User Name forgot?
Password

 

musicbug
Under the Plan Book

What's under the plan book? It's always something , and that's why I keep going. Let's laugh at best, sigh at the worst ,and enjoy the madness that is teaching.

 
Page 1 of 4 1 23 Last »
Blog Tools Search this Blog
Is 60 the new 70??????
by: musicbug, 11-17-2009

According to a local school department it is. Since forever 70 was the goal post for proficiency.Now 60 percent is the cut off. Excuse me a few little questions.

1. I understand the "new rigor" that is the rage now. But by dropping the bar, what's the point?

2. Do you really think kids are going to try harder when they have an extra 10 point cushion?

3. Will colleges really accept a grade of 60% in core subjects as acceptable?

4. Does a A- really equal an 80 ( if you follow 60 as the new 70)?

5. What does this do to the actual value of a 4.0 average???

6. Does a 75 now count as an honor roll grade?

My child's school still sees 70 as passing and 69 as failing. ( Thank heaven) Am I overreacting to 60 as passing?

Can anyone who works at a school that uses 60 as a cut off point ,please explain??????

0 Comments

The Song Remembers When
by: musicbug, 11-07-2009

Maybe the Tamiflu pills are playing with my head or just some age related side effects to H1N1,but I'm having some really weird flashbacks recently. The triggers are musical though.

I heard "Jet" and the next thing I know I'm 5, in my grandparents place and watching my uncle getting ready for his shift at the Jack in the Box.....

Later, hubby was taking us out to eat.." Centerfold" starts playing and I smell Malboro lights , and see radiostation t-shirts and lumber jack shirts ..and later the boys in music theory rocking out on their little electrics.

I'm starting to get a little scared at this point. I'm no little highschool band groupie,anymore.

On our way home, two more flashbacks slam me head on.....

"Jenny 867-5309"- even with kid singing with me I'm back in the band scene singing on the front row of the New Year's Eve show. Rocking black denim with the boys and Debbie Gibson pony tail.

Nothing could surprise me as "Only the Good Die Young" reminded me of reeling broken cassettes out of the guts of my first stereo. ( And we laughed at our folks 8-tracks..)

I'm hiding from my stereo complete with tape player before "A Touch Of Grey" sends me back to my poet, western wearing highschool days again.( tie-dye was against dress code)

0 Comments

Living in Orwellian times
by: musicbug, 10-30-2009

Psstt.... You know that you are being watched, don't you? Spies are everywhere. Suspect everyone, including and especially those tiny little darlings in your care.

A new world order is being created that requires a numb, illiterate society. First every home with a television can not avoid reality or enterainment shows. These programs are encoded with subliminal messages that keep people from actually thinking. The Powers Behind the Throne need to keep us preoccupied with idiocy so we will accept the new world order.

As teachers we have become the front line of defense of this order. We are not trusted with such power so scripted curriculum is the order of the day. In the halls of learning thinking is discouraged since it isn't required for the TEST. Creativitiy is also strongly discouraged since it will take minutes away from the all important TEST PREP. Recess and PE require socializing and solving problems which don't appear on the TEST and therefore useless. And lest you think you can close your doors and teach your way, there are spies just waiting to rat you out to the powers behind the throne, because they have "concerns".

In contrast, people sitting in fancy offices with mood music are making the schedules, counting the minutes and taking the data from the TEST as gospel, which proclaims " Students are failing ,because of their inept, lazy teachers." " All teachers must follow the pacing chart, or you are a bad teacher. Also all students must have mastered the material ,or they are the vicitims of a bad teacher."

THEY have found the enemy and it is US.

Are we ready for a backlash?!?!?!?!?!!?!?

3 Comments

Storage issues
by: musicbug, 10-11-2009

Am I the only one that has continuing storage issues. Yeah, I know bins are wonderful things. My problem is where to put the bins. As a displaced teacher, I have all my teaching stuff in their bins in the basement. I always thought that covered bins were more trouble than they are worth. ( Ask my manicure) so I now have millions of small bins without covers and fear that my books will get musty. I know the first thing everyone will say, is bring the books into the house, but I haven't the space ...and my personal bookshelves are full.
TAKE TWO... Tarps....cover the boxes yes,but will the must still get in??? Pluses include not having to look at all the material and have my heart break every time I do the laundry. Keeping spiders and other creepy crawlies out sounds good too.
I've been watching too much HGTV again and I heard cedar is supposed to protect clothes, does it work for books too?????
Any one with suggestions please post.

2 Comments

It's amazing... First Grade Edition
by: musicbug, 10-20-2009

Maybe I taught the big kids too long, but there are things about being a mom of a first grader that amazes me.

1. My kid's teacher is smarter than I am. I don't know if she realizes my boy thinks that everything she says and does is correct. Mom's wrong every shot.

2. The child actually cares about his work and acheivement. He gets mad at himself if he doesn't get the check plus or the 100 on the spelling test.

3. This room is messy but his desk is neat. Please explain.

4. Teacher's approval means the universe. Son will do anything to make his dear teacher happy. I wish he felt that way about keeping dear mom happy.

5. Juice boxes are better than thremoses.

6. It's cool to buy school lunch. Don't ask me why. I've had the lunches provided by this company. They aren't that great.

Maybe I should consider taking a first grade position........

5 Comments

The invasion of the number crunchers
by: musicbug, 09-28-2009

Boy, oh boy the brainboxes just don't quit, do they? Okay, I get that the world out scores the US in all academic measures. I can understand looking at time in class and length of the school year,but once again, looking at only one factor doesn't solve the problem. We tried spending more to no real success, we tried punishing schools, teachers, and students, not working, of course. So now let's extend the school day and year. We haven't the funds to do so, let's tell the states they must find the cash.

Humm..... I think it isn't just the kiddos who need help in math. WE'RE ALL BROKE!!!!! IF YOU CAN'T PAY FOR IT, DON'T MANDATE IT.

My proposal is inexpensive, practical and best of all, good for the entire country.
1. Parents, it is time to revive the society of grown ups. As much as it pleases you to be your child's friend, it isn't helping them become responsible for their learning. When you don their homework, write letters saying Jimmy had a late practice and to excuse him from the work , you are not teaching him to be responsible . When you bad mouth the teacher, coach or other adult that works with your child in front of them ,two things happen. First , it gets back to the other adult; second, your kid thinks it's okay not to work with the grown up in question. Also parents please note, the cute kid shows your kid and his /her peers are watching portray grown ups as fools. Being your kid's freind instead of very concerned avocate is a dangerous road.

2. The rest of us. Can you help a kid learn? Sure you can. Become a tutor, listen to a little one read, run spelling words and math facts with a struggling student. Show your support for learning and education. When I visited Ireland, the radio and televison reporters wished the kids good luck on their Nationwide exams whose results determine if you can go to college for free, graduate high school ,and elementary schools. Kids were studying everywhere and the adults in the parks and cafes respected the dome of silence the kids had created and would wish any kid they saw good luck on their exams. Imagine what a community's support could do for the results of our AYP????

I don't think I've spent any money yet.

3. Compare like to like. Age to age , ability to ability , the student to him/her self.

Phases one and two would change the tone of education in America. It used to be the American way to demand the best from our kids. Let's push the kids for their best, and support those who need it. If it stays only on the teachers' shoulders, what you see is what you get. Are we ready for a revolution???????

0 Comments

Just checking if I exist
by: musicbug, 10-06-2009

Good thing I never really believed that I was "close" with any of the people I work with. I went to a union meeting, and since I wasn't recalled, it was like I was suffering from the plauge. I was trying to get information about my situation from the union officers and figured I would stay for the meeting to say hi to people that I thought were friendly. I was treated like I didn't exist, or I smelled bad. When the one person I thought I could trust snubbed me, I was just heartbroken. It took me three weeks to even be able to write this. I guess it's best that I'm out of sight. I'm all ready out of mind.

My hubby complains that I'm out of work, and implies that I'm pretty much worthless since I don't have a job. We had to put plans for a house on hold. You would think that I did this on puropse the way he acts. I already feel pretty worthless, way to go making me feel worse.

I'm sorry for being such a Debbie Downer. I really think the show is over for me..what is postponed often doesn't come about. I wonder what to do with the rest of my life.

3 Comments

They are humans not widgets ,people!!
by: musicbug, 09-12-2009

One of the things that make me totally crazy are all the outsiders who think they can run a school like a business. As I read about all of these schools making do with less staff, 35 in a room, and expecting AYPs met and exceeded, I wonder how many of these brilliant brain boxes have ever tried to do what looks "reasonable" on paper?

All children must read and write at or above grade level by 2014. A fine sounding goal. Who deosn't want children to succeed? Problem is.. children develop .They are not miniature adults. Brains do not fully develop until one's early 20's. Brains grow at their own pace, not what we wish might be possible.

Financial savings by increasing class size. Sorry Charlie- more kids in a room= less time for individual attention= less not more achievement. Every parent ( I hope) knows that the more attention their child gets from them, the better the child does. Children run amok if left to their own devices while waiting their turn for the teacher to have a moment to help , encourage and enrich.

Pay teachers for student progress. It doesn't work guys. Since kids are not robots or computers , children who can do the work and choose not to, would and have resulted in excellent teachers not getting paid what they are worth. One or two children could destroy all the effort of their teacher. Firing teachers based on the same is also a foolish pasttime. Since we do not keep children back, force parents to homeschool children who refuse to put in the effort, or hand pick our students , we are at the mercy of the mini mafia.

One of my greatest dreams is to put a garden variety critic in our shoes. I'd love to see a politician live with what they have created, earning a teacher's pay, and see if they could last a sememster. The fact that many Teach for America folks only last their two years should tell the pols and critics something, but they are too busy fixing the "failing American schools", and pontificating to open their eyes and see.

3 Comments

Displaced Teacher... trying to keep sane.
by: musicbug, 09-10-2009

Due to shrinking enrollment and and other ridiculous snafus I'm without a job for the start of this year.I've been going through the whole mourning thing, but people around me are getting testy so until I get recalled again, I need to count some blessings. Poor comfort, but I might lose my mind if I don't find another way to look at things.

Pluses

1. Bathroom Breaks at will.

2. More than 5 minutes to wolf down lunch.

3. No more paper jams.

4. No more yard duty.

5. Staff meetings contain only me, myself, annd I.

6. No more free falling posters.


Minuses

1. Miss the kids.

2. No job =no$$$$$

3. Feeling like I have a less purposeful life.

4. No outlet for my obsessive buying of Children's books.

5. No outlet for my supplies obessesion.

6. Feeling like a useless failure.

It's so sad how much of my life revolved around my teaching. I have no idea how I can go on until I really know what is going on( other than the fact I have no assignment). I hope someone out here in cyberland who gets it. If anyone finds a ghost in need of a home, please take care of Bob.

10 Comments

Queen of Cheap
by: musicbug, 08-22-2009

That's my new title. Just ask my son. I knew that some day my bargin hunting behaviors would be questioned, but I thought my junior accomplice wouldn't give me any lip for a few more years. My darling son has always enjoyed going school shopping with me. The deal was eat your snack and keep up with the tour, and if you play your cards right, you might get a thing or two yourself.

This year I knew I was in trouble when after a particularly excellent score at Target, DS said, " Why are you being so cheap?" He didn't like it when I passed up Hallmark stickers and got my pocket charts at a place other than the local teacher store. He made it clear that while he enjoyed store hopping and buying things , he doesn't appreciate sale items. He announced to the cashier at Staples," Mom doesn't buy anything good, she only buys the cheap stuff." after I paid for my teacher allotment of penny notebooks.In my defense, I bought one for him too. He's a first grader, he doesn't need a notebook.

Perhaps I didn't train him right, or it just may be the Y chromosome, but he hates it when I only buy the sales. Well, he can stay home and pout with his dad while I get my teacher supply of pocket folders this weekend.

2 Comments

Teacher Overdrive
by: musicbug, 08-23-2009

One of my greatest faults as a teacher is I have an impossible time turning it off. My brain thinks almost exclusively in teacher mode,vacations be darned. As I board bounce, I find my dear PT buddies have the same issues. How about a quiz guys, to see how we rate.......



Are you in Teacher Over-Drive????


1. Do you find yourself explaining to your spouse the Honey Do List in painstaking detail?


2. Do you get excited in any stationary aisle even if it's in the grocery store?


3. Do you get a thrill just looking at plastic storage containers although your family is planning an intervention?

4. Do you find yourself unable to drive by bookstores, teacher supply stores, or office supply stores?

5. Do the cashiers at the aforementioned stores know you by a nickname( crazy container lady) or by your name( perhaps worse?)?

6. You find yourself cautioning unsupervised children about loose shoelaces or items that might fall on their heads at stores?

7. You shoot teacher looks at offending children, adults (or spouse )that need it?

8. Do you insist that everyone in your party push in their chairs when you leave the restaurant?

9. Are you physically unable to sleep past your "regular time"?

10.Do you rubber-neck every yard , garage ,and tag sale you innnocently ( or not so) pass?

Scoring ( 1 point for every right answer)

0-2 Can you teach me to relax?

3-5 Your teacher drive is high.

6-7 Going into hyper-drive

8-10 Wow!!!! Overdrivers Unite!!!!!!!

7 Comments

Comfort Objects
by: musicbug, 10-09-2009

In some ways teachers never have to grow up. Since our kiddos are always the same age, we don't have to grow older in the traditional sense of the word. Heck, some of us who teach the littlest ones tend to be told we're at least 100. The way I never age is my never ending desire for particular comfort objects.
My classroom must be stocked carefully each year so that I will feel secure and not be found talking to the walls some evening.

1. My squishy earth- Such power to crush the world when the problem parent or bureaucratic bs has me steamed.

2. A new packages of : Thin markers, pencils, pens, and Hershey Kisses. Perhaps I'm not prepared for anything, at least I feel better.

3. A cool covered notebook- I have no idea what I'll write in it,but just looking at the wonderful designs are enough for me.

4. Sticky notes- with out my little stickeis, nervous breakdown here I come. The are my extra brain cells.

5. My timer- My students thank me otherwise we'd never get to lunch on time.

6. My finger pointers- "Thing one and Thing two and I are best pals. Little thing is my overhead finger pointer. I know that some are tempted to imagine that another finger is in use, some days it's fun to pretend.

4 Comments

Random Thoughts
by: musicbug, 07-04-2009

Summer tends to bring out the weird side of my brain. Some rather strange thoughts are running in my head.

1. Why is it the song you hate the most is the one that gets stuck in your head


2. Would any fifth grade teahcer actually go on Are You Smarter Than A Fifth grader

3. Are you offically a bad teacher if you enjoy days off and snow days more than your students

4. Is there a detox program for teachers who are addicted to back to school sales and rubbermaid bins

5. Can you get workman's comp for straining your back putting up bulletin boards

2 Comments

Amazing kids
by: musicbug, 06-24-2009

10. The male student who not only held a door for me, but offered to carry my bags too.

9. A girl who would rather straighten the library than play board games during free choice time.


8. Mr. Traveling High Five Man : a little guy who cruises by in his chair and highfives every teacher he sees. You can't be grumpy after a random high five.

7. Sunshine was one of the real special ones. She had a hunger to learn and find out about everything under the sun.

6. The three classes I taught who believed in Bob the Ghost as much as I do.

5. Mr. Persistance - He never gave up although a C would show up on the top of his paper most of the time.

4. Professors I and II- Bright guys, catch on in a heartbeat. There were some incredible conversations at bus time that they would hold at my desk.

3. Prince Charming- He has grown up so much. I still remember his little boy hugs, the stories he wrote that he asked me to read. I'll never forget being escorted to lunch.

2. Perfect Gentleman- The most polite child I've ever taught, bar none. He was also bright and engaging. I hope his mom has a big stick to chase the girls away.

1. My Heroine- A young woman who loved helping the special needs students who mainstreamed in our homeroom. She went on to become a helper for a Special Olympian.

I was and am so blessed to meet and teach such wonderful kids. Be on the look out for more amazing kids as I count my blessings this summer.

1 Comments

Personal Day gulit factor
by: musicbug, 05-25-2009

Due to a lack of child care, I had to take a personal day to take my son to school for 11:30. Of course I had to jump through the hoops and fill out all the proper paperwork. I got an approval, and wrote the epic otherwise known as sub plans. I also promised the kiddos a wonderful Tuesday if they could be good kiddos today. I did feel a little guilty leaving them, but knew that my sub had excellent back up, the DARE officer was coming in for a lesson today. My guilt lessened as I thought about all the help she would have today : DARE officer, music teacher ,and a book fair to hold over the darlings' heads as needed. I figured my guilt factor at about a 5 out of 10.
For some reason only known teachers, any day out has a guilt factor. Otherwise, what sane person would go to work sick, with broken bones ,or before they reach 6 weeks postpartum? I know teachers who keep going with a sick kid at grandma's, or running to the doctor's at lunch or afterschool, amazing. Yet when there is nothing else, we take the sick day, and instead of relaxing and getting better we worry about the havoc the kids are creating while we're communing with the commode. With that kind of mind set, of course a personal day causes the guilt to rise to epic proportions.

I do understand the concept of personal days. Days that you have to take for a personal business reason. That doesn't erase the guilt of leaving the kiddos to someone else for the day. The guilt factor gets higher depending on the business.


1. For your kids - guilt factor of a five or less
2. For Dear Spouse, or SO- the factor might hit six.
3. For other family member - depending might hit a seven.
4. For personal health and sanity- guilt spikes to an automatic 8 . we never cut ourselves a break.
5. To catch up on paperwork, housework ,etc. - hit a nine or ten with the added plus of being less than perfect.
6. To catch up with the Soaps and eat bon-bons - a 100 ( now stop joking around) Besides, we know the overactive guilt gland would never let that sucker fly.

3 Comments

I love teaching again
by: musicbug, 05-13-2009

After last year I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to utter those words. My badly shaken confidence took the better part of this school year to recover. I actually feel that I am making a difference for my kiddos this year. It's so much fun to watch them grow.
Prince Charming is still charming and now interacts with his peers as well as the adults in charge. Mr. Mime now talks and makes eye contact. So many others are growing in skills and all are ready to leave for their new adventures in the middle school.
I believe that three things made a huge difference. First I've got a much smaller class. It's amazing the difference that five kids make. Second I have genuinely nice kids this year. Yes, they make poor choices sometimes, but they own it and get on with the job of learning. Last I think I've been blessed by the spirit of my wonderful mentor teacher.( God rest him) Perhaps my classroom ghost isn't the poltergeist I thought it was. Some interesting things have happened since my automatic paper towel dispenser has started to have a mind of its own.
I hope I can get throught their "graduation" ceremony without crying.

0 Comments

No, The Duct Tape is for my mouth
by: musicbug, 04-27-2009

There are many things that get me in trouble, good chocolate is the tip of the iceburg. As I was listing my flaws, I found a full 3/4 of my problem is my big fat mouth. Despite many years teaching, I still have a bit of idealism and fairness left in my soul. When either are outraged, my big mouth gets revved and in gear. Under the current regime one must keep her lip buttoned and editorial letters in the shredder. It is also unwise to vent in the building where one can't tell the heroes from the villians. So started my quandry..

My first attempt to keep out of trouble was to vent to my long suffering better half. Since DH is a GUY, he went for the easy solve," so quit and shut up already." Okay....maybe he wasn't the smartest first choice. He was a teacher assistant for a year and swore he'd never darken the door of a classroom ever again. Take two...

Enter Dear Mother. She knows the score with my big fat mouth , and outrage issues and loves me cause it's a mom's job. So the venting commences. Mother's advice was as predictable as Saturday night Franks and beans. I don't know dear, do what you think is best. Answer: Mother, I can't do what I think is best because I have no control of the situation. Okay....Take three..

Giving in to my baser urges( minds out of the gutters,please) I decided on the time honored traditional family fix for issues beyond all control. EAT .. not just food but the GOOD STUFF. One problem, it is messing up my weight loss goals something awful.

How can I keep my big fat mouth shut? Will power (ha, ha).... Jaw wiring( medical insurance won't cover it unless I break my jaw first)......Hummm I guess duct tape will have to do. I wonder if it is tax deductable.

2 Comments

Why oh Why.......
by: musicbug, 03-20-2009

I always thought that someday things were going to change. I grew up in a rather small town divided along SES lines. By the time I reached sixith grade, I learned that lesson painfully. I came back to town to give back and try to change things in some small way. Anytime a child would spout a sterotype about "the other side " ( high or low income, trust me it cuts both ways) I would correct what ever misconceptions the kids had. Others like myself, also returned to town to do the same. A little at a time, a kid at a time we were getting ahead. Now a short sighted money saving scheme will re-enforce all that some of us have worked so hard to end.

The People in Charge have decided it would be a brilliant way to save a few bucks to take the primary grades from the Title I schools and consolidate them in one building. Then 2 intermediate schools would be created for the older kids. None of these schools are facing sanctions from NCLB, this is simply ( so we are told) about the money. The children in the well- heeled section of town get to keep their neighborhood schools. WTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's just say, no one believes for a minute that this plan isn't about SES. Come on. A neighboring district has done something similar except every school in town was made either primary or intermediate. If it were about the money why, oh, why doesn't every school and every family share in this enterprise.

I have always believed that good leaders lead by example, what a sad example this "plan" ( it isn't approved yet) is,and I can't in good conscience say I approve. It it were 100 % of the system ,then I can find a million positive things to say about keeping grade levels together to keep all students in a system ,in a grade level on the same page. This plan smacks of pandering at the very least. Sometimes I think I'm too idealistic to be a teacher.

0 Comments

Call the Ghostbusters
by: musicbug, 03-15-2009

I seem to be harboring poltergeists and other annoying spirits. No I'm not overreacting, I swear I can't get rid of them. Since I started teaching in the elementary schools, these little creatures follow me, and I can't get rid of them. At first, I tried to make friends with them. Some of you might recall my buddy, Bob the ghost of room 2. (You can see his story in earlier entries.) Well, Bob must have been sending his friends or he is stalking me.

When I first moved to my new school, I was welcomed to the building by a leaking light fixture( icky black goo)in the middle of a lesson on my first day of school. I didn't want to alarm the children, and I wasn't sure if it was Bob or Gus a former teacher's pet ghost. The kids swore it was Gus. The only problem was, Gus if it is/ was him, is haunting the wrong room. I also reminded the children the Gus only likes to play with the shades on the windows and turn them into kites.
I further suspected that Bob packed himself in the Rubbermaid when my radiators started acting funny. Bob loves to pop objects up through the vents. Science kit pieces would go missing and would pop up in the middle of English to remind me that I need to get moving so we could get to science. Since the remodel, the resident ghost now lives in the automatic paper towel dispenser. Science is no longer Bob's obsession ( if it is Bob). He now runs the towel dispenser if I don't get to math on time or if I'm running over with my reading groups. I call over to Bob to cut it out. Sometimes he listens and other times .... well.
Bob's antics can be cute and make the kids laugh a bit. Back in his earlier days, Bob stayed at school. Now I have reason to believe he has infested my computer. For over a week I have had to type everything into my computer backwards so it would show correctly on the screen. I waited patiently, and since today I decided that I would do all my typing at work, Bob has relented. He came through the towel dispenser to say hi to the kids since I was on schedule for once. I came home today, and my computer now types correctly. Bob knows I can take a joke, but taking P/T way is cruel and unusual punishment.

2 Comments

In the gerbil wheel again
by: musicbug, 02-26-2009

At first I felt so virturous, I brought home pounds of correcting and all my planning materials, because, no more nonsense, this vacation I was going to catch up, darn it.

Of course, the evil little imps hear you when you make such plans. Boy,how they laugh at your grandoise plans. I was thinking 3 hours of work each day, and pow!!! 2 weeks of plans plus all my correcting done.
Well of course my well meaning family added flies to the ointment. DH got the wonderful 4 day stomach bug that is sweeping the nation. There went my "me time" to grade papers( hummm... I must be sick calling it me time). So I spent most of my time keeping the kid and hubby apart so kid didn't get this sucker too. Kid wanted to have a "fun" vacation. So long about Thursday, I realized that major action was required if I was to meet even part of my goal. Is spent 5 hours on Thursday, 12 hours on Friday and 4 hours on Saturday to correct 95 % of wha tI brought home. Guess who is pulling an all nighter to plan??

If there are any Super Teachers out there reading of my plight, please tell me how you do it /or almost do it all.

4 Comments

Help I've watched too much HGTV
by: musicbug, 02-24-2009

Today I decided I couldn't stand my classroom another minute. So I innocently started to move two tables in my room that were annoying me, ( stupid move)the next thing I know I'm mouse from the If You Give A Mouse A Cookie book.

If you move a couple of tables then the desks are in the wrong place.

When you move the desks, a bad mix will result.

When you move the offending mix, books and papers will fly out of the desks.

Which means you have to pick up the mess and determine which stuff goes in what desk.

Now you have to clean up the confetti that came out of the exploding desks.

Then you realize that the desks are misaligned....so
you move a couple of desks.

When you move the desks...
the tables are in the wrong place again!!!!!!!!

5 Comments

A Teacher Dreams
by: musicbug, 01-03-2009

A Teacher Dreams of the Ideal year

No,I did not OD on the Nyquil again. I let my overactive imagination out of its box again. This year (as always) diet centers, gyms, the organization sites are in full bloom of regretful poeple with the vow "I"ll get it right this year, darn it!!!!" Guess what, I'm right there with 'em. Heck I even had a quckie reunion at the local diet center. Anyway, without futher ado, Ideal ( action)

I enter my classroom . Everything is filed and neat. The folders are ready to be filled. The plan book has no cross-outs, arrows, or sticky notes.All the papers for the week are photocopied, the manipulatives counted and ready. I have mood music playing softly and I am ready for anything.( Riiiight)

The children are seated and follow directions the first time they are given. Everyone's card is green, and no one owes any work.They even recall everything I taught from before vacation. As a matter of fact, these darlings are helping each other meet goals.

I come home to a pre-planed hot dinnner ready for my family, after driving here, there and everywhere picking up dry cleaning and kid at after school stuff. The house is clean. Dh has cleaned up after himself and left me all messages uder the fridge magnet.

Sorry I have to stop now. I'm getting depressed.

0 Comments

First Real Christmas
by: musicbug, 12-21-2008

I've waited patiently for my DS to be big enough to give him a holiday experience Christmas. This year he is 5 , so I figured this was the year. He wrote a letter to Santa and got a personalized response. He shook the floor with jumping.
We decorated the tree together and started an ornament collection for him. He isnisted on a Webkinz one. I like the one from the school Breakfast with Santa better since he made it himself. I took him to the community light display where he made another ornament. He even got to talk to the world biggest talking snowman. We've been having a blast!
The great winter storm hit here on Friday afternoon, so before the storm hit( everyone canceled school) I got a gingerbread house to make with him. The icing had to be the stickiest nastiest stuff I'd ever worked with.It made hot glue look like child's play. By the time I got the house stuck together and the roof stable, little guy decided a nap was more thrilling. Three hours later, we decorated the house. I swear I can still smell that icing.
Since we've been snowed in, we've taken to watching the holiday specials together. My favorite is A Year Without a Santa Claus. I taught kid all the words to the songs. His favorites are the Miser Brothers' songs. He spontaneously breaks into song all day long. ( He's too much)
I can't wait to see what will be next.

1 Comments

Introducing the Queen of the Grinches.
by: musicbug, 12-22-2008

( Fanfaire) Today I reached an all time high ( or is it low ?)as a teacher. I am officially Queen of the Grinches. How did I get such a distinguished title? I am the meanest , nastiest teacher in the world.Just ask my students.
I teach next-door to Super Teacher. You know, loved by all, never had a lesson flop, always there with the prefect whatever. I complimented my kids for their good behavior, next thing I know the kids are telling me ," Super Teacher's kids are having popsicles. " The day before, I'm told ,they got to chew gum. I thought that my kids were just whining, but no. Everyday leading to the holiday the other kids got/ are getting some sort of special treat.
The other grade level teacher was in it too. Today they planned a movie from 10-12. Fine, but my kids have library at 10 30. We were invited, but of course, we couldn't attend. The kids watching the movie got candy canes as well. When my kids found out ,5 of my kids started getting mad at me. So I reminded them they had library in a half hour and called them on their rudeness in the way they demanded why they couldn't have a movie and candy too.

Grrrrr. So of course the special day I have planned for my kids on Friday will look like an also ran.I call it Holiday Workshop. After spelling tests, I planned a Readers' Theater, then math board games with partners of their choice. After lunch, I planned a craft workshop to make 2 cute projects followed by a card exchange and Brain Quest.

Loser Again.....

3 Comments

I think I won the Scrooge of the building
by: musicbug, 12-06-2008

The Holiday Spirit has found its way to my school. This was the week that the unwritten memo went out: Get the Holiday stuff out. As each door in my wing of the building started to sprout wreaths, snowmen and christmas trees, I knew my peace was coming to an end. It isn't really cool for fifth graders to beg so, the natives were restless,but not ready to whine yet.

I spent the week debating on when to open the Pandora's Box of holiday spirit. Each day that naggy little voice in my head would say "Should we today?" Something would always stop me, usually lack of time. By Friday, the naggy little voice told me to get my stuff together and go for it. At this point, the only nasty scrooge in my wing of the building with out a hint of holiday cheer, was me. Guilty and overwhelmed as usual, a friendly little voice whispered in my ear, all you need to do is take baby steps. Before I unearthed my box, the bell went off. Still muttering baby steps I decorated the happy face on my board with Santa hat. I then handed out holiday stickers for the homework tracking charts. That pulled the cork.The kids were talking about which sticker they got, and some were trying to figure out A. which they liked best or B. counting to find out how many they needed to collect to get a whole set. They didn't seem to notice that the door wasn't "done " yet.
When I got a few seconds at the end of the day, I put out the door knob hangers . The box is first on my list Monday. Let the insanity begin.

0 Comments

Blessings Abound
by: musicbug, 11-28-2008

Despite all the insanity that is inate to the profession, the blessings abound. In the relative quiet of this Thanksgiving I thought I'd count my blessings in my classroom this year.

In no particular order

My class makes me laugh every day. After the last two years, a great blessing to be sure.

68% of my class completes homework 90% of the time.

I finally covered over the ugly chalk boards with fadeless paper and only use the white boards.

Power teaching has made over my room and teaching.

Over 50% of the desks in my room are clean this year.

I'm not afraid to leave my kids with a sub for any length of time.

Last but not least

My extended family of wonderful P-T teachers.

To some this may sound silly, but for me... this means alot.


A wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving to all my P-T friends and readers.

1 Comments

...and Keep Dear Teacher Happy....
by: musicbug, 10-18-2008

This is my year of the Power Teaching. I was a bit of a skeptic, fear of the gimmick perhaps,but talk about a god send to the old teacher bag. Of course it's mid- October ,post state test slump, so the kids are getting comfy and letting me in on who they are. Today the class...yes was getting boring for them, so I took out Keep Dear Teacher Happy ( The Smilies and Frownies). My kids are working toward seating in small groups. They must be able to come to order and follow the yadda meter to earn this priviliage. I told them if they could win the game 5 days in a row I'd seat them in pods.
This summer I thought that no 5th grader alive would want to keep their dear teacher happy, and would make the behaviors worse. imagine my surprise when the kids worked to get each other to make DT happy. Imagine DT, shocked but veryhappy, and a bit humbled.
I hope this works for a bit longer. It will be the first time in 3 years that I have a class that can sit in groups without driving me crazy. Go Power Teaching. Maybe I don't have to resort to heavy medication to keep me happy.

1 Comments

Testing taking Disorders- Fall TEst Edition
by: musicbug, 10-14-2008

How I hate testing. I spend most of my time praying that the kids are doing their best especially since they were given the entire summer to forget everything they were taught. Then I have to deal with the other kiddo maladies that testing brings out. I'm not just talking about the bathroom monster or nurse trips, but lovely little disorders that throw test results. None of these have anything to do with what the children have learned, but tip the results anyway.

I don't get it!- You know this kid. The child who hates to read directions and expects you to not only read the directions,but break them down in other words, when all you are allowed to say is "Do you best".

Is this one right? - Another kid we know well. The child who must have immediate feedback on their answers. Since we all know that such things are a huge no-no, our refrain is: Do your best.

Mr. or Miss Speedy- OMG!!!! These are the kids that give me nightmares. The kids get 90 minutes to finish the test and in 20, these kidddos are sitting reading. You ask them if they checked their work ,when you know darn well that they didn't, and they tell you that they did.

Pointy-pointy pencil people- The kid who needs a new pencil just becuase the tip of the pencil is worn down.

Picky- picky pencil people- The child on the quest for the unblemished pencil with the perfect point, eraser and size. grrrrrr.

Pencil killers- The kids who dig out erasers, break tips on purpose and claim their pencils"just broke". Yeah, riiight, I almost believe that the pencil broke itself and flew the eraser out of the metal band.

Are we done yet?- Grrrr

What time is it? - Come on, at 10 these kids should be able to tell time.

I know testing comes but once a year, Thank God. I really want to get back to the important stuff, teaching.

5 Comments

And how stupid do you think I am????
by: musicbug, 10-07-2008

I always knew kids thought adults were lacking in the brains department. Heck, we were all kids once, and we all tried to pull one over on the empty headed adult in charge of us,but there is a limit to how stupid an adult is( I hope ). This year I have a kiddo who believes that I'm dumber than your average rock.

Kiddo decided she was too busy to study for her test( despite the 2 week study window),and chose to sneak a copy from her study sheet. When she got caught, by me I gave her a zero and a note to take home. I also warned her that I would call mom if it was not signed and returned today. Kiddo handed me back the envelope, and I took a peek at the signature line, kiddo forged her mom's signature, in pencil no less, and to add insult to injury, misspelled it.

After last year I learned that CYA is the best way to go, so I authenticated the mom's signature using emergency documents before confronting the kid. Of course by the time anyone with the power to suspend showed up, it was long past recess. So I kept kiddo in for the whole recess and tried to talk with her about her choices. Can we say unresponsive?? She took the Miranda Rights and only gave yes, no and I don't know answers. I thought she would break when I called her mom, nope. She didn't even flinch when mom called back. Poor mom, I'm sure she wanted to hide under a rock when our quicky phone conference was over.

Gee..after writing this out, maybe she thought all adults were stupid. Boy,is she in for a surprise when the principal catches up with her.

0 Comments

One of those Awww Days
by: musicbug, 09-17-2008

This type of day doesn't happen too much when you teach oh, so cool fifth graders. This year I've been blessed with some really sweet kiddos. I've had some awesome awwww days. Today wins the prize by far.
The kiddo in this story I will call Prince Charming ( in the best sense of the words). Well, I've known Charming since he came to the school in grade 3. I taught his big brother,and for some reason Charming "took" to me. Hellos, smiles, hugs, and stories. He's still a sweetie even now , and one of the most tender hearted boys I've met. He lives to help everyone. So he does spend a lot of time in hover mode waiting to be noticed.
Today I was taking the kids to lunch, hushing the talkers, and Charming grabs my arm and asked to escort me to the lunch room& offered me a ride in his car, he told me it was an Escalade and showed me his matchbox car. He made me smile and laugh. After last year, hearing myself laugh with a student was such a wonderful change.

1 Comments

Baby Book 2
by: musicbug, 09-12-2008

There are also eras in naming children. I taught through most of the "unusual" name years. At hte start of theis era, I thought Savannah and Cody were different and cute. Those names are now tame in the grand scheme of the quest for a stand out name. Some parents go to the Soaps to get the most unique names,others depend on Prime Time programming, still others are getting creative with alternative spellings and irregular capitializations. ( Alyssa, Alissa, Allyssa .... you get the picture). Since I am isolated enough from the larger metropolitian areas, the really unusual tend to be quite tame.
Biblical and "classic" names are slowly creating a backlash. My room is now a montage of old and new, traditional and trendy spellings and just about from every corner of the world, not to mention the boys (like my own) who are named for their daddies. By the time I retire, I may have traced the circle of names to Mary and John again, but I doubt it.

0 Comments

Teachers don't need a baby name book
by: musicbug, 09-17-2008

After reading the strange names post on one of the boards I got the inspiriation to write this one. Since I don't want to be accused of thread jacking, I'll post my ramblings here.

I love my siblings dearly, but how does anyone name their kid Knight with a straight face. Then again, I taught a boy named Paris.

I understand unique names, but I had a kid whose parents named her LonTega(The first letters of each parent's name).

Be careful what you name your kid, I don't think Xavier's mom wanted her kid to be called Xy( X-ee) , nor did Valmont's mom want him to be called Val.

I should have known what I was in for the year I taught Dante ( think the Infero).

After teaching for so many years, I believe in the" Collective Unconscience" (Thanks Cynthia Heimel). How else can you explain 5 Michaels one year( all in my class ,of course),and 3 Alyssas the next, or all the Trinitys and Jadens in my future.
Look for part two later today.

8 Comments

Confessions of Mommy Guilt
by: musicbug, 09-03-2008

Pardon me for my off topic rant. Today was my son's first day of kindergarten, and boy do I feel guilty. Instead of being there to drop him off, my dear hubby took him in and picked him up. I'm glad they got the father/son time, but I'm feeling like a really bad mom for not being there for him. He only said a backward goodbye to his daddy and got right down to the business of being a kindergartener. I had to beg kiddo for information about school. A good sign? I hope so. I'd hate to think I'm already causing issues he'll tell a psychologist many years from now.
I had to go back to work when he was 3.5 weeks old, and now this. I guess I'm not going to get mommy of the year this year either.

2 Comments

The timeline in my closet
by: musicbug, 08-19-2008

When I moved into my classroom a few years back, I took the room of a retiring teacher, She left everything: resources, class library, everything. Well, I just mixed my stuff in there. (you all see what is coming, don't you?). Well the closet hit OMG levels in June. Of course I put it off until now.

So on Friday armed with super strong trash bags ,you know the cheapies they use for the waste baskets won't do, I started. First I threw away any paper junk I couldn't reuse. Next I got rid of the teaching resources that I haven't used that the other teacher left. I filled a cart and labled it " Free to a Good Home". Then I tamed all of the fun PD handouts that you know if you dump them you'll need them in an accordian file.

At this point the closet freaked me out. I started pulling out boxes yellowed with age, old SRA reading record charts,a box of old metal compasses with the sharp points( a no-no now for the obvious reasons),and do you remember, quizmo??? ( missing too many pieces to keep.). Foolishly, I started to look on the boxes and found dates ( 1954 was the winner) I also found stuff from the teacher before the one I replaced. When I was done, I found my storage closet is actually quite spacious. I have one more shelf to clean, the top. I can only imagine what I will find there. I just hope the stuff won't fall on my head and cause a concussion.

1 Comments

Trying to stand tall
by: musicbug, 08-18-2008

The best thing about being a teacher is you always have an opportunity to start over. God knows I needed it after the wreckage I call the last school year. I ended up just shy of a total mental breakdown. One thing I did learn about rock bottom is it hurts when you fall and the temptation to bury yourself is strong and the fear can cause you to start digging.

The walls of this sucker are pretty high and others whom I should be able to count on to have my back don't. Scaling this thing is as much about my mind as it is about management. I spent this summer looking at my style seeing what is "acceptable" and what I must change. I also realize just because I'm not a photocopy of every other teacher, doesn't mean I'm not good enough. The temptation of becoming a robot is great.

I'm embracing Power Teaching, my procedures have procedures, my routines have routines and I'm squashing any remaining self-hatred so that I have a good chance of having a great year. I finally psyched myself up to get to the room and get started. Friday I went in for the first time.I enjoyed getting the desks together and see the possiblities of what the room could be once I get the decorations up. Yet when the quiet comes, my battered self-confidence deflates my balloon. I want to be bouncy and excited about starting this year, yet I feel alone and spied upon before I even start.
All I can think of doing is making my room my fortress that I do not leave unless I have to ,and focusing on the kids. Not on the "they" who are watching, waiting to attack. I won't bother to record here my administrator's foisting of furniture and other things I do not wish and desire in my room. It surface is what she wants, she shall get it;my faith or trust, never.
I am bringing in windchimes to clear the negative energy in the air in there, invoking the peace of the spirit and the power of the teaching deities. It's kind of scary having ot be my own strength and support system. I'll play along with the whole team work jive knowing that the walls have eyes and ears, waiting for me to fail.I know I contribute alot of good. Yet it is my failures that people wish to focus on. It's hard to stand up and be hopeful. I must fake my confidence until it can find me.
Sorry to bring everyone down, I just needed to vent my fears in the safest place I could find.

5 Comments

Yearly Fashion Report
by: musicbug, 08-10-2008

I put it off for as long as I could,but time is ticking so, a shopping I must go. My faithful sidekick (DS 5) and I went school shopping. Phase one was the window shopping. First I had to get over the fact that the windows thought that all females were between 15 and 18 years old. Which left me little choice but to go in and "browse" with the ever helpful sales staff asking if I needed help.

As a "fluffy" teacher, I had a wopping choice of 2 stores to start with. The first was goth, gaudy and too young, and then the old go to ,Lane Bryant. The window displays sent me into a flash back to 1985, the next to '84 then to '86. Each display brought back a new horror: shiny "satin " button down shirts, sheer rufflle shirts( both with buttons that can't stand a woman's figure), super tight vests with guy cut pants(OMG), plus the hippy blouses. Of course I would be remiss if I forgot the blazers made new by simply adding a "skinny belt".
I quickly say no to all button downs. Too many trumatic memories of safty pins and "gapping". So I sift though the pull overs and try finding something that I can make work. Of course all good '80's fashionistas know that a blazer with a round neck shirt is just all that. Unfortunately, I couldn't bring myself to buy any of it. So I walked out with my continually whining shopping partner. ( The gummy bear bribe was about gone)

We continue to the kids clothing store boy has decided that his world is cool shirts. Since he can't read well yet, I don't have to worry about the obnoxious t-shirt sayings( I might get one more year out of his ignorance). It's all about stripes, cool sport shirts and insignias (faux Ralph Lauren). Husky like DH and I ,kid shows little interest in buying pants since that means a trip to the tailor's to hem each pair he buys.

Once we were both suffiently depressed, I decided to turn to rule # 3 of the "fluffy" person's guide to shopping: Accessories and shoes don't care if you are a size 2 or not. So I start looking for some cute necklaces to cheer me up a bit, big mistake. Can we say retread? I even found a Fimo necklace. Well, I love to accessorize so I have some fond memeories beaded twisty necklaces( hint the modern way is pre-twisted and one solid color), and feather earrings. Sorry ladies, the hair ones with the "roach clips" are missing in action. Yet again, I couldn't bring myself to buy a thing, but at least now I'm smiling. On our way to get a pizza( bribe # 2 for kid and a dish free night for me, win-win), I window shop for shoes. Flat, flats, flats, flats ,flats!!! Glorious flats. At this point I'm too tired to buy.
What will I wear this seaon? Beats me. What did I learn from my trip? I got old, but with a few modern twist can be new again.
Hummmmm... maybe western wear will come back next season.........

4 Comments

Stress and ulcers and my evil printer
by: musicbug, 07-31-2008

It is now 12 hours later and my printer issue is STILL not resolved. Once upon a time I loved the machine. It loved me. I'm still not sure why, it will not print anything for me, ever.
Since all my important back to school stuff and the work for my on line course are stuck in Word, but the only way out is to e-mail the stuff to myself and print elsewhere( which of course is a temporary fix.) I am not a happy girl. So I called the customer support number( ). I have to hand it to the first guy he spent 2 hours doing computer to computer support. He said someone would call back in 4 hrs.?!?!
There is no way in the world that I was able to stay at home for the whole time, so I call back. A new tech of course who after 1 hour promises a call back in 4hours. Okay, It's now heading to 12 hours with no real end in sight, so I call again. Get put on hold 3 times, once for 15 minutes with buzz/clicks in my ear every 30 seconds. I am now waiting a half hour for a call back. God only knows if I will get a call back. Still, they have another 15 minutes. They are scrambling to find someone who won't mind a pscyho who can't deal with the printer from below.
It's laughing at me I can hear it. It's going to be a long difficult night.

0 Comments

Where is my phonebooth?
by: musicbug, 07-27-2008

The worse things about me ,I have 2 deadly sins: perfection and procrastination. Each summer I swear to all the teaching deities that this year, I'll get it right. All summer long ,I day and night dream of the Super Teacher I will be because of all the classes, outside reading, bargain hunting for special supplies I have amassed with care.

Then the list making starts, What I need, what needs to be revised from the jumpdrives, what is broken, worn or too "not now" to be of any use. Each day I cross or half cross my items off my list. So far it's been all about the supplies. I've barely been out of school a month and I'm back to school shopping. All the goodies but crayons of course are living in my trunk. Why can't these people wait until I've recovered from last year and moved all the furniture?

Any way, back to my list. The repetition of some items are comforting : Re-reading Wong, revising the procedure list, creating a new floor plan( my yearly exercise in futility), finding new novels to keep the old reader's workshop snappy, creating a class theme, making side bets with the DH about what my final class list count will be. So far I'm 5 for 5. The surface seems to be situation normal.

Inside however, I'm recreating myself yet again. I'm trying to become Super Teacher. You all know him/her: most creative, best b-boards, best behaved class, doesn't break a sweat, and is loved by all. So off to the gurus I go.

1. Positive Imaging- My dreams showing my kids in a lively ,respectful discussion in a perfectly aceessorized classroom. Walking through the halls like the Make Way for Ducklings. Each of these moments caught by the adminstrator ,smiling and nodding.

2. Even procedures should have procedures. Sharpening pencils, using water bottles, how to use a notebook ( I kid you not), rest room visits, lining up from here there and everywhere. Entering the room, leaving the room, homework turn in. Five pages and counting ,I fear ever printing the thing one than once a year.

3. Using timers and sticky notes to replace/repair and improve my memory and sense of timing. Those that know say I should cut out the caffeine () to improve my energy level.

Okay I'm doing the readings, make the lists and seeing myself as I wish to be. Or according to the gurus ,I am and have to convince myself of it. I've got the planning going: hoping there will be room for Social Studies and other forms of sponteniety( sp? It's late for me to be typing) once we cover and the children master all of the standards and gradew level expectations.
If I had super powers maybe I wouldn't need the gurus.

2 Comments

You can't even bring in the mail these days
by: musicbug, 07-22-2008

Good thing I've hidden my charge cards. In today's mail those wonderful "teacher supply catalouges " showed up taunting me with their tantalizing array of goodies to :make my room gorgeous, my techniques up to date, and improve the Feng Shui in my classroom space.

Every year I fall for something. Somethings are prennial winners others have been relegated to the OMG, what was I thinking file. Others products laugh at me until I fall on my bottom because I did not intuit the wisdom of the product to make my life easier.

I promised myself this year before I give my room the Clean House treatment that I really consider what I want. My taste and mind belong in House Beautiful, my end result would be a Glamour Don't if they judged spaces. Since I want to get it right this time, I've got a plan.

1. Read catalouges like a kid with a Toys R Us big book before Christmas. Highlighter in hand, I marked what I would buy if money wasn't an object. If done with care, it can bring on a mild feeling of well being and peace. Look at the plastic bins at your own peril.

2. Brought on by my successes at Target, Wal-Mart, and Staples, I am comtemplating calling one of my favorite catalouges to see if I can create a Classroom Theme Package that makes sense to me. Instead of getting photo holders and postcards that are of no use to me, how about: The Welcome poster, Motivational Banner, Name tags ,and a theme pencils. That's a set I could actually use.

3. I'm giving in to the natural order of things and peace in my old age by trying Feng Shui. I'm going to use a quick lavender and lemon verbena air spray to remove any spiritual pollution I might have left behind last year. I have to move the trashcans to safer locales. I've bought a set of chimes to bring peace and harmony into the space.

As with everything this is a work in progress, stay tuned for the continuing saga.

0 Comments

Confessions of a School supply junkie
by: musicbug, 07-14-2008

Hi I'm musicbug, and I'm a school supply junkie. I have been fighting this addiction since the tender age of 10 . New crayons, pristine notebooks, fresh pens and whiteout, crisp new markers, I'm your girl. That being said, sticker shock was always a killer.

Through most of July and August my best buds at PT make sure I can find my booty of notebooks, folders, and all things classroom at the best prices. If I can wait, product reviews (smelly dollar pocket charts ), limits and how to subvert them as needed are at my finger tips, a revelation to a solo shopper. When I first started at PT the sales did not match up in all areas. I often would read about the sales in July and they would head East, so by August I knew what to get and where. I also would know how much, and the product limits. Imagine my surprise this year, when the sales started to match up. At first I had no clue that was the case. Then I actually checked the ciriculars( cue the panic music) I was missing out on the goodies this year.

I promised myself that I would check the circulars and hit hard. Armed with the circulars and PT threads, I hit the stores with my darling 5 year old in tow. First stop was Target's Dollar Bins. I loaded down with stamps, stickers and flash cards. I also found the good job certificates and birthday awards. My favorite was the math bingo game for multiplication and division facts. Kiddo found a stamp, some lead changing pencils and a little bucket. Since I am a savy shopper, I also checked the office supply area. Nothing struck me, so I left with 14 dollars worth of goodies from the magic bins.

Next I had to hit the Wally -World 5cent notebook sale. When kid and I made it there, we were welcomed in to a "teacher- hood" Each of us( 5 in all ) were focusing on getting groups of particular colored notebooks. Each of us grabbed a box and started to count what we needed and handed off the "offending "colors to a teacher in need. There wasn't a Filene's Basement Wedding Dress sale scene to be noted. The only victim was my poor cashier who has dealt with scores of insane people like me. He was a good sport since I told him how many notebooks I had and that I pre boxed them before I got to him. I also found a well placed apology went a long way to calm the poor guy. I was another $2.30 lighter.

Well, I'm only 2.5 weeks out of school and my gathering has begun. Yikes!!!!! Is it just me, or have the sales spun more quickly this year?

1 Comments

Connecting with my inner girly-girl.
by: musicbug, 07-12-2008

I pride myself on being "low maintainance" care wise. My grays often run free for weeks at a time before I visit my colorist, at that point my hair is very shaggy and shapeless. For a someone who gets 3 -5 different "fashion type" magazines in a month it may sound insane.

Back in the 80s ( my teen years) I had a dream of looking just like the pretty blonde in the Maybeline lip gloss adds. A miracle since I'm a very short heavy brunette. With the energy and dreams that only a teen could have, I did the 4 tone eyeshdows, blush, mascara .lipstick and gloss. ( Fat even then so I didn't look much below the neck.)ta-dah. done. Now it's a red letter day if I actually slip some lipstick on my face. Still fat and not looking below the neck. In my dreams I think about manicures, eyebrow waxing, touch up color for the grays, then I turn the page and absorb the latest colors and styles, too tired to make the translation to real life.

Hubby gets on my case about my hair when it gets to "skunk stripe" so I'll get my hair done when he takes the boy. Recently he has been on me about getting a manicure. So I grow out my nails and 3 days ago broke the nail on my index finger to the quick. Well he took the boy today and said nothing. After an hour I texted him to let him know I was on my way to get a manicure. He told me to have fun. Now many of you would think I would just get a full set and be done. No I got a repair for the broken nail and kept everything else natural. My one concession to vanity was to sit for 20 minutes to let the polish set. Now my hands look terrific and my girly-girl is trying to take over.

At least she knows what to do. We've been reading about it for years.

0 Comments

Even my herina had hernias
by: musicbug, 07-09-2008

That is how my year ended and my summer started. I spent the first 4/5ths of my first week in in-service training, sweating out one of the many of the inevitabilites of my life. While getting ready for the inevitability that is /was physically the largest, an extra large hernia that should have been removed long before it could sit on my lap.
I was supoosed to be an out patient, but luck hasn't been with me on this one ,so I got slapped in the hospital for an extra 4 days. The best part (if there was one) was the happy little pain button. One tap on the button and liquid relief would flood my body. Good thing it also addled my brain ,so finding the magic little button took an epic quest. The nurses had to remind me that I even had the sucker.
In one of my moments of lucidity, I asked the surgeon how everything went. The last time I had to ask that question I didn't get good news. This time the surgeon said, great. Then I asked if there was anything "unusual". finally the right question. He said that he fixed one hernia and found three "little"() ones hiding inside. Okay... No problem the doc continued, I removed those too.
So my answer about this year. I had a year that was so tough ( okay Match Game fans: How tough was it ?) It was so tough even my hernia had hernias.

3 Comments

The Show's Almost Over
by: musicbug, 06-21-2008

One day left and counting. Due to the Weather Gods and other snafus, school ends on a Monday this year. Talk about an awkward end day. Of course my P-T friends know that isn't the end of the story.

The "sendoff " celebration ( read graduation) was scheduled for Friday (last night). You'd think these kids are in High School. On Thursday, one child was taken out of school an hour early to buy a dress. That same child was absent yesterday ,yet made a grand appearence in an elaborate hair-do and a dress a half a shade too sophisitcated for the event. Another 4 girls left at noon for : maicures, hair appointments and to prepare for their "graduation". These are FIFTH GRADERS, mind you. Multiply my story by three and you get an idea of the fashion show in hall as we rounded up each class to march to their seats. Since every good fashion show needs press, the parents were ready with cameras ,camcorders and cell phones. I think we had to stop the program 3 different times for "photo- ops". Since I hate cameras slightly less than food poisoning, you can imagine my joy when I was stopped for four or five pictures with some of the proud graduates.

Before anyone takes me as a scrooge, I'm going to share my favorite moment of the evening. One of my boys who's about as gentle and kind as they get, an all around kid who is well liked by his peers made my night. He had earned the presidental academic excellence award, no one was surprised as he when I called him to the front to accept his award and pin. The look on his face was priceless. Then he thanked me.!!?? He had no conception that he did the work and had earned it. When the program was over, he caught me between pictures to have a little chat. His mom had put his pin on his collar by that point. He tried to thank me again and I simply said you did work. I'm so proud of you. His eyes were dancing and his face was shining. to say he was over the moon, would not be an understatement.

The show ends Monday, but I know of at least 5 who are not going to school. I wonder if Monday is merely an epilouge.

0 Comments

Yesterday and Today (sorry to Beatles fans)
by: musicbug, 06-21-2008

Today the school held its field day. To save the drain on the teachers and volunteers, a movie for the primary and another for the intermediate kids was planned. As we settled in the gym for a movie, popcorn and lemonade ( Del's yummy!!), I noticed instead of renting a large screen TV for the event, a screen ,a laptop and a laptop projector( sorry, I can't remember the proper name for it) were at the ready.
As the kids went into their movie induced trance, I started to feel nostalgic for the movie events of my own childhood. Perhaps it was sitting on the floor that put me in flash back mode, but I digress.
Somehow I got sucked in to the movie mode and strained to hear the old fashioned clicks, rattles and whines of the old movie projectors. Then a movie was an event. Weeks in advance the principal would order us a Disney Film. The film would be sent in two huge spools. The kids would watch in awe as the principal set the film in motion. Our movie trance was considerably deeper since this was pre- vcr days ( I kid you not.). On a good year there would be a 10 minute lull as one spool was rewound and the next was set up. We all appericated the 10 minute bathroom and drink dash if the teachers were feeling generous. On the really fun years, the snafus were even better.
One year the tail end of film from the spool hit the principal in the face and the empty spool had to be stopped by hand. Another year, we were sent a defective movie. Every ten minutes or so the film would make a sizzling noise and the screen would be black. The most fun I had was the year the film jammed every 10 minutes. Lights were flicked on and off to see where the jam was located and how to fix it. I worked in the library that year and was sent with another kid and the librarian to get another machine so the school wouldn't be charged for "chewed up" films.
None of us seemed to care how long the technical problems took, it was just a part of the whole experience. For many of us, it didn't even matter what movie was selected, just the magic of clicks, whirrs and the special time in another world.
Today, the kids seem so blase about the magic of technology. The little disks weigh almost nothing. There are never pops clicks or blurrs or warpped sound tracks. Yet the magic of the story remains.

2 Comments

Okay, It is a very bad year.
by: musicbug, 06-13-2008

I know it was a bad year. I feel bad that I had a bad year. I feel guilty that I had a bad year. I'm sorry I had a bad year. I feel bad for the good kids. I know some of it not all of it is my fault. I should be able to control my frustration. How do I make it until the end?
Those of you who are having/a good year, what is the secret?

9 Comments

Depression and Anxiety
by: musicbug, 06-06-2008

Well it seems that the theme of the week is depression and anxiety. Of course anyone who reads my blog regularly know I battle both of those ugly demons and how it's not one of my better years. So since I really didn't have anything to lose, I have tried a few of the natural cures while I wait for the miracles of modern medicine.
First stop chocolate. Pluses yummy , flavinoids (sp), mood enhancing. Minuses: overdose results in sugar rushes and crashes, can make a few extra treads on the good old spare tire.

Next, I went back to my college days and tried full body relaxation and meditation. Pluses: Can help you get the rest you need, portable and fairly easy to use. Minuses: time consuming, and requires your focus and total attention.

My next stop was tea. I started adding an extra mug a day. When the brand names feel goods started to fade, I went a round the world in a tea cup. Irish, British, Indian, Chinese. While this is fun, imports can get pricey. Pluses: does double duty for cold and allergy symptoms, easy to find and use. Minuses: Keeping the tea warm, finding places that will humor you and make a cup of tea that may or may not have the zip or comfort (depending on the day) that you might need.

My sister loves all things "mysitical" she suggested power stones. Basically you pick the stones based on what you need to improve your life . I picked confidence, courage and creativity. It is said if you keep the stones in your pocket or purse, the characteristics will flow from the stones to you. Pluses: fairly inexpensive ( under $5 for 3 stones), no added calories . Minuses: you need to trust the little signs above the stones to be accurate, making sure that the stones are with you at all times.

The experts say happy songs can improve your feelings, and they also tout exercise. From what I read, if you take a walk listening to up beat songs you will be happier and healthier. Since I only have an old "walkman" tape player ( Okay HiFi mp3 i-pod or portible disk player?), I don't know if this will work. I guess this is my project for the weekend.

4 Comments

Crippling fears
by: musicbug, 06-11-2008

From test results to pink slips teachers can sufffer from many crippling fears. Add to that a good dose of teacher guilt, and you've got a recpie for a quivering mass of teachers trying to make it once again to the end of yet another year. These fears are not fatal, however based on the avaliable evidence the numbers of teachers who are dreaming of massages and taking antidepressants are growing with each year.
I should have known when I read a description of a course called "the Stress Proof Educator" that it wasn't my imagination. Boy do I need that course this year, so of course I can't find it. It was running at the same time as another course I was taking and the teachers from that group were talking about pressure points ,aromatherapy, and meditation.
So what can put the fear into the heart of an otherwise sane teacher? I've found ten( of course there are more ,and I did not take in to account regional differences so some issues or initals may not apply to you.)

1. AYP- a Univeral Fear in education these days. Oh how I wish that the "formula" was written by people who know and understand how kids learn. Of course couple the previous with failing to achieve, and let the ulcers and anxiety attacks commence.

2. Pink silps- the bane of a teacher's life. That yes, no, maybe, and perhaps has sent many a teacher over the edge.

3. Testing- at the state and district level can leave a teacher a babbling fool after administering or even evalauting these little suckers. I had the "pleasure" of grading a writing test in which a child filled the page with "I refuse to take this test." and guess who had to take the statisical fall for that ? The poor teacher who taught this child all year. Okay "those who think you know, how does that reflect on the teacher ? Yet the zero was averaged in to her tally. This was something that happened before NCLB, but I'm sure since kids haven't changed ,it's still happening.

4. Moving rooms- Boxing up all that good stuff knowing that you must update your Rubbermaid collection with one or 2 new pieces.

5. Field trips- I don't really want to talk about it.

6. Field day- See above and add asprin.

7. Final Report cards- and the magic that children who did nothing all year expect a passing grade.

8. Cleaning up the room- all your stuff has multipied or disappeared.

9. moving the furniture- the first thing you will have to do in August when you return.

10. Graduations and send off parties- from pre-k to 5 to 8 to 12. it gets bigger and bigger and bigger.

6 Comments

Euphemisms are us
by: musicbug, 05-23-2008

Well, it's getting to be that time of year again. The dreaded creating of the class lists. As a fifth grade teacher, I'm basically out of it. My kids are sent to two different schools and I just give the guidance people an oral "blurb" on each kid ,and let them push the magic enter button.
My compassion for the 6th grade teachers is great. The middle school asks us to be "candid" However, that must be according to the rules. One must never come out with the brutal unembellished truth. So we depend on euphemisms that (we hope) help the people who then must teach the group that is created.

The basic list is known as the "littles": a little off task, a little chatty, a little sneaky, a little stuborn. Then comes the "requireds": child requires: motivation, extra attention , continual re-direction. Next is my favorite group: is easily's: distracted, led by off task peers, frustrated. These kids are in every class.
Then of course we get the kids we have to try hard to warn others about. I knew Queenie was supposed to be a doozy so of course let's put Bossy with her. We needed to do that to separate the little clique that drove all 3 teachers over the edge last year. Of course when the class lists are "revealed" understatement and polite little hints are dropped. I remember one teacher( many years ago) who actually appologized to me and said. " I like all the fifth grade teachers, I couldn't place child with any of you; you'd think I hated you. So I had the principal do it."That had to be one of the most honest things I've ever had a teacher say in this situation.
Good Luck to those making and receiving class lists.May your backs be strong, your heads not ache, and your euphemisms be accurate.

2 Comments

Out of Order
by: musicbug, 04-29-2008

Bring out the yellow caution tape, my entire room is out of order. Hard hats wouldn't be a bad idea either. Posters are free falling off the walls; the kids are too. Overwhelmed? You betcha.

The posters,being inanimate objects, should be easy to stick and forget. No way! At least 3 times a day I'm picking up and taping, using the putty adhesive and double stick tape. Sometimes I'm using all 3 on the same poster. I guess Super Glue is the next step.

How I hate the 4th quarter. No matter how many years I've been teaching, I run out of year and student attention long before I get to everything. Add the 5th gradeits to the mix and have fun chasing your tail. I wonder if I could teach math through subliminal tapes? I'd get another hour in my day.

Why is it the tough classes get the worse cases of 5th gradeits? I don't understand how you can run a soap oprea everyday and then expect that you are owed a trip to the middle school. I tell them seats to grade 6 must be earned. Some of these kids have it academicly, but still can't or won't behave I want to send a sympathy card to next year's teachers.

I know this vent makes me out of order, too. I'm so tired of entitled kids who get special exceptions and given special perks to behave properly. How about letting my responsible, respectful children get these perks? Wouldn't it be nice to keep a child back until they could meet the behavioral standards of the grade level? Imagine how quickly children and/or their parents would make sure the behaviors change. I'm not talking about the kids who have diagnosed problems , I'm talking about kids who could behave, but won't. Well, I can hope for better things next year.

2 Comments

Is it just me.....
by: musicbug, 04-24-2008

or have times changed ,again? I was reading the latest memo about recess and which grades were allowed to play "contact type" sports. Also about how teachers need to "be more active" when on recess duty. I get the whole walking the yard and not chatting with the other teachers out there, but the next sentence shocked me. More active also means mediating the little arguments that the kids have about picking teams and batting or kicking order before they even start. Teachers are being asked to help the kids pick teams,ect. Hold the phone!!! When did kids stop doing rocks, papers scissors? I can't imagine how these kids will feel when the teams are dictated. I know they do that in PE, but recess ( I thought ) was a time of free play for the kids. I also thought kids learn problem solving when they have to pick teams, decide if a play is fair. Yes, they will need help from time to time, but to actually direct play for kids during recess, I don't get it. How sad. Maybe I'm missing something here.
Please don't think I was ever one of those good athelete types. I always got picked last and did not play sports during recess. I would play jump rope or chinese jump rope, tripping all the way. I never would have thought to ask a teacher to place me on a kickball team. I would have been told to ask the kids and if they said no, oh well. How much is too much teacher interference during recess?

2 Comments

Facing the facts
by: musicbug, 04-20-2008

Dear Pro- teacher friends,

I have made alot of mistakes this year. I was exhausted enough to stuggle on with out asking for help. As I bounce across the boards, I see others fighting the same demons that keep me awake at night: not trusting those I work with, testy administration, lack of morale, and difficult classes. I have also paid some of the same conesquences and lived to teach another day. In the end,what did I learn? When the kids make a mistake, I asked them if they learned something, they always say yes. Most don't tell me what they have learned, so I hope it wasn't just lip service to get the old witch off their backs. What have I learned?? A whole bunch.

1. Do get help when you need it; watch who you ask.
Yes it's nice to say you trust people ,but there are those waiting to destroy you at the first sign of weakness. I find it safer to ask the good folks here.

2. Systems must be tweaked many times a year.
Nothing ever works for very long. My stickers are pressed into duty to reward doing homework, not being mean to others , and A papers. Rewards and bribes must be lavished for those things that just 10 years ago kids did because they were required or else.

3. The Internet is your best friend.
Lessons, behavior plans, more rewards to make the kids work, all that and more at your finger tips. Avoid My Space, Face Book and Rate your Teacher, enjoy.

4. The Vent Board is beter than a teachers' room whine session.
The ears have walls. I can get support without the backbiting and the clique scene.

5. Take some of your vacations and weekends for yourself.
Stewing in your own juices and working yourself to death with out recharging will only make you bitter, paranoid, and next in line for the plethora of stress illnesses laying in wait.


I'm sure most of you knew this already and I'm just a slow learner. My guard is up and staying that way. I intend on giving only the basic information anyone might ask for and sharing as little as I can get away with, unless I'm here protected by my handle ( I hope).

1 Comments

Teachers are People Too
by: musicbug, 04-04-2008

I'm a teacher who tries my best and tries to save them all. This year, I have a class that is an energy sapper. I've moved desks so many times I should just put them on wheels and save my back. We've had the great rules talk 3 times a week. Oh they know what they should be doing, five don't give a care. They selfishly ruin trhings for everyone each day. Of course that feeling makes me a bad teacher.

So I'm forced to get help and must endure feeling like I'm a horrible teacher daily. I do everything that "those who know" say will work. I've yet to have anything work for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Feelings of failure overwhelm me each day. I've become paranoid to the n th degree, I ask for advice, but trust no one. I feel very isolated.

I know that I am human, I feel bad for feeling the way I do. I"ve only been up for an hour, and I ready to go back to bed. I'll go to work and fight the good fight. I hope some day to feel like I'm a good teacher and that is sad.

4 Comments

Appeasing the teaching gods( and g-desses)
by: musicbug, 03-29-2008

Ever feel like the teaching world is controled by more than those who run the adminsitrative aspects? I do. Some may think I'm totally crazy ,you are of course correct, but like the Greeks, I believe that teaching is regulated by a gallery of deities. I'm sure to forget some and pay fearfully, but I'll introduce some of the ones who love to help or hinder my progress each year.
At the moment I'm in with the Transfer Fairy. Two years ago I had ticked him or her off big time. This year Transfer Fairy is showing mercy for my other burdens, and sent me 2 wonderful kiddos. I am properly grateful, I hope.
One little deity I never seem to please is the Classroom Spirit. Despite my best efforts of decorating and organizing, my room features free falling posters, crookedly alligned desks and piles that defy any file folder training. The kids' desk chairs migrate about the room with abandon. I wish they would reproduce because I could use some extras.
I could do without the pencil gnomes. Those suckers eat at least 24 pencils in 2 months. I am considering homing devices on the pencils find and remove the offending creatures.
The Ah -Ah spirit is always welcome. A shy spirit by nature, and a thrfty soul, just a dusting that may or may not arrive before you hit your head against the wall, but always well worth it.
One of my favorites is the strength and peace spirit who stops by before and after school to refresh souls. A very busy spirit who needs millions of helpers to help teachers avoid burn out, and have a life outside of school. I miss this spirit the most when I don't make the list.
My biggest challenge is appeasing these spirits to have a wonderful year. There are no known ceremonies or methods of contact currently circulating. If I lost the memo, please send it by.

0 Comments

Treading as fast as I can
by: musicbug, 04-03-2008

Ever feel like no how hard you try the world has the upper hand? It seems like a month of weeks have attacked at once. Since we test in October, testing panic ins't a part of my problems. Fifth grade-itis is a part of it, but the real problem is 1/4 of my class happen to be behavior problems.
I'm not talking about general chattiness, but real meaness, yelling ,disrespectful, hateful stuff. I understand naughty, but not meaness. The politics of getting these kids help is daunting, and I'm begining to feel like I'm being set up to fail. I really don't need it, I know that I'm just supposed to go with the flow and somehow deal with 5 hardcore behavior problems that take up 80% of my time. I feel so sorry for the others becuase they deserve better. Why is it okay for these hardcore kids to ruin things for everyone, but when we suggest getting them help we have to deal with red tape and parental indifference? I know it's not okay for these kids to ruin things, and I try to work around them, I'm a human being and a tired ,frustrated one at that.
Failing with the 5 hard cases seems to negate any of the progress that I know my kids have made. Many of my AIMs results went up and many of my kids are improving, but I'm being judged by these behavior problems. Then I'm told not to take these judgements personally( how exactly am I supposed to take my failures meaning more than my successes?). If anyone has figured out how not to take this stuff personally, please post.

2 Comments

Weight loss Teacher Style.
by: musicbug, 03-12-2008

Okay ladies and gents, I've got some big new for you. No time for the guantlet of the gym? Too wiped to walk after "one of THOSE days"? You have a fitness program you don't even realize. Your job.

Today I took 3 jogs around the school. Once for a meeting and twice to find a free grown up bathroom. Later I was crawling around on the floor picking up and revamping the classroom library. My day ended moving the 25 ( yep another new one) desks into a reasonable configuration. Okay guys, that sounds like exercise to me. So why are teachers fighting the battle of the bulge??

The other night I was listening to the tv. It seems that there is a stress hormone called Cortisol. This evil little hormone makes stressed bodies hold on to belly fat. Okay, I think we found a winner. Now the trick is to get rid of the stress so the gut goes away. I know that isn't easy. Stressed people often cope in unhealthy ways: smoking, drinking , eating to excess. Heaven knows I do. Now that I get the problem, how do I reduce the stress?

1. Meditate- Okay focus on breathing and close your eyes. Hey anyone notice the deep breathing is similiar to how smokers inhale??

2. Eating complex carbs to pep moods. So those of us (like me) who hit the donuts almost have it right. Wrong carbs gang!!!

3. Eat slowly so your stomach can tell your brain it's full. Hey guys how many of us take our whole 20 minute lunch to eat????? By the time I get my kids in the lunch room and heat my own lunch in the teachers' room, forget it.

4. Water flushes toxins. how many of us can drink even 4 glasses of water in a school day? Remember, the more you drink, the more you go.
Can anyone say vicious circle?

2 Comments

Between Never and Always
by: musicbug, 03-10-2008

It is the title of the math unit the kiddos and I are working on. It is also the crazed ride that I call this school year. As I study the "laws "of probability, the more I realize the universe and my room is run by the science of chaos.
By the numbers 3/25 kids in my class cause major disruptions , so statistically that 12% of the kids are disruptive. That means 88% are great, so the odds are with me right? Since that should mean statistically 88% of the time the class should be wonderful right?

Also by the numbers my class is 1 student over cap, so my class is 104% full. Yet another glitch in the system.

I spend about 25% of my day at school, yet that 25% takes up 75% of my stress level. So I'm stressing at 125% more than the amount of time I teach. DH tells me I should stop obsessing about the latest suspension, parent teacher phone meeting and seating chart that should bring about world peace.
The statistics don't add up.

0 Comments

New Week's Resoultion
by: musicbug, 03-09-2008

This year I need to take things in very small chunks. Last week I had three days atttack me at once, I'm going to take charge of the situation with New Week Resolutions. Hey, if this doesn't work , it's New Day's Resolutions next.

I think I'll start off really small.

1. When not in charge of the kids, HIDE.

2. When in charge, no group work without another grown up body in the room.

3. Eat in the room ( goes with #1 ) If I hide, then I don't have to worry about the clique scene or the kids. I might even stay on my diet, who knows?

4. Go in early and leave on time. Another way to avoid the clique scene.

I hear that excessive stress produces a hormone that forces your body to hold on to fat( especially gut fat). Maybe that's why I'm so big .
If I need to make New Day's Resoultions, I'm going to cry.

0 Comments

One of those years
by: musicbug, 03-01-2008

I'm starting to think this is just not my year. I've tried really hard to be invisible to admin after the fiasco from last year. I was doing what I could and hoping for the best. Well, luck of the draw left me with some big challenges. I know I'm not to blame for the personalities and various issues that the kids are packing. Evey time I need to leave for the day ,I live in fear of what the kids might do. Needless to say, they out did themselves on Thursday.

Then just to make my life complete, admin decides that Friday afternoon was just the best time to tell me she wants to "help me" since one of the support teachers decided to express "concerns". How I love to be snitched on, under the guise of people being "helpful". After all the pressure of these un diagnosed kids plus this "helpful" little chat,of course my body rebelled.
I hope to all that is holy, that I never have a repeat of this event. My whole left side of my body starts to shake so badly I mention , yes I'm fully aware my whole arm is shaking. I'm so entirely unnerved that I don't give any answers so she says why don't you think about it for the weekend and come up with something for Monday.
After that lovely interlude I then have to preside over a parent meeting. Somehow that goes well. I felt like things might be changing. So imagine how overjoyed I was when the massive muscles aches started when I got home. Let's just say, a good night's sleep just didn't happen.
At 5:15 this morning I was writing possible behavior plans. I let the school psychologist come in to observe the little darlings to suggest what ever she can come up with. I'll even follow whatever,but these folks should really not cast stones until they do what I do for a week without having suspension as an option.
I hate how bad I sound, but I'm not some robot. I would kill for some pixie dust though.

1 Comments

Saddle up again
by: musicbug, 02-23-2008

My winter break is now over. I guess it's time to open the old bookbag,and get ready for next week. Of course I thought that I'd work an hour a day or so on the stuff I brought home. Of course something always got it the way.

The house is neater and I even cleaned out my dresser.I spent time with my kiddo and recharged the old batteries. I even got to the gym a time or two.

I'm as ready as I'll ever be to get going. So I guess it's time to get the plans together and do battle with my correcting pile. Go me!!!!!!

0 Comments

When enough is enough
by: musicbug, 02-17-2008

I made it to break!!! Yay, me!!!!!!!
To say I had my doubts, long about Tuesday, I figured the nice men with the butterfly nets would be taking me out the back door. When I checked with the astrology web site ( any port in a storm), it seems that an eclipse is on the way and people will behave as if there is a full moon every day. ( joy, joy, joy) I prepared for one of those weeks. Sigh and set to work.
Queenie and company did not disappoint. If drama were an olypic sport, they would medal. They took shameful advantage of a young PE sub ( one kicked out of course). Once they found out the principal was out for the week, oh boy, what fun. Tuesday was the day that my patience finally abandoned me. I kicked out one kid plus Queenie. Once I got the room back to peace, I morphed.
My alter-ego, Sarge came to light. Sarge and I put the desks into straight rows. Then it was time for Tough Love 101. All privliages were cut. Disrespectful kids were put out in the hall until they got the picture. Well, good old Macho couldn't take it. He had done nothing constructive for 20 minutes so I kicked him out in the hall. I've tried many strategies to help Macho, he just didn't manage any of it well. So I sent a note home with him. Of course he didn't give it to his parent. So I called the parent at the end of the day and set up a meeting after explaining everything I have done to help him catch up and behave. Parent has grounded the kid, and will be meeting with me after break.
Peace settled over my room. Macho got the picture that when I'm done with please... I'm a witch. Queenie didn't want to get on the wrong side of me after cooling her heels in the hall. The class and I left her in the middle of the hall having a temper tantrum while we went back to class. I think I like Sarge. I've missed her. I tried the nicey,nice and million chance bit. I perfer the results Sarge and I get. I think Sunshine will have to take a leave of absence until next year.( If I ever let her out again.)

0 Comments

  
Page 1 of 4 1 23 Last »

Bloggers: musicbug 
Board Tools Search this Board
Search this Board :


Problems? Let us know!

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:35 PM.


Copyright © 1998-2007 ProTeacher®
For individual use only. Do not copy, reproduce or transmit.
source: www.proteacher.net
Google