When I was in first grade, my mom went back to work. She was a teacher, and got a teaching job at the same school I went to, so that was nice. But in the mid-60s, it sure created a scandal. All of the moms on our street knew that we'd turn out to be hoodlums. We didn't.
I liked having my mom at the same school as me. But, as far as I can remember, there was only one time I missed not having a stay at home mom. Those times were field trip days. I really missed the fact that my mom could never be a field trip chaperone.
Now I have kids of my own and am also a teacher. Up until three years ago, I worked half-time, so I was able to volunteer in the kids' classrooms on a weekly basis (although I never enjoyed it). Then three years ago, my husband decided to go into teaching, and I knew I'd have to return to full-time teaching.
I made one promise to myself. As long as the kids wanted me along on field trips, and as long as my name was chosen to be a chaperone, I'd chaperone every field trip I could. And I have done that.
Yesterday Stella's class went on a field trip to see a play, and I was a chaperone. Stella was so happy. It made me happy. I'm keeping my chaperone-promise!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
A "Duh" Moment
My nine-year-old read my last post, and informed me that even if Daddy read it, he'd figure out what we got him. Yes, I guess he would. I didn't think of that.
Merry Christmas Anyway
The other day I figured out what the girls and I should get for my husband. I knew he'd like it, because Emily has one and he likes to play with it. I'd say what it was, but in case he read my blog, I don't want him to find out.
But this is still a good story, even without knowing exactly what the item is...Yesterday, the girls and I drove over to this mega-electronics store to buy it. Since we had gotten Emily one last summer for her birthday, I knew where they'd be. We went straight to the back section of the store to get it.
Now, I hate these kinds of stores. I hate them as much as I hate the huge hardware stores...Lots of people, and you have to grab the help. Plus, these items are locked away behind actual bars. But I grab this young guy who barely spoke any English, and we finally made our decision. We got the newer model that is more expensive, but really it was only about $50 more than Emily's, and I knew it was something that my husband would really like.
We told the young guy which model we wanted, and he opened the bars with his key and got one. Now he heads over to a computer. We follow. "What's your phone number?" He asks.
I tell him. He gets it all wrong. I spend some time again retelling him my phone number until he gets it right. Then he turns and leaves without saying anything. Are we supposed to follow him, I wonder? He has our gift. So I follow. He goes to another computer, does stuff, and then comes back to the first computer. We follow. He has our gift.
Then he turns and goes back to the other computer. We still follow like sheep. He talks to another couple, and now I'm unsure who he is helping. He's not saying anything to me. "I hate this place," I say aloud, to no one in particular. The guy who seemed to be helping us goes back to the first computer, or the second, now I'm confused. But I am tired of following him, so the girls and I just stay put. I figure he's working on commission, and will find us.
Finally, he comes to us with our future purchase in hand. Now, having been through this with Emily, I knew that the store won't let us take it up to the register. Oh, no...we might pocket the item. They give it to another employee, who escorts us up to the front. He tells us to get in line, and he will give the item along with the computer printout with our name, to the people behind the counter. All I have to do is tell them my name and the item when I get to a cashier, and they'll get it for me.
I had also picked up an electric pencil sharpener, since my students broke my other one. I had the sharpener in hand, as the store doesn't care if I steal that. When I finally got to the register, the gal takes my sharpener and rings it up. "I also have another purchase..." I told her. I told her what it was and gave her my name. she goes to find it.
I wait. And wait. And wait. It seemed like forever, and I'm getting quite angry. If the store is so afraid that items like these will be stolen, so they have to put extra security steps in place, then at least they need to make sure it's a no-fail system. The cashier finally comes up to me to tell me she can't find it.
"This is ridiculous," I said. "Just because this store is so afraid that I will steal this particular item, it is now lost. Well, you know what? I'm going to go home and find an online website that I can order from. I'll find one, and won't have to pay shipping or tax. I'm also never coming back to this store. Merry Christmas." I turned and left, and also ranted to another employee who was stationed at the door.
We came home and I went to a website where we have recently made some tech-type of purchases. I saw what we wanted, for about $9 dollars more. But not tax. I did have to pay shipping, but I didn't want to go to an online store that I hadn't been to before. All in all, I probably spent about the same amount of money. But I feel good that I didn't give that one store my business.
Merry Christmas Anyway!
But this is still a good story, even without knowing exactly what the item is...Yesterday, the girls and I drove over to this mega-electronics store to buy it. Since we had gotten Emily one last summer for her birthday, I knew where they'd be. We went straight to the back section of the store to get it.
Now, I hate these kinds of stores. I hate them as much as I hate the huge hardware stores...Lots of people, and you have to grab the help. Plus, these items are locked away behind actual bars. But I grab this young guy who barely spoke any English, and we finally made our decision. We got the newer model that is more expensive, but really it was only about $50 more than Emily's, and I knew it was something that my husband would really like.
We told the young guy which model we wanted, and he opened the bars with his key and got one. Now he heads over to a computer. We follow. "What's your phone number?" He asks.
I tell him. He gets it all wrong. I spend some time again retelling him my phone number until he gets it right. Then he turns and leaves without saying anything. Are we supposed to follow him, I wonder? He has our gift. So I follow. He goes to another computer, does stuff, and then comes back to the first computer. We follow. He has our gift.
Then he turns and goes back to the other computer. We still follow like sheep. He talks to another couple, and now I'm unsure who he is helping. He's not saying anything to me. "I hate this place," I say aloud, to no one in particular. The guy who seemed to be helping us goes back to the first computer, or the second, now I'm confused. But I am tired of following him, so the girls and I just stay put. I figure he's working on commission, and will find us.
Finally, he comes to us with our future purchase in hand. Now, having been through this with Emily, I knew that the store won't let us take it up to the register. Oh, no...we might pocket the item. They give it to another employee, who escorts us up to the front. He tells us to get in line, and he will give the item along with the computer printout with our name, to the people behind the counter. All I have to do is tell them my name and the item when I get to a cashier, and they'll get it for me.
I had also picked up an electric pencil sharpener, since my students broke my other one. I had the sharpener in hand, as the store doesn't care if I steal that. When I finally got to the register, the gal takes my sharpener and rings it up. "I also have another purchase..." I told her. I told her what it was and gave her my name. she goes to find it.
I wait. And wait. And wait. It seemed like forever, and I'm getting quite angry. If the store is so afraid that items like these will be stolen, so they have to put extra security steps in place, then at least they need to make sure it's a no-fail system. The cashier finally comes up to me to tell me she can't find it.
"This is ridiculous," I said. "Just because this store is so afraid that I will steal this particular item, it is now lost. Well, you know what? I'm going to go home and find an online website that I can order from. I'll find one, and won't have to pay shipping or tax. I'm also never coming back to this store. Merry Christmas." I turned and left, and also ranted to another employee who was stationed at the door.
We came home and I went to a website where we have recently made some tech-type of purchases. I saw what we wanted, for about $9 dollars more. But not tax. I did have to pay shipping, but I didn't want to go to an online store that I hadn't been to before. All in all, I probably spent about the same amount of money. But I feel good that I didn't give that one store my business.
Merry Christmas Anyway!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Old?
You know, these kids just don't ever let me down! Just when I'm thinking that nothing of interest is happening in my classroom to write about-BOOM! A student comes through for me...Here's what happened...
Today I had my kids get with a partner for a math activity. It was the follow-up extension of the activity I had done recently for my observation. This time, I let the kids choose a partner. The kids got with partners, and got started on the activity. I made the rounds, checking on the teams to make sure they were working, they knew what they were doing, and helping when necessary.
Several partner teams were not sitting next to each other but across a desk or two from each other. It makes it hard to work together that way, so I would tell them to be "elbow partners," which means I want them sitting next to each other. They'd comply. Then I came to a partner team of two boys. They were sitting across from each other. I asked them to move so that they were sitting next to each other, and I moved on.
A bit later I was back at their table, and the two boys were still sitting across from each other. I told them, more sternly this time, that I wanted and EXPECTED them to be sitting next to their partners, and I wanted them to move NOW. Then I left.
Fortunately, kids at this age still like to tattle on each other, and a girl who was sitting at their table came up to me. She told me that one of the boys said something mean about me. "What did he say?" I asked.
"He said, 'Shut up, Old Lady,'" she said.
So, I called him out into the hallway. "Did you say 'Shut up Old Lady'" after I left your table today?" I asked. He admitted he did say that. Well, I then laid on what I like to call "Mommy Guilt" pretty thick at that point. I don't hold back. I told him that I am nothing but nice to every kid in my class. I told him that I would never, ever say anything to a kid that would hurt their feelings. I told him he had hurt my feelings deeply. He was looking close to tears at that point.
I then wrote him a white slip for talking rudely/inappropriately to an adult. I sent him to the office.
Now, kids are going crazy lately, and many 6th grade boys have been getting into major trouble. This to me was not major. I wasn't happy with what he did. I expected him to get reprimanded, made to write an apology letter, and receive a phone call home. But at recess time I ran into a teacher at our school who was temporarily taking the place of our Education Assisstant while she was out for two days. He's pretty young, about 28 years old.
He slapped the white slip I had written against his hand, and said it was just an awful thing that that boy had said to me. He said he wanted to suspend him from school for two days, but our principal felt he should talk to me first. So, he asked, what did I want? One day, or two days?
A suspension? For something he said without thinking it through? Granted, it wasn't nice, but I think he said it more for showing off to his partner than anything. I think of suspensions as being something for a kid who picks fights and or swears at an adult or brings weapons to school...So I said I thought one day was fine. Then I went to check in a mirror for grey hair. Yup. It's time to go see my hair dresser...
But, in a bit I got a nice apology letter, and I do feel it was heartfelt. After school I saw him and told him to have a nice weekend and I'd see him Monday.
Now, of course my husband is having a great time calling me his "Old Lady..."
Today I had my kids get with a partner for a math activity. It was the follow-up extension of the activity I had done recently for my observation. This time, I let the kids choose a partner. The kids got with partners, and got started on the activity. I made the rounds, checking on the teams to make sure they were working, they knew what they were doing, and helping when necessary.
Several partner teams were not sitting next to each other but across a desk or two from each other. It makes it hard to work together that way, so I would tell them to be "elbow partners," which means I want them sitting next to each other. They'd comply. Then I came to a partner team of two boys. They were sitting across from each other. I asked them to move so that they were sitting next to each other, and I moved on.
A bit later I was back at their table, and the two boys were still sitting across from each other. I told them, more sternly this time, that I wanted and EXPECTED them to be sitting next to their partners, and I wanted them to move NOW. Then I left.
Fortunately, kids at this age still like to tattle on each other, and a girl who was sitting at their table came up to me. She told me that one of the boys said something mean about me. "What did he say?" I asked.
"He said, 'Shut up, Old Lady,'" she said.
So, I called him out into the hallway. "Did you say 'Shut up Old Lady'" after I left your table today?" I asked. He admitted he did say that. Well, I then laid on what I like to call "Mommy Guilt" pretty thick at that point. I don't hold back. I told him that I am nothing but nice to every kid in my class. I told him that I would never, ever say anything to a kid that would hurt their feelings. I told him he had hurt my feelings deeply. He was looking close to tears at that point.
I then wrote him a white slip for talking rudely/inappropriately to an adult. I sent him to the office.
Now, kids are going crazy lately, and many 6th grade boys have been getting into major trouble. This to me was not major. I wasn't happy with what he did. I expected him to get reprimanded, made to write an apology letter, and receive a phone call home. But at recess time I ran into a teacher at our school who was temporarily taking the place of our Education Assisstant while she was out for two days. He's pretty young, about 28 years old.
He slapped the white slip I had written against his hand, and said it was just an awful thing that that boy had said to me. He said he wanted to suspend him from school for two days, but our principal felt he should talk to me first. So, he asked, what did I want? One day, or two days?
A suspension? For something he said without thinking it through? Granted, it wasn't nice, but I think he said it more for showing off to his partner than anything. I think of suspensions as being something for a kid who picks fights and or swears at an adult or brings weapons to school...So I said I thought one day was fine. Then I went to check in a mirror for grey hair. Yup. It's time to go see my hair dresser...
But, in a bit I got a nice apology letter, and I do feel it was heartfelt. After school I saw him and told him to have a nice weekend and I'd see him Monday.
Now, of course my husband is having a great time calling me his "Old Lady..."
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Any Unasked For Advice Is Critisism
One of my teammates is going to be a grandmother any day. She's very excited. It seems odd, since she is only about 3 years older than me, and I have a twelve year old daughter and a nine year old daughter at home.
She also has two daughters, but they are 23 and 17. Her 23-year-old daughter is due to give birth to a boy any day now. Her daughter had to stop working as hostess at a strip club, and now is just home waiting for the arrival of the baby. The father, a 38-year old man, has not even been to one birthing class. My teaching partner has attended them all with her daughter. Her daughter is not married to the father of her baby; they do live together. He may be at the birth if it fits into his schedule.
But, as I said, my teacher friend is excited to be a grandma. So, last Friday I realized that I needed to make her a "Grandma" scrapbook album. I went to the scrapbook store, bought a baby blue 8x8 album, lots of blue paper, and some cute baby boy-colored patterned paper. It was going to be a nice, but simple and quick, album.
That night I put it all together, and was quite pleased with the results. I titled it, "Just Grandma and Me." I put blue and yellow buttons on the album cover. Each page was done for one month of the baby's life, with the place for the picture on one side, and space for journaling on the other. I gave her a journaling pen and a box of adhesive to put the picture in with. She loved it.
Yesterday, I asked her if she still had it at school, because I wanted to show it to my principal. She said no, that she had taken it home already. I said ok, no, don't bring it back, it's fine. Then she said something that has hurt my feelings: "You know what would have been nice? A page for the birth picture..."
Yes, it would have been nice. But, hey. I put money into this, time, and thought. And it turned out very cute. And now you are telling me what would have made it better?
Well, next time your daughter has an illegitimate child, I shall remember to do a special page for the birth.
She also has two daughters, but they are 23 and 17. Her 23-year-old daughter is due to give birth to a boy any day now. Her daughter had to stop working as hostess at a strip club, and now is just home waiting for the arrival of the baby. The father, a 38-year old man, has not even been to one birthing class. My teaching partner has attended them all with her daughter. Her daughter is not married to the father of her baby; they do live together. He may be at the birth if it fits into his schedule.
But, as I said, my teacher friend is excited to be a grandma. So, last Friday I realized that I needed to make her a "Grandma" scrapbook album. I went to the scrapbook store, bought a baby blue 8x8 album, lots of blue paper, and some cute baby boy-colored patterned paper. It was going to be a nice, but simple and quick, album.
That night I put it all together, and was quite pleased with the results. I titled it, "Just Grandma and Me." I put blue and yellow buttons on the album cover. Each page was done for one month of the baby's life, with the place for the picture on one side, and space for journaling on the other. I gave her a journaling pen and a box of adhesive to put the picture in with. She loved it.
Yesterday, I asked her if she still had it at school, because I wanted to show it to my principal. She said no, that she had taken it home already. I said ok, no, don't bring it back, it's fine. Then she said something that has hurt my feelings: "You know what would have been nice? A page for the birth picture..."
Yes, it would have been nice. But, hey. I put money into this, time, and thought. And it turned out very cute. And now you are telling me what would have made it better?
Well, next time your daughter has an illegitimate child, I shall remember to do a special page for the birth.
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