Hedgetoad Teaching

While volunteering today, I got into a conversation with a first grade teacher - we were discussing yesterday's Oprah with Rabbi Shumley on parents spoiling their children. It's one of the top 10 teacher conversation topics. Anyhoo... she told me that a parent had actually called her and started yelling at her because her first grader had come home and told her that they "had a field trip and went on a plane trip" and she had not given permission for the child to take a plane trip. Yah. We don't have enough money to buy all the supplies we need, but we do have enough to fly students around the country. This would be after another parent called the school to yell at the principal because a teacher had refused to allow a student to wear his coat home. Seriously.

School has been so busy this year - I thought that by the third year, I'd have some sort of system and be cruising along. Instead, I feel like I'm behind and running to catch up. I did get a nice complement from a student yesterday - during the club meeting (advisorship - new this year!) - the student said that I seem like I knew exactly what was going on and what needed to happen. Little did she know that I've been carrying over 100 essays around for two weeks and haven't graded any. This weekend I'm volunteering all Saturday at a cross country meet, going to a play and hoping that on Sunday I'll get to spend the day at Barnes and Noble reading all the new books that have just come out and can't afford to purchase.

So, my AP class wrote personal biographys from the point of view of a personal object. Some were wickedly good, some were boring as all-get-out... but none were terrible. That was a nice switch. I was also informed today that the syllabus for an English class at the local community college had been seen... and they were covering prepositions, so why was my AP course writing all these essays? They then spontaneously broke into the "preposition song" that everyone learned in 8th grade. Why is it that no one can remember the song in 9th and 10th grade?

I'm still waiting for things to settle down - so far, no luck. I'm still running around trying to keep up with grading and planning. I don't know why this year is so crazy, but I suspect it's all the extras I keep piling on. I'm advising a club, attending more meetings and doing home hospital for an ill student. Plus, I keep assigning writing assignments (like a fool!) which then have to be graded... did I mention that I have about 25 more students this year? For some reason the school is practically bursting at the seams. More are enrolling every day. We keep hearing every year that the population is on a downswing, but every year the classes are over 35 students on the first day. I guess someone is broadcasting how great we are all over the county. Yesterday, I went out to my aunt's to attend "Saginaw Day." It's a non-professional logger competition in Brooklyn, WA. I'll bet you didn't even know there was a Brooklyn in WA did you? Apparen...

With the first week under our collective belt, things have calmed down a bit. We had several other classroom changes in the school. Lots of lost kids and anquished cries of "unfair!" Hopefully, we've seen the last of them. In the meantime, I'm playing Whack-A-Mole with my new class... they are not happy to have a teacher who believes nap time stopped being a school activity in Kindergarten. Every time I get one student on task, two more start. It's started to lessen as they realize that I won't just ignore them. Maybe in a couple of weeks, it will be up to par. This first week, I had the students write a story of their reading history. Hardest part? Getting the students to write a story - not another essay. Everyone has been so focused on writing essays, that students don't really understand how to alter their writing. We talked a lot of the differences and surpise endings... I'm really hoping that some of the stories will have surprise endings. Lucki...

It always amazes me that I somehow managed to attend and graduate from high school in relatively smooth process, now that I see it from the other side. How were master schedules planned without computers? And why did it seem to work so much better? Why is it that we're told ever year about declining student population and still end up with classes of 38 without loosing any teachers or sections? I'm a tad bitter at the moment. One of my AP classes was taken away and switched for an Sophomore class. Why? Oh, because I said last spring that anyone who hadn't completed the summer reading would be removed from class. This was before discovering that there would be no classes for those passive-agressive slackers to move into. Of course, in an effort to ensure they "couldn't" take the course, they just didn't bother to read over the summer. You want to see a freaked out teenager? Tell a 4.0 student that there's now, no way for them to achieve an A in their En...

Last night I had my first school related nightmare. It wasn't that bad, really. I guess I'm getting used to the dream students not listening to me, loosing important papers, running out of time and loosing the seating charts. My dream self didn't seem as stressed and I didn't wake up with my heart pounding. In fact, I woke up thinking "man, I miss that kid - such a PITA, but I really miss having him around." The school secretary also called me yesterday to remind me that I need to use my 7 hours of prep time before next week. I wonder how many other slackers got the call... ? The family reunion was great. From the outside it probably seemed a tad strange, but it's us. We had 3 dogs and 6 kids under the age of 10. All of the ladies over age of 30 were knitting/crocheting most of the evenings and my great uncle told his 87th rendition of the story of the Keopke Brothers. The Keopke brothers were neighbors of my great-grandparents. "Bachelor boys;" ...

strawberry mountain Originally uploaded by Hedgetoad . I'm off for the annual family reunion in the wild's of eastern Washington. No TV, radio, cell phones, computers or news of the outside world. (every year, it get's a little hard to leave it all....) This will be a good thing because I have several books that I want to finish reading and need to finish reading, could possibly do some planning for the coming year (probably not), and be generally relaxed. It's also good because I'm sitting around waiting for a phone call that does not seem to be coming any time soon, and I'm not really sure it should be coming soon but really want it to come soon - how's that for cryptic? Yeah. Anyhoo, it's not coming this week so I might as well go to place where I have to hike 3 miles up and climb up a particular rock to get a cell signal where messages can be checked. At least I'll be doing something productive with the waiting time.

There was an intersting post on I Thought a Think about possible changes the state will be making soon. I found it interesting that the salary schedule is being looked again. I always find it intersting that teacher salaries are such a huge issue... because we're so overpaid, obviously. If you're not from Washington state, you should know that all teachers are paid the same basic wage. The "salary schedule" lists what salary at teacher would be at based upon number of credits and years teaching. COLAs are not included, and let's not get started on them. What this means is that I make pretty much the same amount as someone who lives in Seattle (with the same education and experience "steps".) Hence the reason it's being examined once again. Seattle is an expensive town and apparently, so are the Tri-cities. Other places, not so much. It seems unfair doesn't it? Well, yes and no. The salary schedule came about because some school districts with ...

Harbor Seal , originally uploaded by Hedgetoad . How did I celebrate my birthday? With raw fish! A friend and I drove down to Seaside, OR and fed the seals at the aquarium. I thought that the babies looked a lot like my little baby Keavy (who's not so little, and has had babies of her own)... but still I missed her. I'm going to be one "those" mothers some day, depend on it. I also bought my first raincoat. I've lived on the west side of the state for 2 years now and never had one. I'd say I finally broke down, but actually, it was a 70% off sale at the Eddie Bauer outlet that did it. It was so cheap, it was criminal not to buy it. I also bought a really cute wallet - again so cheap, there's no way I couldn't buy it! Of course, this means, I'm totally broke for the rest of the month... oh well.

zuchini , originally uploaded by Hedgetoad . My garden is going gangbusters! When those tomatoes finally ripen, it's going to a salad extravaganza. The Zuchini will be shredded and frozen to be added into everything this winter. Did you know that you can add vitamins and fiber to almost anything by just putting in some zuchini? Oh, yes. I will be full of vitamins this winter. I guess garden is kinda a misnomer. It's really a couple of areas with plants. The back yard was totally planted with grass. No beds at all. Removing that grass is quote a chore! Digging, "lasagne method", what ever... it takes forever. And you have to vigilant about straggling grass that tries to reassert itself... weeds, weeds weeds! Even more shocking? I love it.

I've been watching it for the past hour, cracking up every stinkin' time.

I wish I could write about the things that really bug me... but then I realize I'd just be pissing in the wind. Then again, what the hell. The Science Goddess wrote a post about dress codes . Apparently, her school doesn't have one - which is a little shocking, but maybe they also have parents who actually pay attention to their kids and aren't usually high. Who knows. My school does have a dress code. I believe it applies to anyone who overweight, a minority or acts like a bitch to their teachers or has one of three classes. For the last month of the previous school year, one student wore a garbage bad to protest the enforcement of the dress code. It seems that it is regularly applied to her (minority!), usually while sitting next to a female student in blatant violation. Using the WASL prompt "what rule would you change and why" guarantees a dress code diatribe from every girl over 140 pounds. It really pisses me off. Especially when I say something, the respons...

Final Analysis of the writing and reading modules from the students: Most said that the writing modules helped them create better essays. Their body paragraphs were more detailed and "layered." Overall, they were more organized and made sense - or at least they got fewer comments like "what does this mean?" and "what are you trying to say?" Several mentioned that their conclusions were stronger and they finally understood what write in the conclusion. Other mentioned that their introductory paragraphs had "hooks." The reading modules... well, teaching reading in high school is tough. I think we can all agree that everyone expects that students are able to read in high school with no problems - even the students themselves. Reading smarter, rather than harder is a little difficult to teach to those who believe they already know how to do it. They did get some good during-reading strategies from it, but how often they will be used outside of this ...

I've been noticing a lot of posts about spending on school supplies, how much to buy, what to buy, etc. For a new teacher this can be an exciting but daunting process. (who doesn't love to buy school supplies?) How much do I spend? Actually, not a lot. Most of it is replenishing my "prize drawer." My secrets: Golf pencils . They're never on sale, but you can get a box of 300 for 7$. When I'm close to running out, I make the frequent users give me a nickle (they usually don't have one, so give me a quarter and feel really generous). to buy a new box. I never give out pens - they can borrow from a classmate if needed. Try hitting up friends who work in offices. My mother sets up a box every August for people to donate school supplies . When the box is full, it get split between my brother, my aunt and me. I still have paper from last year. We get everything from crayons, calculators and lots of paper! For new teachers - at the end of the year, ask your stude...

One thing that always hits the teacher's budget is "school clothes." I bargain shop. Last night, I bought a really nice skirt for $5 (was $44!!!) and two nice type t-shirts to go with it. They were $6 each... yes, the t-shirts cost more than the skirt. JCPenny's is having one rocking sale at the moment. I've also gotten great bargains at Christopher and Banks - we call it the "teacher store" because they sell A LOT of thematic sweaters with all sorts of crap sewn on. All seasonally appropriate. If you teach elementary school and haven't been in, you are crazy! Check the clearance rack. I've found slacks for $3/pair and sweaters for $5 (normally $50). I've heard good things about Nordstrom Rack, but there isn't one anywhere near me. FWIW, Gap Kids clearance rack has shocking bargains as well. The one place I don't shop are discount stores (KMart, Wal-Mart, ShopKo). Although the clothing is cheaper on an average day, I've found that...

Next week will be the final week of summer school... I thought I was looking more forward to it than I did I the end of the school year, but then I looked at my class lists for the upcoming year. I'm afraid... really, really afraid. Where is my optimism? Where is my excitement? It fled at the sight of one class list. Does this mean I'm heading for a burn out? What does the third year bring? Besides stress, I mean. Help calm my fears... FWIW - still loving the writing module; still bored with the reading module. I think forcing students to do the reading module day after day borders on cruel and unusual punishment. Question - If your parents pay for you to go to summer school, at a price that is not "pin-money" in this local economy... and you choose not to complete assignments, not listen to instructions and act like a big idiot, why is it my fault you're grounded?

Several bloggers have noted that school supply sales are in full swing. While this may depress some, for me it means I can get my shop on for cheap. As I mentioned last year , July is the time for school supply shopping. Come August, you'll be paying full price thinking that it's a sale price... Target is one again offering 10-pack of 70-page notebooks for 1$. Also, 8-ct/mechanical pencils for 1$. 6 pack-glue sticks for 1$. 24ct/pencils or pens, 2 for 1$ Last week Staples had 8 ct. pencils/1 cent (!) and 3-ring folders also for 1 cent (perfect for photo copied "how-to" books for student work). They also had a 12 pack of multicolored felt tip markers (the good ones) for free with rebate. They'll be great for grading, since the red pen has been eliminated. And free is always in my price range. Although no one wants to think about school as of yet - keep an eye on the flyers. You never know when you'll hit upon a great bargin that will save you a headache in Jan...

Friday completed the first week of summer school. Is it what I expected? well.... yes and no. I only have one group of students - 16 students total. That makes grading a little easier. I say "little" because even though there are only 16 students, the state writing module has them writing 4 essays this week. It should have been 5, but we skipped a day because the time frames are little arduous. One student complained that we had done a week's worth of assignments on the first day. The class is geared for " level 2s " and very WASL oriented. However, I think there are only 4 out of the 16 who are eligible to take the WASL in August. Another 6 will take it for the first time in April 2007 and are taking this course for credit retrieval. The remaining 6 don't need the WASL for graduation, but do need an English credit. So kids, here's a warning. If you fail an english class, you'll get a solid month of WASL test taking. Talk about motivation against apa...