The Wonderful World of Sarah and Robbie

Halloween, Eels and Bigfoot

2009-11-08T21:32:00.010-06:00

Okay, not to talk about my students 24/7, but they have been pretty hilarious lately. One thing about teaching is that you have to have a sense humor to keep your sanity.

Exhibit A:

I looove Halloween, so I played it up quite a bit in my class. I read spooky stories and went the whole 9 yards: lights off, a creepy flashlight under my chin, scratchy voice and jumping out to scare the kids once the tension was high. They ate it up. Then we wrote scary stories, which the kids also loved- some a little too much. This story was too gross for school, but the kid was SO dang proud of his "scary" writing, I couldn't burst his bubble too much. He sincerely thought I would love this literary masterpiece (see below):

This lovely story obviously involves someone's head being chopped off by a half man-half pig. (Your typical scary, Halloween story.) The student was very excited to hear what I thought of his story.

"It was pretty gory!" I told him.

"What's gory mean? . . . Does that mean really spooky?"

"Yeah . . . more like lots of blood and guts."

Thinking this was the best compliment ever, and with a huge smile: "Oh yeah! It was gory."

Exhibit B:

Our new science unit is on measuring time. They students made a chart about what they wanted to know and thought they knew about time, and then wrote about how school would be different if we didn't have clocks. Then, they were to draw a picture of what comes to their mind when they think of time. Grading the science journals, I came across the following:

(The speech balloon says: "stuff fun". I have no idea what to make of this.)

Exhibit C:

Another interesting entry in a science student journal was when I asked kids to sketch the Vinegar Eels we observed under microscopes. Apparently, even though the Eels look like tiny worms wriggling around, this student decided to sketch this (and provide random finger prints all over, just in case further identification was needed):

Exhibit D:

And staying with the science theme, this little delight is from when we used different objects to attempt to magnify a newspaper clipping (to see what kind of objects/characteristics will work as magnifiers). The students were suppose to draw the objects we experimented with: cylinder, cube, sphere, and phallic symbol:

And last, but not least . . . from our wonderful field trip to Starved Rock we find this little gem. We toured a lock and damn, went to a one room school house, visited historical Native American sites, hikes some forest trails, and . . .

BYU Twins

2009-11-03T23:45:00.008-06:00

BYU may be having a rough season, but check out Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

snuggled into the oversized chair:

You can totally tell that Robbie and Rex (yes, like a T-Rex) are father and son

(especially when they dress like complete twins).

Funny story: the first time I met Robbie (at BYU) his dad was also in town for the weekend, but I hadn't met him yet. We both went to a student congregation, so almost everyone at church was in their 20's. When I saw Rex at church, I was like- there are some ooold people here! . . . then it just turned out to be my future father-in-law.

School Days

2009-10-29T20:35:00.009-05:00

*Today I had a kid who smelled awful! Just pungent and spicy B.O. Ew. Nice kid, but smelly. I'm calling home. That's it.

*I gave a test recently on a book we read as a class: There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom. In a nutshell- it's the story of a boy who is the "no-good, trouble maker" turned socialized and happy after some coming of age. On the test, the students had to make a Story Map (setting, characters, conflict, plot events, resolution) and talk about the theme of the story.

One student was clearly having trouble coming up with a sixth plot event. He wrote: "No one died". Awesome.
Another student wrote that the theme of the story was: "If you do bad things, but then turn good, you won't get caught or get in too much trouble." Um, okay.
And of course, another student decided the most poignant theme was: "Don't go in the girl's bathroom".

*Yesterday we went on a great field trip to Starved Rock (which I will probably blog about later, because there was some pretty great moments) and we had a kid puke all over during the tour of an adorable one room school house and then all over the bus.

Same old, same old.

Why??

2009-10-24T16:04:00.009-05:00

Trying to teach a class of 30 5th grade students while you are in pain is like trying to run a marathon wearing a down snow suit: its highly uncomfortable and distracting. Two things that should never be paired together.

I had a terrible pain in my gum above my left incisor (my left, your right). My gum was swollen and inflamed. I haven't had very many dental "run ins" (in fact, I've never even had a cavity) so I was taken off guard by the whole situation. My thoughts raced: Do I have an abscess? Do I have some sort of cancer of the mouth? Is my tooth going to fall out? Is it possible to get a zit in your mouth? Was my previously absorbed-in-utero twin coming back to haunt me? Is there such a thing as swine flu of the gums?? And on top of my over-reacting, I was embarrassed that I had some sort of painful growth in my mouth; so I didn't want to tell anyone. Which meant I was on my own, for the time being, to figure this thing out.

After 3 days of a swollen gum, having Robbie look in my mouth with a flashlight and little WebMD I called the dentist. I didn't know what it was, but it was going to get fixed- now!

I was laying the bed the next morning and pressing on the little swollen lump in mouth with my tongue (is that too graphic?) and then "TA-DA!!" a tiny popcorn kernel slipped out of my gum. Finally! Damn you, popcorn!

I mean, why does this happen? When I die, one of my top questions to ask Our Creator is why He invented popcorn kernels to fit perfectly inside our gums (right behind why He invented farting- I'll never get that one). Those dang kernels fit like a glove! Is it a trick? Popcorn is SO scrumptious, and pretty healthy without all the crazy butter and salt . . . and this is the risk I have to run for a low-fat, tasty snack? It's so saddening.

Look how harmless this little guy is (but don't let him fool you!):

The next night I watched a movie with Robbie and enjoyed some delicious Smart Pop popcorn. I guess I'll never learn.

BYU Article

2009-10-17T12:33:00.009-05:00

The fundraiser to provide updated technology for my classroom and students is featured in BYU's October Education Newsletter. Fun, right? Pledge My Ride has truly been a great success. The donation link is still open, and we have raised over $6,000- I'm really excited for all the opportunities this will afford my students (and our school). Hooray!

Click here for: Link to BYU article

(As a side note, look at these guys . . . they look pretty cute. I really like the school uniform policy. Not only does it require students to look professional for school- which hopefully translates into more professional behavior - but it also cuts out gang colors and other inappropriate clothing, as well as the cattiness and materialism that develops from the school hallway fashion shows. Its kind of like "dressing for the job you want". Every time my students are walking in the hall, in their two lines, I always think of how nice they look. I know school uniforms in some school and communities are controversial, but let me voice my opinion that I am 100% for uniforms at any school. Bring it on.)

And so it begins . . .

2009-10-12T11:23:00.006-05:00

My fall break is over. OVER! So that means that "real" life starts tomorrow. I wrote this 100% original poem about my feelings on returning to work:

Back to school,

Back to books,

Back to giving dirty looks.

It's not that I don't like teaching. I do! I really enjoy my job and am grateful that I can honestly say: "I love my job". However, having a two week break: galavanting off to the beach, just taking the afternoon to go to the gym and then walk around and window shop, driving home for a visit with the fam, having time to go grocery shopping, reading, getting my graduate work done before 1AM and enjoying countless other luxuries makes going back to work . . . well . . . wah, wah, wahhh.

P.S. I don't give that many dirty looks when I teach--- but I do give them.

What to wear, what to wear . . .

2009-10-07T23:36:00.006-05:00

Halloween has been a joyous past time since I can remember.

(Me as Dorothy, family friend Kristin as a cat or Ninja . . . or maybe both,

and JoAnna as a lovable, yet relatively disheveled bunny)

This is me as Dorothy, by the way, before you could buy mass produced, pre-made

Dorothy dresses and ruby red slippers. We searched high and low,

but in the end, my awesome, resourceful Mom glittered up some keds

Which I still own! (pictured below)

And then I found the perfect couple's costume partner:

Miss America and the MC (perhaps, a young Adam West??)

Robbie really loved throwing all the penalty flags this year:

And then a trip to Disneyland, 2o bucks and a impulse decision produced this:

Which inspired this:

So now the question is, where do we go from here? Halloween is just around the corner!

Superman and Lois Lane? Devil and Angel? Fred and Wilma? Gomez and Morticia?

Chip and Dale? (Vegas style, not the wimpy cartoon)

So many options . . .

It's Just One of Those Days . . .

2009-09-30T11:33:00.004-05:00

A couple days ago I just had such a long/weird/funny day. It wasn't necessarily bad, but just . . . well, let me give you the details, and then you can decide what kind of a day it was:

1.) I forgot my phone when I left for work. I know that millions of people survived for thousands of year without a cell phone- but I just don't know how.

2.) The kids were pretty crazy at school. I had one fight, two cuss-outs and one chair toss. Awesome. The rest of the kids were pretty good. I think (and hope) we learned some stuff??

3.) Then as I was driving home I stopped at a red light, and this car of men was next to me- pumping some awesome bass in a lo' rida. "Hey, sexy!" one of these gentlemen called to me. I of course pretended that I couldn't see or hear them. "Heeeey, sexy! Hey sexy, I know you hear me! Hey girl, you SO sexy!" The light then turned green.

Just lovely, right? Not that I disagree with his assertion that I am sexy. I mean, he was speaking the truth. However, it's like, what do you think is going to happen? Do you think I'm going to leap from my car into your arms mid-stop light? How many times have you gotten someone's digits from cat calling to a girl on the street or in the car next to you? I just don't get the drive by pick up lines . . .

3.) Then I went to the gym- to try and get even sexier (if that is even possible!). I went out to the treadmills and noticed the seam of my pants looked different. Oh. My pants were completely inside out.

4.) After I fixed my pants, I returned to the gym. I got my ipod ready to go and my workout list started off strong with Miley Cyrus "Party in the USA" (DON'T judge me!). Since I had just started up the ipod, the screen was still lit up, with the song artist and title clearly displayed for the treadmill next store to catch a glimpse. Then I caught a glimpse of her "you are so lame" look as I hit my stride. (And yes, that is a little lame- but the song is catchy)

5.) Then I went to this new cupcake store by my house and had a big, delicious German chocolate cup cake.

6.) Then I fell asleep on the couch at about 8:15 PM without getting any school work done.

**If you got the awesome 1990 Monica song reference in the title of this blog- good for you**

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

2009-09-12T01:37:00.004-05:00

We live in a great part of town. We are one block off of Boys Town (Chi's lovely Gay district) and one block from the lake. Just steps from tons of cute shops and restaurants. It's a very young, trendy, fun and colorful part of town. We just love it. But every once in a while you find a drunken, idiot, frat boy passed out in the planter in front of your apartment complex. Robbie, unfortunately did not have his camera when he stumbled upon this gluttonous fool- but he was more than happy to re-enact it for me and all of you.

Robbie staring in:

The Drunken Fool

(based on a true story)

And then, every once in awhile you walk down your street and find the rock 'n roll Methodist Church. I almost prefer a fire and brimstone message, at least we're acknowledging that church revolves around God and not the top 40. Excuse me, but since when do we need The Killers to lure people into church? Either you want to be there or you don't. If I want to hear the Killers' thoughts on life and religion, I'll turn on my Ipod. Let me give this Church Marquee a big: Whatevs (and PS, there is another church not too far away with a painting of the Apocalypse and a huge quote from Bono. I'll try to get that pic for you, sometime. Again, WHATev)

Biggest Loser

2009-09-07T00:27:00.006-05:00

Last New Year's my extended family got together to have a Neeley Biggest Loser contest. It really gave me the extra motivation I needed to get my much needed weight loss on track. I'm very proud to say that I have made a lot of great progress. I've lost about 26 lbs. so far, but I'm not done yet. I have been continuing to work on my health goals, but just wanted that extra "kick" to keep pushing me along. I asked my fam if they would be interested in doing a biggest loser part 2- and they were totally game.

We are all putting in $50 a piece and are set up in partners. Winners take all . . . but lets be honest, when you're working to get healthier- everyone wins (but the money's still pretty nice!)

Here we go! skinnyneeleys.blogspot.com

P.S. Who is excited for another season of Biggest Loser??

(The "real"one . . . although, our little contest is pretty darn real to me! $200 bucks and a hot bod, here I come!)

Meet the Students . . .

2009-08-30T10:50:00.003-05:00

Some new student profiles are up to view on PledgeMyRide

On the site, you can also look for more details about the ride and our technology wish list; as well as a donation tracker to see what progress we are making (Slowly, but hopefully, surely!)

Check it Out! :)

www.pledgemyride.wordpress.com

Compromise

2009-08-25T22:09:00.005-05:00

I wanted a new trash can.

Ours looked something like this:

When we first were in the market for a trash can (when we got married 4 1/2 years ago) my sweet husband Robbie would only let us spend 10 cents. So here we are.

This has no lid. I HATE looking at trash. I was wasting money positioning perfectly clean paper towels over the garbage. (I know- that's weird.) One day I was looking at our gross trash can and thought- why did I even agree to this in the first place? I don't remember ever being that submissive- even as a new wife looking for my first married trash can. We needed an upgrade . . . fast.

I wanted something like this:

Something sleek and stylish. Something with diamonds or gold plated. BUT, I already told you that Robbie's trash can budget was 10 cents, and trash cans are more expensive than you think. All the ones I liked were like $75 and up. Whew! What to do??

We settled on this:

A plastic, swing top garbage can for our kitchen. It was very cheap since it was heavy plastic, rather than stainless steal (about 30 bucks). It has a lid and a I don't have to look at the hair ball I swept up every time I throw away a tissue. It was an excellent compromise. A wonderful example of the give and take within relationships.

And there you have it.

My marriage is symbolized by a trash can.

Steelers Hoedown Weddin', Y'all! (I mean, Yinz)

2009-08-21T23:40:00.007-05:00

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Pittsburgh,

there was a HUGE Steelers fan who was getting married.

Here name was JoAnna.

Of course the colors of her wedding were Black and Gold.

And of course the whole wedding was Steelers theme.

And the cake was camo . . .

Of course.

This is a fairy tale, Pittsburgh wedding after all!

So the fam got together to celebrate the blessed event.

Uncle Keith (you made it!) and Robbie

We even got in a little time for some face squishing.

Nice.

(I hope this one makes it in the wedding album)

JoAnna and Josh were married in LDS Washington D.C. Temple

Just like me and Robbie!

JoAnna made her own jewelry and all the bridesmaids jewelry-

She's got talent and looks and hunting skills! Whew!

Now THAT is a happy couple!

The reception was in our backyard

So . . . a camouflage cake fit right into the landscape.

Camo cake: $400

Hunter cake topper from Cabela's: $41.25

Toy deer and moose set: $9.99

Giant log cut fresh this morning: sweat and man-power

A wedding cake that puts you in the mood to kill something: priceless

Bide and Groom Jerseys

Oh yeah.

Yes, those are Steeler Terrible Towels on the head table.

AND yes, that's Liz and Robbie chowing down on corn on the cob and fried chicken.

Ain't nothin' fancy, but it sure tasted good!!

It truly was the perfect wedding for lil' sister JoAnna.

I don't love hunting.

But I do love JoAnna and Josh together.

Congrats, yinz guys!!

"GO STILLERS!"

Y'all come back now!

Behold . . .

2009-08-10T18:45:00.004-05:00

Our new car!

I have been wanting a navy blue (well, kelley blue) car forever

We visited a lot of dealerships (from the glamorous to the ghetto)

Finally, we fell and love and the price was right

So, 2009 Hyundai Elantra, it's you and me, baby . . .

You and me.

Ch-Ch-Changes

2009-08-03T12:22:00.002-05:00

And David Bowie said it best. Changes: scary and exciting . . .

1.) JoAnna, #2 in the Neeley family line up, will be getting married August 14th. Black and Gold wedding colors to honor our Steelers and a camouflage wedding cake, complete with hunter cake topper- it's totally Jo.

2.) Victoria, #4, (my little, baby sister!) is also engaged! Wedding date TBA, but it will be here before we know it, I'm sure.

3.) Change of Grad School. I have been decently happy with Chicago State (and Pizza Hut University, if any of you remember that delightful encounter) but it is hard that they offer very few online or hybrid classes; and I am working full time and often try to work a lot of after-school or tutoring programs for students. So, I'm changing to a program that is a little more money, but offers way more online classes: Grand Canyon University. For some reason online always made me nervous, like my degree will be only available through Facebook or something. But, I would rather have my Masters in Reading and Literacy sooner than later, and with Robbie working on being Dr. Rob full time, it's what will be best for our little family.

4.) On the way to my family union at Holden Beach, we got into a little fender bender. A little fender bender that totaled our car, that is. Poo. The silver Hyundai of our early years of marriage is now dead. So now we are in the market for a new car. Yikes. (See- exciting and scary.)

5.) As I recently survived my first year helping out with our Church Girls' Camp, I am now the official Camp Director for our stake (region) of Chicago. I think it will be great- and although I'm not the most "campy" person, I am happy to share what skills I have with the girls. And my skills, I mean my skill of being able to pretend that I like the outdoors. (This is more scary.)

6.) School starts Wednesday for me. Teachers come to "batten down the hatches" this week and then students come the following Monday. A new school year- full of possibilities . . . and I mean, anything is possible- as soon as you think you've seen it all, there's something else ready and waiting (new schedules, student raps, crazy parents, awesome parents, pledge my ride, operas, peeing pants, love notes, ISAT, new slang and more).

And . . . here . . . we . . . go. (Do you think I should dress up like the Joker for my first day of school? It might loosen the kids up, right?)

It's Pledge Time!

2009-08-03T11:52:00.002-05:00

At long last- the time you all have been waiting for: Pledge Time! Well, you might have not been waiting for it, but it is "time".

As you may know, or may just be learning at this very moment, our friend Tyson Ward (and his biking buddies) are doing a charity bike ride around Lake Michigan this September. The beneficiaries of this ride will be my very own 5th grade students at Claremont Elementary in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. Our hope is that we can raise enough money- our goal is $5,ooo- to give my class a greatly needed technology make-over. This will benefit not only my current and future students for years to come in their learning and technology skills, but also provide a valuable asset to our school and community.

For more details and our donation link (via Paypal) visit www.pledgemyride.wordpress.com or click on the picture at the top, right-hand side of my blog. As the clique goes: "Anythig will help!", and this is 100% true. Whatever you feel you can donate will help to expose high need, inner-city students to new technology and career building opportunities. Besides greatly needed monetary donations, you can also help by forwarding the link to the Pledge my Ride blog to your friends and family who would be interested in donating to students in need. You can also join our Facebook group or get Twitter updates through links on our Pledge my Ride blog, as well.

Every student should have the chance to have experiences that build their confidence, open their mind and lay the foundation for practical skills that will help them ensure success in the future. You can be a part of giving this to students through our charity bike ride.

Thanks for your time!

Excuse Me

2009-07-07T10:20:00.006-05:00

Seriously, when did I grow up? Since when did I surrender my right to a day with nothing to do? I have officially resigned myself to the fact that I am a member of the working world and that there is really no such thing as "summer vacation" or "lazy summer days". I mean, I will probably find some completely relaxing time again . . . sometime, someday- but for now it is nowhere to be found.

There is just always something to do. Always. Even if it is a fun thing- it's still something. I mean, "Welcome to life", right? I don't even have a kid yet- so I know my "busy, crazy, tired all the time, working non-stop, burning the candle at both ends" days are not even at their peak. But I still feel tired and (relatively) over-worked. Stop my pouting, already. Stop whining, you wimp. But . . . I just want to whine a little.

I think the true sign that I'm actually falling into the abyss of adulthood is that I am actually wanting true alone time. I'm not really an "alone" type of person. I love being with people. When I want to get away- I usually want to get away with friends. But recently I just find myself wanting 24 hours of nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to see.

That said- I have loved all the things I "have" to do, also. I love visiting with family and friends, volunteering for church, hosting guests, completing projects, teaching, going to grad school, working and feeling productive . . . but then I also just want a break from it all sometimes, too.*

Maybe I just need a nap.

*Note to all friends and family- I love you and don't want to stop seeing your lovely faces! Like I said, I just wanted to whine for a minute. Okay- I'm done.

Pledge My Ride

2009-06-30T11:43:00.005-05:00

Our good friend Tyson Ward is taking on quite the endeavor: biking the 900 miles around Lake Michigan. If that is not impressive enough, he, along with some other friends, are working to get donors to sponsor them on their ride. The donations will go to a great cause: students in need . . . More specifically, my students in need! I am so excited at the prospect of providing increased opportunities for my students and our school.

We are working to give my 5th grade students a much needed "Technology Makeover". We will follow Tyson on his ride and tie in his trip to our curriculum. We will do biking math problems, writing to Tyson, studying the geography and reading related literature. In the end, our hope is that these students will have had a wonderful thematic unit in which they were challenged and excited by the learning taking place- as well as earning our room several new items that will enhance our educational opportunities and capacity for working with technology.

Check it out at: http://pledgemyride.wordpress.com/

American Idol

2009-06-23T20:52:00.016-05:00

I think probably everyone who even has an

ounce of singing ability has been asked:

"Are you going to try out for American Idol?"

Well, this year Idol came to the Chi,

and so we thought- what the heck . . .

Why not? No pressure- we just went for a good time

and a good look at all the crazies

We waited in line on Saturday morning to

All that waiting in line for these:

the source of all American Idol power

We got in line at 4am and got our wristbands at about 8:30am

That's why we looked like this at 9am

THEN- we went back on Monday morning

(I mean, Monday, butt-crack of dawn)

to actually audition. Again, we got there about 4am . . .

At first the novelty of being in the crowd, listening to

all the good and AWFUL singing, waving to the news

and hanging with crazy-people watching was kind of fun

But then we started to get hot, get rained on

and get annoyed with the crazies

and the AWFUL singing and were ready to

get the show on the road already

We were sick of waiting

You can see us for like 2 seconds in this video

from the Chicago Sun Times at the

bottom right at 1o seconds into the video

Since we were so sick of standing around,

it was a good thing that on audition day

it pretty much went like this:

Waiting

Posing for the camera

Cheering for the camera

Waiting

Being forced to cheer

Waiting

Waiting around some more

Being forced to cheer

Cheering

Waiting

And then . . .

more waiting

There were 12,000 people at auditions

The Idol crew said it was the 2nd biggest

audition crowd in the history of the show

We auditioned about a 1/4 of the way through . . .

so that would make us contestants 3,000 and 3,001

It went surprisingly fast once they started auditions

We sang in groups of four in between these

black shower curtains for a producer

Doing all the posing and cheering and waiting

it was very clear they were making a TV show

Watching the other people audition, I was really

surprised who they let through and who they didn't

It seemed like hardly anyone got through-

but we still rocked our songs with confidence

Even though we went to audition for fun and pretty

much on a whim, it was still kind of exciting once it was "time"

I sang: Band of Gold

Robbie sang: Honesty

So . . . after we sang our little hearts out

(and did pretty awesome, in my opinion)

the American Idol producer said (drum roll):

"No thanks"

At first we felt like this:

But then we felt like this:

Once we thought about what a fun and funny experience it was

We will probably have a milli-second shot of our

faces on TV and we will definitely be able to identify some

of those crazy people that get on the blooper reels

There were some true crazies

The moral of the story is- if you believe in yourself,

all your dreams will come true

Just kidding - That's not true

BUT! It is true that if you do something with

the intention to have fun, you will have fun

And who knows . . .

What if this were a smaller audition?

What if we would have auditioned for a different producer?

What if we would have sung different songs?

What if we would have worn different outfits?

What if we would have changed our hair?

What if we were number 200, rather than 3,000?

I mean, Jordan Sparks didn't even get through the

first round when she auditioned the first time

Many people from the show audition multiple times

Could one of us really be the next American Idol?

Probably not- but I'm glad we can say: "Yeah, I did that once!"

Hooray for us!! :)

We had a lot of fun . . . mission accomplished.

Maybe next year???

Birthday Boy

2009-06-22T17:11:00.006-05:00

On June 17th, 1981 Robbie Culp was born

Oh Happy Day!!

Robbie is super cool because:

1. He gets really excited about everyday things- so we are always having fun.

2. He lets me watch chick flicks, and even watches them with me - without complaining. (Although I usually trade him a man film for a chick flick. Only fair.)

3. He love sports and the outdoors, so he is always willing to do something active.

4. He gets sentimental about random things- which is funny and cute.

5. Has a gorgeous voice- which is sexy and cool.

6. He doesn't care what people think - if he thinks it's awesome, then it's awesome.

7. He helps with the housework. Enough said.

8. He always does most of the driving on road trips. Awww, I love it.

9. He likes to try new things and take risks- he pushes me to do more and be more.

10. He is a hard worker- he gets the job done!

PLUS . . . he's hot. (But he's mine, so tough luck, ladies!)

Happy Birthday, Robbie!!

The Humiliation

2009-06-12T18:06:00.004-05:00

As most semi-fashion-conscious women do, I often layer my clothing. A tank top or two under a dress, shirt, cardigan . . . or all three. As such, I also often find myself readjusting all of this clothing I am wearing. Perhaps a tank top as scooted its way up my back (is that too graphic? good) or maybe something just isn't laying quite right. You get the idea. This background knowledge precedes my most current embarrassing encounter:

So Robbie and were going to a meeting at church (to renew our temple recommends) and I had gotten out of the car to find my tank top askew underneath my dress. "Man, this is really uncomfortable and a crazy bunched up piece of fabric doesn't look that nice bulging from my dress, either," I think to myself. I surveyed the empty parking lot quickly. Just us and a few lone cars. I look to my left: the coast is clear. To the right, and behind; I see no one. Okay. I'm going in. I turn so I am mostly blocked by a parked car and proceed to lift up the back of my dress to fix my tank top. Who cares, right? No one is around except my husband . . . Robbie suddenly gives me an awful look and I know that the worst has happened. Just then this DUDE passes us and walks into the church. He did not acknowledge our presence and I quickly hid my beet-red face in stupidity and shame and ran into the building- of course towards a different entrance than our newly made friend.

What was I thinking? I had absolutely no business fixing my dress in semi-public . . . and my temporary lack of judgement certainly came to bit me in the butt, didn't it?

After I had sworn Robbie to secrecy I thought I would share this with all of you in the least private forum in the world (naturally). Somehow I thought this would make me feel better about the whole ordeal. It hasn't. Oh well- "publish post".

Bragging Rights

2009-06-01T22:32:00.004-05:00

Every year millions of children all around the United States take standardized tests that determine lots of crazy things: which children will advance to the next grade, class placements, if a school will continue be in good standing, federal and state funding, teacher reputation, where people buy houses- you get the idea.

In Chicago, Illinois we take the ISAT. We prepare for it all year and we go crazy trying to "teach to the test" (that is as high stakes as it gets) and also trying to actually teach.

Anyway, it is always nerve racking to wait until you see the test scores. Although a student or school year should not be minimized down to a single score on a standardized test, in my opinion; it can still be very validating or devastating based on what kind of scores "your kids (students)" earn.

Thus said . . . my kids did AWESOME! Highest math scores in the school and extremely high reading scores. Whew! We did it, 5th grade 2009!

Now let's get working for next year!

Stone Soup Anyone?

2009-06-01T21:20:00.008-05:00

The opera was a success!
It was great. The kids were crazy and fun and brilliant.

And of course- here is the George Washington Wig and the
Vampire cape in all it's glory!

And here it is: the much anticipated, world of premier of Stone Soup,
the Opera (well, a clip of the dress rehearsal).
They are pretty hysterical!

Phantoms of the Opera

2009-05-27T23:47:00.009-05:00

Okay, so my crazy students are performing an opera tomorrow. Stone Soup the opera. That's right.

An OPERA. An all singing, full on opera. I'm a bit nervous.

The science specialist at my school asked me if I wanted to put on an opera with my students. A volunteer from the Chicago Lyric Opera comes to work with us each week and we sing and learn the songs and do blocking on the stage and put on a show- the whole bit. It sounded like a good end of the year activity. So I said yes, and here I am 15 weeks later.

Now, anyone who even remotely knows me, knows I love theater and music and all that artsy, fartsy stuff- so why wouldn't I love to put on an opera with my 30 insane, South side kids? Well, the answer is that I have loved and hated it. I love having the kids experience something they never would have otherwise. I love them learning new things and being able to feel proud of their accomplishments.

I don't, however, love them complaining about singing:

"Why do we have to sing the same song again and again?"

"Do you know the words yet?"

"No" (with attitude)

"Well, then we have to learn it, right?"

"Uggghhh" (insert chair slouch here)

That I do not love. They really don't get the idea of practicing something. I mean, why would you do something twice? "We keep singing the same songs over and over!" they whine. Um, yeah, no duh- it's called rehearsing. Whatevs.

I also hate holding consequences over their heads to get them to sing and dance around on stage. I personally don't care if they prance and sing or not. It's just that now that we're signed up to perform, so let's not make fools of ourselves, okay? Let's actually learn the songs . . . that's kind of essential to perform an opera.

Anyway, overall, it has been great. We have props that the art teacher helped with and costumes that we borrowed and brought from home. Some of the costumes are pretty out there: like the one student who insisted on wearing this George Washington wig he found and a black vampire cape. What part is he? I don't know. But if that makes him happy and encourages him to sing his part as a "villager"- eh, who cares.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I think with some luck and few prayers from their frazzled (who am I? frazzled??) teacher, it will work out.

Countdown

2009-05-12T22:58:00.005-05:00

Just so you know there are 4 weeks of school left for Chicago Public Schools. 4 weeks, people!

Also, in top news, the annual crime report for Chicago came out. The West Englewood neighborhood had the most murders out of the entire city. Guess where I teach . . . yep, West Englewood- Keepin' it real!

And P.S. Robbie is doing his internship next year in the neightborhood with the second most murders. We live for danger??

(By the way, these two comments are not related. I am not excited for school to end because I am fearing for my life or anything- I just love summer time- even when I'll be teaching summer school.)