Hi. My name is Heather. I am a book addict.
I seriously need an intervention. Well, that is my husband's opinion.
I have always been a voracious reader, but never was one to purchase books. Maybe an occasional paperback, but never hardbacks no matter how much I wanted to read the latest release.
Now, I am still a big reader, (not so much with the textbooks these days, but that is a subject for another day) but my obsession has taken me to children's books.
Four years ago, when I decided to go back to school and get my education degree, I started buying children's books. To put in my classroom. When I had no classroom of my own. I hadn't even registered for school yet.
That's a perfectly sane move, right?
If I had to venture a guess, I would say I have something close to 1,000 titles now.
My husband completely supports my efforts, but mostly because I get my books from yard sales, Goodwill, neighbors, thrift shops, and really good sales at the book store(s). Newberry Award winning books are my favorite find.
Last night was family night at the kid's book fair. They were given the option of having cash to take to school on Thursday, or going last night. They chose last night.
I told them the usual rules: budget, no code books, no toys, no pens/pencils/erasers, no posters. It's a book fair, and I will purchase BOOKS.
So, they each had their own budget, and I secretly had my budget. You know, in case I JUST HAD to have something I hadn't found yet.
Budget-smudget.
We leave and I am coming off my book-high. I am excited for them, excited for me.
THEN, I am making dinner, and went to feed the dogs. They had just enough for dinner but nothing for breakfast. I volunteered to run to PetSmart and get some food, plus the fish needed a new filter.
PetSmart is next door to Books-a-Million.
Books-a-Million had three racks out saying, "$1- Last Chance"
It would have been rude not have looked, right?
I found six books worth the dollar (all for me) and went inside to check out the clearance rack. Being that I had blown my budget at the book fair, I was totally trying to have some self-control.
I don't know what they pump into those places, but I just go into a trance. I love to look at the titles. Flip through the pages. Smell that new-book-smell.
I found a Roald Dahl for $1.97 (Charlie and the Glass Elevator) and another assorted "school stories" for the same.
Guess what I paid for eight books?
$9.77.
The $1 books rang up for .90 and the two children's books rang up for $1.70.
They have the complete set of A Series of Unfortunate Events in hardback for $4.95 each. I am betting they'll ring up for less. I only need five of them to be complete.
Oh! This Friday is payday....
Showing posts with label elementary education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elementary education. Show all posts
8/26/09
Just so you know
I am still around.
Just trying to muddle through some real-life problems. Miss writing, though.
It would make me feel better to write about it, however, I am not sure who one person is that clicks on my blog daily.
Lewisburg, Tennessee? Who are you?
(You can email me if you'd like.)
I would just like it to be said that no matter how honest I am, how caring, how far away from gossip and whatnot I try refrain from, it always amazes me that there is one person that is willing to stab me in the back.
I would also like to say that to the one person (and actually, it may be like three) that thought you were so clever...
Just trying to muddle through some real-life problems. Miss writing, though.
It would make me feel better to write about it, however, I am not sure who one person is that clicks on my blog daily.
Lewisburg, Tennessee? Who are you?
(You can email me if you'd like.)
I would just like it to be said that no matter how honest I am, how caring, how far away from gossip and whatnot I try refrain from, it always amazes me that there is one person that is willing to stab me in the back.
I would also like to say that to the one person (and actually, it may be like three) that thought you were so clever...
it always gets back to me.
7/29/09
Insert witty and relevant title here
Many things on the agenda tonight:
1. The pantry/ laundry room is basically finished. The only thing it lacks is paint. Big Daddy built a new crate for the dogs, built in two drawers that were left over from a previous project, ect ect ect. The only thing is that right now it is all ghetto fabulous and needs paint. But apparently Lowe's has a policy that you must pay for things. Must be some crazy capitalist scheme. And no, there will no pictures for a while. At least until we can get it all painted. You'd think with the 927 cans in the garage, we could paint a 12x12 room and some exposed wood.
2. Today was registration day at school. President and I made survival kits to give to all the teachers and staff, and the students when the parents signed up for PTO. You can figure out what was inside the sack from what I wrote on the outside:
Here is you SURVIVAL kit:
A lollipop to help you lick your problems.
A sponge to soak up your knowledge.
A tootsie roll to help you roll with the punches.
An eraser so each day you can start with a clean slate.
A paper clip to hold everything together.
A pencil to write your wrongs.
A cotton ball for when you can hear yourself think.
Smarties...they are the seeds of learning.
And a star burst to remind you...YOU are the STAR!
Welcome back to school. We are happy you are here.
Speaking of, I made a blog for our PTO to keep the parents up to date with the goings on. So far it has been well recieved by those who know about it. I am sort of excited although no one knows its me, per se. Now if I could major in Farm Town/Facebook, I'd be set.
3. I noticed after I did the last entry, I only had five items. If that doesn't prove that I preoccupied with WAY too many things, I don't know what would.
4. One teacher is only taking the first four weeks off of school. At first, I was supposed to get it. Cha-ching! We get a raise and now solid work? Yes, please! However, due to some technical issue, another substitute got it because she has her license.
You all might as well be warned now; when I graduate and get my license, you will be so tired of hearing about it, I am sure you'll quit reading. That piece of paper apparently is magical and is the key that unlocks the universe.
Meeting ajourned.
1. The pantry/ laundry room is basically finished. The only thing it lacks is paint. Big Daddy built a new crate for the dogs, built in two drawers that were left over from a previous project, ect ect ect. The only thing is that right now it is all ghetto fabulous and needs paint. But apparently Lowe's has a policy that you must pay for things. Must be some crazy capitalist scheme. And no, there will no pictures for a while. At least until we can get it all painted. You'd think with the 927 cans in the garage, we could paint a 12x12 room and some exposed wood.
2. Today was registration day at school. President and I made survival kits to give to all the teachers and staff, and the students when the parents signed up for PTO. You can figure out what was inside the sack from what I wrote on the outside:
Here is you SURVIVAL kit:
A lollipop to help you lick your problems.
A sponge to soak up your knowledge.
A tootsie roll to help you roll with the punches.
An eraser so each day you can start with a clean slate.
A paper clip to hold everything together.
A pencil to write your wrongs.
A cotton ball for when you can hear yourself think.
Smarties...they are the seeds of learning.
And a star burst to remind you...YOU are the STAR!
Welcome back to school. We are happy you are here.
Speaking of, I made a blog for our PTO to keep the parents up to date with the goings on. So far it has been well recieved by those who know about it. I am sort of excited although no one knows its me, per se. Now if I could major in Farm Town/Facebook, I'd be set.
3. I noticed after I did the last entry, I only had five items. If that doesn't prove that I preoccupied with WAY too many things, I don't know what would.
4. One teacher is only taking the first four weeks off of school. At first, I was supposed to get it. Cha-ching! We get a raise and now solid work? Yes, please! However, due to some technical issue, another substitute got it because she has her license.
You all might as well be warned now; when I graduate and get my license, you will be so tired of hearing about it, I am sure you'll quit reading. That piece of paper apparently is magical and is the key that unlocks the universe.
Meeting ajourned.
5/21/09
Please don't laugh, but...
Tomorrow is my last day with my favorite fourth graders.
I have cried no less than three times since 2:00.
I miss them already.
I have cried no less than three times since 2:00.
I miss them already.
5/8/09
A Day in the Life (of me)
I get a lot of comments (usually from my mom) concerning why I would want to be a teacher.
Then there are the few people that I know that aren't in education that say things like, "I could never do that," or "those kids would drive me crazy," and occasionally, "I love kindergartners. They are so cute!"
Let's just make one thing clear: I could never do kindergarten. Those kids would drive me crazy.
This fourth grade class I am teaching is absolutely phenomenal. I can't express how much I love them and will miss them when the year is over.I have spent more time with these kids than any other class. Luckily, I will go back into the sub pool and will see them some in the fall when they return as cocky, hormonal fifth-graders.
It's not all sunshine and roses, however. We have our bumps along the way.
I have one student that will not get his work finished. I have another that gets picked on daily, but she brings it on herself. I have another that caused (allegedly) a fiasco in the bathroom. Someone stole my stickers and a dollar out of my purse today--she doesn't know that I know.
You know, typical stuff.
But...
I go back. Everyday is a new day. There are no grudges. It's the daily sweetness that gets me through.
They ALL want to help me. They ALL want to sit by me. They ALL want that one-on-one attention I try to make sure they get everyday.
I came up with an idea called "Did you Know?" Every day I would write a random but strange fact on the board. I was going to start it on Monday. Somehow we ended up talking about it during science, and I told them the plan. The next thing I know, I had five pieces of paper with random facts on them. Trying to expand on something potentially great, I went to the dollar store, bought twenty-four mini notebooks and researched more facts to give them. This morning, I wrote the four received and one of my own. They were ecstatic about it. I put a container by the "Did you know..." board and told them they were welcome to add facts to share. This afternoon, I already had ten...
On Monday, I am going to start a daily brain teaser. I have done this in the fourth grade in the past and this age LOVES it. I can't wait.
Today we had planned as part of the language lesson to make Mother's Day cards. The previous teacher left me her original she makes every year. I photocopied one for each child then brought in some stickers, stamps, paper doilies, and scrapbooking scissors. They could not wait to get started. But do you want to know what they got really excited about?
Envelopes.
I had one package of the large envelopes left over from my American Greeting days. I pulled those out and told them I had enough for each to have one; you'd thought I'd handed out $20 bills. It is a day I will remember forever.
I was up until 2:30 this morning grading papers. They had spelling sentences, and I love looking at those.
Two sentences will go down in infamy as flat-out precious. These were from two of my top students. Bold word is the spelling word.
appointment-- "On my leg I had to put on some appointment."
tireless--"In the junk yard, the cars are tireless."
Sure, I am tired. Sure, they are wound up because of the full moon and the fact school is almost out. Sure, they are hot because the air is not working and we don't get air flow from the backdoor. Sure, they have tattled on each other more than most kindergartners this week. (Ahem. That gets you marked in the behavior log.)But, at the end of the day, I can't think of another place I would rather spend my daytime hours.
Then there are the few people that I know that aren't in education that say things like, "I could never do that," or "those kids would drive me crazy," and occasionally, "I love kindergartners. They are so cute!"
Let's just make one thing clear: I could never do kindergarten. Those kids would drive me crazy.
This fourth grade class I am teaching is absolutely phenomenal. I can't express how much I love them and will miss them when the year is over.I have spent more time with these kids than any other class. Luckily, I will go back into the sub pool and will see them some in the fall when they return as cocky, hormonal fifth-graders.
It's not all sunshine and roses, however. We have our bumps along the way.
I have one student that will not get his work finished. I have another that gets picked on daily, but she brings it on herself. I have another that caused (allegedly) a fiasco in the bathroom. Someone stole my stickers and a dollar out of my purse today--she doesn't know that I know.
You know, typical stuff.
But...
I go back. Everyday is a new day. There are no grudges. It's the daily sweetness that gets me through.
They ALL want to help me. They ALL want to sit by me. They ALL want that one-on-one attention I try to make sure they get everyday.
I came up with an idea called "Did you Know?" Every day I would write a random but strange fact on the board. I was going to start it on Monday. Somehow we ended up talking about it during science, and I told them the plan. The next thing I know, I had five pieces of paper with random facts on them. Trying to expand on something potentially great, I went to the dollar store, bought twenty-four mini notebooks and researched more facts to give them. This morning, I wrote the four received and one of my own. They were ecstatic about it. I put a container by the "Did you know..." board and told them they were welcome to add facts to share. This afternoon, I already had ten...
On Monday, I am going to start a daily brain teaser. I have done this in the fourth grade in the past and this age LOVES it. I can't wait.
Today we had planned as part of the language lesson to make Mother's Day cards. The previous teacher left me her original she makes every year. I photocopied one for each child then brought in some stickers, stamps, paper doilies, and scrapbooking scissors. They could not wait to get started. But do you want to know what they got really excited about?
Envelopes.
I had one package of the large envelopes left over from my American Greeting days. I pulled those out and told them I had enough for each to have one; you'd thought I'd handed out $20 bills. It is a day I will remember forever.
I was up until 2:30 this morning grading papers. They had spelling sentences, and I love looking at those.
Two sentences will go down in infamy as flat-out precious. These were from two of my top students. Bold word is the spelling word.
appointment-- "On my leg I had to put on some appointment."
tireless--"In the junk yard, the cars are tireless."
Sure, I am tired. Sure, they are wound up because of the full moon and the fact school is almost out. Sure, they are hot because the air is not working and we don't get air flow from the backdoor. Sure, they have tattled on each other more than most kindergartners this week. (Ahem. That gets you marked in the behavior log.)But, at the end of the day, I can't think of another place I would rather spend my daytime hours.
4/28/09
I am not sure why I am tired
Today in the life of me:
5:00am Alarm goes off. Big Daddy hits the snooze.
5:09am See above.
5:18am Ditto.
5:27am I manage to get up, potty, make coffee, and feed the cat.
5:33am Eat breakfast and check email.
5:47am Get first cup of coffee
6:00am Wash hair so it will start to dry before I have to get ready.
6:10-6:35am Make lunches, breakfast,and iron clothes.
6:35-7:00am Make-up, hair, dress. Answer knocks at the door THREE times.
7:00-7:05 Decide whether my new Old Navy flip-flops look ok.
7:06 Head out the door
7:16-8:00 Prepare for the day in a room nearly the temperature of the surface of the Sun. (Which is 5,800 K in case you were wondering.)
8:00-3:25 goodmorninghowareyou?youneedtogetstarted?thereisnotalking
doyouhaveanylunchmoney?
getoutyourreadingbookidontknowhenwe
aregoingtodothatyesitisduetodaygetoutyourstory
listenstoptalkingyesyoucango
::gradepapersfilepapers::
getoutyourmathbooks
(and so on and so forth)
:breathe::
3:30-4:30 Prepare the inferno for the sub tomorrow. Finally go home.
4:40-7:00 help with homework. Grade three sets of papers. Do astronomy homework. Talk to Big Daddy on the phone. Make dinner. Sign papers. Sign agendas. Drink about seven gallons of water to combat the dehydration.
7:00-9:00 Watch Biggest Loser and resist temptation to eat cookies.
9:10 Break down and eat a cookie. (or two.)
9:15-9:30 Talk to Big Daddy again.
9:32 Grab Lit homework to complete take home test.
9:33 Pick up laptop and type "blogger" in the search box.
.
.
.
.
How was your day?
5:00am Alarm goes off. Big Daddy hits the snooze.
5:09am See above.
5:18am Ditto.
5:27am I manage to get up, potty, make coffee, and feed the cat.
5:33am Eat breakfast and check email.
5:47am Get first cup of coffee
6:00am Wash hair so it will start to dry before I have to get ready.
6:10-6:35am Make lunches, breakfast,and iron clothes.
6:35-7:00am Make-up, hair, dress. Answer knocks at the door THREE times.
7:00-7:05 Decide whether my new Old Navy flip-flops look ok.
7:06 Head out the door
7:16-8:00 Prepare for the day in a room nearly the temperature of the surface of the Sun. (Which is 5,800 K in case you were wondering.)
8:00-3:25 goodmorninghowareyou?youneedtogetstarted?thereisnotalking
doyouhaveanylunchmoney?
getoutyourreadingbookidontknowhenwe
aregoingtodothatyesitisduetodaygetoutyourstory
listenstoptalkingyesyoucango
::gradepapersfilepapers::
getoutyourmathbooks
(and so on and so forth)
:breathe::
3:30-4:30 Prepare the inferno for the sub tomorrow. Finally go home.
4:40-7:00 help with homework. Grade three sets of papers. Do astronomy homework. Talk to Big Daddy on the phone. Make dinner. Sign papers. Sign agendas. Drink about seven gallons of water to combat the dehydration.
7:00-9:00 Watch Biggest Loser and resist temptation to eat cookies.
9:10 Break down and eat a cookie. (or two.)
9:15-9:30 Talk to Big Daddy again.
9:32 Grab Lit homework to complete take home test.
9:33 Pick up laptop and type "blogger" in the search box.
.
.
.
.
How was your day?
4/27/09
Maybe this won't be on my permanent record
Big Daddy and I have a philosophy when it comes to people and their professions. I don't want to accidentally offend anyone and it certainly doesn't apply to everyone so I won't give examples.
Could I be anymore vague? (Channeling Chandler from "Friends")
Nicholas drives me crazy on a daily basis when it comes to his homework. Now, this kid is in the fourth grade. The routine has been set since he was in Kindergarten, and HELLO! he is not the oldest child.
The afternoon goes: come in, get homework out, grab snack and drink, go potty as needed, commence with homework until complete, get agenda signed put away backpack.
There is no variance. It is the same. Every. Day.
This kid can't get it through his head to just sit down and get his stuff done. He HATES (and I am using the full-fledged, emphasis on the word 'hate') math. He will puff and huff, groan and belly-ache until bedtime.
It's ALWAYS something with this kid.
(And for the record...we just got phase-two sent home today. He is being tested for giftedness. So it's not like the kid doesn't get it. He totally does. Tested ABOVE average last year.)
Just tonight it was a belly-ache. Then it was a headache AND belly-ache. And not ten minutes ago he was saying that the laundry soap was making him sick. (I have the washer going, of course.)
This goes on at least once a week. It is ridiculous. He has a reward waiting if he'd JUST GET IT DONE. Big Daddy was off today and bought some stuff to plant in the yard.
(Please don't ask me what they are. All I know is pink, red, green and viney).
Tomorrow I go in for my first day of MY fourth grade class (today I had a sub--oh the irony!) and can you imagine if they ALL had a belly-ache/headache/soap smells too much/ or whatever stall tactics they could think up?
I can lead 24 other 10-year olds, but am lost on my own....
Could I be anymore vague? (Channeling Chandler from "Friends")
Nicholas drives me crazy on a daily basis when it comes to his homework. Now, this kid is in the fourth grade. The routine has been set since he was in Kindergarten, and HELLO! he is not the oldest child.
The afternoon goes: come in, get homework out, grab snack and drink, go potty as needed, commence with homework until complete, get agenda signed put away backpack.
There is no variance. It is the same. Every. Day.
This kid can't get it through his head to just sit down and get his stuff done. He HATES (and I am using the full-fledged, emphasis on the word 'hate') math. He will puff and huff, groan and belly-ache until bedtime.
It's ALWAYS something with this kid.
(And for the record...we just got phase-two sent home today. He is being tested for giftedness. So it's not like the kid doesn't get it. He totally does. Tested ABOVE average last year.)
Just tonight it was a belly-ache. Then it was a headache AND belly-ache. And not ten minutes ago he was saying that the laundry soap was making him sick. (I have the washer going, of course.)
This goes on at least once a week. It is ridiculous. He has a reward waiting if he'd JUST GET IT DONE. Big Daddy was off today and bought some stuff to plant in the yard.
(Please don't ask me what they are. All I know is pink, red, green and viney).
Tomorrow I go in for my first day of MY fourth grade class (today I had a sub--oh the irony!) and can you imagine if they ALL had a belly-ache/headache/soap smells too much/ or whatever stall tactics they could think up?
I can lead 24 other 10-year olds, but am lost on my own....
4/25/09
Having a TON of fun
Yesterday at school, the kids had a field day of sorts to celebrate the end of the TCAP tests.
It was awesome. Last year, our previous principal would have expected business-as-usual.
Anyway, I was in third grade and when it was our grade level's turn for kickball, I took the girls and had our own game and the boys played with the gym teacher. I played for both teams and did the pitching. Towards the end, they thought it would be fun if I kicked and they tried to get me out.
I made a run and got out once.
And today, I am feeling it. How sad is that?
I'd better get in shape or I'll end up like the other SEVEN teachers that sat on the hill and watched me have fun with their kids. They don't know what they missed. We even had a couple of rogue boys try and get in our super-cool and fun game.
Now that I think about it, one of those teachers had a camera.
Hmmm....
-----------
In case you are interested, I have a new post up at Making a Mommy. A list of sorts...
It was awesome. Last year, our previous principal would have expected business-as-usual.
Anyway, I was in third grade and when it was our grade level's turn for kickball, I took the girls and had our own game and the boys played with the gym teacher. I played for both teams and did the pitching. Towards the end, they thought it would be fun if I kicked and they tried to get me out.
I made a run and got out once.
And today, I am feeling it. How sad is that?
I'd better get in shape or I'll end up like the other SEVEN teachers that sat on the hill and watched me have fun with their kids. They don't know what they missed. We even had a couple of rogue boys try and get in our super-cool and fun game.
Now that I think about it, one of those teachers had a camera.
Hmmm....
-----------
In case you are interested, I have a new post up at Making a Mommy. A list of sorts...
3/5/09
It isn't easy
If you walked into the room unannounced, you wouldn't be able to pick him out among the twenty-four kids seated, concentrating on the task at hand.
He is a typical ten-year old boy-- buzzed hair cut, professional sport team pull-over, jeans, and tennis shoes. His smile can light up a room. He is gentle with the two students with special needs. He loves to draw cars and make people laugh. He is more than willing to be a helper.
Then, suddenly without any sort of time to prepare, he explodes. He's not even the one you'd guess would do something like that.
Because someone sat at his desk. Someone has something he wants. Because he wants to stand next to Joe in line. Because his pencil broke. Because it is raining. Because pizza was served for lunch yesterday and he missed it.
Just. Because.
You'll look at him and think that he is an unruly child-incapable of making the right choices. You'll think that all he needs is some strict discipline and he'll fall right in line like the rest. You might even think that if you ignore him he'll stop-it's an attention getter.
He isn't mad because someone sat at his desk. He doesn't really want that thing someone has. He doesn't want to stand by Joe in line. He doesn't care about his pencil. The weather is insignificant. He never eats pizza.
It makes me so sad to see him angry. Because when he is mad, you can see it is something a little bit different. How in the world could a ten-year old have that much rage? I think we know that answer to that question, but I hate it. There is no reason to have that kind of emotional scarring at that age.
I wish I could save them all.
He is a typical ten-year old boy-- buzzed hair cut, professional sport team pull-over, jeans, and tennis shoes. His smile can light up a room. He is gentle with the two students with special needs. He loves to draw cars and make people laugh. He is more than willing to be a helper.
Then, suddenly without any sort of time to prepare, he explodes. He's not even the one you'd guess would do something like that.
Because someone sat at his desk. Someone has something he wants. Because he wants to stand next to Joe in line. Because his pencil broke. Because it is raining. Because pizza was served for lunch yesterday and he missed it.
Just. Because.
You'll look at him and think that he is an unruly child-incapable of making the right choices. You'll think that all he needs is some strict discipline and he'll fall right in line like the rest. You might even think that if you ignore him he'll stop-it's an attention getter.
He isn't mad because someone sat at his desk. He doesn't really want that thing someone has. He doesn't want to stand by Joe in line. He doesn't care about his pencil. The weather is insignificant. He never eats pizza.
It makes me so sad to see him angry. Because when he is mad, you can see it is something a little bit different. How in the world could a ten-year old have that much rage? I think we know that answer to that question, but I hate it. There is no reason to have that kind of emotional scarring at that age.
I wish I could save them all.
2/18/09
Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler..Oh my!
I may have mentioned once or twelve times that Astronomy wasn't quite what I had in mind.
If you missed it, let me catch you up:
Heather + Astronomy = nervousness, hair loss, loss of appetite, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, extreme thirst, and muscle weakness.
Good times. There should be a disclaimer in the course catalog.
Actually, I find the material extremely fascinating. The instructor is great; he is willing to answer questions as necessary. It's not even the concepts. It's applying said concepts:
Here's a quiz:
1. An observer on Earth sees a total lunar eclipse If someone else is standing on the side of the Moon facing the Earth at the same time, they would see the
a. Earth's night side, not eclipsing the Sun.
b Earth's day side, not eclipsing the Sun.
c. Earth partially eclipsing the Sun.
d. Earth completely eclipsing the Sun.
2. A full moon
a. Can never rise at midnight.
b. Can never transit at midnight.
c. Always rises due East.
d. Always sets due West.
We had our first test today. This morning I was a nervous wreck. I had studied like my life depended on it, but the facts just didn't seem like they were going to stick. I ALSO had a test in History which I hadn't studied near long enough for because of Astronomy, and did I mention that I was supposed to read "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne that I DID start reading last night, but put down after the first "hither" or "thee" I came across. (Which ever it was.)
Only.
The History test was a snap. (Thanks Fiona and Iain!) I wasn't supposed to read "Young Goodman Brown" but rather "Battle Royal" by Ralph Ellison.
Because today when I thought my mind couldn't take anymore, Mr. English Lit instructor introduced symbolism.
Yay. [I am sorry. I still don't understand the woman's tattoo on her nether regions as being symbolic to anything. ]
I don't *heart* symbolism. In my mind, it is what it is. Like most literature, anything can be interpreted to meet one's personal ideals.
Anyway....
Perhaps that is my problem. I can't stay focused on any one thing long enough.
After much sweating and nervousness, the test was ok. Not easy, but not what he had set it up to be either. I was the last one done, and it only took me 25 minutes. Thirty-three questions in all.
I was reminded this afternoon why I think it is ridiculous for an Elementary Education major to have to take this course while Nicholas was doing is Science homework. Ironically, he is doing the space unit. Two more lessons, and the unit is over. Nothing on Kepler, what time the moon rises and sets, thermal radiation, magnitudes of planets..nothing.
It's a good thing I will be so prepared. To teach fourth grade [insert sarcasm here] Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky and get asked one of those things during an interview. It will guarantee me a job, right?
Thank-you, T.ennessee B.oard of R.egents. It would be a shame for me to have classes geared to what I would actually be teaching elementary students. You know, with the No Child Left Behind Act and all.
Clearly grammar isn't essential.
:::End whiny scene:::
If you missed it, let me catch you up:
Heather + Astronomy = nervousness, hair loss, loss of appetite, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, extreme thirst, and muscle weakness.
Good times. There should be a disclaimer in the course catalog.
Actually, I find the material extremely fascinating. The instructor is great; he is willing to answer questions as necessary. It's not even the concepts. It's applying said concepts:
Here's a quiz:
1. An observer on Earth sees a total lunar eclipse If someone else is standing on the side of the Moon facing the Earth at the same time, they would see the
a. Earth's night side, not eclipsing the Sun.
b Earth's day side, not eclipsing the Sun.
c. Earth partially eclipsing the Sun.
d. Earth completely eclipsing the Sun.
2. A full moon
a. Can never rise at midnight.
b. Can never transit at midnight.
c. Always rises due East.
d. Always sets due West.
We had our first test today. This morning I was a nervous wreck. I had studied like my life depended on it, but the facts just didn't seem like they were going to stick. I ALSO had a test in History which I hadn't studied near long enough for because of Astronomy, and did I mention that I was supposed to read "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne that I DID start reading last night, but put down after the first "hither" or "thee" I came across. (Which ever it was.)
Only.
The History test was a snap. (Thanks Fiona and Iain!) I wasn't supposed to read "Young Goodman Brown" but rather "Battle Royal" by Ralph Ellison.
Because today when I thought my mind couldn't take anymore, Mr. English Lit instructor introduced symbolism.
Yay. [I am sorry. I still don't understand the woman's tattoo on her nether regions as being symbolic to anything. ]
I don't *heart* symbolism. In my mind, it is what it is. Like most literature, anything can be interpreted to meet one's personal ideals.
Anyway....
Perhaps that is my problem. I can't stay focused on any one thing long enough.
After much sweating and nervousness, the test was ok. Not easy, but not what he had set it up to be either. I was the last one done, and it only took me 25 minutes. Thirty-three questions in all.
I was reminded this afternoon why I think it is ridiculous for an Elementary Education major to have to take this course while Nicholas was doing is Science homework. Ironically, he is doing the space unit. Two more lessons, and the unit is over. Nothing on Kepler, what time the moon rises and sets, thermal radiation, magnitudes of planets..nothing.
It's a good thing I will be so prepared. To teach fourth grade [insert sarcasm here] Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky and get asked one of those things during an interview. It will guarantee me a job, right?
Thank-you, T.ennessee B.oard of R.egents. It would be a shame for me to have classes geared to what I would actually be teaching elementary students. You know, with the No Child Left Behind Act and all.
Clearly grammar isn't essential.
:::End whiny scene:::
2/13/09
Dear reader's
I have to wonder about the validity of my child's school, which also happens to be my place of employment, when they send out a memo.
And in the "to" line of the memo it reads:
"To: Teacher's and staff."
Oh, by the way, the memo was signed by the principal.
Talk amongst yourselves.
And in the "to" line of the memo it reads:
"To: Teacher's and staff."
Oh, by the way, the memo was signed by the principal.
Talk amongst yourselves.
1/30/09
It could have been worse
In light of other, bigger, more important things going on with some of my bloggy friends, I shouldn't complain.
But.
I had a crappy day.
I am also using nice language. Let's just say that third grade is not my cup of tea. Or more accurately, one specific class.
I had one child draw on his Scholastic News. He made the polar bear a "mama bear."
Only problem was that "mama" most definitely could be confused as being "papa" bear.
A call was put in to Mr. Principal, and the artist was carted away.
One of my rules in a classroom is that no one is to sharpen pencils after 8:30. Part of getting ready in the morning is sharpening two or three pencils. This cuts down on constant trips to the sharpener.
I had a sweet girl give me a note about mid-day:
Dear Mrs. C*****,
I have never sharpened my pencil or talked out. Just a friendly reminder.
Love, (little girl)
And that's why I'll go back again.
Someday.
But.
I had a crappy day.
I am also using nice language. Let's just say that third grade is not my cup of tea. Or more accurately, one specific class.
I had one child draw on his Scholastic News. He made the polar bear a "mama bear."
Only problem was that "mama" most definitely could be confused as being "papa" bear.
A call was put in to Mr. Principal, and the artist was carted away.
One of my rules in a classroom is that no one is to sharpen pencils after 8:30. Part of getting ready in the morning is sharpening two or three pencils. This cuts down on constant trips to the sharpener.
I had a sweet girl give me a note about mid-day:
Dear Mrs. C*****,
I have never sharpened my pencil or talked out. Just a friendly reminder.
Love, (little girl)
And that's why I'll go back again.
Someday.
1/8/09
It's the unexpected that gets you through
Fiona, you are so going to love this....
Yesterday, I am doing a chapter review in Social Studies with the class. It was sort of in depth but it had been ions (or just before Thanksgiving) since they had seen the first three lessons in this chapter.
(Don't ask why they had stopped in the middle of the chapter. I am still boggled at that one.)
Each lesson in this particular chapter is devoted to the specific settlers, starting with the Spanish and working up towards the Puritans.
In the section about the French, I am asking various questions mostly to get them to skim the pages without them realizing they are actually reading. (Big game--the kids love it, Rachel!!)
I can't get them to see where they (French) had settled first--they want to say Louisiana for obvious reasons. So I say, "Where are the majority of the French?"
[historical sidenote-- but we hadn't got the part of Marquette and Joilet's expedition. We were still looking at the Canadian settlements.]
This quiet boy in the back that does everything in his power to avoid all manner of thinking or working shoots his hand up in the air; his face is lit up like the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center. I am proud of myself for getting through to him and as I call on him so I can pat myself on the back, he answers....
"In France."
I had to give him the point. He did, in fact, answer my question.
I only laughed for about five minutes.
My reign of terror ends tomorrow.
I am going to miss the little burgers on Monday when I am shuffled back to third grade.
Yesterday, I am doing a chapter review in Social Studies with the class. It was sort of in depth but it had been ions (or just before Thanksgiving) since they had seen the first three lessons in this chapter.
(Don't ask why they had stopped in the middle of the chapter. I am still boggled at that one.)
Each lesson in this particular chapter is devoted to the specific settlers, starting with the Spanish and working up towards the Puritans.
In the section about the French, I am asking various questions mostly to get them to skim the pages without them realizing they are actually reading. (Big game--the kids love it, Rachel!!)
I can't get them to see where they (French) had settled first--they want to say Louisiana for obvious reasons. So I say, "Where are the majority of the French?"
[historical sidenote-- but we hadn't got the part of Marquette and Joilet's expedition. We were still looking at the Canadian settlements.]
This quiet boy in the back that does everything in his power to avoid all manner of thinking or working shoots his hand up in the air; his face is lit up like the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center. I am proud of myself for getting through to him and as I call on him so I can pat myself on the back, he answers....
"In France."
I had to give him the point. He did, in fact, answer my question.
I only laughed for about five minutes.
My reign of terror ends tomorrow.
I am going to miss the little burgers on Monday when I am shuffled back to third grade.
1/6/09
Michigan: Sad they are a mitten, not a glove.
Day two of five in the classroom and things went as expected. The second day is always worse.
Tomorrow will be better than Monday. I am not sure why, but it always flows that way for me. After the Tuesday Crack Down, they finally get that I "get it."
Today one of the girls that lives around the corner from me was telling me all about her snakes and whatnot.
Notice I said, "lives around the corner....her snakes." Thankfully, they live up hill, across from what I think would be a lovely place for a snake to reside should he or she choose to live out-of-doors.
Anyway I have never really had a chance to talk to her, and when I have tried, she seemed like she didn't want to talk. Today she was especially chatty. I asked her why they moved here. I thought I was going to wet myself trying not to laugh.
"Well my Uncle M had moved here then my grandma and grandpa moved so my mom and dad thought they would want to live here too and they were spending a lot of money because Michigan is a crappy state...."
Now living in the area that I live in that is shall we say, heavy in the automotive industry, I have met lots of folks from Michigan. I am sure that it is a lovely state, but I can count on one hand the number of people I have actually liked. Generally speaking, they are a unique bunch.
Ironically, I have not had positive dealings with her parents. I tried the southern charm and hospitality and all that crap, but they were having none of that. Stuck their Yankee noses up in the air and trotted up the hill. Which, again generally speaking, is the attitude one may encounter.
Maybe it's just me.
Which if that is the case, I have spent the last 10 minutes writing a post that proves may make me out to be a stuck up Yankee.
Tomorrow will be better than Monday. I am not sure why, but it always flows that way for me. After the Tuesday Crack Down, they finally get that I "get it."
Today one of the girls that lives around the corner from me was telling me all about her snakes and whatnot.
Notice I said, "lives around the corner....her snakes." Thankfully, they live up hill, across from what I think would be a lovely place for a snake to reside should he or she choose to live out-of-doors.
Anyway I have never really had a chance to talk to her, and when I have tried, she seemed like she didn't want to talk. Today she was especially chatty. I asked her why they moved here. I thought I was going to wet myself trying not to laugh.
"Well my Uncle M had moved here then my grandma and grandpa moved so my mom and dad thought they would want to live here too and they were spending a lot of money because Michigan is a crappy state...."
Now living in the area that I live in that is shall we say, heavy in the automotive industry, I have met lots of folks from Michigan. I am sure that it is a lovely state, but I can count on one hand the number of people I have actually liked. Generally speaking, they are a unique bunch.
Ironically, I have not had positive dealings with her parents. I tried the southern charm and hospitality and all that crap, but they were having none of that. Stuck their Yankee noses up in the air and trotted up the hill. Which, again generally speaking, is the attitude one may encounter.
Maybe it's just me.
Which if that is the case, I have spent the last 10 minutes writing a post that
1/5/09
This ain't her first rodeo
'Ello, 'ello.
How is everyone?
You'd think with the lack of entries I was so caught up in all things exciting, that I couldn't possibly take the time to write about it.
Oh, how I wish that were the case. Mostly I read, wrote (excluding my own blog, obviously), and wondered how dressed I really needed to be. I did manage to get out into civilization on Saturday with some grocery shopping and getting my hair cut.
The excitement is palpable, isn't it?
Today was the first day back to school for the chil'rens. I am covering for a teacher that will be out the whole week. They were very well behaved and all things had gone as expected.
Fourth grade has recess at 2:15. I am standing at the door, and I can hear two boys discussing whether they should take the football outside. One (who I have been watching like a hawk all day) says, "We'll just take it--she'll never know."
The other says,"No. Mrs. Regular Teacher said we couldn't for the rest of the year!"
So the first boy pipes up and says, "Hey, Mrs. C? Isn't OK if we take the football out. Mrs. R lets us."
I am looking over a piece of paper, and I never looked up. "Nah. You know what? I heard a rumor that some one got in trouble and it's better if we just don't take them out."
The one that is determined to get me says, "BUT she said for the rest of the year. And that was 2008 and now it's 2009."
I looked in his sweet face and said, "You know she meant school year."
"Pssht. Man." He looks defeated but is smiling.
Four footballs get returned to the container and the second boy says, "See. I told you."
I think things will be just fine this week.
How is everyone?
You'd think with the lack of entries I was so caught up in all things exciting, that I couldn't possibly take the time to write about it.
Oh, how I wish that were the case. Mostly I read, wrote (excluding my own blog, obviously), and wondered how dressed I really needed to be. I did manage to get out into civilization on Saturday with some grocery shopping and getting my hair cut.
The excitement is palpable, isn't it?
Today was the first day back to school for the chil'rens. I am covering for a teacher that will be out the whole week. They were very well behaved and all things had gone as expected.
Fourth grade has recess at 2:15. I am standing at the door, and I can hear two boys discussing whether they should take the football outside. One (who I have been watching like a hawk all day) says, "We'll just take it--she'll never know."
The other says,"No. Mrs. Regular Teacher said we couldn't for the rest of the year!"
So the first boy pipes up and says, "Hey, Mrs. C? Isn't OK if we take the football out. Mrs. R lets us."
I am looking over a piece of paper, and I never looked up. "Nah. You know what? I heard a rumor that some one got in trouble and it's better if we just don't take them out."
The one that is determined to get me says, "BUT she said for the rest of the year. And that was 2008 and now it's 2009."
I looked in his sweet face and said, "You know she meant school year."
"Pssht. Man." He looks defeated but is smiling.
Four footballs get returned to the container and the second boy says, "See. I told you."
I think things will be just fine this week.
12/16/08
Random is the theme
Hey look! A blog post at a normal hour!
Really, it was do it now, or try and stay awake later. I didn't get back to sleep until after two, then was back up at five-thirty. Kids weren't out of school either. I think we got four drops of rain and the only ice in the county was on my windshield, which the wipers took care of easily. Perhaps calling it a "slush" would be more appropriate.
I finished New Moon today. I guess I am in the minority on this book. There was a part about 3/4 of the way that got me snoozing (Jacob) but once he was mostly out of the picture, I was better. If I weren't so lazy, I would have ran to Target to pick up the next one. But, I don't have that much free time until the weekend. I actually have to teach the next two days. Can you imagine? That will keep my mind distracted until Rachel sends me my bracelet. *wink*
Want a fun new quickie recipe? I made this tonight for the first time--I got it from the art teacher. It is divine....
Hamburger Salad
In a skillet, cook ground beef (or turkey like I did). While that is cooking add onions and pickles (to taste) salt, pepper, garlic powder, and basically anything you would add to make a traditional hamburger.Cook until meat is done. Drain grease/water. Add meat back into pan and add ketchup and mustard. (Probably more ketchup than mustard) Heat through.
Add some of the meat onto a bed of lettuce and add shredded cheese. Thank me later for the hot tip.
The rest is up to you. I added another drizzle of ketchup to the kids' plate. To mine, I added a drizzle of ketchup, mustard, cheese, and more fresh onion.
OH MY HEAVENS..I almost forgot to share. THE grades. They are in.
Geometry....A
Regional Geography....A
Educational Psychology....A
and last, but not least American History 1...
:::::drumroll::::
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
B!
I actually scored an 85 on the final. In hindsight, I could have done better, but all things considered.... yeslordthankyoukarmaitisover.
My grade point average dropped. From a 3.779 to a 3.768.
Yeah. I am ashamed.
Well, kids. I am off to finish eating Hershey's Kisses before The Biggest Loser finale comes on. What is it about weight loss shows that make me crave sweets?
Really, it was do it now, or try and stay awake later. I didn't get back to sleep until after two, then was back up at five-thirty. Kids weren't out of school either. I think we got four drops of rain and the only ice in the county was on my windshield, which the wipers took care of easily. Perhaps calling it a "slush" would be more appropriate.
I finished New Moon today. I guess I am in the minority on this book. There was a part about 3/4 of the way that got me snoozing (Jacob) but once he was mostly out of the picture, I was better. If I weren't so lazy, I would have ran to Target to pick up the next one. But, I don't have that much free time until the weekend. I actually have to teach the next two days. Can you imagine? That will keep my mind distracted until Rachel sends me my bracelet. *wink*
Want a fun new quickie recipe? I made this tonight for the first time--I got it from the art teacher. It is divine....
Hamburger Salad
In a skillet, cook ground beef (or turkey like I did). While that is cooking add onions and pickles (to taste) salt, pepper, garlic powder, and basically anything you would add to make a traditional hamburger.Cook until meat is done. Drain grease/water. Add meat back into pan and add ketchup and mustard. (Probably more ketchup than mustard) Heat through.
Add some of the meat onto a bed of lettuce and add shredded cheese. Thank me later for the hot tip.
The rest is up to you. I added another drizzle of ketchup to the kids' plate. To mine, I added a drizzle of ketchup, mustard, cheese, and more fresh onion.
OH MY HEAVENS..I almost forgot to share. THE grades. They are in.
Geometry....A
Regional Geography....A
Educational Psychology....A
and last, but not least American History 1...
:::::drumroll::::
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
B!
I actually scored an 85 on the final. In hindsight, I could have done better, but all things considered.... yeslordthankyoukarmaitisover.
My grade point average dropped. From a 3.779 to a 3.768.
Yeah. I am ashamed.
Well, kids. I am off to finish eating Hershey's Kisses before The Biggest Loser finale comes on. What is it about weight loss shows that make me crave sweets?
Tick-tock, tick-tock
It is 12:36 in the am.
I am not sure why I am awake exactly. I had fallen asleep on the couch some time after 8. Big Daddy woke me up to go to bed at 9 something. At 11:50, I woke up and turned the tv off, but then I couldn't go back to sleep. Weird.
If it weren't for the news this morning, I wouldn't have known that today (16th) is the cutoff for mail to make it on time. Unfortunately, I didn't take the kids pictures to send out. Oops. I don't know what I was thinking....
We are under a freezing rain advisory. It was supposed to start after midnight, but I am still waiting. While I don't want to miss another day from school, I don't want to go either. There are three weeks in a school year I don't always love (in this order of misbehavior):
1. Last week of school
2. Last week before Christmas vacation, excuse me, winter vacation.
3. Last week before Spring Break.
Monday and Tuesday I am still in Music. They are watching this video about Bach. I liked it the first couple of times, but after several classes....I am over it. Monday, I had my favorite 5th grade class, and they were horrible. Are you listening Santa? Bring extra coal to Tennessee. You know, now that I think of it, even my own children are out of sorts. Especially the youngest. I must remember to have patience tomorrow/today and reel that junk in. I am not raising snots.
I started reading New Moon Sunday evening, but the bulk of it I read Monday. This book is much, MUCH better. The writing is better, the storyline is less predictable, and a couple of times I even gasped out loud. (Rare for me)
Sorry, Rachel. :)
My husband called his dad this evening. I guess he is coming for Christmas. He told Big Daddy they'd be here when he talked to him at Thanksgiving, but we weren't holding our breath. This should be interesting. My mom, my white trash brother, and FIL's "girlfriend" under the same roof. Lord have mercy....They are even spending the night before they leave for Ohio. I am in shock. I guess I'll worry about it when they get here. My FIL is sooooooooo spontaneous. He could change his mind tomorrow.
Well, it is now 12:57. I need to get more sleep. The rain hasn't started yet.
I am not sure why I am awake exactly. I had fallen asleep on the couch some time after 8. Big Daddy woke me up to go to bed at 9 something. At 11:50, I woke up and turned the tv off, but then I couldn't go back to sleep. Weird.
If it weren't for the news this morning, I wouldn't have known that today (16th) is the cutoff for mail to make it on time. Unfortunately, I didn't take the kids pictures to send out. Oops. I don't know what I was thinking....
We are under a freezing rain advisory. It was supposed to start after midnight, but I am still waiting. While I don't want to miss another day from school, I don't want to go either. There are three weeks in a school year I don't always love (in this order of misbehavior):
1. Last week of school
2. Last week before Christmas vacation, excuse me, winter vacation.
3. Last week before Spring Break.
Monday and Tuesday I am still in Music. They are watching this video about Bach. I liked it the first couple of times, but after several classes....I am over it. Monday, I had my favorite 5th grade class, and they were horrible. Are you listening Santa? Bring extra coal to Tennessee. You know, now that I think of it, even my own children are out of sorts. Especially the youngest. I must remember to have patience tomorrow/today and reel that junk in. I am not raising snots.
I started reading New Moon Sunday evening, but the bulk of it I read Monday. This book is much, MUCH better. The writing is better, the storyline is less predictable, and a couple of times I even gasped out loud. (Rare for me)
Sorry, Rachel. :)
My husband called his dad this evening. I guess he is coming for Christmas. He told Big Daddy they'd be here when he talked to him at Thanksgiving, but we weren't holding our breath. This should be interesting. My mom, my white trash brother, and FIL's "girlfriend" under the same roof. Lord have mercy....They are even spending the night before they leave for Ohio. I am in shock. I guess I'll worry about it when they get here. My FIL is sooooooooo spontaneous. He could change his mind tomorrow.
Well, it is now 12:57. I need to get more sleep. The rain hasn't started yet.
10/30/08
10/14/08
OCD works for me
****Disclaimer****I am in no way trying to make light of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). I was diagnosed with it many years ago; a mild case. While I can keep it in control most of the time, it is very real and can be debilitating at times. The following is an example of how luck was on my side.
Friends, I saw my life flash before my eyes earlier this evening. All I know is that there is a higher power on my side.
Around 9:44 , a girl (let's call her Kayla) called me to ask about two assignments that are due tomorrow.
I pull up my documents and plug in my flash drive. And then, it happened.
The first assignment was 25 multiple questions with five of those being short essay. Here's an example:
This just happened to be one she was asking about. Only my essay answers weren't on my copy; only the mulitple choice. I log into the online campus where we upload assignments and pull mine that I had so smugly submitted a week ago.
Friends, I saw my life flash before my eyes earlier this evening. All I know is that there is a higher power on my side.Around 9:44 , a girl (let's call her Kayla) called me to ask about two assignments that are due tomorrow.
I pull up my documents and plug in my flash drive. And then, it happened.
The first assignment was 25 multiple questions with five of those being short essay. Here's an example:
In each of the following situations, a student either is learning or has learned something. (1) Classify each of the situations as involving either classical or operant conditioning. (2) Defend your answer by analyzing the situation within the context of the learning paradigm you have chosen.
a. When James begins running down the hall toward the cafeteria, his teacher asks him to walk instead. James begins walking, and the teacher gives him a smile. After that, James always makes sure that he walks rather than runs to the cafeteria.
b. Ralph's friend offers him an illegal drug. Ralph takes the drug and finds that it makes him feel great. Ralph begins to buy the drug himself and takes it more and more frequently.
c. Linda is a bright, academically capable girl. Once when she was sick, she failed an important test. Now she is very anxious whenever she takes a test.
This just happened to be one she was asking about. Only my essay answers weren't on my copy; only the mulitple choice. I log into the online campus where we upload assignments and pull mine that I had so smugly submitted a week ago.
I. Had. No. Essay. Section.
Blood pressure hit rock bottom. Sweating increased. Mind started to swirl.
Frantically, I start opening file folders on both my flash drive and documents. The only copy I have doesn't have the essay section.
Wait.
I remember having at least half of those answered. I could see myself working on them last Monday. I can see myself asking about the above question on Tuesday (specifically situation B) and I can see my self finishing said questions on Wednesday....
I am OCD when it comes to saving files. Need a drink? Hit save. Phone rings? Hit save. Want to copy a link? Hit save.
Over three hours of work was gone. Erased. Vanished. The assignment is due by 11 pm Wednesday. I could redo them, but. But. BUT.
I selfishly mentioned it to Sarah in our email exchange to make HER feel better. Whatever she did worked, because after about 30 minutes and 5000 clicks (who knew there was so much junk in a computer?), I found it.
Right where I left it.
Only it was mislabeled. By the teacher when I downloaded the assignment. And placed exactly where I wanted it- in my folder labeled "EDU 221." You know, so I could find it and all.
So something knew that I had the wrong assignment turned in. Thank goodness for Kayla, Sarah, and OCD.
Trust your gut instinct-it works for me.
Special thanks to Shannon, for hosting Works For Me Wednesday.
9/2/08
For pennies a day...
Tonight, my son and I were reading his weekly story. The first thing I noticed as we opened the reader to the correct page was the genre: "Nonfiction text explains something about real life."
Cool, I thought.
The title of the selection, "If You Made a Million."
Already I am skeptical of the "realness" of this story.
On the first page, the kid feeds the fish and earns a penny. It says it will buy anything that costs one cent.
See where I would label this fiction?
The story goes on..the kids do certain activities, apparently at a fair, and earn money. Isn't this child labor and illegal? As each amount of money increases, the wizard (more realism) explains how the same value compares to dimes, nickels and so on.
Then the story says that if you were to purchase a Ferris wheel for $10, 000, using only pennies someone might not be too happy about it. That made me think of the Office Max commericals.
And just for the record, I went to Office Max. I found nothing for a penny. I was disappointed. I did however purchase a new office chair. Something told me that had I slapped a bag o' pennies on the counter, some words would have been exchanged.
But, back to the Ferris wheel, the story states, "probably a check would be best."
Um. Take a look:
Thanks to Visa, and the convenience of the check card, [I know I am guilty] kids don't know about checks and cash--much. I can't even get the correct change back at Sonic, and heaven forbid if I give her the two pennies on a 2.17 Rt44....
The next section talks about buying a castle. But, if you don't have enough money, you can borrow from the bank. This section totally cracked me up. When it states that you'd pay more money back because of interest, I was guessing this was how they got the nonfiction genre to fly. At least they didn't make it a horror story of Steven King proportions of mentioning the AMOUNT of interest along with the LENGTH of time of time the loan would be paid.
The icing on the cake was the section on making a million dollars. Which, by the way, the kid made by babysitting the "obstreperous ogre baby." The book explains, "if you keep you million, you can probably live on the interest without doing anymore work for the rest of your life."
Great.
I am so happy they are teaching these great values in the third grade. And I had to look up obstreperous for the definition and pronunciation.
Cool, I thought.
The title of the selection, "If You Made a Million."
Already I am skeptical of the "realness" of this story.
On the first page, the kid feeds the fish and earns a penny. It says it will buy anything that costs one cent.
See where I would label this fiction?
The story goes on..the kids do certain activities, apparently at a fair, and earn money. Isn't this child labor and illegal? As each amount of money increases, the wizard (more realism) explains how the same value compares to dimes, nickels and so on.
Then the story says that if you were to purchase a Ferris wheel for $10, 000, using only pennies someone might not be too happy about it. That made me think of the Office Max commericals.
And just for the record, I went to Office Max. I found nothing for a penny. I was disappointed. I did however purchase a new office chair. Something told me that had I slapped a bag o' pennies on the counter, some words would have been exchanged.
But, back to the Ferris wheel, the story states, "probably a check would be best."
Um. Take a look:
Thanks to Visa, and the convenience of the check card, [I know I am guilty] kids don't know about checks and cash--much. I can't even get the correct change back at Sonic, and heaven forbid if I give her the two pennies on a 2.17 Rt44....
The next section talks about buying a castle. But, if you don't have enough money, you can borrow from the bank. This section totally cracked me up. When it states that you'd pay more money back because of interest, I was guessing this was how they got the nonfiction genre to fly. At least they didn't make it a horror story of Steven King proportions of mentioning the AMOUNT of interest along with the LENGTH of time of time the loan would be paid.
The icing on the cake was the section on making a million dollars. Which, by the way, the kid made by babysitting the "obstreperous ogre baby." The book explains, "if you keep you million, you can probably live on the interest without doing anymore work for the rest of your life."
Great.
I am so happy they are teaching these great values in the third grade. And I had to look up obstreperous for the definition and pronunciation.
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