Gingerbread Houses

On the Friday before break, my kindergartners and their 8th grade buddies made gingerbread houses. We had so many supplies! The kids loved it! My favorite decoration, using ice cream cones for chimneys, pine trees, and church steeples.

Angel Ornaments

One thing I've learned about teaching kindergarten, is that as a teacher you must turn a bit crafty. On Wednesday night, I put together 34 wooden frames with a hot glue gun in my living room. On Thursday, all of us kindergarten teachers stayed at school until 7:50pm finishing up the kids' presents for their parents and their 8th grade buddies. Yes, the kids do the projects, but we do the finishing touches and the preparation. Sometimes it feels like we put my time into the projects. Oh well.

I really liked Thursday night's 10pm project though. I gave my kids angel ornaments for their Christmas present. It is super easy, really cheap, and they look cute.

All you need is some red ribbon, a silver bead, and an "ideal clamp", basically a fancy paper clip. I used the small size and bought them from Office Max.

You string it through the middle piece of the ideal clamp. Then add the bead, then tie off the top. Such an easy ornament!

Happy Christmas crafting!

Blizzard of 2010

It's been a while since I've blogged. I blame working a full time job. But this weekend I need to start again.  There was a big snow blizzard in the Twin Cities. The biggest blizzard since the Halloween blizzard of 1991.  So last time it snowed this much, I was 6 years old. This is the most snow I can actually fully remember. We've gotten about 20 inches. Along with the snow came drifts. The blizzard started Friday night, and went all day Saturday into the evening. I was stuck in St. Paul at Erik's house. But we had 6 of us, and a seventh person joined us Saturday night.

Saturday we hung out, lounged around, and played some board games.

This is us getting ready to venture out. I wore snowpants and Davey wore ski goggles to walk less than a block to Super America and the liquor store. That's right, I wore snowpants to the liquor store.  Cool points for me.

Jenny taught Dan and Davey how to shuffle a deck or cards. This is after Jenny walked two miles from her apartment to come join us.

 The whole snowed in group.

We all got up at 7am to dig out the cars.  St. Paul wanted them moved by 8am.  

Waiting for "Superman"

Last night I went to see the movie "Waiting for Superman." This movie discusses the inequalities of America's education system. As an educator this is an issue dear to my heart. At the same time, I thought I'd be mad the movie. Often teachers are blamed as the reason some of America's children are failing in school. Though this is sometimes true, I know too many teachers that are working SO hard, so I struggle believe this is the only reason. The good news is I wasn't mad at the end of the movie. I didn't agree with everything that was said. There's a lot more that could have been said. But, they only had two hours, and this issue is bigger than a two hour documentary.

I wondered how many people in the theatre were educators. Ideally this message would move beyond those directly involved in education. Some people don't care because they're not a teacher, or they don't have kids, or their kids are no longer in school. I disagree. We all have a role in educating the children of our society. I hope this movie gets people talking.

In the movie I didn't like that they made charter school out to be the saving grace. I didn't like that they made teacher unions look so terrible. I don't agree with everything the unions do, but there's a reason they exist. I also think they failed to mention a few factors that attribute to failing schools, bad behavior and poor parenting. Students are in school for about 7 hours a day. The days I have felt I was not effective as a teacher is often due to poor student behavior. Yes, I am in charge of behavior management. But sometimes it is just so bad, you want to cry and quit. But, at the same time, we can't use that as an excuse. As a society we owe it to our country's children to ensure that everyone gets a quality education.

Go see the movie. Let's start discussing a solution. At the end of the movie, the credits encouraged each of us that we can make a difference. I want to believe this is true.

http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/action/

New beginnings

Tomorrow I start teaching kindergarten. This will be a three month position for another teacher's maternity leave. I'm excited, that nervous excitement when something new is beginning. I'm ready, but there will be surprises. They are so little.  Seventeen little five year olds in my care. This is exciting, but also a bit overwhelming.

I've gotten use to having time on my hands. I haven't worked 40 hours a week since June. This will all change tomorrow. I keep thinking about how much will change for the teacher having the baby. Her life will never be the same. I don't have as big of changes coming, but big for me. I'm not always great with change. But I want to embrace this change. This is change that I want.

So here's to new beginnings. At the St. Olaf Young Alumni event on Friday I was having a conversation with someone I had worked with on student government. We were doing that "So, what are you up to?" conversation. I told him I was starting this new job on Wednesday. He said, "Wow, you're a legit person." That felt good. I don't know if he's completely right. But, I'll take it as a compliment.

Search for a tablecloth

I want a tablecloth for our dining room table. Simple purchase, right? Wrong. I cannot find a decent tablecloth.

I have been to Target twice. Today I also went to two Marshalls, JcPennys and Macy's. Nothing. There wasn't even one that I sort of considered. The department stores had about 5, all boring solid colors.  I just want a simple pattern. Any suggestions on where I should go?

Norway Book

I made a book on http://www.mypublisher.com/ for my Norway trip that I took this summer. I debated about what company to use. There are so many out there, and they have similar prices. I decided on this one because I had seen finished books by this company, and I really liked the books. I wish I could have seen all of the books in person to have a really good comparison. This site had an instant chat that was very helpful for those little questions that come up while making your project.  Also, they have great coupons! I got $20 off.

Here's my project if you'd like to look at it. I had to convince myself to just hit "purchase" because it seems there is always more you could do.

http://bookshelf.mypublisher.com/?e=OHm3Q8zJl3TDwYWXkJrB-8oI083zL--0&s=fb


*I just noticed the date is wrong on the front.  That is annoying.  But, I guess it can't be perfect!