The title says it all. I haven't had a real virus yet this school year until now, and I had completely forgotten how much it sucks trying to teach while you're sick: everything is more annoying, the terrible fluorescent lights hurt, my patience is short, it's hard to speak loud enough to be heard over … Continue reading January 2: Being Sick Sucks
School
December 4: daily writing
Today I talked with my writing classes about the importance of daily writing - I shared the research, explained the reasoning, that sort of thing. I think I was better able to sell it because I've seen the benefits first hand by writing here everyday. I can sort my thoughts and feelings, I can figure … Continue reading December 4: daily writing
November 28: so done
I'm so tired because I've been working 12 hour days or so for the week and sometimes, instead of working on grading, I have meetings and meetings. I like it when I'm at meetings with parents, where we can talk about what is going on and look at ways to work together in the future. … Continue reading November 28: so done
November 12: this world is too much today
Everything is so heavy: the fires in California, the terrible loss of life, the needless brutality from the local to the international, the news of audio from the Khashoggi murder, our crazy-ass idiot president, the insanity of people not wanting every vote to be counted in states where elections are very close, an entire town … Continue reading November 12: this world is too much today
November 1: conferences
I have far more conferences this year since I'm working at two schools, and I have a few proposals and points for consideration: The word "lazy" is now banned. There is probably some reason a 12 year old doesn't get their work done, but calling a kid lazy doesn't help anything and probably just makes … Continue reading November 1: conferences
October 26: so many things on my mind
One thing about ADHD is that sometimes my mind is swirling with so many thoughts and ideas that it's impossible to keep them straight. At times like that, I kind of shut down and look for distractions for my mind: reading blogs, looking through twitter, playing a little iPhone game, listening to a podcast, laying … Continue reading October 26: so many things on my mind
October 25: Moment of Whoa
The Ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to linear, sequential time; it's the root of chronological. Kairos refers to the right time for something, an opportunity. I like this idea. If you would have told me a little over a year ago that I would be teaching 7th graders … Continue reading October 25: Moment of Whoa
September 16: I don’t want to
I don't want to go to sleep even though I'm tired. It was a hot weekend, but it was relaxing and I didn't think about work until later today, when I decided not to do any today. I know it will affect my work week this week and I'll feel extra busy, but I kind … Continue reading September 16: I don’t want to
September 14: a little better
I'm on the verge of falling asleep so I'm going to be brief. Today was better with the class I had been struggling with. I'm sure there will be days where I leave exhausted and frustrated again, but I restarted with them as best I could. I gave a survey to ask a bunch of … Continue reading September 14: a little better
September 12: The Ass and the Class – A Fable
Today was... difficult. Don't get me wrong, most of the day was good, but just super busy. I think I let small things bother me too much and I think I might be trying to do too much. As usual. BUT... today, a kid who has been trying my patience since the beginning of school … Continue reading September 12: The Ass and the Class – A Fable
Adventures in Distraction 