tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9164308478876401262024-02-06T22:20:04.058-05:00M* Print<p><strong>imprint . . . to fix {indelibly} or permanently (as on the memory)</strong>
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Welcome to my blog about life in a high school classroom-- and my efforts to {imprint} the things that matter onto my students.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-35407067764993909202014-09-12T15:30:00.000-04:002014-09-12T15:30:01.082-04:00For the Teacher-Mom: 3 Tips for Breast-Pumping at School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In some ways, teacher-moms have it better than many other working moms. We have nights, weekends, holidays, snow days, and summers to spend with our children. Of course there are lesson plans to be made and papers to be graded, but our physical presence (at least) is possible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In other ways, though, I think non-teaching working moms have it better. Breastfeeding and pumping are one of those ways. While <b>all</b> employers (under the Fair Labor Standards Act) have to permit breastfeeding mothers to take "reasonable" pumping breaks and provide a place for that, teaching is just a difficult job for taking breaks of any kind. In order to maintain supply, a mother needs to pump frequently, especially because pumps aren't usually as effective as babies at getting the milk out. Teachers get a planning period, but that only accounts for one time during the day. We simply can't leave students unattended while we disappear for 15-20 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I was extremely nervous about it, but breastfeeding is also extremely important to me. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The good news is, I'm making it work. <b> Here's how:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>1. Don't be afraid to address the issue with your administrators. </b>I'm fortunate to have <i>incredible </i>administrators at my school, who have families and are understanding. I told them what I'd be doing, and I got over my fears enough to ask for things I needed: 1) to be allowed to have a mini-fridge in my classroom to store milk, 2) a morning break time, 3) a free pass on lunch duty. I was provided with what I needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>2. Establish a pumping schedule and comfortable routine. </b>I waited until my class schedule was ready, and worked with what I had. Since my planning period is in the mid-afternoon, I asked for (and got) a paraprofessional to cover my class for 15 minutes at the end of 1st block. I pump at 7:45, 9:30, 12, 1:30, and 3:30. Usually I pump just sitting at my desk (which means eating lunch in my room), but during my morning break there are kids in there, so I go into the storage room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>3. Get the "stuff."</b> </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A nice pump (I use the <a href="http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/698/pump-in-style-advanced-breastpump-starter-set" target="_blank">Medela Pump in Style Advanced</a>-- free with insurance!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A bag to carry it all in, preferably thermal for times when you need to keep milk cool (I use this <a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/15/catid/20/swid/990a/picnic-thermal-tote-in-sketchy-dot/" target="_blank">Thirty-One Picnic tote</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A fridge or cooler to keep your milk and bottles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A hands-free pumping bra-- SO important because it allows me to work at my desk while pumping. (I ordered <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wishes-Hands-Breastpump-X-Small/dp/B0097GUCZ6/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1410542633&sr=1-1&keywords=hands+free+pumping+bra" target="_blank">this one</a> from Amazon. There are much more expensive ones, but this works fine.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A car adapter for the plug-in. This is so important for in-service days when you might need to pump on the road.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">There are other things (extra pumping parts, steam sanitizing bags, etc.) that are great, but these things are the real necessities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I'm new at this, so I'm sure there are other great ideas I've not yet learned. Anyone want to add anything?</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=916430847887640126" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh617/Rachyracheblogmakeover/Megan%20Patrick/signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" /></a><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Note: None of the pumping paraphernalia I listed is sponsored-- just things I use and love.</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-11744348667682488162014-09-11T16:30:00.000-04:002014-09-11T16:30:00.931-04:00Back to Blogging<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It's been ten months since my last post, and life has changed rather dramatically for me in that time. As you may know, my last post announced my pregnancy to the world. I was in the throes of first-trimester exhaustion and morning sickness, and pretty frightened (although, of course, <i>supremely</i> excited) about the prospect of the changes ahead of me. I convinced myself there was simply no time for blogging, and I called it quits. From time to time, though, I missed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Then my precious boy, <b>Carter Ellis</b>, arrived at a whopping 5lb 9oz, three weeks early on May 23, and the whirlwind that I called summer began:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Again, I thought about my blog. I wanted to share him with the world-- but my blog is about teaching, not family. So I put it off. Then colic hit like a hurricane, and for six weeks there was no time for breathing, let alone blogging. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Colic eventually passed, and I went back to work at the start of the school year as planned. Carter was ten weeks old and I was fresh out of gallbladder surgery, and again-- I thought, "There's no way."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Now, though, I seem to be finally hitting my stride. Carter is a happy, healthy 3 1/2 month-old who loves to blow raspberries, read books, and "talk":</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">and I'm adapting to this working mom thing pretty well. I have kept up with some blog friends since I've been gone, but I sort of missed this sounding board for my thoughts about the classroom. So here I am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I think I originally put so much pressure on myself to blog regularly, and that's what caused me to take such a long break. But, get this . . . <i>there are no blog police</i>. No professor to demand my essay by midnight. No rules. I can blog when I have the time and something to say, but this isn't a job. Why did I make it so hard on myself? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The purpose of M*Print is still what it's always been-- to share ideas about my work as a high school teacher. Carter will remain separate from that for the most part, but of course, my two lives do tend to cross. With that in mind, I'm working on a piece about breastfeeding / pumping at work. Look for that in the days ahead-- and with that in mind, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">it's good to be back.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-64154777852821001132013-11-12T16:29:00.001-05:002013-11-12T16:29:56.375-05:00Guest Post @ E, Myself, and I: Surviving First-Trimester Pregnancy in the Classroom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Lots of news today-- let's start with the fact that I have a guest post up on <i>E, Myself, and I</i> today, as part of her new Working Moms series: "<a href="http://www.emyselfandi.com/2013/11/working-mom-megan-on-surviving-1st.html#.UoKavHAqgq4" target="_blank">Surviving First Trimester Pregnancy in the Classroom</a>." I'm no expert, but go take a look! It's what worked for me . . . </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.emyselfandi.com/2013/11/working-mom-megan-on-surviving-1st.html#.UoKavHAqgq4" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4HpZdxmvd-GmQNWWRw-07vxjABGqSh4V-WnogfYjp4IGSVHKyzr6NetrdEJpVMSJ-Vntyf3kRMFYGF97SIDKOMUHiZHcdxAfnlYzHxZWaFuwr5LkeRMwOGsKSTLgZoZrZ6KfJ_LgYmKq/s400/Blog+Buttons-003crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">That leads me to the <i style="font-weight: bold;">real, super-exciting news</i>-- I have a Little One on the way! Baby Patrick is expected to arrive somewhere around June 13. I am <i>all kinds of thrilled</i> and let me just tell you that this is a long-awaited and much-anticipated Little Bean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">But, on top of all that excitement, I'm also sick. And tired. And a bit overwhelmed with all there is to do. <i>Don't pretend y'all haven't noticed me slacking off on the blog front.</i> So, while it pains me to say it, I'm going to take a break from M*Print. I don't know when I'll return, but right now my focus is pretty simple: <i>baby, family, sleep, food.</i> And of course, my passion for my students is right behind all of that. It doesn't leave much room for extras, and sadly, this blog is an extra. I'll be back someday-- maybe when Little One becomes a little less <i>Little</i>. I'll be reading and keeping up with my new-found blog friends in the meantime. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Until then, all my love! </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-63157329785616836072013-10-29T06:30:00.003-04:002013-10-29T06:30:47.353-04:00Five Types of Unlovable Students (and How to Love Them Anyway)<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It's no secret: I <b>adore</b> my kids. I'm a teacher, in large part, because I just <i>like kids</i> and <i>want them to succeed</i>. But let's just be real for a minute-- sometimes, there's <b>that kid</b>. No matter how hard you try, you just <i>don't like</i> <b>that kid</b>. For whatever reason, <b>that kid</b> just drives you up the wall. Because you're a rational person, you decide that you're going to deal and get past whatever personal issue you have. But it's <i>hard</i>. While it's not necessary for us to love our kids in order to teach them, I think it certainly helps. I have worked with a number of<b> those kids</b> over the years, and I'm proud to say that I think most (if not all) of them have no idea that I ever disliked them. I like to think that I have a special skill for hiding my distaste, and <i>even turning it into a real appreciation for my kids</i>. Here are five kinds of kids I sometimes find "unlovable," and how I manage to get around it and <b><i>love them anyway</i></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>1. <u>The Slug</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Slug is characterized by a <i>lack</i> of traits rather than a list of them. S/he <i>never</i> has homework, textbooks, pencils, paper, drive, work ethic, thoughts, ideas, eye contact, responsibility, or <i>a clue</i>. Slugs don't even bother to make up excuses; they just shrug or look away when asked about their work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u>How to Love Them:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Slugs usually lack effort because, quite frankly, they lack self-worth. Many of them have been told countless times (either verbally or indirectly) that they are stupid, lazy, or otherwise unimportant. Many of them lack parents who care, teachers who care, or even friends. <i>And we expect them to care about themselves even when no one else does?</i> To fix a Slug, pay attention to her. Get on her case. Nag her about her homework; sit with her while she writes; do whatever it takes. If a Slug thinks you don't care, he'll never change. Show him you care about him, about his life, and I promise you, he'll come around. Most likely, you'll find yourself<i> loving that reformed Slug </i>before it's over with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>2. <u>The Desk-Stander</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Desk-Standers are, in many ways, the total opposite of Slugs. Rather than avoiding your eyes, Desk-Standers seek them out. In fact, you'll probably find <i>yourself</i> dodging eye contact. Desk-Standers are often good students, but they won't seem to <i>stop standing at your desk</i>. A Desk-Stander wants to tell you about his entire day, even down to the breakfast foods he ate. A Desk-Stander will read twelve chapters ahead in the class novel, just so that she can chat with you about it before class. She also wants to know all about your day. Every day. If you need to quickly catch up on grading or email between classes, you're <i>out of luck</i> with a Desk-Stander around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u>How to Love Them:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Despite their behavioral differences, Desk-Standers actually have a lot in common with Slugs. Desk-Standers are starved for attention; I find that they usually are a bit neglected at home. They may also lack friends, so they feel a need to connect with <i>someone</i>, and that someone happens to be you-- the nearest adult who <i>has</i> to be kind to them. Desk-Standers also lack self-worth, but unlike Slugs, they need you to reaffirm it for them. To love a Desk-Stander, make eye contact, even if it's the last thing you want to do. Listen. Share something yourself. Eventually, your patience will pay off, and the Desk-Stander will feel validated and will (hopefully) look to peers for conversation, rather than to you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>3. <u>The Eye-Roller</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Eye-Roller is tricky. Like <a href="http://www.loveteachblog.com/" target="_blank">Love, Teach's Smirker</a>, the Eye-Roller is difficult to discipline, because there isn't really a crime committed. He glares openly at you, even when all your other kids are rapt with attention at the fabulous lesson you've planned. An Eye-Roller (<i>shocker!!</i>) rolls her eyes at everything you say and do. Honestly, it'll probably hurt your feelings more than you'd care to admit. Every student in the classroom can be beaming at you, but one sullen stink-eyed Eye-Roller can ruin your entire mood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u>How to Love Them:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Here's the thing; it's not about you. As difficult as it is to deal with, every teacher must learn to <i>stop taking things so personally</i>. Really, teenagers are sullen sometimes. It's hormones, boys/girls, friend drama, etc. <b>Not you</b>. As my second-grade teacher said, "Kill them with kindness." For every roll of the eyes, give the Eye-Roller your best smile. Eventually, you might get one back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>4. <u>The Blurter</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Somewhat similar to the Desk-Stander, the Blurter desperately needs attention. The difference? While the Desk-Stander seeks positive attention from you, the Blurter seeks <i>any kind of attention </i>from <i>anyone who will give it</i>. The Blurter <i>loves</i> being late, because that means she can burst loudly into class, screaming a ridiculous excuse for her tardy. If you ever ask, "Are there any questions?" . . . you'd better be prepared if you have a Blurter. He will have questions; that's for sure. A Blurter also loves to interrupt class with random off-topic musings, like, "Hey, Teacher, I like your shirt today." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u>How to Love Them:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Blurters need your attention-- to a point. I like to give them a few minutes (at the beginning or end of class) to get my full attention. I listen to their stories, answer their questions, and then? They have to be still and cooperative in class. Honestly, once Blurters get a little undivided attention, they're usually satisfied. It's also a good idea to seat Blurters with others who are <i>not</i> amused by their blurts. The other kids can help keep them in line. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>5. <u>The Spoon</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Spoons are probably the "unlovable students" I struggle with the most, because they fly completely in the face of my classroom motto of "Be nice or leave." Spoons, as you might suspect, stir the pot. You may also hear them referred to as Drama Queens or Kings. Spoons know (or think they know) something about <i>everyone</i>, and they love to share. I have a pretty strict anti-gossip and drama policy in class, but Spoons just ignore it. A typical interaction with a Spoon, for me, usually involves me gently reminding him of the rules. Thirty seconds later, I realize that he's back at it. Spoons often fail to realize that they are, in fact, Spoons. They somehow see themselves as public informants or detectives. This makes it really difficult to convince them to stop their behavior. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u>How to Love Them:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Spoons, like anyone else, need attention. Their own lives haven't provided enough material (in their opinion) for conversation, so they must discuss the lives of others. Once I recognize a Spoon in my room, I listen carefully to her conversations and make sure I constantly nip it in the bud. The Spoon sees me as the devil incarnate, constantly on her back. Then, I start taking an obvious interest in the Spoon. I ask about her weekend, but end the conversation immediately if she tries to discuss anything other than her own life. After enough conversations like this, the Spoon usually gets it. Eventually, at least in my room, the Spoon is reformed and I can love him/her like all the others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>What is your most unlovable type of student?</i></b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-85682702322815934062013-10-21T05:37:00.001-04:002013-10-22T10:33:46.569-04:00Better Together: Fun in the Classroom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Good Monday morning! It's time for my second-ever <i style="font-weight: bold;">Better Together</i> link-up. I think October is a tough time for lots of teachers-- the honeymoon period is over, and it's a long month with really no breaks. To get us through it, this month's focus is on <b style="font-style: italic;">fun in the classroom.</b> Please link up with me to share ideas for making the classroom more fun (for the students <i>and</i> for us)!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Better%20Together" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxD6mpVgzViWJOoefI5vv3Bg3cufExJUjpgihfWqvbSs-5iUzUbVobzsrWmwV3w9RgTxRfYGuNO_ki1IYMI7Q0E3J4CMu4WP-_cLjBLLbkH53MusX4BcJmjn5Kfrqh0sIdaTL4iF-uhxa/s400/Blog+Buttons-002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">One of my favorite fun lesson plans is something I do every year: I have my students re-write the balcony scene from <i>Romeo and Juliet</i> with a twist . . . and then perform them! My students never fail to put together fantastic skits with lots of humor and cheek. I've had so many fun versions:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">a kitten and a puppy <i>(Wherefore art meow?)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Jersey Shore</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Duck Dynasty</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Honey Boo-Boo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">"band geeks" from opposing bands <i>(My heart beats faster than a metronome for you!)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">two teachers from our county (who really are married, and the parents of one of my students)</span></li>
</ul><div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love this lesson plan, not only because it <i>guarantees</i> lots of laughs and an entertaining class period or two, but also because it forces the kids to look more closely at that scene than they otherwise ever would.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Please share! Link up below through next Monday and share your favorite fun lesson plan. I look forward to seeing them all! Remember- we are <u>better together</u>.</i></b> </span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=916430847887640126" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh617/Rachyracheblogmakeover/Megan%20Patrick/signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" /></a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-69015380758779780372013-10-14T15:01:00.000-04:002013-10-14T15:01:31.109-04:00Monday Mash-Up: Of Smirkers and Sportsmanship<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It's been a while since I put together a Monday Mash-Up, but I've been saving posts as they come along, so this one has some real gems for you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">They really have no common theme, but they're all pieces I thoroughly enjoyed for one reason or another- and hope you will, too.</span><br />
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<li><a href="http://daydreamingmaths.blogspot.com/2013/09/winning-losing-and-loving-it-have-we.html?showComment=1380017493813#c8582989384276657195" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">"Winning, Losing, and Loving It: Have We Taught Sportsmanship?"</a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> from </span><a href="http://daydreamingmaths.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Daydreaming in Maths</a>,<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> deals with something I preach to my students constantly. Joanna coaches the chess team for her school, and I coach an academic competition team. I've always thought I wasn't a "good coach" or "coach material" because I'm not angry when they lose. In fact, I really could not care less. What I <i>do </i>care about is that my team conducts themselves like ladies and gentlemen. I loved reading that someone else feels the same.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.loveteachblog.com/" target="_blank">Love, Teach</a></i>, as always, is a favorite blog of mine. "<a href="http://www.loveteachblog.com/2013/10/smirker-round-two.html" target="_blank">Smirker, Round Two</a>" is a hilarious piece about the frustration of dealing with those general bad-attitude kids. We've all had 'em.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Elizabeth of <i><a href="http://www.emyselfandi.com/" target="_blank">E, Myself, and I</a></i> wrote beautifully about "<a href="http://www.emyselfandi.com/2013/10/what-i-want-my-own-little-monster-to.html" target="_blank">What I Want My Own Little Monster to Know About Dreams, College, and the Future</a>," and though it's written for parents, it's another great teacher-read. Elizabeth's goals for her adorable little boy Sam are some of the same goals I have for my students: that they have someone who loves and cheers for them, that they don't stress out about the little things, and that they are able to pick themselves up after making mistakes or failing. <i>If only all our students had parents who loved and supported them like this.</i></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">"<a href="http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/commentary/2252286-12/to-the-teacher-who-didnt-leave-me-behind.html" target="_blank">To the teacher who didn't leave me behind</a>" is a piece that appeared on <a href="http://www.roanoke.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Roanoke Times</i></a>. It's a great inspirational reminder to not give up on our kids, even if they're not being sportsmanlike or if they smirk or if they just aren't very resilient.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Finally, who doesn't love a good lesson plan that's already done?! I'm teaching both <i>Romeo and Juliet</i> and <i>Julius Caesar</i> right now, in two different English classes, and this one, "<a href="http://thecurlyclassroom.blogspot.com/2013/10/serving-up-tragedy.html" target="_blank">Serving Up Tragedy</a>" from <a href="http://thecurlyclassroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Curly Classroom</i></a>, is pretty awesome. It uses paper plates to help students study and compare the elements of tragedy and comedy-- cheap hands-on learning always rocks my socks!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>My next <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Better%20Together" target="_blank">Better Together</a> linky party will be up in one week-- get your posts ready! The focus this month is on "Fun in the Classroom." </i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-8576740424795228782013-10-12T08:35:00.000-04:002013-10-12T08:35:25.881-04:00Allowing Students to "Run Wild"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Here in the south, allowing kids to "run wild" is a topic one overhears whispered amongst judgmental parents. As in, "She just lets her kids <i>run wild</i>; what is wrong with her?" I'm here to put a different spin on those two little words-- and to suggest that sometimes, as teachers, <b>we give our kids the freedom to <i>run wild</i>. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Let me start at the beginning. I have a brand-new newspaper class this year that is <i>so much fun</i>. It's made up of 10 brilliant young people and myself. Several of them actually want to pursue writing as a career, so while I feel some pressure to <i>really rock it this year</i>, I also <b>love</b> teaching them. They're interested and dedicated; I never hear, "Do we have to?" Frankly, they're one of the great joys of my school year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">But when three boys, who all aspire to become sportswriters or sportscasters, approached me about doing something new and different, I hesitated for a moment. They wanted to broadcast the Homecoming football game. On film. My first thoughts? <i>I don't know. That sounds difficult. Where could we do it? I don't have any equipment.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A tiny voice inside my head said, "Let them figure it out." So I did. I told them they'd have to figure out the logistics. <i>In a few minutes, they were back</i>. They had booked a room in the press box for the night of the game, and secured a video camera and tripod. While we wouldn't be able to actually "broadcast" or stream the video feed, we could definitely film it, edit it, and post it on our newspaper blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I told the boys they'd have to dress professionally <i>(If you want to be a sportscaster, you're going to look like a sportscaster.)</i> and that, since I was signed up to sell tickets at the game, they'd have to go it alone until I could join them at halftime. I must admit, I was a tad bit nervous for them. I saw one of them briefly before the game; he'd been unable to find the others and was stressing. But when halftime rolled around, I made my way up there with snacks and drinks for them, and <b><i>my mind was blown</i></b>. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">guest commentator + two of my three students</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Not only were they all in shirts and ties, but they had brought in a guest commentator, a former player from our football team. Their knowledge of football amazes me, (partly because I know </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">precious</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> little), and their commentary was incredible. They even referenced former players, other teams in our district, and made comparisons to college and NFL teams. </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">I am so stinkin' proud of them!</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We are still in the editing phase (and they're doing it all), but I think the lesson I learned is this: sometimes, kids get excited about learning. About spreading their wings, trying new skills, and <i>running wild</i>. And it's our job to just <i>let them</i>. That project took almost no effort on my part; all I had to do was say <i>yes.</i> In the process, I showed my students that I believe in them and that they <i>can.</i> If you haven't yet, give your students a chance to <b>run wild</b>. Soon.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-10214430067300662292013-10-09T17:32:00.002-04:002013-10-10T06:19:33.677-04:00Homecoming Week: Teacher/Student Bonding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This two-week blogging hiatus is brought to you by what <a href="http://www.loveteachblog.com/" target="_blank">Love, Teach</a> affectionately calls DEVOLSON-- the Dark, Evil Vortex of Late September, October, and November. <i>Man, am I tired.</i> But aren't we all? The good news is I'm back, and although it's a bit belated, I've got some fun pictures!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">If you're a high school teacher, you get to experience <b>Homecoming Week.</b> You can look at it one of two ways: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. It'stheworstweekevermykidsarecrazy ohmyGodhowwillIgetthroughthis?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. <i>What fun! This is the perfect chance to get to know, and bond with, my students.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I choose Option 2. Because really, who wants to just be frazzled for a week?<i> </i>And secondly, who <i>doesn't</i> want to wear fun costumes to work?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I have to say, I didn't come to this realization on my own. I work with a highly involved, incredibly fun faculty who participate <i>with gusto</i> every year. A large group of my teacher-friends and I coordinate fun costumes according to the week's scheduled dress-up days, and our pictures are simply fabulous. Check out this year's pics:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Monday: Camo Day</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly, we <i>are</i> Duck Dynasty.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday: Twin Day</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell whose mustache is fo' real? We all "honored" our principal, who is retiring after this year.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday: Retro Day</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY38DZZ3legxmCDYvprO5r6PhOAZ36AhYIqciO4c0Nl0Diqq5tYNAhxj96nAcIMYpY1Z5Gsr2iQrCFuMGiXWZudPhELJGZ_fwev2RBA6oXOfQaB9GxP3M4ACXAcFIjmXT2ZtjYdfr7rJ6_/s1600/wednesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY38DZZ3legxmCDYvprO5r6PhOAZ36AhYIqciO4c0Nl0Diqq5tYNAhxj96nAcIMYpY1Z5Gsr2iQrCFuMGiXWZudPhELJGZ_fwev2RBA6oXOfQaB9GxP3M4ACXAcFIjmXT2ZtjYdfr7rJ6_/s400/wednesday.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How much do you love our decade-based digs? My flapper had to wear a sweater to be school appropriate, but I still think we're darned cute.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday: Favorite Sports Team Day</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbkGFkYzEgeo0oNnB2gn5guhZit3HlV2xShDQpVqzM6GE9kj5aRD4XJeRNKf9fU3LJ86NxGFMSKwlACvjhrlQFd0Ahc6N1ie8ewUmD9W6WLcr71GUv2gXJ5pTGAZQG9EjxLGQpqagBCob/s1600/1263916_10201580434745742_1847382449_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbkGFkYzEgeo0oNnB2gn5guhZit3HlV2xShDQpVqzM6GE9kj5aRD4XJeRNKf9fU3LJ86NxGFMSKwlACvjhrlQFd0Ahc6N1ie8ewUmD9W6WLcr71GUv2gXJ5pTGAZQG9EjxLGQpqagBCob/s400/1263916_10201580434745742_1847382449_o.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The perfect excuse to wear jeans to school!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Friday: Big Orange/Black Day</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc0xpFtTZ70nJU65BRtaq1j4vbKwpLH4cfkziDNtcMlAfmJFQHz5tN0Iqbb7-6xqA7iI3HdLHbnP5Ph-ygfk2y2vOxqJ3x3j3o-BI_FcjPm0p1bDqjT-YVPYl2mJfX_2R2U2F-IW6REu6/s1600/friday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc0xpFtTZ70nJU65BRtaq1j4vbKwpLH4cfkziDNtcMlAfmJFQHz5tN0Iqbb7-6xqA7iI3HdLHbnP5Ph-ygfk2y2vOxqJ3x3j3o-BI_FcjPm0p1bDqjT-YVPYl2mJfX_2R2U2F-IW6REu6/s400/friday.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This has become an annual tradition: we wear the uniforms of our senior football captains.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In past years, we've also been Ms. Pac Man and her ghosts (Video Game Day), the Ninja Turtles (Superhero Day), and lots of other fun things. Not only do the kids <b>love</b> seeing what crazy thing we'll be doing each day, but we love doing it. If we can't occasionally <i>be</i> kids, how are we supposed to teach them? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My school also holds a carnival each Homecoming Week, where we get to talk, play games, eat pizza, and dance with our kids. I have learned many new line dances over the years, and most importantly, I've formed <i>lasting relationships</i> with my young'uns. If you have a Homecoming Week, by all means, please jump in headfirst!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I'm hosting another <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Better%20Together" target="_blank">Better Together</a> linky in a few weeks, so start planning your post to link up-- our theme will fit this blog: Fun in the Classroom. What do you do to engage with your students in <i>fun</i>?</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-70229793748668676432013-09-26T06:48:00.001-04:002013-09-26T06:48:33.497-04:00Feeling Overwhelmed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My school system has a new hybrid block schedule in place this year. Honestly, no one is a fan. It's complex and weird-- some strange combination of a 7-period day and a 4x4 block. Part of the reason for the change is that students now take eight classes per year, rather than seven, so they have more opportunities for credits. Another reason is that teachers, who previously had to be paid extra to teach more than five classes, are now <i>all</i> teaching six with no extra pay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Who doesn't love a list?</b></span><br />
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<li><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I adore</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> my 90-minute classes, because I feel like we're accomplishing so much. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>I adore</i> my kids this year. Most of them are super sweet and very fun.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>I adore</i> that it's Homecoming Week, and I work with an <b>incredible</b> group of faculty and staff who know how to have fun <i>and</i> be professional. <i>(More on that later.)</i> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>I adore</i> that I work with a principal who respects us and gives us room to do our jobs.</span></li>
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<li><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I don't adore</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> that I have double the planning, but not double the planning </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">time</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">. </span></li>
<li><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I don't adore</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> not knowing all my kids until second semester. </span></li>
<li><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I don't adore </i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">the massive amount of grading I'm experiencing from my block classes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>I don't adore </i>that I feel nearly as busy and overwhelmed as I did while completing my National Board Portfolio last year.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Yesterday, I had a meeting with a group of teachers from lots of surrounding counties. We were asked to rate our school year on a scale from 0-10. I thought about it, and maybe I'm a glass-half-full kind of person, but I decided my school year deserved a B, so I went with 9. <i>Let me tell you, it has been <b>much</b> worse before. </i>Aside from one person, <b>no one else</b> in the room gave their year above a 6.5. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Huh! Maybe I'm not the only one feeling overworked and underpaid.</i> Sometimes it's just nice to commiserate, huh? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Remembering my blessings this morning-- my kids are fine; my classroom is my own and is full of learning and love; my bills are paid even if my wallet's not full. It's not so bad, after all.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=916430847887640126" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh617/Rachyracheblogmakeover/Megan%20Patrick/signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-22283939170925642412013-09-23T10:00:00.000-04:002013-10-21T05:37:54.811-04:00Monday Mash-Up: The Real World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Happy Monday morning! I am thrilled to call my first linky, <i><a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/better-together-linky-party-september.html" target="_blank">Better Together</a></i>, a success. I needed help, so I reached out to my blogging friends for advice. I love collaborating with other great teachers, and I can't express enough how much <i>better</i> we all are <i>together</i>. I had four great entries- check them out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. "<b><a href="http://theoatmealchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/09/collaboration-creative-genius-better.html" target="_blank">Collaboration=Creative Genius</a>," from Katie @ <a href="http://theoatmealchronicles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Oatmeal Chronicles</a> </b>contributed lots of great ideas: paired work, tiered questions, extension cards, and "switching students" in co-teaching settings. I am especially excited about the extension cards, and am working on a set of those for my room today! (And I used her narrative-songs-for-plot-structure lesson plan Thursday with great success!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. "<b><a href="http://www.emyselfandi.com/2013/09/teaching-tuesday-classroom-management.html" target="_blank">Teaching Tuesday: Classroom Management</a>," from Elizabeth</b><b> @ <a href="http://www.emyselfandi.com/" target="_blank">E, Myself, and I</a> </b>discusses mutual respect, tough love, and being a team player. My favorite part? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Century Gothic', 'Century Gothic', 'Century Gothic', 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px; text-align: justify;">"If you call me a b*^#@$, I'm giving you detention and calling home. Every.time. Period. BUT, I'm not going to cause a scene about it, and I'm NOT going to hold a grudge. The next morning, I will greet you with a smile. </span><u style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Century Gothic', 'Century Gothic', 'Century Gothic', 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px; text-align: justify;">When it's done, it's done."</u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 22.99715805053711px;">3. <b>"<a href="http://thecurlyclassroom.blogspot.com/2013/09/better-together_18.html" target="_blank">Better Together</a>," from Suzanne @ <a href="http://thecurlyclassroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Curly Classroom</a> </b>offers some great advice for co-teaching, which I'm new to this year. While I feel like my co-teacher and I are off to a great start, I definitely hope to start planning more together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4. <b>"<a href="http://daydreamingmaths.blogspot.com/2013/09/stayin-alive-my-classroom-management.html" target="_blank">Stayin' Alive: My Classroom Management Survival Strategy</a>," from Joanna @ <a href="http://daydreamingmaths.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Daydreaming in Maths</a> </b>has some good classroom management tips for surviving with those "trouble-makers." I <i>love</i> the bit about spending quality time with them and getting to know their "<i>why</i>." <i>Plus, it's kind of awesome that Joanna is from <a href="http://daydreamingmaths.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">Cape Town, South Africa</a>! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Keep your eyes peeled for my next Better Together Link-Up in October. I'd love suggestions for topics!</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Now, on to some of my other favorites from around the blogosphere this week-- which all seem to revolve around the <i><b>real world</b></i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>"<a href="http://stumpteacher.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-real-world.html" target="_blank">The 'Real World,'</a>" from Josh @ <a href="http://stumpteacher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stump the Teacher</a></b> is a deep inspection of what those two words mean. Every teacher likes to think that s/he is preparing students for the <i><b>real world</b></i>, but what exactly does that entail? We may not realize it, but many kids are already living in a world that's <i>all too real</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>"<a href="http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/161178/why_ill_let_my_kid?utm_medium=sm&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=fanpage" target="_blank">Why I'll Let My Kids Get Teased at School</a>," by Adriana Velez for <a href="http://thestir.cafemom.com/" target="_blank">The Stir</a></b> is another one of those <i>for-moms-but-could-definitely-be-for-teachers-too</i> posts. I have said for a long time that rather than constantly harping about eliminating bullying, we should spend as much time teaching our kids to develop a thick skin and react appropriately. <i>There will always be bullies in <b>the real world</b>, even in adulthood. We choose to give them power over us-- or not. </i>Please know, I'm not in the business of ignoring bullying. I just really like what Adriana has to say about the importance of letting kids learn to <i>deal</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Similarly, <b>"<a href="http://www.teachingquality.org/content/have-we-made-things-too-easy-todays-kids" target="_blank">Have We Made Things TOO Easy for Today's Kids?</a>" by Bill Ferriter for the <a href="http://www.teachingquality.org/" target="_blank">Center for Teaching Quality</a> </b>focuses on the fact that teachers are working <i>much</i> harder than students in many classrooms today. He compares modern classrooms to the ones he attended as a student, and the results are obvious. Again, I'm not calling for a return to teachers who do nothing but lecture and dole out classroom spankings, but I do think it's time we <i>give kids some responsibility.</i> After all, isn't that our job-- to prepare them for <b>the real world</b>?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Finally, a<i> </i>look into a classroom where kids are learning in <b><i>the real world</i>: Katie @ <a href="http://ahundredaffections.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">A Hundred Affections</a> </b>has put together <b>"<a href="http://ahundredaffections.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/a-crazy-idea-that-just-might-not-be-so-crazy-after-all/" target="_blank">A Crazy Idea That Just Might Not Be So Crazy After All</a>." </b>In order to help her students connect to their American literature studies in a <i>real </i>way, Katie has devised a heartwarming, beautiful, educational service-learning project for her students. They'll be writing a memorial book, creating a memorial garden, and even <i>marching with <b><a href="http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/" target="_blank">The Wounded Warrior Project</a></b>. </i>This is the kind of service-learning kids will never forget, and I can't think of a way to better connect classroom learning with <b>the real world</b>. Major kudos!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-28472039173987141932013-09-18T09:00:00.000-04:002013-09-18T09:00:13.743-04:00Midweek Confessions: Playing Dumb<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.emyselfandi.com/" target="_blank">E, Myself, and I</a> for this week's Midweek Confessions. Here goes . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I'm blonde. I'm a woman. This makes me neither stupid, nor a bad driver, nor mathematically inept. <i>Why, then, do we sometimes perpetuate stereotypes about ourselves? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I hate math. <b>Hate it. </b>In fact, I detest it so much that I celebrated <i>like it was my birfday</i> when I realized I had finished my last-ever math class. As a result, I've spent many, many years making disparaging jokes at my own expense. <i>An example: </i>A kid in my study hall last year asked a fairly simple subtraction question. My response? <i>"I don't know; I'm an English teacher."</i> This has always been fun for me-- it unites me with other math-haters. Things like <b>this . . . </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">have always struck me as hilarious. But here's my dirty little secret-- <i style="font-weight: bold;">I'm not really bad at math.</i> I really don't like it, I don't see its value beyond the basics, and I am glad to never have to do it again-- but I made good grades in math classes. I understood it fairly easily. <i>So why do I do that? Why pretend to lack intelligence? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This latest revelation comes from an essay my Advanced English 9 students just read, called "<a href="http://www.rpdp.net/DOK_pdfs/DOK_Coding_for_Grade_8_Reading.pdf" target="_blank">Math and After Math</a>," and written by Lensey Namioka. In it, the a young girl's classmates view her as strange and different because she is a <i>girl</i> who's good at math. After we read, I had my kids do a class <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/fostering-critical-thinking-with.html" target="_blank">fishbowl discussion</a> about stereotypes. I asked how many of my (honor student) girls had ever pretended to not "get" something so that they'd feel less different. <i>Almost all of them raised their hands.</i> Wow. I was shocked . . . until I realized that I, too, was guilty of faking it. Even though my self-deprecation is a joke to me, what kind of example am I setting for the young ladies in my classroom? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I've become more conscious lately of what I say, especially in the presence of my kids. It's scary to think about the influence I might have on kids I spend so much time with-- and I am <i>promising myself</i> that I'll do a better job of representing myself from here on out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>We are all guilty of saying things we regret to our students-- please share your stories, so I don't feel so terrible!</i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-63621554412307901382013-09-16T09:00:00.000-04:002013-09-16T09:00:04.057-04:00Monday Mash-Up: Teacher Moms and Tin Foil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Good Monday morning! It was a beautiful autumnal weekend at my house- so beautiful, in fact, that I'm not sure I'm ready for Monday to be here. Alas, it is-- so here's some good reading to brighten your Monday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>"<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-macy-stafford/six-words-you-should-say-today_b_3863643.html" target="_blank">6 Words You Should Say Today</a>" </b>by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/handsfreemama" target="_blank">Rachel Macy Stafford</a> for HuffPost reminds us of the importance of encouraging words. Although written for mothers, this post (like many other mom-blogs) speaks to me as a teacher, too. Take a look at these six words, and I think you'll understand. Phrases like <i>"I love to watch you write" </i>and <i>"I love to hear you read Juliet's part" </i>come to mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>"<a href="http://thecurlyclassroom.blogspot.com/2013/09/character-foils-that-wrap.html" target="_blank">Character Foils-- That's a Wrap!</a>" </b>from Lori<b> </b>at <a href="http://thecurlyclassroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Curly Classroom</a> brings dramatic foils to life with a hands-on activity involving <i>real aluminum foil</i>. I love the creativity involved here, and how a few rolls of aluminum foil could easily cement a literary term in the minds of my students.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>"<a href="http://www.rantsfrommommyland.com/2013/09/domestic-enemies-of-teacher-mom.html" target="_blank">Domestic Enemies of the Teacher Mom</a>" </b>from <a href="http://www.rantsfrommommyland.com/" target="_blank">Rants from Mommyland</a> is hilarious and oh-too-true. I have taught <i>lots </i>of my colleagues' children over the years, and I know it isn't fun to be a "teacher's kid." This piece focuses on the other half of that partnership-- the Teacher Mom-- and all the struggles involved in having <b>two</b> incredibly tough and important jobs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Morning-Meetings-Jesus-Devotions-ebook/dp/B002CQ28SM/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1379267570&sr=8-1&keywords=teacher+devotional" target="_blank">Morning Meetings with Jesus: 180 Devotions for Teachers</a>,</i> by Susan O'Carroll Drake, isn't a blog like most of my Monday Mash-Up pieces; it's a book. I have to share even if it breaks format. I found it while surfing for a few new Kindle books, and I love it. Each devotion (one for every day of the school year) is short and to-the-point, and comes across as uplifting, not "preachy." I read one each morning while I get ready, and I find that they're an inspiring start to my school days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Finally, <b>"<a href="http://secondarysolutionsblog.com/nodefense/" target="_blank">No Defense for Webster's 'N' Word</a>," </b>from <a href="http://secondarysolutionsblog.com/" target="_blank">Secondary Solutions</a>, is a great read for teachers <i>and</i> students. English teachers encounter this word in lots of great literature. (<i>Of Mice and Men</i>, <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i>, and <i>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn </i>come to mind immediately.) It's always uncomfortable and can spark some heated discussion among my students, so I like to address it up front with the kids. This article links to a great <a href="http://claytonvalley.org/ourpages/auto/2012/10/22/53569105/no_defense.pdf" target="_blank">PDF</a>, written by Earl Ofari Hutchinson, that I plan to share in class this week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Did I miss anything great this week? Please share fantastic "teacher-reads" in the comments. <b>And-- don't forget to link up with me this week to share some tips for <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/better-together-linky-party-september.html" target="_blank">Better Together</a>!</b></i></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-58223746178943190042013-09-15T18:27:00.000-04:002013-09-15T18:27:13.260-04:00Fostering Critical Thinking with Fishbowl Discussions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In my experience, teenagers tend to struggle with writing for two major reasons: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1) They're not used to thinking critically.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2) They don't know how to put their thoughts into words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I have no qualms about saying that I wholeheartedly blame our testing culture. We're teaching the youth of our nation to think in terms of A, B, C, or D-- not to analyze, rationalize, criticize, or evaluate. <b>However</b>, lest this blog turn into one giant anti-testing <i>rantfest</i>, I'd prefer to <b>focus on what I can do with what I have</b>. <i>What I have</i> is a room full of kids who need to learn to think critically so that they can not only write well, but also be productive in the real world. <i>What I can do</i> is model critical thinking for them and let them practice in a safe environment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I've heard of <b>fishbowl discussions</b> for years, but this year is the first time I've tried them. <b>Wow!</b> I'm holding at least one a week in most of my classes, and they're changing the way my classroom works. The concept is simple:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. Choose 3-4 students to be "<i>fish</i>"-- to sit in the front of the room and serve as the leaders of the discussion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. Ask discussion questions, one at a time, of the fish. Allow them to hash out their responses as a panel, and then open the discussion to the rest of the class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My kids are so responsive to this format! Our discussions are lively and so insightful. It's amazing what kids can come up with when we <b>let them think</b>. I have to say, <i>at first</i> they all seemed to feel a need to address <i>me</i> for their responses, rather than the class. To get them discussing together, I moved to the back of the room, spoke only when necessary, and occasionally redirected kids who were turning around to face me. I'm also more than happy to spend some time on a (related) tangent, because I want to allow discussions to flow freely and kids to express their thoughts fully before we rest a topic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I chose my first "fish" based on their outgoing personalities. To get the figurative ball rolling, I wanted kids who would have no problem expressing themselves. After the initial discussion, though, I usually choose kids who were notably quiet during the last discussion. This way, I make sure that they're accountable for participation. (I also take a participation grade.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Fishbowl discussions are revolutionizing my kids' writing</b>, because they're eliminating the problems I listed first-- they are forced to think critically, and talking through their thoughts helps them to formulate the words they need to write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>What tricks do you use to get kids discussing?</i></b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-205191995176481692013-09-14T17:53:00.001-04:002013-09-16T17:38:55.651-04:00Better Together Linky Party: September 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I'm hosting my <i>first ever</i> linky! I'm pretty excited about this, because I <strike>desperately need your help</strike> could use a few new ideas. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Confession time</i>: I am struggling with a class this year. I don't like to admit it, but I have a group that is a challenge for me. It's my biggest class, and has a large percentage of IEPs and 504 plans-- lots of accommodations to remember and implement. This class has a wide variety of ability levels-- which I know, every class has, but this one is a doozy. There are kids who I can't believe made it out of elementary school, and there are kids who I <i>know</i> should be in Advanced English instead. On top of all of that, there are 3-4 kids who are blurters or noise-makers. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>My challenges right now (in this class) are these:</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. How do I teach a high school English class in which many of the students can't write a coherent sentence or read beyond a 4th-grade level? <i>Shakespeare and research papers are coming all too soon, y'all.</i></span><br />
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</i></span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. What do I do with the kids who <i>can</i> do all of the above and are rapidly becoming <i>super bored</i> with the repetition?</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3. How do I manage the behavior of all those attention-starved kids who just can't stop shouting out irrelevant comments or making strange noises? I have known for a long time how to deal with these kids one at a time, or even two at a time, but <i>there are so many of them in this group</i>.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4. This challenge is a <i>positive challenge</i>. I'm working with a special education co-teacher for the first time ever in this class, and while she's fantastic and we're working well together, I'd still love some tips on collaborative teaching.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So now to the real point-- I've decided to host a monthly linky party, which I'm calling <i><b>Better Together</b>.</i> I have written <i>so many times</i> about the importance of collaboration in education. It's time to start widening my network of teacher-friend-mentors. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Please share your best tips and lesson plans, and link up with me!</b> Because I totally need advice right now, our focus for September's party will be on behavior management, co-teaching, and working with a wide variety of ability levels. We're all in this together, so please feel free to share your ideas for any grade level, or even homeschooling. I think we'll be <i>amazed</i> at what we can learn from one another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. Grab my button from the top and link back to M*Print.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. Link up your <i>post</i> on a classroom-related tip or lesson idea, not your entire blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3. Explore! Visit some other link-ups and learn something yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>Link up any time between now and next Saturday. </i></b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>I'll feature my favorite post when the link-up closes next week. Happy linking!</i></b></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-79971250549335672732013-09-13T17:44:00.000-04:002013-09-13T17:44:26.057-04:00redditgifts for the Teachers 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Having been back into the school year for three weeks now, I feel like I'm finally hitting my stride again. <i>That means new blog posts coming up!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Right now, though, I just had to send out a <b>huge </b>thank-you to redditgifts, who created a gift exchange called redditgifts for Teachers 2013 just for <i>people to send teachers free stuff!</i> I mean, wow. <a href="http://www.donorschoose.org/project/snapshots-young-journalists-need-digita/1043131/" target="_blank">DonorsChoose</a>, and now this one, too?! <i><b>There are so many good people in the world, y'all.</b></i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I heard about the exchange and sent in a request for a gift. It asked me to fill in some details about my classroom, like what grade level and subject(s) I teach, what we needed/wanted most, and our school colors. A week or so later, I got an email saying that my "Santa" had <a href="http://redditgifts.com/gallery/gift/wonderful-gift-my-high-school-classroom/" target="_blank">shipped a package for me</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">When the boxes arrived, I ripped into them <i>immediately</i> and found the most-used resources my classroom needs: a <i>huge</i> 6-pack of tissues, and a big bottle of hand sanitizer. <i>No flu in my room this year! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I had really never heard of <a href="http://redditgifts.com/" target="_blank">reddit</a> before, and I'm not sure if this is an annual event or a one-time deal, but <i style="font-weight: bold;">how awesome was that? </i>Someone, out of the kindness of his/her <i>giant</i> heart, just decided to mail my kids a gift. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Happy Friday! It doesn't get much better than free classroom supplies, in my book.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-63415496588397143942013-09-09T10:00:00.000-04:002013-09-09T10:00:05.620-04:00When It All Goes Wrong: Monday Mash-Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Happy Monday! </i>I have just a couple of favorites to share this week, but they're both true gems. For me, the first few weeks are always difficult. I am tired, I don't know all of my kids well yet, and I'm adjusting to a new schedule. The best laid plans of mice and teachers . . . <i>well, you know the rest</i>. Both of my Monday Mash-Up honorees this week address what it's like when things <b>just go wrong</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>1. "<a href="http://thecurlyclassroom.blogspot.com/2013/09/they-cant-all-be-great.html" target="_blank">They Can't All Be Great</a>," </b>from <i><a href="http://thecurlyclassroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Curly Classroom</a>, </i>describes my nightmare classroom scenario. It has happened to all of us: you've planned a fantastic lesson that <i>should</i> inspire critical thinking and personal connections with a text, only to see it fall flat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>2. "<a href="http://www.teachingquality.org/content/how-rough-first-year-became-career" target="_blank">How a Rough First Year Became a Career</a>," </b>by Justin Minkel for<i> <a href="http://www.teachingquality.org/" target="_blank">The Center for Teaching Quality</a></i>, describes my career perfectly. I have to say, my first year was straight from hell in many ways. I went through some personal issues that year, and added to the stress and struggle of being a brand-new teacher, I would never have made it without lots of support from my <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-importance-of-teacher-friends-in.html" target="_blank">teacher-friends</a>. But, as Minkel writes, I learned from it and grew into a better person and educator.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-78055665221910148842013-09-06T22:45:00.003-04:002013-09-06T22:54:58.303-04:00Epic. Hard. Radical. No Sleep. <div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> Friday nights are usually reserved for non-school related relaxation at my house. At the end of a week, I need rejuvenation, and so I ignore my stack of work and do something mindless. This Friday night, however, was different. CBS aired its new documentary, <a href="http://takepart.com/teach" target="_blank">TEACH</a>, and I was riveted to my seat. Yes, I was thinking about work. <i>A lot</i>. <b>But it was all the rejuvenation I needed.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">TEACH</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> documents the lives of four teachers throughout a school year. If you missed it, find it and </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">watch it immediately!</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> I've never seen a truer portrayal of what it is to be a teacher. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://takepart.com/teach" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large; line-height: 17px;"><u>Some of my favorite moments:</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. Matt. Period. He was wonderful, and I wish he had been </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">my</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> 4th period teacher.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. Joel's humorous "yo mama" joke approach to teaching thesis statements. How awesome is that?! Using it Monday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3. This quote from Lindsay: "There's not a kid out there that doesn't want to be successful."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4. And this one from Matt, after a student noted that she didn't like reading: "I get you. But is this important for you? Yes. Yeira, I care about you too much to let you not give me your best, do you understand?" <i>I'm not sure I've ever articulated it like that for my kids-- that I push them out of love-- but I sure as heck will now.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">5. Lindsay's administrator, Shawn, collaborating with her to create 360° Math, a system with boards around the room on which students work problems, while the teacher stands in the center and observes, providing support. <i>My colleagues and I are already planning for a 360° learning room. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">6. Joel's team-style t-shirts and "Eye of the Tiger" to pump his kids up for the AP Exam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">7. Watching these "celebrity" teachers experience the same frustrations and self-doubt that I sometimes find crippling. In our talks tonight while we were watching, a colleague of mine said that she had realized that when we stopped feeling that doubt, it would be <i>then</i> that we needed to worry. She's right. It's the very fact that we question ourselves, and strive to always improve, that makes us good teachers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">8. Seeing many of them reaching out to colleagues for support. I wouldn't have lasted a year in this business without my fantastic group of teacher-friends. Remember <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-importance-of-teacher-friends-in.html" target="_blank">this post</a>? <i>Just a few days ago, I came across a challenging situation in my room. Within hours, I had lots of new strategies from my girls. <u>We are all better together</u>.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">9. When asked to describe their year, Joel's students' responses: "Epic." "Hard." "Radical." "No sleep." Obviously, they were talking about AP high school classes, but- </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">best summary of teaching I've heard yet.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>As the host, Queen Latifah said</b>: </span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Why take on such a tough job when the odds feel stacked against you? Teachers have lives of their own, families of their own, dreams of their own- but every day they show up, dig a little deeper, and do whatever it takes</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>TEACH</i> was exactly the pick-me-up I needed after a few weeks of Year Five under my belt. I'm excited to dive into lesson planning with a whole new spark tomorrow!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=916430847887640126" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh617/Rachyracheblogmakeover/Megan%20Patrick/signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-70603750914118687762013-09-02T09:00:00.000-04:002013-09-02T09:00:02.270-04:00Monday Mash-Up: Character Education Edition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The first few days of school kicked my butt, y'all. And of course, teaching comes first-- so my apologies, but I missed my <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Monday%20Mash-Up" target="_blank">Monday Mash-Up</a> last week. So to make up for it . . . I lumped all my favorites from last week in with this week's. <i>Take a look!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1.<b> <a href="http://ahundredaffections.wordpress.com/2013/08/25/a-open-letter-to-parents-from-your-childs-teacher/" target="_blank">An Open Letter to Parents from Your Child's Teacher</a></b>, from <a href="http://ahundredaffections.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">A Hundred Affections</a>,<b> </b>tells it like it is. Honestly? It should be required reading for all parents. Every August. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2.<b> <a href="http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2013/08/23-things-kids-i-want-my-kids-to-know.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FaKlTx+%28finding+joy%29" target="_blank">23 Things I Want My Kids to Know</a></b>, from <a href="http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Finding Joy</a>, is a poignantly written piece about teaching kids what's really important in life. Although it's written by a mother (and probably <i>for</i> mothers), it made perfect sense to me as a teacher. Some key "things" that stood out: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> <i>7. Help others. Volunteer. Give of your time.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i> 18. Always be willing to learn.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Character education at its finest: this is one mom who doesn't need to read the Open Letter. <i>She already gets it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3.<b> </b>Lord, Miley Cyrus caused a bit of a stir this week with her VMA performance. Parents (and teachers) shuddered across America. And the internet <i>exploded.</i> <b><a href="http://www.eatwriteteach.com/2013/08/dear-students-never-feel-like-you-have.html" target="_blank">Dear Students, Never Feel Like You Have to Be Miley Cyrus</a></b>, by <a href="http://eat.write.teach./">Eat.Write.Teach.</a>, speaks to our kids about self-respect. I love that this post doesn't focus on the negative, but goes on to name a long list of celebrities who <i>do</i> set a positive example.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4. And finally- a different view. The beautifully named <b><a href="http://hannahbrencher.com/2013/08/28/she-isnt-a-hurricane/" target="_blank">She isn't a hurricane.</a></b> reminds us all that Ms. Cyrus is indeed a human being. Kudos to the talented <a href="http://hannahbrencher.com/" target="_blank">Hannah Brencher</a> for gently and poetically shaming me <i>out</i> of my mean-girl judgment and <i>into</i> the compassion Miley probably really needs from the world right now. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-3428093852312611022013-08-30T10:00:00.000-04:002013-08-31T12:40:52.272-04:00Managing IEP and 504 Accommodations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Keeping up with IEP and 504 Plan accommodations for 10 students can be challenging. It's easy to forget things, or to confuse one kid's needs with those of another. I struggled with all of that, until I started using this system to keep track.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawdcdKGYlcz8iLZua03aHhAvLvBybGrfwx7YDZH0kky4G6XapCRnmZCWlvPYiH6vaZHZ1T8Tk4ijQjsr2rShSw3xujKy7qVNYEAF8GddKHjyoSQDZ5MvKMWyBhyphenhypheng2ir4OtIi9u8Tu7pHH/s1600/Accomodations+Chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawdcdKGYlcz8iLZua03aHhAvLvBybGrfwx7YDZH0kky4G6XapCRnmZCWlvPYiH6vaZHZ1T8Tk4ijQjsr2rShSw3xujKy7qVNYEAF8GddKHjyoSQDZ5MvKMWyBhyphenhypheng2ir4OtIi9u8Tu7pHH/s640/Accomodations+Chart.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It's pretty simple, really-- I just write the students' names in the left-hand column, then check off any accommodations they need. (I left some spaces blank to the right in case I encounter any new or unusual accommodations.) I make a few copies-- one goes in my planning book, one goes inside my desk drawer, and one goes in my Sub Tub. Then it's just a quick glance to remind myself who needs copies of notes, who gets tests read aloud, etc.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Note- it's also helpful for me to jot the initials of the student's case manager next to their name. </i></span><br />
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</i></span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">You can download my chart for yourself <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/g5oipvhhdu7va8t/Accommodations%20Chart.docx" target="_blank">here</a>!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-21518416321884246962013-08-28T15:23:00.000-04:002013-08-28T16:08:51.002-04:00What Do You March For? #IMarchFor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>50 years ago today, a man spoke about his dreams and changed the world. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, and the March on Washington, Teaching Tolerance is hosting a <a href="http://www.tolerance.org/blog/civil-rights-anniversary-why-do-you-march" target="_blank">virtual march</a>-- and my Advanced English 9 students and I are <i style="font-weight: bold;">in.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Yesterday, we read "<a href="http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/clarksburghs/academics/english/Marigolds-J-Douglass.pdf" target="_blank">Marigolds</a>," a short story by Eugenia Collier. In it, a young African-American girl struggles with growing up in pre-Civil Rights America. She is poor, hopeless, and angry. <i>This story led us perfectly to Dr. King's speech.</i> Today, we read the speech while listening to <a href="http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm" target="_blank">the recording from the Lincoln Memorial</a>- on August 28, 1963.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">As a class, we talked about the rhetoric of speeches which stir people to action. "I Have a Dream" was more than a little inspiring, and my kids created their own dreams. Tonight, they're writing-- <i>but today, we're marching</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today, I'm marching for <i style="font-weight: bold;">kind words</i>. My classroom motto last year was "Peace and Love." This year, it's a little more forceful-- "Be nice or leave!" There are a few phrases which make me <i>lose my teacher-mind-- </i>"retard," "That's so gay!," etc. Kids learn pretty fast that unkind language won't fly in my room. <i>If only the rest of the world felt the same-- what an amazing world it would be.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Check out my students' "marches"-- and post your own to your favorite social media using </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>#IMarchFor</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love that this assignment allowed me to teach history, literature, writing, speaking, <i>and</i> social consciousness. I also love that it'll help me get to know my students a bit better. Their passions are extremely varied, and it was great to see them debate their beliefs respectfully. <i>Highlight of my day: </i>as the bell rang, I told my kids I was excited to read their work tomorrow. Not one, not <i>two, </i>but <b>three </b>kids said, "I'm excited to write it!" <i>Bless their little hearts. </i><3 font=""><!--3--></3></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Now go post your march! As Dr. King said, "We must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back."</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-40652720587690689622013-08-24T09:53:00.000-04:002013-08-24T09:53:50.016-04:00Quick and Easy Seating Charts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> Well, I've made it through the first "week" of school. And even though that week was actually only <i>three days </i>with students, I<b> </b>am <b>exhausted.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> One thing that makes my first few weeks manageable is a seating chart. For the freshmen, few of whom I already know, I seat my students in alphabetical order by first name. This helps me learn names more quickly-- I know if a student is on the right side of the room, his/her name must start with a letter early in the alphabet. That helps trigger my memory and I learn more quickly. Unfortunately, those alphabetical seating charts don't always put kids in the seats that actually work best for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> After I've had time to learn names, I am ready to re-do seating charts. If you can manage a room full of hormonal half-adults without assigned seats, <i>more power to you!</i> But I have got to assign seats. It makes all our lives a bit easier. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><u>5 Steps to a Seating Chart that Suits Everyone</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. <span style="color: #cc0000;">Make notes as to where you'd like certain students to be.</span> Note behavior issues, students who work well (or don't) together, and IEPs that require preferential seating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Ask the kids</i>.</span> I know this goes against everything an old-school teacher might suggest, but really-<b> </b>I have each student answer three questions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> - Where would you prefer to sit and why?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> - With whom do you work well?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> - With whom do you <i>not </i>work well?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Honestly, this requires a good rapport with students. I wait until I know them well enough to either trust them or not. If you give kids a little freedom to make these choices, they appreciate it and most times will not abuse the privilege. <b>Important: </b>I make it clear to kids that I will not necessarily put them where they request, but that I will try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3. <span style="color: #cc0000;">Go to <a href="http://happyclassapp.com/" target="_blank">HappyClassApp</a>.</span> This site allows you to set up a classroom and arrange your seats as they are in your room. Then, the fun part. HappyClassApp allows you to set rules for each student- <i>Alison prefers to sit up front, Will prefers the back, Brandi and Trent work well together, but Evan and Morgan do not, etc.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">You can even "pin" students to specific seats if you need them in a certain spot. Once you've set rules (based on your preferences combined with the kids' preferences), you click the "Optimize" button. The app automatically rearranges students to make the best fit for everyone. If a student is unhappy, their name will display a frowning face. Click the "optimize" button again, and the app will try again until everyone is happy (<b>including you!).</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pjpy1GOaRCadIb0gcxCtrYwKQ-G1uaw8JeO2IJDqCBdWqaX19e_utylRq3x8-pv_w5sTR9x0lLqaZj4YyOQ1zeGluginRe5RhfoVT4391NiTizBrWM-xRFS3LI9xpDH8d7HuU2ph_LDx/s1600/room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pjpy1GOaRCadIb0gcxCtrYwKQ-G1uaw8JeO2IJDqCBdWqaX19e_utylRq3x8-pv_w5sTR9x0lLqaZj4YyOQ1zeGluginRe5RhfoVT4391NiTizBrWM-xRFS3LI9xpDH8d7HuU2ph_LDx/s320/room.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Because of those "so-so" happy kids, <br />I'd probably optimize this one again <br />until I got a better result.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4. <span style="color: #cc0000;">Number your classroom seats</span>. I use colorful masking tape, and starting on one side, assign each seat a number. <i>(Tip: It's also helpful to put a strip of tape along the wall to remind kids where their rows should be and which seats belong in each row. It makes straightening the room a snap.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">5. <span style="color: #cc0000;">Print out the HappyClassApp seating chart, and number each seat on the chart.</span> Post it in your classroom, and tell students to find their spot. No one wanders around trying to figure out which seat is theirs on the diagram, because they just go to their number. <i>Easy peasy!</i></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-6719973055877551992013-08-21T19:42:00.000-04:002013-08-21T19:42:26.475-04:00First Day Fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Just finished up my fifth 1st day of school. Shew! I am exhausted and starved, but it was <i>wonderful</i>. Here's why:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. I am teaching one class of English 10 this year, and since I teach all the freshmen, they were <i>all</i> familiar. It was fun to already know some names (and personalities) on Day 1. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. I am also <b>beyond excited</b> about teaching newspaper for the first time. Lots of fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3. I introduced my expectations and procedures with <b>memes</b>- similar to <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/2392606024626351/" target="_blank">this pin</a> on Pinterest. Seriously, SO FUN.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4. The kids actually laughed at my memes. <i>Score!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">5. I asked kids to draw me an "entertaining picture" if they finished their bell-ringer student survey early. <i>These happened</i>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>I love these kids. Happy New School Year!</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-6794205568954060272013-08-19T09:00:00.000-04:002013-08-19T09:00:07.270-04:00Monday Mash-Up: From Apostrophes to Bayside High<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Busy week, everybody! Open House today, one more <strike>glorious lunch out with my teacher-friends</strike> work day, and then it's ON. The kids return Wednesday-- so let's celebrate with my favorite blog postings of the week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. <b>"<a href="http://mattyerika.blogspot.com/2013/08/keeper-of-knowledge.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FJMJFx+%28something+beautiful%29" target="_blank">Keeper of the Knowledge</a>" from Erika at <a href="http://mattyerika.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Something Beautiful</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love this blog. Erika's not a teacher, but <i>man, is she hilarious!</i> I have to include this one because of her side-splitting rant about the erroneous use of apostrophes in plural words. <b>Preach it, sister! </b>The English teachers of the world are behind you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. <b>"<a href="http://www.justintarte.com/2013/08/the-truth-about-homework-in-schools.html" target="_blank">The truth about homework in schools</a>" from <a href="http://www.justintarte.com/" target="_blank">Life of an Educator by Justin Tarte</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Disclaimer-- I am not sharing this one because I agree with everything Justin says. I am sharing because, as a teacher who believes in homework, I do think we need to more carefully consider the <i>purposes </i>of our assignments. Take a look at the comments for thought-provoking, intelligent, respectful conversation among educators.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3. <b>"<a href="http://www.thenerdyteacher.com/2013/08/schools-need-more-zach-morris-and-less.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thenerdyteacher%2FIZyg+%28The+Nerdy+Teacher%29" target="_blank">Schools Need More Zach Morris and Less Jessie Spano</a>" from <a href="http://www.thenerdyteacher.com/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Teacher</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A vlog, this one is an ode to the students who aren't perfect. Sadly, there are those in the world who'd rather just teach student-council member honor students and forget the rest. Where's the fun in that? As a student, I was a Jessie Spano-- but some of my favorites people are Zach Morrises.<i>(Major bonus points for connecting it all to my favorite childhood tv show!)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4. <b>"<a href="http://www.teachingquality.org/content/five-pesky-classroom-behaviors-i-dont-allow" target="_blank">Five Pesky Classroom Behaviors I Don't Allow</a>" by Ariel Sacks at the <a href="http://www.teachingquality.org/" target="_blank">Center for Teaching Quality</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Ariel provides a list of unspoken rules she keeps in her classroom, and a great explanation for each one. As I read, I was thinking about my own "not-allowed pesky behaviors." I think my biggest pesky behavior pet-peeve is desk-tipping. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>And a reminder-- <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/" target="_blank">TeachersPayTeachers</a> is having their Back-to-School sale right now-- up to 28% off everything when you use the code "BTS13." Sale ends at midnight tonight, and they even accept school purchase orders as payment!</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-80264273287257627042013-08-18T09:00:00.000-04:002013-08-18T09:00:01.469-04:00How NOT To Lose Your Mind at Open House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Open House night can be a back-to-school nightmare. I teach primarily freshmen, who are in the weird spot between childhood and young adult. What that means is that, unlike my colleagues who teach upperclassmen, I see <i>lots</i> of parents at open house. <b>(Score me!) </b>Unfortunately, I'm <i>terrible</i> at learning new names. And of course, I have about 100-120 kids per year . . . times 1-4 parents each . . . = <b>a lot of new names. </b>In addition to the pressure that comes from remembering everyone who comes through, I'm also trying to:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. handle registration paperwork (lunch forms, medical permission, demographic information, locker fees, etc.) for my 16 advisory students- <b>and</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">- welcome new students warmly- <b>and</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">- tell <b><i>a</i></b><i style="font-weight: bold;">ll the people</i> what materials they </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">need for each of my classes- <b>and</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">- point parents in the direction of <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/favorite-things-1-remind101.html" target="_blank">Remind101</a>, as well as my classroom <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/favorite-things-6-10-tips-for-using.html" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/favorite-things-2-pinterest.html" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> pages- <b>and</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">- answer parent questions and connect with them.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">At least we know Ryan Gosling appreciates us, right y'all? : )</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Needless to say, it can get overwhelming. When there are 10 people in my room during a 10-minute period, all needing/doing different things, it's nearly impossible to connect with each one of them. Here's how I structure Open House night to <strike>fix</strike> <i>help</i> that situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. <b>Set up individual folders for homeroom students. </b>Inside, I put all the paperwork I need filled out. I also include a handy <b>checklist</b>, telling them what forms <i>must </i>be returned, what forms are <i>optional</i>, and what is just there for their information.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. <b>Add a special welcome</b>. This year, I made little treat bags for each of my advisory students(<i>our version of homeroom</i>). Roll your eyes if you must, but I like my cheesy-ness. <i>Cheesyness? Cheesiness? Hmmm.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3. <b>Set up multiple materials lists.</b> Many parents are just there to quickly find out what school supplies they'll need. They've got places to be, so I'm happy to be accommodating. I post a list of class materials outside my room, and this one on the board. I even added a stack of scrap paper and pens so they can write it down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-align: left;">4. </span><b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Make it easy for parents to get your contact information.</b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> I'm using </span><a href="http://www.edutopia.org/blog/using-qr-codes-in-classroom-monica-burns" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;" target="_blank">QR codes</a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> posted strategically on my door and around my room. When scanned with a smartphone, they'll lead parents to a page detailing my school email address, links to my Facebook and Pinterest pages, and my planning time. Another great (and lower-tech) way to easily pass on contact info: </span><a href="http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/studio3.aspx?pf_id=064&combo_id=120585&referer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.vistaprint.com%2fvp%2fns%2fbcfree.aspx%3ftxi%3d15628%26xnid%3dTopNav_Free%2bBusiness%2bCards%2b(linked%2bitem)_Business%2bCards%26xnav%3dTopNav&txi=15628&xnid=TopNav_Free+Business+Cards+(linked+item)_Business+Cards&xnav=TopNav&free_studio_gallery=true&referer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.vistaprint.com%2fvp%2fwelcomeback.aspx%3fdr%3d1%26GP%3d8%252f17%252f2013%2b11%253a26%253a50%2bPM%26GPS%3d2929067397%26GNF%3d1" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;" target="_blank">VistaPrint</a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> regularly offers deals on business cards-- even as low as free!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">5. <b>Add a place for parents to sign in.</b> I do this because it allows me to have a record of all the parents I spoke with when my memory fails me. I use <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/r7hsh7i5heqabn5/Beginning-of-the-Year-Parent-Sign-In-Sheet.doc" target="_blank">this sheet</a>, which I found on Pinterest a few years ago. It allows parents to leave me with their email or cell number, so that I know how they'd prefer to be contacted. I can then send out a quick email thanking them for coming-- great way to establish a rapport with parents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">6. Now that everyone has a place to go when they arrive, I can relax and work the room, answering questions and doin' my thang. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Open House is tomorrow for me-- what fantastic things are you doing to welcome your kids back?</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=916430847887640126" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh617/Rachyracheblogmakeover/Megan%20Patrick/signature_zpsbe0f1799.png" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802657176270030466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916430847887640126.post-16122219154237683622013-08-16T10:00:00.000-04:002013-08-29T05:40:29.628-04:00Classroom Tour 2013<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My classroom is officially ready for kids-- which is good, because they'll be there, ready or not, on Wednesday! <i>Take a peek</i>:</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>I'm ready for my close-up . . . </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><u>Entryway</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsICDccr0reN5M-u8JtrV9doHOhJ58oKuOkVl1CuslK_tqiZ7YkuGMYwP_2_VSPnZLidVsvEtjrod-Ct136jr4k6oWj3hYFDulrt1435I9t5dE54GnV0LJz90SK7spD1kMmY8esm2ztdY5/s1600/CIMG1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsICDccr0reN5M-u8JtrV9doHOhJ58oKuOkVl1CuslK_tqiZ7YkuGMYwP_2_VSPnZLidVsvEtjrod-Ct136jr4k6oWj3hYFDulrt1435I9t5dE54GnV0LJz90SK7spD1kMmY8esm2ztdY5/s400/CIMG1055.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">teacher resources shelving</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">entryway shelving</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1gKsCSO3I0rblA1HG1LrWPeFnaSsJAUuaUi12_AKVjLblNyp8855EvFWkuBm9eSAfwmbjOZMizkoFp3cRKuAkTAuE4ag3nJ_Zyr_eWNxa2EETr1UiHcOEJiFj3CVZSATR_LbQq2Ne0-T/s1600/CIMG1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1gKsCSO3I0rblA1HG1LrWPeFnaSsJAUuaUi12_AKVjLblNyp8855EvFWkuBm9eSAfwmbjOZMizkoFp3cRKuAkTAuE4ag3nJ_Zyr_eWNxa2EETr1UiHcOEJiFj3CVZSATR_LbQq2Ne0-T/s400/CIMG1057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">FREE adorable supply labels </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Labels-Polka-Dot-black-with-white-dots-429952" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Shari Abbey on TeachersPayTeachers</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXmkmXbbpmtzfEC0NdlZDfGxxsoBq8yP4EwMg-08nl9fBZKNv1yektSlfijgmvyQxmy6McT9w92y9hg-H4Z7TRDqd8SRsTUeohJLIwPzDSaW76WYMUc6EXc77_Zn0-ieqYr0kn4CUY_JI/s1600/CIMG1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXmkmXbbpmtzfEC0NdlZDfGxxsoBq8yP4EwMg-08nl9fBZKNv1yektSlfijgmvyQxmy6McT9w92y9hg-H4Z7TRDqd8SRsTUeohJLIwPzDSaW76WYMUc6EXc77_Zn0-ieqYr0kn4CUY_JI/s400/CIMG1058.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">classroom library</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><u>Front Wall</u></b></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9G4qAkjBVTTWjiaC8uvWE5nFFKZ2lh3LUVCvRuLctlMssg_PoF5rwmprNvc0FGv5ZZOGfXuQgrS1p-ff53Pu9V2Q74UdNJgYud05TterZ2eTyL-8Qv8drfI6f_q7KBAyn8GHlpAs9LkTt/s1600/CIMG1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9G4qAkjBVTTWjiaC8uvWE5nFFKZ2lh3LUVCvRuLctlMssg_PoF5rwmprNvc0FGv5ZZOGfXuQgrS1p-ff53Pu9V2Q74UdNJgYud05TterZ2eTyL-8Qv8drfI6f_q7KBAyn8GHlpAs9LkTt/s400/CIMG1073.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">front whiteboard/SmartBoard area</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr36651h6xzaLUDUZfP516krf7gxQlOzExUpsTdWY8n1P3173iAzLvOIJHTOnfhHFQK3cvRX8RfHDnaV71-8mZv4PQvzJEGo57uzt9b2vReCcnTVyCzcaqAQb3r1K8NrFpz7OUp26vaAcT/s1600/CIMG1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr36651h6xzaLUDUZfP516krf7gxQlOzExUpsTdWY8n1P3173iAzLvOIJHTOnfhHFQK3cvRX8RfHDnaV71-8mZv4PQvzJEGo57uzt9b2vReCcnTVyCzcaqAQb3r1K8NrFpz7OUp26vaAcT/s400/CIMG1050.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">paperwork/forms for students</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i41I_L4N6fqEGkjQsFBPMXYs1sKhfUNsdRmYMPni-GkZqLAEj1HUl9s7Oib3DbcIIkrn-SClqr4ZKEvSdQJkJ4MXoyn9-WmW5L3NY8i4GTLhaSwMfnd0jjAFehiAGO_TJrBL9sRsS7yY/s1600/CIMG1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i41I_L4N6fqEGkjQsFBPMXYs1sKhfUNsdRmYMPni-GkZqLAEj1HUl9s7Oib3DbcIIkrn-SClqr4ZKEvSdQJkJ4MXoyn9-WmW5L3NY8i4GTLhaSwMfnd0jjAFehiAGO_TJrBL9sRsS7yY/s400/CIMG1049.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">homework board</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vfaLXvlyMk0VhWKOsQ6sqdt_LCtr88VMQKXs-pPQJfEIyUfR3jgtFZMo5mfl1AvTFUScfhLCPPTFB81-y9ZnqIiIfdqFnxa6n7WY7LSBkLCRPXBc1-nH3E3wSNhox6janG9G4tlTnAzY/s400/CIMG1054.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">daily schedule<br />
<i>1- How sweet is my Día de los Muertos calacas?<br />
2- Check out ol' Willy Shakes watching from the closet door- he's my homeboy!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vfaLXvlyMk0VhWKOsQ6sqdt_LCtr88VMQKXs-pPQJfEIyUfR3jgtFZMo5mfl1AvTFUScfhLCPPTFB81-y9ZnqIiIfdqFnxa6n7WY7LSBkLCRPXBc1-nH3E3wSNhox6janG9G4tlTnAzY/s1600/CIMG1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><u>My Desk Area</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR8Vh5410-hlB0xYBlhWjeKrRK_ss4kJzvU_CTwmsiqCO4dwKOJq65R8PI4vrCu1NSGcTk9Pxy0yXGFVV9ea7Ci8Jb-nGx5mpE6Ho8T4donLkw3WKt3eQdXt_LPz42DyOZ1GdWhZ3NvRY/s1600/CIMG1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR8Vh5410-hlB0xYBlhWjeKrRK_ss4kJzvU_CTwmsiqCO4dwKOJq65R8PI4vrCu1NSGcTk9Pxy0yXGFVV9ea7Ci8Jb-nGx5mpE6Ho8T4donLkw3WKt3eQdXt_LPz42DyOZ1GdWhZ3NvRY/s400/CIMG1078.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">my desk and student-conference chair<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrIUKWe4mhtCXYMmegZR73hxjba4CUv_eczqxfr83j-cRZ3u1GvxKfpR6lSJDXI8OvWeE6NOyC5nf-j8t-boiK1vaEltJpeWH0ktJfSvaseUoQj_YQ_9bl6LuBAKmAsvn3d2MhTsx3Vl9/s1600/CIMG1071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrIUKWe4mhtCXYMmegZR73hxjba4CUv_eczqxfr83j-cRZ3u1GvxKfpR6lSJDXI8OvWeE6NOyC5nf-j8t-boiK1vaEltJpeWH0ktJfSvaseUoQj_YQ_9bl6LuBAKmAsvn3d2MhTsx3Vl9/s400/CIMG1071.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I was told to put a lamp in my room for years-- <i>never listened</i>. I finally did a week or so ago, and I'm in love! It's so cozy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHxd8npxuWVgf0rgk5YaFzM72_hbs11l37uFLQaAMqaaSBNoAoD-kk042KHO2JIB2XGA90DzUNQvYhIsWILCeHeZ_kGQwcacuczoQUjXvNoWrk5SZBhxGAz2O37GVd-fl4lci5K1f4hM4/s1600/CIMG1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHxd8npxuWVgf0rgk5YaFzM72_hbs11l37uFLQaAMqaaSBNoAoD-kk042KHO2JIB2XGA90DzUNQvYhIsWILCeHeZ_kGQwcacuczoQUjXvNoWrk5SZBhxGAz2O37GVd-fl4lci5K1f4hM4/s400/CIMG1075.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Resources I need constantly- lesson plans, reference books, commonly-used teacher guides and games. To the right is my "snack stash" and to the left is the organizer where I store ready-to-go copies and papers that need returning.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXTsDlJo8De5_GbAfHgcDokp_3y1VEhkDPFF-oOskUZx8lCAXDvk796AJRYfXn6TVQfgPFYxzt-1oTN1r32KfyioMNq1ZmfGlHr6efqNZnU0dTd0f-mYxth-JLbSoFCu1NDS_gRjxsg-h/s1600/CIMG1072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXTsDlJo8De5_GbAfHgcDokp_3y1VEhkDPFF-oOskUZx8lCAXDvk796AJRYfXn6TVQfgPFYxzt-1oTN1r32KfyioMNq1ZmfGlHr6efqNZnU0dTd0f-mYxth-JLbSoFCu1NDS_gRjxsg-h/s400/CIMG1072.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">The kids love this big calendar on my desk- they're always quick to remind me when a new month rolls around!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>The Far Side</u></b></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR7zeLPtMDGyJlAg9j-yv9eHZIFF1sdLCxEStyC9p9xrPs2CEOb61pNpis_IKQxuUSV6A7q-BxBK2zZ986Bx64ZjnBM0WgRcrPbObd0g7TW3LHuk0mSTSbHjBjQR8h605QC48QrV5XZwz/s1600/CIMG1065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR7zeLPtMDGyJlAg9j-yv9eHZIFF1sdLCxEStyC9p9xrPs2CEOb61pNpis_IKQxuUSV6A7q-BxBK2zZ986Bx64ZjnBM0WgRcrPbObd0g7TW3LHuk0mSTSbHjBjQR8h605QC48QrV5XZwz/s400/CIMG1065.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">File cabinets (with top drawer reserved for students to turn things in) and student-needs center.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPB6_LQE_mPSX_0PvVdW2R9WB2CSk-nKGQz-VIMVHIMUzljDjaTy2GugSa76XY6nYtjIS67uH-DCeKtJoBfDQmbWkXmMerNEGXrm-WsAZHv6C3PTPkmjWqxWktaMt6RnonkO6bPclwz4HJ/s1600/CIMG1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPB6_LQE_mPSX_0PvVdW2R9WB2CSk-nKGQz-VIMVHIMUzljDjaTy2GugSa76XY6nYtjIS67uH-DCeKtJoBfDQmbWkXmMerNEGXrm-WsAZHv6C3PTPkmjWqxWktaMt6RnonkO6bPclwz4HJ/s400/CIMG1066.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">My little-used podium- I bought this beautiful weaving in Costa Rica.</span><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7qy2U8ucImdGgL0c4bXUEKy5JJ5ABYeRQbRnMCEoEcyn13CDibt23np1PdffkOzxXoS3ezJ6rW2-RyZRs5kz1O1yPDsyuSOH_7raUqsu9X7I54kMFO87rAn1FQZf02b_EgHZIrm1Bhm-/s1600/CIMG1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7qy2U8ucImdGgL0c4bXUEKy5JJ5ABYeRQbRnMCEoEcyn13CDibt23np1PdffkOzxXoS3ezJ6rW2-RyZRs5kz1O1yPDsyuSOH_7raUqsu9X7I54kMFO87rAn1FQZf02b_EgHZIrm1Bhm-/s400/CIMG1074.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAS6KPz79PDptcuTXJEmnVOe4Zbpn1ocZ2n7YRSKgO46suM-zwV_DXqNxcaHdSoh-Vb02K8jM4l8n9JdHorvaI_VjtsxpfxEF_T5yAWFMGfxqHPNwuX5IJewYXxo3C42TrGlxPvhiFvv7/s1600/CIMG1063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAS6KPz79PDptcuTXJEmnVOe4Zbpn1ocZ2n7YRSKgO46suM-zwV_DXqNxcaHdSoh-Vb02K8jM4l8n9JdHorvaI_VjtsxpfxEF_T5yAWFMGfxqHPNwuX5IJewYXxo3C42TrGlxPvhiFvv7/s400/CIMG1063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_nv2H32xkeuN9FflawvPm8GzkOrnrbfOLev46hrb6_WnuY9O_fj_fJbRKoFpgIn7y2YVmSfWG_Vg5oQc_8lEimlc4JMfKCuGtRavecEY07_dN1c90zpfs2sNHw4yjlh29OvJK49BTkkK/s1600/CIMG1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_nv2H32xkeuN9FflawvPm8GzkOrnrbfOLev46hrb6_WnuY9O_fj_fJbRKoFpgIn7y2YVmSfWG_Vg5oQc_8lEimlc4JMfKCuGtRavecEY07_dN1c90zpfs2sNHw4yjlh29OvJK49BTkkK/s400/CIMG1062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">This table will soon hold novel sets and/or mail crates; right now, it's full of school supplies I scavenged during locker clean-out in May (for parents who need a little help with school shopping).</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>I know two things that could make my room even nicer</i>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1- <b>kids</b>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2- an apple-cinnamon candle (but, Mr. Principal and Mr. Fire Marshal, <a href="http://mprintblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/an-open-letter-to-new-teachers.html" target="_blank">I learned my lesson</a>. Promise.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Are you posting a classroom tour on your blog? Please share in the comments!</i></b> </span></div><br />
<center><a href="http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/2012/09/open-house-week.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Open House Week" src="http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q632/rowdyinfirstgrade/abfd7bdd.png"/></a></center><br />
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