a bunch of minus tens if you don't do what you are supposed to. This is my feeble attempt at classroom management. But it works. Students are aware that participation is worth 10% of their grade. If you are off task or not participating appropriately, you could loss 10 points. Conversely, if you amaze me, you can gain 10 points. "Minus 10" adds up at the end of the term. It's boring. I'm really trying to do better. Sometimes history/law isn't that interesting. Bring a jacket because it stays cold!!! She even put the explanation points. I always tell them that the temperature in the room is for me, not for them. And I even warn them to get a uniform compliant jacket. I can't stand the heat and I move around a lot. Therefore, I'm ALWAYS hot. This will never change; but EXCELLENT words of wisdom. Don't eat food in class. I got tired of seeing roaches in my classroom. So, depending on my mood: I'd eat it, I'd crush it; I'd put it in my drawer, I'd put it in the trash, I'd dance on it. Tuck in your shirt. I absolutely CAN NOT stand to see a slouchy young man. Droopy, baggy pants are my worst nightmare. Students could not enter my classroom until I stood post. I would check the guys clothes there. Guys would have to have their shirts tucked in a pants pulled up to there waist. "Start over" or "You look nice, today" were my favorite words. I hate this hip hop trend b/c you can't go into the real world and get a job looking like that. Have your notes. Sometimes, I'd give pop quizzes in which they could use their notes. Students quickly learned that the notebook and notes were important as their books. DON'T SLEEP! She wrote it in all caps. When people fall asleep, I sing loudly next to them. The singing is bad and the students get a good laugh. Sometimes, I let them pick the song. I can't sleep on the job, neither can anyone else! Be Quiet and Listen to the Lesson. Smart Girl! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Thirteen Reasons Your School Should Hire CaliforniaTeacher Guy 2. Thirteen Things Lara Needs, According to Google 3. (Leave your link in the comments & I'll post it here) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A busy body's insomnia . ..

This is my second attempt at Thursday Thirteen. After, I finished it. I remembered that my original TT was supposed to be Lara's gift, but I will come up with something else before Saturday. Happy Birthday, Lara!

Things that keep me up at night Reading Blogs. It is addictive. No matter how much I try, I can never keep my google reader empty. If I miss one day, it throws me completely off and I have spend like an hour reading. Which leads me to #2 Commenting on blogs. For some strange reason I feel like I have to comment. Why can't I just be a lurker?! Planning & prepping for the next day. Cheer is a very time consuming extra curricular. You have to plan for practices, fill out paper work, order supplies, call and beg people to fundraise as well as make bill collection calls. If only people would do what they are supposed to do Those durn naps. Who doesn’t love a good nap? Well t hey keep me up at night. And if I'm not blogging. . . You guessed it. . . I'm chatting. Yahoo and Aim see me a lot during the summer months. I even taught my mom how to use the webcam and voice features. So, now, even though we thousands of miles apart I still get see her frequently. DVR. This is the best invention since the VCR. I have loads and loads of stuff it. And when I'm bored; it makes TV worthwhile, especially since there is nothing decent on during the summer. Except: The Closer Worry, I stress about everything. I stress about my finances. I stress about things I said earlier in the day. Come to think of it, today, I said something totally inappropriate and I'm stressing about the ramifications of that. I'm wondering if going on antidepressants will cure me of this. Snacks. Turtle Chex Mix is WW friendly and is often my snack of choice. Writing and formatting my own blog. Honestly, I really love some of these fancy blogs like the Tense Teacher. . . I want mine to be that pretty, but I can't figure out how to make that happen. Phone conversations with my friends . . . Meditating, whining and wallowing in my singleness. Though its great to spend time alone and do what I want, when I want, sometimes it sad to sit here alone in this apartment. Researching things that I could use in my classroom. I shouldn't think so much about school, but I think it is that love what I do. I suppose it will wear off in a few years. Playing games on my cellphone. My favorite is Zuma Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. 2. (Leave your link in the comments & I'll post it here) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Trying Thursday Thirteen

I decided I wanted to get on the Thursday Thirteen bandwagon. I always LOVE reading Lara’s. With her inspiration, here goes:

I love summer break time because: I get to sleep in past 6 am. Getting up at 5:30 or 6:00 is not a pleasure to anyone I know. There are no papers to grade. Hallelujah! My home finally feels and looks clean. It will be really clean by the first day of school. I take naps daily. Who doesn’t love a good nap? There is great joy in taking trips to places I’ve never been before. Lounging around in my own home in my underwear or pajamas ALL DAY LONG!!!! I get to take fun professional development courses that give away a load of free things!!! I get to cook a meal that is healthy as well as tasty. I do not have to discipline anyone. Well, that’s not completely true. Because I am involved in cheer, I feel like I’m constantly fussing about something. My friends and I have conversations about things other than school and work. My couch finally gets more use than the bed. Ice Cream sundaes. . . need I say more? Lastly, I get to plan and research for a whole new group of terrified freshmen! I love coming up with ways that will cause them to think, "She's mean." I like being known as the mean lady the first month of school. I hope that I have completed my first Thursday Thirteen correctly. Drop me a line and let me know what you think. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. http://katronika.blogspot.com/ 2. (Leave your link in the comments & I'll post it here) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants