A Teacher's Daze

During my family's recent vacation, I was browsing through a gallery of hundreds of posters when I came across the above picture.  My first reaction was to read the caption again, to make sure I read it correctly.  My second reaction was to smile at the irony of the words, especially considering the "dated" illustration chosen to accompany it, and "yes" I have to admit, my third reaction was to take a picture, so I could share it on my blog, as well with my students.   Now, please don't over react and assume I "agree" with this humorous statement.  Obviously, the suggestion of the mother is in direct contrast to what a mother would "normally" say to warn a child of danger.  The author of this illustration and caption combination is simply identifying with a harried mother of small children by using a gross exaggeration, to say the least.   I walked away with a wistful smile remembering days when I was a sleep-deprived mother...

Wow.... 48 pages of what to do to become an M-STAR teacher..... I'm wondering if this is just too much information to digest at one time, or is it just me?  I'm also wondering why I am pondering this on July 10, when I should be enjoying the precious time we have left this summer. I suppose the next couple of years will be interesting.  I'm all for becoming the most effective teacher I can be, but I don't want it to interfere with the teacher that I am.... does that make sense?  I know there are always more effective ways things can be done, but there are also things that are individual to every teacher that works for him or her.  Can a specific guideline take that into consideration? What works for one teacher in one situation may not work for another in another situation, so that leaves me with a lot of unanswered questions.  My solace is I'm quite sure I'm not alone.  :-).... It's always good to have company.  Smiles. Hmmm.... there are s...

Memories wash over me, slowly, almost painfully.  I've decided upon "bittersweet" to describe that late day in May of 2011.  The excited chant of children at a pep-rally, but this was no ordinary pep-rally.  It was a day to celebrate the student's hard work throughout the year, preparing them for the MCT II that loomed ahead.  I joined a group of bouncing 4th graders wearing matching yellow shirts.  I watched in admiration as their teacher's enthusiasm matched their own.  My own son was privileged to be a part of this group.    From the beginning of the school year, I knew Ms. Blackwell was one of those teachers that a child never forgets.  My son, a good student, but always a bit timid, began to become more animated than I had ever seen him, describing his school day.  I realized he was learning and at the same time having a lot of fun.  This is not an easy feat for a teacher to incorporate into a classroom, especially wi...

I do not pretend to know the answer to my own question.  I do not know "exactly" where to start.  What I do know is a "start" is needed; therefore, I chose to begin reading historical fiction, which is a good transition from fiction to non-fiction, in my humble opinion.   After teaching English for 22 years, it's easy to get boggled down in doing what I've always done.  It's easy to rationalize that what I've always done has brought about, for the most part, effective results.  However, it is folly to imagine that there is not room for improvement.  So, I'm beginning in a way that I see as profitable.   Most teachers will agree that the more one knows the subject matter they teach, the more effective their teaching.  There is, obviously truth to this.  It's not the only way a student learns, however.  A teacher who can whet the appetite of young readers with books and stories that appeal to their curiosity will go on to read books that t...

Watching this video, filmed of my boys in 2003, brings back memories of days gone by, as well as memories of many of my high school seniors who have, since that day, gone to war.  Now, 11 years later, my boys are almost grown. I would like to say "thank you" to every soldier who has fought in the name of freedom so that children around the world can continue to pursue their dreams.  I am blessed to be living in the United States of America. So, on this day, July 4, 2013, I would like to salute the American soldiers who have taken time away from their own families to go overseas, as well as to the families who have had to go on with their day to day lives without them.  Some soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice and there are no words worthy to write that would convey my gratitude and respect for those men and women who died as heroes defending the freedoms we enjoy today.   In my feeble attempt to say "thank you," I would like to post this video in honor o...

As I was checking out at a store, I noticed these little packaged boxes with "Boogie Board" written on it.  (okay... OKAY... I admit it... I fell victim to the oldest trick of getting people to "notice" things for sale:  Putting it near the check-out counter....)  Anyway, in this case I consider it to have been advantageous, not just for the store owner, but for me, the consumer.   Basically, a "Boogie Board" is about a 1/4 of an inch thick board a little bigger than a 5X7 photograph.  It comes with a stylus, a screen cleaning cloth, and a clip-on for the stylus.  Also, it features an ion battery that never needs replacing.  The way it works is very simple.  You write something on it, and then you push a button, a light flashes, and you have a "clean slate."   Possible uses in the classroom quickly came to my mind, as I was standing there at the check-out counter.  So, what do I do?  I buy it.  The more I got to thinking...

No bears, I mean.  However , there is one "tiger" cat, who is, admittedly, a bit overweight and doesn't attract quite as much attention as a bear, but she's a good sight for me, (despite the fact she snubbed her nose at us when we first arrived home, as if to say:  " Hmph!! So... You finally made it back! Yawn.... Now, where's my treats?") Ahh, yes... but I'll take my chances with a pre-menopausal cat against a black grizzly bear, any day!  Smiles.   It's always great to get away, but the luxury of your own bed and bath..... well, that's just hard to beat.  So, I guess I'll use a saying that trite, but true: "There's no place like home!"