School has been out since the 23rd of December. I have done nothing until today, when I graded a bunch of papers and put them into the grade book. I still have to read 24 persuasive essays, assess them, and put them in the grade book, too.
I also have to log on to www.BlueKids.org and review the various courses. I got free logins for all my students as part of some grant the district received. The original email arrived in September or October. I only now applied for the free passwords. I thought for sure the limited number of spaces provided by the grant would be gone. Got lucky, I guess. I don't like teaching health. At my last school the gym teacher took care of all that. At this school I have health added on to my regular teaching load: Math, reading, writing, grammar, science, social studies, technology, character ed, thinking skills. Are there more? Yeah, probably, but I can't remember since I'm not at school right now.
If this goes well, we might get the grant renewed for next year, or I might be able to duplicate similar lessons to use again next year.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Who Likes Math?
Isadora (6) was getting ready for her morning shower. She was walking around with her pajama top pulled over her head so it looked like she was wearing a hat, or like she had pink hair. While she was walking past me, I said, “Isadora, when you are in my class, you’re going to have to take this same math test.” I was about halfway through putting the unit 4 assessment grades into my grading program.
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes, but when you’re in fourth grade, this will be easy for you. Your sister is smart, and so are you. She did well, and you will, too.”
“I know how to spell book. B-O-O-K.”
“Yes, but that’s not going to help you with your math test.”
Just then, Mommy chimes in, “Oh, I love math.” She’s studying for a basic math exam she has to pass before completing her nursing degree. “I just love math. It’s my favorite subject” she continues sarcastically.
At this point Isadora looks at me, shakes her head, and mouths dryly, “No she doesn’t.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes, but when you’re in fourth grade, this will be easy for you. Your sister is smart, and so are you. She did well, and you will, too.”
“I know how to spell book. B-O-O-K.”
“Yes, but that’s not going to help you with your math test.”
Just then, Mommy chimes in, “Oh, I love math.” She’s studying for a basic math exam she has to pass before completing her nursing degree. “I just love math. It’s my favorite subject” she continues sarcastically.
At this point Isadora looks at me, shakes her head, and mouths dryly, “No she doesn’t.”
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Fit to be Tied
My family and I went to the Social Security office yesterday, since my wife needed to change her name on her social security card. We've been married for 11 happy years, but for reasons that escape me she has never changed her name to her married name. She was very quick to fill out all the papers to legalize our marriage in Brazil - the country of her birth - so I am not sure what's taken so long here.
I was astoundingly surprised to find the person in the office to be helpful and happy. If you've ever worked with a government employee, then you have at least one horror story to share. I have several, but that's for another date. So we were taken care of quickly and efficiently. My wife's new card should arrive in the mail in about ten days - maybe less.
After we finished there, we walked back to our car. About halfway back (the length of a short block) I noticed a rack with ties hanging from it. I stopped. I looked. I saw some really cool ties. I really like ties. I am a teacher, and while I am in no way required to wear a tie, I like looking professional. But I also have a lot of ties. How many? I've worn a different tie every day, Monday through Thursday, from the beginning of school until now, and I have yet to duplicate a tie. Ah, Monday through Thursday? Yes. Well, I don't wear a tie on Friday. It's sort of my homage to casual Friday. A leftover from my days in corporate America. Lots of days.
It was really cold yesterday, though. I had to take off my gloves to look through the ties, and my fingers were freezing up. Fortunately, the store owner saw us out there and mentioned that there were lots more ties inside the store. We went in. Hundreds of ties were hanging before me at the back of the store. Each and every one on sale for $0.95. Yes. 95 cents. I bought four ties: Blue with armadillos, blue with cars, black with yellow school buses, and black with purple and white sailboats. Did I mention that I like ties with "things" on them? Sure, I have a few rep ties, but they are nothing compared with my other ties: More boats, ducks, chickens, mermaids, pandas, sheep, airplanes, comic strips, Charlie Brown and Snoopy, cats. I could go on. My wife bought one tie each for her two brothers - the armadillo for one, and another with longhorn cattle. I think I'll go back and buy another with the cattle for myself. I'll give more than a dozen of my old ties to Goodwill. I need to make room for some new ones. Maybe one with chili peppers on it. . .
I was astoundingly surprised to find the person in the office to be helpful and happy. If you've ever worked with a government employee, then you have at least one horror story to share. I have several, but that's for another date. So we were taken care of quickly and efficiently. My wife's new card should arrive in the mail in about ten days - maybe less.
After we finished there, we walked back to our car. About halfway back (the length of a short block) I noticed a rack with ties hanging from it. I stopped. I looked. I saw some really cool ties. I really like ties. I am a teacher, and while I am in no way required to wear a tie, I like looking professional. But I also have a lot of ties. How many? I've worn a different tie every day, Monday through Thursday, from the beginning of school until now, and I have yet to duplicate a tie. Ah, Monday through Thursday? Yes. Well, I don't wear a tie on Friday. It's sort of my homage to casual Friday. A leftover from my days in corporate America. Lots of days.
It was really cold yesterday, though. I had to take off my gloves to look through the ties, and my fingers were freezing up. Fortunately, the store owner saw us out there and mentioned that there were lots more ties inside the store. We went in. Hundreds of ties were hanging before me at the back of the store. Each and every one on sale for $0.95. Yes. 95 cents. I bought four ties: Blue with armadillos, blue with cars, black with yellow school buses, and black with purple and white sailboats. Did I mention that I like ties with "things" on them? Sure, I have a few rep ties, but they are nothing compared with my other ties: More boats, ducks, chickens, mermaids, pandas, sheep, airplanes, comic strips, Charlie Brown and Snoopy, cats. I could go on. My wife bought one tie each for her two brothers - the armadillo for one, and another with longhorn cattle. I think I'll go back and buy another with the cattle for myself. I'll give more than a dozen of my old ties to Goodwill. I need to make room for some new ones. Maybe one with chili peppers on it. . .
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