My Blessed Little Life

This week our school has been participating in Pennies for Patients for the Leukemia Society.  Every day, our counselor has come around to collect the money that my TA group added to our box.  The top prize was a catered Olive Garden lunch, which was quite an incentive for my group! Second place would earn cookies, and third place could win bubble gum. Every day, I was please that my group added to our fund.  After hearing from several of my co-workers, I was happy to see anything was given. The first day we had a small amount- $1.86.  The second day, they added a little over $6.  Day 3, the competitive bug hit and they brought in almost $40 in just one day.  I was very proud of my group, and they moved us into third place of all the TA groups.  Some groups still had empty boxes after day 3!  Yesterday was our last day to collect money.  As my group began to collect money to count on the table, I was amazed to see what they had accomplish...

On Monday, my students and I had a discussion about slicing.  I offered my students the chance to slice this month, and am very pleased that a few took me up on it (offering prizes must have helped!)  I had a couple turn in their slices because they had finished 31 entries and felt they were done.  I myself have scheduled slices to go out a few days ahead when I felt inspiration hit and could write more than one entry in a day.  But is that cheating?  That was the question. I don't think it is cheating to write and schedule ahead.  For me, I feel much more at ease to write my posts and know that they are done for the day.  I can log in and link up my slice before school, and then I know that I can go about my day without worrying about getting it done.  I also have started a post, and then felt I needed to step away for a day or two.  Sometimes having that little break brings clarity. I can refocus what I was trying to say.  So...

 22 of 31 for the Slice of Life Challenge from  Two Writing Teachers I was gone Tuesday for a school field trip. A select few students went to the literature festival and had a  great time.  Just like always, I left very detailed lesson plans and warnings of who to watch out for, who to rely on as the helpers.  My classes have not had a great track record when it comes to subs, so I always leave PLENTY of work for the students to complete.  This day in particular was MAP review...which is coming up way too fast. I'm sure they were completely engrossed. For the most part I don't worry about my 7th graders.  They do okay.  My 8th graders however...they are whole other story. I purposely did not go into the school when the bus arrived home at 5 pm on Tuesday night.  I did not want to see the note that the sub left on my desk.  I did not want to face the news that it was a bad day again.  The track record...it haunts me.  In...

 21 of 31 for the Slice of Life Challenge from  Two Writing Teachers I see you struggle Day in and day out. Life has pushed you around Beaten you up Taken your lunch money. Life is a bully, Adding punch after punch To your gut. My heart breaks As I watch you in the hall, Clothes unwashed, Worn for the fifth day in a row. The Beats you carry around your neck, Bought by public generosity, Are a symbol of resilience, That money isn't an issue. School is your safe place. Your spot to get away From the chaos of your life. In and out of shelters, School of a constant. Lately that constant Is on shaky ground. That constant is tired. That constant has put up With disrespect, and abuse Of its own. That constant is rebelling too. "Find a place for this one. We've had enough." I know in a heartbeat As soon as I see you walk in What kind of day I'll have. Calm water or stormy weather Brewing as you sit down. A day of compromise, wor...

Word on the street is that KC *might* get some snow in a day or two. That must be true...I'm hoping so because my students were hyped up today. Some of that might be the four day weekend they had, but anyone who has worked with kids or animals understands and has experienced the crazy weather behavior that proceeds/ accompanies the storms. They were already planning their snow day activities and snow is not forecasted until late tomorrow. I wish they spent that much time working on my classwork! Calgon, take me away!