Miscellaneous Missives

Dear Iowa: just because he looks familiar doesn't mean you should vote for him... I'm sure most people are tired of hearing about the Iowa Caucuses, but I love caucus season.  Of course, I have the belief that Iowa is God's Country even if it leans a little to the right.  I blame this on the chemicals Monsanto and other evil giants put on the fields.  We have our crazies like Steve King and Joni Ernst, but they don't really speak for the majority of Iowans .  Anyway, this caucus season has been a bit confusing.  I'm not confused the Hillary and Bernie are running "neck and neck" although I'll admit, I really don't trust Hillary as much as I want to and will only vote for her when if she gets the nominee.  My confusion is on the Republican side.  It is disconcerting that Trump continues with his lunacy and leads in the polls.  My Iowa friends past and present have never shown such animosity to the human race.  Even the crazy local republi...

It's Friday!  It's been a long week, so I thought I'd share some cuteness.  This week's journal focus on polar bears.  After journals about Gordon Parks, a lighter journal entries were needed.  Yesterday we wrote about Bear in There by Shel Silverstein.  I'll admit that I was pleased when they said it was more difficult to write about silly poems than it was to write about more serious poems.  Today they had a quick write and a choice.  They could write about the video or the picture.  Awwws actually rang through some of my classrooms as they watched the video, and it certainly brought smiles to many faces.  Maybe it will even bring a smile to you. http://en.gmw.cn/2013-01/26/content_6517622_3.htm   Perhaps I posted about this last year.  The  week  of polar bear  journals  is one of my favorites.

I've never been a fan of the term Hump Day, but today is midweek.  Since we had a workshop on Monday, it's been an incredibly long week.  Wednesday, however, is one of my favorite days because my favorite spin instructor teaches an evening class.  Lately, C has been sitting next to me in this class.  He's this powerful cyclist whose numbers are always much higher than mine (way, way higher).  When he rides next to me, I tend to give it everything, so I don't look like a complete lightweight even though I really am a total lightweight.  Let's say that when I ride next to C, it's good for another 100 calories or more.   BTW- The cat video is a little Wednesday happiness from FB this morning, but I thought another FB post would be pushing it a bit. Happy Wednesday people.

My morning routine includes taking a shower while the coffee is brewing.  When I'm done with my shower, I eat my breakfast while geeking on the computer.  I start with my email (school and home), move to my Feedly account for news, and end with Facebook.  Today I actually spent a lot of time on FB as I did last night during the Iowa State win over Kansas.  To tell the truth, FB is a bit mind numbing this morning, and it might not have been the best way to start the day.  At least I now know, I'm a beagle and "no stranger to trouble."  I'll try to remember that when someone causes trouble in my class today.

One of my favorite things to do is post about school closing due to inclement weather.  Although many (perhaps all) of these postings are somewhat untrue, it gives me the pleasure and creativity to explore the what if in life.  Normally, people like my post and greet me with pleasantries about my wit and humor at work the following day.  Last night I posted when I heard we were supposed to get 6 - 8 inches of snow today, and I thought it was one of my best.  Unfortunately, two people actually commented in a manner that would have people questioning the sincerity and truth of my post.  This must stop.  It's appropriate to like it and perhaps comment about enjoying the snow day, but commenting in a manner that compromises my integrity is not kind and/or helpful.  Happy snow day everyone!

Our church puts together devotionals for Lent and Christmas and sometimes just because...  Members are asked to submit "short reflections, poems or prayers of your creation or those that are important to you...  For Lent the theme is "Into Your Hands" coming from Jesus' final words.  As I read the call for submissions, I thought of one of my favorite examples of spoken word for middle school, Hands by Sarah Kay, so I sent this off today. from Hands by Sarah Kay ...We used to have a game, my dad and I about holding hands because we held hands everywhere, and every time either he or I would whisper a great big number to the other, pretending that we were keeping track of how many times we had held hands... hands learn more than minds do, hands learn how to hold other hands, how to grip pencils and mold poetry, how to tickle pianos and dribble a basketball, and grip the handles of a bicycle how to hold old people, and touch babies , I love hands like I love pe...

Teaching is a difficult career (more than a job) although many would disagree.  Today Wing Young Huie made his third visit to my classroom.  Our focus today was looking at zines, thinking about the photographs, and trying to put words to what we saw.  As Mr. Huie presented, I sat on the floor listening and watching the students reaction.  To be honest, I also did a bit of crowd control.  Anyway, as I sat taking in the atmosphere, I realized the importance of having students write before they give their answers orally.  Sitting on the floor gave me a chance to reflect on my teaching.  What can I do better when I am in front of the students?  What makes students engage and disengage?  Wing Young Huie is a natural at engaging and changing with each class, and it was fun to watch. Since I was literally sitting on the floor next to them, I was also able to get more insight.  I know this seems weird, but it reminded me of the strategies us...

During our academic seminar this morning, students had a type of study hall.  I asked students to show me their grades and then focused them on an assignment.  When one student brought his computer, I realized he was in a reading intervention class.  From working with this student, I knew he was in the wrong setting, so I checked his test scores.  Although this student does little work, he's bright (maybe too bright).  Immediately, I questioned why a student who meets and exceeds proficiency was in a remedial class.  His MAP (the other ridiculous test we take) scores were low last year.  Would they really only look at one set of scores to place this student?  I called the student to my desk and explained why blowing of tests was problematic.  I also told him that I was going to get him removed from the class by the end of the day. As of lunchtime, he will no longer be in this class.  I know this because at lunch, he came to ask me, "W...

It needs to be more than this! "I've Been to the Mountaintop" Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, "If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th century, I will be happy." Now that's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up.  The nation is sick.  Trouble is in the land; confusion all around.  That's a strange statement.  But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.  And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding.   Something is happening in our world.  The masses of people are rising up... the cry is always the same: "We want to be free." Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave the "Mountaintop" speech the evening before is his death.  It prophetic.  Yesterday, a gentleman (retired minister) spoke in church about King.  The speaker was ...

"When something's cold, lemme put a little fire on it." ~Eddie Vedder It doesn't get any Vedder than this. I think that people who live in the midwest complain when it's abnormally hot (and/or cold), but many secretly look at it as a challenge.  Several years ago, I followed a friend's advice and only try to complain about one season.  When it's outrageously hot and humid, I try to keep quiet, so I can save my whining for winter.  It's another below zero day.  This morning I ventured out for church.  After church I went to the gym (Someone took my bike at spin class... B...).  Then I returned home to take a nap.  It was an hour nap.  This nap was followed by coffee, and even though it's cold outside, I'm happy with the world since I'm inside.  The good news is that we've almost survived another below zero day.  The bad news is that it's only the middle of January.  Cheers!

Dead of Winter White feathery frosts of ice on grass And trees.  Heavy frigid breaths to pass, With blustery icy cold wind on your face. Damp paths and wet cold roads trace A pattern and icicles hang from gutters. Mist swirls around wispy folds unwinds And forms cold clumps of foggy binds Like some super glue in low lying lands, That saps the strength and chills the hands. Of stamping feet of cold dead legs With cars not starting and batteries dead And frosted windscreens is enough said... ~David Wood As I post, it's -4º with a windchill of -24º, and the temperature is on the way down.  Today as I was drinking my morning coffee, looking at Facebook, and trying to rid myself of a horrendous headache, I saw some interesting advice on the screen.  A friend posted an idea that made me think.  He said one should buy hand warmers and keep them in the car to give to homeless.  This advice was followed by statistics of homeless who die of hypotherm...

I love Wednesday (and Sunday) spin class mainly because the instructor kicks my ass.  Other spin classes are OK, but I really like his classes.  Plus, most of the people who attend is classes are actually cyclists.  The best part is that it's a little community a bit like Cheers where people actually call to people by name.  Each class I try to get the same bike by the fan.  Last night a guy was using the bike behind me.  "Hey, you're on the same bike," he greeted.  Next, another guy sat on the bike next to me.  I remembered him from last year.  His numbers are crazy.  Last year, I would sit behind him and he amazed.  Although I can't recall, I really think his numbers were twice mine.  As we chatted to begin class, I told him I remembered him from my first times at spin class, and he made me throw my hands up and cry.  Well, I didn't cry on the outside nor did I throw my hands up, but I always remember him.  Anywa...

I have struggling readers in a group after school.  Sometimes (almost every day), it's a struggle for them to sit quietly and read.  This, of course, is understandable since they don't do well in reading and have sat all day in school.  They're social to quite social eighth graders.  Yesterday, I told them I'd buy them candy for tonight.  Then, I joked and said I was bringing them suckers to keep their mouths closed.  "Yeah, Blow Pops," one girl announced, so I bought them Blow Pops.  We'll see how tonight goes.

I will admit that I really like my students.  For the most part, they're good and kind and funny and honest... and ANNOYING. 1)  On Friday a girl stopped after school.  She said her parents wanted to know why her journal grade hadn't changed.  I explained:  1) Journal grades don't change.  2) A week warning was given before I graded them.  3) You haven't discussed changing the grade.   4) You haven't DONE anything to change it.  Do grades change magically?  Then I began to wonder...  Maybe I should call the bank to see if my checking balance has changed. 2) My "honors" class is doing basically the same assignment as my regular students, yet last night I received four emails from "honors" students about the assignment.  It's a complete learned helplessness.  Granted they had a honors science field trip yesterday, but the three students who were in regular language arts and honors science figured it out without any pr...

It seems my life is boring to quite boring.  I've been meaning to blog all week, but I haven't.  My excuses come in two forms.  The first is my boring life which is followed by lack of photos.  Tonight I decided to add something.  Perhaps a refresh of the return to work. 1) I posted a complete lie about calling in sick to work on Friday.  When I post this craziness, I know that most people know it's a lie, but I also wonder who thinks I'm stupid for posting that I'm calling in online.  Actually, I did it because I colleague posted about being at Lambeau next week for all to see and followed it up by calling in sick on Monday.  Duh! 2) I've been doing well with my gym visits.  In fact, after two of the three classes this week, someone has thanked me for being helpful during class.  Wednesday it was for encouraging a teen behind me during a tough class.  Today, a lady came up after the class and thanked me for helping, but I ha...

Happy New Year!  It's come to this.  Although I set some goals with a friend for our birthdays, I've also realized I need to focus a bit on my health.  I quit taking all of my asthma medications sometime around November.  When I went to give blood, I also realized my iron is low again.  To help with the iron, I've once again started drinking smoothies with kale and blackstrap molasses.  The berries' vitamin C should also help with the absorption of the iron.  In addition, I'm taking an iron tablet. Yesterday, I only made it through 45 minutes of spin class before I became too light headed to finish.  I'm not sure if this is because of the iron deficiency or the asthma, but I did use my inhaler before today's class.  Part way through I had a coughing fit and difficulty breathing.  The poor lady next to me asked a couple of times if I was OK.  I nodded, took a break, and continued.  At the end of class she asked if I had untr...