Day 62: Sea Creature Day

My room emitted an unpleasant odor today after a sea creature observation activity.  Rather than looking at pictures of animals and discussing their adaptations, why not go to the local grocery store to pick up some 3D science?

Watching the students' faces as they enter the room is entertaining.  The boys tend to be the most boisterous and whiny about the smell.  Apparently no one goes shopping for seafood around here.  Beyond the first shock, the students begin to observe and learn.  An octopus has a beak?  A mussel has a foot?  Oysters can change sex?  This is cool stuff.

After work I went home and took a nap.  I woke up with my headache still, but I went to see our musical anyway.  I am so glad that I did.  The kids did such a great job and it was nice to have a little escape for awhile.  It was also great to see some students from two years ago.  I find that I realize the impact I had on my students after they leave.  It is also nice to see that they actually do begin to grow up and mature.  Their brains really do fully develop.  What a relief.

Day 32: What's for Dinner

I was having a hard time determining what to write about tonight, and my roommate suggested that I discuss a disturbing conversation that took place today.  My advanced class cleaned up after their lab and had a couple minutes left to spare at the end.  Somehow, one student started talking about how he would eat his finger if it ever got cut off.


Another student chimed in that he always wanted to try human.  Not a live one of course, but a dead one.  He mentioned that a stew would probably be the preferred cooking method.  He then began to list off other foods that he has tried, and equatted trying human with trying rattlesnake.


What is wrong with my students?  I am teaching a bunch of cannibals.  I remember watching a couple movies when I was younger that showed cannibalism (Event Horizon, and I can't remember the other one) and I was FREAKED out.  I guess you have to be careful of who you might get stranded with.

Day 30: Craziness

What a crazy day.  Everything was go go go.  I was so busy today that I forgot to go to the bathroom.  I held it for 16 hours.  I know that this is more detail then anyone wants to know, but I think it is truly representative of how busy things can get.

Overall the day was not so great, but there was a moment where I felt like I may be able to extend myself in a new way.  I have a student that revealed news to me that goes beyond anything I can comprehend.  Although I have no experience with the troubles she has gone through, she came to me.  She doesn't trust talking to anyone else, and it has taken months for me to build this relationship with her.  I only hope that I can offer her the support she needs.

Day 9: No Case of the Mondays Here

Waking up to a nightmare about a previous job helped put a little skip in my step with going to work today.  The lesson plan called for an edible lab day, and although they are hectic, I find them very fun.  I'm sure I walked close to 7 miles today, which may indicate to you the purpose of my photo.

After running around all day, I continued my pace as I hurried to grab a bite to eat at home and rush to the grocery store before rushing to class.


Class was let out considerably early, and now I've got my feet up as I let my mind wind down.

Day 8: Lazy Sunday

The goal last night was to complete all of my work so that I could have fun today.  Like many ideas I have, it didn't quite work as planned.  I completed several items from my to-do list, but was stuck on one item.  

It seems that work cannot be forced if there is not a time crunch.  There is something about being under pressure that forces the mind to think directly.  Last night I was working on a graphic organizer and powerpoint for earthquakes.  Seems like a simple task, but I was having a hard time because I kept trying to incorporate information from previous years.  I finally gave up and decided that I must complete it tomorrow.


Once I sat down at the computer today, I started from scratch.  I thought about what the kids should know about earthquakes and what they may want to learn.  Somehow creating the products were much easier.  I'm still tweaking, but at least the structure is there.


In the image above you see my espresso maker that I bought in Venice.  There is a little bit more of a chill in the air today, so I thought a coconut mocha espresso would be the perfect afternoon remedy.  The warmth from my concoction and seeing an artifact from Venice made for a nice afternoon.

Day 4: Back in Action

Going back to work today was not as painful as I thought.  The kids were in a great mood even though they were not ecstatic about the return.  In this picture here you see my gorilla.  She had a name, but I don't remember what it is now.  I bought her before I started teaching and I knew that my classroom would be the perfect home for her.  Unfortunately, she has been through some rough times.  Her sight is not quite the same and her necklace is a bit disheveled.  I have also gone through some struggles in the classroom.  Luckily I have not lost an eye, but the number of my gray hairs has increased.  She's been there with me since the beginning, so we come together again for this new year.