Seussical the Musical

Some of the ways I get to use my creativity is being a director.  The first show if this year was our Musical, myself and two other teachers at our school, work our tail off to put on an amazing production.  This year our production was Seussical! The Musical, it was a  fantastic production and everybody worked very hard. Below are some of my favorite pictures and scenes!!! 

Gertrude and Cat as Doctor Dake

Thing 1 & 2  with Vlad Vladikaff

Mayzie La Bird sitting on her nest, not real happy about her egg situation.

Horton & Gertrude and the clover 

Gertrude and her really long tail! 

JoJo and the Cat during "Having a Hunch" (The Hunches looked like big blobs with arms, and read really well on stage!! 

WHO'S: We choose to do Who's in all yellow and it looked great! 

The Butter Battle

Wickersham Brothers with our Ladder Tree 

Part of the opening Scene and our Jungle of Nool 

McGelligots pool!! We borrowed a lot of fabric for this and made a bath tub!! Loved this scene! 

Jojo's think: an ELEPHANT BIRD

Egg Nest and Tree!! (Loved this tree) 

Final Scenes with the new word and think!

If you want more information or where we got, how we made, any of the items you see, please email me! 

Failure

I am really bothered today, and it came after having a conversation with my administrators. Here are the facts, I enjoy my job, I have days that are better than other, but I really enjoy what I do. I know that this is where I should be.

Today, however, I was told that people are wanting to see me fail or to be cut down. I have a really hard time with this. Why would anybody want to see some one fail, get in trouble, or cut a person down. I was told that my personality isn't accepted by all people. Okay....? I understand that I may not be everybody's favorite nor do I want to be. I also know that I may not always get a long with everybody, but I never EVER would wish failure, or disappointment on some one. Why are people threatened by smart, successful some what confidant individuals? And if you are threatened why wouldn't you strive to be more like them or at least  appreciate some quality about that person.  I don't love everybody in the world, but I will find some good  or positive and/or appreciate what he or she may bring to the table.

This is a really hard thing for me to grasp, because being cut down or wish failure on someone seems so harsh. Don't get me wrong, in competition I have wished other people to not be as successful as I believed we were, but graciousness and class was still exuded from me. For instance, North Platte consistently wind our district in One-Act. The director is smug and uppity. however when they won, I said congrats and wished them well. I will congratulate a winner even if I wanted to win, that is a part of the game. I would look and process what they were successful at and use that to make myself successful. I am so very irritated.

Today I received a very important email...

While I was busy teaching and changing the world, one student at a time, I received this very important email: enough said!

Why I teach Creative Writing....

So this week I asked my new Creative Writing students to tell me why they wanted to take this class, I think it is only fair to say why I am glad I teach this class. For the students who know me, you know that I am pretty easy to get along with I that I enjoy laughing.  I believe that having the ability to be creative and also the privilege to facilitate students creativity I am a happy teacher.

Being creative is something many people, students included, find frustrating and I can't figure out why. Maybe it is because they didn't have the imagination that I had as a kid. Or people are so tightly wound that they forget what it is like to let your mind run wild. (Something I hope the students in this class do).  I keep trying to change some ways that we are going to create in this class and if you have any idea's please let me know. I hope you do enjoy the blogging and that all of you will reply to every body's at least 2 times and enjoy this class as much as I enjoy teaching it.

...Thank you Bill Maher!

NEW RULE: LET'S NOT FIRE TEACHERS WHEN STUDENTS DON'T LEARN --- LETS FIRE PARENTS

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/new-rule-dont-fire-the-te_b_497554.html

Chivalry is still alive...in case you didn't know!

When I taught British Literature, one of my favorite units to teach was Canterbury Tale's, partly because I enjoyed the tales, but also because I exposed students to the word "Chivalry". I loved asking the students to think about what it meant to be chivalrous, and how it is more the opening doors and not speaking ill of each other, it was a real code to live by.


This code seems to have gone by the wayside for some people, myself included. I hear myself weekly say to my students' "kindness" when they speak poorly of someone or something. I see them going out of their way to create a problems for another student, and so few of them remember what it takes to "pay it forward" or to be aware of the people around you and help more people than just themselves. For the majority of the younger generation this code does not exist in their life or in their vocabulary.

But being a Generation Y, I have regained some appreciation for this code of conduct. Pretty much because I am dating one of the most chivalrous people I have ever encountered. I often forget that he is going open the door for me, help me get out of the car, carry things for me or give me compliments galore, and speak so highly of me and my accomplishments that my head may start to explode. I really didn't know that people still do nice things for people, practically every day. I know my days of cynicism and independence may have dampened my view of this great code, but who doesn’t appreciate someone giving gifts not for a special occasion or because they need to say "I'm sorry" but to make a girl feel like a lady.

I honestly think and feel that if more people practiced chivalry in their everyday life, the ideas that we know as "kindness" and "paying it forward" would be so surprising but could morph into becoming an actual expectation of all generations. So often people see the Baby Boomers giving the X's and Y's hints of what a man should do when it comes to dating a woman, but unfortunately these idea's become fodder for scrutiny and shock. Chivalry is a concept that goes beyond just dating but can filter in to being a better student, teacher, principal, business-person, family member etc. LONG LIVE CHIVLARY!

Thinking out of the box

I take great joy in my job. I think teaching/facilitating high school kids is rewarding and life changing. It is with in my job that I have found a truly happy person, this being said, it becomes frustrating when you lack the ability to teach certain life skills such as critical thinking and common sense. I am searching for many different ways to facilitate in the expansion of the brain with regard to critical thinking and making connections.
As I reflect on my educational experience in high school, I was that kid the made the random connections that was different then what others were saying and/or thinking. I remember having to practice thinking "outside of the box" and was actually in a competition for that idea. It is my personal and professional opinion that to think "outside the box" is a lost art form. I remember my science teacher saying "I am not your mother and you are not a baby, I will not spoon feed you the answers." as students, we had to figure it out. Lately, my observations has been that many students can't figure things out on their own. Which makes me question, what have we done to our students? Are they too afraid to say the wrong answer? Are they so fried from the Internet, video games, YouTube, etc that we can't get them to think creatively? I admit that some of my teaching strategies lean to the boring side, I have yawned through them too, but there are some that require you JUST TO THINK, and some students can't/won't/don't know how to do that. For example, I could give a list of directions for students to follow, step by step instructions, and with out a doubt, I will have 5 hands, after I just explained the instructions and they have the step by step list in front of them, "So what are we supposed to do?" It sincerely is becoming a growing concern, because being the type of person I am I reflect on, what words were to confusing? How did they not get that? What did I do wrong? And unfortunately those questions do not seem to have a good answer. I look at some of the other teachers in this school and even the one I teach with, he seems to have no problem getting the students to understand what is expected of them. Granted, I think it could be due to subject matter, and the "fluff" that coincides with literature and writing, and maybe (please don't take offense to this) its also because he is a male, and their minds can simplify things more then a females. (Men are like waffles think in boxes, Women are like Spaghetti, random thoughts all mixed together.) Who knows? But I am not defeated, I will continue my quest for teaching the "out of the box" skills in hopes that maybe those 5 students hands who raise after hearing directions will be reduced to 3.

Blogger-Stalk

I started this blog along with my Creative Writing students in 2009, it has been an entire year of this blog and I am desperate need of making updates to it. However, that is not the point of this, I wanted to let you all know that I now have new followers that are all a part of my second Creative Writing class. As one of the girls said today, "So we can 'Blogger-stalk' you?" I replied with, "I hope you do!" So if you are in the mood to "Blogger-Stalk" and are not a registered sex offender, feel free to follow my followers and be enlightened by the youth of the nation, or at least our town!

21st Century Teaching

The school I work at is adopting the idea of becoming a 21st century school, that does not mean one to one computers or anything, but rather just making students aware of what it out there and prepared for what the business world and job market is like after high school. I am a huge fan of 21st century teaching, in fact this blog all started because of it, however I am not a fan of it when the tools for teaching in the 21st century are limited because of policies and political fears. As an avid user of social networking sites, including Twitter and Facebook, I see the benefits and positive things that they have brought to the global market. Some of the people on these sites offer great avenues of getting into and understanding the world outside of what majority of students are used too. Unfortunately, at the same time when these communication devices are not readily available and/or we are asked to not use them as communication devices for students, it becomes frustrating and in my opinion makes the ideas of the 21st century student in the global market null and void. As educators we are taught to be aware of the ethics and values that coincide with the job that we have, being aware of trending topics, global activity, and even what students are dealing with on a daily basis. What I feel is that sometimes the people are at a level so much higher then the students and they have forgotten what it is like to be a high school student. Students are more apt to tell their emotions and fears on a status update than in a journal a teacher reads in class. I know that there should be a level of discretion and some editing that needs to exist, but doesn't that happen in the classroom anyway? I mean if i need to get my lesson's down to 140 characters so my students can comprehend it I will, because I am now on their level and they are more willing to learn outside of the classroom. I guarantee you the students will remember if i tweet a line from the Shakespeare play, rather than if I have the memorize it. There are lines that a teacher needs to be aware of, I understand that, but being asked to teach in the 21st century but then not be allowed to use the necessary tools is frustrating. I guess it is just a new challenge to find another way to make students excited about their education.

Happy Wednesday.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ5DfWN3fWU

Thank you Evan for making my day.....

Gracias....

Today is Thanksgiving, and after living on this earth for 27 years, this is the first time it seems where I honestly FEEL thankful for everything I have been given. There is literally one month left of 2009 and the time line of this year for me is astonishing, the highs the lows, the plateau's but I never sincerely felt the "thanks" in my heart until this one.
Things I am thankful for in no particular order:
My family~ They are truly amazing, and I have taken them for granted so often, but I could not live with out them. My parents, are such awesome role models, humans, examples, they are honest and loving and giving and most of all inspiring. My brother has never not amazed me, three years of my life have been clouded by manipulations and deceit and jealousy that I never realized what a gift he is in my life. My sister and brother-in-law, have given me their support and encouragement and also a nephew, who has changed a small part of me and my entire immediate family. They are my rocks!
My dog, Bradshaw~ Getting him was exactly what I needed. He makes me laugh, he cuddles, he licks my face when I cry, he frustrates me, but he know he is mine. Although the pretends he talks back, he is a pretty good listener.
My friends~ I have many different friend groups, but all of them support and encourage me. They are sincere and honest and loving and it is so nice to know they exist, and no matter what change I choose to make, they will still stand by me and up for me.
My Job and the Students I see everyday~ I never knew the reward I would have being a teacher, seriously! Everyday is a new day, everyday is a challenge, but there are very few days when I wake up and don't want to go to work. The silly things students say, the activities they do, the joy they have when the realized just how human you are, amazes me. My students are more than words can say, and I am so thankful for them.
This undisclosed person: I am thankful to him, because with out him I would not have seen what my life could be like. He has no idea how thankful I am to him, and he may not ever, but if it wasn't for a trip to Omaha, and Grand Island, I could have never found the courage within myself to make the choice I did. He challenges me and supports me and makes me laugh. There is a connection that I hope he feels and will act on, but even if he doesn't he still is a truly genuine person.
DVR~ I know it seems silly, but without it I would not be able to watch my favorite TV shows, that honestly put a spring in my step and reminded me what laughing is. Glee, the office I sincerly thank your producers for allowing you on TV!
Corrine~ She is an inspiration, she listens guides and challenges me, words can not express the joy I have know she is my best friend. She is my sister from another mother!
Music~ Thank you Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Glee soundtrack, Micheal Buble, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Journey, Guster, Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenowith, The Abstract, Dave Merkel, Buddy Guy, Britney Spears, Mat Kearney, Matt Nathanson, OAR, Dispatch, etc etc...
My faith ~ it seems a little odd to thank my faith, but the fact is I found it again, I found and and I feel it. It is not a religion, but rather a strength that was given back to me. I am amazed and glad I feel it again.
Social Networking things ~ I love communication and being able to communicate with people makes me happy! To all you inventors of these brilliant things, Thank you!

This joy of gratitude is what I will carry on in 2010, because without it I would not be the person I am. I sincerely hope all who read this have a wonder Thanksgiving and be grateful for what you have, don't be afraid to tell them it either!

Zicam you need to work harder...

I hate being sick, I become very frustrated and annoyed when I am. Zicam failed at protecting me from the plague that is the common cold/sinus infection or whatever. I can handle the sniffles and runny noses, but the pain in my neck and the sore throat and inability to hear as well as a I normally do really drive me nuts. I get it, it is cold season, but it is also the holiday season, they should not go hand in hand. I really just can't handle being sick during this week, i would take 2 weeks from now and be sick, after things have calmed down in my world. but today of all days....not fun.

The only thing I want right now is a huge dose of antibiotics to take away this annoyance. Sleeping all day wouldn't hurt either.

Maybe Zicam will step up sooner or later....

Little People Big World

WARNING: PLEASE SEE THIS AS HUMOR NOT AS INSENSITIVE...
You know on the Steve and Buster's commercial where the people have a "fun" aka "mini me" I decided I want one. Not in the form of Austin Powers and creepy Vern Troyer, but more like a mini me/personal assistant/counselor/who knows. Here is why, I once saw a television show that was discussing the fact that in some areas it is difficult for Little People to find jobs. I could offer a little person a job. Now it may seem odd that a Teacher would need a personal assistant, beings that I am not a fancy shmancy high powered anything, but the amount of questions, issues, bills, receipts, people, emails, etc that I receive in a day, out rivals any fancy shmancy high powered individual. I am amazed at the end of they day the lack of things I get accomplished. Now granted their job would not be just that, they could grade some of the papers, we could go have drinks together, and technically I would be an equal opportunity employer, it just add in a height requirement. Why, may you ask does it need to be a little person, well it seems like they would be less in the way, and sometimes looked beyond so it is almost like they are less noticeable. {that sounds mean, it is not meant to be} there may be some logic to this craziness. Really you should just blame it on Dave and Buster's if they didn't introduce the "fun" i may have not thought of this.

Again, I apologize if this is offensive, this is just how my mind works.

I am glad it is Friday....

Okay, Never in my life had I thought I could have this crazy of a week, and I did. Crazy is a very subjective term I might add, and it wasn't busy it was random little things that you never think would happen, and has never happened to anybody else I know.

Incident #1. My love, Bradshaw the Yorkie, spends his time home alone while I am at school. He isn't perfectly potty trained, and he is still very much a puppy. Being a puppy he tends to get into things that find their own hiding places. Case and point: I was getting ready for one of my 3 super early mornings this week and must have dropped my pack of YAZ on the ground and was to tired to realize it. Well I come home at lunch, and they are out in the middle of my living room and 2 are missing. Sweet! My male dog now has more estrogen in him that he is going to start crying at movies and getting angry for no reason.

I called the vet, like any concerned parent would...they had no idea what to do! Only my dog would find pills eat them and then go hump his stuffed raccoon.

Incident #2. I start my school day with lower level English. These awesome students just need a little push and organization to ensure English success. One of these interesting creatures has a tendency to get angry and feel the need to storm out of the room and cause a ruckus in the hallways. Mind you I teach high school, so this week Student "Paul Mitchell" [the name has been changed] decided that he didn't want to read of Mice and Men. He starts freaking out around the room running, throwing things, stealing things off my desk etc. He soon realized that the back of his earring is missing, so of course he finds any reason to leave my class. Me knowing better at the time I give him a part of an eraser and send him to the mirror that is in a small storage room of my class room. Not thinking anything of it. He proceeds to take things off my desk and take that in there as well. He is in there for longer than he needs too and decides to shut the door....Not happening. I politely ask him to come out and get ready for class and he picks up the safety scissors and tries to cut the plastic calculator from my desk. Obviously, safety scissors will not do much but maybe the will to his hair... still nothing. So another novel idea comes to him "these scissors aren't working, I will grab the adult ones" So he makes a scary gesture with scissors towards me and then backs up against the wall in the storage room. Meanwhile the rest of the well behaved children are watching and trying not to laugh at him. He takes the orange adult scissors and starts cutting chunks of his hair in school. I reply with, "There are professionals who can do that for you AFTER SCHOOL, Paul Mitchell" Maybe we should leave and go schedule you an appointment. He gets pissed and after a few expletives later he is out my door again. Then for the cherry on top, he pounds on my door, just for funsies, and flips me off! It is rare to see birds in school!

There are no words left....Happy Friday!

2 month hiatus

So yes, I have been on a two month hiatus from blogging, not because I had forgot or anything, more because I lost what little free time I had. In the past two months school has started and my classes has changed dramatically, and not just because I teach theater. (Pun intended).

I am/have been experiencing more things in the world of education, than I ever thought imaginable, or knew existed. Our school is in the year of change and growth as we work toward a new grade configuration, understand, I am all for this, but not all about the changes and constant meetings once a week! It would be nice if as teachers our input went beyond the four walls of the meeting room, and actually trusted to make the right decision.

Enough negative, time for some positive! It is football season, my Fridays are filled with watching my brother's high school football team, and my Saturdays are filled with ESPN, Husker games and CHILI! (Tailgating food is amazing in my world.) Yeah for fall!

My second "positive" is Bradshaw is getting bigger and crazier. He has his little "I want a pretzel too" run...(Stewie from Family Guy) and he is just plain awesome! My loves and cuddle time grows everyday, most mornings I contemplate bringing him to school, yet refrain! Who knows it could be theraputic for my first period class!

Third, GLEE...my new favorite show sheer awesome-ness! Love the sitcom musical and trust me I will not stop believeing!

I am aware that this was not the most insightful post, but more will be coming!

Tune into GLEE on Wednesdays!

Summer '09 Assessment

Okay, so as summer school teachers we are counting down the days when our summer really begins. My summer afternoon naps have started but not my mornings of not waking up at 6 a.m. have not. Since most people believe that the fourth of July means summer is almost I over, I decided I would share my "Summer '09 Assessment".

Positives:

1. Officially completing my masters degree. I had a great last class, the portfolio is done, just waiting for the pay raise.

2. Getting my puppy, Bradshaw. I think I fell in love.

3. Free time. Seriously those afternoon naps are the best ever.

4. Grilling. I can't ever have too much food from the grill, now if only I can learn to make Salmon on it.

5. Finding new items on the Internet and realizing how great blogging, tweeting, etc is.

6. Sparklers and fireworks.

7. Sun, sand, and new sights and sounds.

8. Time with friends and family. I have managed to spend at least one day a week if not more with those people who are in town and who mean the world to me. "Yeah for Concerts"

9. My bike is updated.

Negatives:

1. Not working out or riding my bike. The naps get in the way....

2. Cleaning up after the puppy. And just cleaning in general.

3. Not having a motivated boyfriend who likes to travel.

4. Money and wishing I could make more/have more/win the lottery etc.

5. Not traveling more or at least some place cool!

6. Finding something new to make for lunch and dinner every night.

7. No adventures or challenges

Looking at the list, the positives outweigh the negatives. But than comes the second half...

Future Plans:

1. Trips North with family.

2. A revised schedule that includes working out.

3. The pile of books that just stare at me will be able to get read.

4. The time in the sun!

5. Seeing more family...oh Madison WI how I miss you and your summers!

6. Planning my classes, plays and organizing the variety of activities I now have!

7. Chick Trip to somewhere...

8. Training the puppy!

9. Whatever comes my way!

Looking back first semester of summer 09 would be working on a B average right now. I think second semester will help boost the grade! What is your summer assessment?

What will education look like in the future?

An old colleague of mine asked me to answer 2 questions for one of the classes he is taking this summer, the first question was, "How long have you been teaching?" my response was 3 blissful years. Creative I know. The second question was, "What are you concerns that you have about teaching?" This is where I was stuck...what are these concerns? Well this is what I said,

1. What does the future of education look like through the eyes of technology?

2. How will the school structure look in the future, will it be community based, individually based etc.?
3 Will schools ever be "up to date" or all online? College is??
4. When will school require a parent education class?

5. How will the students change from one year to the next, and what will the needs become?

This in turn prompted a ginormous amount of speculation and discussion in my brain. I received my teaching assignments for the 2009-2010 school year in may, it is filling my brain with what I need to be doing and how I will be getting it all done. I am only teaching 1 class that I taught last year, Creative Writing, which I am very happy about. But to add to it I am teaching Basic or "remedial" English to sophomores. This is where these concerns for the future comes in. So I sit and ponder how to invoke passion into these kids who have low reading comprehension skills and a variety of other issues. Hoping that they can find something exciting about this crazy world of education. Most likely causing them to change what the future of education looks like, I can only hope.

Sad Blog...

Wow....I am almost finished with my third year of teaching and my first at this current school. Since I/we set up the blogs as an outlet and an assignment I am realizing how much I am going to miss this class. Remember that only four of you are still going to be here next year....but the rest will and are missed.

Jaxson: You have impressed me in so many ways and your ability to see the good in most things is refreshing. Please, PLEASE make the most of the talents you have and continue to find joy in the little things.

Matthew: It has been my pleasure to teach you, your helpfulness and jokes are a wonderful addition to this class. If only procrastination wasn't your downfall...yet you are awesome either way.

Samantha: I don't feel as if I know as well, but what you have added to this class, especially with your insight on the blogs and in small groups, is something to be proud of and to continue. You can go far, you just have to believe in yourself.

Zayda: I can see you going far, as long as you have a goal in mind. Keep up the hard work and the good communication skills, don't let anything get in your way!

Emmanuel: You are a great kid! Trust yourself and use the leadership skills that you posses! I have enjoyed teaching you (not yelling) and hope that your futures successes are all that you want them to be.

Bryana:Your patience is amazing and you also have a bright future with whatever you choose to do! Your writing still shows this amazing talent! Best wishes!

Kayla: You are truly gifted in so many ways, learn to accept yourself and so what is best for you...NO ONE ELSE! PS let me know when you want to grade papers! Thanks for your insights 3rd period.

Kristina: Your cellphone will work when you shut it off! :P Best of luck on your medical journey, thanks for the laughs.

Sarah: Your grace and poise are great qualities to have, remember them and work hard to reach your goals. Thanks for taking this class!

Michael: You constantly impress me with your soft heart, remember its okay to stop, think, and reflect, it will get you far....not that I see you having that problem anyway! Thanks for always processing out loud!

Ellie: You are a creative writer....you proved that over and over, remember to take time to smell the roses, and I still think your ketchup idea needs to exist, its just so much better for dipping!

Wright: You were a great addition to this class and were missed once you left! You have amazing gifts and added a spirit like nobody else to 7th period! Keep working hard!

AND........ I expect you all to comeback and finish the book you all never finished! Harry the Fairy demands it!

Best wishes, and thanks for a great semester!

Motivation

Okay, so there is a lack of motivation among many...including myself. I am totally motivated to complete some things, and not others. I am having a hard time getting off the couch and work out, you would think that my pants not fitting well would be motivation, but not enough.

My students are not motivated to turn in their homework, so the idea of offering them pizza for raising their class average five points...so far they are lowering it. Is it the winter blues, or what?

How do you motivate the non motivated???

What is the appeal?

Students are dropping out of high school left and right, because that seems like the easiest thing to do. It also doesn't help that they see the people who have dropped out living the easy life with all of the money and time that they now have. Thus I ask, what is the appeal of this? Understand that dropping out didn't blatantly occur at my small class C high school, it was smarter to switch school than to drop out all together. That was also 8 years ago, mind you. However, now the school has a drop out rate higher than it has been, and no logical idea, that I have heard, to fix it. Again I ask, what is the appeal? Is breaking the law the appeal? Is spending time in JDC appealing? Is working earlier than you have to and knowing that you will be doing that for the rest of your life appealing? Maybe its the fact that you no longer have to deal with all of those teachers you didn't like. Those teachers who spent their weekends grading your papers, who tried to help you and remind you of things you needed to do, so you didn't fail. Who put up with being called names like bitch, racist, ass hole...just to name a few. Those teachers, must be absolutely horrible. I get that some people don't always mesh with everybody, but are you going to mesh with the people on the street? Or the cop that catches you, or the judge that sentences you?

I am not trying to prove that by dropping out of high school that the life described above is what is going to happen to all people. It is more blanket statements, than actual fact, yet, in a majority of cases, students who don't finish high school and/or go on to get their GED, lean toward ending up in that case. When has it become easier to quit than to conquer?