Hello, 

I just wanted to get back to the numerous people who subscribe to this blog.  

I am doing well, I hope you are also.

I student said to me the other day, "If I was a teacher and I had a student like me.... I don't know what I would do."

Ah, from the mouths of teenagers!

 Hello friends, 

I am having a fantastic summer.  filled with friends and activities.  The thing is, I don't want to do anything.  I know that sounds bad/annoying/horrible, but it is true.  I don't want to do almost anything because...

Well that was a thought I had a few years ago.

backyard and bubbles.

This lovely yard is where I am happiest.  The bubbles make it even better. 

I am sorry, it seems I have forgotten how to make my pages more pleasing to look at.

I will endeavor to remedy this. 

~J

 

June 2024

  It has been a long time...

I started teaching in 1998.  The world has changed.

2024:  Students do not know how to tear tape of a tape dispenser  (It is horrible to watch-- they pull straight out and straight down, sometimes cutting their fingers on the cerated edge of the dispenser.  I know this is not their fault, but it is a real deficiency.)

Also, many students do not know how to use land-line phones.  They can dial them, often know they should say hello, and then it gets dicey ( most have to be prompted to tell the person on the other end of the call who they are.) Once they are finished talking many do not know what to do with the phone receiver.

Example (true story):

Call has ended.

Student: what do I do with this now?

Me: <not understanding and looking confused> What?

Student: How do you hang it up?

Me: Just put it down.

Student (eyeing me skeptically): On the desk?

Me: On the receiver.

Student looks confused.

Me: ... where you picked it up.

Student (slowly putting the phone on the receiver): Like that?

((Yes, this was a painful as it sounds.))

~ You're welcome

So this is a hundreds chart.  Yes, like you saw in elementary school, but waaaaaaay better.  1 is in the upper left hand corner and 100 in in the lower right hand corner.  The colors totally have meaning!

I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone so I will post the meaning later.

My mother is knitting me my very own version of this.  I am so excited!

So, these make me happy.  Two places that make me just feel, "ahhhh, so, it is good." This feeling is one of the best feelings!

Other super amazing feelings:  (to be added to as I think of them.... feel free to suggest)

     ~"This is sooooooooo FUN, (possibly embarrassing) and Silly and I am going to keep doing it because I want to!"

     ~"What is going on?... I am laughing but I am not sure why..... but seriously what is going on?"

     ~ "Ummmm what?.... I love you but what???"  (so fun to feel like this.... crazy as it seems)

Be amazing!


~Be more than you thought you could be.

~Be more than anyone expects.

~Be kinder that you think you can be.

~Be thoughtful.

~Be the person you want to be friends with.

~Be the person you hope will be there if you ever need someone.

~Just be amazing.... whatever that means to you.