Two more weeks…two more weeks…just two more weeks.

and then I will celebrate spring break.

The family kicked of spring at a nearby amusement park. We purchased 2009 season passes on our last visit, back in October. The day was deceptive with bright sunshine and a hefty breeze.

Lots of fun. I love spending the day with the fam and I love even more that we can do something that everyone enjoys. The girls are old enough now that everyone can ride the coasters and no one is left out…well, as long as the pre-teen is feeling adventurous. Lil Bit…yeah, no fear. It’s a little scary.

It is so much easier to get into this exercise thing when you are not alone. Jem is finally jogging each morning. I am so proud of him for keeping it up for two weeks now! I think it makes it a lot easier on both of us that we are living in an area that embraces exercise and good health. So many people that we know are runners, doing marathons…5ks…etc… Neither of us could be considered runners. Up until now I have really struggled to even jog a lap. Today, 7. I believe Jem is up to 7 jogging as well, but he adds more laps with walking too. I’m not sure how far 7 is in our little tri-oval neighborhood. (It’s like our own little Pocono running track!) Whatever it is, it is two more than I was able to do earlier this week. I’m focusing better, concentrating on my breathing and the iPod tunes, and keeping a steady pace. It is no longer difficult to breathe when I am jogging. This is a milestone for me! I didn’t really want to get out there this evening, but feel much better afterward. It is a good stress reliever and I understand why runners run. It’s a nice little buzz you get when you stop.

I am thoroughly enjoying being home with the family! My MT students placed 6th. It isn’t where they wanted to be, but it does keep us from going to Nationals and having to prepare for another six weeks. Coming home each afternoon this week has been GREAT!

In other news…I have surpassed the 1000 mark in my post count!

I took a day off today. After 6 months of spending 3-5 days each week preparing Mock Trial for competition I decided a sanity day was in order. It just so happens that my grades are due at 3:30 this afternoon. I WILL make the deadline.

The state level competition was this past weekend. My team did rather well, but it was not good enough to advance to finals. Disappointed, but very relieved, I look forward to trying again next year. However, I do need a good six months to forget the mind-numbing stress that goes along with sponsoring MT.

It is now time to resume grading. My popcorn bowl is empty and my DBQs are still waiting to be read.

So AP students had a test yesterday. They have been in a panic ALL week over their grades. Being the evil teacher I decided to give them a test to bring up their really sucky grade. Furthermore, I gave them the correct identifications for all the people and terms they were supposed to define. Then I had the gall to make the test multiple choice and matching, with MORE choices than there were questions. Woe is them. Many were appropriately concerned and studied their little heart out. My heart, being black and cold, was not interested in the whining that took place before the test. I was also not interested in ignoring cheating. I know, I’m mean.

Students have a very recognizable body posture when they are texting. Being the techno texting geek that I am, I know this and I recognize it rather easily. In class, texting is not a huge concern. I call them on it if it is blatant, disruptive, or if they are flat out not paying attention to me. In class during a test? Oh heck no. You will not get away with it.

The answer forms were distributed. Pre-test questions answered. Tests distributed. I then took my post at the front of the room. Enter grades into the computer…look around the room. Back to the grades. Stand up walk around the room. Back to the grades….Notice the Prince has strange body posture. He is gazing intently at his test. It is more than simply a deep focus on the choices. *ding-ding* Realization sets in that he is texting…during MY test! He’s being discreet. I think he has answers on his phone. Stand. Move to my desk with a direct line of sight to his desk. It is at this point that other students are finishing their test, turning it in, and bringing me work that they desperately want credit for. I keep my line of sight open and multi-task. Checking student work for participation credit, I am still watching the Prince. His test concentration is still strange and he has his right arm under the desk and across his body. After a desperate student sits down I catch the glow of an electronic screen being slipped into the left pocket by the Prince’s right hand. Silently I stand and approach the Prince and ask him to hand it over. Busted. He hands me his iPod. Huh, he’s not texting or receiving texted answers. I slide the iPod touch into my desk drawer and sit back in my chair. Other students have noticed the disruption. I will not embarrass the Prince and I will not lose my head.

After I regain my composure I take the iPod and look at it again. It is locked. After I figure out how to unlock it the screen brightens. What do I find? Google. The Prince was using his iPod touch wi-fi to Google the test answers! Before class is over he admits his wrong and expresses regret. I felt really sorry for him. Really. Eighteen year old kid. Senior. Desperate not to fail. Sucks to be him, he just screwed up his third term grade by doing something stupid. Not only does he receive a zero on the test he loses his iPod touch to the office on his second electronic device violation. His parents will have to come to school and retrieve it for him.

I know that teachers do not notice everything and pretend to not notice some of what they do notice, but did he REALLY think he would get away with using the ‘net to find all the people on my test? Really? The answer…yes, he did.

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Relaxing to: Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Lookin’ Out For No. 1
via FoxyTunes

Name a CD you own that no one else on your friends list does.
Pat Metheny: The Way Up

Name a book you own that no one else on your friends list does.
The Amethyst Heart by Penelope Stokes

Name a movie you own on DVD/VHS/whatever that no one else on your friends list does.
This is a little more difficult. I’m not a huge movie person. I have a compilation DVD of Mythbusters

Name a place that you have visited that no one else on your friends list has. Dismals Canyon, AL or Port au Prince, Haiti

Name a piece of technology or any sort of tool you own that you think no one else on your friends list has.
Since several of the people on my friends list are tech geeks like me I will choose something a little less techy…A device that I adore- Perfect for school, it boils water in less than a minute: Hotshot.

I love it when students get excited about the subject. One assignment that always stirs interest is based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its relationship to Populism. Regardless of whether Baum was writing a good story with a few political references or whether he was writing an allegorical tale riddled with Populist support, it is a GREAT tool to get students interested in an otherwise boring period. OK, it’s not boring to me…but I’m a history geek.

I look at March of ‘08, ‘07, ‘06 and the story is the same…this time of year I am exhausted. It’s just part of it. It is funny to look at the theme of year’s past. Nicole said, “I can only imagine how taxing your job is…” It is taxing, but it is also rewarding. By March it is difficult to remember just how rewarding it can be. I think I make the job harder than it should be.

I would love to be creative and cute, blog everyday, and offer something spectacular for the blogosphere. Eh…too much like work. I’m flat out knocked on my tush tired. *I love my job…I love my job…I love my job…* I hope next year will not be this hard. I have to wonder how teachers with 5 preps survive. Having three is doing me in. OK, having three…one without a framework to follow so I’m creating it as we go, one AP, the other honors, and sponsoring Mock Trial is kicking my tail. Oh and BTW, we’ve started AP review. It’s a lot like having another class to prepare for. I’m starting with Clinton and working backwards in history. So, not offering anything but a little BnM for the blogosphere. Sorry. That’s why we blog right?

I’ve done this before, but was reminded of the Monday fun by Kwizgiver

Are you a saver or spender?
I can be either. Save when I have to, spend when I can.

Do you prefer to walk around barefoot in your home? Socks? Shoes?
Barefoot if it is warm enough, socks if there is a chill

Do you talk to yourself?
I answer too.