Horn Tooting

I was conducting a Shared Reading -Summer of Sharks, very intriguing- this morning when the Instructional Specialist Aicen came in to do a reading test on one of my new students. Apparently she had been there for a bit because later this afternoon when I went to discuss the results of the reading test she told me that she had been discussing me with the intern facilitator- telling her that they should have other 4th grade teachers come in to observe me. GOO! Super Kudos, but quite intimidating! This is from another time Aicen was passing by my room. She left this post it note for me to find:

It certainly feels good to be appreciated! I know that I made the right choice leaving Houston, because this is where I need to be for the moment. I love going to work everyday- in fact some days I cannot believe that they pay me to do this. (But that's probably to make up for the days that I wonder to myself, 'What am I doing??') Everyday is a new day- especially with the Smart Alec ones!

Fabulous Fall

Thought that I would share some views I get to currently enjoy on my way to and from work.

A photo of all the leaves that have been covering the pavement of my apartment parking lot. And this is just the first wave of them. So far there has been 3 waves of fallen Fall leaves. The only downside of it is when those leaves fall onto my windshield, get stuck in my new wiper blades, and then WILL NOT fly away when the rain begins to fall and I need an unobstructed view of the road by using said windshield wipers.

And the best Fall views of all

Certainly beats the views from this summer when I could only believe that I was dreaming when those same signs all had $4.00 a gallon for regular unleaded!

Horror of the Order of the Phoenix

At the end of every school day, the kids volunteer (as in I assign students) to do clean up jobs around the classroom before they get their backpacks and coats together to leave for the day. Well, one afternoon after most of the kids had waved good bye and practically bolted out the door, I had my one or two students still slowly getting packed up to go. These two can usually be counted on to be the last ones out the door, but no complaints from me- they are fun to chatter with. So on this particular afternoon- I was gazing around the room and noticed that we had NOT done a very good job picking up after ourselves today. I asked the two still in the room what they thought of what had been left behind...

One took a moment to consider the question and then took another moment to look out onto the classroom. Before he uttered "It looks like the Horror of the Order of the Phoenix." After I managed to stifle the laughter I remarked about what an interesting way to put that. But after he had left and I was taking a few pictures, I had to ask myself,

"Was he referring to the floor, or the condition of the inside of his desk?"

Election Day 2008 Results

So my vote has been cast. I watch as the states on the news turn either red or blue, and hold my breath waiting to hear the fortune told for my country's next 4 years' future. I resisted putting any political posts on my blog- until tonight. After I've seen the count come in and learn that Mr. Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States.


All I can say is that I hope I am wrong in feeling like we have just elected a man into one of the most powerful offices in the world who makes me feel as though he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. I know very little about this man, but all that I have seen and read has made me think that I cannot trust him to represent me.


To the new President who refuses to Pledge Allegiance to the United States of America's flag...

"You can't consistently perform in a manner that is inconsistent to the way you see yourself."

Zig Ziglar

Election Day 2008

A historic event. Putting my feelings about the President Elects aside as best as possible, we discussed the election process and the United States government in Social Studies this week. All four of the 4th grade classes participated in an election of our own. After seeing their parents and other adults que up early that morning to vote themselves, they were eager to discuss "politics"- In ways that only 4th graders can.

Waiting at the polls

Our Voting Booths

The famous Ballot Box