Just Another Day in Paradise

I taught like I was a crazy woman today. Writing, math, reading...social studies where I was observed by a dear soul who wants to be a full time teacher... and I even got individualized attention for the kids who need it.

Bob Marley came today with his hair strung up like it was in a mohawk. I swear. I can't make this stuff up, people.

Came home and helped with 6th grade math and science. Tenth grade work is under control. But I did listen to all the music practice going on and watched some gymnastics here in the living room. Tossed in a little more laundry before the state tells me that won't be allowed anymore and am getting ready to run the dishwasher (for the same reason). It's only Monday and my weekend is already booked - it is homecoming Friday and Prep is cheering; I'm singing at a funeral Saturday and we have to find something for all these girls to wear to their great-grandfather's 100th birthday. Oh yeah, y'all didn't know about this, now did you? Granddad is hitting triple digits soon, and we're taking this show all the way to Missouri. All of my inlaws are going to be present. I'm just happy I'm not the star of this show. I don't think people will know if I'm there or not (wrong: this is a command performance. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked if we've purchased airline tickets), and, to be honest, I wouldn't miss this for many, many reasons. The best one of all: the nine minute power point presentation with 96 pictures of Granddad's life. My only question was why aren't there 100 pictures?

Learning How to Write

Got a visit from more county people this week. They invaded my school space, talking about the wonders of Writer's Workshop. Don't get me wrong; I've heard good things about Writer's Workshop for a long time. Shoot, I think I participated in Writer's Workshop as a kid.

Let me tell you what bothers me about this visit. Our principal is the one who initiated this visit. Our state now requires the fifth grade to take the Writing Assessment, but passing it isn't necessary to go on to sixth grade. It would be one thing if we weren't involved in writing at all, but that isn't the case. We have spent tons of money working with a guy who has been to our school who has taught our kids how to write. We have worked with him and his ideas for years now, and his methods have been pretty successful. He doesn't align to Writer's Workshop very well, at all, though. But our principal is the one who initiated this writing method. I would be all for kicking him to the side of the road if he and his methods didn't work. We were completely stressed out after our county visit. They actually want us to completely dismantle what we are doing so we can do something else. Five weeks after we have already started school.

And now, I come to the irony. BrownBear came home from school that VERY afternoon and said her English teacher had asked where she had gone to elementary school. BrownBear told her and her English teacher told her that her first essay was excellent and to tell her old teachers that they had done a wonderful job with their writing program. Hello!!?? Remember where BrownBear went to elementary school? Guess where she learned how to write and which program she learned under? The very program our principal wants to ditch.