Adventures in Student Teaching- week 3

Well, it was by far a better week than last week- not that that’s saying much. We are inching ever closer to the end of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and I must say, even though I love that book I am ready for it to be over. The kids have been hilarious, every day I hear how much they hate Tom and how they hope Gatsby kills them. I don’t have the heart to tell them that Gatsby ends up dead and Daisy chooses Tom. We ended up diagramming what they now affectionately call ‘the soap opera’ on the board yesterday- I needed more board space to explain that one. I almost started crying though when one of them started drawing parallels to today’s society- I wanted to throw my arms up the air and shout hallelujah!

We also started timed writing this week. The kids hate it. 30 mins to write a 2 page essay. I hate it because I have to read them all (and if one more person summarizes the plot of the novel for me I might have to throw something at them). I think they were all shocked with the grades the first time. The first batch were low, but when we did it the second time they were getting better. That could be because I enforced a seating chart so there was more writing than talking, or that they finally realize I am not a push over and they will be graded on more than participation. In my first batch of essays though I did get a marriage proposal and someone explained to me what Shakespeare would have thought of Fitzgerald- gotta love those teenagers.

I have found I am a lot more flexible with my student teaching and becoming more confident. I really do love it. This week I also learned that I can blame anything I want on my cooperating teacher. She is really good about that. Of course she is made of awesome- that is why I fought to work with her. She makes me feel so good about myself. This week she kept telling other teachers how wonderful I am and how I really don’t need to do student teaching. “Give her a degree,” has been Ruthie’s call. She is also going to help me with my project I have to get done while student teaching. It is massive and quite scary- but she and three other teachers in the building did the same thing last year when applying for National Certification, so she said they can get me through.

I also survived my first few days of parent/teacher conferences. They were actually rather easy- I didn’t know all the kids by name alone so sometimes I was worried I was talking about the wrong child, but it seemed to turn out all right in the end.

So basically good week. There were times I questioned my sanity of wanting to teach English (those essays *shudders*) but I do love it. Next week I get two days of movie, *sigh* Robert Redford *sigh* Can’t complain too much about that.

Babies come with hats

After a long wait I finally have a nephew!!!!

Boston Zachary

Born: February 28, 2008 9:20 AM
Weight: 7 pounds 15 oz
Length: 22 inches

My brother called me while I was in class, the kids were hilarious and let out a big cheer. I even took the day off of work and ran over to the hospital. He is lovely, I have already promised him the world, given him his own song (Lu has a song too), and am searching for a nickname- right now I am liking Cue, but not sure if it will stick.

Now for a bit of baby pic spam









With Grammy

With Dad, I promised my sister-in-law I wouldn't take any pics of her until she had time to clean up a little, she was still asleep when I left

I love baby feet

Waiting in the nursery as they took Boston's vitals- yes, that is a red sox cap Adam is wearing and yes, that kid will most likely grow up to be a RS fan.

With his Auntie Timmy- who is going to spoil him rotten. I was grading essays, that is why the pen is in my ear.

I love being an aunt!!!

Adventures in Student Teaching- weeks 1 and 2

I am starting a weekly post called “Adventures in Student Teaching” look for a new installment every Friday afternoon….

So here are some valued truths I have learned in the last two weeks-

1- No matter how hard you try, you cannot keep the Bingo beans off the floor.

2- “Great Gatsby Pictionary” is a great way to feel wanted. Everyone wants you on their team...before they know your drawing capabilities.

3- Be ready to chuck all the lesson plans out the window.

4- Cheerleaders are the same today as they were ten years ago

5- No matter how many times you tell them students still don’t understand that the teacher downstairs with the same last name, and who looks just like you is your mother.

6- Even though they cant grasp the concept of number 5 they do understand that Zach is your brother

7- The teacher look, you know the one over the glasses, really does work.

8- What you teach first period will change by second period, and you final period of the day will get some thing completely different.

9- Quizzes are not healthy for students or teachers

10- The kids actually do understand- they just pretend not to.

11- The moment when someone just gets it- priceless

12- Knowing about Harry Potter, and understanding what people say when they say they ship Snarry will bring you up a few notches.

13- Kids will always choose extra credit over candy

14- If you say it enough times, they might understand the difference assonance, consonance , and alliteration.

15- Remember to explain about things like Tonya Harding, when she in mentioned in an article- they don’t remember that skating scandal ever happening.

16- Sometimes using popsicle sticks with names on them is the only way to get them to participate.

17- You will lose your voice.

18- It is okay to cry.

19- It’s okay to say, “I don’t know”

20- It’s okay to say “Because I’m the teacher and that is what we are doing. So shut up, listen, and maybe you will learn something.”

So yeah- more adventures I am sure next week. Maybe actual stories. Like Nui, the kid who hasn’t come in a month but I’ve gotten there two days in a row now. Or the group of kids who call me Miss Natalie just to make me roll my eyes…or how I am teaching kids I baby sat many, many years ago…

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.

I love to travel. I try to get to as many places and see as many things as I can every year. Well for Valentines Day this year I decided that in addition to buying new tires and Doctor Who Season 3 for myself I would book a ticket to see my friend Elisha in West Virginia.

This trip has been planned for quite a while. We had originally planned to go to Tennessee to visit other friends in January, but that didn’t work out for either of us. Figuring I would just save my vacation time for our big road trip in JulyI called it good and went on. Then E hinted that I should come and see her over spring break. She tempted me pointing out it would only cost me a plane ticket. She gently reminded me that in the last year she drove to North Carolina, Orlando, and Boston in order to see me- some of the trips taking over 12 hours. And then pointed out she would have to fly out to Salt Lake for our road trip (making our July trip more expensive for her than me). Armed with this knowledge I put off my resolution to not visit E until she had a baby and told her I would come.

I started watching airfare and two weeks ago found a round trip flight for $252.00. I almost bought it then. In fact a coworker was sitting there telling me to buy it, but there were some logistics with school I needed to work out so I held off. Today I went to go and buy the ticket only to find out that the dates I wanted to travel no longer had that fare.

I was so disappointed, but determined to go on my trip. I have a nice tax refund coming and as E had mentioned this trip was only costing me my airfare. So I searched and searched. Finally finding a trip for $382.00 from American Airlines. I booked it, printed off the confirmation, told E I was coming, posted to my LJ about it- and then looked at the confirmation. I had booked tickets for February 29^th returning March 7^th. Not the March 21-25^th dates I thought I had.

I almost threw up right then. Quickly I was on the phone with American Airlines and the lady laughed with me as we worked to change the flight. Only to find out it was going to cost $430.00!!!! I had them cancel the reservation, which I was able to do with no penalty as the ticket hadn’t been issued yet. So that cancelled I started scouring the internet again.

The cheapest flight I could find was a round trip on Delta for $410.00- funny thing it is nonstop and really decent flying times. So I booked that, after having coworker check it and make sure I had the right dates.

So E I am coming, and I am really glad the rest of my stay is free!

Thank you for that display of geek bravado

So it is not a big secret that I am a nerd. I can happily converse on English literature, history, politics, or just about any other nerdy subject. I can rattle off how many electoral votes that each state has, I can rattle of the names of the Supreme Court judges, and I can tell you when a book was published. I have the classes, I spend time in the library, and I enjoy watching things like Masterpiece theater. I am a nerd through and through, and proud of it.

There is one thing though, one thing that I always try to ignore or hide. I am a geek. Yes, it is a sad truth. I am sure most of you already knew that, but it is something that I have only admitted to myself recently.

My geekiness has come out here and there over the past few years. I have a "Bartlett for America" t-shirt which I love, I have a Hufflepuff Head Girls badge, I have an HP scarf, a Time Turner, and a shirt proudly bearing the name 'The Weird Sisters'. I also wouldn't mind getting a lovely Doctor Who poster.

This past week I have been a bigger geek than usual.

I am a huge Doctor Who fan (the new series, I don't think I could stomach the old series) and I was so excited when series 1 and 2 arrived on my doorstep Thursday night.

Now being the geek I am, I started watching series 1 Friday night, only I was watching the episodes with commentary. I had just finished watching the first series the week before, so it wasn't that I hadn't seen them recently (or quote them daily) but I just had to watch them with commentary. And of course I had to watch the five hours of special features- remember geek.

Well Sunday morning I put on the last DVD and in 'Boom Town' it all of a sudden skipped. I was a tad upset because it was at my favorite part (the Doctor, Rose, and Jack are getting all geeky together and Mickey just stands there shaking his head?) But the rest of the episode was fine. So I put a note on the back burner to call WB about it.

Then I was watching 'Parting of the Ways', the series final, and right at THE moment THE CLIMAX (For all of those who have seen it is when Rose has comes back and the Doctor has to get the Time Vortex out of her) It freaking skips again!!!! I am not pleased.

I might have been yelling at the TV (please remember I just saw this episode the week before and have seen it at least 6 times). Any other part of the episode I might have been okay, but not then.

Eventually, I calmed down and emailed WB about how to get a replacement. Then went about my day.

Then that night I started series two with my parents (I also taught my niece the following words: TARDIS, space ship, Doctor, Rose, Time Vortex). The start of series 2 is my all time favorite episode. I could watch 'Christmas Invasion' over and over again. In fact we had just watched it at Christmas, mom wasn't keen on watching it again, but we made her. Yes, I can quote most of, but the gags never get old and it never fails to make me smile.

Monday my friend Heather and I chatted about different Who slogans that we could have when we participate in the Komen 3-day cancer walk this fall *insert shameless begging for a donation here* And we came up with so many that we might have to order two or three.

Today to compound my geekiness I downloaded the Doctor Who series three soundtrack from iTunes.

So yes, this is me finally admitting that I am a geek-and you know what, I am proud to be one.

Why yes, I am a domestic goddess

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the week, I took time to work on my domestic goddess skills!!

Yes, my path to becoming a domestic goddess becomes more firm every day. So now I share with you all the two projects I finished this week and then some lovely new treats that I tried out!

This is the first sweater that I have ever made. I could bore you with the details about how it took me two hours to take out a sleeve that I put in wrong. And how there should be three button holes, but this sweater just makes me want to find a small child and wrap him in it.

One of my goals this year is to learn how to sew. So this was my first project a jean quilt. These are all jeans that I wore at one point during the past two years. It was actually a fun project and I learned how to sew in a fairly strait line. Tying it was so much fun to, but I love tying quilts! This quilt is so warm too. Next sewing project-- my t-shirt quilt.

So in addition to the crafts I also did a bunch of cooking for a variety of things including Super Bowl Sunday.

So first up, in my goodbye to sugar till Easter tour I bring you the best German chocolate cake recipe that I have ever eaten.

Frosting (this takes a while to cool so you may want to make it first)
4 egg yolks
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 c sugar
1/4 c packed light brown sugar
6 TBSP unsalted butter cut into six pieces
1/8 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/3 c sweetened shredded coconut
1 1/2 c finely chopped pecan, toasted in oven at 350 deg about 8 mins

whisk egg yolks in medium sauce pan; gradually whisk in evaporated milk. Add sugars, butter, and salt, and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until mixture is boiling, frothy, and slightly thickened, about 6 minutes. Transfer mixture to bowl, whisk in vanilla, then stir in coconut. Cool until just warm. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cool or cold. At least 2 hours or up to three days. Pecans are stirred in just before cake assembly.

Cake
1 (4-oz) pkg Bakers German Chocolate
1/2 c boiling water
1 c butter or margarine
2 c sugar
4 egg yolks
4 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c sifted flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c buttermilk

Grease a 9x13 or 2 9 inch round pans. Flour and line with wax paper.

Take 1 pkg bakers chocolate and mix with boiling water. Mix until dissolved. Cool. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter and sugar until they are fluffy and rich (few minutes) Slowly add egg yolks while beating mixture. Beat until there is no more yellow streaks. Add chocolate mixture and vanilla. In separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Alternating add buttermilk and flour to chocolate mixture. As you continue to mix batter. Beat until smooth. In separate bowl, beat egg whites until they form peaks (about 5 minutes). Slowly fold in egg whites- do NOT stir or beat them in. Pour evenly into pan(s). Bake 30-40 mins (since I am at high altitude I had to bake it for about 50). Let cake cook 15 min in pan. Remove to cooling rack. Remove wax paper. Ice when cool.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained, finely chopped
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
3/4 c Grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 c Mayonnaise
1/2 c Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350 deg. Mix all ingredients; spoon into 9 inch quiche dish or pie plate. Bake 20 mins or until heated through.

Black Bean and Mango Salsa

1 env Italian Salad Dressing and recipe mix
1 can (16 oz) black beans, drained, rinsed
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen corn, thawed
1 c chopped ripe mango
1/3 c chopped red onion
1/3 c chopped cilantro
1/4 c lime juice

Mix all ingredients until well blended; cover. Refrigerate at least one hour

Have a great weekend!!!

Right again, Miss Austen

I was reading something for work the other day and ran across this quote, “ I’ve just finished my latest novel. I think I shall title it “Persuasion” and it may be the one that is closest to my heart. There are those who dismiss novels, who undervalue their importance. I disagree. I truly believe that novels are works in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which they most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language.”

It is of course written by Miss Jane Austen to her sister Cassandra.

I love this quote. I love how succinctly Miss Austen wraps up what a novel is yet, at the same time, is able to show the broad depth and scope of a novel.

I love reading. I love reading novels more than anything else for the same reasons outlined in the quote above. Human nature is so prevalent. I can pick up a 18^th century British novel and still understand the characters, see something of myself in them. I think that is why I love Austen so much. Her insight to human nature and social situations astound me. She never takes a huge overarching plot filled with twist and turns, but simply takes a normal, ordinary, day to day life and finds the magic in it.

When I read her novels, I sit back and wonder what magic am I missing in my life? What lessons are being taught, and what small nuances am I simply missing, because I haven’t been looking for them?

It is something I have tried to do in my own writing. Taking normal people in a normal situation and make them find the magic. There are no quick and easy fixes, just like in life. Instead it is a process in which the character learns a little on the way. How awful would Pride and Prejudice be if Darcy fixed everything right after proposal number 1? Would the characters have learned and grown? We would be missing the essential bits of the story, the growth of Elizabeth (and the growth of Darcy). It would simply become a quick glossed over solution leaving all couples involved with no legs to stand on. Who wants that?

So yes, Jane, though there are people that would argue with you I must agree that novels are works in which the “greatest powers of the mind are displayed.”