For the last eighty minutes.... I have just "wasted all of my time".....
My classroom is a complete disaster, and Open House is three days away! So, why am I not working on it???? Instead, I am writing on this blog... after I checked out the latest high school football rankings for Portage and a bunch of other schools... after I read the Portage Daily Register...after I wrote some emails... after I basically did anything but the things I should be doing.
Maybe what I really want to know is how come every time I spend precious minutes and sweat (a lot of, I mean way too much of, actually dripping-into-my-eyes-type sweat) cleaning, my classroom just looks messier and messier? This is ridiculous! I cleaned out 26 boxes from our basement at home and brought 18 boxes to school. Now I have unpacked all the boxes of books and nothing looks better (whaa, whaa, boo hoo, do you feel sorry for me, too?).
Actually, I'm just ranting. It will get done, but I have a feeling it will be done about 3 minutes, 35 seconds before Open House.
P.S. I scored the first BINGO at 8:19 yesterday during our opening inservice. By the end of the morning the only word keeping me from blacking out my entire card was "flexibility." I was the "big" winner so Phil and everyone else (you know who you are) need to pay up!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
New School Year!
Today is the first day of "real" school. No more just doin' a little of this and a little of that whenever...or never. This summer was awesome! It was just what I needed to recharge my optimism and enthusiasm for learning and teaching. Tomorrow we'll start planning fourth grade stuff, and hopefully I'll get an opportunity to actually introduce myself to the new teacher I will (be trying to) mentor this year.
I went back and forth about mentoring this year, but in the end, I think I could help someone else get adjusted to Portage. I still remember all the things no one told me when I started here, and all the things I didn't know when I started at a different school last year. Most teachers graduating from college know just as much or more about new teaching methods as I do, and they sure know a lot more about technology than I do! But adjusting to Portage is the one thing I could help someone learn.
Sooooo, I'm going to try and keep a list of the things "no one told me, but I should have known."
1. Get your substitutes set for all the days you will miss for grade level classes BEFORE the start of the year.*
2. Good parking places that aren't off limits.
3. Pick out one or two personal days on the first inservice day. Bring a calendar and addresses to the first inservice.*
4. Look at other people's websites to get good links (Everyday Math, Smartboard Sites, CoolMath, etc.).
5. Sign out the computer lab way, way, way ahead of time.
6. Sign up early for MAP Testing the first time. Sign up late for the next two times.
7. Watch the questions your students are getting on the MAP test. Adjust curriculum accordingly.
8. The first 10 questions of the MAP test are much more important than the next 40 questions.
9. Try to get (or switch with me or other teachers) an early date for lounge, fitness Friday, etc.
10. The importance of volunteers*
11. A good safety patrol fundraiser, community service, points, and the importance of staying eligble
12. The shirts, face painting, posters, Spirit Week, and parade for Homecoming
13. The sixth graders helping out at Halloween
14. School supplies such as glue, paper, colored/subject folders, and dry erase markers*
15. Donations for end-of-the-year field trip and picnic
16. Tips for writing reflections on lesson plans*
17. Snacks, milk, lunch, Book It Pizzas, testing food, soda, refrigerators
18. Xerox printing and paper: Things you should know
19. County fair projects and money
20. Differences at Rusch compared to other Portage Schools
22. Schedule and Agenda Lists*
23. Student of the Week Ideas
*First items
I went back and forth about mentoring this year, but in the end, I think I could help someone else get adjusted to Portage. I still remember all the things no one told me when I started here, and all the things I didn't know when I started at a different school last year. Most teachers graduating from college know just as much or more about new teaching methods as I do, and they sure know a lot more about technology than I do! But adjusting to Portage is the one thing I could help someone learn.
Sooooo, I'm going to try and keep a list of the things "no one told me, but I should have known."
1. Get your substitutes set for all the days you will miss for grade level classes BEFORE the start of the year.*
2. Good parking places that aren't off limits.
3. Pick out one or two personal days on the first inservice day. Bring a calendar and addresses to the first inservice.*
4. Look at other people's websites to get good links (Everyday Math, Smartboard Sites, CoolMath, etc.).
5. Sign out the computer lab way, way, way ahead of time.
6. Sign up early for MAP Testing the first time. Sign up late for the next two times.
7. Watch the questions your students are getting on the MAP test. Adjust curriculum accordingly.
8. The first 10 questions of the MAP test are much more important than the next 40 questions.
9. Try to get (or switch with me or other teachers) an early date for lounge, fitness Friday, etc.
10. The importance of volunteers*
11. A good safety patrol fundraiser, community service, points, and the importance of staying eligble
12. The shirts, face painting, posters, Spirit Week, and parade for Homecoming
13. The sixth graders helping out at Halloween
14. School supplies such as glue, paper, colored/subject folders, and dry erase markers*
15. Donations for end-of-the-year field trip and picnic
16. Tips for writing reflections on lesson plans*
17. Snacks, milk, lunch, Book It Pizzas, testing food, soda, refrigerators
18. Xerox printing and paper: Things you should know
19. County fair projects and money
20. Differences at Rusch compared to other Portage Schools
- curriculum
- grading
- parent club
- funds
- technology
- after school
- lunch
- recess
22. Schedule and Agenda Lists*
23. Student of the Week Ideas
*First items
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
A French Education
Samantha finally returned from France on Monday! She had such a wonderful time. First, she stayed in the southern city of Toulouse at Gabrielle and Josephine's house. The city is old and filled with pinkish-orange brick buildings. Then, they went to Brittany and stayed at the family's vacation home on the ocean. After touring four French castles, the girls finally arrived in Paris. They stayed in an apartment owned by the girls' grandma and got to spend an evening in their grandpa's old underground Paris winery filled with bottles and casks dating back to 1933! Of course, Sam also had a chance to visit the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc deTriomphe and many other famous sites.
I am so proud of Samantha. She handled every part of the trip beautifully, and I admire the way she enthusiastically embraced French food and culture. (She has convinced us to plan our dinners for 7 pm so we can eat a family meal together with meat, fruits and vegetables, french bread, cheese and dessert). Next summer, if Sam goes back, they plan to spend most of their time in Spain (Josephine and Sam both speak Spanish well), and we will take Josephine to more places in the United States (maybe New England, the West Coast or Florida).
I am so proud of Samantha. She handled every part of the trip beautifully, and I admire the way she enthusiastically embraced French food and culture. (She has convinced us to plan our dinners for 7 pm so we can eat a family meal together with meat, fruits and vegetables, french bread, cheese and dessert). Next summer, if Sam goes back, they plan to spend most of their time in Spain (Josephine and Sam both speak Spanish well), and we will take Josephine to more places in the United States (maybe New England, the West Coast or Florida).
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Wow!
This week I am attending five technology classes. It's terribly exciting to see new apps or find the perfect resource for teaching a class. There is so much out there that a person could spend every waking moment working on a computer, phone, iPad, or Smartboard!
The only hassle is getting everything to work and transfer the information when you need it. There are still too many glitches with our district technology program, and access is still sometimes a problem. But.... when it works, it REALLY works. I have enjoyed every single class so far.
In the afternoons, I have BEGUN the task of organizing my new room. It's slow going, but every day I have a goal (organize posters, organize books and games, arrange desks, and on and on). I figure if it's important, it will eventually get done.
The only hassle is getting everything to work and transfer the information when you need it. There are still too many glitches with our district technology program, and access is still sometimes a problem. But.... when it works, it REALLY works. I have enjoyed every single class so far.
In the afternoons, I have BEGUN the task of organizing my new room. It's slow going, but every day I have a goal (organize posters, organize books and games, arrange desks, and on and on). I figure if it's important, it will eventually get done.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
My Favorite 100 Movies (That I Could Watch Again)
Okay, I could not make a list of the 100 BEST movies because I know movies are considered great for reasons other than a happy ending or suprising twists and turns. "Critical acclaim" seems almost synonomous with "really depressing". Finally, in some movies (Gone With the Wind for instance) the racism or sexism is just too distracting for me to include it as a favorite.
So here it is, in no particular order. Someday, I'll make a list of all the movies I recommend, but after much hard work and agonizing (really just an hour and a half of loafing around) here is the list of "My 100 Favorite Movies".
1. Casablanca
2. The Godfather/Godfather II
3. The Departed
4. Michael Clayton
5. Blood Diamond
6. Inception
7. It’s a Wonderful Life
8. Kate and Leopold
9. The Sting
10. Avatar
11. The Wizard of Oz
12. The Shawshank Redemption
13. The African Queen
14. North By Northwest
15. Say Anything
16. The Maltese Falcon
17. Some Like It Hot
18. The Philadelphia Story
19. It’s Complicated
20. Shrek
21. An Ideal Husband
22. A Streetcar Named Desire
23. Rear Window
24. Jaws
25. The Silence of the Lambs
26. Tootsie
27. Ben-Hur
28. Fargo
29. A Night at the Opera
30. Pride and Prejudice (All four versions including Bride and Prejudice)
31. The Usual Suspects
32. The Sixth Sense
33. All the President’s Men
34. Swing Time
35. Singin’ In the Rain
36. The Sound of Music
37. Meet Me In St. Louis
38. Enchanted
39. Monster-In-Law
40. The Notebook
41. Overboard
42. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
43. The Big Sleep
44. Witness
45. National Velvet
46. The Lion In Winter
47. Mulan
48. Aladdin
49. Sense and Sensibility
50. Groundhog Day
51. To Have and Have Not
52. Notorious
53. To Catch a Thief
54. Roxanne
55. Spy Game
56. Holiday
57. Heaven Can Wait
58. You Can’t Take It With You
59. The Pride of the Yankees
60. The Adventures of Robin Hood
61. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
62. Hotel Rwanda
63. The Talented Mr. Ripley
64. Jane Austen Book Club
65. The Hunt for Red October
66. When We Were Kings
67. The Young Lions
68. A Christmas Story
69. Clueless
70. The Right Stuff
71. Atlantic City
72. When Harry Met Sally
73. Moonstruck
74. The Verdict
75. Halloween
76. Grease
77. Fiddler On the Roof
78. Mary Poppins
79. The Bridge on the River Kwai
80. Rebecca
81. Miracle on 34th Street
82. The Parent Trap (both versions)
83. Gaslight
84. Anastasia
85. Sunset Boulevard
86. Top Hat
87. Ray
88. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
89. The Thin Man (whole series)
90. Ball of Fire
91. A Christmas In Connecticut
92. Boys Town
93. Meet the Parents
94. Remember the Titians
95. Hairspray (the musical)
96. One True Thing
97. Fresh
98. Suspicion
99. Regarding Henry
100. ?????????
So here it is, in no particular order. Someday, I'll make a list of all the movies I recommend, but after much hard work and agonizing (really just an hour and a half of loafing around) here is the list of "My 100 Favorite Movies".
1. Casablanca
2. The Godfather/Godfather II
3. The Departed
4. Michael Clayton
5. Blood Diamond
6. Inception
7. It’s a Wonderful Life
8. Kate and Leopold
9. The Sting
10. Avatar
11. The Wizard of Oz
12. The Shawshank Redemption
13. The African Queen
14. North By Northwest
15. Say Anything
16. The Maltese Falcon
17. Some Like It Hot
18. The Philadelphia Story
19. It’s Complicated
20. Shrek
21. An Ideal Husband
22. A Streetcar Named Desire
23. Rear Window
24. Jaws
25. The Silence of the Lambs
26. Tootsie
27. Ben-Hur
28. Fargo
29. A Night at the Opera
30. Pride and Prejudice (All four versions including Bride and Prejudice)
31. The Usual Suspects
32. The Sixth Sense
33. All the President’s Men
34. Swing Time
35. Singin’ In the Rain
36. The Sound of Music
37. Meet Me In St. Louis
38. Enchanted
39. Monster-In-Law
40. The Notebook
41. Overboard
42. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
43. The Big Sleep
44. Witness
45. National Velvet
46. The Lion In Winter
47. Mulan
48. Aladdin
49. Sense and Sensibility
50. Groundhog Day
51. To Have and Have Not
52. Notorious
53. To Catch a Thief
54. Roxanne
55. Spy Game
56. Holiday
57. Heaven Can Wait
58. You Can’t Take It With You
59. The Pride of the Yankees
60. The Adventures of Robin Hood
61. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
62. Hotel Rwanda
63. The Talented Mr. Ripley
64. Jane Austen Book Club
65. The Hunt for Red October
66. When We Were Kings
67. The Young Lions
68. A Christmas Story
69. Clueless
70. The Right Stuff
71. Atlantic City
72. When Harry Met Sally
73. Moonstruck
74. The Verdict
75. Halloween
76. Grease
77. Fiddler On the Roof
78. Mary Poppins
79. The Bridge on the River Kwai
80. Rebecca
81. Miracle on 34th Street
82. The Parent Trap (both versions)
83. Gaslight
84. Anastasia
85. Sunset Boulevard
86. Top Hat
87. Ray
88. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
89. The Thin Man (whole series)
90. Ball of Fire
91. A Christmas In Connecticut
92. Boys Town
93. Meet the Parents
94. Remember the Titians
95. Hairspray (the musical)
96. One True Thing
97. Fresh
98. Suspicion
99. Regarding Henry
100. ?????????
Monday, August 1, 2011
Canoeing Through Life
Yesterday was a beautiful day on the Wisconsin River. We saw eagles, blue herons, cranes, and turtles seemingly enjoying the day as much as we did. Canoe is the best way to travel the Wisconsin because the water is so shallow in sections, you can paddle to move along or just go with the current, and one or two people can paddle simultaneously . The water is a nice temp for swimming or wading, the many sandbars are great for picnics and I love the light breeze on a sunny day.
For every day that Sam is gone, we are planning outdoor activities (today it's climbing at Devil's Lake after Phil read a cool write up about the area in Climbing Magazine) and an indoor movie festival (Phil' s idea of a great time for Sasha). While looking for movies to rent, I came across a number of interesting lists. On some internet sites people pick their top romantic, scary or best movie, but I enjoy reading longer lists. You can learn a lot about a person by scanning their favorite 50 or even their favorite 100 movies. If they tell you (a little) about why they love it, so much the better. I think it might be interesting to try. So my assignment today is to spend an hour or so writing down my favorites (in no particular order). Wish me luck!
For every day that Sam is gone, we are planning outdoor activities (today it's climbing at Devil's Lake after Phil read a cool write up about the area in Climbing Magazine) and an indoor movie festival (Phil' s idea of a great time for Sasha). While looking for movies to rent, I came across a number of interesting lists. On some internet sites people pick their top romantic, scary or best movie, but I enjoy reading longer lists. You can learn a lot about a person by scanning their favorite 50 or even their favorite 100 movies. If they tell you (a little) about why they love it, so much the better. I think it might be interesting to try. So my assignment today is to spend an hour or so writing down my favorites (in no particular order). Wish me luck!
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