My family is made up of runners. I have never been one. I tried in junior high and was on the track team (they took everyone). My event was the 400. A race that is neither long distance or a sprint. I think I only ran it because no one wanted to run it and I could sort of do it. I did ok. Once I took 3rd at a meet but found out later that they only announced 1 and 2 at the awards. SO, I figured running was not for me. I did play soccer after all and did lots of exercise there. Then college can and I did marching band in the fall. 4 years of it and no matter what you say, it did keep me in pretty good condition. Fast forward to finding yoga and loving it. thought I would do that forever. Yeah, about that...
Inner peace can wait until I can afford a membership to a quality studio or my current health club moves classes out of the conference room.
So, my school PTA is doing a 5K and I signed up. I am back to running. The funny thing is, I don't totally hate it. Yes, my whole family runs 10K and half marathons, and whole marathons at the drop of a hat but this is my start. For now, 5K is kinda tough and I can just make it through the whole distance without wanting to fall over.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Spring Break
Ahh spring break. How much we teachers look forward to you more than the kids. I am making the most of my break by taking a day trip to Galena with my DH, going shopping and spending way too much money, exercising every day, and getting general work around the house done. So much packing to do for our move across town, clothes to wash, rooms to clean, and yard work to do.
Typically I like to go away for a camping trip on this week of bliss but moving plans have dictated that packing and house prepping happen. What a nice break from life this is.
Typically I like to go away for a camping trip on this week of bliss but moving plans have dictated that packing and house prepping happen. What a nice break from life this is.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
patience
Today was an exercise in patience, in all aspects of my life. Too much stuff that is confidential and not post-able.
So many moments today when I was unsure if I should yell, scream, get quiet, or strangle someone. Then, i managed to mess up something in my throat. I am not quite sure if it is a sick thing or if I managed to break my voice with overuse. Either way, it hurts to talk and I am not good at being on vocal rest.
So today in first grade, we are working on the story of The Firebird and Igor Stravinsky's musical interpretation of the story. It is a long unit. Because I had no voice to use, we got to color all of the pictures of the main characters to put on Popsicle sticks. One student gave me his stack of papers and told me that he arranged them with good guys on top of the stack and bad guys on the bottom of the stack.
Let's hope that tomorrow brings back my voice and fewer lessons in patience.
So many moments today when I was unsure if I should yell, scream, get quiet, or strangle someone. Then, i managed to mess up something in my throat. I am not quite sure if it is a sick thing or if I managed to break my voice with overuse. Either way, it hurts to talk and I am not good at being on vocal rest.
So today in first grade, we are working on the story of The Firebird and Igor Stravinsky's musical interpretation of the story. It is a long unit. Because I had no voice to use, we got to color all of the pictures of the main characters to put on Popsicle sticks. One student gave me his stack of papers and told me that he arranged them with good guys on top of the stack and bad guys on the bottom of the stack.
Let's hope that tomorrow brings back my voice and fewer lessons in patience.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Read the Riot Act
Today. Ugh today. I had to read the riot act to three classes today. A parent called me about a serious issue at 8:30am. If not for the quick reflexes of a co-worker, I nearly took a soccer ball to the face.
The real problem is respect. The students are all not showing respect to each other and their teachers. Serious amounts of eye rolling, talking back (I hate that phrase, we need a new one), general disregard for directions, and so much more. I have multiple students who will just sit there and make irritating noises at their classmates.
How do we address this in a new way?
Sadly, the kids who are trying constantly to do the right thing get squashed and punished for things the disrespectful group does. In one class I gave a speech to I got letters of apology from students. What crushed me is that they were all students who had done nothing wrong. Those who are already doing well are going above and beyond to make up for others.
Learning should be fun. You want to learn when it is fun. I want to make my class enjoyable. These moments where I have to stop everything and address respect again and again make it very difficult to keep the learning fun.
The real problem is respect. The students are all not showing respect to each other and their teachers. Serious amounts of eye rolling, talking back (I hate that phrase, we need a new one), general disregard for directions, and so much more. I have multiple students who will just sit there and make irritating noises at their classmates.
How do we address this in a new way?
Sadly, the kids who are trying constantly to do the right thing get squashed and punished for things the disrespectful group does. In one class I gave a speech to I got letters of apology from students. What crushed me is that they were all students who had done nothing wrong. Those who are already doing well are going above and beyond to make up for others.
Learning should be fun. You want to learn when it is fun. I want to make my class enjoyable. These moments where I have to stop everything and address respect again and again make it very difficult to keep the learning fun.
1,2,3, HEY
A third grader asked me today if we could do a conga line in the hall instead of walking quietly. Sadly, I had to say no. I really wanted to say yes.
p.s. It was not me who really had to make the no decision.
p.s. It was not me who really had to make the no decision.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Alternative energy
Today my second graders and I were discussing what to wear for our upcoming concerts. We talked about what to wear and how you should wear something like you would for picture day. No tuxedos required. A student then told me he was going to wear his tux and arrive in a limo. He also informed me that his limo was powered on burps.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Does that make me Crazy!!!!!!!!!!!
The children have been going nutters for the last two weeks. Yesterday was the best/worst. The disrespectful behavior and lack of regard for others has been mind numbing. Sometimes the lack of regard is also for one's self. I feel like I am always catching someone kicking/punching/ tattling/defacing/destroying something or someone.I have made more phone calls these past two weeks than ever before.
I had a student come up to me crying. He had sat on his own hand and moved without moving his hand and had smooshed it so bad it hurt him.
During that same class we played a passing game. There were 5 in time out at once.
One of my students in a special education classroom refused to go to art today because she wanted to come to music instead. I was flattered but, it was a five minute showdown or refusal in the hallway.
Para: "You need to go to art." Student: "NO!!" (this happened about 14 times)
This student's classmate also busted into my room after fleeing the art room for the same reason. we caught them mid tug on the door with their face smooshed into the glass of the door window.
By the way, the art teacher is a lovely woman and a friend of mine. She is also a wonderful teacher. There is no reason for this kids to not want to go to art other than wanting to do what I was doing.
These midwinter nutso times make teaching a trying profession.
The screaming through the halls, indoor recesses, and emotional breakdowns tax the minds of all.
Last, there is a student teacher in the building who noticed that there are always sweets in the building. Cookies, candy, chocolates...
When asking why they were always there the response was "They won't let us have anything stronger"
I had a student come up to me crying. He had sat on his own hand and moved without moving his hand and had smooshed it so bad it hurt him.
During that same class we played a passing game. There were 5 in time out at once.
One of my students in a special education classroom refused to go to art today because she wanted to come to music instead. I was flattered but, it was a five minute showdown or refusal in the hallway.
Para: "You need to go to art." Student: "NO!!" (this happened about 14 times)
This student's classmate also busted into my room after fleeing the art room for the same reason. we caught them mid tug on the door with their face smooshed into the glass of the door window.
By the way, the art teacher is a lovely woman and a friend of mine. She is also a wonderful teacher. There is no reason for this kids to not want to go to art other than wanting to do what I was doing.
These midwinter nutso times make teaching a trying profession.
The screaming through the halls, indoor recesses, and emotional breakdowns tax the minds of all.
Last, there is a student teacher in the building who noticed that there are always sweets in the building. Cookies, candy, chocolates...
When asking why they were always there the response was "They won't let us have anything stronger"
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