Visiting Maria was a blast! I loved walking around DC and taking things slowly and easily. My favorite place was probably the Newseum, followed by the botanical gardens. I really liked them. The gardens are so peaceful, and the Newseum has the history of reporting history and how it changed with technology and how things have stayed the same. It was so cool to see that news affected different parts of history and how the repression of news stops countries from developing.
The other cool thing is jazz in the park. There are free jazz concerts every Friday and it was tons of fun to go and listen and relax after a busy week.
My family also tried to convince me that the east coast, by DC is the best place to live and that I should move out there. I'm pretty close to being convinced, but I have to wait and see if that's what my hero wants or if that's what the Lord wants.
Maria inspired me with all her to do lists and that she checks things off. Due to her amazingness, I created a to do list of my own and I have over half of the year planned for one of the two classes I am going to teach next year. I am so proud of myself. I feel productive.
Well, I'm off to ponder the best way to think about teaching logarithms and exponential functions, because I didn't teach it very well last year.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Summer is very nice. I have really enjoyed not doing a whole lot of stuff. My biggest accomplishments are that I am almost caught up on sleep--I know this because I can actually start doing something now without a strong desire to take a nap, and I wake up everymorning before 8:00--and I finished typing up my Grandma's personal memoir of her experience in World War II in Berlin. It was amazing! As I worked on it I am so astounded by her faith and the love that Heavenly Father has for everyone of his children. I also reinforced in my stubborn head that if you look for Heavenly Father, He is there. He is in the little details of our lives and it is our responsibility to find Him and thank Him for all He does for us.
Today I am packing because I get to go and visit Maria for a week! I am sooo excited to go and play and recouperate from the end of school! I'm giddy with excitement! School is out and vacations here I come!!!
The last three days of school seemed to take an eternity to finish, and now that they're done and have been done for five days, it seems like an eternity since I went to school. Time is really crazy like that.
My Hero and I went to see a play, "The Curious Savage" and died laughing. We thoughly enjoyed the production and recomend it to anyone and everyone. The plot line is that Mrs. Savage is interned at an insane assylum because her step-children don't like the way she is handling the Savage fortune. Consequently, over half of the cast play insane characters, for instance, one character refuses to talk and will only recite a list of things she hates. This character also gave up electricity for lent, and you know when this character enters because the lights go off for a short period of time until the other characters can find the light switch. The whole play is loads of fun and makes everyone really laugh hard. If the opportunity presents itself, you should go. You won't regret it.
I also did something else due to my Hero. He has some Star Wars video games that he likes to play and I've been interested by one of them because there's lots of puzzles to solve and I like that sort of thing. I tried playing it and now I hate it. I will watch him play and help him through the puzzles, but I dislike the controls and I hate dying. (That's all I do when I play.)
I am unable to find a job for this summer so now I will be looking for projects to occupy my time, so if you think that I need to try something I will be game. I love to cook, and I enjoy sewing, scrapbooking, making cards, reading, and doing all sorts of things. I don't hold still very well, and my attention span is short, but I will pick something back up after I've put it down when my attention is back. Let me know via email or this blog if you have ideas for me. That's all.
Today I am packing because I get to go and visit Maria for a week! I am sooo excited to go and play and recouperate from the end of school! I'm giddy with excitement! School is out and vacations here I come!!!
The last three days of school seemed to take an eternity to finish, and now that they're done and have been done for five days, it seems like an eternity since I went to school. Time is really crazy like that.
My Hero and I went to see a play, "The Curious Savage" and died laughing. We thoughly enjoyed the production and recomend it to anyone and everyone. The plot line is that Mrs. Savage is interned at an insane assylum because her step-children don't like the way she is handling the Savage fortune. Consequently, over half of the cast play insane characters, for instance, one character refuses to talk and will only recite a list of things she hates. This character also gave up electricity for lent, and you know when this character enters because the lights go off for a short period of time until the other characters can find the light switch. The whole play is loads of fun and makes everyone really laugh hard. If the opportunity presents itself, you should go. You won't regret it.
I also did something else due to my Hero. He has some Star Wars video games that he likes to play and I've been interested by one of them because there's lots of puzzles to solve and I like that sort of thing. I tried playing it and now I hate it. I will watch him play and help him through the puzzles, but I dislike the controls and I hate dying. (That's all I do when I play.)
I am unable to find a job for this summer so now I will be looking for projects to occupy my time, so if you think that I need to try something I will be game. I love to cook, and I enjoy sewing, scrapbooking, making cards, reading, and doing all sorts of things. I don't hold still very well, and my attention span is short, but I will pick something back up after I've put it down when my attention is back. Let me know via email or this blog if you have ideas for me. That's all.
Friday, May 30, 2008
End of School Musings
I'm so excited for the end of school. Today is the last Friday of school this school year. It's really almost summer. I am so sick of doing stuff for school and having hoops to jump through. I am finding that I get tired earlier each day. But all in all, I'm excited to be done and really I love my job.
My minions are really well behaved. Most of them are willing to work still, even though there are three more days left.
I've also got a lot of stuff to do as a teacher. I check in so much of my stuff--like my overhead projector, keys, books, scissors, calculators, and other many numerous things. These other things seem to take up just as much time as the regular stuff and it's hard to realize that I'm getting anywhere on my list of things to do. But Good News: My grades are done and finished. Completely. This is a big accomplishment, but really obnoxious, because School has three more days in it.
I'm plodding through the mess. I'll make it and I'm so excited for summer. You don't get really excited for summer until you are a teacher. You may think you are excited, but it just doesn't compare.
My minions are really well behaved. Most of them are willing to work still, even though there are three more days left.
I've also got a lot of stuff to do as a teacher. I check in so much of my stuff--like my overhead projector, keys, books, scissors, calculators, and other many numerous things. These other things seem to take up just as much time as the regular stuff and it's hard to realize that I'm getting anywhere on my list of things to do. But Good News: My grades are done and finished. Completely. This is a big accomplishment, but really obnoxious, because School has three more days in it.
I'm plodding through the mess. I'll make it and I'm so excited for summer. You don't get really excited for summer until you are a teacher. You may think you are excited, but it just doesn't compare.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Love and Logic
School today was interesting. My kids were good(mostly) and I didn't lose my cool until 7th period. I had two big problems with today--but they are resolved now and so I'm not going to let them bother me.
We're having an in-service about Love and Logic today after school. I like it, and it's good for a reminder, but I feel drained. I like that I am being reminded about empathy and teaching responsibility. But at the same time I am feeling worried that the timing of this in-service that they (the administration) are telling us that we suck as teachers. We need to not lose our cools with the kids. The selfish parts of me, the proud part, doesn't want to change and hear it nine days before the school year is over. I feel like I'm in survival mode. I don't feel like the kids
deserve my empathy because they have drained me for the whole year. I feel like the kids need to be nice to me. But that's just me. I'll encourage my students and help them through the year.
We're having an in-service about Love and Logic today after school. I like it, and it's good for a reminder, but I feel drained. I like that I am being reminded about empathy and teaching responsibility. But at the same time I am feeling worried that the timing of this in-service that they (the administration) are telling us that we suck as teachers. We need to not lose our cools with the kids. The selfish parts of me, the proud part, doesn't want to change and hear it nine days before the school year is over. I feel like I'm in survival mode. I don't feel like the kids
deserve my empathy because they have drained me for the whole year. I feel like the kids need to be nice to me. But that's just me. I'll encourage my students and help them through the year.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
End of the School Year
I'm starting to feel a little bipolar. I mean, I really like it when there are days that the kids are working on something that I don't need to help them on, but then again, I also really like teaching them and being in control, that I'm not just a baby-sitter.
Take yesterday: I was so glad that all my classes had activities that I didn't have to teach them, they just did their stuff and were engaged and working. I really liked that. However, by the end of the day, I found myself doing more babysitting than I would have liked.
Take today: I find it refreshing to teach them and keep them occupied and doing work. I'm not pressured into grading these activities, because I've told my kids, it's all or nothing. You work you get points, you don't you get zero points. I am answering questions and feeling useful, but not babysitting, and I'm doing great. I hope that at the end of the day I don't feel like it was a waste and that I did a ton of babysitting...but I probably will because it is May. And there are only 11 more days left.
But while it lasts, I think I'm going to enjoy myself. We have so much going on each and every day. Take today--we have locker clean out, we have textbook check in, we have the no tardy party and we have to keep the kids occupied and learning things. Parents seem to think that if we don't keep working their kids then they can complain to the administrators and then we get in trouble.
I am so pleased with myself. I taught Summation Notation to my Algebra 2 minions, and they like it! I purposely kept it simple and easy so they can say they've seen it and don't freak out as bad next year. They probably will, but I can feel like I was successful!
Next is factoring. I love to factor!
Take yesterday: I was so glad that all my classes had activities that I didn't have to teach them, they just did their stuff and were engaged and working. I really liked that. However, by the end of the day, I found myself doing more babysitting than I would have liked.
Take today: I find it refreshing to teach them and keep them occupied and doing work. I'm not pressured into grading these activities, because I've told my kids, it's all or nothing. You work you get points, you don't you get zero points. I am answering questions and feeling useful, but not babysitting, and I'm doing great. I hope that at the end of the day I don't feel like it was a waste and that I did a ton of babysitting...but I probably will because it is May. And there are only 11 more days left.
But while it lasts, I think I'm going to enjoy myself. We have so much going on each and every day. Take today--we have locker clean out, we have textbook check in, we have the no tardy party and we have to keep the kids occupied and learning things. Parents seem to think that if we don't keep working their kids then they can complain to the administrators and then we get in trouble.
I am so pleased with myself. I taught Summation Notation to my Algebra 2 minions, and they like it! I purposely kept it simple and easy so they can say they've seen it and don't freak out as bad next year. They probably will, but I can feel like I was successful!
Next is factoring. I love to factor!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
A fun thing to share...
| What Beth Means |
 You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things. Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. |
I decided to do this, because I saw it on another blog and I'm trying not to do anything useful today.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
End of Level Tests
I decided with my utter and complete boredom that I would post, because it's been a while. Today I have systimatically gone through my check list and checked almost everything off. (My things to do at school list.)
These things include:
Other good news: My tutoring minions who hates coming, the one that drives me crazy because the whole hour he is there is filled with "When is my mom coming to get me, When is my dad coming to get me, how much longer do I have, etc." He isn't coming until June! I'm really thrilled, because then he can have all my patience, not just the pitiful remains that are left over after middle school.
Other good news: My counted cross-stitch is zooming along, at a very rapid rate. I'm surprised how fast it is coming and that my miniscule attention span hasn't already left it alone. It continues to captivate me, so I'm continuing to work on it every night.
Other good news: I'm in an exercise class through my ward and it is kicking my trash, but I'm sticking with it! I've already made excellent progress and will continue to do so. I will be ready for next year so I can kick my minion's butt's when they give me greif....Just kidding Mom!
Other good news: It's the Hubby Hero's birthday tomorrow. I'm really excited for it! We are going to have a lot of fun when I get home from school.
I think this is all the good news. There isn't bad news except that testing makes me bored. Really really bored. Bored Super Math Hero's are not good things. Because then I will do stupid things.
These things include:
- Positive notes home
- Updating Grades
- Catching a Spider for the Hubby Hero
- Making Answer Keys for End of Level Tests
- Cleaning out my desk
- Cleaning out my bookshelves.
- Telling kids to shut-up
- Finishing my portfolio so I can get my new teaching license
- Cleaning out my room
- Getting ready my packets for next week.
- Counting missing assignments to motiviate minions.
Other good news: My tutoring minions who hates coming, the one that drives me crazy because the whole hour he is there is filled with "When is my mom coming to get me, When is my dad coming to get me, how much longer do I have, etc." He isn't coming until June! I'm really thrilled, because then he can have all my patience, not just the pitiful remains that are left over after middle school.
Other good news: My counted cross-stitch is zooming along, at a very rapid rate. I'm surprised how fast it is coming and that my miniscule attention span hasn't already left it alone. It continues to captivate me, so I'm continuing to work on it every night.
Other good news: I'm in an exercise class through my ward and it is kicking my trash, but I'm sticking with it! I've already made excellent progress and will continue to do so. I will be ready for next year so I can kick my minion's butt's when they give me greif....Just kidding Mom!
Other good news: It's the Hubby Hero's birthday tomorrow. I'm really excited for it! We are going to have a lot of fun when I get home from school.
I think this is all the good news. There isn't bad news except that testing makes me bored. Really really bored. Bored Super Math Hero's are not good things. Because then I will do stupid things.
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