Almost Christmas?

Well... so much for regular blog updates. Since I write frequently, I thought it wouldn't be difficult too keep updating this once I returned, but it turns out I'm too in danger of becoming an actual "blogger." If you know me for very long, you'll discover that when I feel strongly about anything at all, I write an essay about it. I keep being tempted to post these musings on my blog, but so far I've resisted. I'm not quite ready to become that person.

In the meantime, I can do part educational blog/part life update.

Thanksgiving just flew by and found me in the reminiscing spirit. Two years ago, I was thankful for seeing my mom for the first time seven months.
Last year, I was thankful for Julie and making our dream of exploring London together a reality. 
This year, I was thankful for being with my whole family for the first time in two years. It was eventful, as always, but wonderful, too. 

In between eating turkey and rolls, I've been settling into my new home, meeting people, and bundling up for winter. This past Friday, I got to explore a local winter wonderland with one of my fellow teachers. I even pulled out my nice camera for the event. Unfortunately, I haven't used it in so long, that I forgot which settings to use and how to use them. So the pictures aren't great, but they do the job. Christmastime is here!




At school, we've been speeding through second quarter. Is it really almost Christmas break? This quarter I've been dealing with research papers, drama (both of the literary and middle school sort), To Kill a Mockingbird, and folktales. My students have also done a bunch of projects.... partially because I like my walls to be decorated. 

My 8th graders learned about different literary genres. Then, they were allowed to choose one and create a poster for it. I gave them a detailed rubric with guidelines. Following advice from a workshop I went to this summer, if the students did everything exactly right according to the rubric, their grade would be a 96. However, I left a column on the right open and told them it was the "Wow Me" column. I explained that if they wanted something more than a 96, they had to really impress me. I enjoyed seeing what they came up with and watching them walk into class, holding their projects and ask, "So... does this wow you?" 
Literary Genre Poster
Literary Genre Poster
In 7th grade, after reading a short story that dealt with bullying, I had groups of students create projects that would motivate their peers to encourage one another instead of tearing them down.
Complete with a "Bully-dozer"
A "computer screen" with a twitter feed about bullying












My 10th honors students chose an author from our anthology and created a collage about his life and works.

I've also enjoyed rearranging my classroom and decorating for various events, like the end of the 1st quarter, thanksgiving, and now Christmas. 

A little window paint goes a long way


Desks arranged for reading groups



When we get back from Christmas break, I'm looking forward to seeing some interesting projects for To Kill a Mockingbird. In the meantime, here's some of my favorite student sayings from the past several weeks.

7th graders:
"How can they give us such hard homework? We're just little kids?" 
"Your head looks like there's no blood in it.. it's just SO white!"
"You don't have the face for a tall person"

"Do you just have this all memorized?"
-while I give the definition of concrete poem 

Student: This is freaking hardcore Beethoven! 
Me: Actually it's freaking hardcore Mozart.


8th Graders:
"But... why do we have to write down all these facts and stuff?" - while in the library working on the research paper

"You're an angel.. an angel without wings." -after I gave a student a cookie 

Student comforting himself before spelling a hard word in the spelling bee "I'm Batman... I'm Batman... okay!" 


10th Graders:
While discussing vocab words: No, B isn't deadpan. She's more like... alivepan! 

Student giving report: The first helicopter was invented in the 1930's.
Student taking notes: A real one or a toy one?
Another student: Why would they invent a toy one first?

Me: Who do you think is putting these treasures in the tree for Scout and Jem?
Student: Fairies! It's magical!

The following exchange happened after a student raised her hand and said she had something personal to share. 
Student: Are you married?
Me: No. That's why I'm Miss K.
Student: Are you dating anyone?
Me: No
Student (upset): But why not?? You're beautiful! You deserve to be with someone!
Me (confused): Well... thanks, but...
Male student: Are you looking?
Me: NO.
Male student: We can set you up on christianmingle. com
Me:.... No. This is not something you all need to be concerned with. Now... To Kill a Mockingbird... 
Me (on the inside): BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! 

11th Graders
"Can I go out in the hall? I need to run into him like a rhino."-11th





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