27 January 2007
Did you know...
According to the parents of one of my deviant 8th graders, Loritabs are just a glorified aspirin. Really??!!? No wonder the kid's such a screw-up, his parents are idiots too!!! He's been recommended for expulsion.
22 January 2007
And It Gets Better...
Needless to say, life can't get anymore ironic than this. So Big Daddy's Big Friend comes over late Saturday night after he gets off from work; he's a bouncer at a local bar. I'm asleep, Brad's in and out asleep on the couch. Big Friend is not very sober -- let's just say he was acting like one of my 8th graders. So Big Friend decides to play on my laptop some Internet Hearts, Spades, his usual, but his less-than-sober mind strays to more provocative topics.
Now I have a rule in my house with my computer, especially with all the boys around, no less-than-desirable material whatsoever. They know this, they know I get angry, they know my computer is my life. Well what does Big Friend do in his drugged state -- he manages to download over 20 viruses on my computer, including a worm and a Trojan Horse. You can imagine me -- &$(*&$@)!!!! *%(#)#@)&)@@&#!!!!
After searching through the various Spybots, AdAwares, and Norton's that I have on my computer to help protect us from this exact situation, we come to find out that Big Friend was just pushing "OK" for just about everything that came to the screen. Now of course I have a Pop-Up blocker, but he was clicking through the ActiveX Controls and downloading everything but the kitchen sink. He managed to do this in a matter of 2 hours. Ok, don't we all know to never push "OK"!!!! If you didn't already know this, put it in your head, don't push "OK" or whatever that damn button says.
Luckily, Big Daddy has some good friends who happen to work as IT people and can help us out. My computer is now at Good Friend's house and he's working to clean up the mess that Big Friend made. What makes it wonderful, is that I was dealing with this same level of nonsense with my 8th graders...I would rather deal with 8th graders' lack of judgment anyday. It was like a full circle moment!!! HAHAHAHA!!!! Isn't my life wonderful???
Now I have a rule in my house with my computer, especially with all the boys around, no less-than-desirable material whatsoever. They know this, they know I get angry, they know my computer is my life. Well what does Big Friend do in his drugged state -- he manages to download over 20 viruses on my computer, including a worm and a Trojan Horse. You can imagine me -- &$(*&$@)!!!! *%(#)#@)&)@@&#!!!!
After searching through the various Spybots, AdAwares, and Norton's that I have on my computer to help protect us from this exact situation, we come to find out that Big Friend was just pushing "OK" for just about everything that came to the screen. Now of course I have a Pop-Up blocker, but he was clicking through the ActiveX Controls and downloading everything but the kitchen sink. He managed to do this in a matter of 2 hours. Ok, don't we all know to never push "OK"!!!! If you didn't already know this, put it in your head, don't push "OK" or whatever that damn button says.
Luckily, Big Daddy has some good friends who happen to work as IT people and can help us out. My computer is now at Good Friend's house and he's working to clean up the mess that Big Friend made. What makes it wonderful, is that I was dealing with this same level of nonsense with my 8th graders...I would rather deal with 8th graders' lack of judgment anyday. It was like a full circle moment!!! HAHAHAHA!!!! Isn't my life wonderful???
21 January 2007
Loritabs and Leatherheads
This week has been interesting to say the least.
First, the Loritabs. Friday morning I was in the middle of 1st period going over the assignment due this week. As I was talking, the resource officer (a local cop) stepped in and pulled out a student of mine. At first I wasn't very surprised -- this student doesn't care, doesn't try and this is his 2nd time in 8th grade. So I go on about my business and when the bell rings for the next class I step in the hall to get the scoop from my fellow teachers. Turns out everyone is clueless -- this rarely happens in a school setting. My friend Becky has walked into the lounge right next to my room and another student (not the one pulled from my class) was in there with 2 cops. So interest is peaked even more. Well, Becky has 3rd period planning and goes to the office to find somethings out. She comes and gets me during 3rd period to let me know she knows and I proceed to tell my students, "I'll be right back" -- it's a good class, no worries. So, this is it.
One of my other students, a past troublemaker who has calmed down this year and is actually trying, had brought Loritabs to school and was "distributing" them to other students (ie. the kid pulled out of 1st period). Some of the kids had it on them, others had taken it already, it was amazing. The first thing I thought was, "Damn!! Loritabs!! They even make me loopy, imagine an 8th grader!!!" So it turns out 2 kids get charged, the one who brought it had gotten rid of it so there was no evidence on him but he was named as being the distributor. All in all, there were 5 kids we know about who were involved. They could be expelled but you never know.
I just recieved an e-mail from my kid who brought the pills -- he was apologizing to me and hoping I wasn't mad at him. This kid has done well by me and has pulled higher grades in science then he's ever had; he comes to talk to me when he has issues, he knows I care about his progress. It's a such a hard situation...blah!!!
So, that's Loritabs, now on to Leatherheads. Leatherheads is the new George Clooney movie that's set to film in Anderson, SC and Greer, SC. Well, the Executive Producers of this movie love Gerard's, where Big Daddy works so they've been there consistently for about 3 weeks now. Friday night, Big Daddy was closing up shop and 4 people walk in and he introduced himself, like the wonderful bartender he is, and asks their names. They all give their names and the last one was "Renee" -- Renee Zellweger to be exact. So he chatted them up and such and Zellweger's friend proceeds to hit on him for the course of the evening. Big Daddy comes home and tells me, and of course I'm so excited, asking questions, you know me. Turns out (I love this) -- Renee is was too skinny to be attractive, is majorly self-conscious (always hiding her neck), and was constantly doing that annoying-ass, I-just-ate-a-lemon face. I got such a kick out of it.
George Clooney has been lined up to make his appearance and I so can't wait for that. I wish I could be there, sit at the bar, and just look at him -- he's so sexy!!! I know he'll be in the private room upstairs but hey, it's George Clooney!!! I'll update you when it happens, Big Daddy will have tons of questions to answer!!!
First, the Loritabs. Friday morning I was in the middle of 1st period going over the assignment due this week. As I was talking, the resource officer (a local cop) stepped in and pulled out a student of mine. At first I wasn't very surprised -- this student doesn't care, doesn't try and this is his 2nd time in 8th grade. So I go on about my business and when the bell rings for the next class I step in the hall to get the scoop from my fellow teachers. Turns out everyone is clueless -- this rarely happens in a school setting. My friend Becky has walked into the lounge right next to my room and another student (not the one pulled from my class) was in there with 2 cops. So interest is peaked even more. Well, Becky has 3rd period planning and goes to the office to find somethings out. She comes and gets me during 3rd period to let me know she knows and I proceed to tell my students, "I'll be right back" -- it's a good class, no worries. So, this is it.
One of my other students, a past troublemaker who has calmed down this year and is actually trying, had brought Loritabs to school and was "distributing" them to other students (ie. the kid pulled out of 1st period). Some of the kids had it on them, others had taken it already, it was amazing. The first thing I thought was, "Damn!! Loritabs!! They even make me loopy, imagine an 8th grader!!!" So it turns out 2 kids get charged, the one who brought it had gotten rid of it so there was no evidence on him but he was named as being the distributor. All in all, there were 5 kids we know about who were involved. They could be expelled but you never know.
I just recieved an e-mail from my kid who brought the pills -- he was apologizing to me and hoping I wasn't mad at him. This kid has done well by me and has pulled higher grades in science then he's ever had; he comes to talk to me when he has issues, he knows I care about his progress. It's a such a hard situation...blah!!!
So, that's Loritabs, now on to Leatherheads. Leatherheads is the new George Clooney movie that's set to film in Anderson, SC and Greer, SC. Well, the Executive Producers of this movie love Gerard's, where Big Daddy works so they've been there consistently for about 3 weeks now. Friday night, Big Daddy was closing up shop and 4 people walk in and he introduced himself, like the wonderful bartender he is, and asks their names. They all give their names and the last one was "Renee" -- Renee Zellweger to be exact. So he chatted them up and such and Zellweger's friend proceeds to hit on him for the course of the evening. Big Daddy comes home and tells me, and of course I'm so excited, asking questions, you know me. Turns out (I love this) -- Renee is was too skinny to be attractive, is majorly self-conscious (always hiding her neck), and was constantly doing that annoying-ass, I-just-ate-a-lemon face. I got such a kick out of it.
George Clooney has been lined up to make his appearance and I so can't wait for that. I wish I could be there, sit at the bar, and just look at him -- he's so sexy!!! I know he'll be in the private room upstairs but hey, it's George Clooney!!! I'll update you when it happens, Big Daddy will have tons of questions to answer!!!
12 January 2007
The Woes of Public School
I'm a good teacher, I know I'm a good teacher, but this teacher is having major issues. I know it's impossible to cover all the Standards that I'm required to teach but that leaves me conflicted. Being an 8th grade science teacher, I have 6 main topics that I am required to cover during the school year. So far of the 6, I am on #3.
This is how it breaks down. Six major concepts (Standards) are broken down into multiple indicators. For example, I teach geology. It took me 16 weeks to cover all 7 indicators under the over-encompassing Standard. NowI'm starting the 2nd semester; I'm on biological history and I'll actually cover all 6 indicators over the course of one unit (absolutely amazing!!!). I have 3 more major Standards to cover this year and my students need to know all this information for their wonderful state standardized test at the end of the year. But this Spring is not conducive to much teaching. My students will take 3 standardized tests (which are usually taken in either science or social studies because we teach everyone), have 2 weeks of sex ed (which is taught in the science classes even though its not science Standards **that's another rant in itself**), a week of Spring Break and a week and a half of Final Exams.
To make things even better, students and teachers are "tracked" according to the scores on the state standardized test. Students are ranked -- Below Basic, Basic, Proficient and Advanced and these ranks follow them into the next grade in their file. Teachers are graded according to their students' ranks and the percentages of those ranks, then those scores are compared to all other teachers in their subject area at the school.
It's a double-edged sword -- cram all the Standards in and work quickly so you get it all done before the wonderful test or take the time to actually teach your kids but chance not covering all the information. I am truly conflicted and I needed to get this off my chest. My mentor says they never cover it all but I have issues with that. I guess I need to swallow my conflict and just teach until I can't anymore. The joys of being a first year passionate teacher!
This is how it breaks down. Six major concepts (Standards) are broken down into multiple indicators. For example, I teach geology. It took me 16 weeks to cover all 7 indicators under the over-encompassing Standard. NowI'm starting the 2nd semester; I'm on biological history and I'll actually cover all 6 indicators over the course of one unit (absolutely amazing!!!). I have 3 more major Standards to cover this year and my students need to know all this information for their wonderful state standardized test at the end of the year. But this Spring is not conducive to much teaching. My students will take 3 standardized tests (which are usually taken in either science or social studies because we teach everyone), have 2 weeks of sex ed (which is taught in the science classes even though its not science Standards **that's another rant in itself**), a week of Spring Break and a week and a half of Final Exams.
To make things even better, students and teachers are "tracked" according to the scores on the state standardized test. Students are ranked -- Below Basic, Basic, Proficient and Advanced and these ranks follow them into the next grade in their file. Teachers are graded according to their students' ranks and the percentages of those ranks, then those scores are compared to all other teachers in their subject area at the school.
It's a double-edged sword -- cram all the Standards in and work quickly so you get it all done before the wonderful test or take the time to actually teach your kids but chance not covering all the information. I am truly conflicted and I needed to get this off my chest. My mentor says they never cover it all but I have issues with that. I guess I need to swallow my conflict and just teach until I can't anymore. The joys of being a first year passionate teacher!
07 January 2007
Hello Wisconsin!!!
So Wisconsin rocks. All I've truly known about Wisconsin, I've learned from That 70's Show, so this trip was truly enlightening. I flew from CLT to MKE, only after some re-arranging due to a cancelled flight. All I have to say about the airport stuff -- there's just as many issues as standby but now the issues are more expensive to me. All ended up well -- Loud and I discovered Milwaukee's Little Mexico, managed to wander our way into downtown and proceeded to eat dinner and experience a little bit of Milwaukee; I was happy I got to have my Bratwurst & Knackwurst!!! After our excursion, we picked up BBR with no issues and headed to Madison.
Saturday morning, we woke up and started our day at The Hubbard. It was everything I wanted and expected it to be. I love diners!!! We then headed out to see Epic. That place was amazing -- what a ecclectic work environment. You'd find something new there everyday!!!
Saturday p.m. we headed to dinner in Madison & went for after drinks at Frida's -- the little Latin restaurant that turned hip-hop come 11pm. Some of Loud's friends from work dropped in and the night was full of energy. Madison is definitely a cool town!!
Come Sunday, the fun began -- Loud tells the story well, I just had to add in a visual of the drunk hostess.
Saturday morning, we woke up and started our day at The Hubbard. It was everything I wanted and expected it to be. I love diners!!! We then headed out to see Epic. That place was amazing -- what a ecclectic work environment. You'd find something new there everyday!!!
Saturday p.m. we headed to dinner in Madison & went for after drinks at Frida's -- the little Latin restaurant that turned hip-hop come 11pm. Some of Loud's friends from work dropped in and the night was full of energy. Madison is definitely a cool town!! Come Sunday, the fun began -- Loud tells the story well, I just had to add in a visual of the drunk hostess.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)