Silly Things

LK just came in from spending an hour outside snowshoeing and taking pics. He was sharing about beaver tracks and tramping around the lake and the like. As I was listening, I was also continuing the online search I was in the midst of for my homework (looking for a graphis organizer for a 5-paragraph essay).

Rudely interrupting my DH, "Ooh, cool, a whole website dedicated to graphic organizers!"

"Only you, Em could get that excited about it."

"I know, I'm sorry. It's just that I love education SOOOO much.", in a sad little plea to be forgiven for not giving him my undivided attention (which he really should be used to by now, seeing as I am incapable of giving anything my undivided attention- unless its shoes or teaching.)

As he walks away, shaking his head and grinning. "I know. I know."

I think I may be hopeless. The more I learn, the more excited I get about teaching. I wonder if there is a support group for teacher-spouses (like for hockey-wives and Monday-Night -Football girlfriends).

Action Research

I have discovered the formal name and process for the tweaking that good teachers are always doing to improve their practice. Action Research. Basically the process is; (a) identify a problem, (b) make a plan to try to solve it, (c) decide on what factors will indicate a measure of success, and (d) write a report on your results. Well, most teachers do the first three steps all the time. Now I am learning to add the fourth step.

The AQ course that I am taking is filled with lots of valuable information that is completely relevant to my classroom right now. It's got me all fired about teaching practice and improving education. My evenings are mostly filled with reading, research, posting on the discussion board, responding to the posts of others, and more reading. The best thing about taking the course during the school year is that you can see the things you are studying right there before you. And, I can change my teaching to address those things! Very exciting.

However, today at lunch I was really discouraged about how much change and scaffolding is needed to really support my students to become literate and value their learning. Where even to begin?

But the beginning is past, and progress is happening.

I sat down at the end of the day and saw the difference in writing that those who struggle the most in my class demonstrated today. It was encouraging.

So, tomorrow we march on... actually Monday we march on. No school tomorrow due to a community funeral.

Scrabble Miracle

We haven't played Scrabble in a really long time. When just LK and I play, I tend to get a bit overly-competitive. On Monday night Guitar Girl was over. She had mentioned the week before that she enjoys a game of Scrabble. She did not mention that her mom is a fanatic and she inherited a bit of the bug. So she trounced the two of us in the first game.

We were having fun and so we proposed a second game. I pulled my 7 letters and saw before me on my tile holder "blank" A, S, S, I, O, N. Holy orthography Batman! I have a seven letter word right off the bat! So I played it and sat grinning from ear to ear. My not-overly-competitive spouse and friend were very encouraging (proving that good sports are great people to play games with; learn something here Emily).

As the round continued I pulled my next set of tiles from the bag. I saw E, R, L, D, W, T and another 'blank'. Holy spelldown, Batman! Another seven letter word! I almost fell over I was so tickled.

It turned out to be a great game; I broke 200 points for the first time in my life.

Sand Brigade

Monday morning we woke up to above freezing temperatures and rain. Upon arriving at school there was a sing posted on the door, "No school." Great, a free work day. Think of all that I can get done in the classroom...

By ten o'clock our principal (Fearless) was walking around warning people to head home as it was raining harder. So I wrapped things up and headed home. Driving home I thought I should have stayed, it really wasn't that slippery.

However, by four o'clock I was thankful for Fearless as everything outside had a thick coat of very wet ice on it. We were snug at home.

Tuesday morning everyone was getting ready for school (picture 6 townhouses facing the lake and the driveway with front picture windows) and we heard Fearless driving up the lane. Our lane climbs a hill as you drive towards the road and then angles down to the road. Both inclines are steep enough that with wet ice Fearless didn't make it up our side. So we all stood in our windows and watch him back down to his own parking spot and tromp up the hill to check it out.

LK and I went out to see what was going on, and to help with whatever was needed. I was cheering for another school-free day in my head. Within 15 minutes all the teachers had left their coffee and toothbrushes to bring out wash buckets and various shovel-like instruments to help bring sand from the sand pile in front of our houses to sand the driveway. We looked like the seven dwarfs, but better dressed (in out teacher clothes). It took an hour of joking and laughter to lay sand right to the road. After that we were clear to go to work (at 9:30).

Meanwhile the phone were ringing off the hook at school. Parents wondering if there was school, how their kids were supposed to get there with the ice and no bus, etc. Fiona tried to answer the phone and ended up turning it on, but for got to say hello. Our poor Resource teacher was left talking to blank air.

By the time we arrived, Fearless had decided to send all the students home (20 or so actually made it to school) and we had another work day. This time I got a lot accomplished and wasn't worried about get back in at home as we had the best sanded driveway in all of Grassy.

If we ever lose our jobs as teachers, I am sure we can find work as a road crew.

Still Here

I am still here and still busy. Things slow down a little after this weekend. Thankfully! I feel like I am back in TO with committments everywhere. Most of it is wonderful though; steep learning curve (which I like) and lots of time working through stuff with people. Man, I love education. How could anyone want to do any other job? More later when the practicum is over and I have handed in my first module for my online course.

Another Week Already?

Where is the time going? The past week has flown by thanks to our suddenly very busy schedule.

Last week Fiona started skating. Tonight we went for our second session. She managed to 'skate' the length of the rink with the help of a chair supporting her for balance. She was a trouper even when she landed on her tailbone once. We are both really enjoying ourselves.

Last week I also started hosting my second student teacher of the year. This time I am determined to provide more support and that of course means more time. So, I am madly planning every break and free moment I get to make sure that my part of the teaching day is organized really well in order to provide support to her in preparing her part.

I have been working out with one of the high school teachers after school for the past three weeks, and that adds to my commitments. It is a great stress relief at the end of the day and also helps me connect with a colleague.

Then there is our Small Group that now meets on Tuesday nights, thanks to my course, which I ought to be working on right now...

All in all, life is busy and full. But in a very good way. I will do my best to keep up on blogging. Please forgive me if I am quieter than usual in the next three weeks.