On Friday in the teacher's lounge during lunch, my world was ROCKED!!! I had one of those stunningly obvious epiphanies that make me question how aware I am of my own life. I realized (I hope you're sitting down) that I have lived in Texas for 18 years. 18 YEARS!!! This is a shock because in my mind, I am from Minnesota. Ask me anything about Minnesota and I probably know the answer.... Yes, SPAM was developed in Minnesota and comes out of a factory in Austin, Minnesota which is in the southern portion of the state and NO, I do not eat it. The 10,000 Lakes of Minnesota were created during the last ice age when the glaciers roamed over the face of the earth and retreated into Canada leaving a fertile land perfect for pine forests and lakes, and yes there are over 10,000 lakes even when you count just the real lakes and not the slews and ponds but we're not Texan so we don't brag like that....except for the mosquitos... we have many more mosquitos and they are much bigger than Texans brags theirs are but with all those lakes, ponds and slews.... there's just going to be more mosquitos. "God's country" is what my brother-in-law calls it. And it is to me. I miss the four seasons and the harsh beauty of winter. I miss throwing any old seed into the ground and have it grow before my eyes. I miss the water which is ever present and the waterfowl that lives on it. I miss the tatse of fresh caught sunfish fried up with a light flour batter and the sun-warm juicy berries fresh off the bushes. I miss the old German churches that were built oh, so many years ago and are still so beautiful with the sun falling through their stained glass windows and the quiet old cemeteries that are attached to them..
18 years?!?! Shoot, I can't even say pecan correctly! (pec-ahn') Of course, part of the reason is that I came to Austin from El Paso where the language is much different than here... but I sure can say "y'all" proper. I still say all those Texas towns that have Spanish names in Spanish and have the hardest time saying them "Texan". I just can't say Del Valle or Llano in english...but I shouldn't have to... it's SPANISH!!! Except for Manchancha, I can't say that in any language. And "Pedernales"... who was their teacher? It is not pronounced even close to the way it's spelled?!? Heck, I don't even say Bealls correctly so I don't say it. And I don't say flag, bag, Minnesota, and a few other words that give my origins away. But at least I stopped saying "eh" as much on the end of my sentences...
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Report Cards
Yes, it was report card time again. Report cards. The name makes me shudder, but at 7 or 8 years old, it just doesn't have the same effect on my students as it does on me... or their parents, for that matter. Report cards. Ostensibly, it's an assessment of how a child is doing in a particular subject as well as overall. Some day these report cards will tell us how they rank in their class-- but for this post, I'm not going there...
I work hard to be an impartial judge of my students' progress but it's also important to me that they are successful. I don't grade all the work we do in the classroom because most of what we do is learning a concept and then we test it. For most kids that means that we'll write some, we'll move our bodies for some things, we'll use manipulatives for learn other things but those things aren't graded by me. That's the process. The written assessment is usually that piece that I grade and put in the grade book. If that assessment doesn't line up with what they were doing with manipulatives, then I know we have a gap between our 3D learning and shifting into 2D learning, ie. "the grade". I let them make up work that is below a 70-- no that's not true, I MAKE them make up work that's lower than a 70 after I give them a mini-lesson on whatever it is that they missed. Learning is mandatory in my classroom and it absolutely drives me nuts when kids tell me, "No, I don't want to do it over. I'll take the 10." Then I have to launch into my whole "You are not here to visit with your friends and have fun... " speech. But I'm digressing (are you surprised?).
Report cards are usually stuffed quickly into their B.E.E. folders two minutes before we are supposed to be walking out the door. I usually have no comment except a yelled,"Bring these back tomorrow-- signed!" as we are rushing out the door. But this 6 weeks, grades were significantly lower and I wanted my students to understand that THEIR actions are what gets them their grades. Kids at this age don't get that. They think I just dream up a grade for them. So I showed them where they were supposed to look to find the grades for this 6 weeks and which subject came first and I walked them through the whole report card as a group but I could see that they had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. So I asked the question that usually leaves then speechless, "Does anyone have any questions?" But this time, they did have questions! Weird!
"So, Ms. Klein, what are my grades?" "Okay, come up here." I had her sit next to me on the rocking chair and I pointed to each subject and read the grade and if it was low, I explained what she had been doing (or not doing) that got her the grade. We also have letter codes on the report cards for comments we make for each student. "A" means you get extra reading help. "B" means you get extra math help. "C" means you follow directions, etc all the way down to "U" which means "A pleasure to have in class." I'm trying to speak privately to this student about her grades but my students are strangely attentive and you couldn't hear a pin drop. I tell her what an "A" means and what a "B" means and that a "M" means Needs to practice self-control and that she needs to talk less and think about her work more and then I say "And this "U" means that I am happy you are in my class. Got it?". She nods and smiles and returns to the carpet. Well, now, everybody's hand is up and so I call the next student and the one after and the one after, but I start to worry. They are strangely quiet and that is just not my class. It's not my class when I am being evaluated and the assistant principal is sitting in there. It's not my class when the principal comes in to talk to me about something. IT'S NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR for them! Then I worry that maybe they are tryng to figure out who is doing the best, but really, they already know that. They're smart and they figure that out within the first few days of school and that has nothing to do with the preternatural quiet that is in my room as I speak to each one. I continue talking to the child sitting next to me on the rocking chair with my mind ranging around for the possible reasons for this quiet. I hear my voice saying "And this "U" means that I am happy you are in my class." Again... for the 8th time.... Because I put that "U" on all of my student's report cards. I hear it then. It's a faint, imperceptible sound of a sigh of released air. I call up the next student and when I get to the "U", there it is again. Ahhh, I think to myself, they just want to know that I'm happy they are in my class.... The next student comes up and I go a little quicker through the grades because now I know really why they want to sit next to me on the rocking chair. They just want to know, in one more way, that I do love them. That doesn't mean that I don't take the time to point out that this one's talking too much or that one is racing through their work or this one needs to double check their work for completion, but I linger on the "U" and I look them in their eyes so they know it's true. When everyone was finished with their trip to the rocker, they just spontaneously turned and hugged each other!
Of course, we were late for the buses that day and Alan wasn't happy. But it was worth it. I know that they went home and told their parents that, "Ms. Klein told me that I am talking too much and I have to focus on my work more but she's really happy that I'm in her class..."
And I am.
I work hard to be an impartial judge of my students' progress but it's also important to me that they are successful. I don't grade all the work we do in the classroom because most of what we do is learning a concept and then we test it. For most kids that means that we'll write some, we'll move our bodies for some things, we'll use manipulatives for learn other things but those things aren't graded by me. That's the process. The written assessment is usually that piece that I grade and put in the grade book. If that assessment doesn't line up with what they were doing with manipulatives, then I know we have a gap between our 3D learning and shifting into 2D learning, ie. "the grade". I let them make up work that is below a 70-- no that's not true, I MAKE them make up work that's lower than a 70 after I give them a mini-lesson on whatever it is that they missed. Learning is mandatory in my classroom and it absolutely drives me nuts when kids tell me, "No, I don't want to do it over. I'll take the 10." Then I have to launch into my whole "You are not here to visit with your friends and have fun... " speech. But I'm digressing (are you surprised?).
Report cards are usually stuffed quickly into their B.E.E. folders two minutes before we are supposed to be walking out the door. I usually have no comment except a yelled,"Bring these back tomorrow-- signed!" as we are rushing out the door. But this 6 weeks, grades were significantly lower and I wanted my students to understand that THEIR actions are what gets them their grades. Kids at this age don't get that. They think I just dream up a grade for them. So I showed them where they were supposed to look to find the grades for this 6 weeks and which subject came first and I walked them through the whole report card as a group but I could see that they had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. So I asked the question that usually leaves then speechless, "Does anyone have any questions?" But this time, they did have questions! Weird!
"So, Ms. Klein, what are my grades?" "Okay, come up here." I had her sit next to me on the rocking chair and I pointed to each subject and read the grade and if it was low, I explained what she had been doing (or not doing) that got her the grade. We also have letter codes on the report cards for comments we make for each student. "A" means you get extra reading help. "B" means you get extra math help. "C" means you follow directions, etc all the way down to "U" which means "A pleasure to have in class." I'm trying to speak privately to this student about her grades but my students are strangely attentive and you couldn't hear a pin drop. I tell her what an "A" means and what a "B" means and that a "M" means Needs to practice self-control and that she needs to talk less and think about her work more and then I say "And this "U" means that I am happy you are in my class. Got it?". She nods and smiles and returns to the carpet. Well, now, everybody's hand is up and so I call the next student and the one after and the one after, but I start to worry. They are strangely quiet and that is just not my class. It's not my class when I am being evaluated and the assistant principal is sitting in there. It's not my class when the principal comes in to talk to me about something. IT'S NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR for them! Then I worry that maybe they are tryng to figure out who is doing the best, but really, they already know that. They're smart and they figure that out within the first few days of school and that has nothing to do with the preternatural quiet that is in my room as I speak to each one. I continue talking to the child sitting next to me on the rocking chair with my mind ranging around for the possible reasons for this quiet. I hear my voice saying "And this "U" means that I am happy you are in my class." Again... for the 8th time.... Because I put that "U" on all of my student's report cards. I hear it then. It's a faint, imperceptible sound of a sigh of released air. I call up the next student and when I get to the "U", there it is again. Ahhh, I think to myself, they just want to know that I'm happy they are in my class.... The next student comes up and I go a little quicker through the grades because now I know really why they want to sit next to me on the rocking chair. They just want to know, in one more way, that I do love them. That doesn't mean that I don't take the time to point out that this one's talking too much or that one is racing through their work or this one needs to double check their work for completion, but I linger on the "U" and I look them in their eyes so they know it's true. When everyone was finished with their trip to the rocker, they just spontaneously turned and hugged each other!
Of course, we were late for the buses that day and Alan wasn't happy. But it was worth it. I know that they went home and told their parents that, "Ms. Klein told me that I am talking too much and I have to focus on my work more but she's really happy that I'm in her class..."
And I am.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Picture Day
I have to say right away, that I HATE Picture Day. I do. It's chaotic. The kids are like swarming termites until we take them and then they're silly after we're done. Of course, because we are second graders, our pictures come AFTER recess and AFTER lunch.... (sigh) ... They're still 7 or 8 years old.... I'm tense because I can never take a good picture and more than once I've been told that I don't look anything like my picture in the yearbook.... It's hideous and with the kids all over the place-- it's a nightmare. And yet, I'm still expected to teach. Today in math we looked at area using different sized rectangles. (I actually think the lesson went well but we'll see what makes it into the discussion tomorrow and what doesn't...) But back to the point of the story. So we go into the library to get our pictures taken. (Remember that? It's still the same.) Thank god, the photographer is my favorite. For whatever reason, any time I get a photo from him, I'm just that much happier-- and a bit more recognizable...and he instructs on where to sit on the risers. Yes, you heard me right, we SIT. For the first time in 18 years, I sit to take a class photo. So the facts that I spent considerable time and thought on picking a dress that would flatter me and the 5 minutes I practiced angling my body for my thinnest silhouette was for naught. The steps are perhaps 8 inches apart, and perched on the edge of the step, I feel like I'm kneeling sideways... I do have a dress on, remember?-- Keep those knees together! But I remember not to slouch... and to lift my chin... and to try to smile-- just a little so I don't look so forbidding and..... It turns out okay. We get a thumbnail so we can record the location of each child. But before I do that, I show the students our class photo. They are so happy. They think they look beautiful and they do. My only regret is that posed the way I am, I have my back turned to the student on my left. That, I don't like....
Then we go down the hall to take individual pictures. These are not the yearbook pictures, these are the "Glamour" shots. The photographer comes out and asks me to hand out the name cards to each student and the boys file into the room. I watch from the hallway as I stand with the girls until it is their turn to go in. And something happens as they sit on the floor and pose. All of a sudden, I see my wonderful/terrible students taking their senior pictures in high school. I see James, who still hasn't learned to smile yet, his life has been so hard and he has to work so hard everyday to make it to the next day, trying to come up with a happy thought to make a smile. Then comes Sean who looks just like a sports jock who will always cool but quiet. Mendeleve poses shyly but I can already see the handsome man he will become and know the girls sigh when he walks through the hallway. And on and on it goes...it's crazy! Why am I thinking this and why am I hallucinating!??! Then it's the girls' turn and it happens all over again. Rainey looks like a professional model and I know she's a cheerleader and maybe just a little bit of a snob when her feeelings are hurt, and Maria is too shy to look straight up into the camera and so her photo is taken looking off into the distance, but she is so very beautiful and distant.... Gaye has matured into a wonderful young woman who is so dependable and trustworthy...I find tears running down my cheeks as I watch my students in the future. I know I'm not pyschic so I have no idea where these visions come from except that these children have written their names on my soul and I am that much better of a human for knowing them...
Then we go down the hall to take individual pictures. These are not the yearbook pictures, these are the "Glamour" shots. The photographer comes out and asks me to hand out the name cards to each student and the boys file into the room. I watch from the hallway as I stand with the girls until it is their turn to go in. And something happens as they sit on the floor and pose. All of a sudden, I see my wonderful/terrible students taking their senior pictures in high school. I see James, who still hasn't learned to smile yet, his life has been so hard and he has to work so hard everyday to make it to the next day, trying to come up with a happy thought to make a smile. Then comes Sean who looks just like a sports jock who will always cool but quiet. Mendeleve poses shyly but I can already see the handsome man he will become and know the girls sigh when he walks through the hallway. And on and on it goes...it's crazy! Why am I thinking this and why am I hallucinating!??! Then it's the girls' turn and it happens all over again. Rainey looks like a professional model and I know she's a cheerleader and maybe just a little bit of a snob when her feeelings are hurt, and Maria is too shy to look straight up into the camera and so her photo is taken looking off into the distance, but she is so very beautiful and distant.... Gaye has matured into a wonderful young woman who is so dependable and trustworthy...I find tears running down my cheeks as I watch my students in the future. I know I'm not pyschic so I have no idea where these visions come from except that these children have written their names on my soul and I am that much better of a human for knowing them...
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Morning Walks
It's amazing how morning walks elevate me beyond the crush of the world. I know people always say that when you have too much to do, exercise... but for me, that's counter intuitive. It feels like I should just work harder and faster to catch up... but then my body forces me out the door and the next thing I know, I am full of energy and much more peaceful. Now, given the fact that I meditate for an hour a day already, one would think that I would be peace-d out all the time. But I'm not. My life is intense-- and yes, I make it that way. I have a lot to give and despite what any one might say, I am not going to reincarnate for another round... I'm getting it all in this time. That's why I plan to live to 165, by then I figure, I'll have it all done...
Do you remember that movie "Micheal" with John Travolta as the archangel? I am like that sometimes... dumping sugar on my already frosted cereal... I revel in each and every human emotion. I wring them out for whatever they are worth because someday, after I'm 165, I will forgo all of that and be chill.
On my walks, I listen to Kathy Smith. Not because I need her to tell me how to walk, but I need that musical beat to keep me on track or I find that I have stopped somewhere and I am staring at a beautiful tree that has just burst it's buds... or a neighbor has rearranged their yard and it's breath-taking. The music keeps my feet moving so my mind will stop thinking. The muscles pump out all that stored tension and my stride lengthens and soon I am loping along with my thoughts floating across my mind like clouds on a windy day, just color and shadows.
Right about then, I'm feeling the love. My heart begins to glow golden green and I smile taking such pleasure in my body and the beautiful earth... I let that love shower out onto the people and homes that I pass and I bless each one. I wish for each person in my neighborhood peace, love and joy. I wish them prosperity and whatever riches they may desire. My thoughts extend out to my family and friends and I hold each in my heart for a moment to wish with them their heart's deepest desires and my thoughts fly higher. Pretty soon, my whole neighborhood and town has been blanketed by love and I envision the world tenderly cradled in my heart. That beautiful blue planet that is so very precious to me....
And then I'm back in my front yard, and I know I live a blessed life.... all because I take morning walks.
Do you remember that movie "Micheal" with John Travolta as the archangel? I am like that sometimes... dumping sugar on my already frosted cereal... I revel in each and every human emotion. I wring them out for whatever they are worth because someday, after I'm 165, I will forgo all of that and be chill.
On my walks, I listen to Kathy Smith. Not because I need her to tell me how to walk, but I need that musical beat to keep me on track or I find that I have stopped somewhere and I am staring at a beautiful tree that has just burst it's buds... or a neighbor has rearranged their yard and it's breath-taking. The music keeps my feet moving so my mind will stop thinking. The muscles pump out all that stored tension and my stride lengthens and soon I am loping along with my thoughts floating across my mind like clouds on a windy day, just color and shadows.
Right about then, I'm feeling the love. My heart begins to glow golden green and I smile taking such pleasure in my body and the beautiful earth... I let that love shower out onto the people and homes that I pass and I bless each one. I wish for each person in my neighborhood peace, love and joy. I wish them prosperity and whatever riches they may desire. My thoughts extend out to my family and friends and I hold each in my heart for a moment to wish with them their heart's deepest desires and my thoughts fly higher. Pretty soon, my whole neighborhood and town has been blanketed by love and I envision the world tenderly cradled in my heart. That beautiful blue planet that is so very precious to me....
And then I'm back in my front yard, and I know I live a blessed life.... all because I take morning walks.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Professional Development
Today I had Professional Development. That means that I didn't have to show up until 8:30. That all by itself was a treat! Do you know how much you can get done if you don't have to be ready to teach 19 eager little ones at 7:35??? A LOT!!! A case in point-- I got all my grades entered into the online gradebook BEFORE 8:00. One more thing off my list.
Then I got an hour lunch. That means I wasn't trying to make sure everyone has a lunch, make copies, get something laminated, and eat myself in 25 minutes... I got to eat at Taco Cabana-- outside in the sunshine!!! With two very cool friends. So what if we talked about work... we weren't in the teacher's lounge! And finally, I got to be with adults all day and talk science and the new TEKS that are coming out from TEA. I know-- maybe not your cup of tea, but it sure is mine!!
It sometimes happens that the professional development keeps me involved so intensely that I don't think about what might be happening in my classroom. That happened today. Yes, it was a good day! A very good day.
Then I got an hour lunch. That means I wasn't trying to make sure everyone has a lunch, make copies, get something laminated, and eat myself in 25 minutes... I got to eat at Taco Cabana-- outside in the sunshine!!! With two very cool friends. So what if we talked about work... we weren't in the teacher's lounge! And finally, I got to be with adults all day and talk science and the new TEKS that are coming out from TEA. I know-- maybe not your cup of tea, but it sure is mine!!
It sometimes happens that the professional development keeps me involved so intensely that I don't think about what might be happening in my classroom. That happened today. Yes, it was a good day! A very good day.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Aftermath
On my way back from Killeen on Saturday, I called my sister who is always able to talk me back from the edge. Laura does not allow me to wallow in self-pity or beat myself up. As a matter of fact, she was viciously logical on Saturday when all I wanted was to be pathetic and embroiled in tumultuous emotions. (Of course, her husband, yelling out in Home Depot, that I was a closet lesbian, didn't help matters. Thanks, Lee!) At any rate, when I finally admitted that perhaps I had been over reacting... I was able to start thinking a bit more clearly and I had to agree with my sister. When the horse bucks you off, you gotta get back up there. So, as per my sister's advice, I went to the Barnes and Nobles near my house. I did after all only flirt with one boy and the goal was three ... so I turn into La Frontera .
A gentlemen holds the door open for me as I enter, I smile and thank him but I don't hold his gaze for 5 seconds...the man was just holding the door for me, for goodness sake!...in I go.WOW!!! I have never seen B&N this busy! There were TONS of people! "Alright!" I figured, "I can do this thing..." "Hmmmm.... what section shall I begin with?" I knew I couldn't go to my normal haunt, the Children's section. I would spend all my time thinking about curriculum, upcoming units and work. Not good. "Is there a vampire section?", I wondered. "I could use some replacements since I finished the Twilight series and Sookie--- hey, what was that author's name again? Oh, look, here's one... I wonder if it's any good... if it is I could give it to Kelly who needs to get her mind off of Edward.... Hmmm... where to go, where to go... oh it's a manga section! Well, let's see what's here... it leads into the sci-fi section and wow, there's female protagonists in the fantasy section...now, that's different from when I read fantasy back in the day...hey, they still print The Sword of Shanarra! ..." OMG! I looked down and I had SEVEN books in my arms and I can't remember seeing one person since that man opened the door for me. I look around feeling a little like a groundhog. Yes, it's still quite busy and there are still plenty of people, but what do I do? How do you meet someone in a bookstore? Apparently, all I know to do in a bookstore is to spend my paycheck... I shove the books onto a shelf, grab my cell phone and call Laura back. "can you hear me?" I whisper into the phone "what do i do? i have seven books and i don't know how to flirt in a bookstore... i'm spending money instead of flirting!" She tells me to just grab a book and page through it and periodically look up and smile at people but don't hold their gaze until someone looks back and stops. "okay," I whisper, "...talk to you later." I hang up and grab a book. I read the back blurb, hmmm interesting... I open up to the Prologue and NOOOO! Don't read this one, it looks interesting, I'll forget to look up again. So I put the book back and begin to wander toward the front check out. Wait, I will not buy seven books. I won't leave the house for a week because I'll have the perfect excuse... I have books to read. I stop to sort through books, remembering to look up and smile periodically.
And then I have to leave because I am so disgusted with myself.
I was cheating! I was smiling and flirting at men and boys that I would NEVER consider dating or even talking to. I was picking men who were with their mothers; I was picking young, college boys; I was smiling at very old gentlemen with walkers. I was NOT smiling at attractive men who looked cute or available...
I hate it when I lie to myself.
A gentlemen holds the door open for me as I enter, I smile and thank him but I don't hold his gaze for 5 seconds...the man was just holding the door for me, for goodness sake!...in I go.WOW!!! I have never seen B&N this busy! There were TONS of people! "Alright!" I figured, "I can do this thing..." "Hmmmm.... what section shall I begin with?" I knew I couldn't go to my normal haunt, the Children's section. I would spend all my time thinking about curriculum, upcoming units and work. Not good. "Is there a vampire section?", I wondered. "I could use some replacements since I finished the Twilight series and Sookie--- hey, what was that author's name again? Oh, look, here's one... I wonder if it's any good... if it is I could give it to Kelly who needs to get her mind off of Edward.... Hmmm... where to go, where to go... oh it's a manga section! Well, let's see what's here... it leads into the sci-fi section and wow, there's female protagonists in the fantasy section...now, that's different from when I read fantasy back in the day...hey, they still print The Sword of Shanarra! ..." OMG! I looked down and I had SEVEN books in my arms and I can't remember seeing one person since that man opened the door for me. I look around feeling a little like a groundhog. Yes, it's still quite busy and there are still plenty of people, but what do I do? How do you meet someone in a bookstore? Apparently, all I know to do in a bookstore is to spend my paycheck... I shove the books onto a shelf, grab my cell phone and call Laura back. "can you hear me?" I whisper into the phone "what do i do? i have seven books and i don't know how to flirt in a bookstore... i'm spending money instead of flirting!" She tells me to just grab a book and page through it and periodically look up and smile at people but don't hold their gaze until someone looks back and stops. "okay," I whisper, "...talk to you later." I hang up and grab a book. I read the back blurb, hmmm interesting... I open up to the Prologue and NOOOO! Don't read this one, it looks interesting, I'll forget to look up again. So I put the book back and begin to wander toward the front check out. Wait, I will not buy seven books. I won't leave the house for a week because I'll have the perfect excuse... I have books to read. I stop to sort through books, remembering to look up and smile periodically.
And then I have to leave because I am so disgusted with myself.
I was cheating! I was smiling and flirting at men and boys that I would NEVER consider dating or even talking to. I was picking men who were with their mothers; I was picking young, college boys; I was smiling at very old gentlemen with walkers. I was NOT smiling at attractive men who looked cute or available...
I hate it when I lie to myself.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
You Don't Always Get What You Want...
I read a book on how to flirt. It’s one of those things that I just never felt the need to learn but… well… I’ve been in a bit of a dry spell so I feel that its time to change things up a bit. Apparently, all you have to is to make eye contact with a man and hold it for 5 seconds-- with a smile. So I decided that since I was going out to Killeen to the Mayborn Planetarium that I would give flirting a try… near a military base… on Valentine’s Day… at a planetarium… and it’s far enough away that the chances of ever seeing any of those people again would be extremely small, if I did something foolish. My horoscope even promised success... as a matter of fact, here it is copied and pasted:
Look for a very flirtatious situation to heat up quite a bit today -- they are turning up the heat! It seems that they want things to move along more quickly than they have been, up to now. Hang on, this one could be quite a bumpy ride! And if romantic matters aren't top priority right now, you can expect a flirtation of another sort to get a lot more promising. You're going to have some time and the opportunity to delve deeper into something you've been interested in learning more about.
It was all set. I had even told a few friends about my plans so I wouldn’t back out. When I woke up this morning, I decided that I’d go get my nails done and get a pedicure while I was at it since I haven’t had one all winter. There’s nothing else that makes me feel more feminine. Unfortunately, everything took so long at the salon that I was running very late and almost decided not to go, but my friends were expecting a phone call, so I made myself go. I’m buffed and polished. My cute French-tipped toenails are peeking through my toeless pumps. I’m in red and wearing my rock‘n roll necklace and jeans. I feel great. I was digging the drive, I mean 130 is right there and I couldn’t even pretend that I missed the turn to Killeen since the road just deposits you right there to take that left. It’s a good drive, so I turn on Bob Seeger and really start to relax and open up to this experience, even though I’m not on the back of a Harley….
I get to the planetarium and there’s next to nobody there. Just several couples in their 60’s and one family with a cute little boy. Since there’s time, I go into the former gift shop, which has been turned into a playroom/rock gallery. The little boy and I hang out touching all the rocks and doing some language development work using descriptive language for the rocks we feel. No big deal. I’m staying for the Alaska wilderness show… who knows who will come in for that one. The Alaska Wilderness show was narrated by Charleton Heston, which irritates me a little. The whole NRA thing is a sticky point for me. But, the photography is stunning and I really like feeling like I’m free falling in space so I loved it. Looking at the aqua blue of the glaciers just further convinces me that I need to go north… or south to the Antarctica, either one would work for me. I’d LOVE to walk on a glacier and to see one calve. But, I’m getting nowhere with the flirting intention and I see that there’s a Beatles Laser Light Show next. Well, there’s got to be more people for that, right? I ask the ticket clerk about the laser show and she asks me if I’ve seen Across the Universe. Well, yeah! I even have the DVD and she calls over another worker who loves the movie and we three chat over the movie and debate the merits of the laser show and yeah, I flirted with that boy even though he was a baby in college… but it was just practice and the other gentlemen weren’t even looking at me, so…. Whatever!
I buy my ticket for the laser show wishing I had something more “recreational” in my system but I do have a long drive back… and by now I’m considering going out to eat after this and then returning for the "Sea Monsters" show and the "Sky Watchers of Africa" show, which are at 7 and 8 pm, since I’m having such a good time. I’m thinking that I can get a few more science hours in for the Collaborative…. But the laser show starts and before you know it, I’m grooving to the sounds of the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club” and “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”. I’m dancing in my seat enjoying the show and the music assuring myself that no one can see me dancing since it’s so dark and there’s like 5 people in the entire planetarium. “Nowhere Man” comes on and I’m thinking that this is a downer song for a laser show and certainly not one of my favorites and suddenly someone jumps over the row of seats and lands in the seat next to me. It’s a woman and she says, “I see you’re here alone... maybe we can get together…” I get up and move over one seat, totally freaking out! What do you say to that? Where the hell did she even come from?
The show ends, the lights come up and she bolts from the theater going left, I bolt for the right and before I know it I’m lost somewhere in Killeen—not like it’s that big of a town and after driving aimlessly for a bit, I figure out where I am and begin to look for a restaurant and they are all packed and I’m thinking how in God’s name, in a military town, did I attract a woman?
I thought I didn’t have expectations going into the experience, but I guess I did…
And she wasn’t what I was expecting.
Look for a very flirtatious situation to heat up quite a bit today -- they are turning up the heat! It seems that they want things to move along more quickly than they have been, up to now. Hang on, this one could be quite a bumpy ride! And if romantic matters aren't top priority right now, you can expect a flirtation of another sort to get a lot more promising. You're going to have some time and the opportunity to delve deeper into something you've been interested in learning more about.
It was all set. I had even told a few friends about my plans so I wouldn’t back out. When I woke up this morning, I decided that I’d go get my nails done and get a pedicure while I was at it since I haven’t had one all winter. There’s nothing else that makes me feel more feminine. Unfortunately, everything took so long at the salon that I was running very late and almost decided not to go, but my friends were expecting a phone call, so I made myself go. I’m buffed and polished. My cute French-tipped toenails are peeking through my toeless pumps. I’m in red and wearing my rock‘n roll necklace and jeans. I feel great. I was digging the drive, I mean 130 is right there and I couldn’t even pretend that I missed the turn to Killeen since the road just deposits you right there to take that left. It’s a good drive, so I turn on Bob Seeger and really start to relax and open up to this experience, even though I’m not on the back of a Harley….
I get to the planetarium and there’s next to nobody there. Just several couples in their 60’s and one family with a cute little boy. Since there’s time, I go into the former gift shop, which has been turned into a playroom/rock gallery. The little boy and I hang out touching all the rocks and doing some language development work using descriptive language for the rocks we feel. No big deal. I’m staying for the Alaska wilderness show… who knows who will come in for that one. The Alaska Wilderness show was narrated by Charleton Heston, which irritates me a little. The whole NRA thing is a sticky point for me. But, the photography is stunning and I really like feeling like I’m free falling in space so I loved it. Looking at the aqua blue of the glaciers just further convinces me that I need to go north… or south to the Antarctica, either one would work for me. I’d LOVE to walk on a glacier and to see one calve. But, I’m getting nowhere with the flirting intention and I see that there’s a Beatles Laser Light Show next. Well, there’s got to be more people for that, right? I ask the ticket clerk about the laser show and she asks me if I’ve seen Across the Universe. Well, yeah! I even have the DVD and she calls over another worker who loves the movie and we three chat over the movie and debate the merits of the laser show and yeah, I flirted with that boy even though he was a baby in college… but it was just practice and the other gentlemen weren’t even looking at me, so…. Whatever!
I buy my ticket for the laser show wishing I had something more “recreational” in my system but I do have a long drive back… and by now I’m considering going out to eat after this and then returning for the "Sea Monsters" show and the "Sky Watchers of Africa" show, which are at 7 and 8 pm, since I’m having such a good time. I’m thinking that I can get a few more science hours in for the Collaborative…. But the laser show starts and before you know it, I’m grooving to the sounds of the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club” and “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”. I’m dancing in my seat enjoying the show and the music assuring myself that no one can see me dancing since it’s so dark and there’s like 5 people in the entire planetarium. “Nowhere Man” comes on and I’m thinking that this is a downer song for a laser show and certainly not one of my favorites and suddenly someone jumps over the row of seats and lands in the seat next to me. It’s a woman and she says, “I see you’re here alone... maybe we can get together…” I get up and move over one seat, totally freaking out! What do you say to that? Where the hell did she even come from?
The show ends, the lights come up and she bolts from the theater going left, I bolt for the right and before I know it I’m lost somewhere in Killeen—not like it’s that big of a town and after driving aimlessly for a bit, I figure out where I am and begin to look for a restaurant and they are all packed and I’m thinking how in God’s name, in a military town, did I attract a woman?
I thought I didn’t have expectations going into the experience, but I guess I did…
And she wasn’t what I was expecting.
Valentime's Day
Yes, even though at this time of the year, the correct spelling is plastered on any and every flat surface in the classroom, we still say Valentimes in second grade. Just like we say Math Marbles for Math Marvels... That's how we roll in second grade....
At least we don't say, "I pledge of allegiance..." Ya gotta pick your battles...
On Monday, the kids were freaky about Valentine's Day. "Eeeuwww, Ms. Klein, I don't love anyone!!" was one of the first comments thrown out... followed by an amen... "GROSS!" Another shouts out from across the room, "I would never love a GIRL!" But a clarification is offered from the middle of the room, "Well, I mean I love my mom and dad but I don't love BOYS!!!" Which was followed up with 18 heads nodding in agreement. These were just a few of the comments I had to field during Calendar Math. I guess it's related... I mean 1+1 still equals 2... which can soon equal 3, 4 and more.... I debate for a moment. "Do I really want to go there?" I wonder... Yeah, I gotta do it.
"Guys, love is much bigger than boyfriends and girlfriends. I love my friends." (Giggles and eyes rolling are everywhere in the room.) "Do you think I love Mrs. Wedge or Mrs. Woodall like a boyfriend?" (Heads shake negatively.) "Is there anyone in here that does NOT know that I love them? (Heads shake negatively again.) "Do you think I love you like a boyfriend?" (More head shaking, Mike comes up to give me a hug.) "Thank you, sweetie. Of course, not! There are lots of kinds of love- especially for friends. It feels good to know that we are important to others."....
We're back to math... well, as much as they can be with the tantalizing thought that it might be okay to tell a friend that you like them....
Tuesday-- Calendar Math in the morning...
"Ms. Klein! Valentime's is in three days!" ... "Ms. Klein, what time will the party be?" ... "The party will be after specials on Friday but I want to remind you about something very important. I would never forget anyone's valentine. Imagine for just a minute how you would feel if I didn't give you a valentine.... I even bring extra in case something happens or I lose one. I would not want to hurt anyone's feelings even by accident." (Very sober eyes are looking at me, listening carefully-- the thought of not getting a valentine is a very scary at 7 and 8.) Please be sure that you double check your valentines on Thursday night to be sure that everyone gets one from you. We all know that some friends are more special to us that others. We don't love everyone the same, that's okay. But, we don't want someone to be sad because we were thoughtless or careless. Okay?" "Ms. Klein, I'm bringing High School musical valentimes." "I've got kitty valentimes." (Valentine comments are shared around the tables during the coloring of the cloudy weather rectangle.)
Wednesday focuses on the treats everyone is bringing-- will we ever get back to math?
Thursday more treats and sweets conversation as well as how hard it was to write your name on all those valentines...
THEM: "I double checked to make sure I had valentimes for everyone! Did you make sure you have one for me?" "Yes, I gave you the one with the..."
ME: "(sigh) Class, don't forget to do your yellow Lone Star math and the problem solver..."
Friday?!?? Well imagine a group of 17 live wires that are writhing around a telephone pole... that's my class... Oh, whatever-- it was everyone's class all down the hallway. Morning Duty was simply Riot Control...okay, well I use holographic stickers... not a billy club... same theory, however.
In the classroom, my table was overflowing with frosting-ladened cookies, candies, valentines and juice boxes. Oh wait, look... there is a bag of grapes! Ahh... and lots of chocolate for the teacher... okay maybe I can do this... and what?..... is that the smell of freshly baked cookies?? Look at how large they are! And they're still warm. I'm about to do the happy dance like the kids... A large warm heart-shaped sugar cookie... how will I wait until the party?
For a party day, I was very happy with all the academic tasks we accomplished. Of course, most everything was geared toward Valentine's Day which makes it easier to get learning into them on days like this. Even the dictionary skills lesson went well with "Valentine" as the Word of the Day. They were amazed that there were TWO definitions for the word! (I had to eat one of the cookies for snack.) We finally made it through the day, though I needed some Aerosmith while the kids were at specials to get pumped up for the final and most trying part of the day... the party. Oh, WHY did I have to choose the most complicated valentines to put together so it took me the entire 45 minutes to get everyone' valentine into their mailbags??? I got Krabby patties for my class this year. I felt it was appropo. (I try to not get cranky about parties, but the management is tricky with all those brain synapses popping all over... and there's always a parent there to supervise... me? I'm never quite sure..)
Ahh... but it went really well! We had fun... I love to watch my students. They were so excited to give out their valentines! They had to stop and share the valentine that they gave to their special friends and really, the whole room was filled with love! They double checked to make sure that everyone got a valentine from them. Brian was doing some math in his head to be sure that the extra he had left was the right amount if he gave everyone one... and ended up going from bag to bag to make sure that everyone DID get a valentine from him. It's all about the love...
Oh... and the sugar....can't forget the sugar.... there was so much of it, how could I? So, when Reagan asked if we could dance I agreed until I realized that the music I have may not be completely appropriate for 2nd graders...but she wanted hip hop which is definitely worse than my music, so we ended up doing a conga line to AC/DC's Shook Me All Night Long--- which is the best I could do on such short notice ... and really, they couldn't hear the lyrics much less understand them... (but I will bring in a Disney CD for emergencies like this).
"Oh, Ms. Klein! This was the best day EVER!" The hugs as we left each other for the weekend were really tight. My students are awesome... I love my job...
It's all about the love, baby. All about the love....That's the way we roll in second grade....
At least we don't say, "I pledge of allegiance..." Ya gotta pick your battles...
On Monday, the kids were freaky about Valentine's Day. "Eeeuwww, Ms. Klein, I don't love anyone!!" was one of the first comments thrown out... followed by an amen... "GROSS!" Another shouts out from across the room, "I would never love a GIRL!" But a clarification is offered from the middle of the room, "Well, I mean I love my mom and dad but I don't love BOYS!!!" Which was followed up with 18 heads nodding in agreement. These were just a few of the comments I had to field during Calendar Math. I guess it's related... I mean 1+1 still equals 2... which can soon equal 3, 4 and more.... I debate for a moment. "Do I really want to go there?" I wonder... Yeah, I gotta do it.
"Guys, love is much bigger than boyfriends and girlfriends. I love my friends." (Giggles and eyes rolling are everywhere in the room.) "Do you think I love Mrs. Wedge or Mrs. Woodall like a boyfriend?" (Heads shake negatively.) "Is there anyone in here that does NOT know that I love them? (Heads shake negatively again.) "Do you think I love you like a boyfriend?" (More head shaking, Mike comes up to give me a hug.) "Thank you, sweetie. Of course, not! There are lots of kinds of love- especially for friends. It feels good to know that we are important to others."....
We're back to math... well, as much as they can be with the tantalizing thought that it might be okay to tell a friend that you like them....
Tuesday-- Calendar Math in the morning...
"Ms. Klein! Valentime's is in three days!" ... "Ms. Klein, what time will the party be?" ... "The party will be after specials on Friday but I want to remind you about something very important. I would never forget anyone's valentine. Imagine for just a minute how you would feel if I didn't give you a valentine.... I even bring extra in case something happens or I lose one. I would not want to hurt anyone's feelings even by accident." (Very sober eyes are looking at me, listening carefully-- the thought of not getting a valentine is a very scary at 7 and 8.) Please be sure that you double check your valentines on Thursday night to be sure that everyone gets one from you. We all know that some friends are more special to us that others. We don't love everyone the same, that's okay. But, we don't want someone to be sad because we were thoughtless or careless. Okay?" "Ms. Klein, I'm bringing High School musical valentimes." "I've got kitty valentimes." (Valentine comments are shared around the tables during the coloring of the cloudy weather rectangle.)
Wednesday focuses on the treats everyone is bringing-- will we ever get back to math?
Thursday more treats and sweets conversation as well as how hard it was to write your name on all those valentines...
THEM: "I double checked to make sure I had valentimes for everyone! Did you make sure you have one for me?" "Yes, I gave you the one with the..."
ME: "(sigh) Class, don't forget to do your yellow Lone Star math and the problem solver..."
Friday?!?? Well imagine a group of 17 live wires that are writhing around a telephone pole... that's my class... Oh, whatever-- it was everyone's class all down the hallway. Morning Duty was simply Riot Control...okay, well I use holographic stickers... not a billy club... same theory, however.
In the classroom, my table was overflowing with frosting-ladened cookies, candies, valentines and juice boxes. Oh wait, look... there is a bag of grapes! Ahh... and lots of chocolate for the teacher... okay maybe I can do this... and what?..... is that the smell of freshly baked cookies?? Look at how large they are! And they're still warm. I'm about to do the happy dance like the kids... A large warm heart-shaped sugar cookie... how will I wait until the party?
For a party day, I was very happy with all the academic tasks we accomplished. Of course, most everything was geared toward Valentine's Day which makes it easier to get learning into them on days like this. Even the dictionary skills lesson went well with "Valentine" as the Word of the Day. They were amazed that there were TWO definitions for the word! (I had to eat one of the cookies for snack.) We finally made it through the day, though I needed some Aerosmith while the kids were at specials to get pumped up for the final and most trying part of the day... the party. Oh, WHY did I have to choose the most complicated valentines to put together so it took me the entire 45 minutes to get everyone' valentine into their mailbags??? I got Krabby patties for my class this year. I felt it was appropo. (I try to not get cranky about parties, but the management is tricky with all those brain synapses popping all over... and there's always a parent there to supervise... me? I'm never quite sure..)
Ahh... but it went really well! We had fun... I love to watch my students. They were so excited to give out their valentines! They had to stop and share the valentine that they gave to their special friends and really, the whole room was filled with love! They double checked to make sure that everyone got a valentine from them. Brian was doing some math in his head to be sure that the extra he had left was the right amount if he gave everyone one... and ended up going from bag to bag to make sure that everyone DID get a valentine from him. It's all about the love...
Oh... and the sugar....can't forget the sugar.... there was so much of it, how could I? So, when Reagan asked if we could dance I agreed until I realized that the music I have may not be completely appropriate for 2nd graders...but she wanted hip hop which is definitely worse than my music, so we ended up doing a conga line to AC/DC's Shook Me All Night Long--- which is the best I could do on such short notice ... and really, they couldn't hear the lyrics much less understand them... (but I will bring in a Disney CD for emergencies like this).
"Oh, Ms. Klein! This was the best day EVER!" The hugs as we left each other for the weekend were really tight. My students are awesome... I love my job...
It's all about the love, baby. All about the love....That's the way we roll in second grade....
Cafe´
Really, something so blissful should have a much more beautiful name for it... Even when I say it in español, the name doesn't capture the heat and flavor that fill my head with the rich layers swirling across my tongue onto the top of my mouth....Ahhh, my first cup of coffee... I love sitting on my patio with the cup near my face so that I can gently inhale the bouquet while my bottom lip caresses the edge of the cup. The sun dances patterns on my robe, the wind whispers softly in the pear tree, my eyes are half closed and I am lost in a sparkling brown maelstrom of taste and sensation... for now, there is nothing like my first cup of coffee in the morning...
and it's enough.
and it's enough.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The J-O-B
I would like to think that everyone gets what they need from their job... although that might be a bit naive. I am lucky. I have a job that I love, a job that means a great deal and a job that is quite important in the eyes of those I serve. But I also know that tonight, my job has me worn out. It is Thursday night, and that seems to be my limit this year. I can do fine Monday through Thursday but by Thursday night, I need a hot bath, some bubbles and some serious rock and roll to set me right again.
I know each year when I step into my classroom, that I will have my heart broken several times during the year. It's one of those things I know but I still do it. Because the job is worth it, and the children are certainly worth it. I'm strong enough and enough of a fighter that I always minimize the cost to myself. But by Thursday... well, it's just a little tougher to rally for the final round. Teaching is not for the weak.
One of my boys is in trouble.. or rather his family is in trouble... and by default, because he's just 7 years old- he's in trouble. We call them at-risk children. We make charts and graphs about them and attempt to find all kinds of services to help them. But too often, we back away from the line that may help keep a kid from falling off the cliff they are being pushed over. Today and for most days, I think I might be that barrier that keeps him from falling. I think I am his safety net, but then again, I may be putting too much cream on my tacos...
Ahhh, but when I look into his eyes... no. I am the fence that keeps him safe. For this year, he and his heart are mine to guard and I will. I refuse to think of what comes after that because I know someone else will take him on and he will succeed and he will do well. And when I am invited to his high school graduation, I will know that I have done my part...
But sometimes, on a Thursday night, it's easy to let my guard down and let a thread of doubt snake in.
He's a good boy and he has come so far in these 104 days of school that we have had so far. There's so much more for him to do and I know that he will do it. He will be reading on grade level. He will master his emotions and he will learn every other important thing that second grade demands of him. He will do it because I ask him to do it. And all he gets is my belief in him... and a hug at the end of the day. He gets that big hug that he asks for, a hug to last him the whole night through, until he returns to our classroom.
I'm praying for you, sweetie... you can do it... I got your back... and I'm running interference.
I know each year when I step into my classroom, that I will have my heart broken several times during the year. It's one of those things I know but I still do it. Because the job is worth it, and the children are certainly worth it. I'm strong enough and enough of a fighter that I always minimize the cost to myself. But by Thursday... well, it's just a little tougher to rally for the final round. Teaching is not for the weak.
One of my boys is in trouble.. or rather his family is in trouble... and by default, because he's just 7 years old- he's in trouble. We call them at-risk children. We make charts and graphs about them and attempt to find all kinds of services to help them. But too often, we back away from the line that may help keep a kid from falling off the cliff they are being pushed over. Today and for most days, I think I might be that barrier that keeps him from falling. I think I am his safety net, but then again, I may be putting too much cream on my tacos...
Ahhh, but when I look into his eyes... no. I am the fence that keeps him safe. For this year, he and his heart are mine to guard and I will. I refuse to think of what comes after that because I know someone else will take him on and he will succeed and he will do well. And when I am invited to his high school graduation, I will know that I have done my part...
But sometimes, on a Thursday night, it's easy to let my guard down and let a thread of doubt snake in.
He's a good boy and he has come so far in these 104 days of school that we have had so far. There's so much more for him to do and I know that he will do it. He will be reading on grade level. He will master his emotions and he will learn every other important thing that second grade demands of him. He will do it because I ask him to do it. And all he gets is my belief in him... and a hug at the end of the day. He gets that big hug that he asks for, a hug to last him the whole night through, until he returns to our classroom.
I'm praying for you, sweetie... you can do it... I got your back... and I'm running interference.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Application Letter to Germany
Well, tomorrow is the deadline and I must mail out my application for the three week trip to Germany this summer. One of the required parts of the application is a letter stating "Why I Wish to Go to Germany". This was much harder to write than I had imagined...Here it is... why should Genia Klein be given this wonderful opportunity?
(If I may ask, as you read this, please envision me floating down the Rhine on a barge....)
Each year as I teach, I see the world can potentially grow smaller with countless bits of information from around the world accessible to us, almost bombarding us with information. And yet, with all that information available to us, as Americans, we still know so very little about the rest of the world and the cultures that form a significant portion of our “melting pot” that we like to talk about. It seems we have developed a protective barrier to repel some of the information coming at us. The United States is not in close proximity to as many other countries as in Europe and, unfortunately, we may sometimes have an isolationist attitude towards the rest of the world.
I was raised in a small farming community in central Minnesota. While Minnesota is most often thought of as being settled by Swedish and Norwegian immigrants, my county and town were primarily made up of German farmers who had settled there about two generations ago. And, in fact, Minnesota itself has a very significant history of German ancestry, with many towns celebrating their version of “Oktober-fest”. Like many others of my age, I remember my grandparents speaking German, but we understood very little. Alas, this is typical of third and fourth generations of immigrants and is well documented in sociology texts. Now 20 years later, I again find myself living in a small German farming community, this time at the opposite border of the United States, in Texas. And, although it’s barely February, our community is hard at work on the annual “Deutschen Pfest” preparations for the summer. I, personally, would like to know more about my heritage so I am able to understand and appreciate my family history more fully. It’s not enough for me that I am able to tell my children to take the cat out in German or to play “Eich bin tot” with them. I want a deeper connection with the country of my forefathers and I would love to share what I learn and experience with my (very extended) family. And while a personal interest and passion is a great motivator for learning, the fact is that I’ve been a teacher for far too long to take just a “vacation”. As a matter of fact, my children maintain that we have never taken a vacation. In my family, apparently, we take 2 week “field trips” because I am always on the search for experiences and materials that can be used in my classroom.
When I look around my classroom I see children from many ethnicities that speak languages other than English in their homes. I find myself wondering how much of their own culture do they know about and understand. They certainly appear to know how to be “Americans” well enough. But again, that is typical behavior for new immigrants. Second generation citizens usually embrace, wholeheartedly, the culture of their new home and reject the culture from where their family has come from. I love to travel and I have become more of a world citizen because of my experiences through travel. Inevitably, those experience come out in my teaching and in my classroom. One of the things that always surprises me is the resistance to learning a new language. If you speak to many American children in a language different from what they understand, they very often react with fear! Each year in my classroom, I teach my students to speak and understand a little bit of Spanish. My classroom is NOT a bi-lingual classroom but I want my students to understand that the whole world is not English speaking and everyone does not act like we do as Americans. I want them to be excited about learning new things and embracing diversity. We talk frequently about how boring the world would be if everyone dressed the same, looked the same and acted the same. We talk about diverse ways to solve math problems, how to greet people from various places around the world, and ways to count in other languages or numerical systems. I know that despite how important it is to learn to read or do math, what children remember from their schooldays are the parties and festivals. Tell me, do you remember learning to read or how you learned to add? Probably not, but I’ll bet you remember the holidays and other celebrations in your classroom! So I try to bring those memorable learning moments into the classroom frequently and plan around world holidays and events. This morning on the playground my students were running footraces. One of my students called out, “ichi, ni, san!” and they took off. Several of the students in the race didn’t go and my students stopped and asked them why they weren’t running. The other students complained that no one had counted to three. My students started to argue but Joseph stepped in and said “Oh, sorry. We’re learning Chinese in our classroom. Ichi, ni, san means one, two, three, in Chinese.” The confusion was cleared up and believe it or not, soon everyone racing was counting in Chinese-- if they were in my classroom or not. These are the same kids that looked terrified when I asked them for their attention in Spanish at the beginning of the year! Do you think they’ll remember this when they’re older and reminiscing? I certainly hope so, but I know they’ll remember learning to use chopsticks, writing their names in Chinese, creating a bamboo forest, and participating in a lantern festival. Obviously, we are currently learning about China and the Lunar New Year in room 408! In the same manner, we’ll learn about Japan in the weeks around March 3 for the Doll Festival, and how we similarly learned about the Caddo tribe for Thanksgiving and the many other times in which I am able to slide a particular culture into the curriculum through a holiday or event.
Our classroom’s cultural displays and learning spills out in the hallways, into the school’s morning announcements and onto the walls. The experiences that I have in Germany will impact my entire community, not just my school or classroom. I understand the requirement that I share at least two workshops about Germany with my school and district. I will have no difficulty in meeting those requirements as our district has a “mini-conference” each August before the start of school. All district teachers are expected to attend sessions during the mini-conference that will provide them with professional development that will enhance and improve their pedagogy. The sessions that I have offered, both in Science and in Social Studies have been well attended in the past. I believe that my workshops on Germany will be as enthusiastically received as my previous workshops because of my reputation for providing high-quality, entertaining and informative staff development. Additionally, as I mentioned before, Pflugerville is quite proud of its German heritage, and our small town’s “Pfest" attracts a great deal more people into our town for that particular weekend. I know that our local library would be thrilled to host a talk on my trip to Germany for our community as well as to provide me with display space to showcase any memorabilia I may return with. Our Chamber of Commerce and City Council may also be interested in presentations about my experiences, as will other organizations that I belong to such as Delta Kappa Gamma and the Travis County Master Gardeners. I also can’t help but think that there may be something further I may add to our annual Deutschen Pfest celebration… but as of this moment, I have no idea what that may be.
This trip to Germany is powerfully motivated by my own personal history, family and community, but it is driven by my intention to create classrooms where world citizens emerge, able to fully participate in the future of our world. Through my work with children and adults, I hope to reach across and break down the barriers and walls that separate us. I believe that each person on this earth has a passion that makes them unique and contributes to the rich fabric of humanity. My passion is to teach and to share the wonders of this world. I thank you for your consideration of my application.
(If I may ask, as you read this, please envision me floating down the Rhine on a barge....)
Each year as I teach, I see the world can potentially grow smaller with countless bits of information from around the world accessible to us, almost bombarding us with information. And yet, with all that information available to us, as Americans, we still know so very little about the rest of the world and the cultures that form a significant portion of our “melting pot” that we like to talk about. It seems we have developed a protective barrier to repel some of the information coming at us. The United States is not in close proximity to as many other countries as in Europe and, unfortunately, we may sometimes have an isolationist attitude towards the rest of the world.
I was raised in a small farming community in central Minnesota. While Minnesota is most often thought of as being settled by Swedish and Norwegian immigrants, my county and town were primarily made up of German farmers who had settled there about two generations ago. And, in fact, Minnesota itself has a very significant history of German ancestry, with many towns celebrating their version of “Oktober-fest”. Like many others of my age, I remember my grandparents speaking German, but we understood very little. Alas, this is typical of third and fourth generations of immigrants and is well documented in sociology texts. Now 20 years later, I again find myself living in a small German farming community, this time at the opposite border of the United States, in Texas. And, although it’s barely February, our community is hard at work on the annual “Deutschen Pfest” preparations for the summer. I, personally, would like to know more about my heritage so I am able to understand and appreciate my family history more fully. It’s not enough for me that I am able to tell my children to take the cat out in German or to play “Eich bin tot” with them. I want a deeper connection with the country of my forefathers and I would love to share what I learn and experience with my (very extended) family. And while a personal interest and passion is a great motivator for learning, the fact is that I’ve been a teacher for far too long to take just a “vacation”. As a matter of fact, my children maintain that we have never taken a vacation. In my family, apparently, we take 2 week “field trips” because I am always on the search for experiences and materials that can be used in my classroom.
When I look around my classroom I see children from many ethnicities that speak languages other than English in their homes. I find myself wondering how much of their own culture do they know about and understand. They certainly appear to know how to be “Americans” well enough. But again, that is typical behavior for new immigrants. Second generation citizens usually embrace, wholeheartedly, the culture of their new home and reject the culture from where their family has come from. I love to travel and I have become more of a world citizen because of my experiences through travel. Inevitably, those experience come out in my teaching and in my classroom. One of the things that always surprises me is the resistance to learning a new language. If you speak to many American children in a language different from what they understand, they very often react with fear! Each year in my classroom, I teach my students to speak and understand a little bit of Spanish. My classroom is NOT a bi-lingual classroom but I want my students to understand that the whole world is not English speaking and everyone does not act like we do as Americans. I want them to be excited about learning new things and embracing diversity. We talk frequently about how boring the world would be if everyone dressed the same, looked the same and acted the same. We talk about diverse ways to solve math problems, how to greet people from various places around the world, and ways to count in other languages or numerical systems. I know that despite how important it is to learn to read or do math, what children remember from their schooldays are the parties and festivals. Tell me, do you remember learning to read or how you learned to add? Probably not, but I’ll bet you remember the holidays and other celebrations in your classroom! So I try to bring those memorable learning moments into the classroom frequently and plan around world holidays and events. This morning on the playground my students were running footraces. One of my students called out, “ichi, ni, san!” and they took off. Several of the students in the race didn’t go and my students stopped and asked them why they weren’t running. The other students complained that no one had counted to three. My students started to argue but Joseph stepped in and said “Oh, sorry. We’re learning Chinese in our classroom. Ichi, ni, san means one, two, three, in Chinese.” The confusion was cleared up and believe it or not, soon everyone racing was counting in Chinese-- if they were in my classroom or not. These are the same kids that looked terrified when I asked them for their attention in Spanish at the beginning of the year! Do you think they’ll remember this when they’re older and reminiscing? I certainly hope so, but I know they’ll remember learning to use chopsticks, writing their names in Chinese, creating a bamboo forest, and participating in a lantern festival. Obviously, we are currently learning about China and the Lunar New Year in room 408! In the same manner, we’ll learn about Japan in the weeks around March 3 for the Doll Festival, and how we similarly learned about the Caddo tribe for Thanksgiving and the many other times in which I am able to slide a particular culture into the curriculum through a holiday or event.
Our classroom’s cultural displays and learning spills out in the hallways, into the school’s morning announcements and onto the walls. The experiences that I have in Germany will impact my entire community, not just my school or classroom. I understand the requirement that I share at least two workshops about Germany with my school and district. I will have no difficulty in meeting those requirements as our district has a “mini-conference” each August before the start of school. All district teachers are expected to attend sessions during the mini-conference that will provide them with professional development that will enhance and improve their pedagogy. The sessions that I have offered, both in Science and in Social Studies have been well attended in the past. I believe that my workshops on Germany will be as enthusiastically received as my previous workshops because of my reputation for providing high-quality, entertaining and informative staff development. Additionally, as I mentioned before, Pflugerville is quite proud of its German heritage, and our small town’s “Pfest" attracts a great deal more people into our town for that particular weekend. I know that our local library would be thrilled to host a talk on my trip to Germany for our community as well as to provide me with display space to showcase any memorabilia I may return with. Our Chamber of Commerce and City Council may also be interested in presentations about my experiences, as will other organizations that I belong to such as Delta Kappa Gamma and the Travis County Master Gardeners. I also can’t help but think that there may be something further I may add to our annual Deutschen Pfest celebration… but as of this moment, I have no idea what that may be.
This trip to Germany is powerfully motivated by my own personal history, family and community, but it is driven by my intention to create classrooms where world citizens emerge, able to fully participate in the future of our world. Through my work with children and adults, I hope to reach across and break down the barriers and walls that separate us. I believe that each person on this earth has a passion that makes them unique and contributes to the rich fabric of humanity. My passion is to teach and to share the wonders of this world. I thank you for your consideration of my application.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
You asked, didn't you?
The craziest thing happened yesterday. My principal asked if she could walk with me as I went down to pick my class up from specials. Of course I nodded yes-- really, what can you say? So even though I was pretty sure I hadn't done anything wrong, I was just a tad nervous. I have limited personal social skills and I can easily do the wrong thing in a heartbeat without a clue that I just stepped in it up to my chin... (I really should start carrying waders around at work)...
She asked about a meeting that she had today for the Texas Collaboratives for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching of which our school has been a member for several years because of my involvement. Now, let me make this perfectly clear. My principal never ASKED me to do this. I have always wanted to do it. And frankly, I never asked her if I could do it, I just did it. And because she really is an incredible principal and has excellent interpersonal skills, she's always gone along with it. It has several requirements that while not too onerous, does take me out of the classroom for three days a year and she has to agree to certain other commitments like allowing me to train the other teachers at my school with what I have learned during the 105 hours of professional development that I commit to. It's not too bad, and I certainly feel that the benefits to our school outweigh any inconveniences (like Saturday and after school meetings). At any rate, the meeting that Mrs. S had to attend was the "Come to Jesus or be damned" meeting that was required of all principals who perhaps had not had the training given at their schools this year. Yes, that means that even though I was on the Campus Action Plan to provide training, I had not been given the time to train the teachers. Now, I know that it doesn't sound good, but it's not as bad as it seems. I knew perfectly well that Mrs. S was looking out for her teachers and she saw that our new curriculum was forcing us to work double time and overtime. Rightly, she decided to NOT train teachers on any new science strategies and so I haven't been able to meet that expectation of the Collaborative.
Knowing all of this, I warned her what kind of meeting she might be involved in and I told her that while I had not done any school wide training that she should not feel that she has not supported the Collaborative. I mentioned that 2nd grade was the only grade level that was providing Science Support Sessions and those sessions were offered at our school through her willingness to host these meetings and allowing me to offer them at our school. I reminded her that she really did do a lot for her teachers, one of those things being that she saw we were overwhelmed by the curriculum demands this year and to not feel bad for shielding her school.
Then she thanked me for my honesty.
What did I say?
I suddenly felt like a character in an anime cartoon. I know my face must have gone white, my eyes probably got as big as dinner plates and my mouth fell open and bounced off the floor. "What?", I gasped. She repeated that she appreciated that I expressed what I felt. I was completely dumbfounded...was I supposed to LIE? That thought had never even occurred to me... why would anyone ask me something if they didn't want to know what I thought? I REALLY, REALLY thought I was tactful. I didn't swear or use inappropriate language-- that I remember, anyhow...I mean, sometimes something slips out, but I was pretty sure that my language filter was screwed on tight... I have no idea what I said-- or even if I said something wrong... I asked her if I hurt her feelings and she said no, absolutely not... so where does the honesty comment come in? I always tell the truth as I see it...
How awkward.
I hate when I do this...
and I don't even know what I did!
She asked about a meeting that she had today for the Texas Collaboratives for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching of which our school has been a member for several years because of my involvement. Now, let me make this perfectly clear. My principal never ASKED me to do this. I have always wanted to do it. And frankly, I never asked her if I could do it, I just did it. And because she really is an incredible principal and has excellent interpersonal skills, she's always gone along with it. It has several requirements that while not too onerous, does take me out of the classroom for three days a year and she has to agree to certain other commitments like allowing me to train the other teachers at my school with what I have learned during the 105 hours of professional development that I commit to. It's not too bad, and I certainly feel that the benefits to our school outweigh any inconveniences (like Saturday and after school meetings). At any rate, the meeting that Mrs. S had to attend was the "Come to Jesus or be damned" meeting that was required of all principals who perhaps had not had the training given at their schools this year. Yes, that means that even though I was on the Campus Action Plan to provide training, I had not been given the time to train the teachers. Now, I know that it doesn't sound good, but it's not as bad as it seems. I knew perfectly well that Mrs. S was looking out for her teachers and she saw that our new curriculum was forcing us to work double time and overtime. Rightly, she decided to NOT train teachers on any new science strategies and so I haven't been able to meet that expectation of the Collaborative.
Knowing all of this, I warned her what kind of meeting she might be involved in and I told her that while I had not done any school wide training that she should not feel that she has not supported the Collaborative. I mentioned that 2nd grade was the only grade level that was providing Science Support Sessions and those sessions were offered at our school through her willingness to host these meetings and allowing me to offer them at our school. I reminded her that she really did do a lot for her teachers, one of those things being that she saw we were overwhelmed by the curriculum demands this year and to not feel bad for shielding her school.
Then she thanked me for my honesty.
What did I say?
I suddenly felt like a character in an anime cartoon. I know my face must have gone white, my eyes probably got as big as dinner plates and my mouth fell open and bounced off the floor. "What?", I gasped. She repeated that she appreciated that I expressed what I felt. I was completely dumbfounded...was I supposed to LIE? That thought had never even occurred to me... why would anyone ask me something if they didn't want to know what I thought? I REALLY, REALLY thought I was tactful. I didn't swear or use inappropriate language-- that I remember, anyhow...I mean, sometimes something slips out, but I was pretty sure that my language filter was screwed on tight... I have no idea what I said-- or even if I said something wrong... I asked her if I hurt her feelings and she said no, absolutely not... so where does the honesty comment come in? I always tell the truth as I see it...
How awkward.
I hate when I do this...
and I don't even know what I did!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A Typical Sunday Morning...
Yes, I just wrote on my FaceBook page that I was completing the application to go to Germany... but instead, I turned on Pandora.com so I had something to listen to... checked to see if I could access Naruto Shipuuden episode 39 yet... responded to a few friends' status updates back on FB... then went to iTunes and purchased a Goo Goo Dolls CD and now... I'm on my blog wondering why I am procrastinating about completing this application...
Yes, I really DO want to go to Germany this summer for three weeks on an all-expense paid trip to look at the schools and culture of Germany! Who wouldn't want to? So... what's going on?
I am feeling a little worn out.... Over the past month I have written and applied for about 5 different grant opportunities: Best Buy, Delta Kappa Gamma, Fulbright, HEB Excellence in Teaching, and now this one. It's a lot of energy, but there are also deadlines that must be met for future opportunities like this one....so I've got to get it together today!
I'm feeling pressure to complete a lot of loose ends from work, and I owe quite a bit of time to the Collaborative and I'm trying to find ways to make that time up... so I guess that what's going on is that I have to focus and ground myself. Perhaps if I make a list.. I love making lists... is making a list another form of procrastination? I often lose them or don't do them, but it DOES remove the chatter from my brain and puts it on a pece of paper that allows me to focus with a plan and it's easier for me to get back on track....
Okay let's try it:
Hey! Isn't this Sunday when I'm supposed to be relaxing ...
Yes, I really DO want to go to Germany this summer for three weeks on an all-expense paid trip to look at the schools and culture of Germany! Who wouldn't want to? So... what's going on?
I am feeling a little worn out.... Over the past month I have written and applied for about 5 different grant opportunities: Best Buy, Delta Kappa Gamma, Fulbright, HEB Excellence in Teaching, and now this one. It's a lot of energy, but there are also deadlines that must be met for future opportunities like this one....so I've got to get it together today!
I'm feeling pressure to complete a lot of loose ends from work, and I owe quite a bit of time to the Collaborative and I'm trying to find ways to make that time up... so I guess that what's going on is that I have to focus and ground myself. Perhaps if I make a list.. I love making lists... is making a list another form of procrastination? I often lose them or don't do them, but it DOES remove the chatter from my brain and puts it on a pece of paper that allows me to focus with a plan and it's easier for me to get back on track....
Okay let's try it:
- Work on the Germany lesson plan
- Check Naruto ;)
- Work on the "Why Do I want to go to Germany?" part
- Do lesson plans
- Call Helen for her interview for the Project Linus website
- Reread the lesson plan for editing and clarification
- Find the Accelerated Reading stuff and work on that
- Reread the essay portion of the application
- Print and take envelope to post office along with the Blockbuster movie...
- Watch Naruto
- Work on Habitat "suitcase"
- Put Bundle 4 in the SHARE folder
- Email Lori about Collaborative ideas and hours
- Find a way to get to Vietnam next summer... or the Antarctica... whoa... what about a polar expedition to BOTH POLES!!! YES! That would be AWESOME!!!
Hey! Isn't this Sunday when I'm supposed to be relaxing ...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Science Fair
We have just finished with Science Fair here at our school. It came at a very bad time just after a three week testing period when teachers were all frazzled and kids were "out there". The poor timing was not an evil plan to make us miserable-- it just needed to be done by a certain date in order to qualify for the Austin Science Fair and so for our school and many others in our district, it came hard on the heels of all that testing and deadlines that we faced... like I said-- bad timing.
I have a problem with Science Fairs at this level. When we had science fairs in years past, kids didn't do the projects, their parents did them. The competition can become intense, which is why we, as a school, chose to stop participating in science fairs a few years ago. Well, now we have a new district policy that all schools will host a science fair and that ALL classes will participate by entering a project in their school's science fair. I have no problem with teaching the scientific method and it actually is time to do so in our district curriculum so even though the timing was awful, it is, what it is. So we began our work on a very tight schedule-- two days to be exact. Not ideal for a great science fair project....
We watched a Brainpop Jr. video on Science Fair projects and brainstormed ideas for our class project. It turned out that rockets fascinate my students so they wanted to build a rocket to go into outer space.... not feasible-- I don't have access to rocket fuel. Joseph had an air rocket that he could bring from home and we decided to look at that and research our topic a bit more to come up with a realistic project that we could learn from. I was hoping that we could work out something with balloons on straws but chemicals will win over balloons anytime, so we ended up planning an experiment using Alka-Seltzer and film canisters. We went through the whole process of developing a valid testable question... we can up with an hypothesis... we decided how to perform the experiment testing only one variable etc... we did it all and I was quite pleased with what we had learned from our first attempt at the scientific method. I was NOT too pleased about our project and frankly, I was embarrassed (just a little) to put it in the fair for judging. But, one of the things you learn quite early in your teaching career is that it's not about YOU, it's about the learning your kids do. And so, knowing that as a class, we will continue to work on developing our skill in following the scientific method, we trooped down to the gym and set up our project. We took pictures of our project and gave last minute instructions to our class representatives and wished them good luck. (They would stay and answer the questions from the judges for our class.)
Later that day, we trooped back down to find that we had won a participation ribbon. The students were thrilled! We took more pictures came back to the room and started planning for our next experiment.
After school, a very good friend stopped me and said something to the effect of, "Oh I was so relieved when I saw that you won the same ribbon that we did... I was afraid you'd beat us..."
With all I do each day, I don't want to be the teacher to beat.... I'd like to be the teacher that helped... I'm pleased that the idea I suggested to one teacher did get her the first place ribbon and now her class is going to the Austin Science Fair. I don't want to be the one to beat because I'm some Ms. Frizzle and I am expected to do and be better than everyone else. That's not me. I truly believe that the best teachers are the best because of the teacher next door.....
But what hurt the most is that that teacher is a very good friend and I had thought that I wasn't perceived as a rival....
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