StarLab and Sick

Wednesday through Friday I am teaching 2 forty-five minute lessons to each of the fourth grade classes. These lessons are taking place in the StarLab, a blow up planetarium. Very fun, but exhausting. I've been sick for almost 3 weeks with a sinus cold. I was on the mend, but relapsed on Tuesday. My throat is so sore and I'm talking nonstop for 3 days. I am also talking over a very loud fan that is keeping our planetarium blown up. My voice was practically gone by the end up the day. I'm been conserving all night so I can keep trucking tomorrow. I'd really rather stay in bed...

Not our lab, but the exact model.

An example of the inside. It is actually pitch black, but they had to take a picture so...

We are learning Greek Mythology and how to find the actual constellations without the drawings. This is what is projected on the walls for the greek part. It is really a cylinder, not straight, and rotates... just like a real planetarium.

What am I qualified for?

I am thinking about going to work tomorrow and DREADING it! I loved teaching for 10 years, but I just don't feel like I can do it anymore. These last 2 years in Georgia have been miserable. Beyond the daily work I just cannot handle getting up at 5 am anymore. I'm tired all the time and have a hard time going to bed at 9 pm.

I am giving up on the lottery (doesn't help that I don't play), so I need a new plan. I have a master's degree, but have no idea what kind of job I could get. Today's market is so bad it probably isn't a good idea to even try. I cannot even get a school transfer right now because of the economy.

I still need some ideas of things I can do in the future. What is a teacher qualified to do?

Blast from the Past for Sarah

I sure hope I have another box of pictures somewhere! I do know at one point in college my mom threw out 2 "bags" of stuff I was saving!

Not much better than what you have...

For those that don't remember Frankie.


We have to pay tribute to these guys!

I got this 5 x 7 because your parents didnt know you went to the dance.

The back. I'm hoping you can click and enlarge. If not I'll email it!

Not sure why I have this, but it is you!

Flowers

I still don't know what I'm doing about flowers for the wedding. I kind of think a lot of white gerber daisies with orange ones mixed in and greenery. I really like hydrangeas though... Oh! I also thought carrying bluebonnets would be a nice Texas touch. I probably won't use any of those ideas.

Here is a picture of what I thought I'd do in the beginning of the planning.

Snow in the South

Wish I had a picture that showed how beautiful the whole street looks covered in white. These are pretty good though. Too bad it means we will be stuck in the house for 24 hours, if not more. It is moving into the twenties so the roads will be a solid sheet of ice soon. I think that means I can stay in my pj's and on the couch the whole time!

Grace wanted to play.

She is a complete nut when she gets outside.

This log is heavy!

This was about 2 1/2 hours after it started to snow.

Pine Tree out front.


*Side note: News said to stay off the roads unless emergency. Dan declared ice cream an emergency.

I want to end on a high note

A small backyard wedding (immediate family only!) is what we've decided on. Groom in jeans, bride in random $12 dress from Ross. It has been fun looking at wedding stuff and not doing all the traditional foo-foo mess that is not me! I will be posting pics of the ideas/plans for June 12.

First up the cake!


Since this feeds 150-200 people it will need to be modified. I think I'm at 30 people right now. So, maybe the top 3 tiers.... the bow and flowers have to go and a lighter yellow. I think it is a fun cake!

I'm in a mood today...

I feel like I can go off on various topics right now!

The biggest being work. I have never worked at such a dysfunctional place. I'm not even sure where to start or how to describe it. People that are suppose to be there to help and support you are so rude. My team has even commented how whenever I ask a completely normal question I get a rude response that usually doesn't even address the question.

They say that we are doing what is in the best interest of the student, but I don't see it. Starting mid march we are changing schedules, cutting specials time to 30 minutes, sending kids to different teachers, and teaching reading for 3 hours and math for 3 hours. What in the world?! Teaching something longer is not going to make them "get it". If anything they are going to get glazed eyes and bored which equals behavior problems. If we taught more science and social studies they'd have more benefit working through the complex topics, but we are cutting it out. Well, according to "them" we will "fit it in". Hmmm.... Do you think they are even going to tell parents that their students are going to have a different teacher all day? I made the mistake of asking about that little detail.

We are also teaching guided reading and guided math everyday. That isnt appropriate for 4th grade. They need to work a little more independently. My students are at the point where they need me to hold their hand to accomplish the simplest task. How is this helping them learn? It also makes it hard to work with a small group when half the class wants to ask me a question because they are too scared to try by themselves. In general teaching in Georgia has been like stepping back in time! I miss my other 2 school so bad. It is hard to teach when you don't agree with what you are being asked to do.

Ok, writing about it has not made me feel better so I wont even go into the other topics.