Gobble gobble.

Last week was an "easy" week since we only had 2 full days. I love this time of year; holidays seem more prevalent, and that means a bit more time off to recuperate from the beginning of the school year. My body has finally told me that it's not happy with the long hours. I've actually been able to sleep in on this Thanksgiving Break, and it's quite happy. I still reach my crashing point around 9:45-10pm. I'm getting old!

So two things.

1. Miss Chelsea's Life Lesson #32-- If there is a problem, you need to take responsibility to help find a solution.

My kids were pretty bad on Tuesday. They earned three strikes. When they earn three strikes, that means no recess. (Well, I still technically (by law) HAVE to take them to recess, but they don't know that.) I went into my soapbox and asked them why I should let them go out to recess. (I always tell them "I want to know why") Some kids gave some good points and arguments only after D volunteered first. There were some bad ones, too, and I told them that. One kid said that they weren't all bad. Me: "Then who's going to admit that they were bad?" The kid: "No one." Me: "Exactly."

I said, "Okay, good arguments. But I want a solution."

They were confused at first, but then the solutions started rolling in. They suggested the bad kids stand on the wall, the whole class stand on the wall, put our heads down until the teacher says, etc.

I WILL get my kids to think about their actions and the consequences from which they come. That's a general stereotypical problem in low-income areas. They do things just to do them, and it's a vicious cycle that happens over and over. According to a study on poverty (that we read about in our staff-development meeting a few months ago), not many break that cycle because it's all they've ever known. It's comfortable.

Well, listen up, children of the CL area, Miss Chelsea is going to get you to think beyond your capabilities and potential. Better wisen up to some change!

2. Chalk another one up for T. (I have a conference with her Mom on Monday). During morning business on Friday, T decided it was a good idea to say really LOUDLY, "DDDDDDDD***MMMMMNNNN!" The students got dead silent. Ms. T whipped her head around the corner. It didn't register with me until a moment later. I was SHOCKED. How could she say that IN CLASS?? I made her apologize to the class for her inappropriate language, and then wrote up a referral. Just one more thing to add to her disrespectful documentation.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Future goldfish owner.

All last week was benchmark testing (which signifies the end of the first nine weeks). Benchmark testing is the most exhausting experience... ever. Imagine a classroom of 17 children without a break, without a recess, without a real schedule for 3 days straight, and include a teacher without a break, recess, or real schedule. Yeah, all heck enjoys breaking loose. Definitely crashed each day. This coming week is also going to be insane... mainly due to not having real lesson plans because of remediation from the benchmark tests. If any student made a score under 75%, then they have to be remediated. JOOOY!

I've had to call two parents to schedule conferences either for academic or behavior reasons. T still is being disrespectful, therefore received an N (Needs Improvement) on her report card. Her mom didn't like that too much, but she wants to work with us (other teachers did bring to my attention their concerns for T as well).

B's parents also came in wondering why B didn't have any O's (Outstanding) on her report card. I had to tell them that it was "an administrative decision to not give any students O's this grading period." The decision bothers me (some kids deserve an O in some areas!!), but what can I do?

On a non-teacher note, I bought a 10-gallon fish tank today. I'm pretty excited about it since I assembled and decorated inside of it myself; my creative outlet has been fulfilled. I've been wanting a goldfish for awhile, and so I used some birthday money to get it setup. I haven't picked up the fish yet from Pet Paradise (best pet store ever)... have to give the tank 24-hours first. The filter isn't filtering, so I have to call customer support about that tomorrow...

This weekend was really great since the S's threw me a surprise birthday gathering at good ole Chick-fil-A. It was pretty hilarious, therefore, it was perfect. It meant a lot to me to have my local friends there. Overall, good times.

Gosh, I didn't get to any other life stuff I wanted to get done this weekend... I need to go start packing/etc. before I head up to PA for Thanksgiving. Loooots to do.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Highlights.

1. Felt pretty junky all week, threw a pity party for myself, came down with a sinus infection, and left school early on Thursday to get some antibiotics. Good news: Doctor put me on strong meds, and I'm on the road to recovery. Also went to go get that flu shot on Tuesday... my arm is STILL sore after 3 days.

2. Wednesday's morning announcements were the most hilarious thing all week. The 4th grader who sang the national anthem was so off-key and tone-deaf that it was the cutest thing in the world. He was SO proud of himself being on the announcements. It gave all the teachers a chuckle.

3. T is getting to the point of bad-bad behavior. It gets worse everyday until I laid the proverbial smackdown of "we need to talk. Your behavior is getting very unacceptable, and it won't be tolerated ever" in front of the other students. I don't like reprimanding students in front of the other students... but I seriously think he's making poor behavior choices for attention. BAH! Ain't happenin' in my class!

4. Three-day weekend, and I'm going to Boston to see my gals tomorrow morning (hence the update now instead of later).

5. I've been wanting to rewatch "When Harry Met Sally" and so I did tonight... and yeah, okay, Miss EB, you were right. I am Sally--- it's eeriely weird. (But just for the record, I'm not THAT extreme with food ordering!!) :( Now I just have to hope there's a Harry out there who can love all my quirks.

6. Kids have a crazy memory. How they remembered that my birthday is the 16th is BEYOND me. A is giving a countdown, and I keep getting shocked each time because I can't believe it's so soon.

7. We took school pictures today. Let me get on my soapbox for a moment:

I don't like Lifetouch. I don't like their 3/4 profile they make you do. Listen, photogs, maybe I WANT shadows on my face. I don't need my cheeks to look like I'm storing away acorns for winter! Maybe I want the full head-on shot; I'm pale anyway, let the light hit my face! It's better than having Goodyear Blimps protruding from the left side of my face. I'm also pretty sure that my shirt was doing a number with its buttons because I had to "fix" them afterwards. I would hope they would tell me if my clothing was "misbehaving." Yeah, 1st Year Teacher Photo!!! It should totally go in Glamour... or maybe Vogue. Definitely the latter. Also definitely a memory to store away in the cherished ones. :P

All right. Bed time after packing.
- Miss Chelsea :)

Illness Count-Up : 2.

On Friday, I came down with Cold #2 of the school year. On the advice of Mrs. S, I'm getting a flu shot on Tuesday (pending if I'm well enough by then... if not, I don't think they'll let me get one). Tuesday is a Teacher Work Day, so hopefully that'll work out. I'm feeling a lot better today than I did yesterday... my throat is protesting against me right now, and my voice is a million octaves below. I sound a little too masculine for my liking. I feel like I could wear a ratty white tank top and ask for a canned alcoholic beverage, meatball sub, and/or pork rinds. Or at least that would be the image if I heard myself on the phone. GROSS.

Since I've been lying in my death bed all of Saturday, I needed to feel somewhat productive (I promised I slept, EB!!!), so I worked on new book box work. I'm having my kids become better experts at maps. They'll have 5 map-related tasks to do, and once they complete them, they can choose another map-related game to play (puzzle or computer game). I'm actually pretty proud of this set because I downloaded maps from Busch Gardens and the Norfolk Botanical Garden to use... so they're practical and functional. I have a feeling that they won't get past Task #3 (the Busch Gardens map) due to its probability of being the favorite.

I received a B&N gift card from the Fs for Halloween... and I'm antsy to buy a book... but not sure which one yet. Can't decide if I want a "me" book or a "kid" book. On a non-teacher-related note, Rhett Butler's People is coming out on Tuesday... and my curiosity may get the best of me. Swoon. Pass me my parasol, mint julep, and fried okra, please.

I can't believe it's November. 12 more days until my birthday. 18 more days until Thanksgiving. 51 more days until Christmas. The year has zoomed by, and so much has happened and is happening, mainly in the classroom avec a-ha moments.

As silly as it sounds, J had an a-ha moment during a science lesson, and he said the straightforward correct answer. I was SO PROUD of him. See, the thing is that he normally goes into some background story as his answer and about 90% of the time, it's wrong (i.e., "J, what makes a team?" "Well, my uncle was on a basketball team and you have to practice a lot.") But this time he straight-up told me what "weathering" is in its correct terminology, and he was right!

Those are the moments I live for.

I wish I could say I have a happening social life outside of school right now, but that'd be lying. I've been staying late due to the 1st nine weeks ending this week, so benchmark tests and report cards are next week... lots of study guides to be copied. In the after school time, I learn a lot about my fellow CP employees. Mrs. W got a new hairstyle (which I told her it's "sexy sophisticated"--- we have a LOT of funny little jokes), so she enlightened Miss P and I on the hair care do's and don'ts of weave, tracts, and all things kinky and/or relaxed hair. Also, I will say that I've learned a little bit too much about menopause, and it's frightening. I better have a long fulfilling life before that happens to me; that's all I'm sayin'. Ms. T's son has taken up my classroom as his after-school hangout. It's pretty funny because he'll try to teach me his computer game he plays. It's in Japanese.

Since the time has gone back an hour (YAY), I need to get extra sleep. If I don't, I'm going to convince my students that not only do I have four eyes, but I also have a frog residing in my throat that will jump out if kids don't stay in their seats.

- Miss Chelsea :)

High School Musical?

I can't believe nine weeks of school will have gone by on November 13th. It's really flown by... luckily, it's in the good way.

Today was a slightly rough one. I woke up with a burdening sense of loneliness, and it was hard to shake off since it's been building over the past week. Being around my students didn't really help (though A gave me a really sweet note "I like you as my tchaer [sic] Miss F" with a picture of me having an appendage growing out of my head which is supposed to be my hair in a ponytail avec hairclip)and the overwhelming heat in the building was not fun.

I know I'm always more reflective around my birthday... and I think it's affected me more this year because I feel like it'll be a repeat of my first birthday in Boston. I don't want that to ever be repeated. It was miserable. Here at home, my family just aren't big birthday people... but I've been spoiled while at college and grad school, my friends and I are...

I'll deal. At least I get to go up to Beantown a week before to be with C and C for Veteran's Day weekend.

Trying to teach fact families is like pulling at each little hair on your head. It's kinda annoying. If a kid can't add, then they surely ain't gonna get what a fact family is. 8+8 is 16. Not 7. And definitely not 9. Kids, use your FINGERS TO COUNT if you need to! Please don't give me another doe-in-headlights look!

Best quote:
"What ocean do we live next to, I?"
"[without flinching] The ENCHANTED LAKE!"
I pretty much had to have every nerve in my body restrain myself from busting out with an avalanche of laughter.

Since the second week of school, R has had a special place in my heart. She's a humble, bright girl with so much potential. Her mom is single, raising two girls by herself... her mom is so kind and really cares. She's a humble woman herself. The day I left for DC, I saw them in the parking lot, and that image was ingrained on my heart. It was rainy, and they were getting into a really rundown car. That did it for me. I really want to do something anonymously for Christmas for them... but I don't know how without looking sketchy. The advice I've been given so far is to talk to Mrs. W... Ms. L said she'd talk to her first to scope it out since they're best buds. I don't want to play favorites with my students, but she's one of the few students who doesn't show up in high-brand name clothes and doesn't complain about not having money (she accepts circumstances and does not let her be defined by it). Maybe her situation hit too close to home. I'm just praying I have the resources and wisdom to know what to do next. It has to be something.

All right, I need to take a shower and get to bed... tomorrow night, Miss EB, Miss P, and I are having our "Get to Know Our Students through CINEMA!" sleepover tomorrow night. We're going to watch "High School Musical" and "March of the Penguins." It'll be pretty funny... hopefully I can stay up that long. I'm normally knocked out by 10pm.

- Miss Chelsea :)