Staying Flexible: Preparing for School at 6:30 AM on a Sunday

My internal clock doesn't ever allow me to sleep in except when I'm sick, or frankly, recovering from surgery.  Thanksgiving Break?  Up at 5:15 AM.  Winter Break?  Same.  Spring Break?  Still an early bird.  Summer?  A cruel irony: I sleep in by about an hour, max, two or three days before autumn PD starts up again, I kid you not.  So it's not at all unusual that I am up, drinking coffee, eating a breakfast sandwich, and being productive at six-thirty this morning.  What has changed is that I'm not crocheting while catching up on DVRd shows, or reading, or participating in a Twitter chat, or throwing a breakfast casserole into the oven.  I've been navigating some work emails and have been updating instructional materials because the week I planned for has been altered quite a bit.  

"Stay flexible" continues to be my professional mantra, carrying over from 2020.  I volunteered to be a remote learning teacher last fall, and am one of those weird teachers who has actually looked forward to and even enjoyed creating a new learning and teaching environment. I've shifted from trying to make my Zoom and digital experiences "just like" on-site or "real" school (with all of the restrictions that on-site students and teachers have to adapt to, why would I wish any of that upon my class?) and to put it bluntly, my body greatly appreciates having multiple breaks scheduled throughout my day.  That's right, I have five, count them, F-I-V-E intermissions where I can and do use the restroom, e-v-e-r-y day.  In twenty-plus years of teaching, this is the most accommodated my bladder has ever been. 

Unlike past teaching years, my class size can accordion greatly.  I began with twelve of my own "permanent" remote learning students in the fall. Families chose my class because they intended to have their kindergarteners learn safely from home for at least the first semester of school.  Two transferred to on-site learning after parents who had lost their jobs during the spring and summer gained employment ("If I don't take this job and move _______ back to school in-person, we won't have Christmas or be able to pay other bills.") while recently another parent working the night-shift couldn't support his kindergartener's daily Zoom and activity schedule.  As a remote learning kindergarten teacher (I have a grade level partner) I host students who test positive and must isolate or who have a family member who has tested positive and must therefore quarantine for up to two weeks. My class size has grown by one, two, three, six, and last week, by sixteen students overnight. Yes, sixteen. Stay flexible.

SHIKHEI GOH—GETTY IMAGES

Though my entire district moved to remote learning right after Thanksgiving Break, on-site classes begin again tomorrow.  Last Thursday and Friday, district students, their families, and teachers and their families were offered the opportunity to be tested for COVID, and as anyone could have guessed, I've already added at least one new student to my roster.  Should a kindergarten teacher in the district have to quarantine in the future, however, and with an extreme shortage of substitute teachers, there's a chance I could yet again, take on another entire class in addition to my own.

This week all of our middle-of-the-year mandated assessments begin.  Will I be screening ten, eleven, or twenty-five students for dyslexia and STAR Reading, or administering curriculum-based measures for math to children who I have not yet met nor even had the time to build a rapport? I'm also having to take Friday off to accompany my husband to his dental surgery, so I'll need to prepare for a guest teacher who has yet to be assigned since my original sub just received a positive COVID test for a family member. 

You know, even flexible tools like pipe cleaners and wikki stix break apart after being bent one too many times. At what point must others release their grip from the mindset of "we-have-to-make-this-year-as-normal-as-every-other-year-because-we-refuse-to-envision-education-in-any-other-way?" Often our ability to effectively apply self-care relies heavily upon the responsibilities thrust upon us even during our hours away from work. Here's hoping that this latest surge doesn't last long and that I can reclaim some of my time for myself and my family, and that my colleagues and their families can do the same. 

#TeachingInTheTimeOfCOVID

#BloggingIsSelfCareForMe  

Checking In

I'm still here, though it might be difficult to know it considering my lack of posting.  In addition to teaching another sweet, silly and smart class of kindergarteners, this is year TWO of my graduate program, which will wrap up at the end of this summer.  I've been on the mend since the health scare wake-up-call of last spring... we've added a sweet kitty to our family... and I've developed quite the addiction to crochet. While I haven't been blogging regularly, I assure you I've remained immersed in all things #kindergarten, such as continuing to grow my classroom library with new and new-to-me titles (this batch of books was selected for one of my grad classes, and I'm unsure if Coraline would be a good read-aloud for kindergarten: let me know if your class has enjoyed it):

... treating my Stars to fun and fresh holiday pencils each month (oh Target Spot, how I love you):

... and enjoying early childhood teacher fashion, like these glasses that show just how much I love teaching and learning:

When I get home, there's lots of snuggling and cuddling and taking pictures of Tish-Tish:

(Here she is with yet another book for grad school)

... and oodles and oodles of crochet going on, which *might* have something to do with my one and only new year's resolution: to crochet one afghan per month.

Though this year has flown by in many ways, there's still so much left to do.  I have a yearbook deadline around the corner, after reaching the one-hundredth day of school, my Stars are excited to be counting down to summer vacation, and graduate school assignments and professional development meetings are in multiplication mode. 

But I'll be back to blogging, I promise.  Kindergarten is too great an adventure to go it alone, you know?  Until then, remember that you can find me on Instagram @msommerville (seriously, go check out the latest portrait that a Star drew of me; I'm thinking I need to purchase some monster hair bows now) and occasionally on Twitter @msommerville where my absence from Twitter chats is also evident but I still find some great stuff to retweet and share. 

How is YOUR year going?  Have any book recommendations for me?  What's your non-school-related hobby? 

Freshening Up the Blog for Spring

One of my to-dos for spring break was an item that usually results in the bi-annual freshening up of my blog.

It didn't happen.

Oh, goodness no, it didn't happen.

I had the school yearbook to finish.  I had laundry to do.  LOADS of laundry.

I had to sleep.

You understand.

Now it's the day after Easter, and the links in my blogroll haven't even been checked yet (they change every so often, making an unchecked, non-updated blogroll useless), HOWEVER...

Thanks to a fabulous colleague, I DO have a new blog header!  (~scroll back up, take a peek~)

It's simply sweet, straightforward, and feels fresh.

Thank you, Doti!

You can find her on Etsy and on Instagram (check out her cute spring lettering art!)



~Happy Spring!~

(... and I'll find time this weekend to update the blogroll.  Maybe.)

Blogging is Part of My Teacher's Voice

Every now and again I'm asked by a colleague ~why~ I blog.

The briefest of answers would be simply "to share."  It's an obvious reason since my blog is public and open to comments, but when a more in depth response is expected, I either pause to choose my words carefully in an attempt to be concise or I enthusiastically ramble on and on, undoubtedly using a lot of hand gestures, smiling, and nodding as I speak.

For me, blogging is self reflection, and it's also yelling "hey, look at what I found!"  It's a way to ask questions that someone else out there might also be pondering.  My words or photographs could inspire a dialogue, or provide an answer or idea that helps me and the readers create something beneficial for our colleagues, students and their families.  Occasionally I publish thoughts that other teachers wish they could sing from the rafters, their comments and emails agreeing in chorus with my rants.  Perhaps new teachers can learn from my mistakes and avoid having to recreate the wheel as they navigate through the first few years of their profession.  Sure, some of my thoughts are deep.  Other content is shared simply because I think it's cute.  A lot of what I publish gets sent out and is probably lost in the void, and I'm okay with that.

Now in my fifth year in this district, my seventh year in the state, and my seventeenth year as a kindergarten teacher, my teacher voice is well developed.  I am a parent/teacher conference machine, I can collaborate with specialists, and I'm able to prevent a child from poking his or someone else's eye out with any selection of precise vocalizations.  Were I more politically inclined, I'd probably be a great union representative.  But I've also learned to be a better listener, and have come to appreciate the benefits of exercising discretion while on the clock.  Many of my colleagues don't need or want to know every single opinion I have, leaving a lot for me to reflect upon that can become blog fodder.

Time in my classroom is precious.  Every moment counts, whether it's spent introducing concepts, facilitating the learning process, listening to, playing with, or watching my Super Stars.  As I communicate with families, colleagues and administrators, I'm bound by professional courtesy, my public oath, and my intention to provide what I feel is a quality education in a safe environment. But big surprise: my inner voice doesn't always match my professional vernacular.   In almost two decades, I've witnessed the most embarrassing and hurtful scenes created by education professionals, administrators, parents and children, and I've also seen some of the most inspiring.  I'm human, and opinionated.  Reflecting in blog form works for me, where a fast and furious diary entry, or vent-session with a colleague or spouse might provide better catharsis for someone else.  My friends are time zones away, or have very busy lives locally, and family obligations and evening or weekend plans offer respite from reliving every workplace problem.  Blogging allows me to share with anyone who's interested in reading without my having to worry that I'm inflicting myself on others.

My blog has become my digital scrapbook.  I link to others, tuck in some photos and slideshows, share my thoughts, ask some questions, and jot down ideas for later.  I add some tunes to my life's soundtrack, and from time to time, I go way back to reread past thoughts to gauge how I'm feeling now.  Enjoying the connections created by visitors who leave a comment, it's safe to say that if face-to-face collaboration provided me with all of the feedback, inspiration and collegiality I wanted or needed, it's likely I wouldn't blog as an educator.

Are you considering starting a professional or personal blog?  It doesn't have to look like mine, and it certainly doesn't have to serve the same purpose.  Perhaps you want to get the word out that you've created teacher materials that are for sale. Maybe you want an online platform for sharing pictures of your classroom with others.  Are you wanting to improve your writing voice for national certification, professional development, or as a personal goal?  Do you move often like I used to, and need an online presence for future possible employers to peruse as they determine if you're a good fit for their district?  Maybe you'll choose to have your blog content unavailable to anyone other than subscribers, or maybe you'll write publicly with the hope that someone will comment and reassure you that you're not alone.

Why do I blog?  For many, many reasons, but mostly because it's part of my teacher's voice.

I'll Be Changing the Blog

... over the next few weeks.

Change number one has already happened:

I've created a second blog, devoted entirely to my crafty adventures, blog roaming and family updates, Twigs and Tulle.



Kindergarten's 3 R's will return to its original focus: respect, resources and rants for the world of early childhood education.  Here I'll continue to share kindergarten links, ideas and humor from the classroom.

It's taken three plus years and over seven hundred blog posts for me to realize that I have two voices: the teacher Me, and the crafter/mommy Me.

Crafty Me is ready to spread her wings!  If you feel so inclined, please join me over at Twigs and Tulle for Etsy shop updates, links to home decor, recipes, music, humor and crafty endeavors.

Of course you can keep visiting me here where we'll continue our kindergarten adventure together, okie dokie Artichoke-y?

Pros and Cons of Blogging

You know why I like to write and blog? Because being forced to write it all out is my way of tempering my opinions~ something I worry is necessary when my initial expression of them takes place when I'm in full-on hothead mode.
There's so much I can't say unless I'm with friends (and that hasn't been often since leaving Alaska) enjoying spontaneous communication that won't be misunderstood. No matter how much ownership I have of my thoughts and feelings, I still feel responsible about how sharing the negative ones might affect or possibly hurt my readers out here in BlogLand. Utilizing my probably-illogical-logic, I care about you, but I don't know you all that well, and there's something about that lack of closeness I respect and am cautious about, you know what I mean?

Long story short: I've been posting sporadically (apologies) because big thoughts have been taking up most of my energy, and I've been inflicting the rants on Mom, Shannon, and Shauna. Yes, I respect them too, but they've known me long enough to not have their blood pressure rise as they suffer eye strain reading my multiple-screen-long messages. They're also very good at knowing when to offer sympathy, chocolate, or a swift kick.

I know, I know, I owe those ladies cookies BIG TIME.

Stay tuned, because I have had good news this week that I'm looking forward to sharing regarding Bitty Banners (new ones will be posted in my Etsy shop this weekend- can you say MOTHER'S DAY? SUMMER? KIDS SAFARI?), my upcoming trip to Alaska (we're celebrating a graduation in this family!) and I'll link you up with some awesome sites, resources, and recipes too.

Thanks for checking in on me- here's to getting to know you better. Though it might hurt your eyes, it will earn you cookies. Weigh the pros and cons if you need to.

...and Now Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Blogging~ Hopefully

It's been two weeks of sporadic posting, have you noticed? The theft and subsequent recovery of my truck (the local Ford dealership is taking good care of it right now~ I hope to be "back in the saddle" on Wednesday), the family's sniffles, coughs, and general we-feel-yucky-ness, and a full schedule at work have left me exhausted and ready to snooze as soon as I walk through our door each afternoon. Surprise visitors, this non-self-cleaning house, and my time lag thanks to springing forward didn't help my energy level either. Have you ever had a week where you just felt off?

Here's to fresh starts~

Despite my exhaustion, I still found blog inspiration everywhere this week. I've got some posts formulating in my mind regarding die cuts, end-of-the-year classroom preparation for the upcoming school year, my itty-bitty banners (not just the bitty ones), an essential starter kit of must-have items for the beginning of the school year (and no, I'm not talking bulletin board trimmers and sharpened pencils) that I'd recommend to new teachers, questions regarding merit pay for teachers (and you thought this blog was all cuteness and fluff!), and of course, links to other bloggy goodness that you might want to go and enjoy for yourself.

Keep your fingers crossed, I hope to enjoy several chunks of sitting-down-at-the-computer time today, posting entries into the queue before my impending fuller-than-full schedule knocks on my door this afternoon.

(And really, how many dashes-between-words CAN I use today?)

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This will keep my energy up this week:

...and Now Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Blogging

I fell off the face of Blogland for a whopping two days, but have returned in time to warm up my speed-typing fingers so that I can blog about who won my 400th blog post Giveaway (you still have time to enter, I'll draw a name this evening and post the winner before bed time!) later today.

Two days ago I meant to show you a recent yard sale treasure I'd found:



But I had already filled it full of these by the time I was ready to take the picture (oh yes, the creeping crud required intensive chemical intervention...peanut m-n-m's weren't working their usual magic for some reason):



Something tells me that butter or a garnish of some sort would look more "Thanksgiving-y" in place of the medications.

Yesterday I meant to share the pile of magazines that I was working myself through to pull recipes, ideas, etc. out of for my inspiration binders so that I could buy new magazines that Dear Husband wouldn't have a cow over tidy up the home in preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I ended up buried in said pile to the point that Dear Daughter and the Preschooler had to dig me out so I could make dinner. No, no, they didn't try to save me before that point... apparently I'm expendable until their stomachs start growling.

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Today I thought I'd mention a realization that hit me when I was under the magazine pile: my family and I have been here for four months, and we're still not settled. We're moved in- we've BEEN moved in. We're unpacked. We're arranged. We're sorted. But we're not settled. I'm thinking it's a side effect from moving four times in the past five years. We've gotten so good at unpacking, decorating, and going through the motions of school and work routines, knowing in the backs of our minds that we're going to have to pack it all up again, say goodbye, and make a long drive, in eight months, in seven, in six, in five, in four, in three, two, one... always on the go, always preparing to leave and relocate, not really living in the moment because preparations take up too much time.

I'm hoping Uncle Sam lets us stay someplace longer than a year or two. I haven't "done lunch" with friends since last February when Dear Husband let me escape from Texas for a weekend to return to Oz for visits and shopping. In Alaska, the Loud Ladies had breakfast together twice a month, regularly, for years. I'm a social creature when I'm amongst friends. Time to stay someplace long enough to make some.

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I picked up the newest edition of Artful Blogging yesterday, and it is as wonderful as I expected it to be. Not a kindergarten teacher in the group, but creative bloggers who can also answer "why do you blog?" with "why not?" The readers who visit me here, and the fellow teachers, moms, and crafters who comment on my posts are not only a part of my personal and professional learning community, they are kindred connections. I may not be a member of an Army Wives group or a Crafters Clique, but no matter how often I move, I belong, and can be found here.

Reconciling the Lists and Kindergarten Voting

I've got my chore list ready... laundry, grocery shopping, housecleaning, laundry, ironing, costume hunting, laundry, and possibly some baking thrown in for good measure, after, of course, another load of *laundry.*

I've also got my "I-wanna-do" list ready... finish a few banners to put on Ebay, sort through my pile of magazines (tearing out the pages I want to keep for my Inspiration Binders), start my holiday shopping list, paint my fingernails and toenails a Halloweeny shade called "Black Diamond," and of course, win the lottery... so I never have to do laundry again.

Something tells me not ~everything~ on my wanna-do list is going to get done.

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Though I have already voted, my kindergarten students will be discussing elections and voting this week, before Election Tuesday. My aide made a ballot box out of a copier paper box with lid (she cut a slit in the top and covered the box with patriotic blue paper) and we'll be using the puppet center's curtained wall for the voting booth. I'll be creating our ballot this week to include our favorite story (Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See, Blueberries for Sal, Green Eggs and Ham), song (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Shake My Sillies Out, I Like to Move It Move It), and school lunch (popcorn chicken, PB and J, or pizza). I'll also make "I Voted" buttons for my students to wear:



Election predictions from *this* kindergarten pundit?

Favorite Story: Green Eggs and Ham

Favorite Song: I Like to Move It Move It

Favorite School Lunch: Pizza


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Matthew has a downloadable mock election ballot if you'd like to use one with your students!

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I'm now only nine away from my

400th blog post!

Don't forget the paper banner giveaway I'm having to celebrate!

Freedom...to Blog...to Read Blogs...to Avoid Blogs

Blogging for almost two years now, I’ve read with great interest those posts by favorite authors (bloggers, whichever you prefer) that pop up from time to time regarding anonymity, confidentiality, off-limit topics, etc. I’ve found it interesting that bloggers of all makes and models, be they crafters, artists, teachers, poets, home decor gurus or chefs, have had to deal with clarifying their blogs' focus and intentions, and in some cases, have either had to publicly defend their blogs' value and validity at the risk of losing their employment or customer base, or stop blogging all together because bosses didn't like what was being put out there.

Several of my favorite educational bloggers write anonymously. Some blog sites include disclaimers such as “this blog reflects my own personal opinions and not necessarily those of my colleagues or employer,” while other authors avoid identifying their schools, school districts, state or locale in any way, shape or form. Some friends and blogging colleagues with whom I write identify themselves and their locales on their blog sites, and have received varying feedback from their employers when their blogs have been shared, or in some cases, “discovered." Encountering a few no-holds-barred blogs authored by anonymous teachers with bones to pick and gripes to share, I felt a strong inclination that my own blog should be written honestly and without cheap shots.

When I decided to start blogging, I did so only at my MySpace page. Only friends or those who were willing to dig through millions and millions of MySpacers could find the blog, and frankly, I wasn't sure anyone would find it of interest once they did. Friends, family, colleagues, even former students are linked to my page, so should you visit it, you'll find it's a pretty accurate reflection of who I am. The page expresses my tastes, my humor, and my interests, much like my blog. My friends and family reflect a wonderful diversity that I enjoy, but I understand that visitors might not feel as comfortable with what they encounter when they leave my page to explore others. As always, it’s your choice to keep reading, or hit the back button. Leave the page, empty your cache or history, or shut down your computer. I have the right to write, you have the right to read, or to not read. Freedom is cool that way.

My writing evolves as do my interests. My writing "voice" continues to develop and change. I’m not only a teacher, but a wife, mother, daughter, friend, baker, and crafter, who enjoys sharing discoveries, recipes, teacher tips, family funnies, and the occasional rant with my readers. Since moving to Blogger (Kindergarten’s 3 R’s) I've gained more experience, fiddling with templates, subject matter, my blogroll, avatar, and all of the other bells and whistles that accompany publishing online. I choose to use my real name on my blog, but also choose to not “out” my family, friends, or colleagues by using their last names, location, school, or naming their employer(s), or mine. I am sensitive to the issues of confidentiality, safety, and mutual respect. I have chosen to share my thoughts with whomever might want to read them, and understand that just because I want to share doesn't mean everyone else will feel so inclined. I'm sassy, I'm silly, and I'm sarcastic. I appeal to some readers, not to all. Thankfully it's not my job to make everyone happy.

My present employers have told me they do not have a problem with me maintaining the online presence that I have at Blogger, EduBlogs, or MySpace. The content I’ve shared isn’t cruel or illegal, nor have I exposed my students’ or their families’ identities. As a teacher I’m happy to give credit where credit is due, so I link back to blogs I share, and identify colleagues (former and current) by first name only. They are appreciated, they are creative, they are inspiring, and for those far from my present location, they are missed. Many of them keep tabs on me and my family’s adventures by subscribing to my blog or checking directly at the site. Some colleagues have been inspired to create their own blogs, while many others enjoy their "lurking" practices. Several readers love the videos, while others find them a waste of space, preferring photos of my home decor or classroom center arrangement from which they can draw inspiration. To each his/her own.

Being a teacher who has been on the move for the past five years, my blogs reflect my emotions and impressions that are tied to each relocation, family upheaval, new school district, each state, and yes, each staff. I post the good, the funny, the stressful, and even the not-so-hot. I voice my enthusiasm, my questions, my concerns, and my frustrations. I advocate for my students, their families, and for my colleagues. My criticism and rants almost always strike a nerve with those who agree with my point of view as well as with those who don’t. When I read comments or emails about particular posts, I know many of us share common issues and concerns, though we don't always agree with each others' philosophies or opinions. I welcome dialogue and open communication- it’s how I learn, clarify, and understand. While readers regularly offer support and agreement, often it's due to the fact that my rants match many of their own beliefs. Those who disagree with me move on and find other bloggers with more appeal. Readers may feel that I’ve aired dirty laundry about my school environment, though I’m guessing they find no objection with the praise and appreciation that I’ve also shared.

New kindergarten teachers who are seeking out their place in their new schools, parents of soon-to-be kindergartners or teachers in Title I schools have thanked me or subscribed to my blog because they feel it offers an honest voice, hope, helpful links and some tricks of the trade worth sharing. It helps to hear that similar misconceptions about kindergarten and public education are being dealt with by someone other than ourselves, that the joys of teaching outweigh the stresses, and that we are not alone, though we may occasionally feel isolated in our new environments. Teaching is not all glory and roses, it's also not all torment and drama.


There are some really terrific teachers out there, and a lot of great teachers that also happen to be human and have tough days. Mistakes are made, even by yours truly. No one is perfect. Whether we like it or not, there are also some bruised or bad apples in the barrel, narrow minded educators who are more defensive than supportive, more belligerent than collegial, and administrators, school boards, and politicians who for some reason have lost sight of the fact that students are more important than numbers, and that diversity will always prevent one-size-fits-all programs from ever helping each and every child. Many parents will be involved, some parents will occasionally need more hand-holding than their children do, and sometimes parents won't ever set foot in your classroom.



I've done this job long enough to recognize the truths of it. I've traveled enough to have some tales to tell, and have been both blessed and burdened by those who inhabit with me the playing field that is Public Education. I have a lot yet to learn, and more students to reach and teach. I anticipate having more thoughts to share, examine, and rethink with my colleagues both past and present, and I look forward to continuing to connect with educators, administrators, parents, and those interested in early childhood education via the web.

This blog is not a witch hunt, nor is it written with the intention to harm my students, their families, my colleagues, or our administrators. Breathe. Relax. Come ask me for clarification if necessary as we're all still getting to know one another. Otherwise, feel free to NOT read this blog. Check out the links to some other "teacher bloggers" on the right hand sidebar (they are awesome!), sit back and enjoy a recipe or two, or avoid my blog completely. It's all good.

Cookie anyone?

What I've Been Flagging

My blog writing and blog reading schedule has been topsy-turvyfied for the past two weeks thanks to the start of the school year. My weekends are spent playing catch up, posting blogs to the queue and reading through NetNewsWire, flagging posts left and right that I want to return to or share. After yesterday's parent teacher conferences, Dear Daughter's last morning practice session for Freshman Volleyball (she made the team!), and another week under our belts dealing with the Toddler's transition to a babysitter, I'm hopeful that the family and I can settle into a somewhat regular and predictable routine so that I find time for the regular reading, regular posting, and regular commenting I've enjoyed for the past year. Coffee, blogs, exploration and discovery. Coffee, blogs, exploration and discovery. Coffee, blogs, inspiration(!) and discovery!
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* Pulling at my heartstrings again, Poppytalk shares photos and links to an Old School Exhibition that has me wishing I had a collection of globes with which to decorate.

* The Red Bee Creativity Blog shares how to's for two Halloween make-and-take booklets here and here...

* Cakespy has me hoping a classroom mom will make ice cream cone cupcakes as a birthday treat this year...

* Hostess With the Mostess has added nummy new recipes to The Recipe Box (grown up s'mores, bread pudding with chocolate chunks and bananas, caramel nut popcorn, seared scallops with chili pepper dressing, and many more)...

* The Purl Bee shares a wonderful tutorial on how to make a fabric party banner/garland (I know, I've become banner-addicted!)

* And just in time for today's rainy day weather, The Secret Recipe Blog shares a copycat recipe for Olive Garden's Angel Hair and Three Onion Soup

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Back to reading!

Eskimo in Oz

My Dear Husband and I were having dinner away from home last night after having run errands for most of the day. We chose a buffet type restaurant for both its selection and its proximity to the Sprint Service Center, where my cell phone was being beaten into you-SHALL-display-email-when-she-wants-you-to submission repaired. The late hour combined with the buffet environment and the other diners that belonged to the senior citizen crowd seemed to bring out our silly side, and soon we were joking about the repairs my cell phone *might* need, the number of used car lots that my husband has to choose from in his search for a smaller vehicle that gets better gas mileage, and how it was funny for me, being an Eskimo in Oz.



It sounds like a great blog title, no? Eskimo in Oz. We'll see if I find some inspiration for that one, since I'm back to rethinking my blogging now that I'll be returning to the classroom. Should I just keep all of my content here and at Tending the Eclectic Kinder-Garden, or should I focus one blog solely on teaching, and use the other as a catch-all... Pondering, pondering. Thoughts?

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By the way, after two forty-five minute waits at the Sprint Service Center, we realized that Sprint Service really doesn't...sprint.

From Wiktionary: Sprint: A short race at top speed; a burst of speed or creativity; To run etc. at top speed for a short period of time.

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I've missed W.E.I.O. again this year- and will have to make vacation plans back to Alaska over the summer in the years to come to see and hear the dancers, drummers, blanket pullers, Native crafts and vendors, athletes and friends who gather there annually:


Thankfully, Pamyua's "tribalfunk" sound occasionally visits Oz!

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Apologies if tomorrow's Show and Share is posted a little later than usual- I'm hoping to get my key(s) to my classroom in the morning and will be photographing the space and materials to help me plan my activity areas for my students!

Blogging and Technology Reflection

I've caught myself in a state of self-reflection again, this time in regard to my presence out here on the web.

I've read the newest issue of Artful Blogging. For months now I've been enjoying my morning ritual of parking myself and my coffee in front of the computer to scroll through NetNewsWire. I've noticed the monthly blogging/commenting challenges that have popped up all over Blogsville this past week, and have wondered if I should join in or just keep my blogging activities to myself and my readers. I'm still confused as to why some of my subscriptions load reliably almost every day, while others get stockpiled in blog limbo and then flood my feed in one fell swoop after a month or so. It reminds me of my cell phone service here in the Bordertown. I miss calls, and messages get held for days, weeks sometimes, before hitting voicemail. Message after message, the callers' tones seem to get testy, because they* JUST KNOW* I'm ignoring them and not returning their calls.



There goes that blind trust and over-reliance on technology again. Don't trust the phone company or advances in voicemail technology, trust ME.

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From what I could gather during my job interview over the phone with my new employer (I'll be back in Oz, this time at District #2), I'll be working with a staff that is a bit different from the last three with whom I've taught. This is completely understandable to me because I've witnessed first-hand the diversity that exists in the United States each time Uncle Sam has relocated us, however it might still come as a surprise to those who assume school districts across our nation are actually nearing some state of standardization with one another.

During my interview I was asked about PLC's and technology in particular, a question I've never been asked before. It's a question I myself have asked prospective employers at each of my interviews here in the Bordertown, a question I received very awkward answers to, responses indicating that I was more familiar with current technology usage in education than the interviewing principals were. I was told by District #2 that my classroom would have at least three wireless laptops for my students to use, so no, I wouldn't have to bring my outdated iMacs with me when I moved. For the first time, I was able to say "I have a blog" without worrying that the interviewer's mental alarm bells were going off, imagining a site full of inappropriate photos and text of a wanna-be-web-celeb instead of a teacher/crafter/mother/military wife who was sharing recipes, craft ideas, family updates, and links to kindergarten-related themes. I'm guessing someone at District #2 has already Googled me...probably did it before ever dialing my number for the interview. I would if I were in his or her position.

*****

I know that time has continued to march on as my family and I relocate from state to state. When I left Alaska, my teaching experience was built over a decade's worth of observations and paradigm shifts, most notably in regard to technological advances and their impact on school and society. I had to learn how to be responsible for an entire new iMac lab (not so new now!), and had to exercise caution because of what my students might encounter or see "out there," *NOT* what they themselves might PUT out there. Teachers with their own web pages were testing the water for all of us, and must have felt the pressure of it. My usage of White Out decreased significantly when a computerized report card replaced the traditional hand-written one.

In New Mexico, the kindergarten curriculum included goals for computer technology, but my classroom was given rarely operational PC's for the job because really, why would five year olds need computers? They'd just "play on them." Many of my colleagues had never heard of or seen Living



Books before (another no-longer-"new" resource). Teachers emailed, or instant messaged one another, but other than professional communication and entering data for attendance records, computers were to be used for student assessment only via Accelerated Reader. During chats in the staff lounge, no one complained about their own childrens' MySpace pages, and no one understood why I would want a dry erase, mobile magnetic white board in my room instead of the singular chalkboard I had. My son's and daughter's teachers didn't assign web projects. My own students were taught how to use the overhead projector, c.d. player, computers, and scanner instead of just being parked in front of them during lessons. Report cards still had to be filled out by hand. DIBELS too, though the number crunching of scores took place at Central Office somewhere.

In Oz, District #1 seemed to focus on using technology primarily again for student assessment. Improved reading and math scores were the be-all-end-all goal, with lists of acceptable web resources and sites xeroxed off and distributed ad nauseum during most professional development seminars, while statewide assessment test "practice" took precedence over any other web activities or lessons that students might have normally been assigned. My old iMacs came in handy, as my students were never a priority for computer lab time when the assessment crunch was in full swing unless my colleague and I were prepping them for future first grade AR assessments. I'm guessing the proposal I helped to author for an additional portable/cart computer lab wouldn't have created increased computer access for my kindergartners...it would have provided more test prep for additional (older) students. District email was handy, as were the attendance and report card programs though the kindergarten report card wasn't aligned with state standards and didn't provide enough narrative space for additional and essential info/documentation.

A younger group of teachers have MySpace pages, but several still don't quite know that their just-out-of-college-weekend-partying photos that they regularly post on their public sites are still viewable by students, parents, and colleagues. Some post photos on their personal pages of not only themselves but their students as well, something as a parent and teacher I find highly inappropriate. Some colleagues have their own personal blogs, where they reflect on their teaching practices and philosophies, their frustrations and their goals. Many of their identities are kept private for good reasons, as professional retribution and/or public misunderstandings by parents and colleagues who might search the web for them would be unbearable and possibly even job-threatening.

District #2 sounds incredibly promising, pro-teacher and therefore pro-student.

*****

I'll reflect more on why I blog at some later time, but I have to tell you, it's because of blogging, reading, commenting, participating in discussions, and contributing to the sea of teaching perspectives out there that I've been able to continue my own professional development during my Stay-at-Home-Mom year. My professional learning community stretches around the world, crossing borders, philosophies, cultures and ages, and in many cases it includes my own personal tastes and interests apart from public education. A wiki on cross stitching, a MySpace group devoted to scrapbooking techniques, a subscription to a photographer's blog overseas, my weekly download of the latest Oprah podcast for A New Earth, and my own contributions to blogs like In Practice aren't threatening to me or my employer- they've been essential to expanding my connections with others, and with myself.


My next goal? Podcasting- reading my students' favorite stories for them to access at school or at home. My voice, and the memory of face-to-face storytime can increase the personal connection with my students that promotes literacy better than any digital/cartoon character ever could.

*****

Thanks for reading. Don't forget to comment here for a chance to win the blue wreath tomorrow~

"What Happened" Wednesday

Miss me?

While I was happy to share the wonderful Muppet video clip on Monday, I haven't written anything in the past two days other than grocery lists and email messages, which is odd for me. It's not that I haven't had scenes, situations, or thoughts to share, in fact I'm happy to catch you up in a sec... I suppose I just needed a little break from blogging. Now *reading* blogs... I've been up to the task, and have even been rewarded for my reading and commenting...

Hostess With the Mostess hosted a giveaway with Childish Clothing.com last week, and GUESS WHO WON? Oh yes, ladies and gents, that would be ME! Five hundred dollars to shop for my almost three-year-old, and don't you know, it's perfect timing since the last growth spurt made most of our boy's wardrobe much too small. I'm making sure that the boy gets one of these:



It's the shirt that inspired me to comment on the giveaway post in the first place- I'm such an Army Wife/Mom!

Sigh, here are the skulls that Daddy likes:





Just perfect for our toddler, who is ALL BOY!

Thank you again Hostess and Childish Clothing, you have made our week, and our toddler's summer!

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Along with fun surprises, we had a not-fun one this morning. One of those that makes you wonder as a parent just *how* exactly your own parents allowed you to live past the age of, oh, thirteen...

I asked Dear Daughter to please wash my truck yesterday. Apparently she took my truck keys in order to stick them in the ignition so she could listen to tunes during her dreary task. An hour later (she washed the outside and cleaned the interior), she came back into the house, and since I wasn't aware that she had taken the keys, I didn't ASK HER FOR THE KEYS. This morning we headed out the door to run some errands, and guess what I couldn't find?



And guess where daughter found them? In the ignition. With the ignition on. And it had been on, all night long. The problem was solvable, doable, but a pain in the sheer timing of it. Military Spouses, you'll understand this one: guess where Husband is this week? Yep, out of town at training. For those of you non-military families, believe me when I tell you that Murphy's Law LOVES to lurk around the homes, vehicles, and workplaces of military spouses and families. Just waiting. Yes, you can almost hear the theme music from Jaws in the background begin to play as soon as our soldier deploys or leaves town for training. Pipes burst, tornadoes hit, cars die, and basements flood as soon as we're on our own. Add "teenagehood happens" to that list.

So after a phone call to Dear Husband to find out 1) where the jumper cables were and 2) just HOW I should use them to bring my truck back to life, I was moving vehicles, getting into the tool box, poppin' the hoods, and making sure red went to red and black went to black (my husband warned me that "bad things" happen when the reds and blacks on the jumper cables are mixed up on the vehicle batteries). Ten minutes later, my truck was running, and I had cooled down enough to know that I could speak to Dear Daughter without bursting her eardrums or the windows of our neighbors. I even fed her lunch.

Good mommy.

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I've got the urge to make a banner...or two...or three... with inspiration from Holly at Decor8, and Candice at Peacoats and Party Hats, and easy directions from Beth at Stitch, Rip, Repeat. One for kindergarten, another for birthdays, and possibly one that says "Welcome Home!"

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Jenny and Doug, I've started thinking about the passion-quilt meme, really! It will be coming up in a future post!

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See you back here tomorrow for Show and Share Thursday- I think I'll go make sure my keys are where they're supposed to be!

Writing Marks My Personal Pace

No, not "personal space." Dinner is done, the toddler is wrestling with Daddy on the couch, and daughter is in taking her shower before it's the toddler's turn for the tub. I'm munching on pink, white and red peanut m-n-m's (I know, not the healthiest choice), and have just finished reading the latest postings from the blogs to which I subscribe. The day is winding down. Surprisingly my thoughts are winding up.

I read some posts from teachers who were reflecting on their teaching practice, their latest successes, their most recent frustrations and disappointments. Several crafters have posted new ideas for spring, have rearranged their work space, and are entertaining thoughts of repainting rooms in their homes. A military wife is reviewing the latest book she's read that has been published as a resource for those of us who married military-folk, and several painters have listed their latest canvases on Ebay or Etsy. I myself posted earlier today about the baby afghan given to expectant friends, the Girl going to the district science fair, the wet and windy weather, and the cookies I was going to make (but didn't yet) for our daughter's friend.

I read the local newspaper several times a week, enjoy perusing the craft and home decor magazines at the store, and read the postings on NetNewsWire each morning. I'm authoring my own blog almost daily, responding to comments, answering emails, and following interesting links to wherever they might lead. It's a very different personal pace for me, considering what my schedule was at this time last year. Teaching full time, my husband deployed, primary parent 24/7, feeling extreme twinges of guilt whenever the load felt too heavy, too much a burden.

I was still writing last year, a few rants and silly surveys, but mostly weekly parent letters sent home via email or backpack. In these "notes home" I reviewed our week's activities, concepts introduced and explored, skills practiced, and made suggestions for activities that could be done at home for families to enjoy. My favorite part of the weekly note was the very last element I included, the "kindergarten quotes." Those funny or amazing things overheard coming out of the mouths of my Super Stars that I knew parents would enjoy...are what I miss most this year of not teaching.

I could plow through my lesson plans each week, student assessments, documentation for IEP's or whatever other school-required documentation reared its ugly head, but the weekly letter took time. Thought. Reflection. Editing. Evaluation of my tone. It often felt like it was the only written element required in my profession where my true voice would be "heard," so it mattered to me that the parents *knew* they were really making a connection with an authentic part of their childrens' school lives as they braved the backpack each Friday to excavate the note out of the pile of smooshed chips, broken pencils, and show and share items.

I'm a believer in behaving professionally when it comes to my job. My personal life is not to be confused with my public role, but I do believe in being sincere no matter what stage I might be occupying throughout the day. Though this year my pace at home does not match the speed usually kept when teaching, it has enabled me to spend more time in authentic reflection and on authentic writing. I've felt free to express how I've been feeling as a parent, spouse, stay-at-home mom, friend, out-of-work teacher, and blogger. I've reflected on my professional work as a teacher, my personal adventures away from the classroom, and I've found that I have new interests, new wishes, new directions I'd like to follow. Liberating myself from the trusted yet very routine role of public school teacher has put me in the position of having to stick one toe in the water, testing. I've been in the same pool for so long, and never entertained the thought that maybe the pond over yonder would cool my heels just as well... possibly even better. Is that a rushing brook I hear?

I love teaching. But I've found I love other things too. It will be interesting to set my pace again once we've moved, and I'm back to work.

Tuesday Treasures and GIVEAWAY!

It's been a terrific Tuesday! The toddler accompanied me to a craft store where I found some more ribbon, felt, and charms, adding some other colors to the pink streak I started a few days ago:

Domestic goddess duties kept me busy, though I was able to enjoy a quick catnap before settling in for some more online blog discoveries (*why* I went so long without using an RSS program still has me shaking my head, another testament to my "late bloomeriness")- some Tuesday Treasures include:

Paper and String: she's on a pink/Valentine roll too!

Red Felt Flower: I can't wait until NetNewsWire alerts me of her first 2008 post...

...and Bent Objects, where "Truth in Labeling" had me cracking up!

I'm off to enjoy tacos with the family for dinner, but not before I tell you to *check back tomorrow* for the giveaway item I've chosen to help me mark my 100th Blog milestone (it was the Band/Album Meme posting!)- remember, I'm a teacher, and a bit of a girlie-girl, so expect something literacy enriching...and PINK!

Blogroll Bonanza

The updates made to my blog site feature many new additions to the blogroll, so here's some info that might help to make *your* visit a pleasant and productive one:

*Though I am a kindergarten teacher, and this is my "kindergarten blog," I do not limit myself to only visiting the sites of other teachers. Never fear, I'm pretty certain each author could teach us a thing or two about his or her interest(s), so technically, the links in the blogroll can still be considered education-related, right?

*The categories are identified by education/kindergarten-specific-type phrases or vocab, "arts and crafts," "dramatic play," "snack/lunchtime," "recess" etc.

*Teacher oriented blogs or resources are found in "Early Childhood," "PE," or "Teacher Talk."

*Contrary to what kindergarten students might think, teachers do not live at school, though we spend many, many, MANY hours there. As I'm an advocate for teaching the whole child, so too do I believe in living my own "whole life." Yes, family, recipes, home decor tips, technology's newest gizmos, humor, music, art, health and opinions all make for a happy, content, fulfilled, and inspired existence.

*While I've chosen sites that I myself enjoy, you might not like what the authors have written or posted. Their content is their responsibility, not mine. If you don't like what they've put out into the void, then don't click on their link again. Simple.

*Comments, suggestions and feedback are always welcome, though spam is not.

Happy Reading, Happy Exploring, Happy Discovering, and most of all, Happy Thinking!

Blogging as the Nucleus, Blogging as the Electron

My blogging began after my second military move during my stay-at-home-mommy year. I ventured into non-email authorship after my daughter expressed an interest in having her own MySpace page, something I was not about to let her do without having figured out the pros and cons of it myself first. I learned how to modify the page, add friends, comments, change the layout template, add graphics, and most importantly, began adding information and details about myself in text to categories of music, interests, books, movies, etc. I chose not to be deceptive (the lists really do contain my "faves"), just selective in the information and photographs I chose to share and post.

I then started clicking on the links in the MySpace banner, and discovered groups, music, and blogs. I was not then, nor have ever been impressed by the "Top 10" Blogs list since most resort to attempts at erotica, hinted violence, or curse-laden lyrics to lure readers (and it obviously works, those blogs are in the top ten, right?). Undeterred, I thought there might be other people out there in CyberWorld like myself, a parent, teacher, military spouse, so I continued to explore. Joining "groups" on MySpace shared by teachers, famous-quote-enthusiasts, and crocheters, I started receiving recommendations for blog reading and began following links away from MySpace.

Having school-aged children and a husband with a twelve-hour workday meant that there was little conversation for me to participate in, no one to talk to or with save the newborn whose coos and cries kept me fairly focused on feeding, diapers, and baths. I found stay-at-home-mommy blogs, home decor blogs, sites for political rantings, crafting, and music. Parenting tips, joke sharing, photography, and world travel blogs gave me an escape each day during the then newborn's nap, and soon I felt the need to participate in the dialogues that some blogs offered, into which I had been invited by their questions and requests for comments.

My interests and need to communicate as a teacher, parent, crocheter, and homemaker required that I reach out, and I surprised myself by doing so when I began posting my own blog. Still selective and honest, my public diary reflected whatever topic was forefront in my mind, and asked questions that I sent out onto the web. I didn't often receive answers or suggestions in the beginning because of course, a blog must be "discovered." Just the writing, the expression, and the interjection of myself out into the world (added to the reading and contemplation of others' thoughts and ideas) helped me to feel less isolated, something that many people accomplish by participating in activities outside of their own homes. That year however, I wanted to be the nucleus and not the social electron. A newborn's schedule has that effect.

After that year at home, I was hired to teach, and I re-entered the world of public education. School district #3 had me longing for school district #1, just as school district #2 had at our previous post. I blogged away, and felt starved for like-minded educational philosophies, professional stances and behaviors that would reassure me I wasn't alone in the bigger picture, just merely an oddball in the current small pond in which I was swimming. Finally, one evening, I used just the right combination of words in Google, hit "return," and there they were, educational blogs, written by teachers from all over the world. I was in Heaven.

The timing couldn't have been better, because Uncle Sam decided to isolate me again, this time as a wife, by deploying my husband for a year. Now that I was an electron in the atoms of parenthood and teaching, I had resources, information, support, and enough activities to keep me busy, away from being overwrought with worry and fear for my husband. Teaching students, enjoying my grade-level-partner, and developing connections to other teachers with engaging and thought-provoking blogs via the internet helped me to feel a bit more well-rounded, adding to my mommy and wife facets.

This year, again at home, has been rich in family experiences, and thanks to the collegiality shared amongst educational blogs, my professional development and ties to public education have continued to grow. I've found some terrific recipes, warm and cuddly blanket patterns, and ideas for home decor along with some tips on digital photography that will help no matter where Uncle Sam moves us or which district is brave enough to hire me next. Blogging and searching for other bloggers to read have been entirely selfish acts on my part, fulfilling my own needs on my own timeline, in my own way. There is a part of me that hopes I've offered something in return though, because this medium is give and take, and I have certainly appreciated what other bloggers have been willing to share at this potlatch.

Take a look....

I've posted over at "In Practice" again, take a look!

What I'm Learning about NOW!

* Pillowfighting with two-year-olds each morning. One particular child, in fact! Concept to remember: While participating in a pillow fight with a young child, watch out, because things like toy buses, toy trucks, and board books *might* accompany the down-filled THWAK that you're expecting! Ouch! My eye!

* The wide world of Blogging. I have this blog, my MySpace page, and I'm now participating in some sort of "wiki" addressing technology in education. My first entry was HUGE. Wordy. Something to produce eye strain. Sigh. And I've been "tagged" and had my page "linked" to others. Concept to remember: never stop learning. I'm looking up blog definitions daily since I'm a late bloomer. Why is commenting good for bloggers? Thanks to Chris Garrett, the author- hope I'm learning how to link appropriately!

* Stress relief and hobby time. With so many friends pregnant (found out about another one yesterday!), I've had the perfect reason to crochet my little heart out! With concerns over employment, the realization my babies are growing up (eldest son turned seventeen two days ago), and wondering where Uncle Sam will send us next, I again have the perfect reasons to crochet. So I've found some fun patterns in books and online, but the basic granny square is still my favorite. Concept to remember: self-care is a good idea as is letting one's creative juices....crochet! Here's the latest blankie:* Creating a homeschool curriculum. Yep, after the nightmare that was my youngest nephew's kindergarten experience, my sister has decided to homeschool him. I'll be digging through my classroom materials, manipulatives, and book lists to share with her to get the little guy feeling better and on track. I'm guessing he'll enjoy Zoo Phonics, a program I've used with almost all of my kindergarten classes after Diane introduced it to me years ago! Concept to remember: sharing is good, and so is knowing when to ask for help.

Now all I need to do is figure out the best way to win the lottery! If a Wiccan teacher can do it, then so can I!