Merry Christmas

I would like to just take a moment to say Merry Christmas to everyone. This year, it would be nice to take a few minutes and think about what this child means to us. I think of my job and how it correlates with what Jesus did for the many who follow him. I'm sure our "jobs" don't parallel much, but I feel that I serve my students much like He serves us. I love being there for the kids who need me, who resect me and who listen to what is being taught. In Language Arts, there are so many life lessons to be learned, along with history and connections to text, self and world, that it is my hope that my students can determine what is right and what is wrong, what is acceptable and what is not.
In our school there are so many in need. In one way or another, it varies...this world of ours presents so many temptations and pressure to do things that kids don't need to be dealing with at such a young age. It is very tiring at times dealing with such things, but when it is all worked out for them, in the end, it is such a gift.
Winter is here, it symbolizes the death of what we once knew was life (trees in full leaf, flowers in bloom, wild life here and there, the sun...)
It's time to rethink who we are, what we do, and what is to come.
It is my hope that this Christmas, we celebrate what is dear to us. Our lives, our families, and our loved ones.
"Life" is just a few months away, and we need to be ready for it- are you?
Time for tea-
E-

First Quarter

Today I informed my students that they are now expected to blog every week for class. I set up a blog on my school district's web site, so every week they will be given a question to ponder and respond to. I love it, and I think once they get going, they will too. 7th graders are funny. They love to share what they think, inside and outside of class- so this should be interesting.
I have such a love for those kids. They are all different shapes and sizes, and very unique in their thoughts and feelings. I love to see listen to them talk about their books. I learn form them what it is that keeps them reading, and what turns them off. I have seen so many transitions just in the first quarter of school-it's great!
I had parent-teacher conferences this week, and I had so many parents come to see me that I never had a moment to spare! That's a little unusual-but it's wonderful to see the concern from the parents. It is neat to see the similarities between the kids and their parents-and how different they can be as well. I had to laugh at one student, he looked like a "mini-me" of his father!
I am looking forward to a few days off for the Thanksgiving weekend-
It's been a long 10 weeks of school, and a long Fall with my own two boys! I am grateful that everyone is doing fine, and they are healthy and happy.

With that in mind-
Time for tea!
E-

Tea with a Friend

A lifelong friend took me to tea after school one day last week. It was a birthday gift! I was excited to go, since we would be going to a tea house I had never been to. It was a nice drive there, and the weather was pure FALL, my favorite season of the year.

As we pulled up, there was a huge teapot in the window advertising the establishment.

It was small, but overpouring with tea favors and essentials for a wonderful tea.

The owner served us, so we got to talk about the trials and tribulations of owning and running a tea shop. We all agreed that homemade items on the menu are the way to go! We have been to enough places to know that some tea houses don't always do that...

We enjoyed small tea sandwiches, soup, scones and delicious sweets.

The tea I chose was a loose tea with white chocolate and cherry flavors. It was delicious.

Being able to spend time with a friend like that is priceless. That sounds like the credit card commercial, but it is true! I had such a nice time talking about friends, family and our work. Having someone in your life who knows you better than you know yourself at times is a blessing. The reason I say this is because I had doubted our friendship at one time in the years gone by...but this tea made me realize that even though we had our differences, and needed time away for a while, she never forgot anything I deemed sacred. Nor I, her.

Time is definitely on our side. As women we have both gone through major life changes. We have been there for each other, and at times we haven't.

I believe friendship grows when one is left to ponder reasons why things happen, and what the significance is of having a friend there.

Now I'm not saying we talk 24/7, or call or talk every day-

I feel it is just great to know that she

is here - now.

Time for Tea!

E-

My Reading Students

I have charged my students with reading 40 books by year's end. I had many who fell out of their seat, many who didn't have a reaction, and some who took it as a challenge.
Every year I am confronted with students who tell me they just hate to read. They think it is boring and they won't read no matter what!
One girl said to me that she just doesn't like to read, and she will never make the 40 book goal-she kept shaking her head back and forth, saying she can't do it, her reading level is too low, and that's why she hates to read.
I had her read a very short mystery book, for her first book because it is the genre we are studying first. She did so, and then hesitated for a few days in reading her second. She kept getting a book and abandoning it. I asked her if she was having a hard time-she said yes...
She was so sure that pople would make fun of her because she has to read lower level books.
I found a great book for her on my shelf, and asked her to try it. She said, it's too thick!!! I just laughed and said, look at the print!
She said she'd try it.
She is half way done with it, and she loves it. I know this because she asked me to find the other books that were advertised in the back of the book written by the same author.

This is what makes me love my job.

Time for tea-
E-

Amazing Graces

It's is amazing how a few hours can change things. Having a great talk with family is what cures all ailments. Everyone is now calmed down about money and worries for the immediate future-

I guess I was wrong about 17 year olds, they just need time to think things through-to see more than one viewpoint.

It also helps when you have someone to support you when explaining things that are difficult to explain. Even though I am usually good at converstation, when it comes to your kids, it isn't always that easy.

We can all rest easy tonight-

Tomorrow is a new day-

Tea time!

E-

Happy Days

I am sitting here after talking to my 17 year old about money-
Wow- how times have changed! I can't understand how a kid without a job can think that parents should just owe them money to have a social life. I don't mind helping out now and then, but I think it's getting a little out of hand!
I give to my kids all the time, it is my job to make sure they have whatever they need-but can it be pushed too far?
Baseball, hockey, football, dances, trips, gas, insurance, clothes, pictures, fundraisers, video games, birthday, holidays, and good grades...
The list goes on-
I wish it would end.
Knowing that one is graduating is exciting and scary-I don't know how he will do it without knowing the true value of hard work and money-
and how disciplined one has to be to educate yourself and spend money wisely.
I've had my share of money issues, still do! But these kids today who are so spoiled by their post baby boomer parents are in for a huge surprise!
This is one time I can honestly say that I am glad I am not a teenager again!

Time for some TEA!
E-

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-