Being that it’s April, I’ve challenged my writers to write a poem for every day of April. In the spirit of doing what I ask my students to do, I’m jumping in. Here’s day 1. April brings showers: Of rain, of spring promise, of words Open up-let it pour.
Tag Archives: teaching
Exhibit B
You know you’re a teacher of gifted kids when you put out a test question that reads: “Robert goes to school at 7:35 and it takes him 45 minutes to get ready. What time should he get up?” and here’s the answer you get:
All in a Day’s Work
I always promise myself I won’t do it. I promise myself I won’t get behind on grading. I promise myself I won’t collect more work than I can reasonably grade. But when you see 37 different students for math alone, and you wait even a day or two to grade their papers, this is howContinue reading “All in a Day’s Work”
In Memoriam
Today is 27 years since the Challenger explosion. I was in eighth grade science class. Our teacher turned on the TV so we could all watch the historic liftoff. Yes, we were the jaded junior high kids, but we all felt a sense of pride as we watched the ignition, watched the rocket as itContinue reading “In Memoriam”
Rewards
So after being at work early with students, spending all six hours after school grading papers, making dinner, grading papers, taking care of my boys, and grading more papers, I’ve earned it. Bedtime before 10. I know you’re jealous. Try not to hold it against me.
What’s to Love?
So why is it, exactly, that I have taught for almost 18 years now without fear of burnout? I consider this week, a week so crazy I think it took me until Thursday before I had a real planning time longer than 15 minutes. A week so nuts that I was up every night lateContinue reading “What’s to Love?”
Happy New Year: Finding Resolution
As a self-professed blonkie (read: blog junkie; yeah, you can trademark me on that one), I’ve cruised around to various posts listing new plans and resolutions for 2013. So, of course, that set my mind spinning about what I could bring to the party. I confess there was something getting in the way, though. ThereContinue reading “Happy New Year: Finding Resolution”
A Job Well Done: Exhibit A
Snapped this photo right after my fifth grade math class. I love this stuff. See all those pencil shavings? Know what that means? People were making mistakes. Mistakes they felt safe enough to make. Mistakes that they cared enough to correct. Consider how important that is to a room full of perfectionists. Makes my day.
The Monday Morning After: Expectations
What happens when you combine horrific news, intense sorrow, a night of unsettling dreams, a Monday morning where everyone in the family oversleeps, and school the week before winter break? A day where I have abso-LUTE-ly no idea what to expect. What will the mood of the kids be? Will they have heard the news?Continue reading “The Monday Morning After: Expectations”
What I Can’t (and Can) Understand: A Teacher’s Reflection
It’s 11:22. So far this weekend I’ve easily spent five hours on school stuff – by the standard of most weekends, a light load. Perhaps I have a light load, but a heavy heart. Lunchtime on Friday was when I heard about Sandy Hook. We teachers talked about the events at the table and taughtContinue reading “What I Can’t (and Can) Understand: A Teacher’s Reflection”
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 