A Not-So-Inspiring Post

I was going to write a really super sappy blog post about teaching, how much I love it and the students I teach. I was going to create this beautiful ode to teaching that would inspire everyone and share my love of this career I chose.

And then my 3rd hour College Prep Lit class walked in the door.

And I was reminded that teaching is not always perfect and inspiring. Sometimes it resembles a Welcome Back, Kotter episode....

In the space of ten minutes today, I:

• Listened to complaints about how hot my room is and explained they could sit in the hall and work
• Repeated the directions for the day 19 times (Once for each student. Because you know it only counts if you say it directly to them)
• Explained 19 times that the assignment for the day was also on Schoology---our LMS (This is besides the fact that I also handed out a a calendar with the work for each day)
• Reminded one he needs this class to graduate and to get to work
• Again, listened to complaints about the heat. Again, suggested the hallway
• Explained that the work for this assignment needed to be worthy of the 20 points (a point for each word, right?)
• Regretted telling a student she could use the "B" word in her letter when describing a character. That opened the door for negotiations with the others. 
• Again, reminded senior he needed to get some work done
• More complaints about the heat
• Told students I was rewriting my blog post. 
• Explained that John Travolta was hot--- in 1975---when I was 18.  They just shook their heads and had no clue who I was talking about until a bright girl in the corner reminded us he was in the movie Old Dogs.

Finally, class ended. 15 of 19 turned in their work. 

Here comes 4th hour...

"Geez. It's like a sauna in here."

The lesson? Some days--heck, most days--are more like Kotter than any of us want to admit. This group I have 3rd hour are smart, they discuss and argue and back themselves up with facts. Most of them read a lot. 

And somedays, they like to push my buttons. 

{solsc} 21/31 #sol17 What I Didn't Intend to Write --Again

Three and a half years ago, I didn't intend to write a blog post about a former student.  And, today, I didn't intend to write about him either.

I intended to write about the great conversations in my College Prep Lit class.
Or, All-State Speech on Monday.
I could have written about my birthday celebration last weekend.

But
At lunch, we learned the young man had died.
No one was sure of the cause.

So, today, I use my words from years ago:

{solsc} 20/31 #sol17 Spring To-Do List

Yea! Spring. And here in northeast Iowa, the snow is gone (well, except for the really big piles where the plows dumped).  Of course, my tulips have been three inches above ground the last two snowfalls, but that's besides the point.

I needed something to write about today, so thought I'd use today's prompt in Creative Writing:

10.  Poke around the yard and see what's growing. We planted a few perennials last year. Let's see what survived.  And, if it looks like something didn't....

9. Look through gardening catalogs and hit up the greenhouse and see what they have growing. Growing things are a must during early spring!

8. Check out Pinterest for cute outdoor decorating ideas.

7. Sit on the back deck with a glass of wine and dream about summer.

6. Watch Chloe chase the squirrels from the yard.

5. Watch the squirrels torment Chloe from the top of the tree.  When she starts dancing around the tree on her hind legs, it's pretty cute.

4. Grill

3. Sit in the sun somewhere and just enjoy the warmth.

2. Go mushroom hunting. As warmer weather comes, so do the morels! 

OK, OK, OK. This is Chloe and I'm taking over here. The NUMBER 1, THE ONLY thing you should do in the spring is go for a walk with ME!

Geesh, Chloe. No need to be rude. It's finally nice enough. We're going after school!

{solsc} 19/31 #sol17 Chloe Writes: Sleepover

You all know how much I like to go on adventures with Mom and Dad, so when I saw they were packing suitcases the other day, I got really excited. I wondered where we were going. Is it lake time yet?  Wherever it was, it'll be fun 'cause Mom and Dad like to go fun places and do fun things.

But, then they told me I couldn't go and would have to have a sleepover at Vicki's. She's where I go for my spa days.  I was just there a couple of weeks ago, so it wasn't time for a bath and haircut yet.  

Dad dropped me off and said good-bye. I wanted to cry, but I didn't. I'm six and a half, after all and big girls don't cry.  But then, Vicki put me in the kennel and shut the door and left!  I really didn't like that. It was not going to be a good weekend.

Vicki wasn't gone very long. though, and when she came home she let me out and I got to go upstairs and play with her and Sadie and the other dogs.  I was kind of scared at first. Sometimes, other dogs haven't been very nice to me, so I was a little nervous, but it was REALLY fun. We ran around the house and jumped over the couch. At first, I didn't want to, 'cause Mom would NEVER let me do that, but it seemed like it was OK, so then I started to play. We played and followed Vicki around all night. The other dogs were really nice! I was so busy, I forgot to eat until the middle of the night!  

Mom and Dad came and got me in the afternoon. I was so happy to see them. Mom said I almost shook my butt off when I was wagging my tail.  I gave them lots of hugs and kisses. I gave some to Vicki too so I could say thank-you.  It was such a fun sleepover!

But now, I am really tired. Mom and Dad are too, so we're just going to take it easy today.

See you soon!

Chloe

{solsc} 9/31 #sol17 This Time Next Week

Saturday is State Speech

Our season is ending

Next week

I won't have to be 

at school

at dawn

or

leave at sunset.

Next week

Kids won't want to practice

during my

"free time"

or 

after track

or during their study hall

but

my class

Next week

There will be

no more 

funny conversations

or serious ones

or prom ones.

There will be 

no more

snacking

noise

laughter

No More.

Ever.

{solsc} 8/31 #sol17 A Last I Will Not Miss

My last Iowa Assessments. My shoes squeak as I walk about the room, making sure everyone bubbles in on the right test. As juniors, they know the drill. They've been joking about making Christmas trees, about not really reading and just guessing. Most won't do any of this, but they can joke about it.

I think back to my own days of bubble testing. I was in second grade the first time I felt like I wasn't smart enough. We got our test scores back. I was in the 98th percentile overall, but a boy, the one I always tried to be better than, got a 99.  Why didn't anyone tell me I was better than my test score?

Throughout my teaching, I have always tried to convince students of this. But it's hard today to convince them they are more than their test score when one of the final things I have to say is, "You must be proficient in the areas of reading, science and math in order to take concurrent classes at the college. If you aren't proficient in reading, you may be required to additional reading classes."

I get it. I do.

But this is a "last" that I will not miss.

{solsc} 6/31 #sol17 The Purge Begins

"Ewww! Is that hair in your closet?"

I laughed and pulled the blond wig off the top shelf.

"Why do you have a mullet wig in your room?"

Like many odd things in my room, it was left by a student. This particular wig (yes, there have been others) was used by a young woman showing us the proper technique for straightening your hair.

The wig has had a long life. It gets pulled out of the closet for any type of skit or activity. And sometimes, it just gets worn for the heck of it.

It sits upon a rag doll used last year in a speech commercial for "Ginger B Gone". The doll is creepy. I won't lie to you, as it moves about my room, it always seems to find a place to sit and stare at me.  But the doll also gets used for class activities. This year it appeared in a lip synch during Drama class. I keep trying to get her owner to take it home, but so far, no luck.

The whisper phones have had a long life. Made for me by a former principal, they have been used to read aloud, to practice speeches, and to read writing while editing and revising. They also seem to be as fun as Legos, since more than once, students have taken them apart and created sculptures with them.  They've been nabbed by the choir teacher.

Do you see the screwdriver in front of my computer?  The thing is huge. It came with my desk and I have no idea how long it has been there. I have great fun with it because anytime a student ask me for something weird (and it happens a lot), I say, "No. But I have a screwdriver." and then pull this out.  I've decided it stays with my desk when I leave.

There is an unwritten rule with my speech kids that if you are late for practice you owe me chocolate. This year one of my senior boys was late to improv. This is what he brought me. Chocolate syrup.

If nothing else, it's a great conversation starter.  And it will get used at our speech awards banquet later this month.

Well, that's all for this installment of "The Purge". Stay tuned. There's more weirdness where this came from.

{solsc} 4/31 #sol17 Celebrate

My favorite part of the week. Celebrations.

I've been celebrating my week for a long time, almost as long as I've written my blog.  It helps keep me positive and focused on the right things in my life. I keep track of them through the week on a post-it in my bullet journal. And Twitter. If something makes me smile during the school day, I often tweet it out.

Waiting for the bus

I've done quite a bit of tweeting this week (you know that if you follow me at @mrsday75). On Saturday, my Speech kids performed at district competition. They did great. We've sixteen events moving on to state next weekend. My favorite part of individual speech competition is giving my phone to the kids and telling them to take a selfie.  Then, as they perform and receive ratings, I can share out the results using our school hashtag. People follow along all day and congratulate the kids.

I turned in my Early Retirement papers this week. It still doesn't seem real---in my head I keep thinking, "Next year I'll..." and then remember, there won't be a next year in teaching or in speech (although I'll sub and volunteer with speech). Weird. But I'm looking forward to this new chapter.

Other good things this week:

• I received copies of Passenger and Wayfarer from Alexandra Bracken this week. She had tweeted out she would send copies to classrooms if teachers tweeted her, so I did.  I have several kids who will love this series
• Our girls basketball team played in the state tournament on Tuesday. They didn't win, but a smaller school from a few miles away did. They ended up runner-up. I loved how many of our kids went to their games and cheered them on. When you live in a small rural area, everyone is friends.
• Last practices with my speech kids. These last two weeks of rehearsal time is precious to me. I just love hanging out with these guys.
• A friend started a new food blog. This woman is a great cook and she decided to start a blog and share the recipes she trying. You can check her out at The Pinterest Foodie

Well, that's about it this week. Hope your week was wonderful!

{solsc} 3/31 #sol17 She Never Earned a One

She's a senior who worked hard, listened to her coach, and came to every rehearsal she signed up for.

She never received a coveted Division 1 at District Speech Contest to move on to state competition.

She never whined about it,
never complained,
never gave less than her best.



She never earned that one, but what she gained in four years is immeasurable.

As a freshman, she was quiet...really quiet. Sometimes I could hardly hear her speak. There were no facial expressions, no gestures. She couldn't look up at the audience. Her pieces were not very dynamic, to say the least.

But she tried. And she came back the next year. And tried Group Improvisation, an event so far outside her wheelhouse, I couldn't believe she came back for the second night. But she did.

And she got better.

As a junior, she tried again in both group and individual events, Again, she was quiet, but not as quiet. And more dynamic. She listened to what I had to say and tried to incorporate it into her pieces.

And she got better.

This is her last year in speech. With cheer and dance, she came to me and said she didn't think she would be involved in Large Group this year, but she had some ideas for Individual.

When she finished her Literary Program the night of her first rehearsal, I was blown away.
She looked me in the eye, read with confidence and enthusiasm. There were facial expressions and gestures. It was fluid, there was vocal variety. It was the best I had ever heard her.

I couldn't help but remember that shy, quiet freshman who stood before me for years ago. It reminded me why I coach speech. It's not the ratings. It's not the All-State nominations. It's building confidence in my students as they get ready to face the world.

She may never earned that one, but what she gained in four years is immeasurable.

{solsc} 1/31 #sol17 Chloe Writes: Why You Shouldn't Write in March

Chloe here. I'm taking over today before Mom writes. I just have one thing to talk about today--that stupid March blogging thingamajig.

Oh, Geez. Here she goes again! Every year she has to whine about this.

DON'T DO IT.

For years my mom has written during March. I really don't care about the first year. I wasn't even born yet. But let me tell you about the last few of years. By the time I get done, you will understand why you shouldn't  even begin to write.....

Please. Don't listen to her.

First, do you realize you have to write every day??? Every day for a month. You have to find a time to write, you know. When are you going to do that?  Probably during the time you should be taking your cute little furry sons and daughters for a walk or playing with them.

Actually, I write with my students at school during Creative Writing 

or in the morning before  I go to school.

Second, you have to think of something to write about Every. Single. Day.  Think about that.  Unless you have a cute, furry, intelligent fur baby like me, you probably aren't that interesting. Just what will you write about?

I started a Pinterest board with writing ideas. 

Click here for the link. 

I found last year that this really helped. Also, don't be 

afraid to copy the style of a post you like. Slicers 

don't mind imitation!

Third, the stress. You'll always be thinking about what you are going to write next. Then you'll worry about when you are going to post. And is your post good enough to even share?  Trust me. Your mental health can't take writing for a month. Cuddle your fur baby instead.  That will keep your stress level under control.

Whoa, Chloe! No stress.  And we all write posts that aren't the best.

The important thing is we are writing. Sharing our story. 

Slicers  understand we can't always write a masterpiece!

And then, of course, you aren't done with the writing of a post. You have to COMMENT on other people's posts! Really. You are supposed to go and read what other people write and tell them how good they did. 

Now she's just being ridiculous. Yes. You should read and comment on other posts.

But it's not that big of a deal.

It's one of my favorite parts of the March challenge.

I started in 2011 and made great blogging friends. They are the first 

people  I visit each day.  And then, I try someone new.  It's fun and relaxing.

Whatever, Mom.  It's a silly challenge. I know you won't give it up,  'cause you always tell me "If you're going to be a teacher of writers, you have to write."  I don't even know what that means. You don't have to have fur to be a mom to a fur baby, why do you have to write to teach it?  Crazy.

Well, that's it for today. Don't listen to Chloe. The Slice of Life Challenge 

is fun, exercises your writing muscles, and you'll make some new friends.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go play with my spoiled dog!

#sol17 It's Coming!

-------------WINTER STORM WARNING-------------

At some point today, the snow will start. The winds will blow. The roads will be slippery. And we will go home.

The thing is, it probably won't start until later this afternoon. The warning now starts at 3:00 pm instead of noon.  But that won't stop the inevitable question:

WHEN ARE WE GETTING OUT?

Phones will be held at their sides out of my sight, computers will be open to the weather page and to one of the TV stations that post school closings. The whining will start with the first early out, "Everyone's getting out but us!"

I will again post this on my board. It answers both their questions: Will we get out early today? Will we have school tomorrow? I prepare myself for the whining.

Oh! But wait!  I won't be in the classroom today!  I have a sub and a student teacher who will handle the whining and complaining!

I won't have to tell them to put their phones away and get back to work!

I won't constantly have to answer "the" question and listen to the whining!

I think I'll still post the note....

#sol17 Last and Best

I'll admit to a few tears in my eyes as the school board voted 5-0 to approve an early retirement package for our district. Greg and I have talked about it for months. If it was offered, I would take it.

And now, it's real.

So why the tears? I really don't know. I told Greg when I got home that they were happy and sad tears.

Can you have both?

My wonderful husband told me I didn't have to take it if I didn't want to. If I wanted to stay a couple of more years, I could.

But I don't. I am ready to retire. I am ready to be done with lesson plans and grading papers. I am ready to be done with the politics and defending summer "vacation".

But I am not done with kids. And that's where the sad tears came from, I know.

This will be a semester of lasts. But it will also be a semester of BESTS. I am determined not to be a short timer and be my best as I count down the lasts.

Stay tuned as I DISCOVER how to do this and find the future.

#sol17 I Want to Remember...

Sunday, January 1

The silence is welcome, yet deafening.  Our boys and their families hit the road and should be home by now. And I am tired. a good tired. A cozy tired. A "PJ pants and new fuzzy slippers wrapped in a blanket in my favorite chair" kind of tired. But before I doze in my chair watching TV, there are some things I want to remember...

• the grandkids' excitement for one more Christmas
• Chloe's excitement and then despair once everyone arrived--including the new dog, Maverick.  She's not so fond of Maverick
• Hearing "When are we going to open presents" 1,000,000 times and laughing at all of them
• Mitch (our oldest son) checking out the presents to see what he had under the tree. Once a kid, always a kid
• Hayden's face when he opened his "Poop" emoji slippers (I hope his mom got a good picture of that)
• Kaylee and Angelina's excitement for their books (The Fault in Our Stars for Kaylee and Roller Girl for Angelina. I'm excited they are finally getting to the age where I know good books for them)
• Food. Way too much food.
• Playing Tripoly and the funny, crazy things that get said as we play. Let's just say we get a little competitive playing games :)
• Dog cuddles
• Boston putting together the little guys toys (Yea for grandkids who can put together toys!)
• How fast plates of Christmas cookies disappeared
• Laughter
• Love shared

And now it's Tuesday. Back to school. And I have memories to make me smile.