LOVE

Not that I'm counting

but I have the seniors for 7 more days (technically 5 days of econ - random activities on the other two days) and 19 until I'm on SUMMER break!

I think I'm counting more than the students. Tuesday I told the seniors it was their last day of vocab... they were pumped... Wednesday I told them it was the last map day... even more pumped! Today... last day of notes, tomorrow, last test! (I might be more excited than them.)

They've been reflective lately, so I'm hearing about this year from their perspective. Kinda fun :)

Found... in the last place I saw it

September 1st, 2008: I bought my sister's birthday gift and put it on a shelf in my room, all set to give to her the next day for her 19th birthday.

September 2nd, early morning: it's gone. I know it was there when I went to sleep.
September 2nd - September 9th: where the heck is it? I searched EVERYWHERE! No, I'm not forgetful. I just have this little problem with sleeping at night. I don't sleep when I go to sleep. Part of my mind does, but part of it doesn't so I'm really busy for bits and pieces of the night. Part of that is moving things around, losing them, getting lost myself, etc.

Fastforward.

April 27th, 2009, 2:55am: (pretty sleepy because it's the middle of the night) Will you look at that? It's right where I left it, on my shelf. Where my phone is supposed to be. Shoot!! Where's my phone?

I found my phone (whew! It didn't take 8 months) and gave my sister her birthday gift. Late's better than never, right?

Turns out, I like this whole finding things in my sleep a lot better than losing them. What's it going to be tonight?! :)

Still learning!

Today was an unbelievable day*!

*For the part of me that's a teacher... for more info, read on.

I went to a World History and Geography workshop and out of my 8 (yeah, 8 -- I think I'm overloaded!) professional development days this year, this was definitely the best.

• I got tons of free stuff for my classroom. Mostly lesson plans, something that is really valuable to me :)
• I'm very excited to try some new things!
• I got help with something I've been trying to figure out in my head since about January...
• I have a new method to try with my students that I think is going to make me a better teacher
• It was a hands-on workshop and it felt really good to have to think that hard - to do all of the activities that I'm going to make my students do. I think that's why I'm so excited about it. I tried it and loved it and it's not about memorizing or having lots of prior knowledge. It's just about working really hard and making connections. So it's for all students, not just the ones who love history or are really good at it. I'M PUMPED to try it!! I'm always trying to find new ways to relate the material and have the students do hands-on learning (rather than having them sit there just listening to me and taking notes. Too much of that is boring for me and them.)...
• I also got some information about workshops this summer that include graduate credits - something I'm actively pursuing and have to get figured out ASAP!

hmmm

Sitting around on this lazy Saturday thinking...

I've had a voice on and off this week. Last night was definitely off, and today's back to on and off. My students got a real kick out of it, especially on Wednesday. They said it sounded like I was either about to start laughing or crying...

I coached a team in a local school competition the other evening and it was a blast! It was the first year our school did it, and my team is already excited to go again next year.

The math side of my mind likes to build things and I haven't done that in a long time, so last night I bought a Lego set to make a plane and helicopter. I think I'm going to break it out this weekend.

I'm getting excited for the second round of the playoffs - go WINGS!

11 days left with my seniors; 23 for the rest of us!

This picture is from our NY trip. Julie thinking about not sure what. Heather in the background trying to capture the city.

Enjoy this last April weekend!

April 21st. wow.

It's 11:44am and I'm on blogger. It's a SNOW DAY. On April 21st. Wow.

I hope this doesn't mean we have to make up a day at the end of the year. I heard a rumor this morning that we're going to have to. :S I'd way rather be going today than at the end of May.

Oh well, I'm using this day to get better. I still don't really have a voice and I think if I was teaching all day it'd be completely gone. So I am thankful for that!

Here's a look at my car this morning.

Sunday nights

One thing I loved about summers when I was in college was Sunday nights. You could enjoy them without having homework hanging over your head, no stress; it was such a free feeling.

I have a feeling that's going to be one of my favorite things about this summer. It's Sunday night right now and I'm not relaxed at all. I have all of these things going through my head: the Watergate Scandal (US History), the US's trade relations with the rest of the world (Economics), the Cold War (World History), online safety and social networking (Current Events), and comparing a free market economy with a command economy (Civics).

My countdowns:
16 (school) days with the seniors!
33 (school) days until SUMMER!!!
Then I can really enjoy Sunday nights. Yea :)

Happy 25th!!

Wishing Liz a very Happy 25th Birthday!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 80s girl!!! Hope it's a great one! :)