Miscellaneous Missives

www.collegefemme.com  - Most people that read this blog already understand that testing sucks.  I spent the last three days proctoring the reading MAP test for my seventh graders.  Yep, three days of sitting in front of a computer without being able to make the words larger to see, in a freezing cold computer lab with no windows, at the end of the school year (7 days left from start of test) to check the reading comprehension and reading growth of students.  This morning I tried to speak to one of the administrators about the inappropriateness of testing after Memorial Day with only one make-up day (Friday when other teachers are doing year end tests that actually show knowledge and probably aren't multiple guess).  After I had repeated myself several times, I stated, "I'm repeating myself." Instead of continuing the painful conversation, I decided to walk away and smack my head against a nearby brick wall.  Actually, I didn't have time to smash my he...

New Video: Prince 'Fix Ur Life Up' Yep, I've been playing Prince all weekend.  Fix Ur Life Up is one of his new songs.  I appreciate the message and may use it when I briefly talk about music/lyrics/messages during my media literacy unit.   Unfortunately, I am only able to spend a brief time on each type of media since I never have enough days at the end of the year, but it's also a great way to end the year because it engages the students and makes them think even as the days dwindle.  Currently, I use this link when I talk about music.  This year I think I'm going to add the Prince video.   I'll have time to consider since I have to spend the next three days in the computer lab testing the kids (again... MAP testing... Measures of Academic Progress... Yeah, this will go well after a three day weekend with only two weeks remaining).  Maybe I think too highly of my curriculum, but I think media literacy is more important than t...

stolen from Kevin Mazur Star Tribune I seriously contemplated spending $270 to see Prince in Minneapolis.  When tickets dropped to $99, I knew I had to go.  Plus, a colleague gave me advice on where to stand, and our view was amazing!  My friend, S, and I enjoyed our evening although reviews were mixed to negative.  Really?!  Of course, I'm not a music critic , but I loved the show.  Prince played his old songs although there was a new vibe to them.  He also did some guitar solo, covers, weird stuff which I thought was amazing.  IMHO, Prince is a true musician, an artist, an enigma, and I adore him.  Although it was my goal to see Prince live, my new goal is to see Prince live again (and again).  While standing in line the rumor was that Purple Rain was his last song.  When Purple Rain was played I felt melancholy that perhaps the show was actually over, but it wasn't.  Today I made a Prince playlist and headed to the gy...

I've been sick for two weeks. I haven't been to the gym or done any exercise since May 13th. I have eaten everything in my house. I have nothing to report, to write about, to share, to... I do, however, have images thanks to petswitch.com.  It seems the canine look fits me better than the feline look. No, I do not have anything better to do with my time.  I wish I did, but I don't... sorry.  

Today I introduced my media literacy unit without talking.  We did an activity that showed (human graph) the amount of time spent "plugged in" and the amount of commercials seen in a day (3000).  New terms were discussed (persuade, inform, entertain, transmit culture) and examples were give.  In some classes we even had time for a cheesy, but OK,  video at the end.  I did this with little (very little, really!) talking thanks to simplemeet.me.  It's an online message board/chat type of thing.  I typed in instructions and what I wanted to say.  Students responded and asked questions.  Some student even chastised me for using ppl instead of people (and others that I can't remember).  For the most part the class was a bit silent.  While some students found it strange, others are hoping I don't have a voice again tomorrow.  At least I know if I don't have a voice tomorrow (oh, please, let me have a voice),  can teach my ...

Since I have been staying inside trying to take care of myself, I have no pictures for my blog.  This is one of my favorite "cute animal" videos.  I used it at the beginning of one of my classes this week.  Adorable! This morning, I realized something that perhaps I've always know.  Urgent care doesn't mean your care is urgent to the physicians and people at the clinic.  Urgent care means it's urgent to the person standing in line who perhaps truly needed to make an appointment earlier in the week, and now it seems urgent.  Instead of going to church this morning, I drove to Urgent Car.  I left early, so I would be first in line.  Unfortunately, four others had the same idea and were in line when I arrived five minutes early.   Prepared to wait, I started reading on my phone.  When I was called back, the doctor asked me a zillion questions.  After I answered them, I took a moment to ask him what he was going to do about my ...

Even though we finished Louder than a Bomb on Monday, today we did a wrap-up in our journals.  Actually someone wanted the Chrome Books, so we did the Perceive activity orally.  I showed pictures of the major poets in the movie.  When asked what they Steinmenauts reminded her of, one student said, "Determined Raccoons ."  Although the word determined does describe the team, I was shocked by the use of the word raccoon.  The student is at least partially black.  I explained that determine was a good word but that raccoon or coon was derogatory.  A couple of boys (black) started to turn on her, and I, of course, stopped them.  For some reason, I think that she really didn't know what she was saying and perhaps understood as I tried to explain why it was a bad choice of animal.  Part of me thinks it's great that she doesn't know the negative connotation while to other part was dismayed.  Some teachable moments are more difficult than...

90º at 7:18pm.... so thankful to know the pollen cast is high... really! Today the temperature rose to 98º (98 dry delightful degrees).  Instead of enjoying the weather or going to the gym, I'm sitting in my house contemplating taking drugs and going to bed (at 7:18 pm).  It seems as though I'm asking for you to feel sorry for me, but I love the weather and will fight the allergies.  In fact, I even had a wonderful surprise on this glorious day.  My dad called at lunch and asked if he could take me out for dinner since he was driving through town.  On the way to dinner, I amused him with the story of today's seventh grade "girl fight" explaining how one girl's mom held her daughter's books and commanded her daughter to go get the other girl in the halls of our middle school.  Even with my creativity (not really) and wit (totally), he knew I couldn't possibly invent the story.  To further my description, I even drew the map on our table while we en...

For some reason, I've had difficulty blogging lately.  Maybe it's my ho-hum life.  No one wants to hear about my allergies, work-outs and/or numerous hours of school work. It's time, however, for me to throw something out there. It's time for me to start seeing my neighbors again.  Even though the green grass, budding trees and sprouting flowers cause me pain and suffering, there is NOTHING better than spring.  Returning from my bike ride, I was greeted by the wagging tail of Senator, one of my favorite neighbors, and his mom. We conversed about how people without dogs like myself hibernate most of the winter and then finally decide to make an appearance once it gets warm out. It's also time for Minnesota to join Iowa (and a few other states) by legalizing same sex marriage.  Friday I attended Happy Hour with several colleagues.  One was excited about the house voting for same sex marriage and continued clinking glasses in celebration.  Joking...

Yesterday was the first day that I worked out to my new May Mix.  I liked it so much that I set my alarm an hour early this morning to ride my bike.  Unfortunately, I forgot how much I liked it and went back to sleep. Just a Girl                                           No Doubt Sweet Nothing                                   Calvin Harris Livin' on the Edge                             Aerosmith All the Small Things                          Blink-182 Can't Hold Us                                    Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Shattered (Turn the Car Around) ...

I'm not sure why my Library Thing Widget on my blog has decided to put the latest books I've read at the bottom of the list, but I don't like it.  The last book I read (which is at the bottom of the list) is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks .  It should be at the top of the list.  Que Lastima!  Next I'll finish I Would Die 4 U:  Why Prince Became an Icon , and it will also be added to the bottom of the list unless someone is able to find a solution to my problem.  Anyone?

Random Church in Birmingham.  No buds on the trees near my house :( I'm starting to think that the snow is gone, not to return.  Thursday I actually wore a wool sweater to work.  This weekend I put winter in the past.  All of my wool sweaters have been taken to the dry cleaners.  My grill has moved from the garage to the deck.  The storm window on the deck door has been replaced with a screen.  The boots and winter kit no longer sit in the back of my car.  Instead my golf clubs have a new home.  My closet has even been changed although I really don't have any spring clothes.  Confidence in the coming buds and flowers fills my spirit.  We got this!  Unfortunately, the nice weather has given me the energy to take care of these tasks and ignore the schoolwork I brought home... oh well.