a program I really didn't want to do

At the beginning of the school year I met with the other two elementary music teachers in my district to strategize. (For some reason the spell check is not recognizing the word "strategize.") When our curriculum director came in to talk, they balked on me and I was urged to do a program with my second graders. I've been in to the workings of it with the kids since January. They are doing a Texas program. They know several songs, one in Spanish, and a couple of dances (square and a polka)and are doing rather well with it. The program is scheduled for Thursday and I've been getting things ready for it including some decorations. Here is a picture of the cowboy I just finished with--no, I didn't draw him--used an opaque projector and a free coloring page off the internet. I did chalk him in though and I think he looks pretty handsome even if I do say so myself. I'll be glad when Thursday night is over.




Adios amigos!

no fighting no biting

In all the years I have been teaching, I have never had a kid try to bite me before. Until today. It was NOT a good way to start my day. I was a bear the rest of the day.

I also just realized that I don't really remember exactly how many years I've taught. It's either 21 or 22 I think. My husband and I have been discussing it and we'll probably be retiring in 4 1/2 years. That means there are a lot of things that need to get done between now and then. Update two bathrooms, furnish the bedroom that my daughter recently moved out of and purchase a new vehicle. I need one that I can rely on to get me to and from wherever I want to go--which is really wherever my daughter decides to live, visiting my sister in Wyoming and my brother in Vancouver. (I have to get a passport before that trip though.)

As far as retirement itself, I really don't know if I'll actually miss working/teaching full-time or not. I don't miss it during the summer and yet I plan all summer through reading, actual lesson planning, etc. so nothing gets boring. I do have other hobbies I haven't given much time to lately. Also, I will probably still teach the occasional class at Lamar-Orange.

Travel, quilting, photography, reading for fun or to learn something I'm really interested in sounds really inviting. hmm

new year

I am back to school as of Wednesday. Teacher meetings and workdays till the kids come back on the 24th.

I don't feel as ready for the year to start this time as I have in the past. Have not been able to dig into any articles or books on classroom management or anything like that this summer and only went to one day of workshop.

My daughter and I went to see the movie "Julie and Julia" and it was one of those inspiring movies. Either you left inspired to cook or inspired to blog. I think mine was blogging. I'm going to try and blog daily if possible. You never know what I might come up with.

Maybe I'll have time to get some lists made. My daughter, the list maker, has several lists. Short term goals, goals for her first year of teaching, personal goals, etc. I think I'll start off with a list of things I'd like to accomplish in my class this year.

That'll start tomorrow.