Back to School...

Well... the time has almost arrived.  It's a love/hate time of year.  On the one hand, it was really really nice to be back in my classroom and be surrounded by my goofy coworkers!  I was even fortunate enough to be able to use their children as slave labor!  UNFORTUNATELY, at the end of each year, I'm a disaster, which I then have to pay for at the beginning of each year.  Whoops!  Oh well.

I've continued working on my wall maps.  It's too sad that my students don't travel.  They're happy if they get a chance to leave the city!  So, in response to this, I created two big maps on my bulletin boards.  One is a map of the United States and the other is a map of the world.  Last year, I added photos of places I'd been so students would get the chance to see what other places look like.  This year I had the idea of asking friends/family to help build the map more... send photos that I could add to expand my students view of the world.  As it is, most of my students are from a low S.E.S., have either broken or extremely screwed up home lives, and many are involved in gangs and/or drugs.  Their view of life is low.  It is not easy and many don't see a way out.  The best I can do, besides attempt to help them realize their vast amounts of potential, is to show them the parts of the world they may not get to see... good parts... beautiful parts.  I want my students to dream... maybe they'll dream of visiting other areas, and their dreams may help them see that it is possible for them.

I haven't gotten much more done on my room, but I have done my most favorite part of going back to school.  BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLY SHOPPING!!  I don't know what it is about new pens, new notebooks, post-its, etc, but I LOVE them!!  They just brighten my day and get excited!!!  They're so perfect, just waiting to be used.  Notebooks ready to be full of information.  Colorful post-its just waiting to be put all over my desk or used as a bathroom pass.  Aaaaa... I love new supplies.  As a treat, I even bought myself some new colorful gel pens.  It really makes planning and grading a bit more fun. :)


The other upside to going back to school?  My crazy, wonderful coworkers!  It was so great to see them, chat with them, and laugh with them again!!

The big downside?  Our new pay plan starts this year.  We are going to be paid based on how well our students do on standardized tests.  I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not a fan of this!  It's actually stressful to think about it!  I have no doubt that I and my fellow colleagues are great teachers, BUT how are my students suppose to demonstrate their knowledge if they write as well as fifth graders?  It makes me so mad that no one has come up with a better idea!  And my district is all about doing things ONLY one way... no alternative means of testing.  The only exception is if students had modifications on the state test, but that doesn't help if students can't write.  They still have to do their own writing.  My current plan for surviving this stress?  Taking "me" time.  I already told my husband that at least once a month I'm going to do something stress-free, like a massage or a monthly pedicure.  And my weekends will have to be full of school-free things.  I've also decided I HAVE to try and find a way not to bring work home with me.  It's a must!

Well... to end on a happy thought... I soon have the chance to see all the changes made in my students over the summer... hopefully they're all good changes! :)

P. S. All photos are complimentary of either myself or my wonderful friends/family sharing their photos! :)

Closing time...

It's closing time of the summer... and it's still brought to my attention that people think a teacher's life is all fun and good.  Yes, it is VERY true that I have had the luxury of not working and simply vacationing this summer.  BUT, as with many jobs, it is CRUCIAL to stay up to date on many things in my particular profession.

For example, seeing as I teach history, and I'm living in a state I was not born and raised, I have spent a hunk of my summer working on learning more about my region.  The best part of history is when students can relate history to their lives.  Then I spent some time digging through local archives to create assignments based on primary sources.  The best history is taught hands on and left to the interpretation of the learners, NOT the interpretations of textbook authors.  I have also had to spend time creating quality lesson plans in order to not bore my students during class time and so I don't feel so overwhelmed before lessons.  I feel prepared!

Globe in Marseilles, France

Now... time to mourn.  My summer is closing.  I go back to work on August 5.  A few thoughts about this amazing summer.  It has be wonderful that for the first time since I was in high school, I did not have to work a summer job.  I spent my days advancing my historical knowledge, planting trees (including my lilacs!) in our new and unfinished backyard, unpacked boxes that have been packed since 2001, and other chores around our new house.  In addition, there has been a WONDERFUL vacation that helped remind me what true relaxation is and WHY I love and study history.  The world holds so many amazing things and people.  It is so important for students to learn about these people and places, to learn about the world.  Even more so because many of my students will never travel outside this state.  They will have not other concept of other places around the globe.  And so... I have had a great chance to prepare ways of teaching them... and since I've relaxed, I'm much happier to go back into school and work to ignore all the changes (that I don't necessarily agree with) in my district.

Gengenbach, Germany

Statue of The Kissers in San Diego, CA

Fort Worth, TX

Port in Savona, Italy

The Mediterranean Sea outside of Savona, Italy

  

Vacation!

I admit, the only thing better than summer arriving is actually taking a vacation during summer time!  It is the one time of the year when school REALLY gets left behind.  No school work.  No phone calls about school.  No thinking about school whatsoever!  AMAZING!!  


And where did the husband and I vacation to?  Europe!!  A phenomenal place for a history teacher to adventure to! :)  Here are a few brief history highlights:


Marseilles, France - 


Home to Chateau d'If, the famous prison island that is also used as the setting of Alexander Dumas' novel "Count de Monte Cristo"... Ahhh Edmonde Dantes...

Notre Dame de la Garde is also there... an old cathedral that was also used as a military post from as far back as 5 AD.

This says "This wall bears the marks of the battle for the liberation of Marseilles. 15 - 25 August 1944"

The Isle of Elba - famously known for the island Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to.

 (It was a night sighting of Elba)

Pompeii in Italy - 


The ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii.  AMAZING!  This city was flourishing until the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 74 AD.  The volcanic eruption actually preserved the city, leaving MANY aspects intact!!

The city of Carthage in Tunisia - 

This city was a MAJOR Mediterranean city during ancient times.  It was destroyed once in 146 BC by the Romans before they rebuilt it and Carthage continued to be one of the three most powerful Mediterranean cities.  

It remained that strong until the Muslim conquest and was destroyed again in 698 AD.  Now, all that remains are some ruins overlooking the Mediterranean port.








Barcelona, Spain - 

Home of the famous architecture, Antoni Gaudi.  Gaudi is considered a Modernist when it comes to designs.  

Throughout Barcelona, there are Gaudi creations everywhere, including a church that has yet to be completed.

FCBarcelona... the famous futbal club.  The club has survived throughout the 1800s and into today, being one of the strongest soccer clubs worldwide.

And now... it's back to the real world... Time to prepare for next year.  Only 2 more weeks off...