My Life

A Few of Our Teacher-y Things

Nadia — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:54:00 GMT

At the end of January the entire CMLC teaching staff (yes, all four of us) and one of our administrators attended the Mennonite Educators Conference in Pittsburgh. We signed up to be one act in the evening talent show. Melissa and I took a familiar tune and changed up the words.

With regards to Rogers & Hammerstein, and apologies to Julie Andrews...

A FEW OF OUR TEACHER-Y THINGS

Raindrops at recess and kids without mittens
Bright shining faces and kids who don’t fit in
Cold and flu germs that somebody brings
These are a few of our teacher-y things

Creamed corn and corn dogs and tuna with noodles
Our kids’ school lunches don’t come with cheese doodles
Fast food we ask not, so healthy they bring
These are a few of our teacher-y things

Kids in white shirts and dirty blue pantses
Don’t stand so close at the Valentine Dances
Weekly chapels where everyone sings
These are a few of our teacher-y things

When a kid falls,
grab an ice pack,
it’s a kid’s best friend
We simply remember that we were once young
and tomorrow they’ll want it again.

”I didn’t do it!”
“I wasn’t cheating”
“I’ve got to ‘use’ it!”
“WHAT! There’s a meeting?!”
Excuses we hear, they make our ears ring
These are a few of our teacher-y things

”Where is your homework?”
”Why did you do that?”
“I’ll call your mother!”
“WHERE is my backpack?”
”Just zip your lip, ‘cause mean words sting.”
These are a few of our teacher-y things

Recess duty in sub-zero weather
This is the day I’m at the end of my tether
Show and tell does not mean your llama to bring
These are a few of our teacher-y things

6 o’clock wake up!
8am show up!
When’s my teacher break?
I simply look up at the clock and I see
it’s only 8 oh 3!

bits and pieces

Nadia — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:00:00 GMT

~It's been so long since I last posted it is like I don't even have a blog. Summer has been insanely busy. Between out-of-town travels, out-of-town guests, packing up my classroom and working, I've barely had time to do laundry and keep up with the garden, let alone post a blog.

~In my last post I mentioned that my school was closing. I'm delighted to have found a new position as a third grade teacher. I'll be in a brand-new building!! I'm super excited to be able to set up and work in a new class room.

~I have spent a significant amount of time packing up all of my teaching things in preparation of moving to a new school. It is amazing how much stuff one can accumulate over 8 years.

It arrived

Nadia — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:50:00 GMT

Well, the end has come and gone. At this point I'm feeling a combination of relief, exhaustion, and grief.

Relief for the fact that we actually made it. Hard to believe that another school year is completed.

Exhaustion because, as mentioned in a previous post, my co-teacher and I packed the last 2 weeks full of fun. I might add, what a great way to end the year. We had very few behaviour problems, and those we did have were minor, since the kids were having a blast and were afraid to miss out on the next bit 'o fun.

And finally grief, which is not something I have normally felt at the end of the year. I am so profoundly sad because the school that I love and have served at for the past 8 years will not be opening next year due to financial hardship. And for now, in the words of Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that.

The beginning of the end

Nadia — Thu, 29 May 2008 02:23:00 GMT

Yesterday kicked off the final stretch to the end of the year. My co-teacher and I have packed the last 2.5 weeks of school with tons of activities so as to prevent boredom and annoying behavior. Thus, yesterday was Career Day in the Primary class. We were visited by parents of some of our students -- a nurse, an actor, and a mail carrier. It was all very exciting. Today was a trip to Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. There was a ridiculous number of people there. But our kids had fun and no one got lost. Between now and The Last Day are 4 more trips, field day, and a day full of cooking. I am already tired.

child soldiers?

Nadia — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:46:00 GMT

First, I need to begin by saying that I am a pacifist. I grew up in a peace church (Mennonite). I chose to be baptized into that church and am still a member there. I went to a Mennonite college. And I teach at a Mennonite primary school. I believe that war is NEVER the answer. All conflicts, large or small, can be solved if people practice respectul communication. (Unfortunately, this solution is rarely applied.) I am passionately opposed to the current "war on terror". Having said that, I must also say that I am grateful and blessed to live in a country where I have the freedom to say such things. I know that U.S. soldiers risk their lives everyday for this country. I have a great deal of respect for those men and women, though not for their jobs. I also know that many people are offended by such comments as I have just made. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

We hear regularly in the news of wars happening in other countries. Many people here in our own country have seen, read, or heard of child soldiers fighting and dying in those wars. It is atrocious and when we learn of this we are appropriately horrified. No child should be expected or made to participate in something as heinous as war. Unfortunately, we fail to recognize that this is also happening right here in America. Yes, our own country is participating in the recruitment of child soldiers. "WHAT?!?!" you may say. Two instances in the past month have brought this to my attention.

First, my principal shared a conversation she had with one of our 8th grade boys. In the process of enrolling for high school classes for next year, he was somehow convinced to join ROTC. While kids (yes, teenagers are still kids) in ROTC don't, to my knowledge, get shipped overseas or carry weapons, they are, shall we say, strongly encouraged to continue into the military after high school. This is a case of the United States military recruiting children. And this IS NOT acceptable.

Secondly, I live across the street from a public high school. As I head to my bus stop on the way to school I usually pass 3-4 dozen high school students on their way to the high school. On Tuesday morning, during my 5 minute walk to catch the bus, I walked by 4 kids in their ROTC uniforms. Chances are good that those 4 kids will be strongly encouraged to follow a path to the military. Again, this is a case of the United States military recruiting children. And again, this IS NOT acceptable.

How can something Americans strongly disapprove of in other countries be accepted as the norm in our own? How can American parents permit and encourage their teenaged children to join an organization that will eventually push them into a death machine? How can we continue to allow our young people to participate in an organization involved in activities that are sure to maim or kill them? These are questions that I have trouble answering. I ponder these things regularly as I pray for all Americans soldiers to come home.

Postscript: We, as a people, are passionate about our opinions. I have found that people are especially passionate about their opinion as it relates to the military, violence, war, etc. So I expect that this post will prompt impassioned replies. I would ask that if you choose to reply, that you remember what I stated earlier -- each person is entitled their opinion, in fact, our constitution ensures it. I don't expect that everyone will agree with me. But I do expect that everyone will respect my right to speak what I believe. I would welcome a conversation with anyone -- whether you agree with me or not.

eternally late

Nadia — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:42:00 GMT

I am surrounded by tardiness. It is driving me bonkers. I am a person who despises being late. I work very hard to be right on time. I am often early in which case I whip out the ever-present book and bury my nose in that. In all areas of my life, other people have not worked out the subtle nuances of reading a clock. I have dealt with this problem in my personal life, as my husband tends toward lateness. Once while we were dating he was two hours late. Since he wouldn't answer his phone I thought he was dead. Nope. (I'm really glad he wasn't.) This tardiness has begun afflicting others in my life as well. Most especially some support staff at my school. My students are entitled to a full class period and are frequently gypped 10-15 minutes. My co-teacher and I have spoken repeatedly about this issue to the principal. There has been no improvement. So I guess I must just suck it up and fume in silence.

What is it about the 7-year-old bladder...

Nadia — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:12:00 GMT

...that prevents it from going during a scheduled break? Then, less than 5 minutes later, the 7-year-old bladder screams, "Let me go!" This is seriously annoying.

flip-flops

Nadia — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:20:00 GMT

Students at my school wear uniforms everyday with rare exceptions. This includes shoes; gym shoes for P.E. days and dress shoes for other days. Today, however was different. My co-teacher is passionate about flip-flops. She wears them everyday -- rain or shine or snow, hot or cold, whatever the weather. Today happened to be her birthday. So we decided to invite the kids to wear flip-flops as part of the celebration. Most of the kids chose to wear shoes to school and bring flip-flops for inside (today's weather was not in the vicinity of warm). Let me just say, you have not been entertained until you've seen a bunch of 6, 7, & 8 -year-olds bop around school in flip-flops.

observation

Nadia — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:32:00 GMT

I forgot how much a big test can drain a person. My brain is still tired.

I did it

Nadia — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:20:00 GMT

Well, I took the test. And I will confess that there were a few math questions that I just flat out guessed on. But all in all it went fairly well.

Oh Boy

Nadia — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:30:00 GMT

So I'm getting ready to take the basic skills test on Saturday. Couldn't afford to as a poor college student nearing graduation 8 years ago. So at that time I just took the departmental exam so they'd let me graduate. I also knew that I would never teach in Ohio, where I was graduating from. So I figured I'd wait 'til I had more money and I knew where I'd be teaching and take it then. Well, it never became necessary as I was hired to teach at a private school and my degree was good enough for them. Now my beloved school, where I have grown into an excellent teacher (if I do say so myself) is closing at the end of the year due to financial distress. If I want to teach anywhere else, I need a teaching certificate. Thus the need to take the exam. Anyway, I was completely unconcerned with the coming test until now. I checked out the website which offers a virtual practice test. The reading and language arts portions -- piece of cake. But the math section is FREAKING ME OUT! I am just no math whizz. The highest level of math I've done in the past 8 years is 4th grade as that's the highest grade I've taught and that 4 years ago. Fourth graders do not have very elaborate math lessons! They are learning how to use a compass and a protractor. They are reviewing decimals and fractions. They are still memorizing multiplication facts. Hence the freaking out. So in the remaining hours until my testing doom, I shall be saying lots of prayers. And if you have a minute, send good math vibes my way.

Earth Day, Part 2

Nadia — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:45:00 GMT

We continued our horrible testing in the morning. And again filled the afternoon with lots of fun. We watched the video of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax which was quite entertaining. The best part of the day, though, was making edible soil. After a discussion of what the layers of soil are we made individual dirt puddings. In the bottom of each cup, whoppers (layer: parent material or the layer under the subsoil). Then chocolate pudding (layer: subsoil). Next crushed chocolate graham crackers (layer: topsoil). After that some shredded coconut with green food coloring added to represent all the plant-life. A few rainbow sprinkles to represent all the organisms moving around on the topsoil. And to top it all off, a few gummy worms. 'Cause where would we be without'em! Did you know that an earthworm eats its own bodyweight in food everyday?!?! Worm poo helps give us the dirt we need. The kids really got a kick out of that.

Anyway, one more day of yucky testing and then we're done for the year.

Earth Day

Nadia — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:31:00 GMT

What an awesome day it was! My school is in the process of standardized testing...ugh (not the awesome part). So the morning was full of boringness. But my co-teacher and I decided to fill the afternoon with fun hands-on stuff that celebrates and honors the earth. We had a blast with a bunch of great ideas from the Cook County (Illinois) Farm Bureau. The kids each made a Soil Sammy, a Circles of the Earth Bracelet, and a Garbage Pizza. We read a fabulous book called The Wump World by Bill Peet. And throughout the day we dialogued with the kids about why respecting and caring for our earth is so important.

The Beginning

Nadia — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:59:00 GMT

So I've been pondering this blogging thing for awhile now--trying to decide if it was something I wanted to do. I finally decided to give it a go.