Now Cracks a Noble Heart

Wowza

2012-02-01T20:52:00.003-05:00

It took me a good 15 minutes to figure out how to login into this blog. It's been over four years. That's insane. I used to really love teaching. Not so much anymore. I've decided that this needs to be my last year in the classroom. Sigh, it's hard coming to grips with it but it's not fun anymore. I've switched schools and the kids are rude, administrators are inept, and well. It just sucks.

Perhaps blogging will help me get that old thing back;-)

Report Cards

2007-10-15T17:24:00.000-04:00

Report cards were issued this morning. Why do we hand out report cards at the start of the day? The kids are all either super excited or pissed. It was such a strange day. I'll spend the rest of the night recuperating.

We're into Whitman and Dickinson now. I feel like I'm rushing through this but what can you do when you only have one semester to cover as much as you can in American Lit? I added a little mini-project to extend the time that we spend on it. Hopefully, that will help.

Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

2007-10-11T20:57:00.001-04:00

We (hubby and I) are watching this show. Hilarious. The contestant spelled vowel VOUL. I don't know what to say about that. I had to write it down so that I can share it with my coworkers tomorrow.

Grades are in and done. I can breath now.

I had a student ask me if chickens cluck. Huh? She was so excited about it that I can honestly say that I wasn't laughing at her, I was laughing with her. Later, she wrote a poem in the style of Dickinson's "I Never Saw A Moor." She included the chicken. Okay. Well. I don't know. I have to stop being at a loss for words. It's doing nothing for me.

Can someone tell me how to get my male students to stop talking? I've already informed them that excessive talking is a girlie trait.

It's that time again

2007-10-04T17:52:00.001-04:00

We are issuing report cards next week. Of course all I hear now is:

Mrs. M, can I see my grade?
Mrs. M, is there any extra credit?
Um, yeah. What can I turn in?

I've even had students trying to turn in work from the second week of school. You have to be kidding me!

My air is out again and the mildew is creeping back up through my carpets. EEEWWW. I think that it's making me sick. Seriously. It rained today and boy oh boy was it stuffy.

I let my 9th graders listen to some slam poetry. (Saul Williams and Taylor Mali) They fell in love. I can't believe that only one of them had ever heard slam. That's ridiculous. I am so happy that I shared it with them. I'm on the hunt for more pg rated slam. Taylor's didn't have any curse words but Saul did use shit. It didn't bother them at all. In fact, they claimed that shit enhanced the poem.

I have mentioned how crazy they are haven't I?

I'm trying

2007-10-01T21:19:00.000-04:00

I'm really trying to post every night. I just can't get the hang of it. Practice makes perfect I guess. Anyhoo. We had drama at school on Friday but the good thing is that it seems to have calmed down.

I had to write a couple of my students up as well as a couple of other teacher's kids. It wasn't a pleasant day by any means. I never write kids up! They seem to know how to stop before they get me to that point. Perhaps the referrals that I did on Friday will suppress any further ignorance.

My American Lit class is about to study The Raven and the Masque of the Red Death. I really want to read The Tell-Tale Heart with them. It's so evil and simple. It's very short and I think that it's the perfect introduction to Poe and his crafty mind. I'm sure that most of them read it in middle school but they have yet to hear me read it. Not tooting my own horn but I love the story so much that I know it nearly word for word.

My students already think that I'm strange. Why not give them proof?

Inmates running the asylum

2007-09-27T20:27:00.000-04:00

I think that I fooled myself when I accepted this teaching job. Suburban schools are nice places with supportive parents, progressive administrators, and kids who seek the knowledge necessary to succeed in life. NOT! We had a gang bang type beat down in the boy's bathroom across the hall from my room. ButI digress~

In my introduction to Hawthorne today, I told my American Lit class that he was a close friend of Franklin Pierce, who was (come on you know this) ______?

Blank stares, crickets...

That guy that wrote Moby Dick?

Was he in the woods? (Thoreau/Emerson...not sure which one he was attempting to channel)

Come on Mrs. M!!

Okay, I realize that knowing Franklin Pierce was the 14th president may not make any of my students wealthy. However, most of them are taking US History. I'm sure that they've been introduced to Pierce already.

My goodness people!!

On a good note though, we're almost finished watching Moby Dick and both of my American Lit classes are enjoying the process of "reading the film." That certainly makes my heart smile. What more can you ask for? As a lover of literature, I'll take what I can get.

Are you kidding me?

2007-09-24T21:17:00.000-04:00

Umm, yeah. While you're writing lessons, calling parents, keeping hormonal teenagers from groping each other, tracking little DJ's 8 million absences, and handling bus duty, do you think that you can put something on the bulletin boards outside of your classroom?

Excuse me?

Bulletin boards have preference over all of the above as well as my a/c being out since the start of the school year?

Okay, well thanks. I wish that I had known that earlier.

I'll get right on that.

I'm back...

2007-09-23T09:21:00.000-04:00

though I never really left. I felt like I needed a break to get myself organized and on track. I've started journaling on scraps of paper and that's not good (I wouldn't want anyone to find those random vents:)).

School is going well. I'm still not in love with my 9th graders but I do at least like them now. I caught half of them cheating and now they are all having "come to Jesus" moments. They can't hold water now. Perhaps they're looking for extra credit points for honesty? I don't know.

We've started our common assessments and they are not going well. Why you ask? Well, we don't really teach the same thing. We have common planning. No one utters a word for 30 minutes and then we all crawl back into our rooms and do our own thing. I did make the effort to send out a mass e-mail requesting an overview of what everyone is teaching for the next unit. I figure that we can get one really good common quiz or something. It seemed to work. Only one teacher ignored my request.

My American Lit class fell in love with The Crucible. Either that or they just liked saying "hell" "whore" and "in the proper place where my beast are bedded". They are hilarious, that bunch.

Okay, I'm posting every night now. Love it or hate it.

Ramblings...

2007-08-25T06:58:00.000-04:00

I have to create three versions of my vocab test for Monday. I have one class with so many modifications that I'm hoping three will be enough. I'll start off with three, go back and review the modifications and add an additional version if I need to.

The kids are enjoying The Crucible. I'm a little shocked and dismayed by some of the people who want to read. As a result, we're plowing right through it (at the dismay of the American Lit team leader.)

"Oh, I just take my time and get deep in the storyline."

And I don't?

Explain to me how any American Lit teacher can justify not teaching Twain or any Realism and then we can discuss pacing okay? Okay.

I still don't love my freshmen. I called parents the other day and I've seen two of them change their behavior. Of course, they aren't the loudest or most talkative ones but hey, progress is progress.

This is my last post of the day

2007-08-18T14:29:00.000-04:00

I promise. Please excuse the errors that I have typed in my posting frenzy. I'm rambling and don't feel like going back to edit.

What can I do?

2007-08-18T14:20:00.000-04:00

One of my students is missing. Well, she's probably home by now but her father came to school on Friday after checking online and noticing that she had been absent from her first three classes. She's a beautiful girl. Bright and social. Evidently she's been in trouble before and her father is dealing with the court system. It's not pretty. I felt so sad for him. I mean, it's nothing that we could do really. He had so much pain in his eyes. I think what hurts the most is that he seemed so much like me, like us. Middle class father concerned about his daughter. That could have been Number Cruncher sitting in that room. What happened?

I think I like it here

2007-08-18T13:22:00.000-04:00

Alright, I'm staying. The school is cool and the kids are fine. The firewall is insane though! I have four department meetings each week but at least they're during school. You can't beat that.

My American Lit classes are starting off okay. We've already covered some Native American Lit and presented myths. I was a little bummed because none of them put any real effort into it. No one went above and beyond the directions even though I explicitly stated that they should. Because of that and some other things, I've decided that they will do at least two more presentations throughout the semester. We're covering Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and the boys can not stand to sit with each other. Obviously too much testosterone bothers them. They begged me to move back to 2007 on Monday (we're currently in 1741.) I'm still not sure yet. We may remain that way until we're done with Puritan Lit.

My ninth graders have become the bain of my existence. It's really ridiculous how immature they are. Friday was their last day. I'm calling parents starting Monday. It's nothing disrespectful but I have them after lunch and they are just wired. Talk talk talk talk talk talk talk. Of course it's just the girls. But now it's to the point where they are bothering other students and I'm not having it.

Okay, I've done enough complaining. I feel so much better. Thanks for listening:))

When is Labor Day?

2007-08-07T06:16:00.001-04:00

Pre-planning, Open House, Obnoxious Kids, Obnoxious Parents, IEP, No Collaborating Teacher, What in the world was I thinking??

Another sleepless night

2007-08-01T05:10:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it but I've been up since 3:45. This is really ridiculous! You would think that I would be knocked out after sitting through 8 hours of "Staff Development" yesterday. Nope. Here I am wide awake, even though I was dog-tired listening to the speakers drone on and on. At least we had cushioned seats:)) And oh yeah, I completed the entire To Kill a Mockingbird unit. I just need to bring in the fine details and get everything typed up and ready to go. I really hope that we leave early today.

Rumor is that teachers new to the school will enjoy a fancy catered lunch some time this week. In this town, a fancy lunch is one step above Red Lobster. Not that I'm complaining. Free food is good food. Okay, I'm babbling now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

2007-07-29T11:30:00.001-04:00

What do we have here?

2007-07-26T06:50:00.000-04:00

When I opened the laptop, this was the image on the screen. It looks like Number Cruncher is seeking a new ride. Won't the kids be so excited? The one good thing about purchasing this behemoth of a vehicle is that there is no way in hell that he'll let me drive it.

Merry Christmas baby!

The Raven

2007-07-26T06:37:00.001-04:00

Since I couldn't sleep, I've been up since around 5 this morning. I watched a couple of things that we've recorded including HGTV's Design Star. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am Vern Yip's biggest fan. I met him in Atlanta and I was so excited that tears came to my eyes. Actually, number cruncher saw him and told me not to make a scene. Vern was so kind. Love him!

Anyhoo, since I have to report for technology training tomorrow, I decided to do something productive. When we were out of town, I set the DVR to record The Raven starring Vincent Price. (who else?) I pushed play and ran downstairs for a drink. When I returned number cruncher had two questions: 1. Why are you up so early in the morning? 2. Why do you continue to watch the weirdest things? Since he was sleeping when I left, I asked him how did he know the show was weird...

"I heard strange music and even stranger voices."

Well duh, it is Vincent Price you know. Haha, he could really care less. And because it's Vincent Price doing Poe, it's really bad. I've only watched about 15 minutes of it and I can't take any more. Why does his Poe stray so far from the actual storyline? I think I'll show the kids The Fall of the House of Usher instead. It's not great but it's much better than this. The director is Roger Corman. I've never heard of him but I hope this is not representative of his work!

I've been tagged!

2007-07-22T22:38:00.000-04:00

Sorry, I'm excited. I have no idea what I'm doing but here we go! Thanks Miss Teacha:))

Four Things Meme
(Because it’s Sunday!)

Four Jobs I’ve Had
~Cashier at McDonalds
~Stay at home mom
~Teacher
~Student (hubby considered it my job)

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over
~The Five Heartbeats
~The Red Shoes
~Breakfast at Tiffany's
~Anything by Hitchcock

Four Places I’ve Lived
~Virginia
~North Carolina
~Delaware
~Georgia

Four TV Shows I Love
~The Office
~Lost
~24
~That's So Raven

Four Places I’ve Vacationed
~Disney World
~Los Angeles
~Las Vegas
~Augusta, GA ( I just returned so I need to give them a shout out)

Four of My Favorite Dishes
~Fried apples
~Steamed Broccoli with Parmesan cheese
~Veggie pizza
~Cold Stone Creamery Cake Batter ice cream

Four Sites I Visit Daily
~Yahoo.com
~AKA1908.com
~Huff English
~Teachers.net

Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
~Paris
~Strand Bookstore
~At my dad's house (I miss him)
~Getting my classroom ready!!!!

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a...

2007-07-21T22:49:00.000-04:00

man riding down the street dragging a casket! We came home earlier today and decided to grab a bite to eat. Number cruncher happened to notice this interesting sight.

Gosh, I love living in this town. They know how to send you out in style. What better way for someone to head to their eternal resting place?

Tylenol PM?

2007-07-19T05:21:00.000-04:00

I've been awake since 3:48am. Torture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mission Accomplished, well almost...

2007-07-18T08:26:00.000-04:00

Native American Lit Unit? Check.

Puritan Unit (including The Crucible)? Check and minus

I'm almost done. Really. I think I can finish this thing over the weekend when we're NOT at the softball field. I really needed two units planned for American Lit and 9th grade before the school year starts. As soon as I finish this Puritan unit, I can concentrate on 9th grade. I'm actually thinking about cutting back on my little freshmen since we're starting with a short story unit. One thing may be enough for them.

Oh yeah, no one can tell me when to report to work. I looked over my new hire paperwork the other day and noticed three different start dates for teachers: 7/27, 7/31, and 8/3. Okay, let me call HR, specifically the woman in charge of high school teachers.

Clueless HR Rep: Your official hire date is 8/3
Mrs. M: I know, but what is this training date? It says technology training for new employees.
Clueless HR Rep: Your official hire date is 8/3.
Mrs. M: So I don't have to show up until 8/3?
Clueless HR Rep: I didn't say that.
Mrs. M: Well what the hell ARE you saying? Okay, I didn't say that but I did write it down while I was talking to her.
Clueless HR Rep: Call your principal and ask him if he wants you to go.
Mrs. M: Huh? If my principal has that much time on his hands, I don't think I want to work for him.

After I slapped myself in the face for accepting a job in this county...

Mrs. M: Hi Mrs. B, (principal's secretary) I hate to bother you but...
Mrs. B: Oh, it's no problem but I have no idea honey.
Mrs. M: Okay.
Mrs. B: They're so confused over there but I would advise you to go to the training on 7/27 because everyone needs to learn our new parent portal grading system.
Mrs. M: Sure, I'll do that.
Mrs. B: We're really a great system to work for!!!
Mrs. M: I'm sure. Ta ta. By the way, did that freak ever clear his junk out of my room?
Mrs. B: No, I think he's still waiting on you to finish it.

My HR rep is a fool who knows nothing. Woe is me.

Time to rock and roll ladies

2007-07-18T08:04:00.000-04:00

Well, we're off to our last softball tournament of the season. Now maybe our life can get back to a little normalcy. Evidently, there are teams coming from around the country so the competition is likely to be tough for the girls. No problem, I have no doubt that they will do well. You will do well won't you ladies?

Thump, thump, thump

2007-07-14T19:33:00.000-04:00

That's the pounding of my head. I guess it's not so bad seeing that my eyes aren't crossed and I'm not balled in a corner yet. Number cruncher is supposed to watch an episode of The Office with me when the Yankees game goes off. Basketball the other day and now baseball. No sport is off limits in the M household!

I only have three more examples to create for an origin myth activity I've come up with. I've been up since 6am. Hopefully I can stay awake. Number cruncher deserves to see me with my eyes open sometimes. Bless that man.

Native American Lit

2007-07-13T13:20:00.000-04:00

Although I asked for this prep, I've never taught American Lit before. I'm feeling guilty about Native American Lit. We're on a 4X4 and I already feel as if I'm rushing though it. I have 3 days scheduled and I know that's not enough. We're going to read a couple of myths and then create our own (in groups.) I'm going radical and letting them read a little Cochise and Charlot, if I can ever find the darn speech that I want. Charlot will be accompanied by Public Enemy's Fight the Power. Am I going to get fired? LOL.

3 days? Uggghhh!!!! Help!

This is so me...

2007-07-13T12:45:00.001-04:00

You Are 48% Capitalist, 52% Socialist

While you are definitely sympathetic to a free economy, you also worry about the less fortunate.
Wealth and business is fine, as long as those who are in need get helped out too.
You tend to see both the government and corporations as potentially corrupt.

Are You a Socialist or Capitalist?

Procrastination

2007-07-13T12:34:00.000-04:00

Your Linguistic Profile:

50% General American English

25% Yankee

20% Dixie

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

It's about that time...

2007-07-12T10:26:00.000-04:00

to start planning. I have two new preps this year and I figured out a way to save myself some time. I hadn't planned on teaching Lord of the Flies but since I taught it last semester and still have all my materials, I'm going for it. I even have a lit analysis in there somewhere. The novel does tie into the curriculum and it gives me time to develop some other things. And I do need ALL the time I can get. I've never taught 9th lit and composition so I really have nothing to go with.

I keep writing and writing but nothing is grabbing me at this point. I need something creative, jaw-dropping, and out of this world. Actually, I just need something that hits the standards and interests the kids enough to make them pay attention. Arrrrrgh!! What to do, what to do?

2007-07-10T10:45:00.000-04:00

"Irregardless is not a word mommy!" This from my oldest, Anal-boy and middle girl gymnastics and softball star at the same time no less. Number crunching hubby had the television on NBATV (oh joy, summer league basketball) and one of the announcers used "irregardless" in a sentence. I could not stop laughing because:

1. They actually hired an announcer that would use that word on air.
2. Number cruncher husband didn't catch it but two of his children did.
3. They do listen to me!!!!

So you see my dear number crunching Accountant hubby, reading is fundamental. You may be able to balance our checkbook but I have taught my children to recognize when something just ain't right:))

2007-07-07T04:36:00.000-04:00

I am not teaching The Crucible and The Scarlett Letter. Someone around here is crazy but it's not me. I love them both but there is no need to teach them back to back in the same semester. I have nothing against Puritan literature other than it can at times bore me to tears; Anne Bradstreet anyone? But, to quote John Stossel: "Give me a break!"

2007-07-07T04:35:00.001-04:00

Good luck to my Middle Child Only Girl Softball and Gymnastics superstar! She's playing in a softball tournament in a few hours. As always, the M's will be there to root the girls on!!

2007-07-07T04:33:00.000-04:00

I can't put a title on this thing! I had a talk with my new department head today. I now understand why people slit their wrists. We went over the reading list for my courses and I was not impressed. I mean really, I know there are works that all students should be exposed to but come on. Do they really need Old Man and the Sea in 9th and Grapes of Wrath in 10th? No they don't, especially when the curriculum has no diversity whatsoever. No Blacks, Asians, Native Americans...just dead white men. I love the canon, I'm a fan, really I am. However, these kids need more.

How can you teach American Literature without teaching about the people who made America what it is today? Where is the melting pot in the 9th grade survey course? Why do they have to wait until they enroll in Multicultural Lit before they are exposed to Morrison, Tan, Charlot, Gish Jen? I can't speak for the other new teachers but my students will be exposed to a variety of great works. Some of them may still be alive. Oh yeah, Fitzgerald was the most contemporary author that we discussed. Yikes! Let's try to keep them awake okay? I'm planning as I speak. Hmm...I may have to change the title of this blog to A Rebel with a Cause.

2007-07-07T04:11:00.000-04:00

I am not teaching The Crucible and The Scarlett Letter. Someone around here is crazy but it's not me. I love them both but there is no need to teach them back to back in the same semester. I have nothing against Puritans but to quote John Stossel: "Give me a break!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

2007-07-04T23:55:00.001-04:00

Damn, I love being an American.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

2007-07-04T23:52:00.000-04:00

Let's see if I can get this in before midnight. The M Family headed out to the big city so that we could see the fireworks. They were a blast. Boy I crack myself up. Back to the point. I love America. There is no other place in the world that I'd rather live.

Run, Forest, Run!

2007-07-03T22:51:00.000-04:00

Mr. M's close friend is running the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta tomorrow. I'm so very proud of him. If you don't know, scoring an entrance number is a big deal. He's been working out for awhile but we had no idea that he was in "training."

Good luck Forest! I'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning cheering you on (from my bulky tv of course.) I'm sure that you have some brand new designer duds to run in. Ain't nobody dope as me, I'm just so fresh and so clean...haha!

Oh no, not already?

2007-07-02T09:03:00.000-04:00

I had those weird dreams last night. You know the one where the kids are reporting back on the first day of school and aren't pleased about it. I can't remember anyone's name and I run out of stuff to do. Needless to say, I tossed and turned all night. It didn't help that Middle Child Only Girl Softball and Gymnastics Star decided to crawl into and then take over the bed! I guess I shouldn't be upset. This was the first time in about 5 days that she's come in our room. I'll have to check with Mr. M but that just might be a record for her.

I've come across some interesting blogs that I'm going to add to my list. Happy surfing!

Random thoughts

2007-07-01T13:47:00.000-04:00

I'm waiting on a response from my department head about what works I'm required to cover. I feel so foolish. Should I have asked him this during the school year? I was hired so early (back in Feb.) planning curriculum was far from my mind. I'm hoping that he doesn't view my email as intruding on his summer break.

I'm excited about my American Literature planning. It's going really well. I hope that I am allowed to order Crane's Maggie, at least a class set. I've been wanting to teach this for a while. Why do we stick to the same old novels? Red Badge of Courage, Moby Dick (slitting my wrists), Scarlett Letter, etc.

Mr. M and I have been lazy all weekend. He complained but I'm happy. I have so many things to do. I don't want to go into this new school year unprepared and behind. This is my first year there and I want to make a good impression. We're also on a 4X4 so I need 90 mintues of bell-to-bell instruction.

Syllabus woes

2007-06-30T10:17:00.000-04:00

I am now in the midst of creating a syllabus for my two literature classes. I should know exactly what to do but I don't. I have no idea what I want to teach in one of my classes. None of my students were required to do any summer reading so I'm making the assumption that most of them have not. Most 9th grade literature teachers use Romeo and Juliet which I love but I'd like to challenge them with something more interesting. Perhaps a revenge tragedy? I have to think about it. I've been wanting to teach Titus Andronicus for a while now but only because I think that blood and gore would make the students interested in Sir Will.

What to do, what to do?

Ewww...

2007-06-23T21:52:00.000-04:00

I saw my new classroom yesterday and boy was it gross. I decided to take a look see and I was able to do a little measuring. I also wanted to visualize what I could do with the space. Too bad the last teacher left it looking as if a bomb had gone off! Wow, it was horrible. I just hope it didn't look like that when the students were in there. Does anyone have a carpet cleaner that I could borrow? We have one but Mr. M would die if I used it on that mess of a carpet!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2007-06-17T15:55:00.001-04:00

Happy Father's Day Mr. M and dads everywhere!!!

Colleges of Education

2007-06-15T18:48:00.000-04:00

Vent alert...You know, it really gets my dander up when I hear people talk about how schools of education are worthless. IMO this only gives credit to those who see teachers as mere babysitters and anything but professionals. As a Secondary English Education major, I had to take the same amount of content courses as regular English majors plus the required Education courses. There was no room for any electives in my program.

Alternative certification is fine but please stop discrediting those of us who have gone through the normal route for teacher certification. My education classes as well as the many content courses I had to take have indeed prepared me for the classroom and I take offense when people generalize that this is not the case. Student teaching is not a perfect science but it is better than being "thrown to the wolves." We all want the best for our children. Stop griping and do something positive.