Rachael's trip
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
New Favorite Things
The last couple of days, I have discovered a couple of new small joys that are making my life easier and more enjoyable. I thought I would share.
First, I tried Rainbath body oil by Neutrogena. I found a bottle that was unscented. I can't believe how soft it makes my skin! My legs get so dry and itchy sometimes that I will scratch them until they bleed. Rainbath goes right on after a shower and feels really great. No more scratchy bleeding legs!
Next, I bought a new digital download album from Mailboat records. Jimmy Buffett did an impromtu show at Margaritaville in Key West which was recorded. I love it! My new favorite song is "A Lot To Drink About" - a light hearted look at the frustrations, economy, and political climate right now. Then, while I was in the Jimmy Buffett spirit, I purchased the new Summerzcool single. I have been just jammin' in the morning getting ready for school!
Do you have any new favorite things that are making your spring a little more enjoyable? Share them with us!
First, I tried Rainbath body oil by Neutrogena. I found a bottle that was unscented. I can't believe how soft it makes my skin! My legs get so dry and itchy sometimes that I will scratch them until they bleed. Rainbath goes right on after a shower and feels really great. No more scratchy bleeding legs!
Next, I bought a new digital download album from Mailboat records. Jimmy Buffett did an impromtu show at Margaritaville in Key West which was recorded. I love it! My new favorite song is "A Lot To Drink About" - a light hearted look at the frustrations, economy, and political climate right now. Then, while I was in the Jimmy Buffett spirit, I purchased the new Summerzcool single. I have been just jammin' in the morning getting ready for school!
Do you have any new favorite things that are making your spring a little more enjoyable? Share them with us!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Obama's Press Conference
I think the president did a good job on his press conference last night. It is so refreshing to watch a press conference and not have to worry about how and when the leader of this great nation is going to embarass us all!
We do not have to agree with our president on all issues. That is the beauty of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I believe we need to give our leaders the respect they deserve. I was NOT a George Bush fan for many reasons that I won't go into here. However, I believe he deserved the respect due to the President of the United States.
I was fortunate enough to travel with Rande to Lithuania a few years ago. Those people had only been independent for about 9 years at that point. As I listened to those folks, I could hear the pride in their voices and the love of their new found freedom. I wondered if our forefathers felt the same way. I realized that as Americans who have experienced freedom for over 200 years, we have become a little lackadaisical in our thinking. We only complain, we take our freedom for granted, but most of all, we don't exercise our right to vote.
Those of you who have been complaining. Did you vote? I am going to tell you what I tell my Civics students. If you don't exercise your right to vote, then in my opinion, you lose your right to complain. You had your chance to make your voice heard - you didn't exercise that right.
Think about YOUR Bill of Rights. What rights do you have? What privileges do you have just because you live in the great country? What responsibilities do you have as an American? Think of these things before you complain.
I challenge you to respond to this post. Tell me what you learned in Civics class and/or how you feel about our country.
We do not have to agree with our president on all issues. That is the beauty of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I believe we need to give our leaders the respect they deserve. I was NOT a George Bush fan for many reasons that I won't go into here. However, I believe he deserved the respect due to the President of the United States.
I was fortunate enough to travel with Rande to Lithuania a few years ago. Those people had only been independent for about 9 years at that point. As I listened to those folks, I could hear the pride in their voices and the love of their new found freedom. I wondered if our forefathers felt the same way. I realized that as Americans who have experienced freedom for over 200 years, we have become a little lackadaisical in our thinking. We only complain, we take our freedom for granted, but most of all, we don't exercise our right to vote.
Those of you who have been complaining. Did you vote? I am going to tell you what I tell my Civics students. If you don't exercise your right to vote, then in my opinion, you lose your right to complain. You had your chance to make your voice heard - you didn't exercise that right.
Think about YOUR Bill of Rights. What rights do you have? What privileges do you have just because you live in the great country? What responsibilities do you have as an American? Think of these things before you complain.
I challenge you to respond to this post. Tell me what you learned in Civics class and/or how you feel about our country.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
End of the semester
This is my final full semester of graduate school. As I reflect on this 2 year journey I realize just how much I have learned.
Experience had taught me a great deal about these squirmy people we call middle schoolers but, graduate school confirmed what my instincts were telling me. I learned so many new strategies like backwards planning and creating integrated units. I learned that intrinsic motivation is more important and that all young adolescents not only develop at different rates physically, but emotionally as well. I also learned how to conduct my own teacher research study.
I learned that all middle school teachers are a little nuts. We were a group of around 15 middle school teachers who's experience ranged from 2 - 25 years. It is amazing all the talent that was in that room on any given night. I am honored just to have spent the past two years learning with them all.
After a five week session in summer school, I will finally have earned that Master's Degree. I am glad that I have done it and given the opportunity - I believe I would do it again.
Experience had taught me a great deal about these squirmy people we call middle schoolers but, graduate school confirmed what my instincts were telling me. I learned so many new strategies like backwards planning and creating integrated units. I learned that intrinsic motivation is more important and that all young adolescents not only develop at different rates physically, but emotionally as well. I also learned how to conduct my own teacher research study.
I learned that all middle school teachers are a little nuts. We were a group of around 15 middle school teachers who's experience ranged from 2 - 25 years. It is amazing all the talent that was in that room on any given night. I am honored just to have spent the past two years learning with them all.
After a five week session in summer school, I will finally have earned that Master's Degree. I am glad that I have done it and given the opportunity - I believe I would do it again.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Obama Effect
As much as I would like to think that the Obama effect will help the test scores of low performing black students, I am afraid that NCLB has made such a mess of the education system, that nothing short of a complete overhaul of American Education is going to help these students right now.
Since the early 2000's we have taught kids that hard work does not matter. All someone has to do is sit, do nothing, and then pass a test at the end of the year to go on to the next grade. Sometimes, they don't even have to pass the test if their parents complain loudly enough and to the right people. As a result, many students at my school, which is 51% non-white, don't think there is any reason to show effort at all - except for three days at the end of the school year.
Look at the young people coming out of college, businesses are complaining that they have no work ethic, that parents are too involved with their work life, and they can't think for themselves. This "mark C" generation as I call them think that the world owes them everything. After all, they don't have to work, just mark C and 80% of the time, that will get them what they want. No Effort involved!
I am afraid that we have made such a mess of things, its going to take another 100 years to recover.
Since the early 2000's we have taught kids that hard work does not matter. All someone has to do is sit, do nothing, and then pass a test at the end of the year to go on to the next grade. Sometimes, they don't even have to pass the test if their parents complain loudly enough and to the right people. As a result, many students at my school, which is 51% non-white, don't think there is any reason to show effort at all - except for three days at the end of the school year.
Look at the young people coming out of college, businesses are complaining that they have no work ethic, that parents are too involved with their work life, and they can't think for themselves. This "mark C" generation as I call them think that the world owes them everything. After all, they don't have to work, just mark C and 80% of the time, that will get them what they want. No Effort involved!
I am afraid that we have made such a mess of things, its going to take another 100 years to recover.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
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