So...I'm in CA. It's a rough life. I'm sleeping in, shopping, getting coffee with friends, getting a pedicure, seeing new states (really state, but I could make it two), eating great food, and playing with puppies. Oh, and having great hair days!
I have done a really good job of not working. Don't get me wrong, I have talked about work. What I like about my job, about some of the challenges, about some of the things I'm looking forward to. It's good, but not stressful. I'm going to a teacher supply store tomorrow and that's the closest I get to working this trip. That and writing the postcards I bought my students. I would ask what it says about me that I bought some students postcards from the memorial to these people http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donner_Party but I know exactly what it says: I'm a middle school teacher who has a good feel what her kids will Google. I can't wait until they Google it. Maybe they'll read something about westward pioneers.
If you're a teacher, make sure you take some time not to work. It's important. P.S. the state was Nevada. I bought some very normal postcards there about Lake Tahoe.
7.15.2013
7.05.2013
If you're Pinterested...
Being the super cool, awesome, fabulous person I am: I had no social plans for this evening. Whatevs. Not every night is as cool as I am. So what did I do on this humble evening? I sorted, organized, and (in some cases) repinned my pins on Pinterest into a logical and organized fashion. I also now have a good idea of what areas need some more pins and which I can cut back on.
I think, as an English teacher, the line between this is for school and this appeals to my sense of humor is sometimes a very fine one. I had book-related pins on 5 separate boards. That's not pinspiration, it's going to cause perspiration. "Where is that pin again?" I know there's now a search function. While I do have mad searching skills, I don't want to have to use them just to find that one pin where it showed me how to do that one thing when I'm trying to shop for that project. Especially if Home Depot or Lowe's is involved.
It didn't take me that long and now I want to go organize the bathroom. I'll probably just read a book until that feeling passes.
I think, as an English teacher, the line between this is for school and this appeals to my sense of humor is sometimes a very fine one. I had book-related pins on 5 separate boards. That's not pinspiration, it's going to cause perspiration. "Where is that pin again?" I know there's now a search function. While I do have mad searching skills, I don't want to have to use them just to find that one pin where it showed me how to do that one thing when I'm trying to shop for that project. Especially if Home Depot or Lowe's is involved.
It didn't take me that long and now I want to go organize the bathroom. I'll probably just read a book until that feeling passes.
Sometimes, everyone is right.
I have a friend in ministry who told me at the start of my teaching career "I hope you take this the right way. It takes someone a little off-center to be a successful middle school teacher and I think you'll be very successful." All the early childhood and elementary educators gasped while I chuckled and thanked him. I do strive to be successful and so have been searching for ways to streamline my classroom procedures, upgrade my decor, and engage my students with the material.
I teach at a great Lutheran school in a small FL city. I went there myself. Some things are very different and some are very much the same. I suppose the same could be about me.
I've spent a ton of time on Pinterest this summer and there are a few things everyone else seems to be doing and I'm not. Two of those things include ordering things on Vistaprint and placing lamps on their counters. Now, my classroom is undergoing an Extrem(ely Cheap) Makeover so I can't imagine placing a lamp on my counter currently. It wouldn't make my room look cuter or cozier, it would make it look even more mismatched.
In an upcoming blog post, I'll share before and after pictures of my portable. I like my portable and I like the teacher who had it before me, but I'm definitely putting my own stamp on it.
As for my Vistaprint order, the whole point of this blog post, I ordered the free 250 business cards as an exit slip and a free self-inking stamp. The exit slip says to write a test question and its answer on the card. I left the back blank for more space. After I read them, the students will already have a stack of questions their parents, friends or self can study. The stamp will reduce my irritation. My initials are J.A.W. and at least once a year a parent will read them as "JEW." Last year, I signed my students' assignment books for the 1st quarter daily and as needed (by IEP, 504, or low homework participation) for the remainder of the year. I plan on signing them daily the whole year by using my handy dandy stamp that says,"Miss J-W saw this. Please initial when you do."
I'm pretty sure now that I've placed a Vistaprint order, I will see zillions more ways I can use it. We shall see.
I teach at a great Lutheran school in a small FL city. I went there myself. Some things are very different and some are very much the same. I suppose the same could be about me.
I've spent a ton of time on Pinterest this summer and there are a few things everyone else seems to be doing and I'm not. Two of those things include ordering things on Vistaprint and placing lamps on their counters. Now, my classroom is undergoing an Extrem(ely Cheap) Makeover so I can't imagine placing a lamp on my counter currently. It wouldn't make my room look cuter or cozier, it would make it look even more mismatched.
In an upcoming blog post, I'll share before and after pictures of my portable. I like my portable and I like the teacher who had it before me, but I'm definitely putting my own stamp on it.
As for my Vistaprint order, the whole point of this blog post, I ordered the free 250 business cards as an exit slip and a free self-inking stamp. The exit slip says to write a test question and its answer on the card. I left the back blank for more space. After I read them, the students will already have a stack of questions their parents, friends or self can study. The stamp will reduce my irritation. My initials are J.A.W. and at least once a year a parent will read them as "JEW." Last year, I signed my students' assignment books for the 1st quarter daily and as needed (by IEP, 504, or low homework participation) for the remainder of the year. I plan on signing them daily the whole year by using my handy dandy stamp that says,"Miss J-W saw this. Please initial when you do."
I'm pretty sure now that I've placed a Vistaprint order, I will see zillions more ways I can use it. We shall see.
7.04.2013
I Figure I Know Just About Everything
I really don't know everything, but you know those people who make snarky comments about adolescents? They say things like, "You should quit school and start your own business now since you know everything." If that's true, then I must know just about everything because I teach middle school.
Now, people who are being logical and rational (and not in fight or flight mode) realize that suggesting middle school or high school age people quit school is a terrible idea. Those same people probably realize I know tons of information, but not even just about everything. I do know very random information, have a knack for remembering useless statistics, and the ability to come up with an excuse for everything...including actually writing a blog. I can't call it starting since it started in 2009. *Tangent: I started it at a two day tech. workshop, but using it didn't fit in my lifestyle then and may still not now, but we'll see.
I hope I have something interesting things to share with you. I have drafts of blog posts (in my head) on topics like my classroom makeover (for the love of Pinterest!), how come Miss J-Dub, and cool projects I'm doing or have done with my class.
Blessed,
Miss J-Dub
Now, people who are being logical and rational (and not in fight or flight mode) realize that suggesting middle school or high school age people quit school is a terrible idea. Those same people probably realize I know tons of information, but not even just about everything. I do know very random information, have a knack for remembering useless statistics, and the ability to come up with an excuse for everything...including actually writing a blog. I can't call it starting since it started in 2009. *Tangent: I started it at a two day tech. workshop, but using it didn't fit in my lifestyle then and may still not now, but we'll see.
I hope I have something interesting things to share with you. I have drafts of blog posts (in my head) on topics like my classroom makeover (for the love of Pinterest!), how come Miss J-Dub, and cool projects I'm doing or have done with my class.
Blessed,
Miss J-Dub
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