Walk Through Evals and Early Outs

Yesterday I had a drop in or walk through evaluation. Weird things. I was told to not have my desks in rows ans that I should do jigsaw activities everyday. Not sure how I feel about that, but kids get bored with the same activity everyday, even jigsaws. The thing of it is, every kid was on task and engaged when he walked in. Only one kid tried to "entertain" the others through his reading, but still accomplished the task. We do move our desks around as well, but with 32 desks in my rooms, rows work better for traffic flow on a regular basis. Thoughts? What other patterns work well for everyday use? 

Today is our first early out to work on curriculum. Our department has a planned map as to what we need to work on for the next few years to be compliant with the Common Core State Standards. However, we are told we cannot work alone or in our own rooms so we have a computer. Yet we need a typed documents proving our progress by the end of the day. How should we accomplish this if not given opportunity or tools? Thoughts to ponder...

Ahhh Friday

Friday seems like one of those days where you should be able to come home after work and relax or cut loose. My Friday consisted of working at the DNR which wasn't people busy, but there sure was plenty to do. When I made it home, because my husband was over half done with the riding mower part of the lawn, I got out the push mower and did the part around the house quickly. Then we got organized, made and ate dinner, and have been making and canning two batches of marinara ever since. Batch one is about to come out of the canner and batch two in. I am tired and ready for bed, but know that this will be all worth it on a cold winter day when I will be able to taste this and remember the warm summer afternoon of picking them. I really like my own as well as there is a bit more quality control and less preservatives. I am also thankful that I am able to get many things canned before school is in full swing. Hoping to get some beets, carrots, and V8 done yet this weekend. To top it all off, my husband wants to get a different truck this weekend too. I only wish they were cheaper! In addition to the canning, maybe hitting up the farmer's market, bank, and truck shopping I have to show the hall to a potential couple/renters. It always seems like if I don't plan my day, someone else will do it for me.

Firsts and lasts

Today was the last day of in-service before school starts Tuesday. It was also the first time we have ever done a freshmen first day experience. All in all, I can say that it went well. Hopefully this will prove useful to the 85%+ who came. That being said, I am ending the day with what I think is a migraine coming on. I have these weird wavy lines in my left vision which makes it hard to type or look at someone in the face. Oh well, let's try a nap and then tomorrow I can get up and go to the DNR. I have donated prizes and supplies to deliver and who knows what shall await when I get there to set up and prepare for the volunteer jamboree in a little over a week. For now I am off to take some aspirin and check on dinner (steamed fish and garden fresh green beans).

In-services

Every year of back to school gives us more to train for, more to prepare for, and just plain more that falls on our plate. In an effort to save the school district money, some people who retired were not replaced. This year the one that affects us greatly is the lady who used to make the copies. I understand this. Why would we pay someone when we are all well educated professionals. All you have to do is hit a few buttons right? Maybe I spoke too soon. Before 8 am, the machine was down. By 10, it was back up and running. At a little after 2 pm, it was not working again due to user error. What should be smooth and seamless, just plain isn't. In addition to the frustration of waiting in a line four deep, the machine is located in a locked area that can only be accessed when office personnel is around. What happens when I come early to work? Or, stay late? Good luck is the answer for now. Hopefully more can be said later when a more effective plan is put into motion that will alleviate some of the frustrations.

On a better note, I can't wait to tackle a few more garden projects this weekend! Basil is so ready and tomatoes and peppers are falling off the plants. Time to make marinara and V8 to can and pesto to freeze. Anyone have any good recipes to share?

My next task of the week is to try to get crafty and have a few more things to sell at the craft fair on the 15th. Any easy/good ideas for that are also welcome.

Blogging thoughts from a marketing point of view

Still kinda inspiring.

I got this in my www.waxcoach.com newsletter. It has some interesting thoughts from a noneducational perspective.

To Blog or Not to Blog?
Written by Bonnie Harris

“To blog or not to blog” seems to be the modern day version of Hamlet’s famous soliloquy. We’re all told that “you need a blog” and it seems like a simple task. But once started it turns into a hopelessly futile commitment with no short-term gain. So this month we look at the reasons for blogging, how to make the blog easy to do and why blogging may or may not be for you.
First of all, and this is something I learned the hard way, don’t expect ANY results from your blog in the first six months if not year. Although search engines do pick up blogs much faster than normal copy on a website you have to understand that like any other branding mechanism it takes a while for blogs to work. And because internet promotion is organic you can’t manage it as easily as you might an ad campaign or even a traditional public relations campaign. Blogs work by the laws of ATTRACTION rather than promotion. But once they get going it’s amazing what can happen. I was on a shoot the other day and the broadcaster casually mentioned how much she liked my blog. Huh? I had never met her before. Talk about credibility. My blog’s been up for about nine months now.

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