Hey all, sorry to have been M.I.A these last few weeks; I'm sure you've all been on pins and needles anxiously awaiting the return of my delightful wit and incredible storytelling powers. :)
When I last blogged the kids and I were about to make our way to DC. Needless to say, it was incredible! The kids had a great time seeing all the sights you could cram into 2 1/2 days; they went bananas over the Air and Space museum (where I spent the 90 minutes just sitting... it felt awesome) and thought the Declaration of Independence was pretty cool (Ms. Miller, you can barely see the writing!!!). I loved being able to watch their faces as we walked up the stairs of the Lincoln Monument and they took in just how enormous the statue of Lincoln is and their momentary shock and horror when they thought there might have been a typo carved into the wall of the monument. Don't worry, there isn't. We visited the Air Force memorial which made Robbie's whole trip, seriously have never seen that kid so giddy! And Kirby just about died when we stopped by the World War II memorial where he proceeded to bombard us with facts and figures about every aspect of the entire war! My girls are girls and thought our lunch at the Pentagon City Mall was the best because they could do some real shopping. I'll admit it, I speed ate my lunch so I could hit some shops... I missed that place!
I am so happy I had the opportunity to take such an awesome group of kids to one of my favorite places in the world and share my enthusiasm for our nation's history. That being said, I don't see myself doing this again in the next year or two. It was exhausting!!!
I realize that I devoted two fairly substantial blogs to the first few days of our trip and a paragraph to the last several but the details of the trip are starting to fade and I've been busy with some really cool things in the last few weeks.
My parents and I took a long weekend trip to see Ben and Michelle. It was so much fun visiting them and getting close to Moscow. Someday I will make it all the way there!!! I need to hit the bookstore and get some new Vandal gear!
Leah and I took a bestie trip to Boise where we spent time with our great girlfriends. Jerome made a brief appearance and it was so great to see her! Our little traveling gnome is enjoying her time in Wisconsin and has us thinking about taking a girl's trip to Madison. Bring on the cheese!!!
Last but not least, Ben and I moved!!! We packed up our tiny apartment and moved into a nice, big townhouse. And you know what, it's freaking fantastic! We have so much room that it's crazy! We have so much room in fact that we had to buy a new couch to fill up an empty room. The kitchen is crazy spacious compared to the tiny galley I had at the apartment so I'll be able to expand my cooking adventures and try out some new recipes! Never fear dear readers, I'll post lots of pictures!
The place is slowly taking shape and I'm hoping to have it set up and ready to show off before school starts; the couch should be here soon, I'm hoping to get our dining table out of storage in the next day or two and picture hanging shouldn't take too long and then it will feel like home!
Once the place it all put together I'll post some photos of the new place. And for those of you who live close there might just be a party or two to attend at the new casa! Keep your eyes post for the invites!
Alright my lovelies, I'm off to nap! TTFN!!!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
And I'm Back!!! (Part Two)
Alright folks, let's pick up where we left off. As you'll recall the kids and I made it from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake to Atlanta with no trouble at all. Well as soon as we boarded the plane in Atlanta all our good travel karma must have been spent because things started to unravel and fast!!!
The plane was boarded and all the passengers were ready to go but alas the Delta control room, or whatever it's called was not. There was some sort of computer issue that the pilot kept assuring us would only take a few minutes to solve; we gave him the benefit of the doubt the first 3 times he said that... after that it was all the people around me could do not to start screaming "LIAR!!!" It is at this point that Alexis leans over the seat two rows up and across the aisle to inform me that she left her wallet with ALL her money and ALL her debit cards on the other plane! Ummm, WTF?!?! No that wasn't my response because you don't say that to 13 year olds but that's definitely what was going through my head and, according to the woman next to me, what you could read on my face. Instead here is the discussion verbatim
Me: "Are you sure? Remember how I told you to check all around you and in your bags to make sure you had everything before we get off the plane?"
Alexis: "Uh, yeah".
Me: "Well did you?"
Alexis: "I guess not"
Robby and Elijah in unison: "DUDE!!!"
Aspen and Shannon in unison: "Shut up Elijah!"
Me: "We don't say shut up! Alexis call your mom"
Alexis: Why?"
Me: "Uh, maybe because you have no money and she might like to know that"
Alexis: Blank Stare
Pilot: "Okay folks, we'll be taking off shortly I promise"
Me: "Alexis... call... your... mom... now............ (clenched teeth, deep breathes, imagining being on a beach with an INCREDIBLY large drink) NOW!"
At this point I flag down a flight attendant and explain the situation and ask if I can get the number for customer service so I can do my part to get the wallet back. This is a 30 minute process which is fine because WE'RE STILL ON THE GROUND!!! Just a head's up; if you lose something on a plane you have to file a claim online. No one at Delta will talk to you about it, so annoying. I tell Alexis to call her mom back so I can fill her in on what I found out and she just stares at me. Aspen informs me that Alexis hasn't called her mom yet. This did not sit well and try as I might I could not contain the teacher face (very similar to the mom face but slightly less terrifying). Alexis finally pulled out her phone and called her mom and as you can imagine the conversation wasn't a terribly pleasant one for Alexis. I filled her mom in on where to go and what to do along with flight and seat numbers and told her good-bye. As I was hanging up, the pilot came on to tell us that we were cleared for take off and we'd be in the air in 5 minutes. Well that 5 minutes became 15 but whatever, we weren't at the gate anymore that was huge progress.
I have to stay that during our 2 hour delay the kids were wonderful. They didn't complain and they didn't annoy each other or those around them. They were complimented by the folks around us and I was offered many drinks (on the sly of course) because people think you need many drinks when they hear you're chaperoning 7 teenagers on a trip that last 5 days. I declined the beverages (regretfully) and focused on taking a nap.
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Dulles has never been a favorite airport of mine but I was soooo thrilled to see it because it meant we were finally there!!! As the kids and I got off the plane we all waved good-bye and agreed to leave our bad travel karma on the plane. It worked because the rest of the trip went beautifully! We met up with the rest of our group, two schools from California and loaded onto the bus. Our first order of business was dinner at Cheeseburger Paradise (interesting place) and then it was off to Williamsburg to get a good nights sleep.
Day 3:
Our first full day of adventure and sight-seeing. We began the day in Jamestown and that was really interesting. We saw replicas of the ships the men came over on and the village they lived in. We got a lesson in blacksmithing and learned how to make nails and unanimously decided that 17th century clothing wouldn't be fun to wear in 90 degree heat.
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After Jamestown we headed to lunch in Willamsburg; we dined on ham sandwiches (thick, crusty bread that made me thing of Europe) at a darling restaurant called The Cheese Shoppe. The kids got a lesson in how small the world really is when our guide asked if we knew Marty Trillhaus, who local readers might know as the editor of the Idaho Falls Post Register. Somehow our guide (who's name I have managed to forget) and Marty are related, distantly. After lunch there was some shopping in the cute local shops and then it was on to Colonial Williamsburg.
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Despite the insane temperatures and oppressive humidity we had so much fun at Williamsburg! The kids loved seeing the old buildings and learning about the history of the town and it's people. We saw several actors rehearsing new skits (Holy crap Ms. Miller! Those guys have swords!!!) and learned all about colonial wig making. The secret? Goat hair. Who'd have thunk? While in the wig maker's shop she asked my kids were asked which grown up was theirs and I nervously raised my hand. And then she said the magic words, "I don't say this often but you have such an incredibly well behaved groups of students. They were so polite and asked such wonderful questions." The kids were beaming and well, darn it, so was I. When we left I pointed out that what had just happened is why adults are always harping on them to behave.
There were a few more sites to see in Willamsburg and they were all really interesting but after the wig maker's they weren't highlights. Dinner however was about to become the coolest part of the day.
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We ate at one of the dining rooms at the College of William and Mary and the kids were amazed because there were college kids there! And there were like 20 choices for dessert! And there was soda! And real plates! On the bus I established my second trip rule; When veggies are an option, you will eat some. And no, french fries and baked potatoes ARE NOT veggies. The kids took this in stride and enjoyed big salads and fresh green beans with their burgers and mac and cheese. Kirby sat down with an entire place of raw broccoli, color me impressed and his roommates fearing for the evening ahead of them.
After dinner we had a ghost story tour whose impact was lessened due to the brightness of the evening and then it was off for DC! FINALLY!!!
Alright, I will be back in a day or two to finish up the story of our trip but now I must prepare myself to make this...
The plane was boarded and all the passengers were ready to go but alas the Delta control room, or whatever it's called was not. There was some sort of computer issue that the pilot kept assuring us would only take a few minutes to solve; we gave him the benefit of the doubt the first 3 times he said that... after that it was all the people around me could do not to start screaming "LIAR!!!" It is at this point that Alexis leans over the seat two rows up and across the aisle to inform me that she left her wallet with ALL her money and ALL her debit cards on the other plane! Ummm, WTF?!?! No that wasn't my response because you don't say that to 13 year olds but that's definitely what was going through my head and, according to the woman next to me, what you could read on my face. Instead here is the discussion verbatim
Me: "Are you sure? Remember how I told you to check all around you and in your bags to make sure you had everything before we get off the plane?"
Alexis: "Uh, yeah".
Me: "Well did you?"
Alexis: "I guess not"
Robby and Elijah in unison: "DUDE!!!"
Aspen and Shannon in unison: "Shut up Elijah!"
Me: "We don't say shut up! Alexis call your mom"
Alexis: Why?"
Me: "Uh, maybe because you have no money and she might like to know that"
Alexis: Blank Stare
Pilot: "Okay folks, we'll be taking off shortly I promise"
Me: "Alexis... call... your... mom... now............ (clenched teeth, deep breathes, imagining being on a beach with an INCREDIBLY large drink) NOW!"
At this point I flag down a flight attendant and explain the situation and ask if I can get the number for customer service so I can do my part to get the wallet back. This is a 30 minute process which is fine because WE'RE STILL ON THE GROUND!!! Just a head's up; if you lose something on a plane you have to file a claim online. No one at Delta will talk to you about it, so annoying. I tell Alexis to call her mom back so I can fill her in on what I found out and she just stares at me. Aspen informs me that Alexis hasn't called her mom yet. This did not sit well and try as I might I could not contain the teacher face (very similar to the mom face but slightly less terrifying). Alexis finally pulled out her phone and called her mom and as you can imagine the conversation wasn't a terribly pleasant one for Alexis. I filled her mom in on where to go and what to do along with flight and seat numbers and told her good-bye. As I was hanging up, the pilot came on to tell us that we were cleared for take off and we'd be in the air in 5 minutes. Well that 5 minutes became 15 but whatever, we weren't at the gate anymore that was huge progress.
I have to stay that during our 2 hour delay the kids were wonderful. They didn't complain and they didn't annoy each other or those around them. They were complimented by the folks around us and I was offered many drinks (on the sly of course) because people think you need many drinks when they hear you're chaperoning 7 teenagers on a trip that last 5 days. I declined the beverages (regretfully) and focused on taking a nap.
Dulles has never been a favorite airport of mine but I was soooo thrilled to see it because it meant we were finally there!!! As the kids and I got off the plane we all waved good-bye and agreed to leave our bad travel karma on the plane. It worked because the rest of the trip went beautifully! We met up with the rest of our group, two schools from California and loaded onto the bus. Our first order of business was dinner at Cheeseburger Paradise (interesting place) and then it was off to Williamsburg to get a good nights sleep.
Day 3:
Our first full day of adventure and sight-seeing. We began the day in Jamestown and that was really interesting. We saw replicas of the ships the men came over on and the village they lived in. We got a lesson in blacksmithing and learned how to make nails and unanimously decided that 17th century clothing wouldn't be fun to wear in 90 degree heat.
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| The Governor's Masion |
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| The oh so delcious Cheese Shop |
Despite the insane temperatures and oppressive humidity we had so much fun at Williamsburg! The kids loved seeing the old buildings and learning about the history of the town and it's people. We saw several actors rehearsing new skits (Holy crap Ms. Miller! Those guys have swords!!!) and learned all about colonial wig making. The secret? Goat hair. Who'd have thunk? While in the wig maker's shop she asked my kids were asked which grown up was theirs and I nervously raised my hand. And then she said the magic words, "I don't say this often but you have such an incredibly well behaved groups of students. They were so polite and asked such wonderful questions." The kids were beaming and well, darn it, so was I. When we left I pointed out that what had just happened is why adults are always harping on them to behave.
There were a few more sites to see in Willamsburg and they were all really interesting but after the wig maker's they weren't highlights. Dinner however was about to become the coolest part of the day.
After dinner we had a ghost story tour whose impact was lessened due to the brightness of the evening and then it was off for DC! FINALLY!!!
Alright, I will be back in a day or two to finish up the story of our trip but now I must prepare myself to make this...
| Fig and Prosciutto Pizza, recipe and image courtesy of Yummy Mummy at http://www.yummymummykitchen.com/ |
Monday, July 4, 2011
And I'm Back!!! (Part One)
Okay, I've actually been back for awhile but I needed some serious recovery time. In case you're wondering, traveling with seven teenagers (who aren't yours, haven't been away from mom and dad and have never stepped foot on a plane) is EX...wait for it...HAUSTING!!! Even when they're really good; like constantly getting complimented by total strangers good. Moms and Dads everywhere... I bow at your feet in total awe and utter amazement of how easy you make traveling with kids seem!
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So without further adieu, here's my (highly biased) recap of our whirlwind tour of our Nation's capitol on this our Nation's birthday, which is total coincidence by the way!
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And on that cliffhanger dear readers, I'm going to bid you good evening. I'm tired and feel my comfy bed beckoning me!!!
Day 1: Monday evening Aspen's grandma was kind enough to drive us all down to Salt Lake City where we stayed the night at the ever exciting Baymont Inn (thanks Anna for the suggestion). The kids were thrilled to get in the pool and I was thrilled to have my own room. Lights were out by 10:30 (though because I wasn't specific ENOUGH, Elijah stayed up till 3 watching TV) because we had to be up and ready to go at 5 am. Now, I'm not sure how many of you know this but, as this trip taught me, kids are REALLY hard to wake up that early and once they're up their level of functioning is akin to that of a turnip. This profound insight leads us to...
Day 2: The kids met me in the lobby at 5 so we could grab the shuttle which ended up being 15 minutes late. The kids suggested I give the drive tardy detention; I declined. We get all checked in and things are running smoothly till we get to security (of course, right?). I reminded the kids a good dozen times that liquids are not allowed through security unless they fit in a Ziploc bag... well it appears 12 reminders were not enough because Alexis, dear, sweet would lose her head if it weren't firmly attached, Alexis left her FULL water bottle in her suitcase and to go all the way through security again. Ugh, not what Ms. Miller wants to deal with before her first cup of coffee!!!
Once the whole water bottle incident was cleared up we headed to our gate, stopping only to grab some, always yummy, Burger King for breakfast. As they called pre-boarding for our flight I may or may have pretended that the kids had never been on a plane before. Hey now... save your judgement. Like I said the kids were not operating at peak levels and didn't think the rest of the passengers would appreciate being held up by a bunch of 13 year olds.
We got all settled in and the flight to Atlanta was a brief slice of heaven compared to what I was about to endure...
Sunday, June 19, 2011
My First (FUN) Summer Adventure
Many people think teachers have it super easy; we work for 9 months and then get 3 months off to lounge by the pool, eating bon bons and drinking iced tea. Oh dear readers, how I wish that were true! I have a pool, love bon bons and think iced tea is divine and yet I have not indulged in any of those things during the first two weeks of our summer break. Instead, I've attended a conference about Total Instructional Alignment in Pocatello and begun work on vertically aligning the social studies curriculum for our district.
Well I'm about to have my first summer adventure that could potentially fall into the "fun" category. Tomorrow I, along with 7 of my students, will be jetting off to our nation's capitol for five days full of sight-seeing, exploring and learning how our great nation was formed. Some of you know that I lived and worked in DC for a time after I graduated from college and that I loved every second of it. I'm thrilled to get back and to share my love of the city with my students, many of whom will be studying American history next year. All of the sights and sounds they take in will be even more meaningful when we get back into the classroom and really start diving into the foundations of America.
While I'm totally stoked to be taking the kids on this trip because I think every child should visit Washington, D.C., I'm exhausted by the herculean effort it's going to take to keep my darling dearests in their "happy" place. "What do you mean I can't take my computer?" "What do you mean we have to get up at 6?" Oh the joys of traveling with 13 year olds. Parents, how do you do it and come home with the same number of kids you left with? I'm impressed!
Anyway, I'll post pictures when we return. Enjoy your week; try to find some time to lay by a pool, overdose on chocolate and sip on some iced tea. But if you do, don't rub my face in it!
Well I'm about to have my first summer adventure that could potentially fall into the "fun" category. Tomorrow I, along with 7 of my students, will be jetting off to our nation's capitol for five days full of sight-seeing, exploring and learning how our great nation was formed. Some of you know that I lived and worked in DC for a time after I graduated from college and that I loved every second of it. I'm thrilled to get back and to share my love of the city with my students, many of whom will be studying American history next year. All of the sights and sounds they take in will be even more meaningful when we get back into the classroom and really start diving into the foundations of America.
While I'm totally stoked to be taking the kids on this trip because I think every child should visit Washington, D.C., I'm exhausted by the herculean effort it's going to take to keep my darling dearests in their "happy" place. "What do you mean I can't take my computer?" "What do you mean we have to get up at 6?" Oh the joys of traveling with 13 year olds. Parents, how do you do it and come home with the same number of kids you left with? I'm impressed!
Anyway, I'll post pictures when we return. Enjoy your week; try to find some time to lay by a pool, overdose on chocolate and sip on some iced tea. But if you do, don't rub my face in it!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
My new obsession (seriously love it more than my luggage)
Ben and I were invited to a Super Bowl party earlier this year and being raised by a Southern mama I knew I couldn't show up empty-handed; that just wouldn't be polite! So I threw some meatballs in the crock pot and did a quick search for a yummy sauce to let them swim in. Alas and alack I didn't find anything that sounded good so I started experimenting and developed a sauce that tasted REALLY, REALLY good... at least to me.
Well, it appears the sauce tasted REALLY good to lots of people because my meatballs were the first to be finished off. Yea me!!! Anyway, I've used this sauce on several other types of meat and I'm OBSESSED!!! I plan on making meatloaf tomorrow and using this sauce on top; I've heard from a reader on Tasty Kitchen that the sauce is delish on chicken wings as well and I can tell you it's fab on boneless pork ribs. So I thought I'd share it with you my dear readers. Does everyone have their pens and paper at the ready? Okay, here it is!
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
Melt the butter over medium heat on the stove, dice the garlic (I use my Ninja) and add to the butter. Saute for several minutes, you want it to be really fragrant. Add the ketchup, honey and soy sauce, stir together well and cook over medium heat. The longer it cooks the thicker it gets.
Once the sauce is made you can go ahead and throw in meatballs (from frozen if you're lazy like I am most nights) or pour it over chicken breasts, ribs, chops, etc and bake in the oven.
This sauce changed my life, this sauce makes me happy, this sauce might be good enough to bring about world peace. Okay, that last statement is an obvious over statement but if you make this sauce, it could bring peace and harmony into your home.
Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I LOVE bbq sauce. No, wait. That's not accurate, love isn't a grand enough word, it doesn't capture my true feelings for bbq sauce. I ADORE, ESTEEM, REVERE bbq sauce. You might be asking yourself "why is she rambling on about her obviously unhealthy feelings toward a condiment?" The reason is simple. I think I love this sauce MORE than I love bbq sauce. There, I said it. I feel better, don't you?
Now get up from whatever you're doing and make a batch of this sauce, use it on all your Memorial Day bbq fare. You won't be sorry!
Well, it appears the sauce tasted REALLY good to lots of people because my meatballs were the first to be finished off. Yea me!!! Anyway, I've used this sauce on several other types of meat and I'm OBSESSED!!! I plan on making meatloaf tomorrow and using this sauce on top; I've heard from a reader on Tasty Kitchen that the sauce is delish on chicken wings as well and I can tell you it's fab on boneless pork ribs. So I thought I'd share it with you my dear readers. Does everyone have their pens and paper at the ready? Okay, here it is!
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
Melt the butter over medium heat on the stove, dice the garlic (I use my Ninja) and add to the butter. Saute for several minutes, you want it to be really fragrant. Add the ketchup, honey and soy sauce, stir together well and cook over medium heat. The longer it cooks the thicker it gets.
Once the sauce is made you can go ahead and throw in meatballs (from frozen if you're lazy like I am most nights) or pour it over chicken breasts, ribs, chops, etc and bake in the oven.
This sauce changed my life, this sauce makes me happy, this sauce might be good enough to bring about world peace. Okay, that last statement is an obvious over statement but if you make this sauce, it could bring peace and harmony into your home.
Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I LOVE bbq sauce. No, wait. That's not accurate, love isn't a grand enough word, it doesn't capture my true feelings for bbq sauce. I ADORE, ESTEEM, REVERE bbq sauce. You might be asking yourself "why is she rambling on about her obviously unhealthy feelings toward a condiment?" The reason is simple. I think I love this sauce MORE than I love bbq sauce. There, I said it. I feel better, don't you?
Now get up from whatever you're doing and make a batch of this sauce, use it on all your Memorial Day bbq fare. You won't be sorry!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Amazed
A mere 5 days ago I posted a project on Donor's Choose to raise money to purchase some historical fiction novels for my classroom. It took 2 days to go through review and an amazing 2 days to be fully funded by my fantastic friends and family. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm surrounded by truly wonderful people who's caring, compassion and warmth know no bounds. Who's devotion to bettering the world for everyone, but especially children in need, is endless.
To everyone who donated to my project I offer another heartfelt thank you. You've made my transition to 8th grade a little easier. To everyone who said they were going to donate but weren't able to because of how quickly my needs were met, I offer thanks to you as well. The fact that you were going to part with your hard earned money to assist my students touches me greatly.
I am amazed at the success of this project and it has inspired me to plan a few more. Not any time soon, I don't want to be greedy! But like so many teachers I continue to be asked to do more with less money, time and resources and I need to look for outside resources to make the necessary things happen. Knowing that I have ALL of you on my side makes me feel like I can achieve more and more of what I hope to for my students.
For those of you who donated, I'll be sending thank you packages in October showing my students using the novels and reports on how the novels have helped them increase their understanding of American history as well their fluency and vocabularies.
Again, thank you to everyone who helped make this happen and wanted to have a part in bettering the lives of my students. You're angels, every one of you.
To everyone who donated to my project I offer another heartfelt thank you. You've made my transition to 8th grade a little easier. To everyone who said they were going to donate but weren't able to because of how quickly my needs were met, I offer thanks to you as well. The fact that you were going to part with your hard earned money to assist my students touches me greatly.
I am amazed at the success of this project and it has inspired me to plan a few more. Not any time soon, I don't want to be greedy! But like so many teachers I continue to be asked to do more with less money, time and resources and I need to look for outside resources to make the necessary things happen. Knowing that I have ALL of you on my side makes me feel like I can achieve more and more of what I hope to for my students.
For those of you who donated, I'll be sending thank you packages in October showing my students using the novels and reports on how the novels have helped them increase their understanding of American history as well their fluency and vocabularies.
Again, thank you to everyone who helped make this happen and wanted to have a part in bettering the lives of my students. You're angels, every one of you.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
My Donor's Choose Project
A few weeks ago I found out I'd be moving up to the 8th grade along with my current students and I'm not going to lie, I had mixed emotions about the move.
My entire career (which I'll admit is relatively new) has been spent in the 7th grade hall and it's my home. I'm comfortable there; I know the curriculum and have pretty good lessons prepared. I also happen to completely ADORE the women I work with and hate the thought of leaving them behind. Plus, I spent all year with these kids! While I'll love seeing most of the kids again there are some that I feel I've done my time with and others I thought I'd lucked on missing (Renee, you know who I'm talking about).
But... change is good, as is challenging oneself. I love the 8th grade curriculum, American history from colonial times through Reconstruction. This is what I spent most of college studying (hand in hand with government types and structures 'cause I'm a super nerd) and I can't wait to share my passion for the subject with the kids. I enjoy the 8th grade teachers and am looking forward to working with them. So when it's all said and done I'm happy to be moving on and to try my hand at something new.
Which, brings me to the title of this post. I have set up a project through Donor's Choose, you can view my page at http://www.donorschoose.org/Ms.Megan. I'm asking for 5 sets of historical fiction novels to use during our American Revolution and Civil War units. I hope that these novels will help the kids form connections with the time period (the novels all feature main characters the same age as my students) as well as to help increase fluency and vocabulary. Also, we'll be using these books in literature circles so the kids will be working in groups, taking turns filling various roles thus practicing their team building skills.
For those unfamiliar with my school, 70% of our students receive free or reduced lunch so resources at home are often limited and that includes access to quality reading materials. Many of our students struggle with reading and I want to provide them with books that they will find interesting and engaging but will also expand their understanding of the era, its people and events.
I know times are tight for a lot of people but that's the great thing about Donor's Choose, you can donate as much or as little as like. Anything you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much!
I'll be back with a recipe once the sinus pressure in my head dissipates and I know longer want to rip out my throat and tear off my ears. Lovely visual to leave you all with... you're welcome.
My entire career (which I'll admit is relatively new) has been spent in the 7th grade hall and it's my home. I'm comfortable there; I know the curriculum and have pretty good lessons prepared. I also happen to completely ADORE the women I work with and hate the thought of leaving them behind. Plus, I spent all year with these kids! While I'll love seeing most of the kids again there are some that I feel I've done my time with and others I thought I'd lucked on missing (Renee, you know who I'm talking about).
But... change is good, as is challenging oneself. I love the 8th grade curriculum, American history from colonial times through Reconstruction. This is what I spent most of college studying (hand in hand with government types and structures 'cause I'm a super nerd) and I can't wait to share my passion for the subject with the kids. I enjoy the 8th grade teachers and am looking forward to working with them. So when it's all said and done I'm happy to be moving on and to try my hand at something new.
Which, brings me to the title of this post. I have set up a project through Donor's Choose, you can view my page at http://www.donorschoose.org/Ms.Megan. I'm asking for 5 sets of historical fiction novels to use during our American Revolution and Civil War units. I hope that these novels will help the kids form connections with the time period (the novels all feature main characters the same age as my students) as well as to help increase fluency and vocabulary. Also, we'll be using these books in literature circles so the kids will be working in groups, taking turns filling various roles thus practicing their team building skills.
For those unfamiliar with my school, 70% of our students receive free or reduced lunch so resources at home are often limited and that includes access to quality reading materials. Many of our students struggle with reading and I want to provide them with books that they will find interesting and engaging but will also expand their understanding of the era, its people and events.
I know times are tight for a lot of people but that's the great thing about Donor's Choose, you can donate as much or as little as like. Anything you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much!
I'll be back with a recipe once the sinus pressure in my head dissipates and I know longer want to rip out my throat and tear off my ears. Lovely visual to leave you all with... you're welcome.
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