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Humor in the 5th Grade
Don't we ALL say we are going to write a book "someday" about our teaching experiences. Well, we may never get around to writing that book, but we can use this venue to share classroom antics to remind each other part of what keeps us plugging away at our careers! Here's one that happened to me Thursday:
HUMOR IN OUR DAY:
"So you've shown me that you have an understanding of what text IS now raise your hand to tell me some examples of text," I stated.
"Cat......" responded Parisa with a soft voice when called on.
"Excuse me?" asked Miss Capps, still unable to discern her word.
"Cat....." she whispered again.
"Cattle?" queried I trying her hardest to hear.
"Well, no Parisa, I don't think cattle have text on them, dear."
Parker enthusiasticly raised his hand, "Well, they might if
they are branded with a whole word, Miss C!"
HUMOR IN OUR DAY:
"So you've shown me that you have an understanding of what text IS now raise your hand to tell me some examples of text," I stated.
"Cat......" responded Parisa with a soft voice when called on.
"Excuse me?" asked Miss Capps, still unable to discern her word.
"Cat....." she whispered again.
"Cattle?" queried I trying her hardest to hear.
"Well, no Parisa, I don't think cattle have text on them, dear."
Parker enthusiasticly raised his hand, "Well, they might if
they are branded with a whole word, Miss C!"
Where's the fun?
Let's Invent Some Fun, folks!
So.....I open this group a while ago. I'm a the manager, right? Truthfully, our groups practically nonfunctional and I'm unsure of the reason(s), but predictably was want to point the finger at me. My opening goal was to interact with teachers from other districts, states and the world. I enjoy comparing 'the way it's done'; it's invigorating to learn new approaches for, as we all know, there are as many ways to teach as there are students! I was also desiring that eventually our networking and acquaintances would become so much fun that those in say, California, might want to meet up and have dinner at a restaurant together or see Disneyland, whatever! Or, given each state having many members, the same might happen state by state. I know I've lived in the Bay Area going on 7 years now and still haven't seen it all!
Come on! Help me! Let's increase our group's numbers! Let's create an air of excitement about opening our email to see who's having a great day, who's kiddo said something hilarious in class, who's been inspired, or who's being discriminated against because of the age. Invite like-minded acquaintances from other sites and from your daily lives. In fact, this very day off (thank you and Happy Birthday, MLK, Jr!) I will create a separate set of personal cards to pass out. I've recently started attending a new church and am meeting new people. I'm going to offer new folks my new card that will have not only my phone number, but a 9 pt. invitation to visit my profile here at eons as well join our group.
Okay, now it's your turn. What are your ideas for increasing the fun and support? Who will be first to share their latest classroom funny with us? I WOULD tell you about tripping over a 5th grader's sweater on the floor the other day and sprawling across the carpet in front of them all,which, I'm sure, sounds like Chevy Chase moment, but it, trust me no one laughed!
Here's to more fun group moments and idea sharing. . .
Barb7
So.....I open this group a while ago. I'm a the manager, right? Truthfully, our groups practically nonfunctional and I'm unsure of the reason(s), but predictably was want to point the finger at me. My opening goal was to interact with teachers from other districts, states and the world. I enjoy comparing 'the way it's done'; it's invigorating to learn new approaches for, as we all know, there are as many ways to teach as there are students! I was also desiring that eventually our networking and acquaintances would become so much fun that those in say, California, might want to meet up and have dinner at a restaurant together or see Disneyland, whatever! Or, given each state having many members, the same might happen state by state. I know I've lived in the Bay Area going on 7 years now and still haven't seen it all!
Come on! Help me! Let's increase our group's numbers! Let's create an air of excitement about opening our email to see who's having a great day, who's kiddo said something hilarious in class, who's been inspired, or who's being discriminated against because of the age. Invite like-minded acquaintances from other sites and from your daily lives. In fact, this very day off (thank you and Happy Birthday, MLK, Jr!) I will create a separate set of personal cards to pass out. I've recently started attending a new church and am meeting new people. I'm going to offer new folks my new card that will have not only my phone number, but a 9 pt. invitation to visit my profile here at eons as well join our group.
Okay, now it's your turn. What are your ideas for increasing the fun and support? Who will be first to share their latest classroom funny with us? I WOULD tell you about tripping over a 5th grader's sweater on the floor the other day and sprawling across the carpet in front of them all,which, I'm sure, sounds like Chevy Chase moment, but it, trust me no one laughed!
Here's to more fun group moments and idea sharing. . .
Barb7
Speaking of Dreams
Strega, I don't have the summer anxiety dreams. Yet for many many years now I've had variations of a similar dream always the night before the first day of school.
I am teaching in the buff from the waist up. Somehow, as these things are in dreams, no one seems to notice! Once I realize it though I keep trying to get off campus and keep getting detained. A crazy, frustrating dream for sure! What does it mean, Dr. Feud?!?!?!?
I am teaching in the buff from the waist up. Somehow, as these things are in dreams, no one seems to notice! Once I realize it though I keep trying to get off campus and keep getting detained. A crazy, frustrating dream for sure! What does it mean, Dr. Feud?!?!?!?
30 years.
Ok, I'll admit it up front, if you're having a great day and you're in a positive mood, you DON'T want to read this necessity of mine to emote.
I LOVE to teach. I do. Anything good, necessary, up-to-date, and research approved----I state modestly that I do it and have done it for years. My students and parents adore me. I am a very requested teacher. My students teacher watch in awe (so the current one is telling me). I love that few jobs can let one create limitlessly, affect children positively, and, well, change the world, like teaching.
BUT WHERE THE Heck IS GRATEFUL?!?!?!?! I don't mean the children's hugs and gifts---and I know what you're thinking---that should be enough because it's a LOT. I agree. I don't mean the parents that give you their thanks at conferences. I agree. That's wonderful and unmeasurable. What is empty and unfulfilled, though, is the need (ok, I'm flawed, I have this NEED) to get thanks and compliments, encouragement, from a principal JUST ONCE A YEAR! Sheesh. Even research guru Robert Marzono says research shows that principals who encourage teachers and show them they CARE about their lives are more effective than those who do not. But you know, I must say I ask the question, do I let fewer atta girls as I become an older (though more effective) teacher, because I notice it's the younger ones always presenting staff develpment in this district. Or is it that I moved to a metropolitan area and life moves so fast and the data must be driven at the speed of light so there's no thought to the effectiveness of supporting your teachers in meaningful ways.
I am a young 55. I stay up on research and new skills. My room is uncluttered, but "word rich", my students test scores up with everyone else's, some years they are higher--who knows why? But I work, as a single woman, 50 hrs. AT school 7:15 am to 5:15ish and another 5-10 at home correcting and planning ahead per week. WHEN DOES ONE FRICKEN PRINCIPAL NOTICE AND COMPLIMENT?
But, wait a minute, I realize, I'm leaving out something here. It's not JUST the lack of occasional pats on the back from a principal that would keep me rev me up and inspire me; its the public, too. Thirty years of: education is behind other countries, Johnny can't read YET! That doesn't work anymore, try this, do it this way now---oh, yeah, golly, gee, we did that in the 80's and "they" threw it out, but so what! All of us.....what we do is NEVER enough. Oh, yeah, we keep the parents from calling with complaints, we do our own discipline and don't send the kids to the office, etc., but because of this darn race for test scores IT'S NEVER ENOUGH! I'm sick of it. Hey, if you are reading this it's because your name is Johnny and we taught you! Teaching is the job that makes all other professions possible! We trained the aerospace engineers that put Neil Armstrong on the moon, folks. But Johnny can't READ? CUT SOME SLACK!
What do I want folks? I want "GRATEFUL".
I want just one friggen year of,"GRATEFUL" It's been 30 years. Thirty faithful, I love it, "I touch the future", years. Come on. 60 Minutes, 20/20, somebody read this, and please GIVE WE EDUCATORS AN AIRPLANE IN THE SKY WRITING, 'AMERICA IS GRATEFUL TO ITS EDUCATORS'
'Cause, today, 4 weeks before June. I'm tired that for thirty years "it's never enough." I'm tired, world. Ya hear?
Yeah, your group manager... having a moment......Barb7
P. S. Now...I think I better go get a massage. Hahaha.
I LOVE to teach. I do. Anything good, necessary, up-to-date, and research approved----I state modestly that I do it and have done it for years. My students and parents adore me. I am a very requested teacher. My students teacher watch in awe (so the current one is telling me). I love that few jobs can let one create limitlessly, affect children positively, and, well, change the world, like teaching.
BUT WHERE THE Heck IS GRATEFUL?!?!?!?! I don't mean the children's hugs and gifts---and I know what you're thinking---that should be enough because it's a LOT. I agree. I don't mean the parents that give you their thanks at conferences. I agree. That's wonderful and unmeasurable. What is empty and unfulfilled, though, is the need (ok, I'm flawed, I have this NEED) to get thanks and compliments, encouragement, from a principal JUST ONCE A YEAR! Sheesh. Even research guru Robert Marzono says research shows that principals who encourage teachers and show them they CARE about their lives are more effective than those who do not. But you know, I must say I ask the question, do I let fewer atta girls as I become an older (though more effective) teacher, because I notice it's the younger ones always presenting staff develpment in this district. Or is it that I moved to a metropolitan area and life moves so fast and the data must be driven at the speed of light so there's no thought to the effectiveness of supporting your teachers in meaningful ways.
I am a young 55. I stay up on research and new skills. My room is uncluttered, but "word rich", my students test scores up with everyone else's, some years they are higher--who knows why? But I work, as a single woman, 50 hrs. AT school 7:15 am to 5:15ish and another 5-10 at home correcting and planning ahead per week. WHEN DOES ONE FRICKEN PRINCIPAL NOTICE AND COMPLIMENT?
But, wait a minute, I realize, I'm leaving out something here. It's not JUST the lack of occasional pats on the back from a principal that would keep me rev me up and inspire me; its the public, too. Thirty years of: education is behind other countries, Johnny can't read YET! That doesn't work anymore, try this, do it this way now---oh, yeah, golly, gee, we did that in the 80's and "they" threw it out, but so what! All of us.....what we do is NEVER enough. Oh, yeah, we keep the parents from calling with complaints, we do our own discipline and don't send the kids to the office, etc., but because of this darn race for test scores IT'S NEVER ENOUGH! I'm sick of it. Hey, if you are reading this it's because your name is Johnny and we taught you! Teaching is the job that makes all other professions possible! We trained the aerospace engineers that put Neil Armstrong on the moon, folks. But Johnny can't READ? CUT SOME SLACK!
What do I want folks? I want "GRATEFUL".
I want just one friggen year of,"GRATEFUL" It's been 30 years. Thirty faithful, I love it, "I touch the future", years. Come on. 60 Minutes, 20/20, somebody read this, and please GIVE WE EDUCATORS AN AIRPLANE IN THE SKY WRITING, 'AMERICA IS GRATEFUL TO ITS EDUCATORS'
'Cause, today, 4 weeks before June. I'm tired that for thirty years "it's never enough." I'm tired, world. Ya hear?
Yeah, your group manager... having a moment......Barb7
P. S. Now...I think I better go get a massage. Hahaha.
How common are district buy outs?
Do you know of tenured teachers who were offered buy out of the rest of their year's contract with the understanding that they would seek employment elsewhere?
Were YOU given this option? Did you take it? Did you "fight" it? What were the results?
Tell us your stories, or the annonymous stories of your friends or co-workers. This is happening to a friend of mine right now who is an awesome teacher and it is devastating her life and self-esteem. Yes, she is high on the pay scale and thinks the district is doing this to hire a cheaper teacher next year. You see, our district is strapped for cash due to declining enrollment. And what else is she to think, because the district gave her a choice: buy out or risk us putting you through the gauntlet of being accused of unsatisfactory performance. Even though she knows there is no foundation; she fears a new principal, that clearly doesn't like her, would give her an unsatisfactory performance in the 45 day evaluation time and then could lose her credential because being let go "for cause" in CA means you must go before the state credentailing board in person (with a union attorney) to defend yourself. Incredulous! How can a district rob this teacher of the contractual due process rights with such threats? Right when NCLB requires a certain %'age of "highly qualified teachers" at each school, how is it they are willing to give her up? Principals out there, talk to me? How can I comfort her? This is a middle aged, vibrant teacher, lauded by her students, parents, and co-workers and she is absolutely ILL over having to make such a decision. If she accepts their buy out and goes to another school district, she will lost many years on the salary scedule and of course towards her retirement.
Were YOU given this option? Did you take it? Did you "fight" it? What were the results?
Tell us your stories, or the annonymous stories of your friends or co-workers. This is happening to a friend of mine right now who is an awesome teacher and it is devastating her life and self-esteem. Yes, she is high on the pay scale and thinks the district is doing this to hire a cheaper teacher next year. You see, our district is strapped for cash due to declining enrollment. And what else is she to think, because the district gave her a choice: buy out or risk us putting you through the gauntlet of being accused of unsatisfactory performance. Even though she knows there is no foundation; she fears a new principal, that clearly doesn't like her, would give her an unsatisfactory performance in the 45 day evaluation time and then could lose her credential because being let go "for cause" in CA means you must go before the state credentailing board in person (with a union attorney) to defend yourself. Incredulous! How can a district rob this teacher of the contractual due process rights with such threats? Right when NCLB requires a certain %'age of "highly qualified teachers" at each school, how is it they are willing to give her up? Principals out there, talk to me? How can I comfort her? This is a middle aged, vibrant teacher, lauded by her students, parents, and co-workers and she is absolutely ILL over having to make such a decision. If she accepts their buy out and goes to another school district, she will lost many years on the salary scedule and of course towards her retirement.
