While watching a movie, any movie, Natalie has gotten the gumption to call out; "What's the message of this movie?"
Watching Marley and Me last weekend, she called out "What's the message of this movie?"
I answered patiently "Ask me when it's done."
Tonight, we started On Golden Pond, again came the "What's the message of this movie?"
Where does she get this stuff? What is the meaning to all of these questions?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Mean Girls
Quotes from Mean Girls, or some girls in Natalie's class. Or some girls at school...
The thing is... this seems outrageous. Doesn't it? However, bullying like this happens all the time. Words like this are spoken at the drop of a hat.
Nice. Or not.
Cady: [voiceover] Ms. Norbury had us write out apologies to people we'd hurt in our lifes.
Michigan Girl: Alyssa, I'm sorry I called you a gap-toothed bitch. Is not your fault you're so gap-toothed
Regina: Oh my God, I love your skirt! Where did you get it?
Lea Edwards: It was my mom's in the '80s.
Regina: Vintage, so adorable.
Lea Edwards: Thanks.
Regina: [after girl walks away] That is the ugliest f-ing skirt I've ever seen.
Mrs. George: [serving the Plastics fruit drinks] Hey, you guys! Happy hour is from four to six!
Cady: Um, is there alcohol in this?
Mrs. George: Oh, God, honey, no! What kind of mother do you think I am? Why, do you want a little bit? Because if you're going to drink I'd rather you do it in the house.
Cady: Half the people in this room are mad at me, and the other half only like me because they think I pushed somebody in front a bus, so that's not good.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Us and Them---
Last week, we read "Us and Them" by David Sedaris. I found it in the next addition of our textbook. I found a clean copy on the internet. I was thrilled.
What I found most unusual is that each class had a different reaction. My seventh period listened to it twice. They laughed each time. They liked it. I think this piece made them laugh more than any other piece.
Sixth hour, however, was on the floor laughing. They had tears in their eyes. At first, one of my students was offended.
"Mrs. Aakhus... is he making fun of people who don't watch t.v.?"
"No. He's making fun of himself for making fun of people who don't watch t.v."
We listened and read the story. We laughed. I snorted.
The next day, second hour listened and read the story...
"Mrs. Aakhus, I don't get it."
I was offended. It was as if I had written it myself. They didn't like it. I was a little hurt in fact. And then, I remembered, I DIDN'T write it.
The problem with sharing your favorite authors. Someone may not like them. It's like they don't like your best friend. It hurts a bit.
What I found most unusual is that each class had a different reaction. My seventh period listened to it twice. They laughed each time. They liked it. I think this piece made them laugh more than any other piece.
Sixth hour, however, was on the floor laughing. They had tears in their eyes. At first, one of my students was offended.
"Mrs. Aakhus... is he making fun of people who don't watch t.v.?"
"No. He's making fun of himself for making fun of people who don't watch t.v."
We listened and read the story. We laughed. I snorted.
The next day, second hour listened and read the story...
"Mrs. Aakhus, I don't get it."
I was offended. It was as if I had written it myself. They didn't like it. I was a little hurt in fact. And then, I remembered, I DIDN'T write it.
The problem with sharing your favorite authors. Someone may not like them. It's like they don't like your best friend. It hurts a bit.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Yearbook
Tomorrow, we will be presenting our yearbook dedication to our honoree. I'm excited to see his reaction. This guy is so modest. He has no clue. During lunch, we will pass out our yearbooks to the students.
Hooray.... This thing will be out of my hands.
The yearbook has taught me valuable lessons.
1. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. One of the yearbook students calls out.. "SPELLING ERROR... GOD!" over and over. This same girl had not helped with one page. At the meetings she attended, she downloaded ringtones on to her cellphone.
2. Assign pages. Have kids show ownership in the yearbook. Make myself believe that it is not MY yearbook. It is their yearbook.
3. PLAN! Remember all the shortcuts. Remember to include everyone in the yearbook. Remember that all the seniors need to be included in the class awards. Four kids can't have all the "Most popular" and "Cutest couple."
4. Proofread. Have the students proofread their peers work. This takes all mistakes off my shoulders.
5. Remember students' names. Keep getting to know the kids. Know how to spell all their names.
Next year, we are going to have yearbook as a class along with a journalism class. My dream of being a reporter is finally true.
What a minute? What did I just say????
I better rethink my direction here.
Hooray.... This thing will be out of my hands.
The yearbook has taught me valuable lessons.
1. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. One of the yearbook students calls out.. "SPELLING ERROR... GOD!" over and over. This same girl had not helped with one page. At the meetings she attended, she downloaded ringtones on to her cellphone.
2. Assign pages. Have kids show ownership in the yearbook. Make myself believe that it is not MY yearbook. It is their yearbook.
3. PLAN! Remember all the shortcuts. Remember to include everyone in the yearbook. Remember that all the seniors need to be included in the class awards. Four kids can't have all the "Most popular" and "Cutest couple."
4. Proofread. Have the students proofread their peers work. This takes all mistakes off my shoulders.
5. Remember students' names. Keep getting to know the kids. Know how to spell all their names.
Next year, we are going to have yearbook as a class along with a journalism class. My dream of being a reporter is finally true.
What a minute? What did I just say????
I better rethink my direction here.
Friday, May 8, 2009
My little birdies...
Last week, Allison and Natalie had their school programs. Allison played a little birdy in her Spring themed program. She's been practicing this show at home for about two weeks. She sings at the top of her lungs and uses big arms for all of her expression.
Natalie's show was patriotic. They honored veterans of Red Lake Falls. It was very sweet. They sang "I'm Proud to be American" and "America the Beautiful." Nat's classmates also sang "Fifty Nifty United States" which I sang when I was in the fifth and sixth grade (twenty-three years ago?) The kids started singing "The Star Spangled Banner." One of the moms next to me whispered "Is this your song?" Meaning JBird and mine. I couldn't stop giggling.
Why I'm scared of crazy church.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/ap_on_re_us/us_school_dance_flap
Welcome home!
One of the baseball players scored a grand slam at yesterday's game. This is how he was welcomed home.
Pretty classy!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Hooray for him...
This past week, a student handed in a short story. He did not want to hand his persuasive essay, and my journals drive him absolutely batty. So.. he asked me if he could hand in a short story.
"Sure thing!" I said.
The short story was so good. I had my doubts. Sure, it was written in his handwriting. But... there were only a few misspelled words. That didn't make sense. This kid doesn't even know how to spell Spain.... However, I look closely and see eraser marks. As though it had been written over when the correct spelling had been found.
Then... I asked J-bird's advice. He told me to google it. I found no story similar to this on the internet. Then, I checked a plagiarism checker... Ha! I knew I had him now. Hmmmm.... according to the checker, this kid seems legit.
Hmmm... I knew it! I always suspected this kid had it in him! Hooray for me.
Well, perhaps Hooray for him!
"Sure thing!" I said.
The short story was so good. I had my doubts. Sure, it was written in his handwriting. But... there were only a few misspelled words. That didn't make sense. This kid doesn't even know how to spell Spain.... However, I look closely and see eraser marks. As though it had been written over when the correct spelling had been found.
Then... I asked J-bird's advice. He told me to google it. I found no story similar to this on the internet. Then, I checked a plagiarism checker... Ha! I knew I had him now. Hmmmm.... according to the checker, this kid seems legit.
Hmmm... I knew it! I always suspected this kid had it in him! Hooray for me.
Well, perhaps Hooray for him!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Keep me in your heart for awhile....
This song is in my mind. I like the cover from this youtube video.
Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath
Keep me in your heart for awhile
If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for awhile
When you get up in the morning and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for awhile
There's a train leaving nightly called when all is said and done
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sometimes when you're doing simple things
around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on
your blouse
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Hold me in your thoughts, take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you
Engine driver's headed north to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for awhile
These wheels keep turning but they're running out
of steam
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Keep me in your heart for awhile
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