Sunny Sunday

It was beautiful today in middle Mississippi. Sunny and almost warm. Last day of February and plants are budding-but wait-what's that being predicted for Tuesday? Snow? More snow. Oh, come on. We are already having to make up missed school days on holidays and possibly Saturdays. I'm ready for warmer weather. The pool is looking very inviting as I walk around the neighborhood. Not wishing my days away-just needing more vitamin D.
Finished reading Dead Men Don't Dance by Margaret Chittenden. Haven't read any of her books before. This one was enjoyable. Will look for more of her books. Have got to stop reading and get to writing on National Boards. Wish I could talk instead of write about these PGEs. I'm such a good talker.
I finished a crocheted scarf made from variegated merino and silk yarn. The kids saw me working on it while we were having the wax museum. I can't wait to show it to them. It was just another way to avoid writing.
The quilt is one of the things I need to write about. We made it in summer school as a culminating project to show what the kids liked about the activities we had done together.

A warmer day

Dreaming of a warmer day last summer in New Mexico. I'm tired of cold, dark mornings. I'm looking forward to Spring Break in two week. Just have to get through two state mandated tests and nine-weeks tests. Looking for a fresh idea for an art project with the kids. Just had a thought about dot markers and black crayons. Next week we are going to read Dr. Seuss all week and enjoy the fun he had with words and rhymes. Can't wait.

Busy Tuesday

Had fun today reading Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears to kindergarten and first graders. Then, instead of drawing or writing about the story, I gave them all easy books that they could read. Little bad boy in first grade who can't read as well as the others, came and read his little book to me. He was so proud he could read it. That's the best! He wants to be good and smart and it is so hard for him. There is still time to learn. Don't give up.

What a Monday

Wish I was back on this lovely island.
Today I got to sit in the hall and crochet and read for 4 1/2 hours. I crocheted about 15 inches of a beautiful, multicolored scarf. The funny thing was all the kids who passed asked, "What are you knitting?" I tried to explain that I was not knitting, I was crocheting. All the same to them.
I read some really good parts of Teaching Essentials. I wanted to copy pages and pages and share with everyone at school. Imagine-make meaning the first consideration when you plan! Revolutionary in these times. What about test prep? How will they pass those tests? The insanity has to stop or we will be just like the movie 'Idiocracy'.

quiet sunday

Finished Hamish McBeth mystery. It was a good'un. He got away again-from getting married, I mean. He also caught the bad guys. What a hero! One day I'm going to have to watch the BBC TV show based on the books.

I revised my first component on the National Boards to-do list. And I edited the video so that there are more kids talking. Hope this does it for the video portion of the games. I really hate video-taping. Also, went thru old files finding documents for component 3. There is so much to choose from and I don't know what will make the best impression on the assessors.

Jane, the black cat, is having a meowling moment. She wants something-not food, not outside, what? Nobody will play with her or pet her. Everyone is busy. Sorry, Jane.

perfect winter day

Today was the perfect winter day in Mississippi. The sky was clear blue with wisps of high clouds. The temperature was about 65, warm enough to open windows in the afternoon and let some fresh air in. The cats enjoyed sitting in chairs by the open windows sniffing all the delightful outside smells. Little fatty can't go outside because she eats things she shouldn't. Jane just wants to roll in the dust and check out the perimeter before coming back inside to nap in the usual places.

On the to-do list, I edited another 10 minute video for national boards. Hope this one will do or I will have to borrow the camcorder and do another round. Now I'm cogitating about 8 pieces of evidence for the next section. I have saved everything but can't decide what to use and what to discard. Getting help next week.

So, there are more things on the list but what I want to do is finish the Hamish McBeth mystery that is teasing me. Only about 50 pages to go. I'll work hard after I finish it. I promise.

silly kids and tired teachers

Well, by Friday the kids are so silly and ready for freedom and the teachers are so tired of trying to rein them in like run-away horses. Whew! The bell just sounded and soon the buses will take them home to their TVs and video games.
I can't wait to get back to MC Beaton's latest Hamish McBeth mystery. It seems like forever since I've read one. Makes me want to visit the Highlands. Lots to do this weekend. Need to start the to-do list again. When I write it down it seems to get done.
Hope you have a restful weekend.