Easy Tuesday

I first saw this on leesepea's blog. She got it from Tense Teacher, so I went and grabbed it from her.

1. When was the last time you washed your hair?
This morning about 6:15.

2.What were you doing at 8 o’clock this morning?
I was in the middle of my prep, updating my attendance book with the new roster.

3. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Reading "But wait! There's more..."

4. Are you any good at math?
Yes. But I let GradeQuick average the grades.

5. Are you mad at anyone right now?
I'm not crazy about my 6th period US History class right now.

6. Do you know the words to your current favorite song?
What have I been singing to myself lately? "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing". Everyday while walking across campus and seeing all the make-out sessions.

7. Last thing received in mail?
My church's newsletter and the latest issue of "Sunset." Where's my "American Heritage"?

8. How many different drinks have you had today?
Coffee, green tea, Diet Dr Pepper, water, & V8.

9. Do you ever leave messages on people’s answering machine?
Everyone except my wife, who doesn't check messages. Lately, I've left them for parents who were trying to contact me (tag).

10. Any plans for tonight?
My wife's gone 40 miles south to her hometown to visit her parents, so I'll be home alone reading.

11. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
Naw.

12. What’s the most painful dental procedure you’ve had?
I had a cyst removed from the base of a front tooth. Benign, but very painful.

13. What’s outside your front door?
Two blue, steel chairs and a whole lot of rosemary.

14. Do you have plans on Friday?
We'll be at my parents' home 250 miles south, interviewing movers and real estate agents. First sub of the year.
15. Do you like the ocean?
Yes, but I like the mountains better. (I have to ditto Tense Teacher. Though I snorkeled for the first time this summer and enjoyed it.)

16. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns?
No.

17. Have you ever been to a planetarium?
Yeah, but not in too, too long a time.

18. Something you are excited about?
My job!

19. Who around you has the most problems?
I work with teachers and teenagers! Are you kidding?
20. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive?
The only great-grandparent that was alive when I was born, died when I was 9.

21. Describe your love life.
We're both teachers. It's the beginning of the school year. We're tired.

22. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?
Today. Five different times.

23. Do you like anyone right now?
Oh, yeah. Many, many people, starting with my wife.

24. What was the weather like on your birthday?
Sunny, clear, and hot. But the backyard party was great!

25. Do you sleep with the door open or closed at night?
Open. We're empty-nesters.

26. If you could change your name, what would it be?
Maybe Ken? Maybe Michael.

27. Do you like your middle name?
I used to hate it. Now...I don't mind.
28. Who are you thinking about right now?
My wife.

29. Do you consider your best friends family?
Definitely.

30. Favorite foods?
Enchiladas, tamales, Costco hotdogs, sushi, , most chocolate, salmon, my wife's chile.

If you're out there and reading this, go ahead and grab it.

More on the Class of 2009

I was discussing our 11th graders with a fellow US History teacher. He said, "They seem immature." I said, "Thank you." It's not just me.

Today we had an 11th grade assembly. The purpose of the assembly was to sell them class rings. During 6th period on a Friday!!! Might as well just cancel the rest of the day. I butted heads with a couple of them. The day didn't end well.

Flex Days

I don't want to be accused of waxing rhapsodic about last year's batch of 11th graders. I don't even want to be accused of using a phrase like "waxing rhapsodic." But compared to my US History classes of last year, these students I have now seem like a bunch of yammering fools. And young! If I didn't know any better, I'd peg them as freshmen.

Maybe it's the fact that it's just the third week in August and we're nearing the end of the second week of school. Maybe it's because we just had our first flex days of the school year. Maybe I'm just out of practice. Whatever...except for one group in one class, my seniors are different.

I'm it.

I was tagged with a teaching meme by leesepea at But wait! There's more...

1. I am a good teacher because... I care, and they know it.

2. If I weren’t a teacher, I would be... retired? Building a cabin at the lake? Definitely hanging more with my grandson.

3. My teaching style is... evolving. My catch phrases this year are "personal responsibility", "peer instruction", & "extended response".

4. My classroom is... alive and colorful.

5. My lesson plans are... reminder notes.

6. One of my teaching goals is... to spend more time on the Civil Rights Movement.

7. The toughest part of teaching is... the kids who just don't care.

8. The thing I love most about teaching is... when a student who thought he couldn't succeed does.

9. A common misconception about teaching is... it's a cush job.

10. The most important thing I’ve learned since I started teaching is... you're not going to do it all.

Okay, that was my first. Now, to bed in preparation for week two.

First Week

Well, the first week is done. I was working on next week's lesson plan, and I had to stop. I'll finish on Monday. I've got a full week of US History and half a week of Gov't planned out; I can do the rest in my prep.

I get my projector on Monday. I need to start making PowerPoints to back my lectures. It seems like it takes so long to get started and then I'm rolling in to the end of the first six-weeks term. This term ends the end of Sept. It just seems too early.

1 down, 180 to go

We had students today. Today was icebreakers. Today was also high absenteeism. I'm glad. My 4th period has 37 on the roster. Third and fifth have 35. I have 31 student desks.

I'm tired. By 6th period, the students were tired too.

Registration II

There was a distress call at 9 AM looking for workers to make up for those teachers who chose to skip registration. I ended up working it all day. For that, they fed me.

I haven't spent that much time on my feet in the past 10 weeks. I'm out of shape & tired.

Registration

The place is crawling with students. I'm scheduled to work tomorrow 11 AM to 2 PM, the latecomers.

Fall already?

I never did get around to reflecting on the last school year. I was just too tired. Now, we've come around. We start tomorrow and school starts next Tuesday. Summer just kind of phhhttt... But if you look at the calendar, Fall is starting in the middle of summer.