School's out for-ever!
Yes, at long last the day has come--the end of the New York City school year! I, for one, often thought it would never arrive. But it has, and wow, am I ever grateful.
It is strange also though, because today is my last day being a teacher.
Yes, I am not going back to my school next year. (Is this really a surprise? I think not.) But additionally, I am not going to any other school next year. I am done with teaching. For real this time.
So today was the last time that I walked out of my very own classroom. It's bittersweet, because there are some kids I will miss, and there are some teacher experiences I will miss, and there are some amazing colleagues I will definitely miss (well, not like I ever had time to talk to them). But I will not miss the behavior nonsense and the lacking administrator support. (Do you know that the principal never once set foot in my room? Except once she had to borrow our broom. But never to see our class, to evaluate, to lend a presence, nothing. Does that tell you a little about our school? How about the fact that the clocks all stopped like two weeks ago and they haven't been fixed? You know the broken windows theory, right?)
Anyway, so this is the end. I lugged the last of my stuff--three very full bags' worth--home this afternoon and now I have to keep reminding myself that it's only Monday, instead of the longest weekend ever, AND THAT I DON'T HAVE TO GET UP EARLY AND GO TO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!
All of this ending business will take time to sink in, but right now I'm most grateful for the chance to SLEEP. Man, this year has been exhausting!
Also, as it is currently five thousand degrees in my apartment (though only two thousand in front of the window fan), I am off to find some air-conditioning in which to hang out for a bit. I will be posting more soon. (Since there's all this extra time now, since I'm not a teacher anymore! Whee!)
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
mobile learning
Or, Holy crap, a post about teaching!
I am excited about one of my lessons today, and I wanted to share it and record it for posterity.
So we're studying one of the ancient civilizations right now; we just started a week or two ago on this unit. I showed one overview powerpoint, and then I MADE another one (it took like three hours! I was very proud of myself, even though it was just cutting and pasting, although I did also go find and insert pictures for each slide) about daily life there.
I wanted to cover gods/religion this week, but I didn't know what to do. My colleague originally offered to find something, but the day approached with nothing (it's been a busy/fast week, so not a surprise). So yesterday I tried to think something up.
I knew I didn't want to do any more powerpoints. I also knew I didn't want to make a giant packet (finding, copying, the kids quickly losing...) of all the gods. That wouldn't help them learn much.
In looking around the internets, I found a site with pictures of each god and short description of his/her appearance and domain. So I came up with a really cool plan!
First, I printed out a page for a bunch of the gods. Then I copied the image of each god into a separate document all together, like a photo album. Last I made a notes page for the kids to create a chart listing each god, appearance, and domain.
The cool part is that I took the gods pages and put them up all over the room--on the back of the door, hanging off a chair, in a book display shelf, on a locker, on the side of a cabinet, etc. I gave the kids their chart sheets and photo albums, and they did kind of an easter egg hunt--moving around the room at their own pace, matching pictures and then jotting down details.
And friends, it worked perfectly! Everyone was on task, the room was quiet, and at the end when I asked some basic questions, lots of hands went up--they learned!
I loved it, and I even heard a kid say, "This is fun!"
There are a lot of days in a school year, and there are five-ish different lessons I have to teach in each of those days. In the last six years, there have been only a handful of lessons that I'm really proud of (as in, most things are fine, or okay, but some are Special, and Awesome) for creativity, incorporating the vaulted Multiple Intelligences and resulting in real learning. Today's goes on that list!
I am excited about one of my lessons today, and I wanted to share it and record it for posterity.
So we're studying one of the ancient civilizations right now; we just started a week or two ago on this unit. I showed one overview powerpoint, and then I MADE another one (it took like three hours! I was very proud of myself, even though it was just cutting and pasting, although I did also go find and insert pictures for each slide) about daily life there.
I wanted to cover gods/religion this week, but I didn't know what to do. My colleague originally offered to find something, but the day approached with nothing (it's been a busy/fast week, so not a surprise). So yesterday I tried to think something up.
I knew I didn't want to do any more powerpoints. I also knew I didn't want to make a giant packet (finding, copying, the kids quickly losing...) of all the gods. That wouldn't help them learn much.
In looking around the internets, I found a site with pictures of each god and short description of his/her appearance and domain. So I came up with a really cool plan!
First, I printed out a page for a bunch of the gods. Then I copied the image of each god into a separate document all together, like a photo album. Last I made a notes page for the kids to create a chart listing each god, appearance, and domain.
The cool part is that I took the gods pages and put them up all over the room--on the back of the door, hanging off a chair, in a book display shelf, on a locker, on the side of a cabinet, etc. I gave the kids their chart sheets and photo albums, and they did kind of an easter egg hunt--moving around the room at their own pace, matching pictures and then jotting down details.
And friends, it worked perfectly! Everyone was on task, the room was quiet, and at the end when I asked some basic questions, lots of hands went up--they learned!
I loved it, and I even heard a kid say, "This is fun!"
There are a lot of days in a school year, and there are five-ish different lessons I have to teach in each of those days. In the last six years, there have been only a handful of lessons that I'm really proud of (as in, most things are fine, or okay, but some are Special, and Awesome) for creativity, incorporating the vaulted Multiple Intelligences and resulting in real learning. Today's goes on that list!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
four wheeled freedom
Last week was a trying one for me. For a couple nights I barely slept, so the last two days I was a complete zombie.
Also, one of my already-difficult parents totally crossed the line.
But! There are only four weeks left of school, and none of them is a full one. Because of trips and other events, I'll only be teaching two or three days of each week! We've got some projects to work on in class as well, so I'm hoping the days go quickly.
Even better, I have a bike! I bought it a couple weeks ago and this week had it fixed up. Last night I went for a ride for an hour and LOVED it. I can't wait to explore more of the city on two wheels!
Also, one of my already-difficult parents totally crossed the line.
But! There are only four weeks left of school, and none of them is a full one. Because of trips and other events, I'll only be teaching two or three days of each week! We've got some projects to work on in class as well, so I'm hoping the days go quickly.
Even better, I have a bike! I bought it a couple weeks ago and this week had it fixed up. Last night I went for a ride for an hour and LOVED it. I can't wait to explore more of the city on two wheels!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
five weeks!
it's been more than five weeks since i updated for real, and we only have five weeks left of school!!!
i know we're all at the countdown stage by now, right? :)
i caught senioritis pretty early on and have been mentally half checked out for at least two weeks. however, june promises to be pretty cool (not literally of course; enter the kids' nonstop whining about no air conditioning here) with lots of field trips! I've got two booked and am working on a third, plus we'll do a field day. that's four in one month! sweet!
i got a nasty cold two weeks ago and actually took TWO days off from school. this has never happened. usually i get sick, hack and cough and feel miserable at school for a few days, finally take a day, and go back feeling just as gross. please note, however, that the two days were not in a row. which was stupid because i was at school for two full days (and one was a trip!) with barely a voice.
but i'm much better now. :)
especially knowing that there are five weeks left!
i know we're all at the countdown stage by now, right? :)
i caught senioritis pretty early on and have been mentally half checked out for at least two weeks. however, june promises to be pretty cool (not literally of course; enter the kids' nonstop whining about no air conditioning here) with lots of field trips! I've got two booked and am working on a third, plus we'll do a field day. that's four in one month! sweet!
i got a nasty cold two weeks ago and actually took TWO days off from school. this has never happened. usually i get sick, hack and cough and feel miserable at school for a few days, finally take a day, and go back feeling just as gross. please note, however, that the two days were not in a row. which was stupid because i was at school for two full days (and one was a trip!) with barely a voice.
but i'm much better now. :)
especially knowing that there are five weeks left!
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Weekly Funny slash Depressing
I saw this on AprilMay and it cracked me up. Because it's funny and so utterly ridiculous, just like the education system.
1. All teams must make the state playoffs and all MUST win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable. If after two years they have not won the championship their footballs and equipment will be taken away UNTIL they do win the championship.
2. All kids will be expected to have the same football skills at the same time even if they do not have the same conditions or opportunities to practice on their own. NO exceptions will be made for lack of interest in football, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities of themselves or of their parents.
ALL KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL!
3. Talented players will be asked to work out on their own, without instruction. This is because the coaches will be using all their instructional time with the athletes who aren’t interested in football, have limited athletic ability or whose parents don’t like football.
4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the 4th, 8th, and 11th game. It will create a New Age of Sports where every school is expected to have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimum goals.
If no child gets ahead, then no child gets left behind.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Funny
You know, I've updated so many times in my head that sometimes I forget I'm neglecting the real blog. Oh well.
The BFG continues to ask lots of out-of-left-field questions. Things like:
in the middle of math, "You're a nice teacher. That's why you have a cat."
on the way to dismissal, "Can I have one of your earrings? Please, just one?"
on the stairs, "Miss is a model! Her name is Miss Trixie!"
during a transition, leaning his head on my shoulder, "Can I be your best man?"
*
Upbeat Girl asked if she could have my diamond ring, which sparked finally the discussion of if I'm married or engaged and what the difference is, and of course questions about if they can see my fiance. I said maybe I'd bring in a picture.
*
Last week was a really long, late week. No fun. I am ready for summer now.
*
However, there were some fun things. One was that I shared the book list with the kids. Once we started talking about it, me telling them what was on the list and asking who had read what, and them asking if certain books were on the list. They were unimpressed with Charlotte's Web being number one, and thought Stuart Little should be up there instead. Kids started pawing through the book bins and looking at the list on their own. It was really cool to see them so excited! And about books!
I made a little adjustment after we came back from spring break. In the afternoon, after our break, I have them read silently. I keep the lights off sometimes too. And though there are always a couple kids who have a hard time settling down, most of them don't; they crack open their books right away. And by god, it gets QUIET. Do you know how much I love quiet? I really do. Also, do you know how much I love to see a class of kids reading on their own? A whole lot. As an extra bonus, it gives me a few minutes to chill out, maybe mark papers, or get things in order for next period.
I actually hate to stop them. Once the Dreaded Tests are out of the way (so soon!) I hope to wiggle more reading time for them during the day.
*
I keep finding books that I want to share with my kids but have despaired at how, even with a long fucking day, there is no time for that kind of read aloud. I want my kids to read the Phantom Tollbooth, and a week ago I started reading another book aloud to them, called No Talking by Andrew Clements. I do just one chapter, at the end of the day if they've packed up quickly enough so that we still get to dismissal on time. They are loving it! The story intrigues them and they usually want me to keep reading. Hurrah!
*
It was Charlie Chaplin's birthday the other day, and since of course none of my kids knew who he was, I decided to show them a clip. I wasn't sure if they would like it, since of course all his work is black and white and wordless.
But. They. Loved. It. They laughed out loud the whole time. They were delighted. They begged for more! How awesome is that?
*
Right now I would like to beg for more weekend. Can anyone help with that? :)
The BFG continues to ask lots of out-of-left-field questions. Things like:
in the middle of math, "You're a nice teacher. That's why you have a cat."
on the way to dismissal, "Can I have one of your earrings? Please, just one?"
on the stairs, "Miss is a model! Her name is Miss Trixie!"
during a transition, leaning his head on my shoulder, "Can I be your best man?"
*
Upbeat Girl asked if she could have my diamond ring, which sparked finally the discussion of if I'm married or engaged and what the difference is, and of course questions about if they can see my fiance. I said maybe I'd bring in a picture.
*
Last week was a really long, late week. No fun. I am ready for summer now.
*
However, there were some fun things. One was that I shared the book list with the kids. Once we started talking about it, me telling them what was on the list and asking who had read what, and them asking if certain books were on the list. They were unimpressed with Charlotte's Web being number one, and thought Stuart Little should be up there instead. Kids started pawing through the book bins and looking at the list on their own. It was really cool to see them so excited! And about books!
I made a little adjustment after we came back from spring break. In the afternoon, after our break, I have them read silently. I keep the lights off sometimes too. And though there are always a couple kids who have a hard time settling down, most of them don't; they crack open their books right away. And by god, it gets QUIET. Do you know how much I love quiet? I really do. Also, do you know how much I love to see a class of kids reading on their own? A whole lot. As an extra bonus, it gives me a few minutes to chill out, maybe mark papers, or get things in order for next period.
I actually hate to stop them. Once the Dreaded Tests are out of the way (so soon!) I hope to wiggle more reading time for them during the day.
*
I keep finding books that I want to share with my kids but have despaired at how, even with a long fucking day, there is no time for that kind of read aloud. I want my kids to read the Phantom Tollbooth, and a week ago I started reading another book aloud to them, called No Talking by Andrew Clements. I do just one chapter, at the end of the day if they've packed up quickly enough so that we still get to dismissal on time. They are loving it! The story intrigues them and they usually want me to keep reading. Hurrah!
*
It was Charlie Chaplin's birthday the other day, and since of course none of my kids knew who he was, I decided to show them a clip. I wasn't sure if they would like it, since of course all his work is black and white and wordless.
But. They. Loved. It. They laughed out loud the whole time. They were delighted. They begged for more! How awesome is that?
*
Right now I would like to beg for more weekend. Can anyone help with that? :)
Sunday, April 11, 2010
100 Best Children's Novels
According to a poll done by Fuse #8, a blog on the School Library Journal. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1790000379/post/1820053782.html
Teachers and booklovers, you will love this!
x#100 The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (1967)
x#99 The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks, illustrated by Brock Cole (1980)
#98 Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M. Boston (1954)
#97 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (2006)
#96 The Witches by Roald Dahl (1983)
#95 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (1950)
#94 Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome (1930)
x#93 Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink (1935)
x#92 Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (1997)
#91 Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (1978)
x#90 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (1985)
x#89 Ramona and her Father by Beverly Cleary (1977)
#88 The High King by Lloyd Alexander (1968)
#87 The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg (1996)
x#86 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (1999)
#85 On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1937)
#84 The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge (1946)
#83 The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (1997)
#82 The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander (1964)
#81 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (2009)
#80 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2008)
#79 All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (1951)
#78 Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (1943)
x#77 The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau (2003)
#76 Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (1997)
#75 Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (2001)
#74 The Borrowers by Mary Norton (1953)
x#73 My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (1959)
#72 My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (1948)
#71 A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (1999)
#70 Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace (1940)
x#69 The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (2007)
x#68 Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (1994)
#67 Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville (1991)
#66 Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary (1950)
#65 Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild (1936)
#64 A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck (1998)
#63 Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright (1957)
x#62 The Secret of the Old Clock (The Nancy Drew mysteries) by Caroline Keene (1959)
x#61 Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (2000)
x#60 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (1990)
#59 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (2003)
#58 The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken (1962)
x#57 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary (1981)
x#56 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1989)
#55 The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (1978)
x#54 The BFG by Roald Dahl (1982)
#53 Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1908)
#52 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (2007)
#51 The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright (1941)
#50 Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (1960)
#49 Frindle by Andrew Clements (1996)
#48 The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall (2005)
#47 Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (1999)
#46 Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (1961)
x#45 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (1995)
#44 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (1972)
x#43 Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary (1968)
#42 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1935)
x#41 The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1958)
#40 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900)
#39 When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (2009)
x#38 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (2003)
#37 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor (1976)
x#36 Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (1970)
x#35 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (2000)
x#34 The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (1995)
#33 James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (1961)
#32 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (1971)
x#31 Half Magic by Edward Eager (1954)
#30 Winnie-the Pooh by A.A. Milne (1926)
#29 The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper (1973)
#28 A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett (1905)
#27 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865)/Alice Through the Looking Glass (1872) by Lewis Carroll
x#26 Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (1989)
#25 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868 & 1869)
x#24 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (2007)
#23 Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1932)
#22 The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo (2003)
#21 Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2005)
x#20 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (1975)
#19 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (1964)
x#18 Matilda by Roald Dahl (1988)
#17 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (1990)
x#16 Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (1964)
x#15 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (2000)
x#14 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (1999)
x#13 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1977)
#12 The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien (1938)
x#11 The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (1978)
x#10 The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (1961)
x#9 Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (1908)
x#8 The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911)
x#7 The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)
x#6 Holes by Louis Sachar (1998)
x#5 From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg (1967)
#4 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950)
x#3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling (1997)
x#2 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle (1962)
#1 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (1952)
I've only read forty-two. But I just started another one tonight!
I plan to share this list with my students and their parents, and with my colleagues too!
Teachers and booklovers, you will love this!
x#100 The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (1967)
x#99 The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks, illustrated by Brock Cole (1980)
#98 Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M. Boston (1954)
#97 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (2006)
#96 The Witches by Roald Dahl (1983)
#95 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (1950)
#94 Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome (1930)
x#93 Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink (1935)
x#92 Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (1997)
#91 Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (1978)
x#90 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (1985)
x#89 Ramona and her Father by Beverly Cleary (1977)
#88 The High King by Lloyd Alexander (1968)
#87 The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg (1996)
x#86 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (1999)
#85 On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1937)
#84 The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge (1946)
#83 The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (1997)
#82 The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander (1964)
#81 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (2009)
#80 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2008)
#79 All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (1951)
#78 Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (1943)
x#77 The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau (2003)
#76 Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (1997)
#75 Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (2001)
#74 The Borrowers by Mary Norton (1953)
x#73 My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (1959)
#72 My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (1948)
#71 A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (1999)
#70 Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace (1940)
x#69 The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (2007)
x#68 Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (1994)
#67 Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville (1991)
#66 Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary (1950)
#65 Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild (1936)
#64 A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck (1998)
#63 Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright (1957)
x#62 The Secret of the Old Clock (The Nancy Drew mysteries) by Caroline Keene (1959)
x#61 Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (2000)
x#60 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (1990)
#59 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (2003)
#58 The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken (1962)
x#57 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary (1981)
x#56 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1989)
#55 The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (1978)
x#54 The BFG by Roald Dahl (1982)
#53 Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1908)
#52 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (2007)
#51 The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright (1941)
#50 Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (1960)
#49 Frindle by Andrew Clements (1996)
#48 The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall (2005)
#47 Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (1999)
#46 Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (1961)
x#45 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (1995)
#44 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (1972)
x#43 Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary (1968)
#42 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1935)
x#41 The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1958)
#40 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900)
#39 When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (2009)
x#38 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (2003)
#37 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor (1976)
x#36 Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (1970)
x#35 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (2000)
x#34 The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (1995)
#33 James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (1961)
#32 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (1971)
x#31 Half Magic by Edward Eager (1954)
#30 Winnie-the Pooh by A.A. Milne (1926)
#29 The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper (1973)
#28 A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett (1905)
#27 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865)/Alice Through the Looking Glass (1872) by Lewis Carroll
x#26 Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (1989)
#25 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868 & 1869)
x#24 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (2007)
#23 Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1932)
#22 The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo (2003)
#21 Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2005)
x#20 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (1975)
#19 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (1964)
x#18 Matilda by Roald Dahl (1988)
#17 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (1990)
x#16 Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (1964)
x#15 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (2000)
x#14 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (1999)
x#13 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1977)
#12 The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien (1938)
x#11 The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (1978)
x#10 The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (1961)
x#9 Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (1908)
x#8 The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911)
x#7 The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)
x#6 Holes by Louis Sachar (1998)
x#5 From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg (1967)
#4 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950)
x#3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling (1997)
x#2 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle (1962)
#1 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (1952)
I've only read forty-two. But I just started another one tonight!
I plan to share this list with my students and their parents, and with my colleagues too!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
the beach: a perfect ending
Our Costa Rican adventure was filled with all kinds of interesting places and things. First exploring forest around the volcano, a river filled with creatures, then the cloudforest from below and ziplining above, and finally, the Pacific coast, on a quiet beach. Perfect.
On this trip, I tried not to be too obsessed with photos. I deliberately didn't take my camera with me to every single outing (thus there are no pictures of my first tapas meal, which was interesting and tasty, especially the desserts! [yes, plural]). I brought one of the cameras on the zipline adventure, and took a few pictures and videos, but mostly focused on enjoying the experience as I experienced it. This means that I don't have tons of photos that I'm really proud of, but that I had a good time.
That said, there was one detail that kept catching my eye for repeated photographs...
An engagement ring!! The BF proposed on our first night, so we got to enjoy it ourselves for a week before telling family, friends, and of course, the internet. :) We are happy and excited for the next step of our relationship. It has been four years now, so we're definitely ready. :)
On this trip, I tried not to be too obsessed with photos. I deliberately didn't take my camera with me to every single outing (thus there are no pictures of my first tapas meal, which was interesting and tasty, especially the desserts! [yes, plural]). I brought one of the cameras on the zipline adventure, and took a few pictures and videos, but mostly focused on enjoying the experience as I experienced it. This means that I don't have tons of photos that I'm really proud of, but that I had a good time.That said, there was one detail that kept catching my eye for repeated photographs...
An engagement ring!! The BF proposed on our first night, so we got to enjoy it ourselves for a week before telling family, friends, and of course, the internet. :) We are happy and excited for the next step of our relationship. It has been four years now, so we're definitely ready. :)
Hey Book Lovers!
Seen on Fusenews from School Library Journal:
After the impressive success of last year's Book Fair for Boys that saw over 600 books sent to the LA County Detention Center, GLW has teamed up with the Readergirlz, YALSA and If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything, (A national reading club for Native American children) for another book fair event to get books to students enrolled at Ojo Encino Day School and Alchesay High School." Wishlists for these schools are up at Powell's (excellent choice). Here are the further instructions, if you'd care to buy something for the kids:
First, hit the Powells site and on the upper right click on "wish list". From there you will be prompted for the email address of the list owner. Type in "guyslitwire@gmail.com". You will then be given the choice to select either Ojo Encino or Alchesay. Once you are looking at the lists (which contain hundreds of titles) you can make your selection of a new, used, or sale copy. After your done and ready to make your purchase you will be asked to confirm that you are buying books for a certain wishlist. Checking those boxes will keep the lists up to date and prevent books from appearing as unsold even after they were purchased. Now all you have to do is enter the mailing addresses, and here they are:
Mary Nickless
Ojo Encino Day School Librarian
HCR 79 Box 7
Cuba, NM 87013
(505) 731-2333
Marilyn Hill
Alchesay High School
200 Falcon Way
Whiteriver, AZ 85941
928-338-4848
I donated a couple books to the last effort and as soon as I saw this, I hopped right over and bought one book for each school. Hope you can help out!
Even if you can't afford to donate right now, if you love books, reading, kids, reading to kids, kids' books, and you have a few hours to spare, I suggest you pore over this list of 100 Best Children's Novels from the same site. What a treat to find loving descriptions of books I'd forgotten about, and intriguing reviews of books I've never read. I can't wait to hit up the library!
After the impressive success of last year's Book Fair for Boys that saw over 600 books sent to the LA County Detention Center, GLW has teamed up with the Readergirlz, YALSA and If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything, (A national reading club for Native American children) for another book fair event to get books to students enrolled at Ojo Encino Day School and Alchesay High School." Wishlists for these schools are up at Powell's (excellent choice). Here are the further instructions, if you'd care to buy something for the kids:
First, hit the Powells site and on the upper right click on "wish list". From there you will be prompted for the email address of the list owner. Type in "guyslitwire@gmail.com". You will then be given the choice to select either Ojo Encino or Alchesay. Once you are looking at the lists (which contain hundreds of titles) you can make your selection of a new, used, or sale copy. After your done and ready to make your purchase you will be asked to confirm that you are buying books for a certain wishlist. Checking those boxes will keep the lists up to date and prevent books from appearing as unsold even after they were purchased. Now all you have to do is enter the mailing addresses, and here they are:
Mary Nickless
Ojo Encino Day School Librarian
HCR 79 Box 7
Cuba, NM 87013
(505) 731-2333
Marilyn Hill
Alchesay High School
200 Falcon Way
Whiteriver, AZ 85941
928-338-4848
I donated a couple books to the last effort and as soon as I saw this, I hopped right over and bought one book for each school. Hope you can help out!
Even if you can't afford to donate right now, if you love books, reading, kids, reading to kids, kids' books, and you have a few hours to spare, I suggest you pore over this list of 100 Best Children's Novels from the same site. What a treat to find loving descriptions of books I'd forgotten about, and intriguing reviews of books I've never read. I can't wait to hit up the library!
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Best Things Ever: Costa Rica Edition
Day 1, Best Thing Ever:
Soaking in hot springs
(followed by romping through the rainforest)
Day 2, Best Thing Ever:
Lying in a sun-dappled hammock
(followed by canoeing down a serene river spotting wildlife)
I could seriously get used to this!
Soaking in hot springs
(followed by romping through the rainforest)
Day 2, Best Thing Ever:
Lying in a sun-dappled hammock
(followed by canoeing down a serene river spotting wildlife)
I could seriously get used to this!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Happy Spring Break!
I am so glad we made it through last week--it was a shitty one.Tomorrow at the crack of dawn we are off to Costa Rica for a week!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Happy Spring!
Hey look, I'm not dead! I've just been enjoying ice cream in the park for the last month. Haha, I wish.Actually, things have been busy but okay. Coming back after midwinter break, I was not excited. However, strangely, my class has settled down a bit. There are still plenty of moments of madness, but overall, things are smoother and a little easier. I'm still behind on lesson planning, but I'm not feeling as stressed while I'm at school. I'm even, finally, sleeping a little better.
The warmer weather and more daylight this week have made me feel so much better, too. More hopeful even.
We have one more week of school until spring break! And then there are only three months of school left. That really doesn't seem so bad.
My photo class is ending this week, and I think I might sign up for another one. It's really fun to be out during the week doing something completely non-school and non-teacher related. The price is very affordable too. (Check it out: Educational Alliance)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
It's Vacation!
Oh friends, it's finally here! I thought the month between Christmas break and midwinter break wouldn't be too slow and awful. I told myself I wouldn't take any days off, and I succeeded in that. There was a pretty rough stretch for a bit, though, with that bunch of teachers leaving.
Loud Leo left our class a few weeks ago. A new boy came to the class, but has apparently left again. Buster, whom I have not yet mentioned, has remained a serious detriment to the class's focus and my patience (or lack thereof). Buster refuses to control himself most of the time. It's 'just' his mouth, but that means that when the rest of the class is quiet, he makes noise and distracts them and then never shuts up. And then other boys follow his lead and make more noise. GAH. He's really started to haunt me.
As for the rest of the kids, some are still okay and some are still difficult. Fidgety Frank continues to play with anything he finds (actual toys, paper, eraser bits, etc) and do almost no work. BFG falls asleep half the afternoons. Upbeat Girl still tells me I'm beautiful.
We had a party on Friday, that I'm not totally certain they deserved, but lord knows it had to be better than trying to force them to learn on the Friday afternoon before a week off. Our last lesson of the day was writing Valentine acrostics. About half of kids basically did nothing, but the rest did a poem, and a few of them turned out pretty well actually.
Anyway....we're here! Vacation! A whole week off! My favorite part is always the not waking up before dawn. Also the not being at school for so many hours. I didn't bring anything home with me, but I will go in for a few hours next week to work on unit planning. I've been behind for so long but too exhausted to do anything about it. I hope to remedy that, at least a little for now.
Also, happy Valentine's Day today! The boy and I had a wonderful day together, out and about.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
goofball stories
I keep thinking of tidbits to post on here, but they're none of them very happy at all. This job has me focused on the fatigue, neverending admin tasks, and the endless planning in which I'm drowning. I'm not a very happy person at this job, and this makes for either an unhappy and repetitive blog, or an empty one.
But I remembered that I have been collecting Goofball anecdotes. He's been a bit more annoying and talkative lately, but he still is so cute (in a nicely immature way [as opposed to an annoyingly immature way]) and he catches me off guard with unexpected sweetness.
It was the afternoon, and everyone was leaving for Christmas break. Out of nowhere, he goes, "Did anyone tell you you're a nice teacher?"
I said no.
"Well, I'm telling you."
"What if I'm not a nice teacher?"
"You still are, cause you teach."
"But what if I teach but in a not-so-nice way?"
"Doesn't matter, you teach kids, so you're a nice teacher."
-
We have a schoolwide token-type system. I've assigned two students to hand them out, because I already have like four systems I can't remember. One morning during morning meeting, he handed one to me. He said, "here, for you, for teaching."
-
We were walking down the stairs and he asked me, "Do you run the tracks?"
Me: "No, I don't. Why, do you think I need to? Are you saying I'm fat???"
"No, you're skinny, that's why I thought you did."
Then another kid piped in that goofball said I walked too fast for my age.
I asked what that meant and a third goes, "He means you're really old and creaky."
Then I grabbed ears all around.
-
Have I mentioned the BFG? I have a Big (mostly) Friendly Giant in my class. This week, after learning in another class about the lunar new year, he came up to me and asked what year I was born. I said something about not telling him that. He wanted to know what animal year I am. "Chicken?" he said. "Dog?" with a smirk. I narrowed my eyes and told him he was being inappropriate.
A few minutes later, he and another couple students were chatting. One of them called over to me, "Did they have cheerleading in your school?" I said yes. "Were you a cheerleader?"
BFG goes, smirking again, "She couldn't make it." "Hey!" I snapped.
Then another one goes, "Are you married?" I was actually about to answer this for once, when BFG pipes up, "That's too personal! You can't ask her that!"
I goggled at him. "You ask me that question like once a week!"
-
I was doing some kind of lesson about something or other. Who knows, really. A kid randomly called out, asking how old I am. I said, "Old enough."
Student 1: 29!
Student 2: 34!
Student 1: She's not that old!
But I remembered that I have been collecting Goofball anecdotes. He's been a bit more annoying and talkative lately, but he still is so cute (in a nicely immature way [as opposed to an annoyingly immature way]) and he catches me off guard with unexpected sweetness.
It was the afternoon, and everyone was leaving for Christmas break. Out of nowhere, he goes, "Did anyone tell you you're a nice teacher?"
I said no.
"Well, I'm telling you."
"What if I'm not a nice teacher?"
"You still are, cause you teach."
"But what if I teach but in a not-so-nice way?"
"Doesn't matter, you teach kids, so you're a nice teacher."
-
We have a schoolwide token-type system. I've assigned two students to hand them out, because I already have like four systems I can't remember. One morning during morning meeting, he handed one to me. He said, "here, for you, for teaching."
-
We were walking down the stairs and he asked me, "Do you run the tracks?"
Me: "No, I don't. Why, do you think I need to? Are you saying I'm fat???"
"No, you're skinny, that's why I thought you did."
Then another kid piped in that goofball said I walked too fast for my age.
I asked what that meant and a third goes, "He means you're really old and creaky."
Then I grabbed ears all around.
-
Have I mentioned the BFG? I have a Big (mostly) Friendly Giant in my class. This week, after learning in another class about the lunar new year, he came up to me and asked what year I was born. I said something about not telling him that. He wanted to know what animal year I am. "Chicken?" he said. "Dog?" with a smirk. I narrowed my eyes and told him he was being inappropriate.
A few minutes later, he and another couple students were chatting. One of them called over to me, "Did they have cheerleading in your school?" I said yes. "Were you a cheerleader?"
BFG goes, smirking again, "She couldn't make it." "Hey!" I snapped.
Then another one goes, "Are you married?" I was actually about to answer this for once, when BFG pipes up, "That's too personal! You can't ask her that!"
I goggled at him. "You ask me that question like once a week!"
-
I was doing some kind of lesson about something or other. Who knows, really. A kid randomly called out, asking how old I am. I said, "Old enough."
Student 1: 29!
Student 2: 34!
Student 1: She's not that old!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
It's like Christmas in February!
Oh my god! No school tomorrow! WHEEEEE!!!
Actually more like zzzzzzz, as I'm pretty sure most of us will be sleeping in and loving every second. :)
Actually more like zzzzzzz, as I'm pretty sure most of us will be sleeping in and loving every second. :)
Sunday, February 07, 2010
dropping like flies
We have lost five staff members in the last two months.
It's upsetting, because it's hard for the kids and it's hard for those of us who knew and liked working with those people.
But I certainly don't blame them and mostly, I'm jealous of them that they got to leave. Hmm.
It's upsetting, because it's hard for the kids and it's hard for those of us who knew and liked working with those people.
But I certainly don't blame them and mostly, I'm jealous of them that they got to leave. Hmm.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
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