For All of You Parents Out There

It’s a bit early to be thinking about heading back to school, but I just came across this video and thought some of you might be able to relate to it. Enjoy!

Questions, Questions, Questions

The first writing assignment my students received this year was called the Million-Word Essay. The challenge: in a million words (or less), tell me everything there is to know about you. I think next year I may want to emphasize “or less“!! Of course, when you ask students to write about their favorite subject, they have plenty to say.

At the end of their essay, I asked them to ask me three questions on any topic. Here are a few of their questions along with my answers:

Will we be doing a lot of grammar or vocab?

Absolutely! I love nothing better than torturing…oops, I mean…helping students gain a better understanding of this wacky English language of ours!

What was the year your favorite class graduated (or will graduate)?

Oh, so NOT answering that question! There’s just no way for a teacher to answer that question without hurting someone’s feelings.

When are we going to have our dances?

There are two dances scheduled; the first you already know about, October 28th. The second dance will be in February-ish.

Do you drink coffee?

Ick. No. I do, however, love coffee ice cream! Weird, eh?

How will you include technology in our classwork?

Oooohhhh…excellent question! I have many ideas on how we can use technology this year. We’ll have the laptops in our classroom frequently, and we’ll get a lot of use out of our Google Apps accounts. Do you have any suggestions? How would you like to use technology in your classwork?

Do you believe in public humiliation?

Only for people who ask questions about public humiliation.

Who is one of your heroes?

Another excellent question! One of my heroes is Dr. Jane Goodall, the British primatologist and anthropologist.

Why are you such a fun teacher?

Cool question! Thank you!! I think learning is fun and I want my students to feel the same way. Of course, if you’re asking me questions about public humiliation, our definition of “fun” may be a bit different.

I’m really enjoying reading my seventh graders’ essays. I think I may have a few questions of my own to ask when I’m done!

Seventh Grade Visitor

I know my seventh graders worry about me growing bored while they’re away at P.E., but they needn’t be. Sometimes I have company:

You just never know who’ll stop by for a visit…

…especially when you leave the classroom door open!

 

Uber Coolness!

I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I’m so sad that we don’t have school tomorrow! I won’t be able to share my amazingly good news with you in person. Ah well, I guess I’ll just have to blog about it.

Great Google-y Moogle-y!!

So, guess where I’ll be going in July! Oh, yeah…that would be the Googleplex in Mountain View! I’ve been accepted to attend the Google GEO Teacher’s Institute. I can’t tell you how excited I am, but at the same time bummed that I won’t be able to share it with all of you. I’m sure to learn some amazingly cool stuff (yes, I said “stuff”!) about Google Earth, Maps, and Sketchup, all of which will come in very handy in the fall when I put you back to work!! 🙂

I hope you all are enjoying your first few days of summer. Read any good books yet? If so…why haven’t you posted them?!! I’m trying to decide which book I’ll read first: The Magician by Michael Scott or A People’s History of the World. Hmmm…

By the way…what do you think of your lockers now?

Looks pretty cool, eh? I’m sorry I couldn’t get all of them up there…y’all did such a wonderful job on these murals. One more thing…whose is this?!?!

It’ll be in lost and found! Can anyone guess what I was trying to do with this photo?

My Nephew’s Birthday

Saturday was my first “nephew’s” twelfth birthday. It’s hard to believe he’s already twelve! Why I remember when he was just a pup…

Yes, my first nephew was a puppy, but not for long! Somebody told me that having a sister ages you. Enter Grendel.

She’s not nicknamed “The Monster” for nothing, you know!

I’ve taken many pictures of the hounds over the years; it’s hard to choose my favorite. But this one with McBro is definitely high on the list:

It’s sure hard to resist this little face:

Happy Birthday, old man! You deserve a nap today!!

Give a Teacher a Flip…

…and what do you think the first thing she records will be?