Why Thank You

"Awesome, Tracey, you're the greatest!" said the cable help operator.

Such praise I did not expect, especially since all I did was agree to stay on the line while he pinged my cable card so that I could receive my premium channels on the refurbished TIVO box that arrived yesterday to replace our faulty DVR.

But I kind of liked it, anyway.

That Was Easy

V looked grumpy when he walked in this morning. He announced that he did not have his notebook, and then dragged his feet on his way over to pick up his copy of the book we're reading together, then he lay his head on the table and tried to read along sideways. A little while later, he was playing a game on his iPad under the table. After I instructed him to put the device on my desk, he sighed and tossed his book across the table and onto the floor. After class, I asked him to come back at lunch so we could talk.

My classroom was a little hectic at the beginning of lunch: kids were shooting baskets at the "Lollipop Line", others were borrowing books, plugging in iPads, dropping off binders. V sat moodily waiting for the room to clear. "How long do I have to stay here?" he asked.

"That depends," I shrugged. "Why did I ask you to come?"

He sat up straight. "I was unprepared, off-task, and disrespectful," he answered, nailing it.

"Right!" I replied with a little laugh. "How come?"

"I'd rather not say," he demurred. "Sometimes I just get like that. But, I'll do my best to not take it out on you."

"Thanks!" I said, "And if you ever feel like talking to someone, or you need a break, just ask."

"I will," he promised as he headed out the door to lunch.

Thoughts on a Short Day

We had early release today, which meant 24 minute classes, lunch at 10 AM, and clearing the halls of kids by 11:54. Amazingly, the day went quite well, the kids were attentive and focused, and I found that I got a lot of instruction into a little bit of time.

Maybe it has to do with screen time and the fast pace of children's entertainment, but whatever the cause, kids today definitely seem to have much shorter attention spans than ever before, so who knows? They may actually thrive on a condensed day.

"I wish every day was like this!" one of my students said as he packed up his things and rushed to his next class. "I would learn a lot more-- there's no time for me to get bored!"

The trend in education is longer class periods with fewer transitions, but maybe we're thinking about it backwards. 

Just as I Intended

As I learned in my mindfulness class yesterday, I approached the day with intention. I am open to new solutions and opportunities, I told myself as I walked the dog this morning.

The day kind of went to hell from there-- the dog wouldn't poop, we were late for school, the students were crazy after three days away. By the end of my last class, my intention was totally gone from my mind, erased by the five ring circus I had just survived. Not only that, but the worst kid was worse than ever, and I asked him to stay and talk with his team of teachers.

"This better be quick," he said, "I don't want to be late."

Fortunately, the conversation improved from there, until at last he told us that his teachers last year used to give him 2 minutes at the beginning of class to walk around with a friend and "get out the sillies."

I was skeptical. "What exactly did you do to get out the sillies?" I asked.

"We just waked and talked," he answered.

I found that I was willing to give it a try, so we put some rules in place, along with some clear expectations for his behavior once those sillies are gone, and he's going to try it tomorrow. In addition? I felt much better.

I'd say those were pretty good results for my first day!

Mindful

I understand the objections to Columbus Day, but the second Monday in October has always been the perfect time for a three-day weekend and the break from school it offers. The beginning of the year is hectic and hard, full of requirement and angst. By the time we reach the fifth week, an extra day off is good for everyone, and traditionally we come back refreshed and ready for the second half of the quarter.

Not this year. Students had the day, but teachers were required to participate in professional learning. Oh, the powers that be did it right-- they offered lots of options and a mix of online and face to face opportunities. We chose a session on mindfulness for educators, both because it sounded good, and it was at the elementary school at the top of the hill. Walking to work and not having to there until 8:30 almost seemed like a holiday in itself.

The session was good-- focused on self-care and reconnecting with the passion that brought us all to teaching-- but it was conducted by two former teachers, people who had left the classroom because their journey took them elsewhere. I certainly appreciated the time to breathe, meditate on gratitude, and mindfully savor a single raisin, but I didn't leave recharged.

Maybe Veteran's Day?

Trans-species Grievances

Tracey says:

Sometimes Lucy gets so obsessive about sniffing the ground that I have to physically poke her to get her to snap out of it. One good finger jab to the shoulder is often not even enough to return her to the present reality and get her to pay attention to me. Dogs!

Lucy says:

Sometimes Tracey gets so obsessive about looking at the computer that I have to physically poke her to snap her out of it. One good nose punch to her leg is often not even enough to return her to present reality and get her to pay attention to me. People!

A Blessing or a Curse?

It seemed like such a good idea.

My pepper guy forgot to put the half-bushel I ordered on the truck to bring with the last CSA delivery of the season. How can I make it right? he asked. He vends at a market about 30 minutes away, and so we agreed to pick up our peppers there. In consolation? We would get a free box.

That's right. I have a whole bushel of peachy peppers.

Stay tuned!