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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

I spoke too soon

I was reading over my last post (was it really 10 days ago?) and laughed.  The very next day, we had a huge dump of snow and it snowed for most of the next weekend.  We are finally back to what we were 10 days ago and I can see my lawn again today.  The sun came out in the evening, after the big snow flurry that past over.  It looked like it should be December.  We passed a woman that said "Merry Christmas" and I laughed and said "Isn't it beautiful?"  She mumbled something thinking that I was being sarcastic, but I wasn't.  Oh well.
Work has been the same really.  The kids crack me up, although I do notice a difference with some of them around the full moon.  I used to think that was an Old Wives tale, but I don't know.  I was pretty impressed with both of our classes and how they managed to raise quite a bit of change for Japan.  The intermediates did a No-Speak-a-thon at our school.  My class decided that there are some in our group that wouldn't be able to make it for any period of time without talking, so instead we opted for collecting spare change.  Between Chris' class and mine, we filled a big pickle jar and a bit more.  When I took it to the teacher in charge of the fund raiser, I did offer to roll the coins, but she said it was okay.  She told me today that she didn't like me very much and that she was still rolling money.  The school managed to raise $2200 to send to efforts in Japan!  I was proud of the Tadpoles for sure.
I had to laugh when I came across this list for Spring pictures.   I'll be lucky if I can get some of these by the end of Summer.  We are supposed to have some temps near 10 by Friday, so maybe we'll get rid of the snow a little faster.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

The Time of Water is here

I didn't really think about what all that snow would become when Spring finally came.  Maybe it was because after the 5th month of winter, I just never thought we would see another season.  The temperatures have been above 0 this week and it's causing all my beautiful snow to melt.  I have to say that I'm ready now to see something different.  Don't get me wrong, if it snowed tomorrow I'd still have a big grin on my face, but it's time.  I have watched a little t.v. this week and have noticed in other parts of the country they actually have green things growing and flowers coming out.  Even my mother was bragging about being out in her garden.  I can actually see mine now, but getting to it is still a little bit difficult. 
The first week back went by quickly.  I thought I would feel sad to be going back, after my nice 2 week holiday, but I wasn't.  It was nice to be back in the classroom, planning and getting things done.  I was very impressed with my little Tadpoles, they are picking up double digit addition and subtraction quite nicely.  I was also very happy to find out that the new student that showed up two days before Spring Break is pretty much at grade-level.  I love nice surprises like that. 
My observations are over, and while not very stressful, another thing to think about.  My boss is pretty awesome so it was a pretty painless exercise.  After being in Atlanta and being observed all the time, this was an okay process. 
We went to the Trade Show last night.  It's a pretty big deal here and people start talking about it weeks in advance.  I'd never been before this year.  It's exactly what it sounds like.  Businesses have booths with information and try to get you to buy their wares.  I also realized as we walked around it's a pretty social affair.  I heard one woman comment about how she goes just to see people she hasn't seen all year.  We even bumped into people that we knew (which is still a little new to us) and thought about what it'd be like in 5 years when we knew even more people.  All in all, it was something to do on a Friday night and hey, I got a couple of free pens and a tree!




I was thinking about these for the living room.

10 things for this week

1.  It was nice to see the kids again and hear about their adventures over Spring Break.

2. My observations are finally done.

3. I have found about 10 new books I want to read.

4. Chris is sick.

 5. The sun has been out almost everyday this week and the snow is melting.

6. We went to the trade show. 

7. I have decided that I don't like cooking during the week.

8. I have no April allowance left.

9. There are no leaves on the trees yet.

10. There is a huge pond in the school yard, and while I think it's fun to watch the kids play in it, other staff do not find it so amusing. 

Hope you all had a great week!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

It's almost over

Ahhh the last day of holidays.  The sounds of Spring are coming through my open window... that's right OPEN window.  It is sunny, a little warm and I am starting to see some grass poking through all the snow that is still around.  Now there aren't any leaves yet or signs of life in my garden, but at least I can see it now.  It's funny to look around the neighborhood and see Christmas decorations slowly coming out of the snow.  The life in the North.
I am looking forward to tomorrow, seeing the kids and listening to their stories about their break.  I can see that News time will be long tomorrow.  I really hope the weather holds out, it'll make that first day back even nicer to see the kids playing in the sunshine. 
So what have I done with this glorious day?  Nothing.  I managed to get the dishes done, but other than that I have been reading about the plight of education in our "modern" system.  Some of the articles and posts I've read have been depressing, some enlightening and some even a little heartening.  I love that conversation is happening.  I am worried that some teachers are being reprimanded for their thoughts.  Being a teacher is a special career, but we are people first.  We have our opinions and thoughts and I feel when they are expressed in a thoughtful and professional manner, we should have the right to voice them.  Coming into a bargaining year, I am worried.  The powers that be have very complicated agendas, and I am concerned that teachers' voices and concerns will be downplayed into whispers.  We are worried as teachers if we talk about what we want (ie: higher pay, more resources for our classrooms),  that we will come under scrutiny and criticism for wanting these things.  Nobody likes to be criticized Other jobs, other careers get raises, get resources to do their jobs but there is some public opinion that teachers should be in it for the kids.  We should be in it for the good we can do. We already get 2 months off in the Summer and other holidays etc... I love teaching, but I am also a person.  With bills.
Anyway enough of that for now.  I am off to make some kind of mess... maybe paint today.  Hmmm the options are endless.  Have a great Sunday.

Friday, April 1, 2011

10 things for this week

1. The snow is starting to melt.
2. My insomnia seems to be back.
3. I saw "Sucker Punched", it was terrible.
4. I finally figured out what was wrong with my Ipod and fixed it myself.
5. I am almost looking forward to going back to school.
6. I am starting to plan for the next 3 months of school.
7. I am going to cook Thai for dinner tonight.
8. I am making plans for Spring and Summer that include little DIY projects around the house.  Chris is less excited about this than I am.
9. My brother called and said that he and his wife are planning to drive up here at the end of June.  In their SMART car.  It's bright yellow and it makes me smile.
10.  I realized that I follow about 70 blogs.  That's a lot.

Have a happy Friday!


PS Happy birthday to Fab!  
 
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