Hourly

The thought of weeding out the garden and preparing it for planting has been weighing heavily on my mind-- so much so that I have been having anxiety dreams every night. It seems like too huge a job to fit into this busy time of year. This morning, though, when I woke at 5:30 and stayed awake, I decided that I would go to the garden for an hour, no more and no less, before the day hit 90 degrees as it was expected to, and leaving plenty of time for the other things on my to-do list. And my plan worked perfectly. Between 9 and 10 I stacked all the tomato cages and stakes and filled four contractor-sized bags with weeds. I gathered all the pots and milk jugs that had blown into our plot over the winter and placed them neatly on the shelves by the shed so that their owners might claim them. Oh there's a still plenty to do, but it will be less after my hour there tomorrow morning, and I think I'll sleep soundly tonight.

Appreciate It!

The Friday of teacher appreciation week found me dancing with my students in reading class. It was a whimsical combination of Jolly Rancher Challenge and Friday morning silliness. "This is why you're my favorite teacher!" a student said.

"That's just the Macarena talking," I laughed, "but thanks!"

"No really!" he insisted, "And you're my mom's favorite teacher, too!"

Now that was some good news, because kids? Are fickle! But parents? Can make your life easier or harder, and I prefer the former!

Pulling Out the Stops

I bought it on a whim.

Ten delicious flavors boasted the bag of Salt Water Taffy sitting by the checkout line. Why not? I thought, It might make a nice change from Jolly Ranchers.

Oh my! The taffy was a hit. Soft and chewy and just sweet enough to please any sixth grader who was able to complete my challenge today. "My mom used to make taffy for us," I told one student. "You have to pull it while its still warm to get the texture right. It was fun!"

Just a few minutes ago I found myself searching for taffy recipes online. Reading directions is important, you know, and maybe my little test prep group could use some hands on practice.

17,000 Hour News Cycle

Today as part of the journalism unit my students are working on I showed a video clip of a journalist known for compelling interviews being interviewed about how to do a good interview.

"Does anyone know who Katie Couric is?" I asked.

Crickets.

I guess I wasn't really surprised. It's been 12 years since she left the Today Show and seven since she vacated the anchor chair at CBS. 

It was still a good interview, though.

A Modern Miracle

After the whole network outage situation yesterday, I decided to ask a timely question for the JoRaCha today. What was the best thing about having no WIFI? 

Their answers were revealing:

I played outside with my brother.

I read a lot more of my book than usual.

I had less homework.

I talked more with my friends.

I actually looked around the classroom yesterday-- we have a lot of books!

Nothing! It was awful! But when pressed, this student added, My phone battery actually lasted all day. It was nice not to worry about it.

Substitution Augmentation Modification Redefinition

Our entire school system's network was out today which meant no technology for students or teachers. Oh, I'm no Luddite, but in general? I've come to believe that we probably overuse our gadgets and devices, and I certainly recognize how addictive they can be. And yet, we have been encouraged to use technology as extensively as possible-- emptying our filing cabinets and text-bookshelves, tossing away our calendars, written lesson plans, and grade books in favor of online versions.

Without access to the majority of my materials, I spent the morning scrambling for pen and paper substitutes for the students. When at last the final bell rang, though, I realized there wasn't much more I could do there at school, and so I packed my things and headed home.

A little vacation from 24/7 access isn't such a bad thing after all.

May Checklist

Toenails? Check.

Flip flops? On!

Avengers movie? Seen it.

Summer 2018? Bring it!