What the Kids Say: Starting the Year Off with a Laugh

Me: Okay so I know who to grab your folders from tell me who you had last year?
Male Student: I had -, and she was a horrible teacher.
Me: You know we're friends right?
Male Student: Well, I guess we'll just call today opposite day.

Female Student: Miss if I don't have anymore room left on my paper should I get another piece of paper?

Me: Someone go ahead and answer that for her.

Male Student: Welp common sense would tell you yes, since you can't write anythnig else on that piece. Duh!

Me: Next time let's tell her in a nicer way, hmmm.

Male Student: Common sense is not nice, Miss.

Male Student: Miss, I just feel like your Attention Grabber is not my style. I want more of my style, my personality, but I don't know if you can handle it.

Me: Being as I handle your personality every single day during 5th period, I think I can handle it in a paper.

Male Student: Miss you know you like my personality, you know it, but don't worry I won't tell anyone. I know it would ruin your reputation.

Me: Please give me an example of "could", "would" and "should".

 Male Student ( referring to his best friend in class): He should have caught the football, so that we could have won the game! Just one catch and we would have won!

Hope these laughs get you through the last few days of the week. No worries, I have some pretty funny ladies too, you'll be hearing from them next time.

I WORKED OUT!

Yes all caps because, it's been just that long. Seriously, I worked out and hardcore at that. I did not go easy on myself and will definitely be sore tomorrow morning, but I'm already excited to workout again tomorrow.

Everyday I literally ( true definition) walk by a very nicely equipped gym in the athletic hallway I coach in and I finally used it for some good. I stayed to watch the 8th graders who I coached last year play since my 7th graders did not have a game and at some point I just decided, "Okay it's time to go workout" and I did.

The whole time players and a few student fans were walking by and I absolutely hate the idea of people watching me workout, I'm no Misti Treanor ( because I probably have her name wrong, I'm referencing the Olympic Beach Volleyball winner). I just kept telling myself, "It's okay I'm setting a good example of how to loose weight and be healthy about my body". I'm pretty sure I repeated that phrase about 20 times. But who cares because I worked out!

Ha, Gotcha Ya!

So if you thought that I was actually going to write down my daily schedule for everyday of the week - in detail, you have more faith in myself than I do and I thank you for that. Maybe one day I'll be on that level.

My days are busy, I know that and I know that school plays a huge role in my life because it can, I have no family in my town, no boyfriend, no pets, not even a plant. So school being the center of my world right now is not a horrible thing, it's when people who know nothing about what I do belittle and snipe at my career choice and profession that everyone starts simplifing my schedule and turning it into something it is not.

 With that said I did say I would tell you about it, so I'll throw out some highlights.

Wimpy Wednesday
I gave up, went home and watched seven episodes of the television show New Girl, I'm not a fan of Zoey D. , but those boys are hilarious. I did not clean like I should have for my friend coming into town the next day, I do not regret the decision.

Too Cool Thursday
I jetted from school right after duty, kicked the kids out and keep on moving because I had Educators Night in the Cultural District to attend. It started at four ( when all middle school teachers in my town are still in school, great time choice guys) so I was unable to catch all of the museums I wanted to, but all the swag I was able to grab at the ones I did attend was great.
I could not help, but think " This is what it's like for those "Young Professionals" who do happy hour and speciel events after work in places with great lighting and waitstaff involved. This was way better though, I can speak from experience because the one time I attended one I kept thinking, " These people are boring, you can tell they sit behind a desk and interact on a computer, not with over 100 brewing minds". I kid, I jest. Some of them we're interesting, but not as interesting as the wonderful art I saw, the interesting stories I learned and the funny ones some fellow teachers shared.

Freaky Friday
I did not teach, just give directions today. My friend was a guest speaker and the students had to write a response essay over her occupation topic. It was lovely, I acheived so many "To Do" items AND started planning a wonderful field trip for my English I students. Unfortunately 5th period was not welcoming to her when I was not in the classroom during passing period, but she did not inform me of this until later that evening. I made a phone call Saturday morning and after Monday I'm sure there will be a few more voodoo dolls in the world who look a little like me.

The Weekend
I purposefully did not plan on doing anything school related this weekend. My "B" team does not have a game Monday so I have before school and after school time to work in the room, I'm giddy like a three year old set free at the park.

I hope all enjoy their week, I will check back in and finally, we can talk about something else way more interesting than my schedule. I'm thinking decorating, I've been doing plenty of this lately at home and in the classroom and I could definitely use some help.

Today I'm a Writer, Tomorrow I'm a . . .

Bleh, this writing my schedule down is stressful, my memory is not over the moon about reliving these intensely busy days. Seriously, I leave the school with so much more to do because I have stuff to do at home. I need a "Bewitched" kind of moment, house cleaned with the twitch of my nose. Love it!

Tuesday the Terror, Oh the Terror

7:15a- Volleyball practice, from the beginning of September until the middle of April I'm at the school for practice by this time. I'm just thankful our school starts so late or else I would be waking up in the 5 o'clock hour.
8:30a- Run downstairs, get dressed. Run up stairs, check box. Run downstairs, set-up room and check e-mail.
9:20a- Teach. Like I've said before those first three classes are great independent works, but man oh man that last class is neither independent nor discussion ready- strictly guided.
12:35p- Lunch, quietly in my room. Life is good.
12:53p- They're back. I never realize how small my room is until everyone in this class is present and we're all shuffling and squeezing around each other to get from point A to point B.
1:53p- Answer a parent e-mail with a phone call. Handled it. Department meeting amongst the 8th grade teachers in order to prepare the script/outline and overall plan for our parent meeting Friday.
3:01p- Well hello 5th period. Otherwise known as the period that I talk the entire time because during the moment I take a breathe or take a sip of water some wiseguy jumps in to do his stand-up routine.
4:20p- School is out. And I'm meeting with a student who needs make-up work due to absences.
6:30p- I'm home early, what?! I rewrote the story Three Little Pigs for my class example then hightailed it out of there. Okay, okay, I was moving out the building so fast I may have forgotten to workout. It was worth it though I was finally able to hang some decor on the walls and talk to an old friend.
8:30p- Really quick I jump on the Internet to look up the information I need for class tomorrow and then boom I'm done for the day. I should be in bed by 11p. Oh snap.

Okay , but honestly I was only able to achieve three things on my to do list, bummer, but there's still the rest of the week. There is still some time AND man my rewrite of the Three Little Pigs is fabulous. I should sell it as a children's book .  . . naw, that would be even more on my to do list.
Please, oh please tell me about your day, did you stop to smell the roses? I didn't, but I did leave my scentsy on all night, oops,  so this morning my class smelled amazing.

Am I Doin' Too Much?

Maybe because I was aware that at some point I would have to sit down and write this post. Or maybe because it's the second game day of the year and I'm still adjusting. Maybe because it's Weekly Progress report day and for some reason those always cause chaos. Maybe because it's a Monday and man am I not a fan of Monday's. Whatever it was, this day has given me a headache, bellyache ( I did eat a lot of Salted Caramel Gelato) and I'm bummed because I didn't get to start my workout routine. Whatever, there's always tomorrow.

 

My Moving Monday:

7:15a- Blast out the front door with all my bags bummed because I didn't get to go in early, but thankful because I live for game day's when practice is an hour later.
8:30a- I made it to school by 7:45a started 8a practice on time and made my oatmeal with milk today. It's the little things.
9:20a- The tardy bell for class rings and we're off. It's a presentation day which are bittersweet. I love them because the kids are doing all the work, but hate them because there is so much work I need to get done teaching them.
12:35p- Lunch! Everyone eats with one hand, over a computer screen, holding a conversation, and blocking out the noise of screaming kids, right? Drew up my rotation for the game later and thought about how much I need to workout.
12:58p- Back to the daily grind. This class had some of the most creative presentations. Blown away.
1:43p- Conference!!! I made seven parent phone calls, turned in some forms, and laminated my word wall all in 45 minutes since I spent the last 30 minutes watching a co-workers class.
2:01p- Class starts, this is my "oh my" bunch. They make me earn my sweet darlings from the morning classes, but they are also some of the funniest people I have ever met.
4:20p- Brief meeting with some grade level teachers. Then off to coaching duties.
9:00p- Home. Home. Home. And tired as a snail on dry concrete. At least it's junior high, on the high school level I wouldn't see home until around 11p.
10:30p- Finally sent out the announcements to parents about the parent meeting Friday. Should write up my Lesson Plan Outline since the one up is officially WRONG, but it's not like anyone other than my boss reads it anyways. No worries, I'll have the right one up just in time for class tomorrow.

I should head to bed now, I want to, but seriously my head is killing me and I have to clean something. Bump that, I'll do some lunges and crunches before bed and call it quits. There's always tomorrow AND I did get all but one thing accomplished on my to do list, so the list has some vacancies.

Please, tell me about your day- from beginning to end, I want to hear all about it, including the part where a student threw up on you. True story,  a student threw up on one of my friends today . . .so  I guess my day  could have been worse.

Starting Off on a Good Note

So, in light of the Chicago Teacher's Strike CNN did a piece over a few teachers to explain why teachers do what they do despite the not always visible payoff. It was a great article that featured many different types of teachers doing what they love for various reason. Yet, typical, many people decided to focus on the gentleman who loves teaching for the vacation and the chance to be home at 2:15 with his kids, not the couple who both work two jobs just to stay afloat or the father furthering his education to ensure higher pay, but living in college housing with his family until graduation.

 Instead of all out complaining or jumping on my soapbox, that's just a wee worn out here lately, I'm going to sway with the crowd this one time, just this once, and focus on the schedule also, my schedule. For the entire week I intend to post my daily schedule on here, from top to bottom. Now I realize that every teacher doesn't teach what I teach nor do they all coach, but most teachers are doing more in school than just teaching in the classroom, so in the end the crazy hours add up just the same across the board- except for that 2:15 guy. Seriously, where does he work and do they have any openings.

Sunday_ Setting Up For the Week

10:40a- appointment at Apple because technology is just funny like that. Afterwards I grab four thumbprints from a local bakery and head to the school.
11:30a- Check into school and as always thank God I have a key since I'm a coach because my i.d. swipe still doesn't work.
2:40p- Leave the school after doing some classroom organizing, setting up some grades I'll enter later and redesign my desk number system to function better for all involved.
4:30p- Arrive home after grocery shopping for the week and cook a large lunch. Watch some online television, do some home decorating, and finally take a seat.
8:03p- Wake up from a crash out nap that started around six. Unfortunately this is the routine for my body due to trying to adjust to morning practices ( more on that later), but this is my week to nip these naps in the bud because this is just ridiculous. Read a little, procrastinate definitely and call my grandmother who I love and haven't talked to in ages.
10:30p- Lesson Plan, this actually doesn't take that long because I'm constantly planning ahead when planning so by the fourth week everything is pretty much filled in  and the longest thing is typing up my lesson plan. Enter grades, and save my weekly progress reports.

Usually I actually grade on Sunday, but do to a teacher work day on Friday I just stayed up to the school until 7:30 grading and planning our upcoming 8th grade curriculum grade meeting ( more on that later also). How did you spend your Friday night? Mine was "like" awesome ( swear if I read that word in one more formal essay!).

Every night I lay out my clothes for the next day and pack my lunch because I'm always running out the door, praying there is no traffic and carrying way to many bags. Bag lady indeed. What does your daily schedule look like, any fellow teachers who would love to follow the crowd with me feel free- let's show this typical world how so right they are about our easy schedules.

I Just Could Not Stay Away

 What can I say, I'm a Libra we like to weigh our options before making a lasting decision and my lasting decision was that this blog has been calling to me in my dreams. Okay, I  exaggerate. More like plenty of things are happening and I fill I'm in a better place to share responsibly ( that makes me sound less crazy, right?).

I've made some changes in my classroom that are making a world of difference,I've decided to actually decorate my dwelling, and the kids this year are some original characters- What the Kids Say is going to be a whole new world.

I still plan to use Tumblr and Pinterest, the education communities on these social networks are ridiculously amazing and have supplied me with so many ideas. So very many.

So stay tuned, start warming your minds back up to the idea of me and what I have to offer, promise I will not let you down.



Three cheers and a pat on the back to anyone who can name this show.