• Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 78 other subscribers

  • “Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers” — Isaac Asimov

  • Recent Posts

  • Pages

  • Categories

  • Archives

  • Blog Stats

    • 195,666 hits

Chicky Meets Some 4th Graders

Posted on August 19, 2013 by auburnchick

Today, Chicky will help welcome an eager group of fourth grade students to the classroom she will be student-teaching in until December.

She called me yesterday to tell me how well the pre-planning had gone.

She was originally supposed to work with a third grade teacher and had, in fact, been in contact with the teacher before the college term ended in May.  However, the teacher decided to retire a year earlier than originally planned, and Chicky was assigned to a different teacher.

As Chicky shared details about the new teacher, she prefaced by saying that God’s hand was evident in the recent turn of events.

The veteran teacher played softball at another college in Lakeland, so she understands the demands of balancing a sports commitment with student teaching.

The teacher is very laid back and seems to be one of the few not stressing about Common Core standards.  Her style of teaching appeals to Chicky because this is how she wants to be as well.

The veteran teacher also appreciates that Chicky has an in-depth knowledge of reading inventories, diagnostic testing, and Common Core standards.

Southeastern has prepared my girl well, and it looks as though she will be teaching lessons much earlier in her internship than she’d thought.  She is thrilled at the confidence the veteran teacher has shown in her abilities.

Chicky will be working in a Title 1 school…not a first for her, but every experience helps.  She will have the privilege of helping prepare students to take the FCAT Writes exam.  It is given to 4th, 8th, and 10th grade students in Florida.  I find it ironic that I will be teaching 10th graders and preparing them for the same exam.  I’d love to pick up some tips from my girl.

I continue to be amazed at her fortitude and her ability to juggle her hectic schedule.

Good luck today, my sweet Chicky!

I know you are going to touch lives from the moment those little ones enter your room.

I know that they are going to touch your life, and that you will never be the same after your tenure in this room ends.

I love you more than…well…anything (including my vegan desserts)!

You are precious, and I am so humbled by the way you continue to serve God and bring Him glory through the use of the talents He has blessed you with.

Love you forever…

Love,

Mama

Filed under: children, Teaching | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

School Spirit

Posted on August 18, 2013 by auburnchick

Friday night, I stayed up until 2am working on documents that I will use all year to keep track of everything from attendance to FCAT scores to birthdays.

I also sent a couple of emails to parents, disproving the long-held assumption that high school teachers don’t communicate with parents.

After a mere seven hours of sleep, I got up Saturday morning and headed back to my classroom…but not before eating a piece of pie for breakfast. I woke up thinking about this pie, let me tell you.  It’s THAT delicious (recipe in the book Vegan Pie in the Sky).

I braved very bad weather on my way to school.  We have had so much rain that if God had not promised that He would never destroy the earth with a flood again, I’d think we were experiencing the end times…

You should have seen the pictures my friends were posting.  Trust me.  You were safer where you were.

I pulled right onto our school walkway, under the awning, so I wouldn’t get wet on my way to my building…

You can see the corner of Barb’s car just ahead.  She’s a glutton for punishment too.

Actually, she was waiting for our newest reading teacher to arrive so she could let her into the building to begin the difficult work of getting her classroom settled…with three days left before school begins on Tuesday (the teacher got hired late Thursday/early Friday).

I worked until 3pm and headed home.

To say it’s been a busy few days would be an understatement, which is why I needed some “me” time…in the form of nail treatment.

I met my friends, Barb and Blythe, at our favorite salon.

I took a plate of lemon bars to share with the nail techs.  They are very sweet gals who take great care with their craft.

Barb and I played on Pinterest before settling on our nail designs.

Here is what I got…colors that speak of my love for the school I teach at…

My toes had to match, so I got a polish change and a bit of artwork on them as well…

With my nails all prettied up, I think I can finally begin the task of committing my lesson plans to paper, in electronic format.  Once I get that done, I’ll be ready to welcome my new charges into my room.

Filed under: Teaching, This-n-That | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Getting Organized…One Folder at a Time

Posted on August 17, 2013 by auburnchick

Oh the joys of pre-planning.

Actually, truth be told, I kind of like getting things organized.

I can be nerdy that way.

On Thursday, I put on my builder’s hat, borrowed some tools from the front office, and got to work…

Please do your best Tim the Toolman impression as you take a look at the hardware I got to play with…

I did a very good job…didn’t have to take anything apart and put it back together.

The end result?

A new bookcase!  I had run out of space, and my books were packed together.  This doesn’t lead to much student interest if a child cannot pull a book off of a bookshelf.  I found it at Target for $25…on sale this week,  Yay!

Yesterday (Friday), I got a lot accomplished.  I wanted to set up a couple of different files for my students.  My experience has been that they take forever to staple things together, and I’m usually ready to pull my hair out by the end.  Plus, I lose valuable teaching time when they take so long to follow instructions.

I find it’s easy to ask students to “Get out your such-and-such color folder,” which is why you’ll notice that my fluency folder (below) is yellow.

Take a look at that progress graph.  Students self-monitor and look for patterns in their fluency rates.  This is what our administrators like to call “Highly Effective” because students are driving their own learning.  It’s good preparation for life after high school.

As tasks like the above get finished, I’m getting closer to the real work…lesson planning.

Inspiration struck yesterday while I was getting ready to go to school, so I grabbed whatever paper I could find and wrote as quickly as I could before the ideas disappeared from my head…

There are only a few short days until my students walk through my door.

Until then, I’ll be working feverishly to get things as close to perfect as I can…one folder at a time.

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Sometimes I Amuse Myself

Posted on August 16, 2013 by auburnchick

I spent part of my pre-planning time straightening up my classroom.  One of the things I did was to rearrange things on the bulletin board that is mounted beside my teacher desk.  The bulletin board contains pictures of my babies, furry and birthed by Yours Truly, a calendar, and a few other special mementos.

When I stepped back to take a broader look at the newly-arranged board, I could not help but chuckle…

The card was given to me by Chicky.

The devotion is one of my favorites from a few years ago.

The placement of both…well…I don’t really think I need to say anything else…

Except that I do have a warped sense of humor sometimes…

And that I am a person who keeps things very real…

And that sometimes, it takes very little to amuse me.

Filed under: This-n-That | Leave a comment »

Baking to Relax

Posted on August 15, 2013 by auburnchick

It’s been a busy week around here.  I went back to school for in-service training Tuesday and Wednesday.  Today (Thursday) was my first “official” day in my classroom doing pre-planning.

Getting up at the crack of dawn these past three days has worn me slap out, and baking has been a desire but not something I’ve been able to actually attend to…

Until this afternoon (Thursday).

One of my key motivations for baking each week is my Small Group, which I attend on Friday evenings.  I’ve had a lot of fun presenting new desserts to their gracious hands and bellies.

I had already decided that I wanted to make Lemon Bars.  The recipe is found in the book Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar; however, a couple of days ago, I received another vegan recipe book by the same authors…

Ignore the one on the left.  That is probably going to be a Read Aloud later in the year.

After thumbing through the Vegan Pie in the Sky book, I decided I also wanted to make the Old Fashioned Chocolate Pudding Pie.

Yum!

With Friday evening a scant twenty-four hours away, time was ticking.

As soon as I got home from work, I got down to business…not even sitting down until almost 7:30.

Here is the fruit of my labor…

Lemon Bars

The Lemon Bars call for agar agar flakes.  I could only find this item at the health food store, and it was expensive…$11 for a small bag (look closely…bottom left of the picture that I was too lazy to crop)…

It turns out that agar agar is a type of seaweed that turns liquid into a gelatinous blob.  It was super-easy to use and did what it was supposed to do.

I also zested lemons for the first time ever.  Go Me!

The bars are very lemony and tart.  The crust turned out well.  I’m pleased with the result.

Here’s my Chocolate Pudding Pie (recipe found in my newest book)…

That’s a graham cracker crust.  I need to work on my crust-making skills.  It was way too crumbly and loose.  My pie plate was also too small, which could account for why the crust didn’t harden up enough.

The texture was arrived at by using arrowroot powder, another first for me.  The consistency is exactly like pudding.

Folks, do you know how many years it’s been since I ate pudding.

Oh word.

The pie is not overly sweet, nor is it overly chocolaty, despite what it looks like.

I’ve gotta tell you, once again, that I could place these desserts in front of any carnivore, and he/she would not know that it was vegan-friendly.

I highly, highly, recommend this recipe book series!!

I also highly recommend baking to get rid of work stress.  The anticipation while waiting for these desserts to set in the refrigerator took my mind off of my long, school-related to-do list, and that is definitely something special!

Filed under: Vegan | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Mastering the Hodgepodge

Posted on August 14, 2013 by auburnchick

Congratulations to Joyce’s daughter on her recent graduation and the beginning of her first teaching job!  What fun to watch our friends’ children reach such milestones!  Thanks for the fun set of questions this week, Joyce, despite your hectic schedule of travel lately!

1.  My daughter earned her Master’s Degree this past weekend…what’s something you’ve ‘mastered’ in recent weeks or months?

This summer, I mastered the art of being, which may sound strange, but if you read yesterday’s post, you’ll understand.

As women, we rush around, taking care of everyone’s needs but ourselves.  This summer, I focused on me and feel like I will be a better mother and teacher because of it.

2.  What song most reminds you of your childhood?

Any School House Rock song makes me think of a childhood filled with reading and learning.  I loved school…still do, apparently.  I have shown these videos to my own students, and they really, really like them too!

3.  What do you think about single gender groups and/or events? Should every group/event be open to both genders?  If not, what sort of exceptions do you think are appropriate?

I really like this question, Joyce!  Last year, I taught a class comprised of primarily boys, and I had a different class comprised primarily of girls.  There are schools of thought that separating genders for classroom instruction works, and in some ways, I would agree.  Boys have a tendency to not share out loud in fear that they will be wrong.  They don’t want to look bad in front of the girls.  In addition, girls are often much more vocal than boys and will take over a conversation or brainstorming session.  On the other hand, teaching a class full of girls can be very draining.  They are dramatic.  They are mean to each other.  I preferred the boys over the girls.

That said, is it good to separate kids by gender when the reality of life is that they won’t be separated in college or in the workforce?  I’m all about preparing kids for the “real” world, and they are going to have to learn how to handle themselves eventually.

It’s a tough question that has no easy answer.

4.  What’s your favorite spice? Your favorite dish containing your favorite spice?

I love thyme.  I use it in a lot of my soups.  It is very flavorful.

A recent recipe I made was my Chickpea Soup.  The recipe is here (a few posts back).

5.  Chevron patterns are everywhere!  Do you like it or think its just a little too much? Do you own anything ‘chevron’?

I have knit a few chevron patterns, and I like them.  They are pretty when paired with striped yarn.  A few years ago, I made a pair of chevron socks that I still wear sometimes.

6.  What’s something you disliked as a child, but can fully appreciate now?

I really disliked naps when I was a child but absolutely MUST have them now!!!  I don’t know a weekend that goes by without snoozing a bit during the day.  My naps help keep me sane.

7.  What can irritate you very quickly?

People who talk down to me irritate me.  I feel like I have worth as a human being, and to deny me enough respect to talk to me in a voice that is not aggravated or condescending both irritates me and hurts my feelings.

8.  My Random Thought

I’m trying to do better with my cooking.  With Rooster attending college in town for the interim, I have another meat-eater in the house, and he likes to have a fully belly.

Two nights ago, I made cutlets, rice, brown gravy, corn, and biscuits…from SCRATCH!

The guys ate three platefuls.

Pele found himself a comfortable place close by in the hopes of catching a morsel or two (look at his eyes)…

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , | 3 Comments »

Restored – A Teacher’s Summer Comes to an End

Posted on August 13, 2013 by auburnchick

Today marks my first day back at school.

After vacating my classroom a little over two months ago, I am back at it, attending in-service meetings for two days before being released for official “pre-planning” the next three days.

I will welcome a new group of students on the 20th.

As the last few days of the break ebbed away, I began to reflect on the time I had spent within the confines of my home.

As you know, the last week of school had been traumatic for me due to circumstances outside of my control.

Although a workaholic by nature, I forced myself to stay away from my Smartboard software.

I did not lesson plan; I did not read professional journals.

I didn’t even visit links provided by my mentor when she sent them out periodically.

I completely shut down and allowed myself to live in my pajamas except for forays into the public realm to eat lunch with friends or get my nails done.

I read and knit to my heart’s content, and I played on Ravelry, a website community for fiber fanatics.

I discovered a love for baking, basking in the joy that emanated from my children’s eyes as they ate my butter cream-topped delicacies.

I prayed a lot and sought God’s healing and His guidance.

I reflected on who I was as a Christian and who I wanted to become.

I made no apologies and felt no guilt for my laze-ridden days.

For the first time in a long time, I put my needs first.

The end result is that I finally feel restored.

I finally feel refreshed.

I feel equipped emotionally, physically, and spiritually to tackle the challenges that will certainly come my way during the next ten months.

I can say, with all honesty, that I have a new perspective and do not resent having to end my summer of fun.

I know that God used the trials I went through to mold me…to carve out a few imperfections that were holding me back from being the woman of God I need to be.

This will go down in my personal record book as one of the best summers I have had in many years.

All praise to the Lord for His healing touch in my life.  It has been His hand that has restored me, and I can never thank Him enough.

Restored
Jeremy Camp

All this time I’ve wandered around
Searching for the things I’ll never know
I’ve been searching for this answer that
Only will be found in your love

And I feel it my heart is being mended by your touch
And I hear it your voice that’s shown my purpose in this world

You have restored me from my feeble and broken soul
You have restored me (2x)

I’ve only come to realize my strength will be made perfect at your throne
Laying all reflections down to see the precious beauty that you’ve shown

And I feel it my heart is being mended by your touch
And I hear it your voice that’s shown my purpose in this world

You have restored me from my feeble and broken soul
You have restored me (2x

Laying all these questions down
You’ve answered what I need
You’ve given more than I deserve
You’re making me complete

You’ve given all these open doors
I’m humbled at your feet
Because of what you’ve done for me

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Chickpea Stew

Posted on August 12, 2013 by auburnchick

A couple of days ago, the Mr’s mom sent me a recipe for Chickpea Stew.  It sounded good, so I didn’t waste any time mixing up a pot.

I substituted vegetable broth for the chicken broth that was originally in the recipe.

I’m posting the recipe below the picture.  Instead of plum tomatoes, I used one can of diced tomatoes.

The next time I make this, I will not add the parsley.  The cooking I’ve done this summer has taught me about spices and herbs, and I have a better idea of what I like and don’t like.  Parley tastes a bit like kale to me, so I think I’ll leave it off next time.

Other than that, this is a delicious recipe!  If you are serving more than four people, double the recipe.  It is very easy to prep for, and cook time is under thirty minutes.  It is a hearty stew that leaves bellies full and satisfied.

Enjoy!

CHICKPEA STEW 

2 T extra-virgin olive oil
1 t. dried thyme
1 C diced (1/4″) red onion
1 t. honey
2 T. finely minced garlic
1 t. fresh lemon juice
1 t. ground cumin
1 can (14 oz) chicken broth
2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
1 can (14 oz) plum tomatoes, chopped, with juice
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 C. chopped flat-leaf parsley

Place olive oil in heavy saucepan over medium-low heat.  Add onion, stirring occasionally until wilted, about 12 minutes.  Add garlic during the last 2 minutes.  Stir in cumin and cook 2 minutes more to mellow the flavors.

Add chickpeas, tomatoes with juices, thyme, honey, lemon juice, broth, salt & pepper.  Bring to a boil, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes.  Adjust seasonings and stir in the parsley.

Serves 4.

Filed under: Vegan | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

When a Teacher Nests

Posted on August 11, 2013 by auburnchick

With only a few short days until teachers in my district have to report back to their classrooms, I have a feeling I’m not the only one doing a bit of nesting.

If you’re a female and have had children, you have some idea what I’m talking about.

Nesting activities for a teacher resemble those of an expectant mother.

We run our cars to the shop for last-minute oil jobs and other maintenance jobs.

You might remember from a previous post that I recently spent nearly five hours at my local car place.

We clean our houses frantically with the full knowledge that the dust and cobwebs will quickly overwhelm us.

We reorganize…cleaning out closets that haven’t been touched in…well…awhile.

Take a look at the before and after photos of my linen closet…

Not only do we attend to our homes, but we also take special care with our babies’ rooms, making sure that every nook and cranny is filled with items of interest to engage them in their various modalities (that’s teacher-speak for “ways of learning”)…

We begin to have dreams about the children who will be delivered to us shortly.

We fret over their futures…about molding them into responsible young adults…as we take our lesson plan ideas and transform them into the coherent thoughts necessary for district-required paperwork.

We think deeply about our discipline plans, should things go awry, as any good parent would…

We’ve enjoyed the bliss that is called summer, but we are quick to acknowledge that it has only been the precursor to a glorious new season of fresh hope and anticipation, both for ourselves and the charges we will soon be mentoring.

This is what it’s like when a teacher nests.

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

This is What I Get for Cooking

Posted on August 10, 2013 by auburnchick

Shortly before Chicky returned to school, I began cooking again.  In my desire to obtain some sort of balance between home and work, I am determined to do my guys right and provide meals for them on a regular basis.

I am on a roll, I am happy to say, and have cooked more than two meals in a week.

Go me!

Thankfully, Chicky has a “Nom Nom” Pinterest board, and I’ve done a bit of stalking.

Well, actually I stalk her all over the internet, but, as any loving, caring mother will admit, that’s just what we do.

Anyhoo…

I found a recipe for Firecracker Chicken, and after seeing that I had all of the ingredients except for the hot sauce, I decided to give it a try.  The Mr. picked up the sauce on the way home from work, and I was all set.

It is a fairly simple dish to prepare, but it does take a bit of time to bake, so it’s not something you can whip up at the last minute.

First, I browned the chicken.

This is where I ran into a slight problem.

I don’t know what happened, but the oil in the pan popped more than it ever has when I’ve cooked before (I used to cook almost every night when the kiddos were younger).

I actually yelled out in pain as a couple of splashes of oil hit my arm and thumb.

I sucked it up, finished the dish, and when all was said and done, my guys RAVED about it.

In fact, Rooster ate this chicken for leftovers several meals in a row…without even warming it up.

Because the recipe calls for hot sauce and brown sugar, it’s a blend between spicy and sweet.

I think that the next time I make it, I’ll cover my arms with something so that I am not tortured with blisters like the ones you see in the following pictures (they are filled with water, which you can’t see but is there nonetheless)…

Filed under: Cooking for the Carnivores | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »