What I’m Reading and/or Planning to Read for the Summer

This is my Summer Reading List: ***New book added to the list: Reading Strategies for Elementary Students with Learning Difficulties (Strategies for RTI) by William Bender & Martha J. Larkin Septimus Heap- Magyk- Book 1 by Angie Sage Septimus Heap- Flyte- Book 2 by Angie Sage Septimus Heap- Physik- Book 3 by Angie Sage Septimus [...]

How to Make a Classroom Family!

I was talking to my friend Nikki about little girls & waterworks. I mentioned the story about Donut Girl & Sweetie Pie with tears in their eyes as I walked into the music room. Even before I saw their tear streaked faces, I knew something was wrong because they weren’t sitting together and there was [...]

Save $10 off $50 Purchase @ Lakeshore

If you would like to save $10 off your next online $50 purchase @ Lakeshore, type in the following code at checkout: FNBDZZ244044762.

Ugggh, I Hate Cleaning the Classroom!!!!!

Ugggghhhh, the one thing I hate about teaching, is not teaching, it’s cleaning the classroom afterward. Much to my chagrin, it seems like every single paper I could not find during the year, magically appears. Today, I ended up tossing them. Well, I finally finished today. I took a few extra minutes to straighten out [...]

The U.C.L.A. Writing Project

Yesterday I attended a writing workshop hosted by The U.C.L.A. Writing Project. It was absolutely fantastic. I got so much out of this workshop. For the first time I feel like I have the tools that I need to teach writing properly. I would like to go further with this program. I learned from the [...]

African American Leaders for Tomorrow Program

I received this from a friend of mine. If you or someone you know could benefit from this, please apply or pass it on. African American Leaders for Tomorrow Program Application Deadline: Friday, July 1, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. African American Leaders for Tomorrow Program (AALTP) is a week-long leadership training program for 50 high [...]

Nice to Mr. P, Not Me!

Thursday was a very emotional day for me. It was the second to the last day of school, so the parents arranged for the class to have lunch. I will get to that. However, I want to discuss my students being nice to the substitute, Mr. P., the day before when I was absent because [...]

Congratulations are in Order!

I am not at work today. I took off for a special occasion- David’s graduation. So, I have to say Congratulations to my little graduate. I cannot believe he is graduating from the 8th grade today. My baby is going to high school. As I always say, where did the time go?

Tips on Stocking A Classroom Store

If you are a teacher, chances are you have a classroom store or something similar. Well, I’ve discovered the hard & expensive way that, even though I want to, I cannot afford to spend as much money as I want. So, I figured out the cheapest way for me is to: Only let the students [...]

Teacher Confession, Part 4

I could not work at a job where I was required to work year round. I love getting my summers off.

“I Don’t Like Mexicans,” He Said.

“I don’t like Mexicans,” said one of my Guatemalan students (Car Boy). “Why do you say that,” I asked. Well, this kid, that I don’t like, kicked me in the ‘nads yesterday. “Ok,” I said, “What does that have to do with Mexican people. “Well, this kid is Mexican,” he said. “So, let me get [...]

Teacher Confession, Part 3

I’m afraid that I can’t keep topping myself. Essentially, what I’m afraid of is plateauing. I’m afraid of being one of those teachers who don’t really teach; the ones who rest on their laurels.

Teacher Confession, Part 2

I’m afraid that I will run out of gas (like I am now) in the middle of the year, instead of the end.

Teaching Confession, Part 1

Here’s my confession. I’m not sure if I shared this before, but here it goes. Sometimes I feel like a fraud; like all the students I’ve had (or thought I had) success with are some how going to revert back to their former selves who didn’t know how to read or who behaved very badly.

Google’s Ode to Les Paul

I have to hand it to Google. They have the best home page. They are even interactive. Right now, as an ode to Les Paul, they have an interactive guitar that you can actually play and record. Once you’ve recorded it, a link appears for you to click on and hear. You have to go [...]

Out Of Gas! Part Whatever

Dear Readers, I am out of gas. I have no energy. Thank God it is the end of the school year; or maybe it’s because of the end of the school year that I don’t have any energy. Whatever is going on, I don’t have any energy. People are constantly telling me that I look [...]