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 :)

Little nuggets.

Since I won't be here this weekend to give a real update of the week, I thought I'd type up some little nuggets of humor (moreso for the benefit of my remembering them)...

1. I: "Miss F, you sound like the radio."
Me: "I sound like a radio??"
I: "Yeah, a radio. You should go sing the radio--I mean-- the announcements."

2. The latest thing in the classroom is saying, "Miss F, I'm sorry for [insert poor behavior choice here] and I'm showing you." I have told them over and over to show me they're sorry, not tell me. It has now turned into an elaborately executed statement.

3. I have put the fear of the Star Chart in my students. Every 2 weeks, the table with the most stars gets to go into the treasure chest. Because behavior hasn't been up-to-par recently, I've been taking AWAY stars. They freak out when this happens, and hey, I get immediate results. :P

4. Remind me again. What is 10-5? 1 ?!?!?!?!?! What the?

5. Today was "Tie Down Drugs Day." So kids wore ties to school. Cutest. Thing. Ever. A is definitely my A from MR; he's hilarious and wore a little zipper Spiderman tie. Cutest. Thing. Ever. I'll have to put pictures up later.

6. Miss EB, Miss P, and I checked out a new church this past Wednesday night... thinking that we were going to be attending a contemporary service with music/etc... it turned out to be a meeting-like circle with about 6 other people. 6 other mid-to-elderly people. WOOOOO, awkward. But what was supposed to be an even more awkward situation turned out to be a great blessing ("Now we'll sing a contemporary song... contemporary in 1836!!"). We're checking it out (its ACTUAL services) on the next Sunday we're in town. It was a good laugh, and the people were friendly.

7. This video only encourages my desire to own one of these birds.


8. Note: When riding a bicycle on a busy street (NOT on a sidewalk) in the rain as twilight begins, do not wear black. Okay? Thanks.

All right, way too late. I need sleep. It's going to be a LOOOOOOOONGGGGG day tomorrow. At least I get to see some of my best friends in the destination.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Disguised superhero.

Out of all the weeks, this is a week I'm really looking forward to. Not only is it a 4-day week, it's the week I get to see most of my close friends in one place. C's running the Marathon in DC, so we're all going to support her. I'll get to meet I, hang out with K and C, and maybe drive up with E. I really, really need this weekend. It's a time where I can be Chelsea 24/7 instead of Miss F.

Since Tuesday is a students-off day, there is, of course, a bunch of things to do. And since my principal is sending me to RIchmond, my things don't get done. At least I waive my attendance at the new-teacher have-to-meet-up thing. That's always a bonus.

This week was all about rounding numbers. So we learned a Rounding Chant... it was pretty cute because they really got into it.

"1, 2, round down
3, 4, round down
1, 2, 3, and 4, round down
round down

5, 6, round UP!
7, 8, round up
5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
round up!"

I only had one cheater this past Friday (though it SHOULD be ZERO). J wasn't even sneaky about it; he looked around his folders and stuck his hand in R's desk. Yeah, it's ridiculous. If they learn nothing else this year, they BETTER learn that cheating is not ever tolerated. Oh, and the best thing, J forgot his cheating note to his mom AND their phone is temporarily disconnected. Fabulous, huh? I know his mom would not be happy. She'll find out tomorrow, I guess.

On Wednesday, another amusing nugget happened in the cafeteria with the cafeteria lady.
Cafeteria Lady: "I just can't stop looking at her eyes!"
Me: "Whose??"
CL: "Yours!"
Me: "Mi-mine?"
CL: "Yeah, everytime you come by I can't help but look! You know, they're like Wonder Woman's when she was regular."
Me: "Wonder Woman?? I hope that's a good thing??"
CL: "Oh yes, definitely, she was good, y'know. Not a bad person at all. You've got eyes like hers; you just know she's a nice person by her eyes. I loved that show."

I fail to see the real resemblance, but I think it just might be the whole glasses + blue eyes thing to the CL. It still made me laugh and gave me a smile since she did mean it as a compliment. This, of course, makes me question my superhero abilities. I am a regular ole teacher-civilian... so do I change into something when something lurks?? One just may never know.

[Note: I hope I NEVER have glasses that big. The shirt is kinda pretty though. hee hee]

On Tuesday, Miss EB, Miss P, and I went to the Educator's Night at B&N. It was pretty hilarious and cool (yep, we're nerdy like that). We got a ton of freebies though... which to a teacher is like abandoned treasure.

T's quote of the week:
Me: "T, what do you already know about Jackie Robinson?"
T: "Well, I went to one of his games."

Off to go do some grading.
- Miss Chelsea :)

Heard it all.

Before I get into another week, I need to document what happened at the end of last week. It's vital.

1. DS' meds were a bit off and he decided it was okay to kick J in the stomach. DS was suspended for a day; he'll be back Monday. J went home because his mom wanted to get him checked out. DS now sits at an island table all by himself, per assistant principal's command.
2. No crayon eating incidents, but V was caught cheating during our reading test. She went into hysterics after I took her paper, told her to write a note to her parents about what she did, and finish it in Mrs. A's class.
3. RIGHT AFTER I give a big talk about cheating and that I won't tolerate it, T also decided to cheat on our spelling test. ON THE FIRST WORD. I took his paper, he went into even more dramatic hysterics because he got caught. He couldn't calm down, so I moved him and told him he also needed to write a note to his mama telling her what he did and why he wasn't able to finish his test. (The big kicker is that he does WELL on spelling so there really was NO reason to cheat.) He pretty much threw a temper tantrum the rest of the day.
4. And the best part of all Friday. According to Ta, I'm a "white ho" because I change her clothespin to yellow all the time. And Mrs. A is a "fat white ho" because she made her turn around at lunch (note: Mrs. A is black). I have heard it all now. I didn't hear it straight out of her mouth (6 students confirmed it, and my #1 trustworthy student admitted to calling Mrs. A mean and then admitted that Ta said the other stuff), but Ta showed signs of all guilt when I called her over.
"Ta, come here please."
"I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!!! I DIDN'T DO IT!"
"Did I say you said something?"
"But I didn't say it!!"
Mmm hmmmmmmm. It was quite hilarious because Mrs. W (the crazy guidance counselor) came in and gave a short discussion about it. She gave everyone the opportunity to privately confess on paper. We did have one little boy (the new one J) who confessed to something completely unrelated (he said, "I called him a faker"). haha So summarily, Ta also lied and said she didn't say anything. I called Ta's mom, she was shocked, Ta was in hysterics as well. Mrs. A and I had some laughs/soapboxes about society since, you know, hoes gots-ta stick together.

My sister's coming into my classroom tomorrow, so that'll be neat. Not only do I get a bit of help, I also get to show LK her big sister's classroom. :) It's a pride thing, I think.

On a less crazy note from last week, my kids really loved the tornado bottles. I remembered I LOVED them in elementary school, so I found the connector, two soda bottles, and some food coloring. It's pretty awesome. It makes tornado loopies when you spin it. Hmm, it's hard to explain.

I'm being sent to a professional development seminar up in Richmond in two weeks (October 23rd). It's about test-taking strategies, so that'll be interesting. At least they're providing food! It's an expensive seminar (thankfully my school is paying!!). The fun side note is that I'm staying with C's mom and dad, so I get to make a social visit as well. They live in this gorgeous house; almost a dream house of mine. It'll be nice.

Last weekend, I went to my other half-brother's birthday party at the bowling alley. Two things. 1) One of the moms came up to me and thought I was one of the new soccer moms. 2) S' friends thought I was S' aunt. While this makes my maternal side glee, my 23-almost-24 side goes "Great, not only do I already look like a mom, people are going to start envisioning me in a tacky light-up holiday sweater with matching vest." I really don't think that's my type of honey to catch the flies. If I ever meet anyone who ever finds that attractive and/or sexy, I will prance around in an 80's leotard with fluorescent bangles and scrunchy legwarmers to the tune of "You Can Dance" by Madonna while holding the sign "WHY?!?!?! ... and now get your head checked." in a public place.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Four eyes.

I definitely jinxed myself last weekend by boasting that I haven't gotten sick yet. Well, Sunday night, it hit and had my throat out of commission this past week. I'm never stating the obvious ever again. :P

On Friday, V decided it was okay and wise to eat a black crayon. She had black flecks around her mouth and on her tongue. I literally had a smack in the forehead moment. Five minutes after, she said she felt like she was going to vomit. OH WHY COULD THAT BE?! Is it because you ate a stick of colored WAX?! So she emptied her stomach of crayon in the girls room, and I asked her what possessed her to eat that crayon. She gave me the most vacant look I've seen from her. I told her that I expected that from a kindergartener NOT a second grader. And this was the "what the heck" conversation amongst the teachers.

Another moment of the week was that I've convinced my kids that I have 4 eyes (2 on the back of my head), and that I got my second pair when I graduated to become a teacher. It's pretty awesome. I'm pretty sure I'm going to give them a complex when they're older.

Me: "You think I can't see what you're doing when I'm meeting with another teacher or writing stuff on the board. Remember boys and girls, how many eyes do I have?"
Them: "FOUR!!"
Mar: "They're just hidden in your hair!"
Tay: "You might even have more than that! [pats her cheeks] You could have some here too!"
T: "And here! [pats neck]"
Me: "That's right. You remember that."

I also have a new kid named J. Thankfully, he seems like he's either average or above average in terms of reading levels and other tasks. That will make his transitions a lot easier for him.

M sent me the most hilarious video ever called Math911. Check it out. Why can I see one of my own future kids doing this? haha

I have parent-teacher conferences on Monday. That means I don't have to go into school until 11am. Isn't life beautiful? I get sleep and no traffic? Everyday should be conference day. Hopefully the conferences will go well. Every single one of my parents are coming in. Again, I'm not a public speaker. "But you're a teacher, Miss Chelsea!" I can speak in front of kids like nobody's business... but with adults, I'm intimidated because I have to know what I'm talking about in every word I say. With kids, you can make a mistake and laugh it off, knowing that they don't really care about that. They just want to know they're protected, loved, and capable of learning. With adults, you're left wondering if they took you down in esteem or are now saying "what the heck are they doing in the classroom?!"

On a parental note, I am really fortunate to have the parents of the lower-performing kids really care about their kids' education/homework (I know other teachers aren't so fortunate). Every single one of my lower kids gets all their homework completed every week. That REALLY helps and will hopefully make a difference in their kids' learning this year.

I went to the Virginia Aquarium on Friday, too, for a Teacher Appreciation Night. I got to see the new IMAX "Sea Monsters" for free (pretty cool)! :D I love having educator perks. The aquarium isn't like Boston's... but they're apparently going through a lot of renovations which is good. Hopefully it'll be a lot better in the next few years. I did enjoy the harp seals when you walk into the place though... sooo cute.

I have free passes to the Virginia Air and Space Museum, too, so I'm hoping to check that out in the weeks to come. I'm part of their "Educator's Connection!" Yeah!

- Miss Chelsea :)

A QUEEN!

It's September's end, and so I figured I should post before October hits.

Two weekends ago, I was in a friend's wedding in Minnesota, so I wasn't around. That Friday was my first experience with a substitute. Note to all: Subs do not ever follow the plans you have left them. This was confirmed by every teacher I talked to regarding this issue. My sub did not administer an important reading selection test and put me behind this past week; the kids also didn't do as well on it because they had a whole weekend to forget about the details. Needless to say, my confidence in the reliability of the substitute is nil. What made it slightly more awkward was when the sub came by the following Tuesday and introduced herself. My mouth said, "Oh, hi, nice to meet you!" but what my mind was saying, "I'm sorry, but I'm not requesting you again!"

I'm finally getting into the routine of things at school. I don't feel completely exhausted by the end of the day. I'm still tired. That's inevitable though due to my chronic always-tired and introvertedness. I can't wait until it all becomes second hat to me. I'll really be flyin' then!

My students are really into Magic School Bus, and this, of course, makes me very happy. I have successfully passed on my obsession. :) I'm really surprised how most of my kids said they love Math and Science more than Reading/Writing. Maybe it's because numbers seem more connected to them than the stories we're reading.

I still don't like that we have to read stories out of a textbook... and I WILL find ways to make it interesting or better for them. Quite honestly, CP's reading program is kinda sucky. The materials are great, but the way the program is executed is not so much.

The best quote from last week was a gem from T...

We were creating our Open House booklets to show parents, and one of the questions was to fill in the rest of "Someday I hope to be..." Without hesitation or thinking, little T shot up his hand. I called on him first and asked, "What do you hope to be one day, T?" His priceless response: "A QUEEN!" All of the kids whipped around their heads, bug eyes, and were like, "He means a king! He can't be a queen!" I stuttered to hide my laughter, "Well, he... he canbutsomoving along now... who else?" He didn't take back his comment, flinch, or anything.

I'm creating a reader incentive bulletin board sometime this week. Each kid will have a rocketship, and they have to get through the solar system by reading everyday at home. At the end of the week, they bump up to the next planet. Once they get to Neptune/Pluto, they get a special book from me! I just have to get the black bulletin paper from Miss EB... she gets it free!!

All right, time to go eat some dinner. I have finished my schoolwork for the night.
- Miss Chelsea :)

Bingo and missing appleseeds.

In my class, we do a "clap pattern" to give full attention to the speaker. Our hands are free, our mouths are quiet, and most importantly, our eyes are attentive. But never have I heard such a dead silence until I heard "B14" or "G59" being called out at a bingo hall. I wish my students could do that!

Last night after school, Miss P, Miss EB, and I joined Nuna at bingo. Yes, we de-stressed by hanging out with the elderlies and listening to numbers being quickly spouted out. It's a whole new culture there, let me tell you what. I'm not sure if I'm more disturbed by having to hear a bingo caller clearly insinuate something dirty about a certain number under the letter O or my own Nuna telling me that older people still think about some "things." Not my own grandmother! In my happyland, grandmothers and grandparents are reverent creatures who give treats and hugs and kisses. "That" side of them is detached in my head (even though I know it to be a reality).

Speaking of grandparents, on Thursday, I forgot my lunch on the kitchen counter. I got to school and chastised myself for the moment of memory loss, then accepted I'd be buying lunch from the cafeteria. Well, about 10am, Mrs. W. comes by holding up my very obvious "Chelsea" lunchbag (yes, it's a Vera Bradley lunchbag... the color is called Chelsea Green. I only bought it because it was on sale when I bought my purse last year!). The kids look her way, and I look her way with an obvious look of "how did you get my bag?!"

"Your grandpa dropped this off for you," she says, holding in a laugh.

"Miss F, you don't have to buy lunch now! You have your lunch now!" the kids chime.
"I know, my Poppi brought it for me. Wasn't that so nice of him?"
"Yeah, that is so nice!"

After my kids go to Art, I go to the office and get a laugh from the office ladies.
"You made your grandpa come all the way from Va Beach for your lunch!?"
"I didn't even call him!"
"He came in here, saying 'This is my grandbaby's lunch, I need to give it to her!'"

It was a nice moment, and I felt special enough that he came all the way out there for a measly lunchbag. But I don't doubt it one bit that he was probably also getting the scoop on the school. He now deems it a good neighborhood and school, therefore, he has given his approval of where I am teaching. haha

So the lunch conversations with the kids were the same.

"Miss F, I bet I know what kind of sandwich you have again today!!!"
"Oh?"
"You have the RAISINS again! Peanut butter and the raisins!"
I showed my sandwich to all the boys (who seem to always sit at my end of the table... which, trust me, is a good thing. I always have to eagle-eye them, so they make it quite easy for me when I have to tell DS to stop touching J or T to sit down or J to stop taking people's appleseeds). For some reason, they get the biggest kick out of what I put in my lunch.

Yeah, appleseeds. I read maybe 3 pages of Gail Gibbons' Apples, and since then, quite a few of my students are obsessed with apple facts. They get apples at lunch (which I'm not complaining about!), and then they want to collect the seeds. Now, this is cute to me. However, the non-cute part is the arguments and tears that have been shed about "missing appleseeds" (i.e., someone taking someone else's seeds). When there are no tears, it's really great to see kids babble on about growing apple trees of their own. :)

- Miss Chelsea :)

1st Week Survived.

Though I pretty much need to get to bed soon, I figured I would update last week's happenings before the second week starts tomorrow.

The Best Quotes of First Week of School
1. Imagine a kid not coming out of the bathroom after 10 minutes. Then you have to go in there to say, "It's time to come back in the classroom now. If you have a tummy ache, we need to take you to the nurse." Then you get this reply...

"But I haven't gone ALL summer break!"
She gave this line twice that day.

2. My class makeup consists of one white kid, one Pacific Asian, and the other 13 black. This sets the image for the next one.
Boy: "Miss F, T likes you."
Me: "That's wonderful, I like him, too."
Boy: "Miss F, he thinks you're fiiine."
[insert near-burst-out-laughing moment]

3. We're talking about what makes us special. I chose as an example that I love to bake, especially chocolate chip cookies.
T: "Miss F, I wanna go home wit' you today! I want to help you bake the chocolate chips!"

4. The setting is the cafeteria where we are eating lunch. The menu today is shepherd's pie.
Me: "Did you know that shepherd's pie is a dish from England?"
V: "Really? I can't believe this food came all the way from England!"

There were some other priceless moments but these were the gems.

In my class, I have the "you know what, Miss F?" boy, chatter 24/7, "a little too wise for his britches," and a few other characters. Overall, I love my class; they're really great. I just have to keep my eye on a few of them.

I'm pretty exhausted by the end of the day and pretty much end up crashing when I get home around 7pm. Yeah, I'm gone almost 12 hours a day due to late buses and prep for the next day. I really hope it gets easier after a few months. As much as I like being prepared, I don't like having to spend 80% of my day at school. It's going to get old really fast.

One final amusing tidbit... Every morning, Miss P and I carpool to work since well, I don't have a car yet, and she lives with me. So, because of our convenient location, she has to deal with my saying, "I looove reverse commuting" every morning... because it's true! We go against the flow even though we have to drive through the Downtown Tunnel. We're just passing through and out! It's great.

First payday is this coming Friday!! My gals and I are definitely celebrating! :) We will be official real world employees then.

- Miss Chelsea :)

The day of all days.

Tomorrow is the first day of school. I'm slightly anxious, but confident. The day will go by just fine, but that doesn't mean my nerves will be working overtime.

"Will the kids be comfortable in my classroom?"
"Will I establish a respectful and conducive learning environment?"
"Will I earn respect the first week? And if I don't, how will I make it through the year?"

I have been having bad dreams the past two weeks. One was where there kids didn't listen to me no matter how firm I was (this was after I watched Freedom Writers... bad idea right before bed). The next dealt with having 30 more kids added to my class roster. Last night's was being tested by my students to see if I remained consistent (and I DID!).

After tomorrow, everything will be fine. I will have made it through my first day of school as a teacher.

I was going to do a soapbox on the stereotype of the Southern Teacher... but then I talked to a few other teacher friends... and they said these circumstances didn't happen to them... so it's purely a Chelsea-stance. Let's just say, if one more person asks me what my maiden name is or what my husband does, I may just about lose my apples. I will ironically point out that Miss P and I are the only young, unmarried women at our school, really. Welcome home to the South where in certain circles you can be judged by your marital status.

Now onto brighter things. All of last week consisted of my organizing and prepping the classroom. I've also been getting to know the other 2nd grade teachers... and they are pretty wonderful. There are three others... and I think we're going to have a good year. :) The tentative lesson plans and homework sheets are already finished/planned. We've got code motions for when the higher-ups come by, etc. Our team leader is a trip, too... I really like her. She's been at the school for 20+ years, and she currently lives right around the corner from me!

And finally, here are some photos of my classroom... it's a peek at what an open classroom looks like.





And let the school year begin.
- Miss Chelsea :)

Season's Best Learners.

Miss EB and I did some major teacher shopping today, especially in the sale section of TAPS... One of my favorite purchases was a bulletin board set for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I can't wait to read that aloud to my class. Probably sometime next month.

My year-long theme, I think, is going to be "fruits." On the first day, every student will decorate a piece of (paper) fruit and put it on our "basket" bulletin board. The name? "Season's Best Learners." Yeah, EB and I amuse ourselves at our cleverness. :) I'm not sure if I'm going to continue to use the theme for bathroom passes, behavior charts, or what... Anyhow, every month, we'll focus on a different fruit in the realms of writing, reading, math, and science through learning centers as a side treat so we can become experts on our fruits.

Having fruit as my theme also just gives me an excuse to bring in (healthy) food for the kids (which reminds me to do my next soapbox moment on my latest conviction: child obesity-- we already struggle enough as adults with our weights; it's our responsibility to start kids off right in the first place!). I'm already going to be bringing in cupcakes or cookies for their birthdays. (No, no hypocrisy here! I make the treats healthy/low-fat AND yummy! Talk to my toughest food critic, C. haha ... hint: applesauce.)

Because I'm an organizational dork, I did a major upload of all the new books EB gave me and the ones I've bought... LibraryThing is a teacher's best friend (yeah, it's obvious I really love Magic School Bus). I'm now up to 329 children's books... I need at least 400 to have a "decent" classroom library, according to the "experts." Sometime this week, I'm hitting up B&N though; I need to get "First Day of School" read-alouds.

Miss EB and I had fun doing some pre-planning and getting down some details about our themes, etc. Ask her to do the "shoulder wiggle." I laughed so hard at its context and her expertise (it felt so good to laugh like that).

Yikes, it's getting late, and I STILL need a haircut after a month of saying I need one. I hope tomorrow will be the day. A teacher wants to look her best. :)

- Miss Chelsea

My right arm.

The move was good as it could be considering the circumstances. I had a fabulous day which included serving Boston for one last time, seeing beautiful skylines, being treated to a girly-day at the nail salon, just being with my best friends, and having help to the airport. Once I got into the airport, I felt the walls crumble a bit, though. Strangely, I did feel a (proverbial) comforting arm around me and it said, "I'm with you." But of course, when that arm is placed around you, you want to cry into it. I held it together. It was just what needed to be done. Normally, the airport is a busy, cold place. For the first time in the Logan Airport, I had so many friendly people offer assistance for my bags and conversation. It was really nice. I don't believe it was a coincidence since, well, I don't believe in coincidences.

If it weren't for that extroverted little girl and her mom in my row on the plane, my flight would have been miserable. Somehow this small fifth grader drew me out of my head to help me focus on what I have to do by her questions about everything. I saw her reading a new book I hadn't heard of before... "Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo." I asked her about it and if her friends really liked the books because I'm trying to build up my classroom library. That somehow went into a conversation about my classroom. She started giving me tips on what I should do with my second graders and then her mom chimed in with what she remembered of her daughter's second grade experience. It was really touching actually. His Goodness comes in many different forms...

I can't say the evening ended well. Let's just say my anxiety towards policemen surfaced and intensified. But again, His Goodness comes in many different forms...

At least I get to see C this coming Friday and go to a bookfair with Miss EB this Sunday.

New teacher training starts on Tuesday at 7:30am. I'm so glad Miss P will be there with me. I do have someone I can face this with. Our school (CP) also sent us schedules for next week and what to expect when we get there... I love schedules.

I'll be fine eventually. I always am. It's just the initial reaction. I used to move every year from when I was five years old until college (no wonder I want to settle down somewhere), but this is by far the hardest move I have ever made, especially since my core knows I'm not meant to stay in Virginia for the long-term.

Moving away from my soul's family is like when your right arm has been amputated. It's painful and downright frustrating at first. But as time goes on, you learn to write with your left hand and do everyday tasks in a new manner. You adapt. You embrace a new life and might even start to cherish the change. Your right arm will always be missing and will always remind you of its absence... but life has to go on. It has to... no matter how much you miss writing with your right hand...

- Miss Chelsea

MTELS = CONQUERED.

IT'S OFFICIAL!!

I PASSED MY THIRD AND FINAL MTEL!!! No more money, no more tests!!!

A bajillion dollars, tears, and hours later, I'm a licensed teacher in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!! And double yay for reciprocity in Virginia!

I did! I finally did it!! Praise God!

Now watch me officially change the lives of many seven year olds... licensed-ly!! :D

- Miss Chelsea :)

No windows.

The longest recent wait I've ever had to do has been this week. On Friday after 5pm, I will receive my test results for my redo MTEL. This is the sole determinant on whether I get my Massachusetts teaching license. Intimidating much? Yeah, I know it's out of my hands... but I just don't want to face any more disappointment right now. If worse comes to worst, then I'll just apply for a Virginia license... but it'd be ridiculous after the time, energy, and money I've spent on this process. When I checked my status, it does say "Ready for Review." Please, All Things Good and Marvelous, let me just get this license.

Miss P called me and said she saw my classroom. She and her parents went over to check things out, and I asked her to check out my room. It doesn't have a window, and that was the one thing I really, really hoping for. :( But you know what, I'm going to make one. Sure, my father nor my mother were glassmakers, but I am pretty crafty with construction paper and tape. Miss P even did tell me that they were going to give me a whiteboard. So that's pretty awesome. She also said that the women in the office would be able to help me out in any way I needed. I love this type of community. :)

I'm on the lookout for these individual lapboards because they're great for phonics and math drills... but I'm hesitant because I don't know if I can find them in Virginia or not for cheaper. It also would help if I knew what is already in my classroom or available to me... and how many children. I've been figuring so far that I'm going to have about 20 kids.

You know what, I'm just going to call the school right now. Yeah, get my answers now!

- Miss Chelsea :)

UPDATE- Okay, I have 20 kids so far (who called that one!?), but it is likely to go up or down. As for supplies, an Office Depot rep is going to come in and will show us how much we can spend on our classroom supplies online. WOO HOO! I'm going to hold off a bit getting anything else until I find out more about that. Must remember Mrs. W's name for when I go in; she's the office secretary... she seems super nice, and I definitely want to make friends. Secretaries always have the inside scoops; not only that, but they tend to be really nice people.

All right, I'm at ease for now. Gosh, I felt like a dodo on the phone though... I wanted to say six million different things, and I stumbled over five million other things. :P Excitement needs to calm down.

Etc.

The day I got back from camp, I had my "see you later" party. C and C made it such a special time that I'll always be grateful... especially the video that was made for me. To have people who know you so well that they know what you will love is just one of life's biggest blessings.

Miss J was able to come, too (she reminds me of a Boston EB and so I'll miss her tons), and she gave me this totally teacher-y folding rolling crate with a telescopic handle from Staples. She cracked me up because she then proceeded to tell me that you can get accessories and doodads for it. I think I have officially crossed over to TeacherLand. I don't know if I'll buy accessories for my crate, but it's my crate, and I will treasure it with books, materials, and other student-related paraphernalia... while looking all educator-nerdy, I'm sure. :)

C also gave me a very (very) generous Barnes and Noble card to help me get my classroom library up to par. Of course, my heart wavered, and I started to cry because of the constant reminder that I am being looked out for... and that people care this much about me. (But I won't get reflective; I'm trying to take a break from that for awhile).

I can't wait to get all these books that will really enhance my professional library. There's a book on Ideas on How to Set Up a Classroom Library and a few other teacher books that have been on my Wish List now. I haven't been able to buy these for some time now...

Watch out, books.

----

I'm exhausted. With the help of some wonderful friends, I packed up the moving truck yesterday. Everything is gone now.

I can now start planning the first days of school... and start organizing in my head what needs to be done. C's mom offered to drive down (from Richmond area) to help organize my room, so I think I'll take her up on her offer. I know others will want to help, too, so that'll just be a bunch of fun times. :)

The New Teacher Institute starts next Wednesday, so I think I'll have a more clear idea on what to expect, curriculum-wise, at that time.

Until next time,
- Miss Chelsea :)

Final hours.

I'm so unbelievably exhausted right now. My eyes can barely stay open, and they burn when I try to look at the screen. It would look bad if I put my head down to take a nap when I'm supposed to be supervising Study Tutorial.

It's the last "full day" here at camp. Amherst 2007 is about to come to a close. Tonight is the final dance, and alas, my "dance card" (the joke amongst the housemasters) keeps being fickle. Miss E has kicked M off of hers and now he's back on. M is on my dance card and then not. I tell ya, if it can't get more 18th-19th century than this, then I'm content.

Last night, I hung out in T's office and had some good laughs. Some things that you find out that aren't widely publicized are very interesting! I found out that a camper was withdrawn without the office knowing... which is obviously a huge to-do since we're responsible for every child until the final paper is signed that he/she has been picked up by a parent. I also found out why we had to get a new nurse three days before camp close. YIKES.

Added onto all that, my elephant movable eraser (named Hubert) has been abducted (at approx. 8:30am, Thursday, August 9, 2007), and I keep getting emails from the perpetrator (anonymous email... "Dumbo Must Die"), holding him for ransom unless I put candy in all the housemasters' boxes. Yeah, my prime suspect was supposed to be my twin. But he loses his status now... because all evidence points to him. The SHAME! He continues to deny it, too. I think M had an accomplice. I'm still getting to the bottom of it.

The latest ransom picture is below. Somehow they managed to have Hubert pose without my knowing during the kids' performances last night. I am the one in the aqua-colored shirt. Yeah. Again, all evidence points to M because he sat behind me. He and the other deans deny it. NO!


Even though this camp session was far different from previous years, I did enjoy it. It's a different type of enjoyment. I don't think I'll come back to Amherst next year, but this place will always be considered my beginning when I became veteranized in SIG ways, met great lifelong friends, discovered my Bostonian home, and explored New England. They are opening up a new campus in Austin, Texas, so I may be going there in 2008. That would be kinda neat. Who knows! Let's worry about adjusting to the Virginian move and teaching my first year of 2nd grade before thinking about summer employment plans next year...

It's been good times.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Gloomy Wednesday.

Last night was heartbreaking. One of my girls was in heavy tears. She's a very well-versed child, and so to hear her not be was saddening. A boy whom she likes and asked to go to the dance first said yes and then no in front of everyone. A public rejection. I just wanted to cradle her and say it'd be okay. Thankfully, her friend was there to help her. She needed her friend's presence more than mine. Poor thing.

After this, the whole house somehow knew. At our house meeting, when I asked "What are some good things happening at camp?" it basically turned into a guy-bashing session... which quite honestly annoyed me. 1) Bashing any gender is just not okay. I will not condone sexist behavior. 2) I asked for positive things!

So they started saying, "Okay, girls rock then!" Okay, that's fine. :) Then my little CB piped up...

"Yeah, you know why girls rock? Because we MAKE THE WORLD! That's right, we carry the babies!"

Oh, CB. She's a trip. She seriously is a grandmother in a nine year-old's body. We're pretty much kindred spirits. haha I couldn't stop laughing after her comment. I had to question Miss K to make sure I heard what I heard.

Morale here at camp is down (perhaps due to the all-staff meeting last night, the dark weather, and/or fatigue). I feel kind of helpless that I can't really do anything about it. I'm probably not the best individual to help anyway at the moment... The dam that I built up to prevent my thinking about moving broke. I'm blessed by the shoulders I lean on though... especially when they cry with you in the rain. ... Okay, I can't write about this anymore.

Mom definitely got a 101-point word in our Scrabble game (but somehow I'm still in the lead??). Not only did she use all of her letters (and earned the bonus points for that), she landed on the Triple-Word Score square. The word: Crabbier. I was pretty impressed. She surpassed my 79-point word!

Speaking of Scrabble, the whole thing kind of makes me laugh... I've gotten a lot of people into (or addicted to) the email Scrabble thing... and that does make me smile.

Just three more days. Have to finish Student Evaluations, House Evals, etc... the job of the housemaster is the job of paperwork. Sadly enough, I don't mind the tediousness. It's busy work, and busy work is good.

- Miss Chelsea