We're Such Whiners

Blog stalking has made me a little depressed and irritated.

I was just reading through some blogs and I realized that 99.9% of people with blogs also have husbands and babies. And those that don't have blog titles like "The boring life of (insert generic girl name here)," "Waaa! Look at me I'm single," "Single and Pathetic," and "Why can't I find someone to love me?" Where does that leave me?

Ugh. Us single girls are so obnoxious. No wonder we don't have boyfriends. I'm turning it around. This is no longer an I'm so lonely blog. It's an I'm-amazing-and-I-do-great-things-and-if-you'd-like-to-join-me-you're-more-than-welcome blog. I'm even changing the name of it my blog.* Just a working title and maybe I'll think of something better but I'm just going to go with my name right now.



*If you still would like to set me up on a date, I am more than willing. I'm still looking for someone great but don't need to whine about it via blog.

FBI Agents, Ghosts, and International Smuggling Rings

Now that my MEd. classes are over, I've gone on a reading kick. I will accomplish this goal!

Book #27 Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Ok, technically I didn't read this book this summer, I read it with my 5th grade students in April but I loved it so much that I had to write about it.

Found is the first book of the Missing series (Sent, book #2 in the series, comes out August 25, 2009. Please don't read about Sent until you read Found, it will spoil the end of Found if you do!).

Jonah is 13 and has always known he was adopted. He becomes friends with Chip who is also adopted but didn't know until he and Jonah did some investigating. They both begin receiving letters. The first one says, "You are one of the missing." The second one says, "Beware! They're coming back to get you." This leads Chip, Jonah and his sister Katherine into a mystery that involves the FBI, ghosts, smuggling and an airplane that appeared out of nowhere.

This book is written so well and is great for book groups because almost every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. My students were begging me to read more. It was great.

Julie of the Wolves

Book #26 Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Miyax is a 13-year-old girl who's mother is dead and her father disappeared while hunting. She runs away and intends to use the survival skills her father taught her to get from Point Barrow to Point Hope. From there she hopes to get a job on a ship as a laundress or cook and work her way to San Fransisco to meet her pen pal Amy who always ends her letters with "When are you coming to San Fransisco?"

Miyax finds that the tundra of Alaska is much different than home and soon becomes lost. She remembers what her father told her and begins to use body language to communicate with a pack of wolves, hoping they will take her in and feed her.

I think this must be one of those books that I "read" in elementary school or it is very similar to another book I've read. I'm going with the I read it in school and the memory of it got lost in my brain until I rediscovered it.

Hope is the thing with feathers

Book #25 Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson begins the book with the following poem by Emily Dickinson:

Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all

I think it was that point that I knew I'd love this book. (That is one of my favorite poems ever!)

I began reading this just because it was a quiet Sunday and I didn't want to watch tv or do my homework. I didn't imagine I would be reading long. But once I started, I could not put it down. Woodson's language is lyrical, she creates scenes with such poetry. I was amazed by her writing.

Feathers takes place in the winter of 1971. Frannie is a 6th grader. She lives with her parents and deaf older brother on the wrong side of the highway. One day, a tall, skinny white boy with long hair walks into the classroom "white and softly as the snow." He has long hair and soon students begin calling him Jesus Boy. He must stand up to bullying because "there aren't white people on this side of the highway. You didn't notice until one appeared. And then you saw all the brown and light brown everywhere." Frannie's best friend, Samantha, begins fantasizing that this boy may really be Jesus returned to the earth.

Like I've already said, I loved this book. The only problem I see with reading it in a classroom is that Jesus Christ and religion are a central theme. Is that going over the edge? Would I be integrating church and state instead of keeping them completely separate? Other than that aspect, I think it's great for elementary students. It deals with themes of racism, acceptance, hope, love, segregation.

Even if I don't read the entire book, I think I'll read chapter 20 and part of chapter 22 because in each of these sections, Ms. Johnson (the teacher) talks about how each person has memories that he or she can write about and that everyone has a story but some of us are scared to write it and we call that fear writer's block.

It is just a beautifully written book and I recommend reading it for the poetic language alone.

"Strange how one day you can believe in something. And the next day you don't anymore. And then, when you don't have that thing anymore, you don't have anything." (p.95)

"If I could walk through the world and just touch people and lift their pains right out of their bodies, I'd never stop walking." (p. 60)

A Wrinkle in Time

Book #24 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Meg Murray, her younger brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin O'Keefe must find Mr. Murray, a physicist working to explore the 5th dimension, by traveling to other planets in other galaxies. They find that Mr. Murray is a prisoner on the planet Camazotz. On this planet, all suffering is gone and in exchange the people are expected to conform completely. It's a story of love, courage, and personal strength.


I read this book because I remember it being read to my 4th grade class. Read alouds were much different then and all we were to do was listen. There were no questions, no talking about the book...you just sat and listened and moved on with your day. This book is written at about a 6th grade level. While children can understand much higher levels when read to them, they still need some discussion of difficult or important parts to fully understand. I think this is why I remember enjoying some parts but being confused and not getting the whole story as a 4th grader.


It made me wonder, what would you be willing to give up to live in a seemingly perfect world with no suffering?

"Maybe if you aren't unhappy sometimes you don't know how to be happy." (p. 157)

Rainbows, Sunsets and Mushrooms

Like I said in this post, it has been an incredibly wet start to the summer. These are some pictures I've taken in the past few days.

Because of the massive amount of moisture, our grass is covered in mushrooms. This is just a small patch but the entire yard looks like this.

This picture was taken as I drove to work after school on Friday night. It was an incredible night! It was a downpour earlier then the clouds lifted and we had this amazing sunset.

More sunset from the car.

This was the same day. In the East was this amazing rainbow. It was huge and there were no breaks in it, completely went from north to south.

Trying to get a shot of how cool the clouds looked. It didn't quite work. Believe me though. It was fantastic!

I take a lot of pictures when I'm stopped at red lights. These clouds just looked so cool and the sun was trying to shine through. Loved it but the quality of my camera doesn't do it justice.

My Slightly White Trash Weekend

I worked at The Children's Center this morning (I know what you're thinking..."What? I thought you quit?" Yep. I did but they need more help and I'm broke so I went back. Silly me.) Anyway, I worked from 9PM Friday til noon Saturday. I was greasy and probably smelled like sweaty little boys but I went shopping right after work anyway.

Going shopping without getting ready at all = Slightly white trash scenario #1.

I came home and got ready and dressed and my dad called to see if my sister and I wanted to go to Rocky Mountain Raceway. My dad is super into it and I hate it because it's so loud. Usually I say not to these invitations but decided to go this time. Wow! Am I glad I did!


Being glad you went to RMR = Slightly white trash scenario #2.

This night was IHRA Nitro Nationals. I don't know what all that means other than these cars are super loud and blow fire out of some car parts.


Woot! Court and I are ready for them to start racing. We felt a little over dressed. I didn't get the shirts are optional memo.


Holy cow! Fire! Sparks! And it smelled like cinnamon!

Taking a picture with a blow up Jelly Belly and giving a thumbs-up = Slightly white trash scenario #3.

A jet engine on a semi truck? Yes, it's possible and it's amazing.

Saying this is amazing = Slightly white trash scenario #4.

Freaking amazing sunset!

Warming your hands next to the jet engine = Slightly white trash scenario #5.

They let us walk on the track after the race. They kept saying how sticky it was. I didn't believe them until I couldn't pick up my feet. You probably shouldn't wear ballet flats to RMR.

Because I forgot my camera, all these pictures are from my sister Courtney. Also, because of that we didn't get all the pictures I wanted.

The pictures I wanted were of the on slot of celebrities at RMR. We saw Carrot Top, Allison Iraheta (American Idol), Daughtry, Willie Nelson, Corbin Bleu and Santa Claus. Honestly who who have thought RMR attracted such celebrity. It was amazing even if they were just slight look-alikes.

The Giver

Book #23 The Giver by Lois Lowry

Where Jonas lives, life is safe, orderly, and predictable. Rules are strictly adhered to; every aspect of a person's life is carefully planned. People rarely make choices on their own; everything is decided for them by the community. There is no snow or sunshine, no colors or music, no animals or nature.

People in the community take special care to avoid doing or saying anything different. In the community, one must not say anything that causes discomfort to others, and one must use language precisely. Husbands and wives are matched as couples by a Committee of Elders who reviews each individual to see if a person's characteristics will be compatible with those of his mate. Exactly two children-one male and one female-are assigned to each family unit.

At the Ceremony of Twelve, children are given their job. Jonas is given the job of Receiver of Memories, the one person in the community who has access to all the memories of the past. He must keep these memories within himself until he can train a new Receiver to whom he can pass them. The Receiver has knowledge of things that no one in the community has access to, but the Receiver also has the responsibility to shoulder the burden of sorrow and pain that the memories bring.

I have read this book many times and I absolutely love it! I tried reading it to my 5th grade class and they didn't really get it. It's probably my fault though. I wasn't being a great teacher at the time and I just read it. Didn't ask questions, didn't clarify, I just read it. We also didn't finish because I was done student teaching. I will probably read it to my 6th graders but do a better job.

Beautiful Russian Poems

My writing class is seeping into my dreams.

Last night I had a dream that I was writing poems with Kara DioGuardi (new American Idol judge)

and a very tall, very blond Russian man.

He was having a lot of difficulty writing his poem and I was trying to help my hugging him as he wrote (what?!?).

Kara was getting annoyed with him because he was such a downer and kept saying how much he hated writing poems. She gave him a beautiful line as an example and in my dream I wrote it in my Writer's Notebook (a journal you're supposed to keep with you at all times and write things that interest you, are beautiful, thoughtful...so you can live "a writer's life." I don't really have one but just gave a presentation on it on Wednesday). I wish I could remember the line to see if it really is a beautiful line.

We then change scenes and this Russian is someone's manny and I'm in love with him and so is the mom/wife in the story. The rest is a bit fuzzy but I'm pretty sure I broke up that affair.

Freckle Juice

Book #22 Freckle Juice by Judy Blume

Andrew Marcus, a 2nd grader, wants to look like Nicky Lane, a fellow 2nd grader who has freckles. Andrew wants freckles so his mom won't be able to tell if his face is dirty. Sharon, who often tricks Andrew, sells him a secret recipe for Freckle Juice for 50 cents. He drinks the concoction and becomes sick. He then decides to draw freckles on his face with a blue marker. All the kids laugh at him and his teacher gives him a magic freckle remover. Nicky Lane then asks his teacher if he can use the remover also.

This is an extremely quick read (47 pages with pictures)! I don't know if I'm just not into early reader chapter books because they can't really get into a big story or what but I wasn't loving this book. I can see it as something that would be a quick, fun and easy read for 1st or 2nd graders but I'm not into teaching younger grades so I wasn't into it.

A Team + Dave Meeting

I met with my 6th grade team again today. I am so excited for the year to start. We did a little planning. We've decided that we're going to rotate for science and social studies. I'll be teaching heat, light, and sound and Middle Ages & Renaissance to all the 6th graders. I'm glad that I have things I can start planning now! I'm also on Curriculum Committee. I have no idea what that entails but that's what I'm doing. Also, I'll be helping with student council. Wow. It just all seems like so much right now.

My team seems like we're going to get along very well. I can't wait to get to know them better!

Yippee for having a job and a team I like!

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Book #21 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

This book takes place in the 1800s. It is about a widowed farmer and his two children (Anna and Caleb). The farmer advertises for a wife and Sarah comes from Maine. She is very homesick and tells the children how much she misses the ocean. One day she goes into town alone and Caleb worries that she will never return. She comes back with colored pencils so she can draw how beautiful Maine is. She tells the children that though she misses Maine, she would miss them more.

I remember reading this book in 3rd grade and hating it. But that's no surprise. I hated everything a teacher gave me to read. So I thought I'd give it another shot. Nope, still hated it. It's well written, it receive a Newbery Medal but it just wasn't a book I was interested in. But don't take that as a reason not to read it. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who love this book.

Death

Book #20 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Check out Zusak's website. The Book Thief opens with "It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . ."

The story is set in Germany during WWII. It is the story of a foster girl names Liesel Meminger who lives with her foster father and mother outside of Munich. The book is narrated by Death. With the help of her foster father, Liesel learns to read and begins stealing books whenever she can get her hands on them. She uses these stories to help sustain her family, friends and the Jew hiding in her basement.

I really enjoyed this book though I would not recommend it for elementary aged children. The reading level is quite easy but the topics and language are not something that would be good for most elementary aged children. I would recommend this for 8th grade and up. If you want to learn to swear and insult others in German, this is the book for you.


"People observe the colors of a day only at its beginnings and ends, but to me it's quite clear that a day merges through a multitude of shades and intonations, with each passing moment. A single hour can consist of thousands of different colors. Waxy yellows, cloud-spat blues. Murky darknesses. In my line of work, I make it a point to notice them."

Words to Build a Life Upon

I just read an article for my Writing in the Classroom class. I guess it's a chapter from the book Wondrous Words: Writers and Writing in the Elementary Classroom by Katie Wood Ray not an article. The last paragraph of the chapter blew me away. Here it is:

"I stand in awe at the power our words as teachers can have in students' lives. I am fearful of the strength of one negative word and how it can live with someone forever. But I rejoice at the idea that just a few simple, honest words of support and belief can also stay with someone for a very long time." (p. 298)

Why we love Ashley

Reason #12:

She can pass as a 12-year-old in the right lighting.

My New Team and Do I Look Like a 6th Grader?

I went to plan with my new 6th grade team--fondly referred to as The A Team plus Dave-- because our names are Andrea, Ashley and Amanda and Dave. Crazy right? Anyway, that's not really the part I'm blogging about.

Let's set the scene..I get to the school just as school got out. I walked into Andrea's room, she has all the lights off and is on the phone. I wave to acknowledge that I'm here and she waves back.

There is still one male student in the classroom. He sees me come in and says to Andrea, "Hey, you've got a student here." as he points to me. Andrea very calmly says, "She's not a student, she's a teacher." Male student, "Oh." to Andrea, "You look way young!" to me. I say thank you because I'm a bit paranoid about being 25. Good news...I pass for a 12 year old. Ha.

Summer Dreams

I finally came to the decision that I had to drop my July MEd. class. I'm super bummed about it because it was with one of my favorite professors and I know I would learn a lot with her.

But alas, being hired at a year-round school has squashed my dreams of spending every summer hour improving my teaching abilities. Instead, I now have to spend July soaking up the sun and sleeping in (at least until mid-July when orientation starts).

Dreams from last night:

I had a dream that I was at Bear Lake. I know there were a few people there with me but I'm not sure who they were any more. The only person I remember is a very blond toddler. The beach was rocks then sand then water. We began playing in the sand and the toddler was playing in the shallow water right by the edge of the sand. As we were playing on the sand we noticed the tide was coming in really fast (do all bodies of water have tides or just the ocean? I don't know but in my dream Bear Lake had a tide). The water soon came all the way up to the rock part of the beach (there is no more sand, it's all under water). We're all trying to figure out why the tide came in so fast as we see the toddler walking back to where he was playing before, which is now under water. He quickly slips under the water to the bottom and we can see him because the water is crystal clear. He's struggling to get to the top but is unable to. We all swim out to get him and I grab him and pull him to the surface.

What does that mean? I was so scared for that baby!

Whales on Stilts!

Book #19 Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson

"On Career Day Lily visited her dad's work with him and discovered that he worked for a mad scientist who wanted to rule the earth through destruction and desolation." This is a very different book. The writing is quite outlandish with a hint of the author making fun of himself and other mystery adventure writers. This blog also reviews books and has one on this book. I'm a bit lazy and pressed for time so I'll just let you read that one. I haven't read through the blog thoroughly but it's worth a look.

One of my favorite parts of this book is at the end of the book. It's entitled A Guide for Reading and Thinking: Questions for Further Study. The author states they hired Child Learning Specialist to help write these questions. Here are some of my favorite:

1. Who chose this book?
2. Can I hit him or her in the stomach?
8. Which whale book with a character named Lily and another one named Jasper is your favorite?
9. Oh, really?
15. Anchovies. Why?

Father's Day

What?!? Today is Father's Day and you still don't have a gift? All is not lost. I have a great idea for you and you won't have to fight the crowds at Brookstone or Sears. All you need to do is go to your local Target.

I know you've all been waiting with utmost anticipation since you read this post to see what this stellar Father's Day gift is. Wait no longer, here it is folks...

It's the Tampon Toupee. Visit this site for instructions. So, if you still have not bought a gift for your father, all is not lost! This is a great gift for all dads, not just bald ones. Think of the hair style versatility you would give the special man in your life with this wonderful creation. And because it's hand-made, he'll know you really care.

Goodbye Old Friend

Today was my last day at The Children's Center.

It was a bittersweet ending. I have loved this job but some things went on that made it difficult to work with one person in particular.

I did get to work with my good friend Karla and she made it such a nice night.

My little buddy asked me why I have to go. It broke my heart.

It is nice to know that I have the weekends (and every other day of the week) free until I begin teaching but I will miss seeing these kiddos every Saturday.

I wish them and the center all the luck in the future and I can only hope that I did my part to help them.

Why we love Ashley

Reason #92:

She often speaks in a British accent when talking to herself.

Becoming Independently Wealthy

Great Idea #49:

Buy a mountain.

Build a house at the base of the mountain.

Create fun mountain resort on top of mountain.

Place a wishing well at resort on top of mountain.

Make wishing well hole go from top of mountain through your chimney.

Bingo! Your house rains money. You are rich!

Perpetual

Book # 18 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Great book! I don't know what to say about it more than that though. The story is about Winnie Foster, her interactions with the Tuck family, and deciding whether or not she should drink from the spring and become immortal. Winnie reminds me a little bit of Bella in the Twilight series (just the basic premise--mortal or immortal? What would you choose?) Here is a Scholastic site with teacher resources and a pretty good summary. The resources aren't great (I think any decent teacher could come up with these things in 1 minute but it gives a starting point if you're not as amazing as me and my school buddies)

"The sweet earth opened out its wide four corners to her like the petals of a flower ready to be picked, and it shimmered with light and possibility till she was dizzy with it." (p. 45)

"The way I see it, it's no good hiding yourself away, like Pa and lots of other people. And it's no good just thinking of your own pleasure, either. People got to do something useful if they're going to take up space in the world." (p. 86)

Quotes

Hello Everyone! Blog followers and stalkers alike! I am thinking about what I want my classroom to look like and I really think I want to do something with quotes. I'm not sure exactly what I want yet but I need to begin gathering quotes.

I need a plethora of quotes that are appropriate for 6th graders in a public elementary school. If you have a favorite quote leave it in a comment for me. I'd like the quotes to come from everywhere--books, movies, music, speeches, anything!

Thanks so much!

Happy Endings

Book # 17 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo

This is such a great story about a bunch of lonely people who are brought together by a dog. Opal finds a homeless dog at The Winn-Dixie grocery store and he soon helps her to make many friends. This book is written at about a 4th grade level (Christina, use it as a read aloud or for book club in your class!) and I don't think I'm giving anything away but I think this is the only book in existence with a dog on the cover that won an award (Newbery to be exact) where the dog doesn't die. I definitely recommend it. It's a really quick and fun read.

"It's hard not to immediately fall in love with a dog who has a good sense of humor." (p. 12)

I am officially crazy!

I love going to school and learning...I hate doing homework. I don't want to do it. I hate to read long articles that talk themselves in circles. I have so much to do to get ready for school and can't really get started because of all the homework I have to do. Maybe if my time management was a little better and I didn't procrastinate by writing this blog, I would get things done sooner but that's beside the point. The point is I hate reading research articles and trying to apply them to my experiences. My experience is student teaching. 16 weeks of trying to keep my head above water. I was at most a day ahead of my students, usually more like 1/2 an hour ahead. Now I'm supposed to take that and apply it to something? Ugh. What was a thinking when I signed up for a Master's program this early in my career? But I guess it will all get done. Wish me luck!

I checked on that D track opening at my school, like I said I would, and my principal said it was wrong on the web site and should say C track. Darn. But she did say if it opens up I will be the first one she'll call.

Why we love Ashley

Reason #31:

She wanted to be a ninja and a garbage truck driver at one point in time...watch out evil garbage.

I need your help!

I want to make a picture like this one but better. I want a quote to put with it but can't think of any good ones. Any suggestions? Maybe something about positive influence, love, changes, hope...I don't know for sure. Please help! Leave comments!!

End of an Era

I don't know how I let myself do this but I'm reading 3 novels at once. ugh. What was I thinking? I'm going to try to finish one tonight and finally post about it tomorrow. The other two may take a bit longer because I'm not really into them yet.

I worked at The Children's Center today. I also gave my two weeks notice. The group home isn't shutting down until July 31 but I just felt like I needed to get out now and concentrate on me. That sounds selfish but I've spent the past 5 years worrying and losing sleep over the issues that these little guys face on a daily basis. I need to spend the summer doing what I want and need to be doing. I need to prepare for the new school year. I need to just have time. I miss my family, I miss my friends.

Let's make something clear. Even though I have complained about the center many times and I think some policies there are ridiculous, I love love love what I do at the center. I love the kiddos and think we do very impressive work. I'm going to miss the kids so much and it makes me sad to think that I won't get to see any of their last days. There is one boy in particular that I want to see leave and go to a loving family. He's the boy I talked about in this post. I'm happy to say the "trainees" are doing very well and it seems like the placement will move forward. I hope it does. I really like this family and my little buddy is growing really attached to them (which is super difficult for him). Because he has such difficulties, he will be the last one out of the group home.

The center will always have a special place in my heart. I will always remember the things I learned there, the wonderful people I met, and the differences I made in the lives of children.

Rainy Days

Alright...it's June 10 and I live in Utah...a desert. I have worn long sleeves every day this month because it's been so rainy. I'm not complaining at all though. I absolutely love this weather! It could rain every day and I would be a happy camper. But it is definitely weird Utah weather. I can't remember it ever being like this. It's almost like we're living in Seattle. I really wish I could just snuggle up in a big blanket and read my 30 remaining books but I have homework and school and life to do.

The two pictures on this page were taken seconds after each other. You can't tell but in the first one is is raining just as hard. This second one is just kinda ugly so I thought I'd lead off with my nice green yard.

Mysteries and Possible Changes

Book #16 The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

This is the book that has taken me so long to finish. That makes it sound like it was a horrible book...IT WASN'T! I just had difficulty reading large portions of it at a time. It's probably has to do with the format and the difficulties I had with reading as a child. This book has very small print and when one chapter ends another starts...no turning the page and looking like you're making more progress than you really are...just start the next one.

That aside, this was a great book. It's the story of Sam Westing's will and his 16 heirs. All of these heirs happen to have moved into Sunset Towers just before Sam Westing is pronounced dead. The heirs are paired up and given a set of clues. Their job is to figure out who killed Sam Westing. It's a great mystery book and I always thought I had the mystery figured out only to be told I was wrong a few pages later. The end is a twist that is not expected.

I always check the available jobs on each district website just because I'm nosy. Anyway, there's now a 6th grade D TRACK opening. I'm totally calling my principal later today to see if I can trade. That would mean I wouldn't start til August 17th which gives me a lot more time to prepare. Woot! I hope she lets me trade!