It took me a good 15 minutes to figure out how to login into this blog. It's been over four years. That's insane. I used to really love teaching. Not so much anymore. I've decided that this needs to be my last year in the classroom. Sigh, it's hard coming to grips with it but it's not fun anymore. I've switched schools and the kids are rude, administrators are inept, and well. It just sucks.
Perhaps blogging will help me get that old thing back;-)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2007
Report Cards
Report cards were issued this morning. Why do we hand out report cards at the start of the day? The kids are all either super excited or pissed. It was such a strange day. I'll spend the rest of the night recuperating.
We're into Whitman and Dickinson now. I feel like I'm rushing through this but what can you do when you only have one semester to cover as much as you can in American Lit? I added a little mini-project to extend the time that we spend on it. Hopefully, that will help.
We're into Whitman and Dickinson now. I feel like I'm rushing through this but what can you do when you only have one semester to cover as much as you can in American Lit? I added a little mini-project to extend the time that we spend on it. Hopefully, that will help.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
We (hubby and I) are watching this show. Hilarious. The contestant spelled vowel VOUL. I don't know what to say about that. I had to write it down so that I can share it with my coworkers tomorrow.
Grades are in and done. I can breath now.
I had a student ask me if chickens cluck. Huh? She was so excited about it that I can honestly say that I wasn't laughing at her, I was laughing with her. Later, she wrote a poem in the style of Dickinson's "I Never Saw A Moor." She included the chicken. Okay. Well. I don't know. I have to stop being at a loss for words. It's doing nothing for me.
Can someone tell me how to get my male students to stop talking? I've already informed them that excessive talking is a girlie trait.
Grades are in and done. I can breath now.
I had a student ask me if chickens cluck. Huh? She was so excited about it that I can honestly say that I wasn't laughing at her, I was laughing with her. Later, she wrote a poem in the style of Dickinson's "I Never Saw A Moor." She included the chicken. Okay. Well. I don't know. I have to stop being at a loss for words. It's doing nothing for me.
Can someone tell me how to get my male students to stop talking? I've already informed them that excessive talking is a girlie trait.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
It's that time again
We are issuing report cards next week. Of course all I hear now is:
Mrs. M, can I see my grade?
Mrs. M, is there any extra credit?
Um, yeah. What can I turn in?
I've even had students trying to turn in work from the second week of school. You have to be kidding me!
My air is out again and the mildew is creeping back up through my carpets. EEEWWW. I think that it's making me sick. Seriously. It rained today and boy oh boy was it stuffy.
I let my 9th graders listen to some slam poetry. (Saul Williams and Taylor Mali) They fell in love. I can't believe that only one of them had ever heard slam. That's ridiculous. I am so happy that I shared it with them. I'm on the hunt for more pg rated slam. Taylor's didn't have any curse words but Saul did use shit. It didn't bother them at all. In fact, they claimed that shit enhanced the poem.
I have mentioned how crazy they are haven't I?
Mrs. M, can I see my grade?
Mrs. M, is there any extra credit?
Um, yeah. What can I turn in?
I've even had students trying to turn in work from the second week of school. You have to be kidding me!
My air is out again and the mildew is creeping back up through my carpets. EEEWWW. I think that it's making me sick. Seriously. It rained today and boy oh boy was it stuffy.
I let my 9th graders listen to some slam poetry. (Saul Williams and Taylor Mali) They fell in love. I can't believe that only one of them had ever heard slam. That's ridiculous. I am so happy that I shared it with them. I'm on the hunt for more pg rated slam. Taylor's didn't have any curse words but Saul did use shit. It didn't bother them at all. In fact, they claimed that shit enhanced the poem.
I have mentioned how crazy they are haven't I?
Monday, October 1, 2007
I'm trying
I'm really trying to post every night. I just can't get the hang of it. Practice makes perfect I guess. Anyhoo. We had drama at school on Friday but the good thing is that it seems to have calmed down.
I had to write a couple of my students up as well as a couple of other teacher's kids. It wasn't a pleasant day by any means. I never write kids up! They seem to know how to stop before they get me to that point. Perhaps the referrals that I did on Friday will suppress any further ignorance.
My American Lit class is about to study The Raven and the Masque of the Red Death. I really want to read The Tell-Tale Heart with them. It's so evil and simple. It's very short and I think that it's the perfect introduction to Poe and his crafty mind. I'm sure that most of them read it in middle school but they have yet to hear me read it. Not tooting my own horn but I love the story so much that I know it nearly word for word.
My students already think that I'm strange. Why not give them proof?
I had to write a couple of my students up as well as a couple of other teacher's kids. It wasn't a pleasant day by any means. I never write kids up! They seem to know how to stop before they get me to that point. Perhaps the referrals that I did on Friday will suppress any further ignorance.
My American Lit class is about to study The Raven and the Masque of the Red Death. I really want to read The Tell-Tale Heart with them. It's so evil and simple. It's very short and I think that it's the perfect introduction to Poe and his crafty mind. I'm sure that most of them read it in middle school but they have yet to hear me read it. Not tooting my own horn but I love the story so much that I know it nearly word for word.
My students already think that I'm strange. Why not give them proof?
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Inmates running the asylum
I think that I fooled myself when I accepted this teaching job. Suburban schools are nice places with supportive parents, progressive administrators, and kids who seek the knowledge necessary to succeed in life. NOT! We had a gang bang type beat down in the boy's bathroom across the hall from my room. ButI digress~
In my introduction to Hawthorne today, I told my American Lit class that he was a close friend of Franklin Pierce, who was (come on you know this) ______?
Blank stares, crickets...
That guy that wrote Moby Dick?
Was he in the woods? (Thoreau/Emerson...not sure which one he was attempting to channel)
Come on Mrs. M!!
Okay, I realize that knowing Franklin Pierce was the 14th president may not make any of my students wealthy. However, most of them are taking US History. I'm sure that they've been introduced to Pierce already.
My goodness people!!
On a good note though, we're almost finished watching Moby Dick and both of my American Lit classes are enjoying the process of "reading the film." That certainly makes my heart smile. What more can you ask for? As a lover of literature, I'll take what I can get.
In my introduction to Hawthorne today, I told my American Lit class that he was a close friend of Franklin Pierce, who was (come on you know this) ______?
Blank stares, crickets...
That guy that wrote Moby Dick?
Was he in the woods? (Thoreau/Emerson...not sure which one he was attempting to channel)
Come on Mrs. M!!
Okay, I realize that knowing Franklin Pierce was the 14th president may not make any of my students wealthy. However, most of them are taking US History. I'm sure that they've been introduced to Pierce already.
My goodness people!!
On a good note though, we're almost finished watching Moby Dick and both of my American Lit classes are enjoying the process of "reading the film." That certainly makes my heart smile. What more can you ask for? As a lover of literature, I'll take what I can get.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Are you kidding me?
Umm, yeah. While you're writing lessons, calling parents, keeping hormonal teenagers from groping each other, tracking little DJ's 8 million absences, and handling bus duty, do you think that you can put something on the bulletin boards outside of your classroom?
Excuse me?
Bulletin boards have preference over all of the above as well as my a/c being out since the start of the school year?
Okay, well thanks. I wish that I had known that earlier.
I'll get right on that.
Excuse me?
Bulletin boards have preference over all of the above as well as my a/c being out since the start of the school year?
Okay, well thanks. I wish that I had known that earlier.
I'll get right on that.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
I'm back...
though I never really left. I felt like I needed a break to get myself organized and on track. I've started journaling on scraps of paper and that's not good (I wouldn't want anyone to find those random vents:)).
School is going well. I'm still not in love with my 9th graders but I do at least like them now. I caught half of them cheating and now they are all having "come to Jesus" moments. They can't hold water now. Perhaps they're looking for extra credit points for honesty? I don't know.
We've started our common assessments and they are not going well. Why you ask? Well, we don't really teach the same thing. We have common planning. No one utters a word for 30 minutes and then we all crawl back into our rooms and do our own thing. I did make the effort to send out a mass e-mail requesting an overview of what everyone is teaching for the next unit. I figure that we can get one really good common quiz or something. It seemed to work. Only one teacher ignored my request.
My American Lit class fell in love with The Crucible. Either that or they just liked saying "hell" "whore" and "in the proper place where my beast are bedded". They are hilarious, that bunch.
Okay, I'm posting every night now. Love it or hate it.
School is going well. I'm still not in love with my 9th graders but I do at least like them now. I caught half of them cheating and now they are all having "come to Jesus" moments. They can't hold water now. Perhaps they're looking for extra credit points for honesty? I don't know.
We've started our common assessments and they are not going well. Why you ask? Well, we don't really teach the same thing. We have common planning. No one utters a word for 30 minutes and then we all crawl back into our rooms and do our own thing. I did make the effort to send out a mass e-mail requesting an overview of what everyone is teaching for the next unit. I figure that we can get one really good common quiz or something. It seemed to work. Only one teacher ignored my request.
My American Lit class fell in love with The Crucible. Either that or they just liked saying "hell" "whore" and "in the proper place where my beast are bedded". They are hilarious, that bunch.
Okay, I'm posting every night now. Love it or hate it.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Ramblings...
I have to create three versions of my vocab test for Monday. I have one class with so many modifications that I'm hoping three will be enough. I'll start off with three, go back and review the modifications and add an additional version if I need to.
The kids are enjoying The Crucible. I'm a little shocked and dismayed by some of the people who want to read. As a result, we're plowing right through it (at the dismay of the American Lit team leader.)
"Oh, I just take my time and get deep in the storyline."
And I don't?
Explain to me how any American Lit teacher can justify not teaching Twain or any Realism and then we can discuss pacing okay? Okay.
I still don't love my freshmen. I called parents the other day and I've seen two of them change their behavior. Of course, they aren't the loudest or most talkative ones but hey, progress is progress.
The kids are enjoying The Crucible. I'm a little shocked and dismayed by some of the people who want to read. As a result, we're plowing right through it (at the dismay of the American Lit team leader.)
"Oh, I just take my time and get deep in the storyline."
And I don't?
Explain to me how any American Lit teacher can justify not teaching Twain or any Realism and then we can discuss pacing okay? Okay.
I still don't love my freshmen. I called parents the other day and I've seen two of them change their behavior. Of course, they aren't the loudest or most talkative ones but hey, progress is progress.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
This is my last post of the day
I promise. Please excuse the errors that I have typed in my posting frenzy. I'm rambling and don't feel like going back to edit.
What can I do?
One of my students is missing. Well, she's probably home by now but her father came to school on Friday after checking online and noticing that she had been absent from her first three classes. She's a beautiful girl. Bright and social. Evidently she's been in trouble before and her father is dealing with the court system. It's not pretty. I felt so sad for him. I mean, it's nothing that we could do really. He had so much pain in his eyes. I think what hurts the most is that he seemed so much like me, like us. Middle class father concerned about his daughter. That could have been Number Cruncher sitting in that room. What happened?
I think I like it here
Alright, I'm staying. The school is cool and the kids are fine. The firewall is insane though! I have four department meetings each week but at least they're during school. You can't beat that.
My American Lit classes are starting off okay. We've already covered some Native American Lit and presented myths. I was a little bummed because none of them put any real effort into it. No one went above and beyond the directions even though I explicitly stated that they should. Because of that and some other things, I've decided that they will do at least two more presentations throughout the semester. We're covering Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and the boys can not stand to sit with each other. Obviously too much testosterone bothers them. They begged me to move back to 2007 on Monday (we're currently in 1741.) I'm still not sure yet. We may remain that way until we're done with Puritan Lit.
My ninth graders have become the bain of my existence. It's really ridiculous how immature they are. Friday was their last day. I'm calling parents starting Monday. It's nothing disrespectful but I have them after lunch and they are just wired. Talk talk talk talk talk talk talk. Of course it's just the girls. But now it's to the point where they are bothering other students and I'm not having it.
Okay, I've done enough complaining. I feel so much better. Thanks for listening:))
My American Lit classes are starting off okay. We've already covered some Native American Lit and presented myths. I was a little bummed because none of them put any real effort into it. No one went above and beyond the directions even though I explicitly stated that they should. Because of that and some other things, I've decided that they will do at least two more presentations throughout the semester. We're covering Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and the boys can not stand to sit with each other. Obviously too much testosterone bothers them. They begged me to move back to 2007 on Monday (we're currently in 1741.) I'm still not sure yet. We may remain that way until we're done with Puritan Lit.
My ninth graders have become the bain of my existence. It's really ridiculous how immature they are. Friday was their last day. I'm calling parents starting Monday. It's nothing disrespectful but I have them after lunch and they are just wired. Talk talk talk talk talk talk talk. Of course it's just the girls. But now it's to the point where they are bothering other students and I'm not having it.
Okay, I've done enough complaining. I feel so much better. Thanks for listening:))
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
When is Labor Day?
Pre-planning, Open House, Obnoxious Kids, Obnoxious Parents, IEP, No Collaborating Teacher, What in the world was I thinking??
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Another sleepless night
I can't believe it but I've been up since 3:45. This is really ridiculous! You would think that I would be knocked out after sitting through 8 hours of "Staff Development" yesterday. Nope. Here I am wide awake, even though I was dog-tired listening to the speakers drone on and on. At least we had cushioned seats:)) And oh yeah, I completed the entire To Kill a Mockingbird unit. I just need to bring in the fine details and get everything typed up and ready to go. I really hope that we leave early today.
Rumor is that teachers new to the school will enjoy a fancy catered lunch some time this week. In this town, a fancy lunch is one step above Red Lobster. Not that I'm complaining. Free food is good food. Okay, I'm babbling now.
Rumor is that teachers new to the school will enjoy a fancy catered lunch some time this week. In this town, a fancy lunch is one step above Red Lobster. Not that I'm complaining. Free food is good food. Okay, I'm babbling now.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
What do we have here?
When I opened the laptop, this was the image on the screen. It looks like Number Cruncher is seeking a new ride. Won't the kids be so excited? The one good thing about purchasing this behemoth of a vehicle is that there is no way in hell that he'll let me drive it.
Merry Christmas baby!
The Raven
Since I couldn't sleep, I've been up since around 5 this morning. I watched a couple of things that we've recorded including HGTV's Design Star. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am Vern Yip's biggest fan. I met him in Atlanta and I was so excited that tears came to my eyes. Actually, number cruncher saw him and told me not to make a scene. Vern was so kind. Love him!
Anyhoo, since I have to report for technology training tomorrow, I decided to do something productive. When we were out of town, I set the DVR to record The Raven starring Vincent Price. (who else?) I pushed play and ran downstairs for a drink. When I returned number cruncher had two questions: 1. Why are you up so early in the morning? 2. Why do you continue to watch the weirdest things? Since he was sleeping when I left, I asked him how did he know the show was weird...
"I heard strange music and even stranger voices."
Well duh, it is Vincent Price you know. Haha, he could really care less. And because it's Vincent Price doing Poe, it's really bad. I've only watched about 15 minutes of it and I can't take any more. Why does his Poe stray so far from the actual storyline? I think I'll show the kids The Fall of the House of Usher instead. It's not great but it's much better than this. The director is Roger Corman. I've never heard of him but I hope this is not representative of his work!
Anyhoo, since I have to report for technology training tomorrow, I decided to do something productive. When we were out of town, I set the DVR to record The Raven starring Vincent Price. (who else?) I pushed play and ran downstairs for a drink. When I returned number cruncher had two questions: 1. Why are you up so early in the morning? 2. Why do you continue to watch the weirdest things? Since he was sleeping when I left, I asked him how did he know the show was weird...
"I heard strange music and even stranger voices."
Well duh, it is Vincent Price you know. Haha, he could really care less. And because it's Vincent Price doing Poe, it's really bad. I've only watched about 15 minutes of it and I can't take any more. Why does his Poe stray so far from the actual storyline? I think I'll show the kids The Fall of the House of Usher instead. It's not great but it's much better than this. The director is Roger Corman. I've never heard of him but I hope this is not representative of his work!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
I've been tagged!
Sorry, I'm excited. I have no idea what I'm doing but here we go! Thanks Miss Teacha:))
Four Things Meme
(Because it’s Sunday!)
Four Jobs I’ve Had
~Cashier at McDonalds
~Stay at home mom
~Teacher
~Student (hubby considered it my job)
Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over
~The Five Heartbeats
~The Red Shoes
~Breakfast at Tiffany's
~Anything by Hitchcock
Four Places I’ve Lived
~Virginia
~North Carolina
~Delaware
~Georgia
Four TV Shows I Love
~The Office
~Lost
~24
~That's So Raven
Four Places I’ve Vacationed
~Disney World
~Los Angeles
~Las Vegas
~Augusta, GA ( I just returned so I need to give them a shout out)
Four of My Favorite Dishes
~Fried apples
~Steamed Broccoli with Parmesan cheese
~Veggie pizza
~Cold Stone Creamery Cake Batter ice cream
Four Sites I Visit Daily
~Yahoo.com
~AKA1908.com
~Huff English
~Teachers.net
Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
~Paris
~Strand Bookstore
~At my dad's house (I miss him)
~Getting my classroom ready!!!!
Four Things Meme
(Because it’s Sunday!)
Four Jobs I’ve Had
~Cashier at McDonalds
~Stay at home mom
~Teacher
~Student (hubby considered it my job)
Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over
~The Five Heartbeats
~The Red Shoes
~Breakfast at Tiffany's
~Anything by Hitchcock
Four Places I’ve Lived
~Virginia
~North Carolina
~Delaware
~Georgia
Four TV Shows I Love
~The Office
~Lost
~24
~That's So Raven
Four Places I’ve Vacationed
~Disney World
~Los Angeles
~Las Vegas
~Augusta, GA ( I just returned so I need to give them a shout out)
Four of My Favorite Dishes
~Fried apples
~Steamed Broccoli with Parmesan cheese
~Veggie pizza
~Cold Stone Creamery Cake Batter ice cream
Four Sites I Visit Daily
~Yahoo.com
~AKA1908.com
~Huff English
~Teachers.net
Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
~Paris
~Strand Bookstore
~At my dad's house (I miss him)
~Getting my classroom ready!!!!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a...
man riding down the street dragging a casket! We came home earlier today and decided to grab a bite to eat. Number cruncher happened to notice this interesting sight.
Gosh, I love living in this town. They know how to send you out in style. What better way for someone to head to their eternal resting place?
Thursday, July 19, 2007
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