I've been lucky enough that almost every year I've taught there's usually been one or two little girls with whom I really click and have been able to maintain a friendship with over the years. I had so many women that invested in my life that I count it a privilege I would get to do the same. Even better has been to watch those girls grow into amazing young women. Alana, Grace B., Hadley, Sarah, Grace F., Jenna...creative, funny, talented young women.
Another bonus? Their moms are super cool and have become dear friends along the way as well. Teaching definitely has had some unexpected rewards.
This afternoon, I had the chance to hang out with a little girl who was in my class last year. I knew from pretty much day one that Abigail was a kindred spirit. The telling sign? She never stopped talking. Never. But it was never mindless chatter. Homegirl has good stuff to say. She's spirited, confident, thoughtful and seriously funny. Her mom? Another fave. Sassy and witty, I've been grateful to see her during the school day as she's worked as a kindergarten assistant.
Abigail and I headed to Sweet Cece's {duh} and I finally got to hear all about all the going ons of her life from the last month or so. I give you, Abigail's musings...
- On her grandparent's stamina, "My grandpa had worked the day before so I stayed up until 12:30 but he was just worn slap out!"
- On deciding what sport to pursue, "See, I really want to be a tennis star and a cross-country star so I think I'm just going to keep doing both."
- On frozen yogurt, "Oh my word, this stuff is just so good, I think it must be ice-cream disguised as yogurt!"
- On the challenges of fourth grade, "Oh my gosh, everything goes so fast! I was still on the first paragraph when Mrs. W said, 'Ok, turn to the next page...' and I was like {insert eyes as big as saucers here}."
- On Knox {she went with me to take Knox to run around at the high school field}, "Knox, you're just being a lazy butt, aren't you?"
Love that girl. I can't wait to watch her become a tennis star, a cross-country star and an award winning meteorologist. Oh yes, she's going to do it all.
Showing posts with label Trinity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trinity. Show all posts
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
Her Day of Days
Back in 2001, the headmaster of a growing classical Christian school bravely hired me to be a lower school teacher there as they added a second section to each grade. At first, I was to be a third grade teacher. Among other hiring, however, things were shuffled around and it was determined that I would be a fourth grade teacher alongside a master teacher who had been at Trinity School since its inception, Mrs. Rita Davis.
And my world has never been the same.
Rita took me under her wing that first year of teaching and I found a kindred spirit like no other. She mentored and nurtured and advised {when asked} and prayed and laughed and loved. Most importantly, she let me be the teacher God has created me to be. In fact, she encouraged that teacher in me. She let me make my own mistakes, she listened and agreed to my ideas, she challenged me to step up and lead in our grade level endeavors. I can still remember the immense joy and responsibility I felt when she turned over to me the coaching of our classes’ annual recitation of the “I Have a Dream” speech. She believed in me and trusted me. In the nine years that I have had the privilege of knowing Rita, I have always known that feeling around her.
Jane Austen said, “My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.” And, oh! Is Rita ever good company. Anyone who is privileged enough to spend five minutes in her presence knows that. I have always marveled at her wit, her kindness, her ability to set people at ease with her thoughtful questions that convey an authentic desire to know more about you. She is the person you want to sit next to at a dinner party because the conversation will be funny and encouraging and interesting.
Both Rita and her husband, Dave, excel at being good company and I know this firsthand since they took me in the summer before Jason and I were married. Night after night of delicious dinners {have I mentioned that Rita can cook?}, lazy days filled with conversation ranging from the inane to the sacred, long walks, early morning workouts…and even still, I can go back and know that the back bedroom is waiting for me. My summer family- me, Rita, Dave and their nephew, Greg- became part of my actual family. Because with Rita, there is this ease as she and I flit between the many roles in our relationship: colleagues, mentor/mentee, mother/daughter, sisters {twins separated by twenty years, don’t you know?} and just plain friends.
This picture captures one of my favorite things that Rita does so well. Glasses perched on nose, book in hand, reading aloud. These days, when I go back to visit Trinity and make the first stop in Rita’s classroom, I always hope that she will be reading aloud so that I can sit and listen. A fellow drama queen when it comes to books, her voice and tone create the world of whatever she is reading right in front of you. It is captivating, to say the least, and her students will vouch for that.
But it’s not just how she reads, it’s what she is reading. At Trinity, one of the first things the fourth graders memorize is Philippians 4:6-8,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Rita taught me that we have them memorize this first because it sets the standard for what they will learn for the rest of the school year, both in the curriculum and out. She has put this into practice in her own life and the wisdom shines through beautifully.
Happy birthday, sweet friend. I love you!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
This Recipe Approved By The Cruise Aunts
I am happy to report that The Petrees are doing much better today. In fact, Jason was out of bed before me this morning. That's not to say that he was feeling 100%, it just means he's not a big baby like me. If I'm sick, I'm going to work that pity party for days. Jason goes out and rakes our entire front yard. See the difference?
We have determined that we are going to spend Thanksgiving on our own this year. Which is fine. Not ideal, but fine. I told Abby this afternoon, as long as I know ahead of time, I can set that picture in my mind and just roll with it. At the very least this means the TV is mine!all mine! for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Jason braved the Super Walmart crowds tonight for a grocery run and we have all the fixin's for a traditional Thanksgiving supper. Except the turkey. If the two of us managed to finish off even a small turkey, the tryptophan coma that would follow....my word.
So Jason will handle the roast chicken, mashed potatoes and stuffing. I'm going to try Pioneer Woman's Dinner Rolls instead of leaving it to Sister Schubert this year. For me, it's not Thanksgiving (or Christmas, for that matter) if I don't make the Cruise Family recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole. As a kid, this was the one dish on Grandmother's buffet for which I needed no convincing to take a helping. Ok, so I was usually the grandkid that finished it off. What can I say? The love of all things sweet is a genetic thing in our family.
Back in my Trinity days, my students would develop a menu for our Thanksgiving party. That first year, I carefully manuevered the Sweet Potato Casserole into the line-up and I might have rigged the class voting so that it made the final cut. For the four years after that I simply pulled rank and told the kids as Queen of the Classroom this dish was a given. Trust me, after that first bite I never heard a complaint. Seriously. Fourth graders willingly eating sweet potatoes. It's a beautiful thing.
We have determined that we are going to spend Thanksgiving on our own this year. Which is fine. Not ideal, but fine. I told Abby this afternoon, as long as I know ahead of time, I can set that picture in my mind and just roll with it. At the very least this means the TV is mine!all mine! for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Jason braved the Super Walmart crowds tonight for a grocery run and we have all the fixin's for a traditional Thanksgiving supper. Except the turkey. If the two of us managed to finish off even a small turkey, the tryptophan coma that would follow....my word.
So Jason will handle the roast chicken, mashed potatoes and stuffing. I'm going to try Pioneer Woman's Dinner Rolls instead of leaving it to Sister Schubert this year. For me, it's not Thanksgiving (or Christmas, for that matter) if I don't make the Cruise Family recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole. As a kid, this was the one dish on Grandmother's buffet for which I needed no convincing to take a helping. Ok, so I was usually the grandkid that finished it off. What can I say? The love of all things sweet is a genetic thing in our family.
Back in my Trinity days, my students would develop a menu for our Thanksgiving party. That first year, I carefully manuevered the Sweet Potato Casserole into the line-up and I might have rigged the class voting so that it made the final cut. For the four years after that I simply pulled rank and told the kids as Queen of the Classroom this dish was a given. Trust me, after that first bite I never heard a complaint. Seriously. Fourth graders willingly eating sweet potatoes. It's a beautiful thing.
The Cruise Family Sweet Potato Casserole
Mix together the following ingredients and pour into a baking dish:
- 3 cups sweet potatoes/yams (I used the canned kind, Aunt Melba swears that you have to use fresh ones. I'll leave it up to you.)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 stick margarine - softened
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine the following ingredients and sprinkle on top of the sweet potato mixture:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup self-rising flour
- 1/2 stick margarine - melted
Bake at 300 degrees for 35 minutes. This can easily be made the night before if you're wanting to simplify your life. Prepare everything as directed but store the topping in a ziploc bag. Refrigerate both parts and put together the next day. Voila! Easy, southern and so dang tasty...
Friday, October 10, 2008
The One and Only Serena
It's her birthday today. And believe me when I say there is NO ONE like her on this whole blessed planet. I first met her when I had the privilege of teaching her oldest daughter. It was pretty much love at first sight with the whole family and it's remained that way to this day.
What do I love? First of all, she has the most fabulous red hair you've ever seen. Once you meet her, you realize, well of course she has to have red hair. It just couldn't be any other way. She is wonderfully authentic. It wouldn't be possible for her to hide all that she is and that is why she is one of my heroes. Her passion is contagious, she recognizes a good margarita, she loves her kids for all they're worth, and her back porch is the best place to be for a lazy afternoon chat.
When I went home to NC this past May, I was lucky enough to shack up at the H-House for a night. I got to be a part of the wonderfully crazy ebb and flow of their home, from curling up on the couch with the eldest to watch "Lost" to the next morning as all the kiddos prepared for Granparents & Special Friends Day at Trinity.
She is one of The Moms I want to be like one day. Happy Birthday, my funny, fabulous, brave friend...
(Serena, Me & The Eldest)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away...
Tonight, on the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards, Oprah Winfrey said the following,
While part of me bristles at that statement (really? nothing else like television? how about literature?), I have to confess that in my own lifetime television has certainly been a formative part of my world. When I think about the TV shows that are part of my most favorite memories or helped teach me as a child and in my early teens, the list goes something like this:
These were fabulous shows. Well written, meaningful, family friendly. These are classic shows that I will do my darndest to get on DVD for my own kids someday. They are shows that I would be happy to sit down and watch over and over and over again. More than that, I would be comfortable sitting in a room with anyone and watching these shows. No embarassment whatsoever.
Are kids today going to be able to say the same thing when they are thirty years old? If the current lineup of shows being programmed for kids and early teens are any indication, the answer is a resounding no. I mean, sure some of them of could be called "clean." Disney Channel keeps it pretty safe while ABC Family is questionable at best. I have been shocked at what is on their lineup in the hours after school hours. But do they have substance? Not much. The humor is inane and cheap, nothing smart or sophisticated about it. They may contain a moral, but it is so dumbed down that very few would take it seriously.
Don't even get me started on what is out there for teenagers. I was just as excited as many of my peers when an updated version of Beverly Hills 90210 was announced. Even more excited when it became apparent that some of the original cast members would be returning. I'm all about some Brenda, Kelly, Dylan love triangle. But in my day, (during 90210's golden years, before it jumped the shark) the most shocking plotline was whether or not Donna would give up her virginity to David, and this storyline didn't appear until several seasons in! The new version, in its premiere episode, in the first three minutes, showed a high school boy receiving a sexual favor from a high school girl. In the high school parking lot, in his car.
Is this real life? Is this a commentary on the current culture of teenagers? I'm going to say, unfortunately, yes. But which came first? The shows or the behavior? I'm not sure, but I think it's safe to say that at this point in our culture the shows programmed for teenagers are certainly informing and influencing what teenagers think is normal behavior.
Take Gossip Girl for instance. This is a show marketed for teenagers in general and is about teenagers in the wealthy elite of New York City. I'll admit that out of curiousity I started watching the reruns this summer to see what all the fuss was about. What struck me (and what concerns me the most) is that this show is rampant with sexuality. And it's not a sexuality where safe sex is being talked about. It is an idealistic, fantasy world in which these teenagers use sex as a weapon and for their own selfish devices.
Everyone has their own set of beliefs and their own moral compass, so I won't comment on how sexuality is portrayed on Gossip Girl plays into that. That is an individual thing. But here's what concerns me and here is what I want to say to you teenagers that are watching this show:
The way Gossip Girl is portraying sex? IT IS NOT LIKE THAT IN REAL LIFE.
Yes, sex is a beautiful thing, it is a wonderfully intimate thing. But it is not as easy or effortless or consequence free as so many shows, Gossip Girl especially, are portraying it. If you buy into what the CW is selling you, you are fooling yourself and setting yourself up for some serious emotional and physical consequences. Talk to your parents (if that works for you), talk to other adults you trust, or email me if you want. But please don't let these shows be the only thing that shapes your understanding of this part of your life.
Now, do I as an adult watch a fair amount of TV that falls into what I just decribed above? Yes. And I am working on that. I could easily watch TV from the moment I get home until I go to bed. Sadly, some days I do. It would also be easy for me to pull the "adult card" and rationalize my TV viewing with the statement, "Well, I'm an adult. I know better. I can watch whatever I want and it won't affect me."
Wrong. It does affect me. What we put in our heads- child, teenager, or adult- shapes our thoughts, our behaviors and our decisions. So my goal for this season is to be careful with what I watch and perhaps invest in The Muppet Show DVDs. After all, a little Kermit never hurt anyone...
"Nothing else in our world speaks to us quite like television. Television has spoken to us and given us words to live by, some of them a little more colorful than others."
While part of me bristles at that statement (really? nothing else like television? how about literature?), I have to confess that in my own lifetime television has certainly been a formative part of my world. When I think about the TV shows that are part of my most favorite memories or helped teach me as a child and in my early teens, the list goes something like this:
Sesame Street, Captain Kangaroo, Electric Company, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, The Muppet Show, The Carol Burnett Show, Family Ties, The Cosby Show...
These were fabulous shows. Well written, meaningful, family friendly. These are classic shows that I will do my darndest to get on DVD for my own kids someday. They are shows that I would be happy to sit down and watch over and over and over again. More than that, I would be comfortable sitting in a room with anyone and watching these shows. No embarassment whatsoever.
Are kids today going to be able to say the same thing when they are thirty years old? If the current lineup of shows being programmed for kids and early teens are any indication, the answer is a resounding no. I mean, sure some of them of could be called "clean." Disney Channel keeps it pretty safe while ABC Family is questionable at best. I have been shocked at what is on their lineup in the hours after school hours. But do they have substance? Not much. The humor is inane and cheap, nothing smart or sophisticated about it. They may contain a moral, but it is so dumbed down that very few would take it seriously.
Don't even get me started on what is out there for teenagers. I was just as excited as many of my peers when an updated version of Beverly Hills 90210 was announced. Even more excited when it became apparent that some of the original cast members would be returning. I'm all about some Brenda, Kelly, Dylan love triangle. But in my day, (during 90210's golden years, before it jumped the shark) the most shocking plotline was whether or not Donna would give up her virginity to David, and this storyline didn't appear until several seasons in! The new version, in its premiere episode, in the first three minutes, showed a high school boy receiving a sexual favor from a high school girl. In the high school parking lot, in his car.
Is this real life? Is this a commentary on the current culture of teenagers? I'm going to say, unfortunately, yes. But which came first? The shows or the behavior? I'm not sure, but I think it's safe to say that at this point in our culture the shows programmed for teenagers are certainly informing and influencing what teenagers think is normal behavior.
Take Gossip Girl for instance. This is a show marketed for teenagers in general and is about teenagers in the wealthy elite of New York City. I'll admit that out of curiousity I started watching the reruns this summer to see what all the fuss was about. What struck me (and what concerns me the most) is that this show is rampant with sexuality. And it's not a sexuality where safe sex is being talked about. It is an idealistic, fantasy world in which these teenagers use sex as a weapon and for their own selfish devices.
Everyone has their own set of beliefs and their own moral compass, so I won't comment on how sexuality is portrayed on Gossip Girl plays into that. That is an individual thing. But here's what concerns me and here is what I want to say to you teenagers that are watching this show:
The way Gossip Girl is portraying sex? IT IS NOT LIKE THAT IN REAL LIFE.
Yes, sex is a beautiful thing, it is a wonderfully intimate thing. But it is not as easy or effortless or consequence free as so many shows, Gossip Girl especially, are portraying it. If you buy into what the CW is selling you, you are fooling yourself and setting yourself up for some serious emotional and physical consequences. Talk to your parents (if that works for you), talk to other adults you trust, or email me if you want. But please don't let these shows be the only thing that shapes your understanding of this part of your life.
Now, do I as an adult watch a fair amount of TV that falls into what I just decribed above? Yes. And I am working on that. I could easily watch TV from the moment I get home until I go to bed. Sadly, some days I do. It would also be easy for me to pull the "adult card" and rationalize my TV viewing with the statement, "Well, I'm an adult. I know better. I can watch whatever I want and it won't affect me."
Wrong. It does affect me. What we put in our heads- child, teenager, or adult- shapes our thoughts, our behaviors and our decisions. So my goal for this season is to be careful with what I watch and perhaps invest in The Muppet Show DVDs. After all, a little Kermit never hurt anyone...
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Anti-Anticipation
It's Sunday night. A large number of parents and children that I know are gearing up for tomorrow- The First Day of School. We spent the weekend in Lubbock and I listened as Scout and her best friend Reese earnestly discussed First Day of School outfits and their mothers pondered where to buy the perfect shoes to match. I listened as Will eagerly told us of getting the teacher he had hoped for. I listened as mothers discussed the pros and cons of certain kids being in their own child's class this year. I watched as Will and Scout opened their First Day of School treats that I had brought for them. I have listened and read as my friends that are teaching have bemoaned in-service or have explored new curriculum to teach.
But do you know what I haven't done? I haven't created name tags for desks, wondering what funny little people will fill them. I haven't posted class rules on a classroom wall, hoping to lead with gentle and loving authority. I haven't stood at a "Meet the Teacher" night, talking with parents as they clue me in to the quirks and joys of their child. I haven't covered bulletin boards, anticipating what student crafted work will soon cover them. I haven't picked out a First Day of School outfit of my own, something that says "I'm in charge and, yet, totally cool."
I have listened. I have watched. I have read. I have been a bystander.
I miss teaching somethin' awful. I miss having a group of my own to love, to pray for, to teach, to learn along with them, to watch as they grow in knowledge and in character. So I won't go to sleep in anticipation of tomorrow's First Day of School. But I will anticipate next fall, when I might have a classroom of my own again. When I might be in a school that is almost as wonderful as this one. When I will once again have the opportunity to exercise the gifts God has given me and to pour out the tremendous love He has planted in my heart.
But do you know what I haven't done? I haven't created name tags for desks, wondering what funny little people will fill them. I haven't posted class rules on a classroom wall, hoping to lead with gentle and loving authority. I haven't stood at a "Meet the Teacher" night, talking with parents as they clue me in to the quirks and joys of their child. I haven't covered bulletin boards, anticipating what student crafted work will soon cover them. I haven't picked out a First Day of School outfit of my own, something that says "I'm in charge and, yet, totally cool."
I have listened. I have watched. I have read. I have been a bystander.
I miss teaching somethin' awful. I miss having a group of my own to love, to pray for, to teach, to learn along with them, to watch as they grow in knowledge and in character. So I won't go to sleep in anticipation of tomorrow's First Day of School. But I will anticipate next fall, when I might have a classroom of my own again. When I might be in a school that is almost as wonderful as this one. When I will once again have the opportunity to exercise the gifts God has given me and to pour out the tremendous love He has planted in my heart.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
I Heart Free Wi-Fi
It's true. Free Wi-Fi in various and sundry locations has been such a joy on this trip. Like now, for instance, I am camped out at Panera Bread Company in Winston-Salem while I wait for a couple of folks to get off work. Check my email, upload pics, peruse iTunes, see how Britney's latest custody trial is going...just lovely.
The 2nd Annual Cousins Trips was a rousing success. Almost no one got sunburnt and very few of us suffered from a hangover. This person might have though...
According to the rest of the crew, we ate well. And that was because of me. Don't you love my modesty? Seriously though, I offered to take on meal planning because, well, I love it. I've loved cooking more in the last few months and I've managed to gather some pretty frickin' awesome recipes that I wanted to share. So we feasted on Big Mama's Mexican Casserole along with the fresh guac and salsa that Audrey brought from Raleigh. The next night we had a Broccoli and Ziti Bake (from a Gooseberry Patch recipe book) and Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumplings for dessert. If you have never heard of Pioneer Woman or have never made these dumplings, GO FORTH AND VISIT HER SITE. You'll never regret it, I promise. The one morning we did a big ol' breakfast, I made Paula Deen's Breakfast Casserole and Big Mama's Monkey Bread. And if I do say so myself it was gooooooooooood.
(And yes, that is wine in the background. Because the Shiraz from Trader Joe's? It goes with just about everything.)
We also did quite a bit of eating at Provision Company, a local dive at Holden Beach. But my lands, I can heartily attest that this dive has the best shrimp burger I have ever wrapped my lips around. And the most appropriate bathroom signage.
These are some of my former students. Most of them are all taller than me now. And they all tell me so when they see me. I love them....
Last night, the E-Ranch was together once again. And I have to say, we're looking pretty good. First time in almost a year. For this to happen, the stars have to align, I have to drive over 900 miles and Carlye has to be pregnant with her third. We're praying for a girl...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
TMAOE
So last you heard, I wrapped things up at my job on Friday after a pretty eventful Thursday which included The Most Amazing Opportunity Ever. I am here, at McDonalds, paying $1.50 an hour for internet service, to fill you in. But my husband did just send me the following text message:
This book is fabulous and my kids always enjoyed his incredible ink and pen drawings. After I finished freaking out Mrs. Whirly said, with a grin, "Well, I need one more person for our table so, Leslie, you just come on!"
"Internet guy will be here Tuesday morning to install."
Which pretty much made me want to drive home and cover his face with kisses. I don't even want to think about how much money this is going to cost us. On Friday, I had more than one local internet salesperson literally laugh at me when I asked them if they offered coverage at our address. One guy even said, "Yeah, that's just the price you pay for living in the country." Oh country living, you are lucky you're so cute.
But I digress. And may I beg for your patience? Because to get to TMAOE, I need to bring you up to speed on my latest career goals and plans. Here we go...
I was accepted to graduate school (hooray!), but as I started to think about the logistics of it more and more I began to wonder if it was the wisest thing for me to do right now. I mean, if I really want to be back in the classroom and teaching, I should do the thing that will get me there quickly. And that's not grad school right now. So, grad school is moving to the back burner but not gone completely. What I am going to do is enroll in an online certification program that will have me certified in less than a year AND will allow a school to hire me upon my enrollment. Which means that I could be teaching in a classroom THIS FALL. In fact, I know of three open positions at a school that I really admire and will be turning in my full application tomorrow. In the meantime, for the summer I have some part-time work lined up.
If you're not a faithful reader, I just spent the last six months working at the best Cancer Center here in Abilene. The doctor who runs the oncology practice and his wife (hereafter known as Dr. and Mrs. Whirly, because they are human tornadoes of goodness) are amazingly generous folk and have their hands in pretty much everything philanthropic here in Abilene. Mrs. Whirly is especially busy and many of us who know and love her have wanted her to have a personal assistant for quite some time now. Guess who she asked to fill the position for the summer? Yup, yours truly. I've had the chance to work with her during my time at the Cancer Center and am really excited about working for her and being able to help her this summer. If nothing else, I know that it will not be boring!
Mrs. Whirly is involved in a number of artistic organizations here in Abilene, including The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. On Thursday afternoon, she mentioned that one of the many items in her crowded schedule that night was an exhibit opening at The NCCIL. When I asked what the new exhibit was, she told me it was for David Macaulay's newest book, The Way We Work.
And I promptly freaked out. One of the core curriculum books that we used for Trinity's 4th grade Ancient Egypt unit was David Macaulay's Pyramid. It's just one in a gorgeous series he did concerning the architecture of famous structures.
This book is fabulous and my kids always enjoyed his incredible ink and pen drawings. After I finished freaking out Mrs. Whirly said, with a grin, "Well, I need one more person for our table so, Leslie, you just come on!" This was a somewhat formal, somewhat exclusive, members only event and I had front row seats. Literally. The Whirly's table was smack dab up front. And as Mrs. Whirly led us to our table and figured out the seating she indicated where I should sit, where she and Dr. Whirly would sit and then uttered the words that made the evening officially TMAOE for me, "And then the author can sit there." And she pointed to the seat next to me. Oh. My. Lands. I would be sitting next to David Macaulay for the duration of dinner and whatever else was to come. All I wanted to do was pull out my phone, call Rita, and scream the news to her. But I didn't. I simply took a deep breath, smiled broadly and managed to utter to Mrs. Whirly, "Wonderful, what a treat!"
Y'all, it was fabulous. Mr. Macaulay is a brilliant, funny, and humble man. I managed to not spill anything on me, dropped my knife only once, and orchestrated what I hope was an intelligent and witty dinner conversation. I asked him all about Pyramid, inquired as to what inspired Motel of Mysteries, and he told me about the six year process of writing this latest book. It's not coming out until October, but this exhibition does an incredible job of outlining what it takes to bring a book like this to life. Mr. Macaulay's sketches cover the walls alongside finished pages of the book that came directly from the publisher. It's pretty great to live in a town that has access to something like this. I'm only sad that I can't organize a field trip for my beloved Trinity Lions...
Friday, May 26, 2006
End of An Era
I'm in my last hours of being a fourth grade teacher at Trinity School. I'm holding it together pretty well, given my propensity for bawling like a baby at anything remotely sentimental. I cried enough yesterday to make Jason start to think that I might just be dehydrated by the time I get out to Colorado. Speaking of, I'll be spending the next month out there in Buena Vista working at Trail West, a Young Life camp for families. I fly out today and in less than 24 hours I'll get to hug the neck of my love...
Here's the view I'll enjoy for the next twenty-nine days...
I'm going to try and keep up this blog and I'm sure Jason and I will take turns writing on our blog over here. I'm always a fan of snail mail so feel free to write:
Leslie Unger
Assigned Staff Session 1
Young Life Trail West
18800 Trail West Drive
Buena Vista, CO 81211
Happy summer!
P.S. And Happy Birthday to my delightfully honest, beautiful, creative, knitting, singing, old movie loving, violin playing friend. Have the happiest of days dear Emilie!
Here's the view I'll enjoy for the next twenty-nine days...
I'm going to try and keep up this blog and I'm sure Jason and I will take turns writing on our blog over here. I'm always a fan of snail mail so feel free to write:
Leslie Unger
Assigned Staff Session 1
Young Life Trail West
18800 Trail West Drive
Buena Vista, CO 81211
Happy summer!
P.S. And Happy Birthday to my delightfully honest, beautiful, creative, knitting, singing, old movie loving, violin playing friend. Have the happiest of days dear Emilie!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Roughin' It
Last Wednesday through Friday, Rita and I took a group of 32 fourth graders and twelve parents down to Camp Don Lee in Arapahoe, NC. I think it's safe to say that a good time was had by all as we reveled in perfectly gorgeous weather and explored all different parts of Atlantic Beach and the Neuse River. However, for the third year in a row, I stepped out onto to CDL property and my sinuses promptly began to drain. The first year, I just thought it was a fluke, physical and emotional stress. Last year, we all blamed it on a hellacious break-up with a man who refused to be broken up with. But after this year, I'm thinking I'm allergic to CDL. Which is very sad because for the most part, I like this field trip. Thankfully, after returning home and partaking of the lemon chicken soup from Spartacus Restaraunt here in Durham, I'm on the mend. Seriously. Magical, healing powers in that soup.
So I discovered, thanks to Rita, that you can entertain young boys for a fairly lengthy amount of time with just one pair of rogue underwear that no one will claim. On the last night of camp, we sent the parents off to have dinner and Rita and I took the kids on for ourselves. As bedtime approached I took the girls' cabin and Rita took charge of the boys' in order to make sure that they were packing and getting ready for our departure the next day. Fifteen sweet little girls neatly and quickly packed their bags, gathered their things and then went back to girly girl stuff. All of a sudden we heard a commotion coming from the boys' cabin. As I went to investigate, I saw through the screen porch Rita doubled over in laughter and seventeen little boys running around, howling, cheering and shouting, "Freedom Flag! Freedom Flag!" The "freedom flags" were several pairs of unclaimed undies that they then hung in the front of the screened in porch. I will never understand boys but I'm fairly certain that they'll never forget that. As evidenced by the fact that today in class, every once in a while, one boy would whisper "Freedom!" and the rest would take up the cheer. I couldn't bring myself to make them stop. I mean, really, little boy's tighty whiteys are pretty funny.
There was one thing that happened that had never occurred on a Camp Don Lee trip before. On the way down to Atlantic Beach, we always stop at the Neuse River Sports Shop for a bathroom/snack break. As usual, all the kids made a beeline for the candy but the girls did something else. They headed for the magazine rack. And proceeded to buy Teen Bop and Tiger Beat. They still make them! Not only did they buy them and read them, but once they were in the rooms in the girls' cabin, they proceeded to decorate their rooms with pictures and posters from the magazines. They nested. Right there in the middle of camp. It was like a scene out of "Parent Trap." You know, the one where the wind blows off all of Sharon's movie star and celebrity photos. I know more now about the teen stars of Disney than I ever wanted to.
These little ones were cold and since they were all so small, they took to wearing one of the dad's sweatshirts. They dubbed themselves "Snuffluffleagus" collectively and "Snuffle", "Luffle", and "Agus" individually. I think they were referring to Snuffleupagus from Sesame Street. You gotta love that they know their Sesame Street.
We had a great group of parents who gamely tagged along on every activity, shepherded, corraled, endured bunk beds and multiple singings of "Three Short-necked Buzzards" which they demonstrated in their group shot.
Herpetology was a favorite class. I'm all about being eye to eye with a turtle, but I had to leave when the snake came out.
All in all, a great trip to end my five year history at Camp Don Lee....
So I discovered, thanks to Rita, that you can entertain young boys for a fairly lengthy amount of time with just one pair of rogue underwear that no one will claim. On the last night of camp, we sent the parents off to have dinner and Rita and I took the kids on for ourselves. As bedtime approached I took the girls' cabin and Rita took charge of the boys' in order to make sure that they were packing and getting ready for our departure the next day. Fifteen sweet little girls neatly and quickly packed their bags, gathered their things and then went back to girly girl stuff. All of a sudden we heard a commotion coming from the boys' cabin. As I went to investigate, I saw through the screen porch Rita doubled over in laughter and seventeen little boys running around, howling, cheering and shouting, "Freedom Flag! Freedom Flag!" The "freedom flags" were several pairs of unclaimed undies that they then hung in the front of the screened in porch. I will never understand boys but I'm fairly certain that they'll never forget that. As evidenced by the fact that today in class, every once in a while, one boy would whisper "Freedom!" and the rest would take up the cheer. I couldn't bring myself to make them stop. I mean, really, little boy's tighty whiteys are pretty funny.
There was one thing that happened that had never occurred on a Camp Don Lee trip before. On the way down to Atlantic Beach, we always stop at the Neuse River Sports Shop for a bathroom/snack break. As usual, all the kids made a beeline for the candy but the girls did something else. They headed for the magazine rack. And proceeded to buy Teen Bop and Tiger Beat. They still make them! Not only did they buy them and read them, but once they were in the rooms in the girls' cabin, they proceeded to decorate their rooms with pictures and posters from the magazines. They nested. Right there in the middle of camp. It was like a scene out of "Parent Trap." You know, the one where the wind blows off all of Sharon's movie star and celebrity photos. I know more now about the teen stars of Disney than I ever wanted to.
These little ones were cold and since they were all so small, they took to wearing one of the dad's sweatshirts. They dubbed themselves "Snuffluffleagus" collectively and "Snuffle", "Luffle", and "Agus" individually. I think they were referring to Snuffleupagus from Sesame Street. You gotta love that they know their Sesame Street.
We had a great group of parents who gamely tagged along on every activity, shepherded, corraled, endured bunk beds and multiple singings of "Three Short-necked Buzzards" which they demonstrated in their group shot.
Herpetology was a favorite class. I'm all about being eye to eye with a turtle, but I had to leave when the snake came out.
All in all, a great trip to end my five year history at Camp Don Lee....
Monday, May 01, 2006
Twenty-five days
I have just that long to do the following:
-Finish teaching the current fourth grade Gold class at Trinity School
-Along with my brave and able teaching partner, take 36 fourth graders and twelve parents on a three day overnight trip to Camp Don Lee
-Pull off my last Pharaoh Day, complete with projects and speeches by my students
-Write eighteen report cards
-Write two letters of blessing for two darling graduating 8th grade girls that I taught once upon a time...
-Sort through all my worldy goods
-Decide what's going with me to Trail West
-Decide what's going in the storage unit
-Decide what's going to Rita & Dave's for my last month as a singleton
-Move it all out of the house to make room for SJ's new roomie
-Design and order wedding invitations
-Pick and order wedding cupcakes
-Plan a wedding rehearsal dinner (with my wonderful fiance's help, of course)
-Worship for the last time in Blacknall's sanctuary before it undergoes renovation
-Dream, plan and pray for the twelve ladies that I'll get to love on at Trail West
-Savor as many moments as I can with my family and friends
Am I crazy?
-Finish teaching the current fourth grade Gold class at Trinity School
-Along with my brave and able teaching partner, take 36 fourth graders and twelve parents on a three day overnight trip to Camp Don Lee
-Pull off my last Pharaoh Day, complete with projects and speeches by my students
-Write eighteen report cards
-Write two letters of blessing for two darling graduating 8th grade girls that I taught once upon a time...
-Sort through all my worldy goods
-Decide what's going with me to Trail West
-Decide what's going in the storage unit
-Decide what's going to Rita & Dave's for my last month as a singleton
-Move it all out of the house to make room for SJ's new roomie
-Design and order wedding invitations
-Pick and order wedding cupcakes
-Plan a wedding rehearsal dinner (with my wonderful fiance's help, of course)
-Worship for the last time in Blacknall's sanctuary before it undergoes renovation
-Dream, plan and pray for the twelve ladies that I'll get to love on at Trail West
-Savor as many moments as I can with my family and friends
Am I crazy?
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
It's the most dreaded time of the year...
...by my students at least. That's right, for the third through eighth graders at my school, April/May means standardized testing time. Here at Trinity, we use a test called the ERB. And unlike public schools, Trinity doesn't teach year round for the sole purpose of getting our kids to pass an arbitrary test. Our philosophy is that you can't measure what a student has learned in one year by how they do on a test in one week. I appreciate that about my school and so there's a much more relaxed attitude towards it all. Yet every year, I feel like I have to literally pull my kids down from the rafters as their eyes grow wide and their bladders go weak at the mere mention of "ERB".
I don't know what they're complaining about. I mean, it's a whole week of no homework for crying out loud! That's gotta count for something. I always LOVED this time of year when I was a kid. We took the CAT tests. California Achievement Tests. I was one of those obnoxious kids who tested well. I always scored in the 97th or 98th percentile. And I don't say that to brag because I realize now that those tests are not true indications of intelligence. Believe you me, my intelligence was not as great as those tests said. It just meant I could pick out the right answer amidst three wrong ones. That's not a skill I'm particularly proud of.
However, since I was a good tester, I was always done waaaaaaay before time was called. I prided myself on this actually. As if it somehow made me better than the other kids. Poor, weak brained elementary classmates. You can't answer 50 questions in ten minutes flat? Pah, what lowly creatures you are! Yes, this was my nine year old, coke bottle glasses wearing, freak show of a test-taker attitude. The other thing I loved about finishing quickly was that I could then read a book.
Yup, it should come as no surprise to some of you that I was a bookworm back in the day. Mom and Dad encouraged this, as their reward for a good report card was a trip to the bookstore. I was such a geek I didn't realize I could be pumping them for money instead. I devoured books whenever and wherever I could. During math class I would slide an open book inside my desk so that I could fake attentiveness and then look down to read a page or two in between. Don't think I haven't seen this in my own classroom! I suppose it's just payback for what I put my teachers through. I was a speed reader too which drove my cousin Audrey crazy because it meant that I could get to the next Nancy Drew mystery or Babysitter's Club book before she did. Hah! Take that slow reader! Yeah...she's made up for it now though because while she is at one of the most prestigious business schools in the nation (and kicking butt I might add), I'm lucky if I can explain fourth grade science to my students and understand it myself. A fast reader does not a smart person make.
Over the last year, I've rediscovered my love of reading just for fun. There's so much that you have to read as a grown up that is decidedly Not Fun. I've been lucky to work at a school where there is required summer reading for faculty, staff, parents and students. Last summer, I got to read "Watership Down", a wonderful tale that speaks of the importance of community and knowing your own story. I enjoyed reading so much that it prompted a new discovery of the public library and more books that I could read for fun. And for free!
So while my kids dread ERB week, I love it. Less planning, no homework to grade, extra recess so the kids get a break after working so hard. And I get to read. Just for fun. As much as I want while they take the test.
I don't know what they're complaining about. I mean, it's a whole week of no homework for crying out loud! That's gotta count for something. I always LOVED this time of year when I was a kid. We took the CAT tests. California Achievement Tests. I was one of those obnoxious kids who tested well. I always scored in the 97th or 98th percentile. And I don't say that to brag because I realize now that those tests are not true indications of intelligence. Believe you me, my intelligence was not as great as those tests said. It just meant I could pick out the right answer amidst three wrong ones. That's not a skill I'm particularly proud of.
However, since I was a good tester, I was always done waaaaaaay before time was called. I prided myself on this actually. As if it somehow made me better than the other kids. Poor, weak brained elementary classmates. You can't answer 50 questions in ten minutes flat? Pah, what lowly creatures you are! Yes, this was my nine year old, coke bottle glasses wearing, freak show of a test-taker attitude. The other thing I loved about finishing quickly was that I could then read a book.
Yup, it should come as no surprise to some of you that I was a bookworm back in the day. Mom and Dad encouraged this, as their reward for a good report card was a trip to the bookstore. I was such a geek I didn't realize I could be pumping them for money instead. I devoured books whenever and wherever I could. During math class I would slide an open book inside my desk so that I could fake attentiveness and then look down to read a page or two in between. Don't think I haven't seen this in my own classroom! I suppose it's just payback for what I put my teachers through. I was a speed reader too which drove my cousin Audrey crazy because it meant that I could get to the next Nancy Drew mystery or Babysitter's Club book before she did. Hah! Take that slow reader! Yeah...she's made up for it now though because while she is at one of the most prestigious business schools in the nation (and kicking butt I might add), I'm lucky if I can explain fourth grade science to my students and understand it myself. A fast reader does not a smart person make.
Over the last year, I've rediscovered my love of reading just for fun. There's so much that you have to read as a grown up that is decidedly Not Fun. I've been lucky to work at a school where there is required summer reading for faculty, staff, parents and students. Last summer, I got to read "Watership Down", a wonderful tale that speaks of the importance of community and knowing your own story. I enjoyed reading so much that it prompted a new discovery of the public library and more books that I could read for fun. And for free!
So while my kids dread ERB week, I love it. Less planning, no homework to grade, extra recess so the kids get a break after working so hard. And I get to read. Just for fun. As much as I want while they take the test.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Why Today Was Good
~ I woke to a deliciously scary thunderstorm.
~ Even though I left my sunroof open yesterday afternoon, unbeknownst to me, SJ closed it for me before bed. Hence, no water in my car when it started raining in the middle of the night. Bless her.
~ I'm caught up on grading math papers and several kids who had been struggling are doing AWESOME!
~ While reading aloud in History, I got to tell a suspensful story about some tomb robbers in which I paused at a pivotal moment. And then before I read the words, "At this very moment, a bloodcurdling scream came from the bottom of the shaft...", I actually screamed. Loudly. You should have seen their faces! Priceless.
~ My fiancee sent a beautiful bouquet of flowers to me at school. Just because...
~ In about an hour, I get to go hang out with a very cool kid named Dash Daugird. He's my favorite superhero under the age of two.
~ Even though I left my sunroof open yesterday afternoon, unbeknownst to me, SJ closed it for me before bed. Hence, no water in my car when it started raining in the middle of the night. Bless her.
~ I'm caught up on grading math papers and several kids who had been struggling are doing AWESOME!
~ While reading aloud in History, I got to tell a suspensful story about some tomb robbers in which I paused at a pivotal moment. And then before I read the words, "At this very moment, a bloodcurdling scream came from the bottom of the shaft...", I actually screamed. Loudly. You should have seen their faces! Priceless.
~ My fiancee sent a beautiful bouquet of flowers to me at school. Just because...
~ In about an hour, I get to go hang out with a very cool kid named Dash Daugird. He's my favorite superhero under the age of two.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Various and Sundry
So, why does no one tell you really, truly, just how stressful AND wonderful planning a wedding will be? Maybe they did and I just wasn't listening. That's been known to happen with me a time or two. Oops. All the same, it is both and much more. Last week was a stressful one what with teaching, planning, coaching and report cards. But with the help of a LOT of people I made it through and am starting to feel like my old self again. Perhaps that means this blog will return to its old self as well. One can hope...
My life as of late:
Bailey, after visiting with SJ's parents while Jason was in town, has returned to the Cactus Ranch. He has resumed his daily rituals of waking us with loud and insistent meowing as to why no one is standing beside him while he's eating and promptly bathing himself as soon as we sit beside him on the couch. Why he can't do this when we're not home is beyond me, but here's a shot of our graceful gentleman in the middle of his bath. It's amazing the contortions that cat can make in spite of his belly.
I'm aching for the chance to meet Lydia Kent but have to be content with what she posts on her own blog. Imagine my pride when I saw that she had chosen the outfit her Lulu gave her to wear for her first grown-up party. I don't know that she actually got to go, but isn't she fabulous? It's better when you start them on the fashion early. And as for her parents...all I can say is that Lydia is in for one heck of a ride as their daughter.
The two fourth grade classes were led by one of the seventh grade science classes as we hiked off into the nature preserve today. It was a precious thing to watch two generations of my students interact...
"The land is the Lord's"
Two generations of my girls AND boys! It's a sweet, sweet thing...
My teaching partner, Rita- we're twins that just happen to be separated by a few years...
I'm looking forward to:
-The first track meet of the season tomorrow. Go Lions!
-Watching "American Idol" tonight and a new episode of "Lost" tomorrow night. I missed last week's episode due to an slight emotional breakdown. Well, not slight. Ok, let's just say it wasn't pretty (have you seen me when I cry?) and my small group deserves some sort of award for loving me through it.
-Choosing bridesmaids and flower girl dresses this week. Any suggestions?
-Talking with Jason tonight. An actual conversation. I'm so proud of us for making it through the first time we both had extremely stressful things happening at the same time. The Mansfield YL Golf Tournament was a success, my report cards are done and there is much to be said via Sprint Cellular.
-Catching up with darling friends who have been ridiculously patient with me.
-Seeing my sister run again! It's a thing of beauty.
My life as of late:
Bailey, after visiting with SJ's parents while Jason was in town, has returned to the Cactus Ranch. He has resumed his daily rituals of waking us with loud and insistent meowing as to why no one is standing beside him while he's eating and promptly bathing himself as soon as we sit beside him on the couch. Why he can't do this when we're not home is beyond me, but here's a shot of our graceful gentleman in the middle of his bath. It's amazing the contortions that cat can make in spite of his belly.
I'm aching for the chance to meet Lydia Kent but have to be content with what she posts on her own blog. Imagine my pride when I saw that she had chosen the outfit her Lulu gave her to wear for her first grown-up party. I don't know that she actually got to go, but isn't she fabulous? It's better when you start them on the fashion early. And as for her parents...all I can say is that Lydia is in for one heck of a ride as their daughter.
The two fourth grade classes were led by one of the seventh grade science classes as we hiked off into the nature preserve today. It was a precious thing to watch two generations of my students interact...
"The land is the Lord's"
Two generations of my girls AND boys! It's a sweet, sweet thing...
My teaching partner, Rita- we're twins that just happen to be separated by a few years...
I'm looking forward to:
-The first track meet of the season tomorrow. Go Lions!
-Watching "American Idol" tonight and a new episode of "Lost" tomorrow night. I missed last week's episode due to an slight emotional breakdown. Well, not slight. Ok, let's just say it wasn't pretty (have you seen me when I cry?) and my small group deserves some sort of award for loving me through it.
-Choosing bridesmaids and flower girl dresses this week. Any suggestions?
-Talking with Jason tonight. An actual conversation. I'm so proud of us for making it through the first time we both had extremely stressful things happening at the same time. The Mansfield YL Golf Tournament was a success, my report cards are done and there is much to be said via Sprint Cellular.
-Catching up with darling friends who have been ridiculously patient with me.
-Seeing my sister run again! It's a thing of beauty.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
So much to write, so little time
For almost two weeks I have been shamefully absent from this blog and you dear, faithful Internet readers. Indeed, do I even have that many readers? Anyhow, last week ( my Spring Break) was spent in engaged bliss as Jason joined me for a plethora of wedding planning and some downtime as well. You can check out his account of part of our time here. One of the most fun things we did together was registering. We'd both heard nightmarish stories, "Oh, you'll be fighting before you know it...It was the biggest challenge of our engagement...Just wait until you try to share that scanner." Well, only the last sentiment proved to be true for us. Other than that, we had the most fun running around Target and BB&B dreaming and planning for our life together. In fact, after we scanned our first ever registry item, we looked at each other in giddy glee, giggled, and promptly took a picture to mark the occasion. I know, I know, goofy.
There's more to tell than I think I have time today. I had a delightful visit with some girlfriends last night to celebrate the return of DW who marries the weekend before me. There was lots of raucous laughter, catching up on school stories and goings on, sharing wedding plans, numerous good natured digs at each other, some scandalous comments and an embarassing amount of carbs were consumed. Thankfully, what happens at the Carolina Ale House stays at the Carolina Ale House.
Remember this? Well, it's that season again and I am woefully behind. So please forgive me if I don't write for a while as I juggle the plates of teacher, report card writer, bride, friend and roomie for a few more days. Trust me, I'd much rather be doing my writing here.
There's more to tell than I think I have time today. I had a delightful visit with some girlfriends last night to celebrate the return of DW who marries the weekend before me. There was lots of raucous laughter, catching up on school stories and goings on, sharing wedding plans, numerous good natured digs at each other, some scandalous comments and an embarassing amount of carbs were consumed. Thankfully, what happens at the Carolina Ale House stays at the Carolina Ale House.
Remember this? Well, it's that season again and I am woefully behind. So please forgive me if I don't write for a while as I juggle the plates of teacher, report card writer, bride, friend and roomie for a few more days. Trust me, I'd much rather be doing my writing here.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
4th Grade Wedding Planners
Here's how mine and Jason's wedding would play out if I let my class plan it...
- Evan would be the ring bearer (Although when that was suggested he replied, "Uh...I have a meeting that day.")
- The entire class would sing "Defying Gravity" from Wicked after the vows were said.
- Jason and I would be hoisted up on ropes during the song to exchange rings. A spotlight would follow us. Matt and Xavier would also be up on ropes and would drop the rings down to us.
- The entire class would come in their Biography Day costumes.
- We would ride into the church and down the aisle on white horses ("Like in Napoleon Dynamite!")
- When told that that I couldn't invite all my students to the wedding, "We could watch from a hole in the ceiling!" "Yeah, like that guy's friends did in the Bible."
- Our honeymoon destination: The moon. (get it?)
- I would wear the pink boa that I wear every afternoon for my other job as Carpool Diva.
- Evan would be the ring bearer (Although when that was suggested he replied, "Uh...I have a meeting that day.")
- The entire class would sing "Defying Gravity" from Wicked after the vows were said.
- Jason and I would be hoisted up on ropes during the song to exchange rings. A spotlight would follow us. Matt and Xavier would also be up on ropes and would drop the rings down to us.
- The entire class would come in their Biography Day costumes.
- We would ride into the church and down the aisle on white horses ("Like in Napoleon Dynamite!")
- When told that that I couldn't invite all my students to the wedding, "We could watch from a hole in the ceiling!" "Yeah, like that guy's friends did in the Bible."
- Our honeymoon destination: The moon. (get it?)
- I would wear the pink boa that I wear every afternoon for my other job as Carpool Diva.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Biography Day
Guess who I had in my classroom today?
Tiger Woods, Thomas Edison, Abigail Adams, Daniel Boone, Louisa May Alcott, Michael Jordan, George Washington, Rosa Parks, Shaquille O'Neal, Betsy Ross, Cal Ripken Jr., Mary Todd Lincoln, Annie Oakley, Henry Ford, Helen Keller, Anne Frank, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and Julius Caesar.
For the last month, my kids have been reading biographies about these folks. They then wrote a first person speech based on their reading, created an original portrait and gathered other props for our Biography Museum. Today was the big day. And they were stupendous! They gave their speeches with confidence and flair. They answered the questions of visiting students and parents with their newfound knowledge. I am so proud. It was a great way to mark my last Biography Day at Trinity School...
An unlikely trio: Rosa Parks, Abigail Adams, and Anne Frank
Julius Caesar ponders his next big speech
Louisa May Alcott demonstrates the fine art of writing with ink & quill...and lets the first graders try it out!
Thomas Edison explains his invention to Mr. Larson, our Lower School Director
Mary Todd Lincoln peers out at the other visiting celebrities
I'm not sure it gets any cooler than Cal Ripken, Jr.
The Whole Crew!
Tiger Woods, Thomas Edison, Abigail Adams, Daniel Boone, Louisa May Alcott, Michael Jordan, George Washington, Rosa Parks, Shaquille O'Neal, Betsy Ross, Cal Ripken Jr., Mary Todd Lincoln, Annie Oakley, Henry Ford, Helen Keller, Anne Frank, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and Julius Caesar.
For the last month, my kids have been reading biographies about these folks. They then wrote a first person speech based on their reading, created an original portrait and gathered other props for our Biography Museum. Today was the big day. And they were stupendous! They gave their speeches with confidence and flair. They answered the questions of visiting students and parents with their newfound knowledge. I am so proud. It was a great way to mark my last Biography Day at Trinity School...
An unlikely trio: Rosa Parks, Abigail Adams, and Anne Frank
Julius Caesar ponders his next big speech
Louisa May Alcott demonstrates the fine art of writing with ink & quill...and lets the first graders try it out!
Thomas Edison explains his invention to Mr. Larson, our Lower School Director
Mary Todd Lincoln peers out at the other visiting celebrities
I'm not sure it gets any cooler than Cal Ripken, Jr.
The Whole Crew!
Friday, February 24, 2006
They're too young
If you've ever seen images from the walls of tombs in ancient Egypt, you know that they were not a modest bunch. So every year, Rita and I have to have the discussion with our classes that the ancient Egyptian culture was very different from ours in terms of clothing and modesty. We tell them that they need to be mature about seeing some things they wouldn't normally (read: nudity) and not react in a silly manner.
This is easier said than done for nine and ten year olds.
So as I've been reading a description of everyday life in the ancient city of Memphis from The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, there have been a couple of sticky moments. For example...
"Here lived the Memphis poor-The men wore short kilts, and the women coarse linen shifts. The children ran about naked, and everyone went barefoot."
Giggles galore. I try to maintain a serious and nonchalant expression. I sometimes fail.
"The lords and ladies...lived their lives in service to Pharaoh. On their heads they placed thick black wigs, and on state occasions they wore thonged sandals. Otherwise they went barefoot."
Ok, serious eyes wide open, shocked expressions at the mention of "thonged." About four kids were red with smothered laughter as they reflected on the word. Really?!? Is it possible that they don't think of a flip-flop when they hear "thong", but instead think of underwear? Maybe I'm too naive, but I truly thought kids this young would not know the alternate meaning of that word. I suppose we have Victoria's Secret to thank for their newfound knowledge of women's underwear.
"The women's preparations for the day were more elaborate...Their clothing consisted of an almost transparent linen sheath and nothing else."
Oh good lord. Could my job get any harder? At this point, I'm just trying to reassure the kids that they don't have to strictly follow ancient Egyptian dresscode for their Pharaoh Day costumes.
This is easier said than done for nine and ten year olds.
So as I've been reading a description of everyday life in the ancient city of Memphis from The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, there have been a couple of sticky moments. For example...
"Here lived the Memphis poor-The men wore short kilts, and the women coarse linen shifts. The children ran about naked, and everyone went barefoot."
Giggles galore. I try to maintain a serious and nonchalant expression. I sometimes fail.
"The lords and ladies...lived their lives in service to Pharaoh. On their heads they placed thick black wigs, and on state occasions they wore thonged sandals. Otherwise they went barefoot."
Ok, serious eyes wide open, shocked expressions at the mention of "thonged." About four kids were red with smothered laughter as they reflected on the word. Really?!? Is it possible that they don't think of a flip-flop when they hear "thong", but instead think of underwear? Maybe I'm too naive, but I truly thought kids this young would not know the alternate meaning of that word. I suppose we have Victoria's Secret to thank for their newfound knowledge of women's underwear.
"The women's preparations for the day were more elaborate...Their clothing consisted of an almost transparent linen sheath and nothing else."
Oh good lord. Could my job get any harder? At this point, I'm just trying to reassure the kids that they don't have to strictly follow ancient Egyptian dresscode for their Pharaoh Day costumes.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Best Kid Responses to my Engagement
- Right after I told my class...
“I thought he would ask you in a restaurant or something. He did it like I didn’t think he would.”
“So, does the boy always have to ask the girl?”
“Well yeah, because they usually give the other person a ring and it would be weird for a girl to give the guy a ring.”
- And the emails started...
Hi!! I wanted to say congratulations. I also had some questions such as are you going to move to Texas. If you are going to move then you most likely won't be back next year. If you have not made the decision to move I know the one you make will be the best one for you. Have you guys set the date yet? Congratulations!!!
hey Ms. Unger, Ur ring is really sparkally, lol. see u tomorrow
- While mummifying the chicken in my classroom...
“Now, y’all know I’m not afraid to touch the chicken but I don’t want to get salt and baking soda in my ring…well, actually…I think I’ll just take it off while I do this…”
Eighteen children give one unified and horrified gasp with eyes wide as plates.
“Guys, you know that I’m still engaged even if I take my ring off, right?”
Eighteen children give one unified sigh of relief.
- On the way out to carpool...
1st grader #1: Miss Unger! Miss Unger! I…I…I heard that you were…you were getting engaged.
Me: That’s right, I did get engaged to a man named Mr. Petree.
1st grader #2: Yeah, but is he cute?
Me: Oh yes, he’s the cutest.
1st grader #2: Do you have children?
Me: No, not yet but I’d like to someday.
1st grader #2: Well, what kind of children do you want to have?
(I wasn’t really sure how to answer that one.)
- And never underestimate the importance of 4th graders helping you plan your wedding...
“Miss Unger, you should get married here at Trinity!”
“Yeah, you could do it right here in our classroom. Wind through the cubbies and then end up at the front.”
“No, she can’t do that. It’s too small and there’s no red carpet.”
I didn’t realize red carpet was required for a wedding.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
On Monday, I thought it was a good idea...
Spirit Week, that is. Monday was a good day. Monday I got to wear pajamas to school. Pajamas! How many of you can say that about your job? So I donned my polka dotted pj pants and a UNC t-shirt (because I won't be here for Friday which is "Favorite Team Day". I'll be in Texas. And Texas will be all that is favorite to me at that point.) I swear by all that is true and holy that I am the best teacher I will ever be on "Pajama Day". I can't explain it, but something about teaching in my slippers makes me more organized, more patient, more forgiving and more articulate as I guide those little ones to greater knowledge of ancient Egypt, long division and how weather works.
Then comes "Red, White and Blue Day." I got to wear blue jeans on that day. That's good. Then "Wacky, Tacky, Crazy Hat/Hair Day". I wore blue jeans on that day too. Good. I just put a zebra striped skirt on top of them, added one blue sock and one red, red slip-on sneakers, a long sleeved cream shirt with black stripes under a hot pink t-shirt, and I was looking fab. It's on "Wacky, Tacky...Day" that everything starts to fall apart. Wacky, tacky does not make me the best teacher I could ever be.
Today is "School Spirit Day". I'm wearing blue jeans. So let's review. One day of pajamas and three days of blue jeans. I should be loving life, right? Every year, including this one even though it's my fifth, I think that Spirit Week is going to be awesome because I can be so relaxed about what I'll wear. And every year I realize that there really is something to that whole idea of Harry Wong's in The First Days of School. In it he quotes,
"As you are dressed,
so shall you be perceived;
and as you are perceived,
so shall you be treated."
Miss Unger in blue jeans? That means they think I'm their buddy. I'm less imposing, less impressive. The "evil eye" has had to make quite a few appearances this week but I can't really blame the kids too much. I can't really expect them to maintain the proper awe that is required whilst I parade around in polka-dotted pajama pants... can I?
Then comes "Red, White and Blue Day." I got to wear blue jeans on that day. That's good. Then "Wacky, Tacky, Crazy Hat/Hair Day". I wore blue jeans on that day too. Good. I just put a zebra striped skirt on top of them, added one blue sock and one red, red slip-on sneakers, a long sleeved cream shirt with black stripes under a hot pink t-shirt, and I was looking fab. It's on "Wacky, Tacky...Day" that everything starts to fall apart. Wacky, tacky does not make me the best teacher I could ever be.
Today is "School Spirit Day". I'm wearing blue jeans. So let's review. One day of pajamas and three days of blue jeans. I should be loving life, right? Every year, including this one even though it's my fifth, I think that Spirit Week is going to be awesome because I can be so relaxed about what I'll wear. And every year I realize that there really is something to that whole idea of Harry Wong's in The First Days of School. In it he quotes,
"As you are dressed,
so shall you be perceived;
and as you are perceived,
so shall you be treated."
Miss Unger in blue jeans? That means they think I'm their buddy. I'm less imposing, less impressive. The "evil eye" has had to make quite a few appearances this week but I can't really blame the kids too much. I can't really expect them to maintain the proper awe that is required whilst I parade around in polka-dotted pajama pants... can I?
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