Teaching Boys

I teach a class called 10th grade Inclusion--where our school has placed all students who struggle with English (not just those who get bad grades--some of them fail by choice--but those who really don't get it).  When I met this class on the first day I quickly realized that out of 15 students, 13 of them are boys!  Fortunately I have a husband and a brother-in-law who didn't love English either, so I can relate pretty easily to what I would call the "good ole boys."

But, I have quickly learned that no matter how much I personally can find in common with these students--who prefer working outdoors, motor-sports, and hunting to sitting in a classroom--I realize that the English curriculum is not friendly to them.

 Our school curriculum guide says I have to teach them poetry and that is where I have started in the past--just to get it out of the way.  These boys (yes there are two girls in the class, but I sometimes forget about them) are expected to learn basic literary devices and we started talking about simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia (word for a sound in case you forget), and hyperbole (exaggeration).  I actually used a Montgomery Gentry song "Gone" to teach them many of these terms.  After that song we went into discussion of a fish poem, but I am running out of "boy material" for my poetry unit.

I have read them some Baxter Black poems--my favorite cowboy author!  Unfortunately they do not understand some of his lofty philosophy and Baxter doesn't exactly focus on use of literary technique.

They seem to be focusing on the material that I have worked so hard to make relevant for them--unfortunately, yesterday when I asked them to apply what they learned to writing their own poem, it didn't go so well.  I asked them  to write a poem about an animal and use the literary devices we have been learning.  Their similes, in which they are supposed to compare two unlike things using the words like or as looked more like this:    Deer like to eat grass!  I was so frustrated.

Any advice on material I can use for these boys or how to help them apply what they have learned?  I have a feeling it is going to be a long year with these guys--I am lucky that they seem to like me, because if they didn't I don't know what I would be up against.

Old Tractors better than a Young Wife?

My husband loves antique tractors--he loves them so much that he left me alone all weekend (even though I am still scared of the boogie man) to go and watch them.  I know that he drove three hours, woke up early in the morning, and walked around all day for two days straight just to watch old tractors--many of which were just sitting there--he wouldn't do this for anything else!   I had no desire to go with him, but he was pretty excited about it when he got home!  He even took MY cool new camera so he could take a ton of pictures--I will post some later.

Anyway, if you like old tractors too, or you want to see just how crazy my hubby is check out www.halfcenturyofprogress.org.

What does your hubby like more than you?  I have accepted my place in his heart, but I don't think I will ever share his love.

I did help him restore one once-- I am doing an awesome job stripping paint from this tire--don't you think?  He loves John Deere and these little lawn tractors called David Bradley-- I would hate to know how many he really has-- I have heard tell that there are parts for more than 6 David Bradley's in our barn--and at least 3 full size antique tractors.  I am sure that after his weekend retreat he has the restoration bug again--Uggh.  I am glad he has a hobby, but sometimes I get tired of tractors stealing my hubby.

Another Hobby

 I have already shared about my scrapbooking hobby.  I have an entire room set aside for my scrapbook supplies and keep having to buy new storage totes to keep them in.  My scrapbook collection is quickly outgrowing my entertainment center cabinet, and I will have to find more space for all of the finished works.
For a while I spent time making wreaths and other dried flower arrangements.  I have several hanging around my home and have made swags and other items for my family.  I still have all the materials in the corner of my bedroom.  My husband often gets agitated at all of my hobby supplies stuffed into the corners of our house, so when I started making baskets he rolled his eyes.

My best friend C.J. invited me to make baskets with her at the county fair.  I had never really made a basket before--except one year when my sister Lulu and I were young, but I thought I would give it a try.  It took me over 3 1/2 hours to complete--yet another reason for my husband to give me grief--but I loved it and the instructor told me I did a great job!  I was hooked.  I loved basket making.

I went to my mother-in-law and asked her to help me make some more--she is an expert and loves making baskets with antler handles (I want to do this some day).  So she gave me several books that I looked through and marked favorites.  I started with a weed basket (no I don't have illegal habits) and I made one right away.  Then I took some reed home and made three more on my own. 

After I graduated from the weed basket (meant to hold dried flowers--which fortunately I have several of in my room) I went back to my mil and she helped me make this awesome plaid market basket--it is about 2 feet long, 1 foot wide, and 1 foot tall (+ handle).  It looked a little janky at first--with spokes sticking out everywhere and wavy reed weavers, but it turned out awesome. I can't wait to make another basket this week--I want to make one big enough to hold some of my finished scrapbooks!  I am sure she will get sick of me asking "when can we make baskets again?!" but soon I will be a pro and I can make all kinds on my own.

If you know of any place I can find cool basket patterns, let me know! 

My Baby Sister

 I have two sisters--my youngest sister Chellie is leaving for college tomorrow.  When Chellie was younger she was a holy terror.  My whole family was frequently at our wits end trying to keep up with her.  She would shimmy up the door jam, unlock the door and escape into the fenced-in yard where she would unhook the fence and roam the neighborhood.  She did not respect privacy, and thought everything was someone else's fault.  She never did her part of chores and just made it so miserable to work with her that we would just give up and tell her to go away so we could do it alone and in peace.

 I punched her in the face once and my mom told her she probably deserved it.  She had the nickname "tornado" because wherever she went she caused chaos.  My mom will even admit that we wanted to get rid of her.

But now we are getting rid of her.  Tomorrow morning she will leave for college for the first time in the "big city."  Despite the crazy childhood we had, she is one of my best friends and I can't imagine home without her.  The past few years I have spent most of the winter months watching her dominate on the basketball court (I know I am a little biased--I don't even know much about basketball), the summers were spent hanging out working with 4-H projects and eating out.  If I was bored, I would just call Chellie. 

I am worried, and sad, and lonely because she is leaving, but I am also excited for all the opportunities she will have.  She has turned into a beautiful (and soon to be very successful) young woman and I admire her.  My other sister went to college, and then to Germany, and now I fear she will never come back home.  It is hard to be the big sister and watch them go out into the world.  I said once to my husband that I am worried about having children because if I love and miss my siblings this much, I don't think I could stand it as a parent.

Chellie-- I love you!  I miss you already!  Stay safe and stay yourself, and take every opportunity you can.  I will make it without you, but I won't like it without you.  Hippopotamus!

Back to School Night

During the summer I am a hobbit--if you read the hobbit the description of their physical appearance resembles mine (at least that is what my sister said).  I live in the wilderness and try to make the smallest carbon footprint possible.

 During the other seasons, I am an English teacher, and tomorrow is the first day back.  Although most teachers begrudge this day just as much (if not more) than the students, I am excited.  This is my third year teaching 10th grade (mostly) and I feel prepared-- I am pretty organized anyway.  Unlike other teachers who spend time with their children or grandchildren during the summer, I am alone.  And unlike others I cannot afford to take a bunch of vacations--so I am glad to have something to do besides napping (sometimes 2x a day). I am glad to be around people again, and most of my classes are small.

I just met some families at back to school night and I am excited about building relationships with new students.  I have some exchange students from Taiwan and Austria, and I have already learned so much from them.

Teaching is fast paced and the high-stakes make is stressful, but I have a great school system and a wonderful community here.  I will write more about them later I'm sure, but for now I have to go get a good night's sleep-tomorrow will take a lot of energy!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

This page is not finished. I want to put some song lyrics from our first dance here, but I don't want to crowd the pictures. Any suggestions?

This page is not finished.  I want to add song lyrics without making it look crowded--any suggestions?

Yesterday was my husband (his sister referred to him as John Deere, so I will do the same) and my 3rd anniversary.  I am the luckiest woman ever because my husband can do anything-- I love him more now than the day I met him (of course that was sometime back in junior high and I don't really remember him from then, so that's not saying much, but i digress)!  The real reason I mention my anniversary is because of scrapbooking.  I love to scrapbook book almost as much as I love my husband, but I have spent so much time working on books for others (wedding gifts, my sisters' graduation, etc) that I had not had time to complete my wedding scrapbook.  I set a goal this summer to have it done by our third anniversary and I did! 

This is one of my favorite pages. The photos are matted on glittery, fabric-like paper, an the lower right picture of me hugging my sister is really cute!

This is the quote we tied to the balloons.  A woman even found one of our balloons in her fence a few hours away. She wrote sending us her best wishes.  I want to include her note, but I can't find it. :(

Well, here it goes!

I have decided to blog as a way to record the happenings of my life.  My sister-in-law uses this site as a way to share pictures and stories with family and friends far away, so I thought I would give it a try.  I seem to add new hobbies when I am really too busy for them, so we will see how diligently I post, but some is better than none.

I intend to upload some pictures soon and tell more about myslef, but I have had a busy day: I refinanced my mortgage; went shopping with my baby sister, Chellie, for college supplies; submitted an assignment for my Master's degree; and now I have to get ready to go out for an anniversary dinner with my husband (3 years already).  School starts on Thursday (in-service--students come Friday), so I will post ASAP.

Hello blogging world--are you ready for this?