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!

When you have to call in a substitute...

So today presented that challenging task of deciding if I can be both Mother and Teacher. One must always take priority over another. I am alas, not able to truly multitask though I swear I have come quite close.
To all my students, I encourage you to live a full life of love and creative work. Just know, you will have to work at the balance. But you need that, don't you? At least I do. It has been said, "all work makes Jack (or Jill) a very dull boy (or girl)." Yes, my edits. So you get it. Work Hard but Have some fun and know when to let it all go. Just do your best.
Today, was a day when I had to forgo my Teacher Duties (stop laughing, that is not the word I said. Duty is a task or job. Geez.). When I was asked to put together my Substitute Plans for Today, it forced me to really think about the things I do in class. I am amazed at what we are able to accomplish in a day. I am also amazed at how tough it can be to put your thoughts into organized words. I do some things a bit unconsciously. It was a nice task to articulate my ideas. I saw on paper just how my ideas form and the possibilities that are a lesson plan.

And then my students started emailing me during class. Some were pertinent questions. Some were merely, "where are you?" It is nice to feel needed, but WHY AREN'T YOU WORKING??? Or why are you emailing me feline/bovine onomatopoeia?

Most of all, I hope that learning happened and that they missed me and... maybe for a snow day tomorrow. My 4 year old is really sick. If no snow day, I have some plans... so be ready TO WORK!