Ms.Hussey from Chasing Vermeer for being an understanding, creative teacher
Steven Clark from Mr. Chickee's Funny Money for being so funny
Mr. Faulker from Thank you Mr. Faulker for being an inspiration
Stargirl from Stargirl for being true to herself and not caring what anyone thought about it
Monday, August 16, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Books I've Read this Summer
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli
Love, Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli
The Calder Game
Heartbeat by Sharon Creech
Things Not Seen, by Andrew Clements
The Report Card
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Mr. Chickee's Messy Mission, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli
Love, Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli
The Calder Game
Heartbeat by Sharon Creech
Things Not Seen, by Andrew Clements
The Report Card
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Mr. Chickee's Messy Mission, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A Teacher's Favorite
I'm stuck in the house on one of a teacher's favorite kind of days: A SNOW DAY! Politically, this is not the correct thing to say, but a snow day is one of many reasons to become a teacher...along with summer, Christmas Break and Spring Break! You've to got love snow day!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Hit the fan
This has probably been one of the roughest weeks for me this year. I have been seemingly frustrated by all types of things that have been happening with my students. The disgust that comes with feeling like "I'm not getting through to them" had been pervading my thoughts. After the praying and numbness there have been a few brighter spots to my week. I think I"m on an upswing.
1.) The note from SM that she wrote at home last night (after yesterday's debacle--misunderstanding about a text book and "You're not welcome") that said she wants to be an outstanding student and sometimes she has to "pray and relax." The note couldn't have come at a better time.
2.) RK seeming to be a bit more relaxed and not so stressed out. There is still the occasional, "get out of my business" comments I hear from her towards classmates, but hey...at least she's not as stressed out.
3.) Listening to the kids read scripts for two plays and listening to some of the kids who aren't so strong at reading, read with voice and enthusiasm
4.) CA's mom telling me "oh she loves it [school/my class], followed by her dad saying, "you're word is the law in our house. She won't listen to us."
5.) The fat book contest that seems to be happening between JG and EM. I've seen copies of Harry Potter hardcover books and Indiana Jones. I wonder who will win.
1.) The note from SM that she wrote at home last night (after yesterday's debacle--misunderstanding about a text book and "You're not welcome") that said she wants to be an outstanding student and sometimes she has to "pray and relax." The note couldn't have come at a better time.
2.) RK seeming to be a bit more relaxed and not so stressed out. There is still the occasional, "get out of my business" comments I hear from her towards classmates, but hey...at least she's not as stressed out.
3.) Listening to the kids read scripts for two plays and listening to some of the kids who aren't so strong at reading, read with voice and enthusiasm
4.) CA's mom telling me "oh she loves it [school/my class], followed by her dad saying, "you're word is the law in our house. She won't listen to us."
5.) The fat book contest that seems to be happening between JG and EM. I've seen copies of Harry Potter hardcover books and Indiana Jones. I wonder who will win.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
First day fall 2009
A whole new group of fourth-graders walked into my classroom yesterday. What a quiet day it was. There was so much to do, but I sacrificed work for getting to know you activities and orienting to the room type of discussions. Hopefully they weren't bored to death! It seemed that they were ready to beg for work to do. A funny thought for me because my students usually want me to slow down with the amount of work I give. It was more important to me to try to get them to be aware of some of the expectations that I have for them. After all, they will be in my care for two years.
I can already see who my challenges are going to be. The thing for me to remember is that they are a challenge for me, not a stepping stone that I can hop over and avoid. It is my job to find a way to reach them. I have to find a way. Otherwise both those challenges and myself will be miserable for the next two years.
This summer I read How Full is Your Bucket? and I want to remember what it taught me and how it taught me to think. I shared the children's version of the book with the kids today. I hope to use it as an overarching theme over the course of the next few years: being bucket fillers. Plase let it work!
I can already see who my challenges are going to be. The thing for me to remember is that they are a challenge for me, not a stepping stone that I can hop over and avoid. It is my job to find a way to reach them. I have to find a way. Otherwise both those challenges and myself will be miserable for the next two years.
This summer I read How Full is Your Bucket? and I want to remember what it taught me and how it taught me to think. I shared the children's version of the book with the kids today. I hope to use it as an overarching theme over the course of the next few years: being bucket fillers. Plase let it work!
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