Hmmmm... Apparently the chinchillas like posting empy blog space

Many of my students are struggling with so much. I have one student who has severe learning disabilities that make it really difficult for her to succeed in the regular classroom. Graduating will be a struggle for her, even though she'll work twice as had as everyone else. I've heard alot of "Anyone can pull themselves up from their boot straps" rhetoric recently and it makes me angry. There is a Education scholar named Ruby Payne, that explains that to move up in the class system from lower to middle to have to sever all ties to family, and many to culture. So many people are willing to condemn the "lower class" as lazy, when in truth the upper class are just lucky and born into the right caste system. Unenlightening rant over!

Firs t day of School Round up

I for got how exhausting teaching is. All I did to day was pace the room from the smart board to the white board. In heels. My first hour is my plan period. This is great because I'm super ready for the day. This is not so great because I have no break from the kiddos. All the freshman classes seem like they will be a lot better than last year. My average class size was 24 students as opposed to 29/30 at "place that must not be named." I have been setting limits and calling out students who are misbehaving. The smart board is an excellent tool, and I'm excited to use it. Basically you can set up lessons like you would a web page, and be able to type things on the board, surf the next, etc, all on a 3'X 4 foot screen. The only disadvantage is that it is on the way far side of the classroom, so the people across the room can't see it very well. Plus the room doesn't have air conditioning

Ahh.....Anticipation

School Starts tomorrow. Lessons are planned, and seating charts are made. The science people are amazing, and I have a beautiful view from my room. The chinchillas are happy, and my cat, Barberella is pawing at the door, wanting to come in and play. Life is good.

(It looks like I'll have to backwards blog... at lot has been happening in the last month.)

Lots to talk about

But no privacy in the Library. Will have internet on Wednesday, thank goodness.