tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59960236629653452832024-02-07T23:15:50.046-06:00Every Day Above GroundFlights of fancy, random musings, reminders that every day above ground is a good day.hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-26041945578620652142013-01-02T21:45:00.000-06:002013-01-02T21:45:07.613-06:00I tell people I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I always do. This year's resolutions include the typically annual "I want to lose weight" resolution. Yeah, yeah. But this year I actually have resolutions that may be achievable. (Don't even begin to explain to me how my losing weight resolution is reachable)
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1. Write. Write letters, write my blog, write.
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2. Be creative. Just make cards, sketch, doodle and no worries about quality.
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3. Pay attention. I slipped on ice in my driveway early in Dec. and later in Dec. missed a bottom step. It is time to be more in the moment and slow down (not slowing down so I am laying on the couch more often than I am now)and pay attention to what I am doing.<br />
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4. Make a list of chores, cross them off as accomplished, and complete the list.
That's it. And it's enough.hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-85744877050504848472012-03-07T16:38:00.004-06:002012-03-07T21:13:32.590-06:00Invisible Children”A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead<br /><br />In 2011 many in the world discovered the truth in Ms. Mead’s oft restated quote. For the first time since the 1960’s U.S. citizens discovered the power of their voices. Protests at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, and the Occupy Wall Street movement set forth a new course of political awareness and banished apathy from the political landscape. Last year the world watched as citizens in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya rallied and significantly altered the leadership in their countries; Syria continues its bloody struggle. <br /><br />Each town, state, and country faces economic, social, political issues that beg for change. Change that can be had when people share a vision, collaborate, voice their demands, raise funds, and relentlessly work for their beliefs. These people no longer say, “I’m too busy.” They no longer expect others to carry the burden of a movement. These people understand that being an activist is a positive and that activism takes many forms: making phone calls, going door to door, entering data, writing letters, raising/contributing money, participating/leading protests, promoting discussions on social networks. Most people in my social circle are involved in the recall of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Activism is a new experience for most of them and it is gratifying to see this interest in working toward a change. <br /><br />However, there is a young woman with whom I am acquainted who is working on a different cause at a different level. It isn’t a local cause and it isn’t one that is well known. It is a cause that involves a murderous African leader, innocent children, and a seemingly apathetic world. Now, many say that we in the U.S. have enough severe problems and should just worry about ourselves. Why would any of us want to dedicate our time and resources to people in other countries when we need solutions to our own issues?<br /><br />That isolationist viewpoint has validity. We do face serious challenges in the U.S. and we do need to focus our time and energy to fix those. But I believe we live in a global community, and if we do not work to solve the ills of others we will never totally fix our own because we are so internationally connected. I am not talking about military involvement as we have seen how ineffective that has been. I am not talking about donating money. I am talking about awareness and involvement.<br /><br />Jaime Landsverk is a 20-something Minnesotan who is currently working at an internship for Invisible Children at the main offices in San Diego, California. She is working to raise awareness about the horrors of the Joseph Kony led LRA (Lord’s Revolutionary Army) in Africa and to bring about his arrest. In brief, Kony kidnaps children and forces them into sexual slavery, into murdering their families and random others, and mutilating people for no other reason than to maintain his power. Jamie spent a month in Kenya last year working with children of Nairobi and volunteered in Haiti in 2010 so she is no stranger to acting on her beliefs.<br /><br />My purpose in writing this blog is to raise awareness of the evil of Joseph Kony and the horrors inflicted on over 30,000 children. They are not American children, but they are children who suffer in a way no person, let alone children, should suffer. After continued contacts from members of Invisible Children the United States government is finally putting pressure on Kony. The ICC (International Criminal Court) lists him as the #1 war criminal for crimes committed against humanity and war crimes against the civilian populations including murder, rape, and abductions. Without continued attention, pressure, contacts from Invisible Children it is possible Kony will fade from concern and be allowed to continue his butchery.<br /><br />Please watch the video. It is 27 minutes long, but I ask that you make the time to watch it. While I have known about the Invisible Children and have previously contributed money to the organization, since watching the video I am motivated to do more. Writing this blog is the first step. I ordered the bracelet so when people see it and ask about it I can share the story. I plan on writing to my political representatives to help keep the issue alive so Kony can be brought to justice and children in Africa can live unafraid of his brutality. <br /><br />After viewing the video your awareness will be raised. That is a beginning.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/37119711?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=d13030" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/37119711">KONY 2012</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/invisible">INVISIBLE CHILDREN</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-27708382798398329142011-02-20T19:24:00.006-06:002011-02-28T21:44:28.824-06:00Objection OverruledThis piece describes what teachers do. Please understand that teaching is not a job but a lifestyle. Teachers live their jobs and their students are never far from their minds. I will never understand why teachers are not respected and valued. Teachers spend more time with children than their parents, wipe their tears, boost their wilting self esteem, cheer them on, advise them, push them, discipline them, help them make wise choices. We fall asleep worrying about them and wake up knowing we can help them.<br /><br />Does it matter what teachers make? No teacher went into education for the money but when a football player makes more throwing or catching a ball than a 1st grade teacher who teaches a child to read, priorities are out of whack. Even worse, that football player gets more respect than people who have taught populations to read, analyze, compute, question, calculate and other skills so necessary for a productive, independent life.<br /><br />In "Objection Overruled" someone disses teachers because they don't make much money. More often teachers are criticized because they make too much money. But the point of the article, to me, details why teachers are, at the very least, worth their paychecks.<br /><br /><br />Objection Overruled by Taylor Mali<br /><br />He says the problem with teachers is, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers: Those who can, do; those who can't teach.<br /><br />I decide to bite my tongue instead of his and resist the temptation to remind the other dinner guests that it's also true what they say about lawyers.<br /><br />Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite company.<br /><br />"I mean, you're a teacher, Taylor," he says. "Be honest. What do you make?"<br /><br />And I wish he hadn't done that (asked me to be honest) because, you see, I have a policy about honesty and ass-kicking; if you ask for it, I have to let you have it.<br /><br />You want to know what I make?<br /><br />I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional medal of honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face. How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.<br /><br />I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups. No, you may not ask a question. Why won't I let you get a drink of water? Because you're not thirsty, you're bored, that's why.<br /><br />I make parents tremble in fear when I call home; I hope I haven't called at a bad time. I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today. Billy said, "Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you?" And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen.<br /><br />I make parents see their children for who they are and what they can be.<br /><br />You want to know what I make?<br /><br />I make kids wonder, I make them question, I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them write, write, write. And then I make them read. I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful over and over and over again until they will never misspell either of those words again. I make them show all their work in math. And hide it on their final drafts in English. I make them understand that if you got this (brains) then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you give them this (the finger).<br /><br />Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true. I make a goddamn difference. What about you?hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-88357096400863699592010-05-25T17:04:00.004-05:002010-05-25T17:57:14.268-05:00Annabelle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTJvZIBMUKx52cgAMrH85_n2Axe4uk9hJFRQjz7v_fFyeJu-uAXeRdL3kQUxQYnSeVhkQjegHFFr-hf_P978BVb6v3nAuuw0uGzsq6t_lenTLmHENbRoZM2YAPGf8QtuMXiMeK30fvdg/s1600/DSCN1255.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475341305179727778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTJvZIBMUKx52cgAMrH85_n2Axe4uk9hJFRQjz7v_fFyeJu-uAXeRdL3kQUxQYnSeVhkQjegHFFr-hf_P978BVb6v3nAuuw0uGzsq6t_lenTLmHENbRoZM2YAPGf8QtuMXiMeK30fvdg/s320/DSCN1255.JPG" /></a>Twenty-five years ago today my daughter was born. My life changed that day and I don't mean in the typical ways. I learned to pick my battles; I learned to accept her for who she is, not who I thought she should be; I learned that it is often the little moments and not the big events that a child remembers; I learned when to listen and when to keep my mouth shut--basically because I learned to ask if my role in the conversation is to listen or to advise. And I have learned that an adult child is, oh, so much fun!<br /><br />We did not always get along. Mothers and daughters don't seem to do well living under the same roof. But, she went to college, matured, and I feel closer to her than I ever have. She has many qualities I wish I possessed. At 25 years old she has a self confidence it took me 40-some years to gain. She embraces her individualism and is pursuing her passion.<br /><br />My heart hurts with how much I love her. I am, also, immensely proud of the young woman she has become. Happy Birthday, Princess Annabelle. You truly are "my sunshine....you make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, how much I love you."hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-49038113239703715322010-05-23T10:45:00.002-05:002010-05-23T10:47:42.559-05:00Pre-Summer TeaserSunday morning, sun is shining, 80 degrees, slight breeze, birds chirping, sound of lawn mowers in the neighborhood, children's voices. Feeling content and happy just because of the weather.hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-7977665608381469982010-05-21T10:32:00.003-05:002010-05-21T12:01:54.484-05:00EffectivenessD. is a 6th grade LD student whose mood fluctuates hourly. He can begin the day pleasantly and cheerfully but turn moody and work resistant for no apparent reason. His inability to shut his mouth when in the negative mood does not bode well for those of us attempting to work with him nor does it help him in any manner. He also has a mother who does not care about his work ethic.<br /><br />By 7th hour on Monday he refused to do any work. I knew that in homeroom we were going to the computer lab to let students play computer games. Trying to "motivate" D., I stated that he would be allowed computer time only if he completed his assignment. No change in behavior. <br /><br />As any parent knows, when carrying out a disciplinary threat, the adult suffers the consequences of the threat as much as the child. Banish a computer, cell phone, or TV and the parent endures a pouty, bored, snotty child. Teaching is no different. During computer lab time, D. continued to refuse to work, and I continued to strongly encourage him to change his mind. It would have been easier on both of us to just let him go on a computer. Since that didn't happen, neither of us left that lab happy with the other.<br /><br />After the bell rang, and as drove home, I felt irritated at both D. and myself. Was it really worth the effort to try to get him to work when he clearly wasn't going to do it? Was I more involved in a power struggle rather than academic encouragement? Was it really my job as paraprofessional, rather than as the teacher, to consistently cajole (nag, threaten, bibe, harass) him into working? Or should I have washed my hands of him and let him sit unproductively? I concluded that the next day I would wash my hands of him and let him be.<br /><br />Tuesday, 1st hour, D. cheerfully greets me and announces he is going to be better and willing to work. This will make it an easier day for both of us, so I am happy with this declaration. What I would love to know is whether D. woke up that morning and randomly decided to be positive or if my hassling him the previous day made an impact. <br /><br />This is one of the basic educational unknowns....what actions taken by the teacher/parapro positively impact students. If I had ignored his unmotivated behavior would he have come to school Tuesday in that good mood or would he have continued bucking school work? I wish I knew......<br /><br />(One old adage President Bush and Senator Kennedy forgot when promoting the "No Child Left Behind" bill is "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." We can provide educational experiences for children, but they must want an education and their parents must want it for them. Circumstances are vastly different for school children today than when we baby boomers were in school. Anyone not familiar with school children today may not understand the difficulty in educating students for no other reason than parental support is not behind the schools.)hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-77227521516351188182010-05-08T21:54:00.004-05:002010-05-08T22:41:11.789-05:00Mother's Funny BoneA lighter side of Mother's Day:<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." Phyllis Diller</div><div></div><div><br />"A suburban mother's role is to children obstretrically once, and by car forever after." Peter De Vries</div><br /><div></div><div>"A mother is a person who seeing there are only 4 pieces of pie for 5 people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." Tenneva Jordan</div><br /><div></div><div>"Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life." Author unknown</div><br /><div></div><div>"Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young." Author unknown</div><br /><div></div><div>"There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it." Chinese proverb</div><br /><div></div><div>While humorous, there is also truth to these quips. But as every mother knows, survival in the toughest job in the world depends on a fabulous sense of humor! Here's to all the mother's in the world who laugh at themselves and parenting.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469109207980737714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6Gzvy5h73Tnp7Mg5A_39wp7OK8X8e6bRPM0073wv5mUQWJYThUn6nuvpIcQqh7FaM7F1rDJ7cmLTOk7B9u9yGzBEYln8EGmKa3yN4b7StZOOJu6i9uHhIvqKjiXNV7PNCS-9elmofNg/s320/Prd59743.jpg" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-78410321809183507512010-05-05T10:56:00.008-05:002010-05-05T21:26:12.190-05:00Women with Power ToolsExcept for the "cracks in the glass ceiling" attention when Hillary was running for President, women's rights is an issue rarely addressed any longer. Young women today do not carry the torch of feminism prevalent in the 60's and 70's, possibly because they grew up knowing more equal treatment. Women enjoy greater respect and broader employment opportunities today due to the strides made by Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem.<br /><br /><div></div><div>At my elementary school boys and girls had separate playgrounds. During high school, 1968 - 1972, we did not have Title IX, had to wear dresses to school until my sophomore year, my mother told me to let boys win at games, and we did not have co-ed gym classes. When I graduated from high school in 1972, females became nurses, teachers, or secretaries. Approximately 10 females out of my graduating class of 224 went to college. </div><br /><div>Flash forward to 2010. Appearing at my door to clean up my flooded basement were three women. Three women who wielded power tools and hauled heavy industrial fans and dehumidifiers. After all these years I still rarely see women in such roles so was gratified and impressed to meet these three.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467886347911171010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGhfiB5hcFiaiOudAEJIOhk3gEBC3gyiyZ8v3VqHTLkUKY9ssVusBOjP2aLBAL9DF2pv4Yzqim_h12Py6ygca1JQQjXiT_Xe1mQmEXMkHvkdj5Wx09mrDhETwAmwdjNF5XQlaoG8tD6E/s320/DSCN1204.JPG" />They explained to me that the restoration business is huge and there are many job opportunities. The young man who was coordinating the clean up efforts told me he preferred working with the women rather than the men. He explained that men often become cocky once they got used to the job, but the women always want to learn more. However, there is still progress to be made in some attitudes. The women told me about driving an hour to a job only to be told by the male homeowner to turn around because "no woman could do this job."<br /><br /><div></div><div>These women and all those people (males, too) in non-traditional gender roles give me hope. This is still a sensitive issue to me because I have too often been patted on the head, patronized, had my suggestions ignored only to have a male's same idea accepted. I have heard men say, "Women are taking men's jobs" or question a females sexual orientation because they choose a traditionally male profession. So, it is gratifiying to know that women are still pushing the boundaries and not letting gender limit their job opportunities.</div><br /><div>Thank you Maria, Heather, and Carla for being the Paul Davis Restoration employees to show up at my door. Besides being extremely efficient, enlightening, and fun, you are role models for others. </div><br /><div></div>hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-22429426363301772042010-04-27T19:47:00.002-05:002010-04-27T19:51:03.685-05:00Aging"The years had nibbled away the clear-cut contours and it was a high-risk strategy to get straight out of bed and count on looking fine. No, more than that: it was impossible."<br /><br /><em>Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman </em>by Elizabeth Buchan<br /><br />Fortunately, as we age we no longer care as much about looking fine right out of bed!hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-73503196187583084572010-04-22T16:06:00.010-05:002010-04-22T16:45:27.998-05:00Wisconsin Spring<div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NtNcpPs4tVXv7GWX53_iCMYqX6EnjOps3oZb31XivSxHaNMgcFwKq-MIkOo36zWHaYPK-tZH-7aiMPROzJaHkxUCji0osUbzEXsrV-Q-ACM8FeB28P9hpPiL7Yl7uEnDiu3F3Xj48Vk/s1600/DSCN1185.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463077540967857522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NtNcpPs4tVXv7GWX53_iCMYqX6EnjOps3oZb31XivSxHaNMgcFwKq-MIkOo36zWHaYPK-tZH-7aiMPROzJaHkxUCji0osUbzEXsrV-Q-ACM8FeB28P9hpPiL7Yl7uEnDiu3F3Xj48Vk/s200/DSCN1185.JPG" /></a> Spring doesn't come easily to central Wisconsin. We have had a few days in the high 70's and even an 80 degree day. After surviving 5 months of winter, residents are panting for green grass, flowering trees, sunny daffodils, and blazing tulips.<br /><br /><div><div><div>This branch is from an ornamental tree in my backyard. It is always exciting to see buds sprout out of dead looking branches.</div><br />One woman's weeds are another woman's flowers. I enjoy seeing dandelions in April -- they are little dots of sunshine in the lawn and a true sign of the season.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463079842806275522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgmOFlLOdopBYofbXFyoeGWjxGrEH68_ljKIiBkuhLE2cpfQA9ONKSo2QUTpeL4o89clS2ksnONMVeUiIPSzWVuad4we0_jLvVA273IIuUxoZCX-7wnLXmVuamHN-4LgcU3obcW_fxs4/s200/DSCN1172.JPG" />Most annuals cannot be safely planted outside until after Mother's Day. However, pansies are hearty cold weather plants, and I've taken advantage of that and have 3 pots of various pansies on the front porch. An early taste of annuals to come. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUCYZx1jjg-KrA_G5cEsJhhWxboa-SLU8KsSRqPcpQ48NG0E7r-6NpXoDCxHr57ws0ArIPOcC00_HXGhyphenhyphen8Vi8YM8sZq5ZySKTF78_W6EFNOzYyEVKKngFeUnX-hSZ3MWIsTBYH7XCOxI/s1600/DSCN1184.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463080409535830546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUCYZx1jjg-KrA_G5cEsJhhWxboa-SLU8KsSRqPcpQ48NG0E7r-6NpXoDCxHr57ws0ArIPOcC00_HXGhyphenhyphen8Vi8YM8sZq5ZySKTF78_W6EFNOzYyEVKKngFeUnX-hSZ3MWIsTBYH7XCOxI/s200/DSCN1184.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>Watson accompanied me outside and is sunning himself while I take pictures.</div><div> He likes spring because he gets more frequents walks. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LP1mCBBzgdP_bvdNe8TeKJfQksryWBZNDtdcJJh8mioRbQxQXUz5Nu2onWlydUc8DqzruqHv_FCrpY_6CHbyCha61cJADzYxuhOJuXpaVf3-W9NxUDlFaqstWsn14tVW6l93rEqUoPI/s1600/DSCN1174.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463076911910894866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LP1mCBBzgdP_bvdNe8TeKJfQksryWBZNDtdcJJh8mioRbQxQXUz5Nu2onWlydUc8DqzruqHv_FCrpY_6CHbyCha61cJADzYxuhOJuXpaVf3-W9NxUDlFaqstWsn14tVW6l93rEqUoPI/s200/DSCN1174.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br />I've always contended I wouldn't miss seasons if I could live in a warm climate year 'round.....this spring had me questioning that. While I would sacrifice winter in a heartbeat, spring is THE breath of fresh air after arctic weather and truly a sign of rebirth.<br /><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-35609375138378090592010-04-14T15:34:00.018-05:002010-04-24T10:05:22.059-05:0031 More Days31 days of school left until summer vacation. Until then, a few more middleschool tales:<br /><br />Have I told you lately how thrilled I am to know I can do 6th grade math? The other day we started lear<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpe-Nt0WFLCus2hvsdVo2iwDdj76fmhEhMt6X4ifdZ2hnavoHeMAqZv83vKC9Vo626AbeQ6Gmj4PJ_Mt27HFfRVUHlQAM_Ylpm4WomjzsHSrXsWvxKCtNNIHQ4lQZkwFFF7E96RJNH2w/s1600/division+sign.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 85px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 79px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460116860987040994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpe-Nt0WFLCus2hvsdVo2iwDdj76fmhEhMt6X4ifdZ2hnavoHeMAqZv83vKC9Vo626AbeQ6Gmj4PJ_Mt27HFfRVUHlQAM_Ylpm4WomjzsHSrXsWvxKCtNNIHQ4lQZkwFFF7E96RJNH2w/s200/division+sign.jpg" /></a>ning mixed numbers and improper fractions. One boy was trying to explain how to figure out how many whole numbers are in mixed numbers (how many quarters in 5 1/4) and he said you need to do "backward multiplication." So now the class has a new term for <em>division: </em>"bacward multiplication."<br /><br />Two boys want to come over to my house to pick up dog poop. They will only charge me $5.00 but would like me to make supper. When I informed them that about the only thing I have in the freezer to make for supper was frozen pizza they said that was even better. Now, I live in a different town then these boys, I'd need written parental consent, and I'm not sure I want them knowing where I live -- other than those three factors I'd love to have them over!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div></div><div>A 6th grader was busted for possession of pot. He had showed a few kids the stash, those kids narced, the police liason officer searched his locker, and he is now suspended pending expulsion. He is not the brightest kid plus is a bully whom I contend is a sociopath. The kids who turned him in hang out with him half heartedly but know he is bad news and often report him for bullying. They were awed at how stupid he was to have the drugs. A typical day for him was to sit in class and never do any work. The mother contends he is smart (none of us has seen one indication of this and believe all the swagger is to cover his lack of intelligence) but doesn't seem sure of what to do with him. He has no use for school (yes, a child who wants to be left behind), but I worry about what happens after suspension. The idea that he will be home schooled stretches the imagination. These are situations when I think vocational schools even at 6th grade would be more productive all around.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 148px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460116468736074194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wH6LFot8H5im16N5jGUUavjr1qGf13Y8amb1p4HD2BHcEIwYthtYZE6UDsW69vJRwAsMOIwAu31fhUbScQ3QOVy4eBtc3uotyjCtJY_RWE1GpNnh-USZPGDF-r6FYFc-v-86gNIqq2o/s200/pothead.jpg" />The LD teachers have arranged a fieldtrip to Miller Stadium for the 6 - 8th grade learning disabled students to watch a Brewer's game. Cost: $10.00. If a child cannot afford the $10 there will be money made available. One child is not going because the parent thinks Milwaukee is too far away (2 hour drive). Another cannot go because the mother doesn't want him getting home so late (5:00 p.m.) Another girl announced it would be boring so she isn't going -- we are all relieved by her disinterest! A father wanted to chaperone but staff assured him the bus was full. It was later explained to me no one was sure that dad could pass a background check! This trip will be educational beyond description. So many of these kids do not get to do such things, don't know how to conduct themselves in public places, don't get to go far beyond their home cities. It should be fun and very interesting for all of us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Science test on biomes. (How many know, without running to Google, what a biome is?) We have studied this endlessly, yet a few items just escaped the little darlin's. Students were asked to name an animal that lives in the desert (same question regarding an animal in a tundra), describe an adaptation of that animal, and whether the adaptation is behavioral or physical. This was a pretty interesting unit and we watched videos from "Planet Earth" that repeatedly discusses such. Imagine, then, my amazement upon seeing students state that arctic foxes are desert creatures. Or that a humpback whale lives in the tundra.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RY5Gv7tEx_v1JuL2eqgIt3-AEpSgW8Nx-0Qvzks7aiKB3uavpr9PgOqF24wDRubGvGgyIC9Mg140RBVX9zYw1GLCj6f111wI8bLhbbQdFewMmRcDvEgQvL87x4JBTuWpTXaZqv1KE04/s1600/shorts.leggings.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 112px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463716235883200322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RY5Gv7tEx_v1JuL2eqgIt3-AEpSgW8Nx-0Qvzks7aiKB3uavpr9PgOqF24wDRubGvGgyIC9Mg140RBVX9zYw1GLCj6f111wI8bLhbbQdFewMmRcDvEgQvL87x4JBTuWpTXaZqv1KE04/s200/shorts.leggings.jpg" /></a>School dress code states that shorts or skirts must be as long as your fingertips when arms are at your side. (That's kind of short although as someone who went to high school during the mini-skirt years and who is amazed I got through school with any modesty intact, the fingertip rule isn't all that unreasonable.) To get around the rule the girls have taken to wearing leggings under skirts and shorts. Leggings under shorts is one darn ugly fashion statement. I understand the "need" to subvert rules but please, leggings as a way to do it is a definite fashion don't. The ugliest so far was a girl in a white shirt, white shorts, and black leggings.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>With the advent of nice weather the kids are outside more which means there are many 6th graders on crutches, with ace bandages, slings, and cuts and scrapes. It's easy to forget that not long ago sixth grade was considered elementary school and that this age group is still rough and tumble, play outside age. They certainly need to run off the energy whether it is after school or on the weekend. Each Monday brings another wounded child back into the school fold.</div><div><br /></div><div>These students are still slightly in awe at hearing a swear word in a movie. "Hell" will bring a chorus of "that's a bad word" from the class. (Cracks me up because I'm pretty sure many of them could outswear me) In 7th hour yesterday D. returns from the bathroom, comes up to me and whispers, "In one of the stalls in the bathroom (boys) someone wrote 'b-i-t-c-h-e-s' (he spells this out) and drew pictures of balls and a dick." What cracked me up about this is how careful he was not to say "bitches" but had no problem saying "balls" and "dick."!! My preference would have been for the reverse!</div><div><br />Usually the end of the school year brings about squirrelier behavior than the months before -- from both students and teachers! So who knows what tales I'll have to tell in the coming days!<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div>hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-82636833616531472392010-04-11T18:53:00.004-05:002010-04-11T19:26:53.000-05:00Apollo 13Right now NBC is airing a show on the Apollo 13 mission, and I never tire of this story. The explosion was catastrophic, stranding the three astronauts in space, but the greater story is the problem solving involved in saving them. It is touched on in this program but best illustrated in the Tom Hanks movie.<br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p_P2g8j2JFO7ehUcwQoHiOepHEfFJpvM6vy9BL1lCREwL4s1deRViE547V2l9Hy1IMf6jxpa4bE0YOW8j-QezbkKYBNMvsxnbFKYNsy8V4N8cVUSoeCIZVSdQMHi9MTY8-AksXoyn4w/s1600/apollo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459039766873398898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p_P2g8j2JFO7ehUcwQoHiOepHEfFJpvM6vy9BL1lCREwL4s1deRViE547V2l9Hy1IMf6jxpa4bE0YOW8j-QezbkKYBNMvsxnbFKYNsy8V4N8cVUSoeCIZVSdQMHi9MTY8-AksXoyn4w/s200/apollo.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I cannot forget my astonishment during that movie when the engineers pull out slide rules to do math! Men were sent into space and no calculators were used? Astronauts were to land on the moon, and we were watching the news on black and white televisions! A square filter needs to fit into a round filter and duct tape is a crucial tool......that challenge resolved without the use of a computer. </div><br /><div></div><div>Of course, I am old enough to remember life before calculators and computers but it is looking at this remarkable event in hindsight that is even more awe inspiring to me. Society is so entrapped by devices, and we seem to "need" our electronics to solve the simplest problems. (Now, maybe slide rules were more high tech than I realized...I avoided them like the plague) To watch historical drama be resolved with such simple tools reminds me that ingenuity, problem solving, and inspiration are the makers of heroes. It is interesting to contemplate whethe all of our electronics make us lazy. I'd like to think that today a handful of people could solve a life and death situation with simple tools, but I'm not sure.</div><br /><div></div><div>(The background music for the NBC Apollo 12 show was Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." Loved it!)</div>hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-22008343015317386612010-04-06T21:52:00.005-05:002010-04-06T22:57:54.675-05:00Spring BreakSpring break: April 2 - April 11. Hoorah!!! I have nothing special planned, and spent today as a slug/sloth/lazy bum....exactly what I wanted. There is cleaning to be done, a dryer to possibly buy, and various other chores to do but today was for laziness. Since I am not writing from an exotic place, this entry is about the small happenings of my spring break days thus far. No need to go get the popcorn and prepare to sit at the end of a chair while the suspense builds. Just a glimpse into a simple, stay-at-home vacation. <div><br /></div><div>Received the tax information from the accountant today. 95% of me believes paying taxes is what I do to have good roads (Wisconsin has well kept roads and highways), good schools (Wisconsin has one of THE top ranked education systems), police/fire protection, etc. and I don't waste time complaining about it all. I pay quarterly estimated taxes and on those four days I take a deep breath and wish I wasn't paying in; today when I read the information from the accountant I was not thrilled with the amount I will pay in now and each quarter this year. And while I have the money to pay the taxes(not through any planning ahead mind you), I need to vow (swear, pledge) to budget better for taxes. Wish me luck as I am not a budget-er.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p01iUo6wcU06Q_84guNu0kMs41Yu8oOzleVtRIZHsvJpf6zd7ZjBknX7wqs14EyihuxzTv33iTuotQ4N7vDZGF7j1CO39bOCa0YdCxyTO5mMCdlIS5uFr9DsRzRVxAlmb7pfCs0mfC8/s1600/DSCN1158.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457238658228634514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p01iUo6wcU06Q_84guNu0kMs41Yu8oOzleVtRIZHsvJpf6zd7ZjBknX7wqs14EyihuxzTv33iTuotQ4N7vDZGF7j1CO39bOCa0YdCxyTO5mMCdlIS5uFr9DsRzRVxAlmb7pfCs0mfC8/s200/DSCN1158.JPG" /></a>The dog didn't get out of bed until 11:30 this morning. Granted, his schedule is off since my schedule is changed this week. Typically we both get up at 5:30 a.m. although he goes back to bed by 6:00 and probably doesn't get up again until I come home at 3:00 p.m. or so. But I was up for hours and he was still in bed this morning. After a brief visit to the lawn, he napped in a chair for most of the afternoon. My dog has a good life.......as he should!<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBlxx0aJ45kZouc-0iOdTm1YA_U-prv-OU-EQEZB-0Q5ZShv69ewlWExHTHv-NGiEvV-oQ_mKK0N-LacVYVM34X6Bizf30oWgHIj76ZL3nimQ3elsGedb9GqSSKu-L-uA_nhVQU69fGc/s1600/DSCN1146.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457237706595324242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBlxx0aJ45kZouc-0iOdTm1YA_U-prv-OU-EQEZB-0Q5ZShv69ewlWExHTHv-NGiEvV-oQ_mKK0N-LacVYVM34X6Bizf30oWgHIj76ZL3nimQ3elsGedb9GqSSKu-L-uA_nhVQU69fGc/s200/DSCN1146.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>On Sunday my princess visited and we decorated Easter eggs. While it was on Easter that we did this, art has no time table, you know. We had gone to Michael's craft store on Friday to pick up supplies and bickered in the aisle about what we needed. It was a role reversal -- I was the Ann of her youth and she was me as mom. Painting on Sunday was relaxing and fun. I am always and forever in awe of her talent and decorating eggs allows me to see how she creates. Her eggs are artistic while mine are elementary school simple. We were both true to our creative selves.</div><div><br /></div><div>Spring arrived in Wisconsin a few weeks ago and welcomed with open arms. Tonight it is raining and there is even some thunder and lightening. It smells rain fresh and slightly wormy outside. Lawns are greening up, daffodils are blooming, sparrows are remodeling the robin nest on the fireplace vent. Even the green weeds growing in the landscaping are a sign of warm weather. Winter is a harsh season here, and spring is embraced probably more than any other season. </div><div><br /></div><div>When on vacation I watch morning TV. Absolutely worthless morning TV. "Frasier" reruns top the list. I have seen these episodes numerous times and still laugh at the humor. This is followed by "The View." As long as Elisabeth Hassleback doesn't comment on politics and Barbara Walters doesn't speak, I like the show. I have to confess to tuning into "Millionaire Matchmaker" today and that was fascinating! Millionaires who can't find dates go to this bitchy matchmaker, pay her something like $50,000 to find them a date, and then viewers get to watch the dates. Tacky, shallow, voyeuristic, and fun to see! It really does show that money can't buy you love.....it also shows how absurdly immature the millionaires are.</div><div> </div><div>Ah, I warned you this was about nothing exciting! But it is my vacation and I'm lovin' it!</div><div></div>hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-47929695044269625872010-03-10T17:46:00.007-06:002010-03-10T19:49:28.073-06:00Middle School ManiaLife continues to be humorous/challenging/eye rolling/exasperating/fun at Maplewood Middle School. Survived last week's full moon but, as always, middle school life is always interesting.<br /><br />* "If you mess with the bull, you'll feel the horns." Fransisco, 6th grade<br /><br />* Dr. Suess books can make a 6th grader smile.<br /><br />* The police liaison officer stated that bullying is reported 3 - 10 times before action is typically taken.<br /><br />* Something is amiss when children are not afraid of being sent to the office. One student, when pressured to work, flounces off to the office. Okay.....why is he comfortable doing that?<br /><br />*A boy who intentionally broke a 6th grade girl's finger received a 3/4 day suspension. Now, I am not privy to any police citations he may have received but less than a day of suspension seems lightweight to me.<br /><br />*A student called a secretary a "fucking c--t". The secretary was informed that the student was really sorry. No punishment.<br /><br />*A student spit in a paraprofessional's cup of coffee, unbeknown to her. He was suspended until he could be tested for any diseases -- the testing was at the insistence of the parapro. This boy is the brother of the above mentioned boy who likes to go to the office.<br /><br />*Vince does not have a bedroom. He sleeps on the couch and often comes to school tired because he is awakened when people come home or kept awake by his brother playing Wii in the living room. The natural question asked -- the mom can afford Wii but not a bedroom for her son?<br /><br />*D.K. is a follower. He has stated he acts up and doesn't do his work so he can be "cool" like a few other boys. His mother tells him he doesn't need to serve after school detentions and doesn't need to apologize for bad behavior. He has also told us him mom throws chairs at home. I don't want to meet this woman.<br /><br />*L.B. hates school. She is an A student, well mannered/behaved, the kind of student I love. She hates school because in each class she must put up with immature, undisciplined, students who talk out, don't do their work, and are disruptive. She doesn't receive any positive reinforcement because too much time is spent reprimanding (ineffectively) the unruly students. The icing on the cake yesterday was the substitute in 1st hour allowing the behavior problems to work together but not allowing the good kids work together. I didn't get it either.....<br /><br />*The middle schoolers raised $2000.00 in an African Benefit fundraiser last week. A worthy cause, indeed. It was mentioned, however, that the the general school population has a high poverty level, so why don't have a fundraiser for ourselves? We have students who have worn, torn, old clothing, not enough money for school supplies, etc. So....maybe a fundraiser for the locally disadvantaged would be a good idea.<br /><br />I know that most of these paragraphs seem negative. But, this is a typical day with our typical students.hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-30320686009360104542010-01-02T21:04:00.006-06:002010-01-02T21:50:33.326-06:00Endless Summer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7-M5IixS3g7xEboiX7knElX8g9TYeO93WO27p0CxlyI1NuiROLW_nlqMUqlIYvm8CvRbvy6mb0FvEsu_tN44Gbbb0Im10MoXSqFUp9jVlMUw9MtnD9C490ZWclmOuRjhp4E868efv48/s1600-h/slide0003_image001.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 145px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422345689756517746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7-M5IixS3g7xEboiX7knElX8g9TYeO93WO27p0CxlyI1NuiROLW_nlqMUqlIYvm8CvRbvy6mb0FvEsu_tN44Gbbb0Im10MoXSqFUp9jVlMUw9MtnD9C490ZWclmOuRjhp4E868efv48/s320/slide0003_image001.gif" /></a><br /><br /><br />"In the midst of winter, I found, within me, an endless summer." Albert Camus.<br /><br />I have recently decided that seasons are as much a time of year as they are a frame of mind. I prefer summer and fall to winter (spring is the season that allows me to breathe a sigh of relief and know that hope is eternal) because both offer the sun's glow, warmth, fragrances, easy access to the outdoors. <br /><br />While winter in Wisconsin can mean a continual struggle against cold, snow, winds, and ice, it is a person's outlook that can make or break a spirit. In years past I have struggled with the shorter days, the gloom of continually cloudy days, the ever present cold. But, I have now decided this winter is mine to embrace for whatever positives I may find in it. <br /><br />The sun was shining today; snow sparkled, the sky was blue, and it is the beginning of a new year. Snow brings a newly cleansed landscape and a snowstorm brings the hope of a snow day. Gray clouds make a cup of hot coffee or tea taste even better. Winter is reading books, curling up under soft throws, lighting candles, and looking at photos. Snow and cold make an adventure out of going outside -- one can make that positive or negative but an adventure is still an adventure!<br /><br />Winter should be a time of reflection and appreciation. I live in a warm home with running water and indoor plumbing; pioneers lived with neither. Medicines ward off winter illnesses so our children may survive into adulthood. Even in severe storms emergency services are available. If my furnace dies or electricity goes off I still will be more comfortable and have more options than those pioneers or those in third world countries today.<br /><br />Winter is......accept the Zen-ness of it all, look for the brightness, and appreciate what we have....don't yearn for what isn't. <br /><br />(I am playing with a new toy.....well, new to me. The sun in this post is a drawing I made in power point. Making it was easier than posting it on the blog....still not sure how I finally accomplished that but I'm hoping to play around with it all some more. Another plus of winter is I'm easily amused!)hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-69724889550470714542009-12-31T10:09:00.004-06:002009-12-31T10:38:44.748-06:00Goodbye Zero ZeroAnother decade come and gone. A decade of many changes. <br /><br /><em>Daughter graduates from high school, goes to college, graduates from college, enters grad school.</em><br /><em>Son graduates from high school, enters college.</em><br /><em>Divorce, loneliness, new relationship, happiness.</em><br /><em>Move to Appleton, relief, comfort, zen-like knowing this is where I'm to be.</em><br /><br />It isn't always major events, such as the above, that shape a life, but they are the most outwardly notable. <br /><br />Over this past decade my belief that out of bad comes good has become even more firmly cemented. So has the knowledge that trusting my instincts is the best guidance for decision making.<br /><br />I've learned that allowing myself to underachieve while still achieving works well --- type A personalities should give it a try. I am less stressed, no longer care about controlling a situation, don't want to be in charge. It has given me a brighter outlook on life and ability to enjoy most environments simply because I'm not in charge nor do I want to be.<br /><br />I can accept aging. No, I'm not all that thrilled with jowly look on my face, the age spots that have finally appeared (but I don't regret any time spent in the sun!), or lessened metabolism. But, as this blog title states, every day above ground is a good day. There is a relief in accepting my body, it's working and non-working parts; accepting my essence rather than continually futzing, worrying, working on fighting, trying to improve, bemoaning what is me.<br /><br />I will embrace this next decade. What better time to enjoy the here and now -- the moment, the experience, the simple sights, sounds, tastes. The beauty of aging and realizing that the decades ahead are limited is not worrying about the future but taking today for what it is. <br /><br />My dears, Happy New Year, Happy New Decade, Happy Life!hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-28411668605465255342009-11-25T21:45:00.003-06:002009-11-25T22:01:17.245-06:00Happy Thanksgiving<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Xc56kTwhCZeULEKUkxwTvbsli9JqZjk1oOVh635_S5bs8RJyqUt_NDG2TQasn0MeceUP2gFdj4c1JjPYjceLctIB2S5gDb-vxBU2SkhAp5-cHyfPwxnRIBxY4MN7GayWSMQldWarTCk/s1600/DSCN0838.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408256981223773042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Xc56kTwhCZeULEKUkxwTvbsli9JqZjk1oOVh635_S5bs8RJyqUt_NDG2TQasn0MeceUP2gFdj4c1JjPYjceLctIB2S5gDb-vxBU2SkhAp5-cHyfPwxnRIBxY4MN7GayWSMQldWarTCk/s320/DSCN0838.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Happy Thanksgiving!</div>hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-40305243559633922752009-11-22T20:34:00.004-06:002009-11-22T21:23:51.284-06:00Humorous Thanksgiving"I have strong doubts that the first Thanksgiving even remotely resembled the 'history' I was told in second grade. But considering that (when it comes to holidays) mainstream America's traditions tend to be overeating, shopping, or getting drunk, I suppose it's a miracle that the concept of giving thanks even surfaces at all." <br />Ellen Orleans<br /><br />"I love Thanksgiving turkey....it's the only time in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Los</span> Angeles that you get to see natural breasts." <br />Arnold Schwarzenegger<br /><br />"I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land."<br />Jon Stewart<br /><br />"You know that just before that first Thanksgiving dinner there was one wise old Native American woman saying, "Don't fee them. If you feed them, they'll never leave."<br />Dylan Brodyhollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-6271415588669968322009-11-18T16:31:00.008-06:002009-11-18T21:38:35.218-06:00Middle of the Week DayMoments from my Middle of the Week Day:<br /><br />The most enjoyable part of the school day today was 5th hour social studies. The class is studying Canada and spent part of the hour filling in and coloring a political map (a map that shows lines defining countries, states, or territories). I worked with a group of 3 students ,and I did a map along with them. Drawing in the provinces (how many know what a province is?) was a bit challenging (we were given an outline of Canada) and figuring out where to put the Saskatchewan River tricky but then it was time to COLOR! Jacy didn't want to color, but I insisted because I love it so much, and, well, that was part of the assignment. (Jacy's been in a mood the last few days) I have always loved coloring and find it relaxing. To be able to color while also answering questions and joking with the kids was a perfect combination. (It helped that my most reluctant learner was absent)<br /><br />Math is covering graphs and coordinate planes. The class had no problem with graphing but coordinate planes are challenging them. Or maybe it is having to use positive AND negative quadrants (anyone who knows my math skills is probably amazed that I know what a quadrant is!). Homework is an assignment using integers to draw a picture. I can't wait to see what the pictures are but explaining how to use the 50 sets of integers was challenging. I tried to remember what was stated in the short video the class watched prior to the coordinate plane explanation: "Integers are our friends." Well, I hadn't known that, but my day was just brighter knowing I have all these integer friends.<br /><br />Homeroom (known as Connections) is the last 35 minutes of the day. Our 17 Connection kids are DONE by this time. Their attention spans are non-existent, hyperactivity (diagnosed or otherwise) has kicked in, and we try to corral and focus them --- not always with success. As frustrating as this can be, by the end Jeramie and I are laughing if for no other reason than relief that the day is done. Today was trying to get 7 of them study for tomorrow's science test (4 of them did listen--finally) then 3 worked on math homework -- back to the quadrant quandaries (come on, how often do you find an opportunity to use "q" in consonance?). Jeramie will be in Madison Thursday and Friday for state football finals (I mouthed "I hate you" to him from the doorway as I left) so the sub and I are hoping to survive the last two connections of the week.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong...the majority of the students are nice kids and I enjoy them. But the disrespectful, cocky, jerk students take away from the class, disrupt learning, and suck adults' energy. In science there are 24 students and 7 of them are disruptive. I try to have contact with the good kids as often as possible just to keep my sanity and perspective. I also try to remember that the jerk kids just may grow out of this phase and become product adults.hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-11389996685050767902009-11-16T18:37:00.005-06:002009-11-17T20:27:52.985-06:00How Many Know?My high school chemistry teacher was a brilliant man who should have taught college students. Eldred Judd was a sincere, kind, hard working teacher whose talents were sorely wasted on me. He had a speech pattern that was also wasted on us -- questions asked were prefaced, "How many know ------" So, dear readers, today's entry will be a tribute to Mr. Judd's questioning style:<br /><br />How many know that<br />"Nothing matters but the weekend,<br />From a Tuesday point of view...." (The Kings)<br /><br />How many know that talking about farting is almost as unappealing as the actual occurrence (that one's for you Ms. Ex).<br /><br />How many know what a vacuole is? You may not, but this week 6th graders will be expected to know this on a test which leads to How many know how many times they've ever in their lives needed to know what a vacuole is?<br /><br />How many know the national capital of Canada?<br /><br />How many know that announcements 15 minutes after the start of class disrupts 6th graders for about 4 minutes? How many know that what is being announced is probably not worth the disruption?<br /><br />How many know that the Mac computers in the library are a pain in the butt to use? Sorry, Ann, but NO ONE likes them.<br /><br />How many know that "Dude" is a unisex proper noun? It's that or these children are seriously lacking in health ed. I've been called "Dude" numerous time of late. (How many know that adding "Ms." would make it more appropriate when addressing a teacher?)<br /><br />How many know that I'm going to avoid the lounge at lunch time to avoid listening to a certain some one's self inflicted tale of woe?<br /><br />How many know that shock collars around the necks of certain children would implement instantaneous behavior modification and allow for the sanity of educators and enhance the learning environment of the majority of other students? How many know that some will profess this notion to be distasteful because they are soooooo tempted by it?hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-82983710041894881302009-11-13T17:43:00.006-06:002009-11-13T21:46:11.632-06:00Life SkillsChildren with learning disabilities function at many different levels in math and/or reading. During 3rd hour I take three lower functioning students to another room and work with them on basic reading skills. Two of these students (Dave and Hailey) have positive personalities and are hard workers; the third has low self esteem and "shuts down" at the snap of a finger when feeling the least bit challenged. This third child is a boy previously referenced in an earlier blog entry -- Vince. <br /><br />Typically we work on sight words (for example, "I, am, were, because..."), vowel sounds (short a, short o.....), and blends ("bl", "ch", "sw".....). All three struggle with certain words, and I'm not sure why. "Were" is THE word they cannot remember. Every day we review it and the next day they cannot remember it. "Another" and "write" also prove difficult.<br /><br />Vince and Hailey are mainstreamed in science and social studies where they learn about geography, countries, cells, periodic table and such, but neither Jeramie nor I think they understand what they are to learn. We believe they can benefit from learning life skills, so besides teaching basic phonics, I am teaching some life skills. Another teacher provided us with resource materials, and yesterday we did our first activity. I gave Vince and Dave (Hailey was at chorus) a note card and asked them to write their names, addresses, and phone numbers on it. Neither knew their addresses. Dave did not know his entire phone number. (Checking with Hailey later in the day revealed she knew all the info) <br /><br />Okay, this was discouraging. The next hour Jeramie looked up the info for me, I wrote it on note cards, and today I had them fill out an pretend contest entry form. The instructions said $100,000,000 was the grand prize........Vince wanted to know if this was for real. Alas, no, but should he ever wish to enter a contest maybe he will have a better chance since he now knows how to fill out a form. Since they had the address info. in front of them the addresses were no problem, but Vince did not know how to spell his father's first name, and Dave wrote Mom and Dad in the blanks for "mother's name" and "father's name." I clarified what was needed --- he then asked me to spell their names.<br /><br />Not sure how they got this far in life without knowing this info. but we're remedying the lapses. Next week we're going to spend some time on this and reading simple maps. The low skill levels of these children can be disheartening, but we are hoping that learning some basic life skills will ease their way into a highly competitive world.hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-42756769249805414542009-11-13T17:26:00.003-06:002009-11-13T17:40:39.770-06:0012 Year Old Energy LevelWhew! Happy it is Friday! The 6th graders have been wound up all week and took it up a notch today. Wound up means getting out of their seats at random to walk around the room, periodically breaking a pencil so there is an excuse to sharpen it, speaking to a friend while the teacher is talking, focusing all attention of a pencil/ruler/folded paper in front of them rather than paying attention to a lesson. If it were only a student or two in a class here and there I'd say "oh, well." That is not the case. I provide student support in 6 classes and each class has at <em>least</em> 3 students per class who exhibit the above behavior on a daily basis. Most of these are boys and they are not impressed/intimidated/cowed by any adult reprimands, cajoling, threats. The only time they settle is when an educational video is playing. <br /><br />For some reason I was not at wits end today. Maybe I'm getting used to the behavior and weathering it rather than becoming irritated by it. I've also learned where to focus my attention during a class --- and thank my lucky stars I'm not the teacher! I've also developed relationships with our small group of mainstreamed LD students and enjoy working with them. They keep me sane. Most are nice kids who work hard and want to succeed. Those who don't are so low level we often discuss, worriedly, their adulthood fate.<br /><br />So, even though the students provided some challenges today, I am in a good mood, not tired and looking forward to the weekend. Oh, and its payday!hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-9680366471681996882009-11-10T20:26:00.002-06:002009-11-10T20:37:50.517-06:00EloquenceAn eloquent President accords dignity and respectfulness to a solemn situation. President Obama's speech at Fort Hood today is reminiscent of past greats whose speeches historically endure.hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-67423266692546169862009-11-09T19:55:00.003-06:002009-11-09T20:14:09.374-06:00Monday EveningI'm sitting in my big comfy chair in the living room, junk TV on the screen (Two and a Half Men, to be exact), a mask stiffening on my face. (I just KNOW this time I will wash it off and look 10 years younger -- yup, I can feel it in my bones.) The dog is freshly groomed (he was a very good boy according to the groomer) and smelling better than he has in weeks.<br /><br />This weekend laundry was done, dishwasher emptied, Halloween decorations taken down (these accomplished while Dan was yelling at the Packers on TV), dog walked, groceries gotten. Garage was finally cleaned out, hoses put away, and bushes trimmed (huge hugs and thanks to Dan for helping with these things).<br /><br />I love the mundane of my life. While the health care issues, the wretched economy, and the Middle Eastern wars loom large, I am happily <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ensconced</span> in my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">snow globe</span> world for the moment. So, for tonight I am not going to ponder the serious topics nor vent on annoyances. This is an evening to relish the cozy simplicities.hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996023662965345283.post-21117413939975384222009-11-08T19:51:00.002-06:002009-11-08T19:54:56.635-06:00Gosh Darn ItGosh darn it isn't what I want to say and while I don't shirk from swearing, don't really want to see my favorite "f" word blasted all over my blog.<br /><br />I had written a wonderful blog entry on education only to watch it vanish into cyberspace! Wah!!! (picture Charlie Brown crying in anguish) I do not have the energy to begin again tonight.hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393442830810831396noreply@blogger.com1