Phew...I made it. Every year it's the same, getting back into the day-to-day routines of a teacher back at work. Man, we do a lot (please don't ever be one of "those" people who say, "I wish I had summers off--must be nice!") In 2 days I: moved into the P.O.D., arranged furniture, installed a shelf above my coatracks, hung posters, planned, and went to numerous meetings.
My class this year, well...they aren't the angels I had last year OR the difficult class I had in 2006-7. We'll see, only time will tell. I'm learning that they need to stay busy...they go from 0 to 60 in 1 second when they are not involved in a task! I have some sweet boys & really kind girls ~ some spunky boys and some that are just indescribable...as I found out on Thurs. when this certain boy said aloud, "I'll get my Thursday folder papers signed if the reward is worth it!" Excuse me?!!!! Needless to say, I gave a bit of a lecture about expectations for a few mins. Such audacity~it truly boggles my mind!
Best kid quote so far this year--a Kindergartener said to our principal on Wed. in the cafeteria when she was monitoring/helping the kiddos eat, line up, etc. "Mrs. Ritz, will you open my apple?" Of course he meant cut it, but SOOOOOO darling!
Sane, for now at least. My To Do's are down to 5...overall I'm managing the start to this school year swell :0).
The semi-adventures of me!!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Crossroads
So, I left my options open--for God to direct (at least that's what I told myself).
I wouldn't be sitting here semi-saddened that I didn't get a phone call from D20 if I was truly just applying so I had options.
I REALLY wanted to leave D49 & intermediate teaching--thanks, been there tried that & it's not for me! I would be ecstatic if that were the case. I should just be happy for a job--so many don't have even that, I should be happy that I signed my contract & turned it in today...but, I'm not.
I'm just here, ready for another year of same-o, same-o. I wonder what God has for me?
Only time will tell.
I wouldn't be sitting here semi-saddened that I didn't get a phone call from D20 if I was truly just applying so I had options.
I REALLY wanted to leave D49 & intermediate teaching--thanks, been there tried that & it's not for me! I would be ecstatic if that were the case. I should just be happy for a job--so many don't have even that, I should be happy that I signed my contract & turned it in today...but, I'm not.
I'm just here, ready for another year of same-o, same-o. I wonder what God has for me?
Only time will tell.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Team Jasper
Okay...so it's official...I'm a Twilight fan!
I really hate horror films & because I thought Twilight was within that genre, I chose to ignore the phenomena that it was. However, no matter where you turn these days--it's everywhere! Posters, flair, MySpace, Facebook, magazines, folders, on and on...
So, when it showed up in my 5th grade classroom in March, I sighed & asked my 10 year old student if she: "Thought that book was appropriate for reading in school?" She assured me it was & that her mom said she could read it (no hesitation on her part). So I allowed the book in my room & the 8 more that followed--of course, what's good for the goose is good for the gander :0)!!
In April, our neighbor (who is my mother's age) loaned us Twilight over Spring Break. I about lost it...I really was like "COME ON! What is with this vampire stuff?!" I also proceeded to make a Top 5 Things I Hate that Everyone Else Seems to Love--#5 was an Edward Cullen & Bella Swan image with the title Vampires.
I caved though...I admit & watched Twilight to really understand "what the fuss was all about." After watching the movie I was like okay, but I still don't get all the hype. I came back to my 5th graders after Spring Break & told them, with a great big grin, and a semi-squeal, that "I had watched Twilight!!" The girls (who had brought in the 9 copies of books) were all inquisitive about if I enjoyed it and if I thought Edward was cute...blah, blah, blah. I told them I was proud of myself for watching a vampire movie--they know I hate horror--and was pleasantly surprised that there was so little blood & guts. They laughed and said, "I told you so."
At the end of the year, these same girls told me to read the books. Citing back to me that "the movies are never as good as the books, Miss King." So I agreed to "MAYBE" read them this summer. I thought that was a good answer.
The straw that broke the camel's back was my 14 year old cousin spending the summer with us. She brought her Twilight movie & books 1-3 (Twilight, New Moon, & Eclipse). She encouraged me to read them, especially after she and I watched the MTV Movie Awards. I was like this movie was REALLY popular--I think it won like 6 awards. And...she was SOOOOOO EXCITED about the movie preview for New Moon. So I caved, I bought the first 2 books at Barnes & Noble. OMGsh...I loved them so much that I went to Wal-Mart 3 days later to buy the last 2 because I just had to know if Bella became a vampire...DUH! Even the Barnes & Noble sales girl was like..."You should just buy all 4 of them now. You'll so be back here in a few days to get the others...you'll see." She was right...everyone was right...
Lesson learned: Don't judge a book by it's cover.
You may be wondering why this particular blog is called Team Jasper. Well, I took the Facebook quiz and learned that I am attracted to the Jasper character & most compatible with him. So, GO TEAM JASPER--forget the Team Jacob & Team Edward crap (even though, Edward is pretty hot :0)!!!). I am taking quizes, talking about, & adding flair like all the other crazy fans. I am now loaning out my copies to Clare, so she can have discussions with her deployed husband about Twilight (he's read books 1-3 and is currently on Breaking Dawn)!! Ha, Ha--It's official I am a HUGE Twilight fan & recruiting! Who'd of thunk it, LOL!
I really hate horror films & because I thought Twilight was within that genre, I chose to ignore the phenomena that it was. However, no matter where you turn these days--it's everywhere! Posters, flair, MySpace, Facebook, magazines, folders, on and on...
So, when it showed up in my 5th grade classroom in March, I sighed & asked my 10 year old student if she: "Thought that book was appropriate for reading in school?" She assured me it was & that her mom said she could read it (no hesitation on her part). So I allowed the book in my room & the 8 more that followed--of course, what's good for the goose is good for the gander :0)!!
In April, our neighbor (who is my mother's age) loaned us Twilight over Spring Break. I about lost it...I really was like "COME ON! What is with this vampire stuff?!" I also proceeded to make a Top 5 Things I Hate that Everyone Else Seems to Love--#5 was an Edward Cullen & Bella Swan image with the title Vampires.
I caved though...I admit & watched Twilight to really understand "what the fuss was all about." After watching the movie I was like okay, but I still don't get all the hype. I came back to my 5th graders after Spring Break & told them, with a great big grin, and a semi-squeal, that "I had watched Twilight!!" The girls (who had brought in the 9 copies of books) were all inquisitive about if I enjoyed it and if I thought Edward was cute...blah, blah, blah. I told them I was proud of myself for watching a vampire movie--they know I hate horror--and was pleasantly surprised that there was so little blood & guts. They laughed and said, "I told you so."
At the end of the year, these same girls told me to read the books. Citing back to me that "the movies are never as good as the books, Miss King." So I agreed to "MAYBE" read them this summer. I thought that was a good answer.
The straw that broke the camel's back was my 14 year old cousin spending the summer with us. She brought her Twilight movie & books 1-3 (Twilight, New Moon, & Eclipse). She encouraged me to read them, especially after she and I watched the MTV Movie Awards. I was like this movie was REALLY popular--I think it won like 6 awards. And...she was SOOOOOO EXCITED about the movie preview for New Moon. So I caved, I bought the first 2 books at Barnes & Noble. OMGsh...I loved them so much that I went to Wal-Mart 3 days later to buy the last 2 because I just had to know if Bella became a vampire...DUH! Even the Barnes & Noble sales girl was like..."You should just buy all 4 of them now. You'll so be back here in a few days to get the others...you'll see." She was right...everyone was right...
Lesson learned: Don't judge a book by it's cover.
You may be wondering why this particular blog is called Team Jasper. Well, I took the Facebook quiz and learned that I am attracted to the Jasper character & most compatible with him. So, GO TEAM JASPER--forget the Team Jacob & Team Edward crap (even though, Edward is pretty hot :0)!!!). I am taking quizes, talking about, & adding flair like all the other crazy fans. I am now loaning out my copies to Clare, so she can have discussions with her deployed husband about Twilight (he's read books 1-3 and is currently on Breaking Dawn)!! Ha, Ha--It's official I am a HUGE Twilight fan & recruiting! Who'd of thunk it, LOL!
Friday, June 12, 2009
VBS
I will attach pictures...I'm so proud of Clare and all her hard work with VBS this year. We made a good team, too bad it took like 50 trips to Wal-Mart & Hobby Lobby! No really, shopping with Clare is a pleasure--she even got me to do some returns (I'm converting to the dark side :0)!).
We have a fantastic class of Kindergarteners & 2 extremely helpful mom volunteers, who just "get stuff done" & step in without being asked. That is truly a blessing...considering Clare & I don't know if we're coming or going from day to day.
I'm most happy that the students seem to be enjoying themselves in every way. They listen to the Bible stories, practice the memory verses, & rotate through all the various centers so well. They've gotten to paint, play dress up, make crafts, do recreation--most importantly they've learned about God & prayed.
I didn't count on VBS being so much fun--thanks Clare, helpers, & kids. The theme this year was Boomerang Express, set in Austrailia. We could be heard thoughout the halls of FBCBF, our train wheels pumping, saying the week's theme: "Follow! Worship! Live through Him!" It's been an awesome week.
We have a fantastic class of Kindergarteners & 2 extremely helpful mom volunteers, who just "get stuff done" & step in without being asked. That is truly a blessing...considering Clare & I don't know if we're coming or going from day to day.
I'm most happy that the students seem to be enjoying themselves in every way. They listen to the Bible stories, practice the memory verses, & rotate through all the various centers so well. They've gotten to paint, play dress up, make crafts, do recreation--most importantly they've learned about God & prayed.
I didn't count on VBS being so much fun--thanks Clare, helpers, & kids. The theme this year was Boomerang Express, set in Austrailia. We could be heard thoughout the halls of FBCBF, our train wheels pumping, saying the week's theme: "Follow! Worship! Live through Him!" It's been an awesome week.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Kleptomaniac of sorts
Yes folks, you heard it here first! I am officially a kleptomaniac...
Well, not quite :0). I had one of "those days." Today I was grouchy & my 5th graders this morning were very well behaved, so I was able to have an easy going morning, no yelling or incidents of any kind.
I wish the afternoon could've gone as smoothly! I must say, that I have no kids--therefore my authority lies solely in my experiences over the last 4 years, with other people's children.
So back to my afternoon. One of my children, who shall remain nameless, decided to bust out his protractor while I was teaching area today. I had had a previous incident on Friday and asked all my math students not to bring protractors, as they were not needed any longer this year. Well today, out pops the protractor--I take it and tell the student that I will keep it until math is over. Oh no, you should have heard it..."Give it back" over and over and over. Slapping, kicking, hitting, shouting, OMGsh! Never in my life have I ever seen someone go off, I calmly restate, "You can have the protractor once math is over."
"You're a thief, GIVE IT BACK, NOW!" So onward he is drug from my classroom to the office--my teammate buzzed the emergency for me. I feel like the worst teacher today. I mean, I did give the warning, right? I didn't expect that reaction, but whatever! Now I can say, I know what those teachers feel like when pandamonium breaks out, fights, whatever.
Now onward to my parent note. Although I am not a parent, I feel I fall somewhere between parent & single--no kids etc. I mean I deal with kids all day? Like I said, I'm in the grey area, not as experienced as a parent, but still I know something, right?! Somewhere this child, who is now in 5th grade, learned that by throwing a temper tantrum he got his way. When did his parents not notice that they were loosing their control? Have they not seen it?
I swear folks, if I were to have a Parent/Teacher Conference this week, parents wouldn't say, "Yeah, we've seen this behavior many times. We're at a loss, how can you help us?"
It would go something like this, "Well, what did you do? He NEVER acts like this at home!" GET REAL--who do they think they're fooling? I didn't just walk into this classroom from off the street. Someone caved into this child's behavior & has every day since, this is why he acts as such. No one set clear boundaries & stuck to them--so he feels that throwing temper tantrums works with all adults, teachers included. As his math teacher, all I can do is watch him flail around like a dying fish on the floor, hoping that at some point he realizes that THIS STRATEGY ISN'T WORKING!!! It won't work for any kid, anytime, in my classroom--or for that matter when/if I'm a parent myself.
Once again, I am no expert. But for goodness sake, PLEASE parents, be honest. If we can't work together & share our advice or experiences honestly, who loses? I have watched too many episodes of Super Nanny to truly believe that the kids are angels at home & demons solely at school! Why not call a spade a spade? Why try to hide the huge elephant in the room? Everyone already sees it!
Well, my rantings are done...this has been the confession of a protractor klepto!
Well, not quite :0). I had one of "those days." Today I was grouchy & my 5th graders this morning were very well behaved, so I was able to have an easy going morning, no yelling or incidents of any kind.
I wish the afternoon could've gone as smoothly! I must say, that I have no kids--therefore my authority lies solely in my experiences over the last 4 years, with other people's children.
So back to my afternoon. One of my children, who shall remain nameless, decided to bust out his protractor while I was teaching area today. I had had a previous incident on Friday and asked all my math students not to bring protractors, as they were not needed any longer this year. Well today, out pops the protractor--I take it and tell the student that I will keep it until math is over. Oh no, you should have heard it..."Give it back" over and over and over. Slapping, kicking, hitting, shouting, OMGsh! Never in my life have I ever seen someone go off, I calmly restate, "You can have the protractor once math is over."
"You're a thief, GIVE IT BACK, NOW!" So onward he is drug from my classroom to the office--my teammate buzzed the emergency for me. I feel like the worst teacher today. I mean, I did give the warning, right? I didn't expect that reaction, but whatever! Now I can say, I know what those teachers feel like when pandamonium breaks out, fights, whatever.
Now onward to my parent note. Although I am not a parent, I feel I fall somewhere between parent & single--no kids etc. I mean I deal with kids all day? Like I said, I'm in the grey area, not as experienced as a parent, but still I know something, right?! Somewhere this child, who is now in 5th grade, learned that by throwing a temper tantrum he got his way. When did his parents not notice that they were loosing their control? Have they not seen it?
I swear folks, if I were to have a Parent/Teacher Conference this week, parents wouldn't say, "Yeah, we've seen this behavior many times. We're at a loss, how can you help us?"
It would go something like this, "Well, what did you do? He NEVER acts like this at home!" GET REAL--who do they think they're fooling? I didn't just walk into this classroom from off the street. Someone caved into this child's behavior & has every day since, this is why he acts as such. No one set clear boundaries & stuck to them--so he feels that throwing temper tantrums works with all adults, teachers included. As his math teacher, all I can do is watch him flail around like a dying fish on the floor, hoping that at some point he realizes that THIS STRATEGY ISN'T WORKING!!! It won't work for any kid, anytime, in my classroom--or for that matter when/if I'm a parent myself.
Once again, I am no expert. But for goodness sake, PLEASE parents, be honest. If we can't work together & share our advice or experiences honestly, who loses? I have watched too many episodes of Super Nanny to truly believe that the kids are angels at home & demons solely at school! Why not call a spade a spade? Why try to hide the huge elephant in the room? Everyone already sees it!
Well, my rantings are done...this has been the confession of a protractor klepto!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Growth
Okay folks, the goal is growth. I know I'm 28, but I still keep forgetting that it isn't a mistake if you learn from it.
Today I reached a landmark place~I returned to the "scene of the crime" and walked away unscathed, by the grace of GOD! I prayed as I was leaving Stetson today & I KNOW that God heard that prayer and answered it.
I walked into an EXTREMELY difficult place and left with a smile on my face :0)--God is good! Aaahhh, so good He is to me. So good, I even got to reconnect with a few children along the way, I don't know how people without God do it??!!
Today I reached a landmark place~I returned to the "scene of the crime" and walked away unscathed, by the grace of GOD! I prayed as I was leaving Stetson today & I KNOW that God heard that prayer and answered it.
I walked into an EXTREMELY difficult place and left with a smile on my face :0)--God is good! Aaahhh, so good He is to me. So good, I even got to reconnect with a few children along the way, I don't know how people without God do it??!!
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