The Declaration of ...

Upon finishing our unit on Colonial Period literature, I ask my students to evaluate the educational system in an informal writing. They have to discuss the major problem with the system today, and then offer a solution. This is an interesting exercise in reasoning, especially when students try to justify a shorter school day (i.e. 9-12).

I found two responses particularly saddening (though on the bright side, very few students cited these issues as problems).

The Declaration of I-Deserve-Credit-for-Trying

One young lady argued that students should automatically receive credit just for turning in an assignment, regardless of whether or not it was done correctly. She proceeded to argue that students who simply complete their work should pass the class, even if they haven't mastered the material (she didn't state the latter, but implied it). Now I do agree that students should receive credit for certain homework or classwork assignments. This particular assignment, for instance, counted as a completion grade. However, simply awarding students credit for submitting a paper is wrong. After all, we teachers are supposed to TEACH so that the students can LEARN the material. If I awarded credit simply because a student submitted a paper, well, then I wouldn't be doing my job, and the student wouldn't be doing his. After all, he could write, "I'm great" for every answer on a quiz, and still receive credit. How does THAT make sense?!

Now if we broaden this mentality to the "real world", then the issues are magnified. After all, what happens if a doctor simply "received credit" in medical school instead of actually demonstrating knowledge of medicine? How many deaths would he have on his hands? Or if a lawyer never learned the ins and outs of law? We'd have a breakdown in our judicial system. These are the types of questions that give me pause when a student thinks she deserves recognition simply for being.

The Declaration of Lower-Expectations

Ah yes, this was enjoyable paper to read. This young man argued that school officials (administrators, teachers, etc.) and parents should not expect more out of a student as he progresses through the grades. Instead, we should consider lowering our expectations. That's right. Why expect a person who is chronologically more mature to accept more responsibility or act more mature? Shouldn't we simply pamper and coddle our students throughout high school? After all, that would prepare them for life on their own.

Think about how productive and innovative our society would be if everyone had this attitude. You go to the doctor expecting a diagnosis, but instead would receive a "well, maybe it's this, but I'm not sure. What do you expect me to do?" Or you take your car to the mechanic to get the brakes fixed, and are told, "Well, I fixed 'em as best I could, but there's still this problem with 'em. I just didn't feel like getting the extra parts from the other side of the shop." Can we say "accident"?

Thankfully, though, papers such as those were few.

The Declaration of GPA-Grouped-Classrooms

One young lady wished we could group students based on their GPAs. Thus all students with a 3.0 would be in one English class, and those with a 2.0 would be in another. She reasoned that homogeneously grouping students would allow the teacher to tailor the curriculum (materials, activities, assignments) to the class. Plus, those students who typically do better in school would not be held back by those who don't. Hmmmm... what a concept!

Ready for an Occupant...

Leah's room is now finished (well, with the exception of the crib mattress...). Scott hung the quilt and some decorative wall hangings this past weekend, so I finally have pictures to post.

Enjoy.

Setting the Facts Straight

For those of you familiar with Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, you might have thought that it was based on the Salem Witch Trials. Well, you thought wrong (at least, according to one of my students).

Apparently, the play is based on the more recent pop culture phenomenon The Blair Witch Project.

And, lest you think that was the only pop culture reference in the play, let me also inform you that Goody Proctor and John Proctor had a daughter who caused strife in the family as well as the town of Salem. (Sounds like a story from Jerry Springer.)

From the mouths of babes (or teenagers) come wisdom and truth.

The Waiting

34 weeks and some change. That's how far along I am. 34 weeks. That means 6 more weeks until Leah's arrival, give or take a couple weeks. My, that seems like a long time to wait... and not so long, too.

The "to do" list is almost complete. The birthing class is over and done with. The hospital tour will soon be (as of this evening) under our belts. Now we just have to wait for Leah Jordan's appearance. *sigh*

I feel like a child at Christmas. The anticipation itself slows time (or so it seems), delaying the arrival of that day. I can wish all I want, but her birth-day (like Christmas) won't come any sooner. On the other hand, though, I'm sure her birth-day will sneak up on us, too. Despite all our planning and preparing, we'll still not be quite as ready as we'd like to be. There will still be something left for us to take care of.

Lately, I've been feeling more exhausted in the afternoon and evening; some evenings I don't even feel like cooking dinner ("Scott, do you mind if we just have cereal for dinner?"). Is it no surprise then, that I really don't feel like heading to the gym after work? Or that I'm too tired to relax and read? Maybe that's why I'm anxious for Leah. Not like the exhaustion will disappear any time soon (my friends with little ones have warned me), but at least then she'll be here with us. Plus, I won't have to think about work anymore... (now that's a perk!). (Side note: Speaking of work, I have officially finished writing and assembling my lesson plans for my substitute. Yippee!!)

Please don't think I'm complaining, because I certainly view this pregnancy as a blessing; I'm just anxious for my little one to be here, for her dad to hold her for the first time, for her to meet all the people who have been praying for her. I'm just like any mom anticipating the arrival of her child... excited, nervous, and (dare I say it?) ready.

Confessions of a Facebook phobe

I think I'm one of very few people who do NOT have a Facebook account. And, if I can help it, I'd like to keep it that way.

I really don't have anything directly against FB; I know it does wonders for keeping people connected, and re-connecting friends, but really, I prefer connecting in person... and I have a hard enough time (emphasis on "time") doing that.

See, I understand the benefits of FB, especially when staying in touch with long-distance friends and family. But really, that's what email's for (and of course the blog), both of which already keep me distracted from other tasks (see a post from last year). If I committed to FB, too, well, then I might as well say good-bye to my downtime because there wouldn't be any. (Basically I'm admitting that I'd have a hard time NOT checking it 24-7.)

I'm also resistant because, quite frankly, I'm not really anxious to re-connect with people I've lost touch with. It's not that I'm not as nostalgic as the next person, but I want to work on maintaining the relationships that I have now rather than re-kindling those from the distant past. If I were to re-connect via FB, I'd feel as if we had to be buddy-buddy again, which, again would involve extra time that I don't have. Yes, this doesn't exactly portray me in a positive light, but it's true; I want to spend time connecting in person... not behind a computer screen. (Not to begrudge those of you who do; it just doesn't exactly work for me. And no, the irony of that statement isn't lost on me. I know that sending an email and posting blogs aren't exactly in person, either. I just figure that at some point in time, I will see those people I correspond with in person again.)

Then of course there's the fear that my students will find the page. I know, I know, there are filters, but still. What if a student DID find me? Then what? Not like I have some secret life that they needn't know about, but I do like to keep my life private. And I have a feeling that they know all the ins and outs of FB, which means that they could find me there.

For my few reasons of resistance, I'm sure there are plenty of reasons why I should join (and they'll probably show up in the comments section of this post), but for now, I'd rather not. So for all my friends with pages, guess we'll just have to continue connecting the "old-fashioned" way... email.

Nearing the home stretch

Thirty-three weeks and counting. Leah's arrival grows closer each day. Knowing that, Scott and I are diligently finalizing our preparations. So far, so good. The nursery is basically done (once the quilt is hung, I'll post pictures); I've submitted the paperwork to renew my teaching license; and we're making decisions regarding big but necessary purchases (both our vehicles need new tires).

The next items on our list? Contacting human resources and finding a pediatrician. Oh, and of course I have to finish writing lesson plans for my sub. Actually, the plans are written; now I just have to compile the necessary copies for my eleventh graders. (Not sure if I'll have a chance to get to that this week, though, due to exams. Still, at least the plans are written.)

Next weekend will be a busy one for us; the birthing class is all day on Saturday, and the hospital tour is Sunday evening. Though we could have registered for classes in February, I didn't want to risk Leah arriving pre-class. So... that left this coming weekend. I'm sure it'll be interesting... not necessarily because of the information (though it will be helpful), but because of my husband. Seriously, people. You know what a character he is. Now just picture him at a birthing class. Need I say more?

Leah seems to be making preparations, too. She's been moving more and more lately, which is absolutely fine with me. (Scott can attest to that; if Leah's moving while we're relaxing on the couch, I tell him, "Give me your hand. She's moving again!") Of course, with all that moving, I tend to rest my hands on my stomach, regardless of whether I'm home or at work. Now I see why most pregnant women enjoy the belly shelf. I'm sure I'll miss these moments once she arrives... but then again, I'll be so happy to have her HERE.

People are regularly asking how I'm feeling, and to be honest, I still feel really good (despite a lingering cold). The only real difference is that I am feeling a bit more tired in the evenings; I get home from work, and I just want to rest. Lately, I've been tired enough to go to bed early (around 8)... but I stay up to 10. Go figure. I just don't want to give in to an early bedtime. (No, I don't have a good reason why. )You'd think I'd take a cue from my body and rest NOW while I CAN, especially since sleep won't be so easy to come by once Leah's here.

Speaking of bed... looks like I should head that way... after I take care of a few more things from my list.

It's all about the 'tude

Yesterday I was feeling a bit bummed as I realized that I'd have to return to work on Monday. The two weeks off (I know, I know, much more time off than many others) have flown by... and I've loved every minute (well, except for when loved ones were sick over Christmas), so it's no surprise that the thought of returning to work has put a damper on this vacation.

But then I was thinking today that I really need to change my attitude. Instead of dreading the return, I should embrace it. Not working won't make Leah arrive any quicker (which is good, because she still needs some time to grow; after all, I'm not quite 32 weeks yet, so she still has quite a bit of growing to do), whereas working will help the time pass. Plus, with all the items on my to-do list (read: baby prep items), I'll accomplish them faster if I'm also busy at work. (Funny how I can be more productive--sometimes-- if my schedule is full.) Besides, in the grand scheme of things, January usually flies by. Think about it. For a teacher, we return after the New Year (so tomorrow). We then work for two weeks (well, I'll have to take off one day for a doc's appt) before having an additional two days off due to MLK holiday and inauguration. When we return to work, the students have exams, which means we teachers only see them for half the day. Then January concludes with two exams and a teacher workday before returning to the regular schedule. By then, Leah's due date will only be five weeks away, and there's always hope for snow days in February.

So... you can see why it makes more sense for me to change my attitude about returning to work rather than complaining about returning. I should enjoy these last couple months at school because they'll help me pass the time until Leah arrives.