Lines, lines and more lines

I just thought this was cute . . . one of the art projects my 1st through 4th graders did. Made catapillers in a lesson of using lines.

Poor thing got smashed so the scanner made some dark marks were there are rinkles.

Mondays . . .

So I woke up this morning, and was ready for a new day . . . hmph! Actually I woke up feeling exaughsted and ready to go back to sleep. Then it hit me, I had the strangest dreams. Last night, I got caught up in the ABC movie "Path to 9/11" and I believe that it affected my dreams. OH no, I KNOW it did. I woke up this morning from a dream where I was a part of a taskforce to get the known and captured terrorists to cooperate with officials to peacefully and . . . I don't have any idea. I was a government agent, working to capture and glean information, and I did it all, without carying a gun or weapon of any kind. LOL, I also dreamed that it was World War II, probably as a result of a book I'm reading relating to WW2.

I can only immagine today being that of grief for many families and friends of those who died as a result of the plane hyjackings. To see footage of what was, the murder of a parent, aunt, uncle, child, spouse . . . everytime pictures and film footage is shone on TV. We're told that footage of Steve Irwin's death will never be aired, and that of other deaths that have been caught on film. This out of respect for the families as well, and yet over and over is played the WTC and the Pentagon. These families were in my prayers over the last few days, and my students' as well. Such sencerity from my 9th graders in concern for other people. They are such sweet, caring girls, and I'm proud to be thier teacher. :)

Guess it's time to turn off this computer and head out. I've got to purchase some charts for PE and get something to eat . . . GRRRRRRRROWL! my stomach can be heard echoing throughout the school practically.

Another Week!

Phew! this was a short school week, but my was it busy. My 9th grader's online school work finally arrived! Three weeks into the school year. It seems that it is pretty self-explanitory. YES! After installing it onto the computers, I was worried. It was a little tricky to install, it was all . . . disconbobulated (sp?)

I love four day school weeks, and then only three this week because of the holiday. It means that I can have a day off during the weekend! I can do planning or whatever needs done on Fridays and not have to work sunday, or vise versa. Most parents and students appreciate four day weeks too, Three day weekend. :) I'm blabbering . . . guess I'm exaughsted, and thinking about next week is ITBS testing week . . . hmph.

OH! OH! Yippee! I'm playing bass this weekend with my dad, and a few others here at the church. I have found a great book that I'm learning from, that is helping me with playing the cords!!! :D

ok, i've got to go to my lovely bed. the screen is weaving!

Frogland

For grades 1 - 4 art class we made 'Frogland'. Some cute little frogs were made today. Oh yeah, even the kindergartener who joins them in the afternoons did really well. Thier teacher wants to make them all F.R.O.G.S. this year. Friendly, Responsible, Organized, Growing Students. They've got frogs all over thier classroom, it's very cute. Even the stair case going up to the class room has these little frog feet flip-flops. Thier teacher will be quite pleased with thier cute little frogland pictures.

Drama, Drama, Drama . . .

When you start teaching drama to grade 5 - 9, it is quite the experiance. Some are such naturals and others give you a look that seems to say, "huh?" and absolutely no other thoughts. I've a few very talented young actors in this class, and they are going to do marvelously. I've one in the class, because he doesn't want to be in band or choir, so drama is his selected extra-curricular class. He's not much of a participator, unless you tell him he must, and even then, he barely does. Yet at the same time, he's so funny and polite, that you can't scold him. HMPH! Then there is the hyperactive one, who can hardly catch on what he is to do, because his mind is everywhere. You have to get in his face to get his attention to do it. He's really a nice kid too. Just well, has difficulty with personal space and social intellect. The rest are girls. OIY! What am I to do for plays that I was planning for this year. I've 10 in the class, and only 2 are boys. Hmm, well I can still do some of the ones, others, well, in Shakespear's era men portrayed women, and my girls can certainly act the boy parts.

What a funny day that is going to be, when I give a girly girl the part of a guy! Pre-teens and teens are sooo amusing when it comes to appearances. This is going to be a blast!

I've already talked with the pastor at one of the two churches, and he seems excited about the kids performing for church to help enhance the worship service. And Vespers! And Christmas, yikes, christmas. I've got to incorporate choir and band and the lower grades and kindergarten for christmas . . . ok, calm down, I've got a month to plan that one out!

YIKES!!! BAND! I can't believe I agreed to direct band. I was in band from 5th grade to my senior year. I'm nooooo expert on any one instrument. LOL, looks like though, band is of all flutes and clarinets, and one trumpet player! I think I'll call it Ensemble, and not band. LOL, what are we going to play with such a combination? Music searching is going to have to be even more specific now. Maybe I can convince some kids to join band that were in band last year (guess it was a scary and bad experiance) to play other instruments. :)

Prejudice Pride on a Monday, Monday

English for my 9th graders we are reading Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. It is entertaining to see them go from not really understanding the language used, to "I can't wait till English" "I'm sooo excited, I read up to Chapter 21! I'm sooooo glad she turned down Mr. Collins" I can't wait to see thier reactions to Mr. Collins and Charlotte, as well as what happens next. They are taking ownership in thier reading, and we will be able to have some awesome discussions about the book relating to today and history!!!

I find myself now relating to each of the characters in a little differant way then I had years ago when I first read the book. Experiances in life, and my current age and single life really puts a new look at my views of life and . . . teaching upper grades. Junior High - High School, is an intellectually stimulating experiance. Not that the lower grades aren't, but with older kids, they start to get more interested in indepth discussions about God, relationships (not just boy and girl ones, but relationships with families and friends as well). The students here are also a little more informed as well. They think for themselves!!! and for the most part try to express it as well.

As I'm writing this, my girls (for that is all I have in my 9th grade class, girls) are journaling. As am I ;) and they are getting so excited about learning to use the computer more. These girls just seem excited to learn. Of course they do get a little 'bored' with topics, but they have such great attitudes and are easy going. What a relief, with all girls. :)

It is about time for the fifth through eighth graders to come for social studies, so I must bring all our journaling to a close. Ah, it is Monday, but it is a good one. :) I can enjoy Mondays like this.

rest oh weary

It's lovely to sleep in a real bed! Air mattresses are ok on occation, but two weeks of pumping the bed up almost nightly, and then, getting out of "bed" in the mornings! Tonight is going to be wonderful. We're crowded in the house, two households in one tiny house . . .We've rented a storage unit until either the house in Wisconsin sells or we find a larger house to rent until the house sells. Or you never know what might happen in my life. HaHa!!

Exaughsting doesn't quite fully discribe how this day has been. First with rising early, after a late night, and all that benadryl from yesterday. Second, trying to find items that my dad packed, and make certain that some things came to the house for either my room or my classroom, and that he didn't use my clothes for packing around things. Clothing I must say is great for packing around breakables, but not when the breakables are going in storage and the clothes are not. OH well, how was he to know I guess. My dad was trying to protect my dishes. :)

Now the screen is weaving and my eyelids are drooping. I should go to my lovely bed. I'm sooo happy it is Sabbath!