Two steps forward...

And one step back.


I'm not surprised this class lost some ground over the two week break. I don't mean academically, but in their behavior. We have spent so much time building community and getting procedures down pat.


For the first hour or so they were sleepy and quiet. I was too! Then they perked up, got chatty, lost control and forgot where they were. I reigned them in and things got better. Gosh, they are exhausting! Despite some bobbles and wobbles today, it was good and I was glad to see them.

Goodnight '09

It's Thursday and in just three days I will have to return to the classroom. I am nowhere near that "zone". I need to get there. Getting there also means I need to adjust and start somewhere other than where I left off. I do not like where I've been the last few months. There have been some good moments and I think my teaching has been very good, but it needs to be better. I want it to be better.

Despite the data-driven methods we are forced into using, I will regain the passion I began with. I have to. Because, if I do not, then it is time to get out. I have some ideas. I've mulled a few things over. I think tomorrow I will venture to school, enter my room alone, in the cold and the silence, and have a conversation with myself about my goals, methods, desires, and passion for this vocation.

I love that every January and again in August, I get to begin, again...

Grecian Art ~ sorta

By now you should know that I loves me some wall displays! I rarely have a bare wall. I think it is so important to showcase what my kids do, where they go, what they think and also how creative they are.



Part of our field trip was a an activity. The docent discussed the Grecian art technique of black on red painting and red on black painting. They created their own vases with designs and back in the class room I had them glue them to construction paper. I love how they look!

Field Trip

Our district has cut all field trips but I got mine in just before the cut. I'm so glad too. We went to the Mabee-Gerrer Museum in Shawnee, OK. It was awesome!


The museum is small, but just right for a field trip. Everything on display had a real high "WOW!" factor and my kids were blown away. I forgot my Nikon, but had the handy-dandy iphone. So please excuse the crappy photo quality.


Cuneiform writing ~ We read about this in our first civilizations unit.



Sarcophagus ~ A real one! The kids were so thrilled. But this was the big hit....



This is Tutu. A mummy in Oklahoma? Who knew?! The museum calls itself "Oklahoma's best kept secret" and it is. But I think the secret needs to be told. I am going back!

The docents were wonderful and even sent with me a huge tub full of posters, videos, lesson plans, books, and a game for me to use for the next few weeks. I'm so glad we got to go. I'm go glad I chose a true educational field trip. The trend for field trips seems to be moving towards frivolous things, fun, but certainly not educational. This field trip will carry over into the classroom for the next week and after the holiday break.

She's gone...

I have had many students leave in the middle of the year and I'm usually a little sad, but I rearrange desks, rearrange small groups, and move on. But this time, this one that has moved has left me feeling incredibly sad. I wrote about her here and called her "Precious". She had been absent Monday and Tuesday. She did not show up today and I usually call home on the third day. Before I got that chance, I got the withdrawal paper in my box. I sighed...

We were making headway. She was caught up on work and the quality was improving. She did a wonderful presentation for her country report.

I tried to call mom, the mom who yelled at me over the phone, but got no answer. I worry Precious isn't in a good place. But really, I have no idea... She was mine and I miss her.

Still here... Despite a near death experience

Sorry for the long break. I have been so busy I decided to stay away awhile lest I forget my true priorities.

My Art weekend was wonderful and I have integrated some of what I learned in the classroom. I wish there was time for more but meeting are eating up so darn much time and when we aren't in meetings we are assessing. At least it seems that way.

On Monday I got a taste of Professional Development h*ll. Oh. My. Gawd! I read a lot of teacher blogs and I have read many stories about PD h*ll, but I had never been there. Now, I admit, PD still sucks most of the time, but I always seemed to come away with something. Not this time. Nothing. Zip. Can I count a sore butt?

Late in the afternoon, I decided to take another diversionary trip to the restroom while I was supposed to be working with my group, making up a song about diversity. Yes, I said MAKING UP A SONG! As I walked to the restroom, I passed another group and they were singing "We are the teachers, we are the world" and I thought to myself oh please, just kill me now. When I returned to my group, I alerted them to the fact that they were now officially on suicide watch.

Six hours... I will never get those hours back and they were truly, 100 percent, wasted.

Thursday's and Friday's Art

Yesterday we worked on star books, taught to us by a wonderful gal from the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee. Inside the books we put info cards about ancient Egypt. I'm not sure I can teach my 6th graders these complicated books, but I can adapt it. I plan to use it for our Greece of Rome unit.


Today we worked with sculpy and then we made some hides made of paper. Our morning class was taught by The Philbrook Museum and I need to get to Tulsa and visit that place. This afternoon our teacher was from the Oklahoma Museum of Art and we painted and made pseudo glass bowls. I'm tired! This is more art than I've done in a long time and I love it!


This afternoon I got out and took some photos.


The colors here are brilliant.


This guy was quite far away but entertaining to watch.


The art here at the lodge is amazing. These a few examples. But the art is everywhere ~ even in the bathrooms!