February 18

Today in history, Mark Twain published Huckleberry Finn in the United States, to the future chagrin and delight of many a student. Hooray! Twain wrote largely inspired by his own colorful upbringing. This brings me to an interesting concept I hope to share with my students. It certainly is not my wisdom, but a well-known concept- "Write from what you know".
   So many of my students struggle to enjoy writing. If I can convey one thing it is that writing can and SHOULD be somewhat enjoyable. I know this is not very English-teacherly of me, but toss the rules out and just write. Write your thoughts, write random words, write down your lists of to-do's- groceries, chores, life goals- who cares?! Just write until you are comfortable with how easy it is and then write something real and true. Write thank you's to people who have made a difference in your life and then send them. Write emails if you can't stomach the thought of snail mail. It is good for you to use a pen and write. Then read what you wrote and read it to someone else and enjoy it. Stop editing yourself while you write. Do that after. Write NOW! Have some fun with it.

See you all back in

class!

February 17

Well, today is the day my mother, Carol was born, 64 years ago (cue Beatles "When I'm 64"). Because of this lovely woman, I exist. Oh, and my older sister, Jessica, too. My mom is the reason why I love reading and singing in the car and being silly with my children. My mom is the reason that I try to be a good person and I am NOT afraid of being honest. Thanks, Mom. I am glad that you are my mom.
   My mom just got an email address! I cannot wait to send this to her.

Lots of love!
Mrs Minaker

February 16

Today I submitted the #NaNoWriMo 2013 Novel, Nora Waite for the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. I have to be honest, the chances of me winning are pretty slim. I would be excited to just be entered in the second round. Just a chance to have a novel I am entering ANYwhere is pretty shocking. There is a voice, one I try to silence, that says I would never be able to accomplish anything so massive as writing a full novel.
Ok, it doesn't set the world on its ear.
Ok, it may need SERIOUS editing... (amateur, free editors may apply)
BUT it is my own. I wrote it start to finish. I won the NaNoWriMo.

And the voice in my head that says I can't? It's a bit quieter.

How can you silence your inner nay-sayer?
DO it. Don't wait.

February 15th

Here is the poem that I read for the Poetry Jam yesterday. Technically, today, very early today is the day it happened. It was good to share it.

Two years too late, Amanda P Minaker

The last time we talked on the phone

I was distracted.

Sorry about that.

The kids were loud, the day was long, dinner was boiling over.

I can’t remember what we talked about.

It was the last time I ever heard your voice.

The last time I saw you in person

I had company over.

The kids were playing, said only quick “thank you”, you didn’t stay long.

I wish I had made you stay for dinner.

It was the last time I ever got a hug.

I hope wherever you were at your funeral,

You heard all of the people say nice things.

They never seemed to say those things while you were alive.

I hope wherever you were at your funeral,

You did not see me, unable to speak.

But I told you I loved you on the phone.

I said thank you and hugged you that day in January.

And there was no way I was ready to say goodbye.

So I write this poem for you.

It is not enough.

There is no grave to leave it.

I am two years too late for the funeral speech.

I have no regrets.

Feb 14- poetry jam

 Success! Our First Inaugural Worthen House Middle School Poetry Jam (working on the title) was a success! Thank you to the parents, students and staff who put effort into making this such a lovely day!

  Not only were the poems very good, but the chance to celebrate and luncheon was such a nice experience... I am so thankful for the day.

Thank you Penny Hamourgas, Voula Danas, Stacey Theofilopoulos, Mark McKellar, Maria Booras and Pam Murphy. You guys ROCK!

Thank you, Helen Gaudet for making sure it all went smoothly from behind the scenes. :D

February 13... another snow day

I feel like a kid again... I could barely sleep until I knew that we were, in fact, having a snow day. I wasn't keen to give up a day of teaching but I knew if we had school today, we would have struggled through the day with some MOPE MOPEY Middle Schoolers. No, thank you! I am all for a snow day today, because I am looking forward to tomorrow SO MUCH!!!! Have I mentioned that we are having a poetry reading at The Worthen House Cafe.... GET YOUR POEMS READY, Students!!!

Feb 12

Today in history Abraham Lincoln was born. In class, we watched Abraham Lincoln's biography. My 7th and 8th graders had a chance to watch this in class after getting to attend a Valentine's Day themed Art Class at The Whistler House Museum. Their lives are pretty rough I tell you. And they get to do extra credit... and it was gym day... and there was a sub.... and likely a snow day tomorrow. Oh, to be in middle school.

Meanwhile, I encouraged my students to push themselves with their poems. What began as an assignment has turned into a moment for them to open their souls. I look forward to sharing all of their poems, and sharing my own as well as hearing the other teachers and just celebrating the day.

Hope the snow cooperates!!!!

:D Enjoy the snow day, guys!

Feb 11

Tuesday is a day of excitement. While I am trying to focus on teaching today, I am wondering how my youngest is doing. All. Day. She is spending the day with a friend of a friend. She has never been there. Yikes. She is a sweet girl, but VERRRRRRY feisty.  This could be a bit disastrous.

In other news, we continue to plod ahead with Poems. In order to inspire my students we wrote six word summaries. Then we performed them. 6th,7th, 8th graders all got into it. These students love to perform. You gotta love seeing them laugh and enjoy class, even if the six word summaries do not seem like much. I took away the intimidation from their writing and encouraged them to go with their gut. It was successful. I knew it might work- it had worked well in my other classes- but you never can predict these things completely.

In history news...
  We are learning about the Caribbean and Central America and words that were used in a text (Circa 2003) that are no longer appropriate. Yikes. While trying to explain all of this, I find myself going back and relearning, multiple times. No easy task. Still, this is what we sign up for as teachers.
  I am also teaching US History- I find I do enjoy this new task and there are definitely parts of history I find enjoyable. I am trying to both cover the material and welcome other dimensions as well. We are watching videos, looking at art, listening to music, creating discussion and writing about it. What else? If only I had a time machine....

Feb 10

Monday, Monday...
 Back to class and students are assigned a creative poem. We are sharing the poem, performing really, on Friday. I am beyond excited about this. We will be at the Old Worthen House Cafe where Kerouac and Poe and Ginsberg and more sat and thought and imbibed. It is a beautiful, old space with Prohibition stories as well as turn-of-the-20th-Century ghost stories. There is a fan system that is legendary and I hear the food is pretty good too.
   The thing I am most excited about is that instead of focusing on Valentine's Day, which thankfully Middle Schoolers are too cool for, we are focused on POETRY!!! I have really pushed my students to be honest, to be open and to say what they mean. I know this is tough and I see my students struggling a bit. However, when they push themselves and write honestly, what they find is how strong their write can be.
   4 Days to go! I cannot wait!

Feb 9, Education Rant

Student speaks out about Education's ills  Please click on this link and watch. Then read below.


As a newer educator, I say good educators find ways around the ridiculous expectations and paperjams to actually teach our students. Still, we should not have to do so. It isn't Common Core that is at fault. If you would like to blame you can point to many things. No. To understand you have to go back and back - to those "founding fathers" we love to laud.

Why were schools, as we know them, formed? Because we weren't allowed to let them earn a wage anymore and what do you do with all those free, unorganized children? You keep them busy and add on more time in educational institutions who largely do not, or cannot meet the real needs of future adults.
This is a system that has made changes in the past. We are very overdue for a major shift right now. If you want to be mad about Common Core. Ok. Did that help? No? Then stand like this student, speak out eloquently and keep speaking up. We need to fight so we CAN teach and students CAN learn. No easy fix.
Rant over.

Feb. 8, 2014

Olympic fever!!! Woke up to hear US won a gold. Now we are watching ice events- speed skating, ice dancing, women's hockey. Looking forward to the girls skating on our own backyard ice rink. Love the winter! 

Feb. 7, 2014

Home again... 

  Today, I am home with my youngest who is STILL ill. We went to the pediatrician AGAIN and she has pneumonia. At least we can treat this. I was able to get many things done and enjoy the girls. Not a total loss. :) 

  I have to admit I am doing a bit of writing on a new story. It is a zygote of a story so no announcements yet but I did get my wix website up and mostly running. Exciting stuff!

  Of course I also spent time getting ready to come back on Monday to teach like my hair's on fire! Working on better reference materials for sixth grade social studies ( Maps, maps, maps!!!) more interesting ways to tell history (YouTube fave crash course and more mixed media) to seventh and eighth. And of course, more fun ways to explore poetry! Just wait... Our big Poetry reading is Friday, February 14 at the historic Worthen House! So excited!

 Have a great weekend, all!

Feb. 6, 2014

Today I would like to take a moment to talk about someone I am lucky to be related to- well, at least by marriage! 

 My sister-in-law, Becca was married today four years ago. Isabella was a few weeks old, Harper was just two and in the wedding. It was a blur for me- so many things happening and taking care of two girls while also so thrilled to celebrate Becca and Josh's wedding. I was a freezing day. 

Still, my favorite memory was Harper's voice in the quiet, beautiful church. She was making sense of the wedding when she said, "They're getting married. Why not?"

   It was so sweet and instead of ruining the moment, it added sweetness. Still, one of Becca's favorite moments, too. :) fast forward four years and their son Brendan is almost two! Time is magical and swift 

Happy Anniversary, Becca and Josh!

Why not?

February 5, 2014 SNOW DAY

It was so nice to stay home and snuggle my girls today. We stayed in pajamas as long as we could- okay maybe we are still in them- and watched movies and relaxed. I had lists of chores and things to do but I gave us all a pass. We are all still recuperating so I didn't feel too bad about it. The girls went out to try ice skating on our mini-rink. Watching them learn from my warm couch was one of those mental picture moments I hope I always remember.
  To be fair, we do not always have those moments. I have been a teacher to ages toddler to high school for going on a decade, and the one thing we all have in common with few exceptions is that we are ALL trying really  hard to be great at this thing called parenting. Our children and students do not always understand. Some rare child may try. For the most part, there is no way they can understand because they have no experience like we adults do. It is hard to remember that some days. My six year old is good at reminding me if I forget. Thanks, dear.
  I am always amazed at how difficult our lives can be and how we just keep going. If you talk to your neighbors and friends- everybody has a story. Every one of us have our own situations we deal with every day. We do not share them- and thanks to teacher confidentiality I won't elaborate here either- but I just want to send out a message to say, "You are amazing, parents. Your students are intelligent and witty and kind and determined. They work hard and they keep trying. Thank you."
 I am doing all I can in my classroom to make sure I keep up my end of the bargain by asking my students to dig deep, work hard and consider bigger questions. My job would be much tougher if you were not doing what you do every day. The only reason I know that now is because I have a few years of parenting experience. Notice I did NOT say knowledge. The more time passes, the more I realize how much I have to learn. The best thing I have learned and try to share with this year's students is to not be afraid to make mistakes. I remind myself of that, too.
Hope you had an awesome snow day!!!

February 4, 2013 Tuesday

Today we are anticipating a snow day for tomorrow. The snow definitely has the students all excited. It brings me back to when I was a kid, hoping for a snow day, thrilled at the chance to play outside in the winter fluff. It really is magical.
  It's a shame we don't let the students play in the snow at recess. Their time outside becomes more and more limited. Sure a below freezing day may be too much. Rain, I get. But playing in the snow is a magical moment. There is something unique and childlike about twirling in the white flakes, catching one on your tongue and having a good-natured snow fight. What happened to sledding on the plow hills and building forts? With my post yesterday about influenza, I don't think it is any wonder this country girl is encouraging my two older girls to play outside for a bit when we get home. Homework time can wait tonight. Magic cannot.

February 3, 2014

Monday, Monday...
   Back to school for us, but a few Minakers are left behind. The influenza is running a scorched earth campaign through our house. I guess I could give you a history or the dirty details... but I won't. However, the problem with this particular Monday was that I was not able to get an appropriate amount of sleep. I need at least six hours. I definitely did not get six hours. Going to teach was a little bit tougher when your brain is not working properly. We all managed to survive and get a good amount done, but there were many times when I was just not able to recall a word or get my thoughts together.
  I will be back at 'em tomorrow though. Let's just hope for some more health in our house and a little bit less interrupted sleep!

Groundhog Day!

You may not know this, but Groundhog Day is an ancient tradition predating even Roman times. Groundhog day was actually referred to as Candlemas Day. Candlemas Day was the day priests blessed Candles, or said a Mass for them. Candles were used for light at the time and you would want it to last so you could conserve them. As this is the half-point in winter, this makes sense. Longer nights in winter, you need more candles.
So where oh where did our own Punxsutawney Phil come in?

Well, consider the song Old English recited:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.

Scottish had their own version and then it passed to Romans who conquered northern lands and this thought/tradition/way to predict nature landed in Early Germany. These Germans predicted that if the sun was shining on Candlemas Day, then an early animal leaving its hibernation, like say... a hedgehog (and then a groundhog) would see its shadow. They believed this animal was smart enough to know this light meant a second winter.
You may know, Pennsylvania had a huge influx of German immigrants settle here. They carried their traditions, language and culture to this area and thanks to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club ... our tradition of checking in with Punxsutawney Phil began.
Also, farmers knew if they were only half way through their hay they were ok... since this is the half way mark of Winter. 

Just in case you were wondering. So bless your candles, check your hay and just so you know, Phil saw his shadow today.
That's right, students. Six. more. weeks.

Thanks for the info
http://www.groundhog.org/groundhog-day/history/

February 1, RabbitRabbit

Isn't it funny when we come up with these ideas, these thoughts of what would protect us from the randomness of life?
Here are a list of odd superstitions we may all hold:
It is unlucky to see your face in a mirror by candlelight.
 An onion cut in half and placed under the bed of a sick person will draw off fever and poisons.
 If you use the same pencil to take a test that you used for studying for the test, the pencil will remember the answers.
 A red ribbon should be placed on a child who has been sick to keep the illness from returning.
A wish made upon seeing the first robin in spring will come true - but only if you complete the wish before the robin flies away.
 Bad luck will follow the spilling of salt unless a pinch is thrown over the left shoulder into the face of the devil waiting there.
Do not place shoes upon a table, for this will bring bad luck for the day, cause trouble with your mate and you might even lose your job as a result.
 If you sing before seven, you will cry before eleven.
All wishes on shooting stars come true.
 If you bite your tongue while eating, it is because you have recently told a lie.
Knock three times on wood after mentioning good fortune so evil spirits won't ruin it.
 An acorn should be carried to bring luck and ensure a long life.
Placing a bed facing north and south brings misfortune.
 The sound of bells drives away demons because they're afraid of the loud noise.

 Monday's child is fair of face;
Tuesday's child is full of grace;
Wednesday's child is full of woe;
Thursday's child has far to go;
Friday's child is loving and giving;
Saturday's child works hard for a living.
But the child that is born on the Sabbath day
is fair and wise, good and gay.

 To protect yourself from witches, wear a blue bead.

 Before slicing a new loaf of bread, make the sign of the cross on it.
 Never take a broom along when you move. Throw it out and buy a new one.
 To prevent an unwelcome guest from returning, sweep out the room they stayed in immediately after they leave.
 If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.
 Evil spirits can't harm you when you stand inside a circle.

 First Flower of Spring: The day you find the first flower of the season can be used as an omen:
Monday means good fortune,
Tuesday means greatest attempts will be successful,
Wednesday means marriage,
Thursday means warning of small profits,
Friday means wealth,
Saturday means misfortune,
Sunday means excellent luck for weeks.

There is a Norse myth about 12 gods having a dinner party at Valhalla, their heaven. In walked the uninvited 13th guest, the mischievous Loki. Once there, Loki arranged for Hoder, the blind god of darkness, to shoot Balder the Beautiful, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. Balder died and the Earth got dark. The whole Earth mourned.
There is a Biblical reference to the unlucky number 13. Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest to the Last Supper.
A particularly bad Friday the 13th occurred in the middle ages. On a Friday the 13th in 1306, King Philip of France arrested the revered Knights Templar and began torturing them, marking the occasion as a day of evil.
In ancient Rome, witches reportedly gathered in groups of 12. The 13th was believed to be the devil.
It is traditionally believed that Eve tempted Adam with the apple on a Friday. Tradition also has it that the Flood in the Bible, the confusion at the Tower of Babel, and the death of Jesus Christ all took place on Friday. Both Friday and the number 13 were once closely associated with capital punishment. In British tradition, Friday was the conventional day for public hangings, and there were supposedly 13 steps leading up to the noose.
Numerologists consider 12 a "complete" number. There are 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 apostles of Jesus. In exceeding 12 by 1, 13's association with bad luck has to do with just being a little beyond completeness.

 and so many more... What superstitions do you hold? Why do we hold them?

Found on February 2, 2014 at http://www.corsinet.com/trivia/scary.html

Not so successful at this every day thing...1/31/14

Jan. 31-
   A great day teaching. Both girls back to school but WOW! So many students missing. Teachers missing off and on all week. This flu has definitely been wiping us out. Despite all that, our students are cranking it out!
6th Grade- We have begun poetry unit, although a bit less ceremoniously than I had hoped. It has lagged with my illness and others. We are also learning about Central America and Caribbean. Not required according to MA but very good ground to cover for the students.

7th Grade- My three seventh graders are focused on creating a Lord of the Flies Minecraft play. They just can't get enough. (If you are from the 80s you will thank me when you can't get that song out of your head. :D) Also, we have learned about the firebrand Thomas Jefferson... the wheels of history move on...

8th Grade- We are finishing our discussion about Nazi Concentration Camps and the Germans- We read a combined read of The Book Thief and Night. Intense. Some great discussion and now the students have proposed some great ideas for culminating project. Can't wait to see what they come up with! We have discussed Immigration and the Industrial Revolution in US for US History. Time is marching a bit faster as we near our study of the events leading up to WWI.

This is a summary of my day- so not my usual witty banter. Still, really REALLY proud of all of my students. :D