Newsflash!! Alot of my students were absent today due to a funeral in Eek. What's that like? well it goes something like this: "If you were here last week and your group is here today, find them and move your desks together." "Kristen, my group is missing!" "If you were absent last week, or ALL members of your group are missing, then come to the front of the room." "But Kristen! My group is ALL gone! What do I do?" "If your group is missing, come to the front of the room" "But my group is missing!" ugh!!!!
I would love to tell you that today was a great day, it wasn't bad, in fact it was a good day. However, it was not a great day. Those are few and far between. I did look at my gradebook, again. Though I have to say, Heather Diamond, I am jealous of you that you had an animal related delay. Where else could you have a delay because of brown bear sightings?!?!?! ok probably other places, but seriously, a delay until it's daylight...no where else could get away with having things that vague.
Totally have the student council involved in my baby project!! If the kids leave their babies unattended, they will get "snatched" and they will be brought up on charges by the student council. The student council teacher sponsor is going to be our judge while the student council is our jury. They will have guidelines to follow and will actually affect the grades of my PLS students. This project is going to be so much fun! :) Students and Teachers are all excited for this to happen :).
Oh and classical music in the mornings is making a comeback! Student cries to turn it of to be ignored! :) hehe I am an awful teacher :). But seriously, I do add some other music in too.
Oh I know what was bugging me and made me write this. To set the record straight (family) I am not looking for a job back home! I do not know who is telling everyone that I have applied for jobs and that I am looking for a job at Christmas, but I am not. The last time I put an application in to a business back in Illinois was before I moved to Alaska. So no, I AM NOT LOOKING FOR A JOB BACK IN ILLINOIS/INDIANA! I know that the person saying this might just hope I get back home, but it is not good to go around telling lies and quite frankly it is annoying having to tell everyone that calls me because they are concerned I am giving up to soon that no it's not me. K thanks.
And with that note maybe I should sign off before I get to angry about the situation.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Of Mice and Babies
I thought I would write this because well let's be honest I have a lot to say, again.
First the babies. I broke the news to the class today bout the babies by writing on the smart board that they are ALL pregnant. Yes even the guys. That definitely shocked some students. and who knew it was the talk of having to take a baby home that would get the class interested in actually paying attention?! So a little information, the baby is American Indian because obviously we live in Alaska and the students are native. The question I get from the students (almost every single one of them at a seperate time), "Why is the baby black?" Apparently the baby is more dark than anything.
Anyways, I could go forever on that class but, I have to get to the mice part of this post. I was watching the Gilmore Girls dvd and kinda paying attention to my computer at the same time when I noticed a movement from the corner of my eye. I looked over at the trash can and had thoroughly convinced myself it was just the piece of paper on the floor (totally not realizing that the paper shouldn't move on it's own) when out of no where there was a mouse!!!! I just start screaming ew ew ew ew ew ew!! and of course felicia seemed concerned, though still totally sitting in our recliner only looking concerned or should I say confused? Well anyways, the hilarious part is that she thought I would protect her from the mouse by standing in front of her as we lightly, slowly and carefully made our way into the kitchen for her empty coffee can to trap the mouse in. Of course the mouse had already vanished behind the cabinets by that time. Rats, I guess it will have to wait until next time.
First the babies. I broke the news to the class today bout the babies by writing on the smart board that they are ALL pregnant. Yes even the guys. That definitely shocked some students. and who knew it was the talk of having to take a baby home that would get the class interested in actually paying attention?! So a little information, the baby is American Indian because obviously we live in Alaska and the students are native. The question I get from the students (almost every single one of them at a seperate time), "Why is the baby black?" Apparently the baby is more dark than anything.
Anyways, I could go forever on that class but, I have to get to the mice part of this post. I was watching the Gilmore Girls dvd and kinda paying attention to my computer at the same time when I noticed a movement from the corner of my eye. I looked over at the trash can and had thoroughly convinced myself it was just the piece of paper on the floor (totally not realizing that the paper shouldn't move on it's own) when out of no where there was a mouse!!!! I just start screaming ew ew ew ew ew ew!! and of course felicia seemed concerned, though still totally sitting in our recliner only looking concerned or should I say confused? Well anyways, the hilarious part is that she thought I would protect her from the mouse by standing in front of her as we lightly, slowly and carefully made our way into the kitchen for her empty coffee can to trap the mouse in. Of course the mouse had already vanished behind the cabinets by that time. Rats, I guess it will have to wait until next time.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Salmon Run and Bethel
I RAN MY FIRST 5K AND IT WAS THE SALMON RUN IN QUINHAGAK AK!
So I totally ran/walked but I think it was about even and let's be honest I havn't actually ran in how long? Yea we wont talk about it and then to top it off I've NEVER ran a 5k. I ran with a couple of my students. They were perty good motivators and good sports too. One of them ran ahead of us and took off, but the other one stuck with me till the end (then sprinted to beat me!). Of course when I made it to the water station, I could hardly talk so when they asked if I wanted water I gave a thumbs up and when they asked if I wanted two i shook my head no. Oh and let's not even mention how red my face was! I'm sure I scared some villagers. The kids just liked to laugh about it. You can bet I was sore the next day though! Just had to keep my legs moving or they would hurt.
After the Salmon Run I had to go to Bethel for the Saturday training for Reality Works. We had to go through a demonstration of the babies so that we knew what we were asking our kids to do. At first we knew what it was we were going to have to do (i.e. feed, burb, rock and diaper). However, right before lunch we had to guess which one of the four it was we needed to do. Some of the other teachers had a difficult time cuz there were 9 babies crying at once and it was hard to tell if your was the one still crying or if your's was making the sounds it needed to to tell you had found the right activity to make your baby happy. Especially when the cry's are so loud but the sounds so soft. Anyways, I figured all four out in good time.
Our Satellite equipment came in 3 boxes, two of which came in with the plane that was sent to pick the wrestlers up. However the last box was too big to fit on the plane. I tried to check it on Saturday when I was headed back to Quinhagak, but again it was too big for the kind of plane they sent (they like to send the 207's). They said if they took it out of the box it would fit, but there would be a chance that it would get damaged. We just payed like 600 bucks for this thing, there was no way we wanted a damaged satellite. So it still sits in Bethel until we can figure out how to get it to Quinhagak. In other words, we are so close to having satellite, but so far away at the same time.
Oh and one last thing before I shut up and go away. We had a bonfire down at the beach Saturday night. That was interesting because it was already starting to get dark as we went down and then the tide was starting to come in (but didn't come in all the way). Steph and Jim, Allison and Joe and Felicia and I were down at the beach for hours. It was kinda cold, but It was good to hang out with everyone :). It's like we are one big happy family. Though I have to say that the bratwurst they were trying to cook did not go very well at first.
Pictures still on the way...I have a few more but I'm too lazy today to post them. I'll work on finding my camera chord later and maybe the next post will just be pictures and no explanations. You'll have to figure out what the pictures go to :).
So I totally ran/walked but I think it was about even and let's be honest I havn't actually ran in how long? Yea we wont talk about it and then to top it off I've NEVER ran a 5k. I ran with a couple of my students. They were perty good motivators and good sports too. One of them ran ahead of us and took off, but the other one stuck with me till the end (then sprinted to beat me!). Of course when I made it to the water station, I could hardly talk so when they asked if I wanted water I gave a thumbs up and when they asked if I wanted two i shook my head no. Oh and let's not even mention how red my face was! I'm sure I scared some villagers. The kids just liked to laugh about it. You can bet I was sore the next day though! Just had to keep my legs moving or they would hurt.
After the Salmon Run I had to go to Bethel for the Saturday training for Reality Works. We had to go through a demonstration of the babies so that we knew what we were asking our kids to do. At first we knew what it was we were going to have to do (i.e. feed, burb, rock and diaper). However, right before lunch we had to guess which one of the four it was we needed to do. Some of the other teachers had a difficult time cuz there were 9 babies crying at once and it was hard to tell if your was the one still crying or if your's was making the sounds it needed to to tell you had found the right activity to make your baby happy. Especially when the cry's are so loud but the sounds so soft. Anyways, I figured all four out in good time.
Our Satellite equipment came in 3 boxes, two of which came in with the plane that was sent to pick the wrestlers up. However the last box was too big to fit on the plane. I tried to check it on Saturday when I was headed back to Quinhagak, but again it was too big for the kind of plane they sent (they like to send the 207's). They said if they took it out of the box it would fit, but there would be a chance that it would get damaged. We just payed like 600 bucks for this thing, there was no way we wanted a damaged satellite. So it still sits in Bethel until we can figure out how to get it to Quinhagak. In other words, we are so close to having satellite, but so far away at the same time.
Oh and one last thing before I shut up and go away. We had a bonfire down at the beach Saturday night. That was interesting because it was already starting to get dark as we went down and then the tide was starting to come in (but didn't come in all the way). Steph and Jim, Allison and Joe and Felicia and I were down at the beach for hours. It was kinda cold, but It was good to hang out with everyone :). It's like we are one big happy family. Though I have to say that the bratwurst they were trying to cook did not go very well at first.
Pictures still on the way...I have a few more but I'm too lazy today to post them. I'll work on finding my camera chord later and maybe the next post will just be pictures and no explanations. You'll have to figure out what the pictures go to :).
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Travel
Well Well Well, Funny seeing you here :). Ok, so yea I can't see you, but you know you were thinking how did she know I was reading this!
The title gives away what I'm going to write about. Last weekend I was in Bethel for New Teacher Training. We all know how that went, good but obviously not what it could have been. This weekend I go into Bethel for the Reality Works Training. I am so going to be bored!!! I keep trying to talk people into flying in to Bethel because lets face it I'll have an actual hotel room instead of staying in the DO, but it's been a no go. People like their weekends. I mean really, what could be more fun then hanging out with me in Bethel until I have to go to training and then hanging out with me some more till I leave? Nothing, that's what.
Anywho, that's not the last of my travel this month. Towards the end of the month I get to travel for the speech team, yet again. That should be interesting 2 and half days in Bethel with 3 junior high students. Actually, it may be getting hectic, but I love it! Keeps me on my toes and keeps me from obsessing over things that are out of my control.
OH and I suppose I broke my rule yet again. Third post this week!!!!!Guess I had a lot to say this week :)
The title gives away what I'm going to write about. Last weekend I was in Bethel for New Teacher Training. We all know how that went, good but obviously not what it could have been. This weekend I go into Bethel for the Reality Works Training. I am so going to be bored!!! I keep trying to talk people into flying in to Bethel because lets face it I'll have an actual hotel room instead of staying in the DO, but it's been a no go. People like their weekends. I mean really, what could be more fun then hanging out with me in Bethel until I have to go to training and then hanging out with me some more till I leave? Nothing, that's what.
Anywho, that's not the last of my travel this month. Towards the end of the month I get to travel for the speech team, yet again. That should be interesting 2 and half days in Bethel with 3 junior high students. Actually, it may be getting hectic, but I love it! Keeps me on my toes and keeps me from obsessing over things that are out of my control.
OH and I suppose I broke my rule yet again. Third post this week!!!!!Guess I had a lot to say this week :)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
New Teacher Inservice
First off, what a week! Actually, what a month! It seems like it was just September first, then I blink and now it's October 2nd. How did that happen? Only 2 months and 23 days until Christmas, I'm not sure that I'm happy with that though because I have bought absolutely NO Christmas presents as of yet, or a plane ticket (sorry mom, I'm on it though!).
So, this weekend we had another new teacher training. Yes that certain mysterious someone was there. Yes I acted like a total nerd that I am. Yes he totally acted like a nerd as well. In fact, the amazing Heather has nicknamed him Urkel and you guessed it, I'm Myra (I think that's how her name was spelled). I need guts, I have none (let me clarify...I have not guts because i think he's amazingly cute and I just don't know what to say). And for those that have mentioned that he might read this, I doubt it. Only a few people know the link (unless someone has shared it with the other new teachers?). Anyway, if it does get shared I wouldn't mind. So back to the extreme awkwardness. Here I am trying to teach my kids to be more confident when talking to each other, and I have no confidence to talk to one person. Wow, thank goodness none of the kids saw that. And to mom, it looks like you don't have to worry. I am the same person as I was there. That means I would totally mess it up before it started by being the dork that I am.
On another note, I did learn some new strategies to take back to the kiddies. Well, if they will buy into them that is. AND, i got to talk to the other awesomely fantastic new teachers :). Oh, and I'm proud of my roommate, she totally got her Alaska License!
The mountains have snow on them, that means it wont be long before it snows here in the village. I really hope those gloves I ordered from Sierratradingpost.com make it in the mail soon. I promise pictures when it does snow :). Until then.
So, this weekend we had another new teacher training. Yes that certain mysterious someone was there. Yes I acted like a total nerd that I am. Yes he totally acted like a nerd as well. In fact, the amazing Heather has nicknamed him Urkel and you guessed it, I'm Myra (I think that's how her name was spelled). I need guts, I have none (let me clarify...I have not guts because i think he's amazingly cute and I just don't know what to say). And for those that have mentioned that he might read this, I doubt it. Only a few people know the link (unless someone has shared it with the other new teachers?). Anyway, if it does get shared I wouldn't mind. So back to the extreme awkwardness. Here I am trying to teach my kids to be more confident when talking to each other, and I have no confidence to talk to one person. Wow, thank goodness none of the kids saw that. And to mom, it looks like you don't have to worry. I am the same person as I was there. That means I would totally mess it up before it started by being the dork that I am.
On another note, I did learn some new strategies to take back to the kiddies. Well, if they will buy into them that is. AND, i got to talk to the other awesomely fantastic new teachers :). Oh, and I'm proud of my roommate, she totally got her Alaska License!
The mountains have snow on them, that means it wont be long before it snows here in the village. I really hope those gloves I ordered from Sierratradingpost.com make it in the mail soon. I promise pictures when it does snow :). Until then.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Buses and Suburbans
So, I drove the bus home the other day. Don't worry though, I didnt run anyone over :). Then I had to drive it home in the morning, that was more interesting because I really couldn't see because of the fog and the fogged up window. Don't worry I got a picture and it will be attached :). Oh, I also have been in charge of the suburban keys all weekend. I had to pick people up at the airport (the cross country team). I definetly drove slower than I had to. I mean my car is wayyyy lower to the ground and umm I havn't driven in how long now? so yea it was wierd driving. It was also kinda sad, I had grown to look forward to that walk home after school because it helps me unwind after a long day of work. I might have to start working out. Definetly not running like my roommate, she has way more gumption than I do.
I found out that new teacher in service is next weekend. Not gonna lie, I'm a little excited to see everyone :). Also kind of annoyed that it's so soon. Plus the weekend after that I have to go in for training for my PLS class. The training has to do with the fake babies that the students have to take home. I get to learn how to program them and how to teach it and all that good stuff. Should be interesting. Plus, it will be my first time in Bethel on my own. Ok well yes the very first night in Alaska I was "Alone" but the two other teachers I met made me feel so welcome that I didn't feel alone.
Well, without further adoo the pictures are below:
Me posing for a picture like i'm teaching (one of the 8th graders snapped this)
My pink bread I made!! It's the tastefully simple beer bread only with strawberry fanta instead of beer
I'm driving the bus!!! Better get the kids out of the roads and oh yea it's a 4-wheel drive bus so I had to jump into it and then jump out it sits so high up!!!
Me letting Felicia off the bus....we are just happy we made it home! there were a few kids riding their bikes on the way home, I told them to watch out, I was driving they proly shouldn't be in the road :)
I found out that new teacher in service is next weekend. Not gonna lie, I'm a little excited to see everyone :). Also kind of annoyed that it's so soon. Plus the weekend after that I have to go in for training for my PLS class. The training has to do with the fake babies that the students have to take home. I get to learn how to program them and how to teach it and all that good stuff. Should be interesting. Plus, it will be my first time in Bethel on my own. Ok well yes the very first night in Alaska I was "Alone" but the two other teachers I met made me feel so welcome that I didn't feel alone.
Well, without further adoo the pictures are below:
Me posing for a picture like i'm teaching (one of the 8th graders snapped this)
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Home Coming Dance
So, I survived my first village dance! I chaperoned from 9pm to 11pm and listened to a BUNCH of great music :). I'm not sure who the DJ was, but they picked a nice selection of music. It was a little interesting to see that ALL the kids showed up but only like 4 or 5 actually danced. Though there were a few dances where more than that got on the floor to dance. Even though not many danced, it seemed like all the kids had fun. At least I was able to meet the village (tribal) police officer. He was nice, and showed up after dark to make sure things were going good. The kids did clean-up while the dance was coming to a close and they were done by 11 minutes after the dance was suppose to end. It was one of the fastest clean-ups ever.
I've been looking for flights home for Christmas. I've found that if I fly home on Christmas day, it will be about 300-500 bucks cheaper. However, that means not only will I not be home until the day after Christmas but, I will also be asking my family (mom and ect...) to be in Chicago to pick me up the day after Christmas. That means they will have to leave on Christmas which is probably not a good day to travel on. I know they wont mind, but I'm not sure if I want to ask them to give up part of their Christmas to pick me up. Maybe I'll suck it up and pay the extra to make sure I'm home before Christmas as much as possible.
We finally received our equipment for wireless internet at our house! That was an exciting day :). However, when we had the guy that connects it to the house set it up, we failed to realize that the equipment did not include the router. Apparently "everything you need for wireless" to GCI does not include the router just what you'll need outside your house. We made it work for a couple days until we bought a router from the school. It's perty cool and true the internet is a little slow, but at least it's internet! We might even look into getting satellite next. That would just be icing on the cake. Though I'm not sure how I'm going to react when I have so many options for entertainment.
On another note, I received an e-mail showing when my training for the reality works equipment for my personal life skills class is going to be. I get to go to Bethel on October 7th for training on the 8th. Which means I have to miss the salmon run that I wanted to participate in/watch. The salmon run is a 5k/1/2 mile run/walk that Sheri (the principal's wife) puts on for the community. It's suppose to be really fun and a lot of community support goes in to it. I had signed up to pass out the bags to people who participate. I'm hoping that they hold the salmon run soon enough that I can participate and catch my flight to Bethel. I also get to go to Bethel the week before that, on October 1st for new teacher training. I can't believe they have both new teacher trainings so close together. Guess Bethel is just calling my name huh. Two weekends in a row just seems crazy!
Classes are going good. I'm trying to get the routines down so that students know what to look for when they enter my class. I started an opening activity where students walk in grab a piece of paper/pencil and answer the question that shows up on my smart board. They are starting to get the hang of that, so now I'm going to work on my end of class routine. I'm working out the writing class routines as well. We are piloting the Glencoe writing with the reading program that was piloted at the school last year. It's the working out the kinks and what it is we are doing in class that's getting me. There's just so much to choose from! I think though that I have a good routine and maybe I'll write more about it later. I've been switching up the seating arrangement to see how different students work next to others. I think I may have figured out some good arrangements and groupings though. I guess time will tell :).
Until next time
I've been looking for flights home for Christmas. I've found that if I fly home on Christmas day, it will be about 300-500 bucks cheaper. However, that means not only will I not be home until the day after Christmas but, I will also be asking my family (mom and ect...) to be in Chicago to pick me up the day after Christmas. That means they will have to leave on Christmas which is probably not a good day to travel on. I know they wont mind, but I'm not sure if I want to ask them to give up part of their Christmas to pick me up. Maybe I'll suck it up and pay the extra to make sure I'm home before Christmas as much as possible.
We finally received our equipment for wireless internet at our house! That was an exciting day :). However, when we had the guy that connects it to the house set it up, we failed to realize that the equipment did not include the router. Apparently "everything you need for wireless" to GCI does not include the router just what you'll need outside your house. We made it work for a couple days until we bought a router from the school. It's perty cool and true the internet is a little slow, but at least it's internet! We might even look into getting satellite next. That would just be icing on the cake. Though I'm not sure how I'm going to react when I have so many options for entertainment.
On another note, I received an e-mail showing when my training for the reality works equipment for my personal life skills class is going to be. I get to go to Bethel on October 7th for training on the 8th. Which means I have to miss the salmon run that I wanted to participate in/watch. The salmon run is a 5k/1/2 mile run/walk that Sheri (the principal's wife) puts on for the community. It's suppose to be really fun and a lot of community support goes in to it. I had signed up to pass out the bags to people who participate. I'm hoping that they hold the salmon run soon enough that I can participate and catch my flight to Bethel. I also get to go to Bethel the week before that, on October 1st for new teacher training. I can't believe they have both new teacher trainings so close together. Guess Bethel is just calling my name huh. Two weekends in a row just seems crazy!
Classes are going good. I'm trying to get the routines down so that students know what to look for when they enter my class. I started an opening activity where students walk in grab a piece of paper/pencil and answer the question that shows up on my smart board. They are starting to get the hang of that, so now I'm going to work on my end of class routine. I'm working out the writing class routines as well. We are piloting the Glencoe writing with the reading program that was piloted at the school last year. It's the working out the kinks and what it is we are doing in class that's getting me. There's just so much to choose from! I think though that I have a good routine and maybe I'll write more about it later. I've been switching up the seating arrangement to see how different students work next to others. I think I may have figured out some good arrangements and groupings though. I guess time will tell :).
Until next time
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