Back to School

I mentioned that I teach 7th grade Language Arts. I have always loved my job, teaching grades 6-8 when I began in the 80's, then elementary grades until 3 years ago when I ventured over to the middle school. I have absolutely loved the last 22 years in the classroom-how different they all were! This year I hope to create another group of kids who will love to know what it is to be a reader and a writer. My dream is to capture at least 75% of my students (around 130 of them) attention to where they can actually enjoy a book, and not look at it as boring!

How can anyone not like a job that requires you to help a student find THE ONE book that will make them a reader for life?? I've seen so many attitudes change from total defiance to giving recommendations for favorite books!

Writing is a little more challenging to teach, but I have hope that I make it fun enough for the kids to enjoy themselves. Their creativity is so rich-they just don't see it-so I have the pleaseure of waking them up to it!

I guess I am a true GEEK, I am ready for school to start. Yes, my summer went by all too quickly, especially since I tried my hand at being an elementary summer school principal! LOL It went well, and the kids were great! But it took away half of my usual summer break, and my writing and gardening and vacationing took a back seat-but I did complete my summer "To Do" List. (I feel good about that!)

So- off I go to finish my "Before School-To Do" List!

(That's me presenting at the MRA conference!)

Definitley time for TEA!!

E-

Do you Love Your Job?

I walked into my classroom today and saw several desks-maybe 40, a large table, bookshelves- 6 now!

My desk in the corner by the window.

It is a mess...nothing is where it should be, but that is because our maintenance crew works so hard to get our school back in shape for the beginning of school.



I know that I love my job because this scene I just described actually makes me want to be there and create a learning space no kid wants to leave. I love creating an atmosphere that will hold the kids in it's arms and have a peaceful day.



Last year I ended up having my quiet lunch in my classroom turn into a small cafe! Kids would stand at my door with lunch tray in hand and say,"Can we eat in your room? We don't want to eat in the cafeteria, your room is like being at home." If that isn't the best compliment, I don't know what is!



I wish I could snap my fingers and make the room a little larger, since my class sizes are rising, but we will make do another year with what we have.



Books to level and notebooks to make-

With this list of things to do now-



Time for Tea!

E-

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is one tradition that I have to thank our European and Asian ancestors for. The Europeans learned of the ancient art of tea from Asia, which was brought to Europe and eventually to America. Women enjoyed tea so much, they decided to hold afternoon teas and high teas and teas for all occasions for the sole purpose of spending time with friends.

I had an afternoon tea in early June with family members that I haven't seen in a long while. Friends of my mother also joined us, but they are now like family, so it was good to spend time with them as well.

When I was young, I never thought tea would mean so much to me. It is an event that I pour my whole self into. I have made numerous types of scones, several tea sandwiches, and a great garden vegetable quiche! (For the first time!) Every bite, every tea is a special moment for your guests. The gathering and the conversation are wonderful, but the food is what makes it a memory.

My aunts looked so shocked when they walked into the dining room. Every delicate place setting, every piece of china, all the silverware in it's place...this is what I love to present to my family. It is me-offering up to them-what I want them to take home with them.

The table was so inviting-
I was so proud to have had the ability to share what I feel was a memorable afternoon of love and friendship.

There will be a day in my life when tea will be what I do-and who I am.
It is a dream that I hope will come true-

With that on my mind-

Time for Tea!

E-

Life's Changes

There are times when I look forward to going

out on the boat to just observe. The water, the sky-

so blue. Another gift taken for granted each day.

Sailboats and lighthouses, seagulls and sun-

these are treasures I savor now, when before

they were just there- not fully appreciated.

People bring about changes in our lives. Sometimes

unexpectedly. Sometimes for better, sometimes

for worse. I am fortunate to say that I am one

whose life was changed for the better midlife-

and am grateful-

for it

all.

Time for Tea! E-

A Day in my Yard

This is my baby- it is our first hydrangia planted at the house. I have worried over it for a year now and it looked wonderful this summer. It turned a beautiful pink. Now that fall is on it's way, the color is diminishing...
this is a photo of a bloom before the color appeared.
It was truly a gift!

Time for tea!
E-

Sweet Six Year Olds

I was in Toronto, Canada. It was the end of a long day, and the kids coerced me to go down to the pool on the 3rd floor. I wasn't really in the mood to swim, so I ventured over to the hot tub. The salt water felt soothing, and there weren't many people there, so it was really enjoyable.
A few minutes later, a small, youg girl came into the hot tub with her grandmother. She began to talk to me about her day, and asked me about whether or not I did what she did that day...as we talked, she said that Nathan was smiling at her. I noticed another young boy in a lounge chair beside the pool. I asked if that was her brother, and she said, "No". I then asked if he was her cousin, she again said,"No".
Her grandmother was laughing hysterically, and said, "He's your brother! Your twin brother at that!"
The little girl laughed and said, "Oh yeah- I forgot!"

We laughed so hard!
It's these little stories that make our day-

Makes me wonder how many important things I "forget" in a day!!

Time for Tea!
E-