There is one major thing I despise about teaching. Grading. Not because I think that grades are unimportant. They can show a lot of things to me and to the students and their parents. I just hate doing it. I think this is partly because I don't have a class of 25. Every piece of grading that I have to do (paperwork and non) is times 200. So, my hatred for grading gets put into my other personal problem. Procrastination. I am a super duper procrastinator. Every paper I have ever written, every project I had a month to do, was probably done all on the weekend or night before it was due. Thus, my grades are due on Friday.
The school Halloween party is on Thursday and I will not want to spend one lick of that grading because I love the Halloween party day. Kids in costume are priceless. So, I will spend my entire Sunday, working on my double vice of grading and procrastination and spend all day on my couch, grading.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
first graders
I love first graders. So much. They are just learning what it means to be human. They also say funny things and do funny things. This week's round up of phrasesare fantastic.
We are learning musical opposites. High/Low, Forte(loud)/Piano(quiet), Presto(fast)/Largo(slow), and Solo(alone)/Tutti (together).
I have a little boy in my class who is smart. Very smart. But also a little naughty. I think he is funny and I can't let him know that I think that his slightly naughty comments and actions are funny. Twice today he got me. We were all asked to move closer to read a book together he yells out "SCUTTI" I asked later about something to do with the floor and he yells "FLORTE." I reminded him that the floor does not make sounds and cannot be forte because it makes no sound. His response? Well if we all stomp it is florte!
Once we were playing freeze dance. We often play this as a reward for lots of good behavior. I was explaining the rules to a new crop of 6 year olds and how when the music stops we all freeze. A hand attached to a girl with a very concerned face shot up. "What if you are itchy?"
I wish that there were no creepers out there and I could post hours of videos of my students doing funny things. I think they would win me some awards on AFV.
Today we also read Rattlebone Rock. This is a great Halloween book with lots of words and wonderful pictures. It named several spooky characters and we all go to make the sounds that they make. My students LOVE it and request to read it over and over. A wonderful little boy who has more energy than road runner told me that his favorite was the banshee. That happened also to be the one where we all went EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
We are learning musical opposites. High/Low, Forte(loud)/Piano(quiet), Presto(fast)/Largo(slow), and Solo(alone)/Tutti (together).
I have a little boy in my class who is smart. Very smart. But also a little naughty. I think he is funny and I can't let him know that I think that his slightly naughty comments and actions are funny. Twice today he got me. We were all asked to move closer to read a book together he yells out "SCUTTI" I asked later about something to do with the floor and he yells "FLORTE." I reminded him that the floor does not make sounds and cannot be forte because it makes no sound. His response? Well if we all stomp it is florte!
Once we were playing freeze dance. We often play this as a reward for lots of good behavior. I was explaining the rules to a new crop of 6 year olds and how when the music stops we all freeze. A hand attached to a girl with a very concerned face shot up. "What if you are itchy?"
I wish that there were no creepers out there and I could post hours of videos of my students doing funny things. I think they would win me some awards on AFV.
Today we also read Rattlebone Rock. This is a great Halloween book with lots of words and wonderful pictures. It named several spooky characters and we all go to make the sounds that they make. My students LOVE it and request to read it over and over. A wonderful little boy who has more energy than road runner told me that his favorite was the banshee. That happened also to be the one where we all went EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Wanted: fire extinguisher for life fires
Things are tough right now. We are broke. My job is getting a little more stressful due to the fact that Illinois is broke. There have also been a few too many family crisis for a short amount of time. So, today, we had an institute day at the school I work at. Meaning, no kids. Thank goodness or I might have cried in front of the kids. Do you ever just reach that point of total breaking and can't keep it together. Yeah, I'm there. So, I stood in the closet of my classroom and just took deep breaths for about 5 minutes. All I wanted was to go in there and find something. But, I have not been very good at keeping that closet organized and when I hit the mess, I was at my end.
I work with the best co-worker possible. She understands me and we have a phrase for when things are very difficult. "My life is exploding." Her life also has been exploding recently and we are a pair. So, this morning she walks into my classroom to get started on our morning of doing music teacher-y things and I said to her, "My life is so full of explosions right now. I need a fire extinguisher for my life to put out the fires." She agreed.
She wanted one too.
I write this not to complain about my life. I write it not to ask for pity or hand outs. I know full well that many of the situations I am encountering right now are partly or fully due to actions that I have made. I write this to explain my current mindset, attitude, lack of participation, and anything else that makes me not act like my usual self.
I work with the best co-worker possible. She understands me and we have a phrase for when things are very difficult. "My life is exploding." Her life also has been exploding recently and we are a pair. So, this morning she walks into my classroom to get started on our morning of doing music teacher-y things and I said to her, "My life is so full of explosions right now. I need a fire extinguisher for my life to put out the fires." She agreed.
She wanted one too.
I write this not to complain about my life. I write it not to ask for pity or hand outs. I know full well that many of the situations I am encountering right now are partly or fully due to actions that I have made. I write this to explain my current mindset, attitude, lack of participation, and anything else that makes me not act like my usual self.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
re-cap
Dear little blog,
I'm sorry I have neglected you. Life is busy. Here is a re-cap of the summer's events.
June
Our lease in Lakemoor was up on the 15th so we packed up and moved to my parents temporarily. It was a long move out because we did not rent a truck. Piece by piece, Kyle, his mom, and I loaded up her van and my dad's Element to make about 20 trips back and forth. I then cleaned the place for 3 days so that it was spotless and we would incur no additional charges.
Kyle started his internship with GPMF and got really involved in the festival.
July
We found a place in Chicago (to meet the residency requirements of GPMF) and move in on the 9th. We love our new neighborhood and it is nice to be here in the city. Kyle and I did the whole move BY OUR SELVES. Never again. 3 flights of stairs over and over are no fun.
I kept myself busy with helping family, going occasionally to the barn, and lots of working out. I am really loving this whole no real responsibility thing. I also helped Kyle at the festival with a project that needed volunteers. Oh, and did I mention that I am now selling my hats and things on Etsy? Buy them please!
August
We have to decide if we want to stay in Chicago. Our sub-lease ends after next month and they want to know if we want to stay. After going back and forth a thousand times, we decide that my commute to work sucks big time and I would rather leave our darling neighborhood for some sanity and for less of our hard earned money going to OPEC. So, the hunt for new residency begins again! (and move number 3 of the summer)
School started on the 25th and I am so glad to be back at work. I love my job.
I'm sorry I have neglected you. Life is busy. Here is a re-cap of the summer's events.
June
Our lease in Lakemoor was up on the 15th so we packed up and moved to my parents temporarily. It was a long move out because we did not rent a truck. Piece by piece, Kyle, his mom, and I loaded up her van and my dad's Element to make about 20 trips back and forth. I then cleaned the place for 3 days so that it was spotless and we would incur no additional charges.
Kyle started his internship with GPMF and got really involved in the festival.
July
We found a place in Chicago (to meet the residency requirements of GPMF) and move in on the 9th. We love our new neighborhood and it is nice to be here in the city. Kyle and I did the whole move BY OUR SELVES. Never again. 3 flights of stairs over and over are no fun.
I kept myself busy with helping family, going occasionally to the barn, and lots of working out. I am really loving this whole no real responsibility thing. I also helped Kyle at the festival with a project that needed volunteers. Oh, and did I mention that I am now selling my hats and things on Etsy? Buy them please!
August
We have to decide if we want to stay in Chicago. Our sub-lease ends after next month and they want to know if we want to stay. After going back and forth a thousand times, we decide that my commute to work sucks big time and I would rather leave our darling neighborhood for some sanity and for less of our hard earned money going to OPEC. So, the hunt for new residency begins again! (and move number 3 of the summer)
School started on the 25th and I am so glad to be back at work. I love my job.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Crochet projects
So, I have been an avid crocheter for the last few years and after many requests, I have decided to start selling some of my favorite pieces. Photos are up on my Flickr site under the name musicgirl816. Hopefully my Etsy shop will be fully up and running soon!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Why I Love My Job
I have been having a rough go lately. Lots of sad things. But, I always have a reason to smile when it comes to my job. I was feeling a bit down this morning and walked by a classroom that I teach music to. They were all singing the songs from their concert 2 months ago. So funny.
Later today, we were watching a video clip and the FBI warning popped up as it always does. A student then asked me "What's the FBI?" I explained that the warning was about how it is not allowed to copy the move. A third student then exclaimed "You gotta pay them $25,000 and spend up to 5 years in federal prison!" I asked this student if their teacher told them this. She told me no and that she has just read the warning every time she sees it. The first student then asked "What's Federal Prison?" I hope I don't get phone calls tomorrow....
We are learning about the 4 instrument families in second grade(Percussion, Strings, Woodwind, and Brass.) When I asked if someone could name them I got concussion, bass, wood, and gold.
Later today, we were watching a video clip and the FBI warning popped up as it always does. A student then asked me "What's the FBI?" I explained that the warning was about how it is not allowed to copy the move. A third student then exclaimed "You gotta pay them $25,000 and spend up to 5 years in federal prison!" I asked this student if their teacher told them this. She told me no and that she has just read the warning every time she sees it. The first student then asked "What's Federal Prison?" I hope I don't get phone calls tomorrow....
We are learning about the 4 instrument families in second grade(Percussion, Strings, Woodwind, and Brass.) When I asked if someone could name them I got concussion, bass, wood, and gold.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Who wants to have larger class sizes and more unemployed people?
So, today the Governor of Illinois gave a speech on his proposed budget for the next fiscal year. 1.3 billion dollars are proposed to be cut from education.
Um, Gov. did you remember that you guys still have not paid us for last year? How about larger class sizes? Remember those? Yeah, not a good thing. With less funding comes cuts to the teaching staff, with cuts to the staff your student to teacher ratio goes up. Also, the "extras" get cut too. Even the extras that are mandated get cut and waivers are given so that we can just get through till later.
In Illinois, the fine arts subjects (music, art, drama, dance) are technically required. But, they are not required to be taught by a highly qualified, subject specific certification if the school cannot afford the extra position. Physical education is required by IL state laws for every student, 5 days a week, grades K-12. This is also to be taught by a highly qualified, area specific, certified teacher. But, in times like these, waivers happen and recess can count as PE for the day. The number of minutes for daily PE is also not specified. A school giving kids 10 minutes a day is following the law as much as a school providing 30 minutes a day.
Because every elementary education major is required to take 1 music, 1 art, and 1 PE class they can be considered highly qualified in that area. I am in no way trying to take anything from Elementary teachers. I love, admire, and respect every single one. I work in elementary because I also love it. But, ask most of those teachers and they will tell you that they don't want to sing/draw/dance/run/jump rope/etc.n front of their students. Usually because they say they are not good at such area. That is why we have specialists. To teach the special areas. Anyway, the classroom teachers have enough on their plates with having reading/math/science/social studies/being a mom to 20+ people.
By cutting so many positions, our already underpaid and overworked classroom teachers will just be eve more tired and worn out from having almost 30 (maybe more) little lives pulling them in 30+ ways.
IN conclusion, dear state of Illinois, lets think of something else to cut rather than education funding. This is our future you are cutting back on.
Um, Gov. did you remember that you guys still have not paid us for last year? How about larger class sizes? Remember those? Yeah, not a good thing. With less funding comes cuts to the teaching staff, with cuts to the staff your student to teacher ratio goes up. Also, the "extras" get cut too. Even the extras that are mandated get cut and waivers are given so that we can just get through till later.
In Illinois, the fine arts subjects (music, art, drama, dance) are technically required. But, they are not required to be taught by a highly qualified, subject specific certification if the school cannot afford the extra position. Physical education is required by IL state laws for every student, 5 days a week, grades K-12. This is also to be taught by a highly qualified, area specific, certified teacher. But, in times like these, waivers happen and recess can count as PE for the day. The number of minutes for daily PE is also not specified. A school giving kids 10 minutes a day is following the law as much as a school providing 30 minutes a day.
Because every elementary education major is required to take 1 music, 1 art, and 1 PE class they can be considered highly qualified in that area. I am in no way trying to take anything from Elementary teachers. I love, admire, and respect every single one. I work in elementary because I also love it. But, ask most of those teachers and they will tell you that they don't want to sing/draw/dance/run/jump rope/etc.n front of their students. Usually because they say they are not good at such area. That is why we have specialists. To teach the special areas. Anyway, the classroom teachers have enough on their plates with having reading/math/science/social studies/being a mom to 20+ people.
By cutting so many positions, our already underpaid and overworked classroom teachers will just be eve more tired and worn out from having almost 30 (maybe more) little lives pulling them in 30+ ways.
IN conclusion, dear state of Illinois, lets think of something else to cut rather than education funding. This is our future you are cutting back on.
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