We have approximately 84 days in which to decide what to call this new human being of ours. And it's really hard.
X-ray
6 years ago
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Which Elephant
This picture sums up today pretty accurately:
Which elephant are you? I think I had moments today being each one...
Here's to tomorrow!
Here's to tomorrow!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Why do people be teachers?
3:05pm on a Tuesday
Kid waiting for her bus number to be called: Mrs. Wright, what is that?
Me: "It's my lunch"
Kid: Why are you eatin' it?
Me: "I am eating it because I am hungry."
Kid: No! Why didn't you eat it during lunch time?
Me: (*sigh*) "I didn't eat it then, because during lunchtime I had a meeting."
Kid: Why didn't you eat it while we was at PE?
Me: (in my head: "please stop talking") out loud: "I had another meeting, and I had to grade your writing notebooks."
Kid: *thoughtful pause*. . . . . Being a teacher's hard.
3:10 pm
Kid: Mrs. Wright? Why do people be teachers? Teachers don't even get paid good.
Me: Well . . . . . . . . . it must be because we looooooove you so much. And probably because we're a little bit crazy.
You want to know what I make?
I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor
and an A-‐ feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time
with anything less than your very best.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups.
No, you may not ask a question.
Why won’t I let you go to the bathroom?
Because you’re bored.
And you don’t really have to go to the bathroom, do you?
I make parents tremble in fear when I call home:
Hi. This is Mr. Mali. I hope I haven’t called at a bad time,
I just wanted to talk to you about something your son said today.
To the biggest bully in the grade, he said,
“Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don’t you?
It’s no big deal.”
And that was noblest act of courage I have ever seen.
I make parents see their children for who they are
and what they can be.
Kid waiting for her bus number to be called: Mrs. Wright, what is that?
Me: "It's my lunch"
Kid: Why are you eatin' it?
Me: "I am eating it because I am hungry."
Kid: No! Why didn't you eat it during lunch time?
Me: (*sigh*) "I didn't eat it then, because during lunchtime I had a meeting."
Kid: Why didn't you eat it while we was at PE?
Me: (in my head: "please stop talking") out loud: "I had another meeting, and I had to grade your writing notebooks."
Kid: *thoughtful pause*. . . . . Being a teacher's hard.
3:10 pm
Kid: Mrs. Wright? Why do people be teachers? Teachers don't even get paid good.
Me: Well . . . . . . . . . it must be because we looooooove you so much. And probably because we're a little bit crazy.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"What Teachers Make" by Taylor Mali
You want to know what I make?
I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor
and an A-‐ feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time
with anything less than your very best.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups.
No, you may not ask a question.
Why won’t I let you go to the bathroom?
Because you’re bored.
And you don’t really have to go to the bathroom, do you?
I make parents tremble in fear when I call home:
Hi. This is Mr. Mali. I hope I haven’t called at a bad time,
I just wanted to talk to you about something your son said today.
To the biggest bully in the grade, he said,
“Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don’t you?
It’s no big deal.”
And that was noblest act of courage I have ever seen.
I make parents see their children for who they are
and what they can be.
You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder,
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful
over and over and over again until they will never misspell
either one of those words again.
I make them show all their work in math
and hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them understand that if you’ve got this (a brain),
then you follow this (your heart),
and if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make, you give them this (a piece of your mind).
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful
over and over and over again until they will never misspell
either one of those words again.
I make them show all their work in math
and hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them understand that if you’ve got this (a brain),
then you follow this (your heart),
and if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make, you give them this (a piece of your mind).
Here, let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true:
Teachers make a difference!
Teachers make a difference!
Now what about you?
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Another Year Over
Well, blog world, I did it. I made it through 2 years in the Nashville public school system. I've officially survived 4 years of teaching! Who knew I would ever get this far? A year ago, I wasn't so optimistic. But moving into the main building from a portable really helps brighten your outlook on life!
Crabs and frogs and millipedes (millipedes not pictured) joined our class as part of an animal studies science unit. I was so disgusted. We all loved them. :D The frogs lasted about a week. The crabs and millipedes were indestructible, and they reeked. Eventually I told the students we had to release them because they weren't happy in their plastic containers. I think next year our animal studies unit will be a little less "hands on."
I was so blessed to work closely with an amazing teacher and friend-- it made swapping students during the reading block a cinch!
I tried something new with my computer station and took the legs off the
table! The kids like sitting on the floor while they use the machines,
and there are 4 less chairs to deal with. I loved it so much I am going to do the same thing to about half of my desks! Stay tuned....
We got to go on a fun field trip to the Grand Ole' Opry House.
My kids had some serious dancing skills .The students got to show off at a SWPBS Big Ticket dance!
We did a lot of work... and correcting work....
I started using Data Notebooks with my students. They each keep a notebook where they keep track of their goals, scores on assignments, mastery of the curriculum, and reflections of their progress. They love it and it really helps them to see where they are in relation to where they need to be. I was afraid that it would be discouraging, but for most students it became a good motivator. They would get very excited during "Data Time" where we would record scores and talk about our goals. I am still new to this idea and definitely got started on something I wasn't ready to keep up with fidelity, so next year I will be doing a simpler version
I made so many memories with this crazy group of kids. It's so hard to let them go on to big bad middle school. I'll miss them just as much as every other group I've had.
Now looking forward to year number FIVE! 19 days until the madness begins again!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Time Warp
We're back! Actually, we've always been here, I've just been neglecting our poor blog since my discovery of pinterest. If you don't know what it is, check it out. You will either thank me for opening a world of possibilities or curse me for the imminent addiction. Or maybe a little of both. So..... here's what we've been up to!
August: To celebrate/commemorate the ending of summer, we cabin-ed (too luxurious to say camped) in Gatlinburg with some good friends.
September: I whipped my students into shape. :) Here they are executing perfect restroom behavior.
I went with my girlfriends to Atlanta for a baby shower and Ikea Trip.
October: We both had fall break at the same time, so we spent a few days in Atlanta
...highlight of the trip was the Atlanta Aquarium and the whalesharks!
Brian turned 27 and all his birthday wishes came true! (Costco cake and Wicked Tickets)
November: We had a fantastic Thanksgiving with friends! Somehow, the only picture I took was of the place settings...
Brian was cast as "Joseph" in the traditional Oldham Family Christmas Eve Nativity Story thanks to his newest and biggest fan, Carrie (who played the part of Mary).
Brian constructed a Gingerbread-stadium. Well, technically speaking, it was made of graham crackers.
We got to spend New Years in Oregon-- we enjoyed the beautiful real tree, playing with neices, and dancing to Wii games with family (I'm so bugged I didn't get any photo evidence of that)!
January: Brian gave me the BEST birthday present EVER: a teddy bear that is almost as big as me. Coupled with a warm blanket and the books Stacey gave me for Christmas, I was in my version of paradise.
August: To celebrate/commemorate the ending of summer, we cabin-ed (too luxurious to say camped) in Gatlinburg with some good friends.
September: I whipped my students into shape. :) Here they are executing perfect restroom behavior.
I went with my girlfriends to Atlanta for a baby shower and Ikea Trip.
October: We both had fall break at the same time, so we spent a few days in Atlanta
...highlight of the trip was the Atlanta Aquarium and the whalesharks!
Brian turned 27 and all his birthday wishes came true! (Costco cake and Wicked Tickets)
November: We had a fantastic Thanksgiving with friends! Somehow, the only picture I took was of the place settings...
December: Our Christmas break started with a bang (or, rather, a crash) in Tucson when Michael crashed his bike and suffered a minor concussion and 3 fractured vertebrae. It is a huge blessing that he is ok and only needs to wear a neck brace for 3-6 months.
Brian was cast as "Joseph" in the traditional Oldham Family Christmas Eve Nativity Story thanks to his newest and biggest fan, Carrie (who played the part of Mary).
We went to a UofA Basketball game (Go Wildcats!)
Brian constructed a Gingerbread-stadium. Well, technically speaking, it was made of graham crackers.
We got to spend New Years in Oregon-- we enjoyed the beautiful real tree, playing with neices, and dancing to Wii games with family (I'm so bugged I didn't get any photo evidence of that)!
January: Brian gave me the BEST birthday present EVER: a teddy bear that is almost as big as me. Coupled with a warm blanket and the books Stacey gave me for Christmas, I was in my version of paradise.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Voracious
This year I am trying out a new way to teach/manage literacy called "The Daily Cafe." We have a C.A.F.E. Menu board that we keep our strategies as we learn and use them (C for Comprehension, A for Accuracy, F for fluency and E for Expand Vocabulary).
This week one of the strategies that I was teaching that would help our fluency was "Voracious Reading: the more we read, the more we learn." To introduce it, I was going to have the kids act out some animals who eat voraciously, then connect that back to how our brains should be "hungry for books" and we should just read and read and read and never stop, just like these "voracious" animals.
Great plan, right?
Well here's how it went:
Mrs. Wright: Alright, ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to please close your eyes. Now, imagine a BIG dinousaur in your mind (a few muted shrieks and giggles). Imagine what that dinosaur looks like when he is eating. Now, open your eyes and show me what that dinosaur looks like when he is eating.
Students: 3 just stare at me, and the other 18 all start slowly working their jaws around, like a cow chewing it's cud.
Mrs. Wright: Friends, I want you to think about a FEROCIOUS dinosaur! How does a T-Rex eat it's food?
Students: Same slow chewing motions with a few growls.
Mrs. Wright: (Thinking fast). Ok, ladies and gentlemen, let's try a different example. Um... Put your hand on your head if you know who cookie monster is....
The cookie monster analogy worked a lot better.
This week one of the strategies that I was teaching that would help our fluency was "Voracious Reading: the more we read, the more we learn." To introduce it, I was going to have the kids act out some animals who eat voraciously, then connect that back to how our brains should be "hungry for books" and we should just read and read and read and never stop, just like these "voracious" animals.
Great plan, right?
Well here's how it went:
Mrs. Wright: Alright, ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to please close your eyes. Now, imagine a BIG dinousaur in your mind (a few muted shrieks and giggles). Imagine what that dinosaur looks like when he is eating. Now, open your eyes and show me what that dinosaur looks like when he is eating.
Students: 3 just stare at me, and the other 18 all start slowly working their jaws around, like a cow chewing it's cud.
Mrs. Wright: Friends, I want you to think about a FEROCIOUS dinosaur! How does a T-Rex eat it's food?
Students: Same slow chewing motions with a few growls.
Mrs. Wright: (Thinking fast). Ok, ladies and gentlemen, let's try a different example. Um... Put your hand on your head if you know who cookie monster is....
The cookie monster analogy worked a lot better.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Four Days...
In four days
... I will become "Mrs. Wright" again.
… I will be nervous the whole drive to school because I have "First Day Jitters."
... I will have pencils sharpened and new office supplies handy.
… I will begin the new journey with 24 (give or take a few) smiling (I hope) faces.
... I will have 24 crazy new names to remember. (I wonder how many apostrophe's this year...)
… I will lay the foundation for reading, writing, math, and friendships.
… it will be the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!Monday, April 11, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Cheaper than Therapy
Teaching elementary school is hard. I've taught before, I know this. But I found out this year that teaching at a High Priority school is hard and stressful. So as a way of coping, I've adopted a new mantra:
"A good hobby is cheaper than therapy."
We've had 10 snow days so far this year, which have been great therapy days for me. Here are some of the therapeutic activities that I've been up to lately....
Over Christmas break, I found a piece of scrapbook paper with my mantra on it! It became this:
One of my new favorite recipes-- Blueberry muffins to die for
Brian Wright liked pretzels with sprinkes
His wife would eat them plain.
And so, betwixt the two of them,
No pretzels will remain!
My favorite project so far-- Ikea coffee table turned entry way bench!
BEFORE:
AFTER:
I also made a magnet board for my craft table... I'll be posting that soon!
Over Christmas break, I found a piece of scrapbook paper with my mantra on it! It became this:
One of my new favorite recipes-- Blueberry muffins to die for
Brian Wright liked pretzels with sprinkes
His wife would eat them plain.
And so, betwixt the two of them,
No pretzels will remain!
My favorite project so far-- Ikea coffee table turned entry way bench!
BEFORE:
AFTER:
I also made a magnet board for my craft table... I'll be posting that soon!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Whale Poem
My students do literacy centers every day. They do 10 a week with partners while I pull back small groups for focused instruction.
In the Science and Social Studies Connection center this week, my students had to research information about whales and then write a poem about whales. Here is my favorite:
For a fact people hunt down whales and use blubber
for rubber.
Well gee that sounds sad
you shouldn't be glad.
Those pour little whales
are becoming stail.
Whales eat krill.
Humans bbq them on a grill.
p.s. This kid has told me that his dad is a rapper. He also has 8 brothers and sisters and all of their names start with "Ter-".
In the Science and Social Studies Connection center this week, my students had to research information about whales and then write a poem about whales. Here is my favorite:
For a fact people hunt down whales and use blubber
for rubber.
Well gee that sounds sad
you shouldn't be glad.
Those pour little whales
are becoming stail.
Whales eat krill.
Humans bbq them on a grill.
p.s. This kid has told me that his dad is a rapper. He also has 8 brothers and sisters and all of their names start with "Ter-".
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Doody
.......Setting-- 4th grade bathrooms......
(Shrieks coming from the girls side of the restroom)
Mrs. Wright: "Ladies, what is the problem?!"
A: "Mrs. Wright, K went doody in the bathroom!"
D: "HAHAHAHA DOODY!"
C: "I can smell it y'all!"
R: "Doooooooody doooooooody...."
(More Laughter)
Mrs. Wright: "Oh come on, ladies- just drop it, everybody does that."
A: "But it's doody!"
Mrs. Wright: "Well don't make fun, everybody needs to do that sometimes, it's not a big deal."
C: (thoughtful expression) "Mrs. Wright, do YOU do it?"
(Shrieks coming from the girls side of the restroom)
Mrs. Wright: "Ladies, what is the problem?!"
A: "Mrs. Wright, K went doody in the bathroom!"
D: "HAHAHAHA DOODY!"
C: "I can smell it y'all!"
R: "Doooooooody doooooooody...."
(More Laughter)
Mrs. Wright: "Oh come on, ladies- just drop it, everybody does that."
A: "But it's doody!"
Mrs. Wright: "Well don't make fun, everybody needs to do that sometimes, it's not a big deal."
C: (thoughtful expression) "Mrs. Wright, do YOU do it?"
Sunday, January 16, 2011
First Young Womens Lesson
I am now in the Young Women's Presidency in our church congregation! I was asked to serve in this calling a week ago and we dove right in! Three other women and I are in charge of the teenage girls in our ward (12-18 years old) and their Sunday class as well as their Wednesday night youth group ("Mutual"). I am specifically assigned to the "Beehives" (12-13 year old girls) but since we don't have very many Young Women, we all meet together anyways.
I am so excited! The girls in my ward are way cute and we have already planned some super fun activities!
Today I taught my first lesson to the group. It was on being a daughter of God and growing closer to Christ through daily activities. It was actually going pretty well right up until the end (about 5 minutes before I was finished). The room we were in had 2 doors, one at the front where I was teaching and one at the back behind where the girls were sitting. We were having a really good moment when all of a sudden one of the Young Men threw open the door, tossed a ball of paper at the girls, and took off down the hall.
Instantly, the 4th grade teacher inside of me reared it's ugly head. I opened the door close to me andchased walked quickly to catch up with the Young Man around the corner, where he had run-- foolishly assuming I wouldn't follow him :)....
He turned and looked at me over his shoulder.
*I never would have done this a year ago. Teaching in an urban school district has apparently changed me.
I am so excited! The girls in my ward are way cute and we have already planned some super fun activities!
Today I taught my first lesson to the group. It was on being a daughter of God and growing closer to Christ through daily activities. It was actually going pretty well right up until the end (about 5 minutes before I was finished). The room we were in had 2 doors, one at the front where I was teaching and one at the back behind where the girls were sitting. We were having a really good moment when all of a sudden one of the Young Men threw open the door, tossed a ball of paper at the girls, and took off down the hall.
Instantly, the 4th grade teacher inside of me reared it's ugly head. I opened the door close to me and
He turned and looked at me over his shoulder.
Scary Sis. Wright: "EXCUSE ME."
Young Man with Pink Tie: "Yeah..."
Scary Sis. Wright: "That was EXTREMELY rude."
Pink Tie: "uuhhh..."
Scary Sis. Wright: "That will NEVER happen again."Pink Tie: "Yes ma'am. Yes, ma'am."
Scary Sis. Wright: "Thank you."
Do NOT disrespect me when I am teaching*
(There may or may not have been some slight attitude head bobbing on my part-- learned behaviors from my students.)
...So much for getting in with the kids and being a "Cool" youth leader.
At least my girls thought it was funny.
I walked back in and finished my lesson about making choices everyday to bring us closer to Christ and feel peace.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010 in Review
Here's our quick review of 2010:
We traveled to Vanderbilt for 2nd look weekend and decided that "Vandy" was were we wanted to be.
Brian graduated with honors from BYU and was chosen as the student speaker for BYU's April 2010 commencement.
Natalie completed classes earning her teaching endorsement in English Language Learners.
Natalie was hired to teach 4th grade.
We survived the move to Nashville, Tennessee.
Brian started medical school at Vanderbilt.
We celebrated our 3rd anniversary on December 29th.
We are so grateful for all of the blessings we have experienced in this last year! We have truly been watched over in all of the changes we've had to go through. We are thankful for wonderful family and amazing friends!
We are excited about 2011 and all of the adventures that will come with it!
We traveled to Vanderbilt for 2nd look weekend and decided that "Vandy" was were we wanted to be.
Brian graduated with honors from BYU and was chosen as the student speaker for BYU's April 2010 commencement.
Natalie completed classes earning her teaching endorsement in English Language Learners.
Natalie was hired to teach 4th grade.
We survived the move to Nashville, Tennessee.
Brian started medical school at Vanderbilt.
We celebrated our 3rd anniversary on December 29th.
We are so grateful for all of the blessings we have experienced in this last year! We have truly been watched over in all of the changes we've had to go through. We are thankful for wonderful family and amazing friends!
We are excited about 2011 and all of the adventures that will come with it!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Oh 4th grade...
Even though they give me more drama and attitude than I thought was possible with 20 kids, I can't help but love them. I feel so blessed that I get to interact with these kids and hopefully give them something to look forward to in coming to school. Aren't they cute?(this picture was taken when my cousin sent me "Flat Hailey" to spend a week with me. That is what K. is holding in the front.)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
I GOT A JOB!
My trip to Nashville 3 weeks ago was not in vain! I had a few good interviews and I got to see our townhome (holy SPACIOUS!)!
In one of my interviews, I met a wonderful principal who actually didn't have any positions at her school open, but she (for some reason) just loved me. Ever since I got back to Utah, she has been emailing me and calling me and taking my resume around to all of her principal friends.
Yesterday she called me (I was in Old Navy at the time):
Principal: *heavy southern accent* Hi Nat-lie! How are you?
Me: I'm great! How are you doing?
Principal: Fine! I'm just here with my best friend having lunch and she has a 4th grade position open, do you want to talk to her?
Me: Oh! Sure! Yes, please.
I talked with her friend who told me all about her school and then said that she is in the middle of moving and working on her dissertation so she is really busy. She said that since her best friend was just singing my praises she was going to trust her best friend and hire me. (!!!!!!)
So I will be teaching 4th grade in the city of Madison, Tennessee!! It is just a 15 minute drive from where we are living in Nashville! I am so excited!
In one of my interviews, I met a wonderful principal who actually didn't have any positions at her school open, but she (for some reason) just loved me. Ever since I got back to Utah, she has been emailing me and calling me and taking my resume around to all of her principal friends.
Yesterday she called me (I was in Old Navy at the time):
Principal: *heavy southern accent* Hi Nat-lie! How are you?
Me: I'm great! How are you doing?
Principal: Fine! I'm just here with my best friend having lunch and she has a 4th grade position open, do you want to talk to her?
Me: Oh! Sure! Yes, please.
I talked with her friend who told me all about her school and then said that she is in the middle of moving and working on her dissertation so she is really busy. She said that since her best friend was just singing my praises she was going to trust her best friend and hire me. (!!!!!!)
So I will be teaching 4th grade in the city of Madison, Tennessee!! It is just a 15 minute drive from where we are living in Nashville! I am so excited!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Life is Crazy
We'll probably have a great post later on with pictures and the whole shabang but for now, here's what we're up to:
Last week was the last day of school for Elementary School. School ended at noon. After a faculty luncheon and a not-so-quick cleaning up of the classroom, we went home and to bed at 6:00pm. We woke up at 12:00 midnight and began the 12-hour trek to Tucson, AZ. Crazy, you might say. Some might agree. We would do it again any day. It was worth driving half of the trip in the dark (we do not have tinted windows and when the sun came out in full force our car was an oven!), and it was nice to be the only ones on the road basically until Flagstaff.
We've been in Tucson since last Friday, soaking up the sun, stuffing ourselves with Mom's cooking, bruising each other in dodgeball, and playing plenty of rounds of "Bang!" It's been so nice to just relax... until Wednesday.
On Wednesday, I emailed a principal in Nashville who had invited me to tour her school and schedule an interview. I told her that I was not going to be in Nashville until July but I would love to speak with her over the phone. We emailed back and forth for a while, and then talked on the phone a bit, and she told me she really "needed" me to fly to Nashville to interview with her on Monday. AH! All of a sudden, I had a to-do list on my vacation:
1. get a flight to Nashville
2. arrange for a couch to sleep on in Nashville
3. figure out how to rent a car in Nashville
4. go shopping for interview-appropriate clothes
5. try to line up more interviews
So, we bought a flight to Nashville-- poor Brian gets to drive back to Provo alone with my 16-year-old brother and his friend who are EFY-bound.
We contacted some friends that we met when we went to Vanderbilt Second-Look Weekend who not only found me a place to stay, but offered to pick me up at the airport and let me use a car!
My mom took me shopping (thank heavens for mothers) for appropriate clothes.
And I've spent the last 2 days emailing/calling principals to try to line up more interviews with not much luck. I even applied to all of the open middle school positions! (that would be scary... but I could do it)
I can't believe how blessed we are!
Blessing #1: I actually have an interview with a principal that is very interested in me!
Blessing #2: I have a second interview with a principal that seems mildly interested in me.
Blessing #3: We met wonderful people last time we were in Nashville who are being so kind and helping me out!
Blessing #4: I get to see our townhome and meet our landlady while I am there!
Blessing #5: The director of my ESL class didn't seem too bothered that I am missing the first 2 days of class.
Hopefully I walk away from this experience with a job, but even if I don't, it has really shown me how blessed we are!
Last week was the last day of school for Elementary School. School ended at noon. After a faculty luncheon and a not-so-quick cleaning up of the classroom, we went home and to bed at 6:00pm. We woke up at 12:00 midnight and began the 12-hour trek to Tucson, AZ. Crazy, you might say. Some might agree. We would do it again any day. It was worth driving half of the trip in the dark (we do not have tinted windows and when the sun came out in full force our car was an oven!), and it was nice to be the only ones on the road basically until Flagstaff.
We've been in Tucson since last Friday, soaking up the sun, stuffing ourselves with Mom's cooking, bruising each other in dodgeball, and playing plenty of rounds of "Bang!" It's been so nice to just relax... until Wednesday.
On Wednesday, I emailed a principal in Nashville who had invited me to tour her school and schedule an interview. I told her that I was not going to be in Nashville until July but I would love to speak with her over the phone. We emailed back and forth for a while, and then talked on the phone a bit, and she told me she really "needed" me to fly to Nashville to interview with her on Monday. AH! All of a sudden, I had a to-do list on my vacation:
1. get a flight to Nashville
2. arrange for a couch to sleep on in Nashville
3. figure out how to rent a car in Nashville
4. go shopping for interview-appropriate clothes
5. try to line up more interviews
So, we bought a flight to Nashville-- poor Brian gets to drive back to Provo alone with my 16-year-old brother and his friend who are EFY-bound.
We contacted some friends that we met when we went to Vanderbilt Second-Look Weekend who not only found me a place to stay, but offered to pick me up at the airport and let me use a car!
My mom took me shopping (thank heavens for mothers) for appropriate clothes.
And I've spent the last 2 days emailing/calling principals to try to line up more interviews with not much luck. I even applied to all of the open middle school positions! (that would be scary... but I could do it)
I can't believe how blessed we are!
Blessing #1: I actually have an interview with a principal that is very interested in me!
Blessing #2: I have a second interview with a principal that seems mildly interested in me.
Blessing #3: We met wonderful people last time we were in Nashville who are being so kind and helping me out!
Blessing #4: I get to see our townhome and meet our landlady while I am there!
Blessing #5: The director of my ESL class didn't seem too bothered that I am missing the first 2 days of class.
Hopefully I walk away from this experience with a job, but even if I don't, it has really shown me how blessed we are!
3rd Grade
(More coming soon about the last day of school)
I just wanted to clarify that *tear!* in the previous post really translated into: *many tears*sob*more tears*sob*sob*... etc.
And the process repeats itself every time I get an email from a parent telling me that their son/daughter misses school.
I miss those kids.
I just wanted to clarify that *tear!* in the previous post really translated into: *many tears*sob*more tears*sob*sob*... etc.
And the process repeats itself every time I get an email from a parent telling me that their son/daughter misses school.
I miss those kids.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Our timeline
7 1/2(school) Days left of 3rd Grade at Canyon *Tear!*
13 Days until we go to AZ
39 Days until Natalie is ESL endorsed
44 Days until we go to OR
56 Days until we leave Provo on our cross-country trek
58 Days until we start our next adventure
13 Days until we go to AZ
39 Days until Natalie is ESL endorsed
44 Days until we go to OR
56 Days until we leave Provo on our cross-country trek
58 Days until we start our next adventure
...in NASHVILLE TENNESSEE!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A to Z book
Throughout the year my students make several class books. I especially love doing A to Z books. Most recently we made A to Z books for the secretaries at our school (Mrs. Higginson is Awesome, Beautiful, etc). Each kid gets a different letter and it makes it more fun to read rather than having all the kids do the same thing.
We were reading an A to Z artifact book that had all sorts of different historical artifacts, so we made our own 2010 A to Z artifact book. The criteria was: 1. What is it? 2. What is it used for? 3. Who uses it? This is some of what they came up with: (I thought they were hilarious, and in some cases very clever)
A is for Apple. We uss apples for snaks. Apples have been around for a long time.
B is for Base (Bass). It is So tall it is hard to play! You play it with musicians at a place. Anytime you want.
C is for Camal (camel). a camal is ugly. and fat. and stoopid. and lets people ride on them.
(We only talk about capitalization EVERY DAY. Not to mention complete sentences... c'mon kid)
E is for Easter Eggs. Lots of people use easter eggs because it is a holaday! Lots of people use them a lot. Lots of places.
F is for Fish. Pleople used fish for oil to keep their skin from becomeing dry. Ther are a lot of kid of fish in the world. Fish oil is used in peels too. They have been around a long time. They live in rivers, seas, lakes, and ponds.
I is for Ice Cream. Ice cream is A flavored liquid frozen. Boys and girls use ice cream. It has been around for tons of years.
K is for Killowate. scientists use if for lights and phones.
M is for Megaphone. A person who talks to a large crowd uses one of these. It's like a cone, or electric device that amplifies the sound of a voise. You can use it at places such as track meats, circuses, and places with large crowds to get their attention. I don't know how long it's been around.
(haha an 8 year old who uses "device" and "amplifies." There's 1 in every class)
N is for Naked. A person without clothes. You will be in your home. You would be without clothes, uncovered, nude. You would be naked when you are in the shower.
P is for Platashin 3 (playstation3) It is the best. it has games. it is kool. I dont care when it was made.
R is for Ravioli. it is a type of pasta. It was started in Italy. lots of people use it. and like it.
T is for Treat. Some thing that is very good and tastey. Everyone likes this.
I love 3rd grade.
We were reading an A to Z artifact book that had all sorts of different historical artifacts, so we made our own 2010 A to Z artifact book. The criteria was: 1. What is it? 2. What is it used for? 3. Who uses it? This is some of what they came up with: (I thought they were hilarious, and in some cases very clever)
A is for Apple. We uss apples for snaks. Apples have been around for a long time.
B is for Base (Bass). It is So tall it is hard to play! You play it with musicians at a place. Anytime you want.
C is for Camal (camel). a camal is ugly. and fat. and stoopid. and lets people ride on them.
(We only talk about capitalization EVERY DAY. Not to mention complete sentences... c'mon kid)
E is for Easter Eggs. Lots of people use easter eggs because it is a holaday! Lots of people use them a lot. Lots of places.
F is for Fish. Pleople used fish for oil to keep their skin from becomeing dry. Ther are a lot of kid of fish in the world. Fish oil is used in peels too. They have been around a long time. They live in rivers, seas, lakes, and ponds.
I is for Ice Cream. Ice cream is A flavored liquid frozen. Boys and girls use ice cream. It has been around for tons of years.
K is for Killowate. scientists use if for lights and phones.
M is for Megaphone. A person who talks to a large crowd uses one of these. It's like a cone, or electric device that amplifies the sound of a voise. You can use it at places such as track meats, circuses, and places with large crowds to get their attention. I don't know how long it's been around.
(haha an 8 year old who uses "device" and "amplifies." There's 1 in every class)
N is for Naked. A person without clothes. You will be in your home. You would be without clothes, uncovered, nude. You would be naked when you are in the shower.
P is for Platashin 3 (playstation3) It is the best. it has games. it is kool. I dont care when it was made.
R is for Ravioli. it is a type of pasta. It was started in Italy. lots of people use it. and like it.
T is for Treat. Some thing that is very good and tastey. Everyone likes this.
I love 3rd grade.
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