How in the world do these weeks fly by so quickly? Lord have mercy! 😀
So, I feel the need to first apologize. I’ve been a very bad blog reader. I humbly ask your forgiveness. This is crunch time for reading teachers in Florida. FCAT is right around the corner in April, and we have Spring Break the last week of March. That leaves THREE solid weeks of instruction. YIKES!
On top of that, my principal is coming to observe me next week, and a Kagan coach is also going to be observing me on a different day. My final IPDP (Individual Professional Development Plan) reflections and documentation are also due on the 15th.
Plus, I still need to film my Reading Endorsement lesson plans.
And I’m fighting a cold.
Gee, I wonder why?
So, enough about me. Let’s get to Joyce’s questions! Joyce, thank you for thoughtfully picking our brains each week. I truly appreciate what you do!
1. When you’ve eaten in a restaurant do you complete their comment card? Do you take online surveys highlighted at the bottom of store receipts?
I rarely complete comment cards or surveys. I just don’t have time right now.
2. The (US) ban on women in combat was lifted at the end of January. It will probably be next year before specifics are worked out, but its been reported over 200,000 front line positions will eventually open up to women. Your thoughts?
I don’t have an opinion one way or another. I can’t imagine any sort of draft that would include women…being my traditional self and all…but allowing women to fight in combat…to each his/her own, I suppose.
3. In looking back at all the blog posts you’ve written, what’s your favorite post title?
I have written over 1600 posts. I’m sure I have some favorite titles, but I lack the energy and the time to go through them and select my favorite one. I can think of favorite posts I’ve written, such as the letter from my lawn to me, or the one in which I was violently sick and had to make a mad dash for home with several pit stops along the way.
4. What’s worse-overly permissive parents or overly protective parents? Did your own parents lean more to the permissive or the protective category? If you’re a parent where do you fall?
My job as a teacher has led me to believe that overly permissive parents are the worst! I teach children who have minimal to no adult supervision. Many, many times these children make bad decisions because they have no role models at home. Trying to contact parents for conferences or issues in my classroom can be a nightmare because they are simply not available. My students are suffering…from too much freedom…which is why they fight the structure of school while secretly thriving on it.
My mom was a combination of both, which led me to be very confused about what was allowed and what wasn’t.
As a mother, I fall into the overprotective side of the scale. I make no apologies. At least I have and do care enough to be involved.
5. Candlelight-moonlight-firelight-bright lights in the big city…which one’s your favorite?
I’d take firelight over anything else. It’s soothing and warm.
6. Dr. Seuss’s birthday was celebrated on Saturday. What’s a favorite book you remember (Seuss or otherwise) from your own childhood? Did books play an important role in your growing up years? Explain.
I was a book-a-holic as a child. I remember reading A Wrinkle in Time over and over again. I also read The Hiding Place more times than I can count. Books were my companions. Judy Blume taught me that it was okay to feel the things I was feeling as a teenager. I couldn’t and wouldn’t talk to my mom about the stuff that Judy wrote about. Reading gave me a strong vocabulary that I am so grateful to this day. It taught me most of the American history that I love to this day. Basically, books took on the role of parenting…one that other people in my life did not fill. As a reading teacher, I have come full-circle. My love for reading has been rekindled, and I sincerely believe that I am passing along this love to my students…many of whom are into their fifth or sixth chapter books and begging for me to buy more.
7. To quote Dr. Seuss…
Share something funny you’ve recently read, seen or heard.
At a recent reading department meeting, our youngest and newest reading teacher, one of the basketball coaches who proposed to his long-time girlfriend the day after Valentine’s, told us, “Man, ever since we got engaged, my girl spends ALL of her time on Pinterest looking at wedding stuff. In fact, we went to a wedding last weekend, and you could tell it was a ‘Pinterest Wedding.'”
We got quite the laugh, let me tell you.
8. My Random Thought
I thought I would update you on my sweet dog, Aubie, who has been limping for about three weeks now.
I am happy to report that she seems to be doing BETTER! Your prayers have certainly helped! She had taken a turn for the worse when last I wrote about her, and we were quite anxious. However, we’ve been giving her pain medicine and stuff for her joints, and she’s finally starting to put a little pressure on her gimpy leg! She seems a lot more comfortable and happy. It’s slow going, and we are still being very careful with her, but at least we have hope now.
Thank you, all, for your continued prayers!!
Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: Wednesday Hodgepodge |
AuburnChick's Adventures 
Glad Aubie is doing better. I loved The Hiding Place! Incredible book!
We are conducting a study this summer looking at how Pintrest is changing the wedding planner business. Very interesting indeed.
So very happy to hear that Aubie has perked up! That girl is one tough cookie! Yes…I think that kids who are raised by overly permissive parents are in big trouble. I just don’t get some parents. Many would rather give their kids full reign than to try and lay down some rules for them to follow. Not good. Hope your upcoming evaluations and such go off without a hitch! Keep your chin up!
So glad to hear about Aubrie!!!! Makes my dog loving heart smile!
A wrinkle in time.. I forgot about that one! Glad to see another Judy Blume fan! 🙂
I’m totally with you on number 4. In fact, I’ve always shied away from the idea of teaching because of the PARENTS you have to deal with.
Judy Blume filled the same gap for me that she did for you, it seems. Those teen years are hard when you can’t/won’t share with your mom. It was a bit of both in my case.
So glad to hear about Aubie. Will keep her and you all in my prayers.
Kudos for you and all teachers who have to deal with children without guidelines at home! What is with parents who don’t require limits and let their children run themselves?! It’s got to be pretty frustrating as a teacher. Hang in there!
I have found that children with overly permissive parents also do not understand that their actions and decisions have consequences (both good and bad). Good luck with all the test prep and other work. Glad your sweet Aubie is feeling better 🙂
So glad your dog is feeling better. The Hiding Place is also a favorite of mine. I look forward to meeting Corrie ten Boom in heaven : )
Pinterest wedding-ha…so funny coming from a guy. Good luck with all your many spinning plates!
I am totally with you on #6 and enjoyed your answer to #7.
Though this is my first time at your blog and I wasn’t aware of your dog’s problems, I’d still like to say I am glad she is doing a bit better. Dogs are family and when they are sick it is so sad.