We are in the middle of a movie marathon!! I love watching movies, but it's so hard to find the time and the last...um, 9 years or so, have been busy. Very busy. And I've missed a lot people.
So Thursday we watched The Family that Preys. Unexpected and very good.
Last night we went to friends and watched Moulin Rouge (my first time-it was outrageous and I loved it) and the Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail (which I haven't watched in way too long).
Today we hit the video store. So far I've watched Mamma Mia (LOVE LOVE LOVE this-how could I have waited so long. I've already got the soundtrack too-it's that good!) and Dan in Real Life, which was super-sweet and not what I expected from Steve Carrel and Dane Cook.
Next is Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and then Fireproof if we have time. Tomorrow work will abound, but today I'm all about relaxation!
Any suggestions for movies I just HAVE to see? I'm thinking I should make this unproductivity a habit...a least once a month.
One last thing-I'm officially a Twit...I mean, I joined Twitter, so if you're inclined to read about my life obsessively (and you know who you are) catch me over there under rambling_reader.
Happy Saturday!
Val
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
On the Next Episode of The Surreal World
Yesterday as I was packing up to leave, my AP and a parent and student walked in. AP asked me if we could meet for a minute.
Earlier that day, this student had her review for my class picked up by a fellow teacher. It was picked up off the boyfriends desk, where he was copying down her answers.
This student received a strike notice from me, as well as a zero on the review. I also (very mildly) fussed at her. The usual: I'm disappointed, this was an easy grade, etc.
Student promptly texts her mom and tells her I bawled her out in front of the class and called her a cheater. Of course, Mom came to rescue her little darling, AKA ready to kick my ass.
Mom was very resolute that this was NOT cheating. AP and I just stared at her. I really felt like I was in a Twilight Zone. When I argued that it was dishonest, she asked why they were allowed to work on it together in class Monday. I replied, co-operative groups does NOT mean one person working and others copying down the answers. She claimed the boyfriend was just missing a few blanks (*disbelieving snort here*) and her daughter was helping him out.
I replied that was not "helping him out," because there was no value to copying down answers 15 minutes before the exam, other than to get the points. She looked at the AP and then at me as if I were the stupidest person on earth. "Of course there's value, because then he can study it." Oh, I see, THAT was the master plan.
I reiterated that it was dishonest, because I expect each student to do their own work. Mom replied it was "just a review." I said once a grade was attached it was an assignment, and the usual code of conduct applied, but mom was completely adamant this was not dishonest.
Then she tore me up one side and down the other for bawling the student out in front of the class. At that point (this was after 15 minutes of her ranting), I was just wanting to leave. When mom got done with her spiel I turned to the student and (sincerely) apologized for anything I said embarrassed, and assured her that was not my intent. I asked the mom if there was anything else I could do, and they finally left.
Then I marched right down and had the academic honesty policy from our student code of conduct blown up to poster-sized and hung it right in the front of my room.
I weep for humanity.
Earlier that day, this student had her review for my class picked up by a fellow teacher. It was picked up off the boyfriends desk, where he was copying down her answers.
This student received a strike notice from me, as well as a zero on the review. I also (very mildly) fussed at her. The usual: I'm disappointed, this was an easy grade, etc.
Student promptly texts her mom and tells her I bawled her out in front of the class and called her a cheater. Of course, Mom came to rescue her little darling, AKA ready to kick my ass.
Mom was very resolute that this was NOT cheating. AP and I just stared at her. I really felt like I was in a Twilight Zone. When I argued that it was dishonest, she asked why they were allowed to work on it together in class Monday. I replied, co-operative groups does NOT mean one person working and others copying down the answers. She claimed the boyfriend was just missing a few blanks (*disbelieving snort here*) and her daughter was helping him out.
I replied that was not "helping him out," because there was no value to copying down answers 15 minutes before the exam, other than to get the points. She looked at the AP and then at me as if I were the stupidest person on earth. "Of course there's value, because then he can study it." Oh, I see, THAT was the master plan.
I reiterated that it was dishonest, because I expect each student to do their own work. Mom replied it was "just a review." I said once a grade was attached it was an assignment, and the usual code of conduct applied, but mom was completely adamant this was not dishonest.
Then she tore me up one side and down the other for bawling the student out in front of the class. At that point (this was after 15 minutes of her ranting), I was just wanting to leave. When mom got done with her spiel I turned to the student and (sincerely) apologized for anything I said embarrassed, and assured her that was not my intent. I asked the mom if there was anything else I could do, and they finally left.
Then I marched right down and had the academic honesty policy from our student code of conduct blown up to poster-sized and hung it right in the front of my room.
I weep for humanity.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
#@&*!Razzlefrazzle#@&*!
I'm having trouble with extreme bouts of rudeness in my classroom. Allow me to demonstrate.
Today Student A is talking to Student B. Loudly. Off-topic-ly. I asked them to hush. Convo continued as if I were invisible. Which I am not. I headed towards them, at which point student B stopped talking and acted busy. Student A craned his neck to look around me and continued talking. Say whayt?! I again said his name, in a "Did yo mama really raise you so stupid?" voice at which point he briefly made eye contact, gave me the acknowledgment nod and said, "Sup?" then CONTINUED talking.
And the top of my head flew off.
Seriously, I was so mad, I could hardly see straight for a moment. When I could form coherent sentences again, his mother and I had a nice long chat, and I doubt he'll be acting as laid back tonight.
But this still really bothers me. What in the world made him think he could speak to me that way? I'm not going to take responsibility for his behavior, but I still can't help thinking I haven't been tough enough if he thinks he can talk to me that way.
It's times like these I think flogging should be allowed in school.
Today Student A is talking to Student B. Loudly. Off-topic-ly. I asked them to hush. Convo continued as if I were invisible. Which I am not. I headed towards them, at which point student B stopped talking and acted busy. Student A craned his neck to look around me and continued talking. Say whayt?! I again said his name, in a "Did yo mama really raise you so stupid?" voice at which point he briefly made eye contact, gave me the acknowledgment nod and said, "Sup?" then CONTINUED talking.
And the top of my head flew off.
Seriously, I was so mad, I could hardly see straight for a moment. When I could form coherent sentences again, his mother and I had a nice long chat, and I doubt he'll be acting as laid back tonight.
But this still really bothers me. What in the world made him think he could speak to me that way? I'm not going to take responsibility for his behavior, but I still can't help thinking I haven't been tough enough if he thinks he can talk to me that way.
It's times like these I think flogging should be allowed in school.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
And what's been new with you?
It's incredibly difficult to believe it's been nearly three months since I blogged. This familiar little template pops up and I get almost giddy with possibilities, the way I always was with new notebooks as a little girl.
It's no surprise I stopped blogging right when the holiday season began in earnest--my familiar refrain, too much to do, too busy, no time.
I have missed this.
Somehow, ditching my daily bloggy time did not magically fold the laundry or give me more quality time with my husband. I didn't make it the gym more often, or spend time meditating. The time was eaten up, that's for sure, but by what I couldn't tell you.
I could tell you however, that I have not been as happy as I was when I was blogging. What can I say? The English student in me is always happiest writing.
I'm not making any crazy NaBloPoMo promises but I can tell you this feels very good. Good enough to repeat.
And now!!
The obligatory updates!
Jade and Luke continue to grow at alarming rate. Luke's latest verbal tic is, "But it makes me haaaapy!" said in relation to everything from cookies to hitting his sister to eating his boogers (disgusting I know). He enjoys school, but not Monday mornings, which usually finds him curled on the floor begging to stay home. Once past that meltdown the rest of the week goes well.
The age of nine is doing interesting things to Jade. She's getting so tall, all legs, and she has her first crush. On a boy. In her class. Le sigh. Only at night, while she sleeps, can I cup her little face and remember what she looked like that first night of her birth, her wobbly toddler years, and all the days since. I'm not sad, it just seems to be happening so damn fast.
In my quest for the prestigious Masochist Mother of the Year award I have returned for my Master's. I'm taking a Gifted and Talented curriculum class, which is so-so, and an amazing Problems in Adolescent Lit class, which I adore. I have pretty much decided Adolescent Lit is the field I want to pursue, which is exciting.
I'm still teaching my little heart out, daily chipping away at the myspace/mtv/doritos ands dr. pepper shield that surrounds my students cognizance. It's exhausting, but I say it's rewarding to make myself feel better.
Oh, and we recently added a new member to the clan, a beagle named Twix. She's pretty much the cutest thing around.
So, perhaps I've reestablished myself as a blogger. Hopefully a blogger who does not spend all her time wining about her to do list, a la last November...
Have a fantabulous Monday all!
Val
It's no surprise I stopped blogging right when the holiday season began in earnest--my familiar refrain, too much to do, too busy, no time.
I have missed this.
Somehow, ditching my daily bloggy time did not magically fold the laundry or give me more quality time with my husband. I didn't make it the gym more often, or spend time meditating. The time was eaten up, that's for sure, but by what I couldn't tell you.
I could tell you however, that I have not been as happy as I was when I was blogging. What can I say? The English student in me is always happiest writing.
I'm not making any crazy NaBloPoMo promises but I can tell you this feels very good. Good enough to repeat.
And now!!
The obligatory updates!
Jade and Luke continue to grow at alarming rate. Luke's latest verbal tic is, "But it makes me haaaapy!" said in relation to everything from cookies to hitting his sister to eating his boogers (disgusting I know). He enjoys school, but not Monday mornings, which usually finds him curled on the floor begging to stay home. Once past that meltdown the rest of the week goes well.
The age of nine is doing interesting things to Jade. She's getting so tall, all legs, and she has her first crush. On a boy. In her class. Le sigh. Only at night, while she sleeps, can I cup her little face and remember what she looked like that first night of her birth, her wobbly toddler years, and all the days since. I'm not sad, it just seems to be happening so damn fast.
In my quest for the prestigious Masochist Mother of the Year award I have returned for my Master's. I'm taking a Gifted and Talented curriculum class, which is so-so, and an amazing Problems in Adolescent Lit class, which I adore. I have pretty much decided Adolescent Lit is the field I want to pursue, which is exciting.
I'm still teaching my little heart out, daily chipping away at the myspace/mtv/doritos ands dr. pepper shield that surrounds my students cognizance. It's exhausting, but I say it's rewarding to make myself feel better.
Oh, and we recently added a new member to the clan, a beagle named Twix. She's pretty much the cutest thing around.
So, perhaps I've reestablished myself as a blogger. Hopefully a blogger who does not spend all her time wining about her to do list, a la last November...
Have a fantabulous Monday all!
Val
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)