Well, I hear that early birds get worms, and since I have a craving for some worms (but more realistically because I am headed up the mountain again tomorrow where I'll have no signal), I figure I'll post now.
Tonight I had the pleasure of going onto a military base for the first time in my little life. As we drove in, I was reminded of the theme song from WEEDS, thus the title of this post. I will admit it: I was creeped out. And I guess I expected to be creeped out. So I'm glad the ASL class that was the reason for my visit was in a part of the clubhouse that really could have been any old room in any other apartment complex on Earth.
It's good to know people with military IDs, or to know people who know people...etc.
Our first of 10 classes went over fingerspelling, numbers 1-10, a few emotions and the word for "homework." I think that all 9 of the students are teachers. 6 of us come from my school. This is a great opportunity for me for many reasons. Our school is a feeder to the high school that has the deaf program. Although I don't have any deaf students yet this semester, taking an ASL class will make it easier for me to communicate if I ever do. It also gets me back into studying a language, which is one of my favorite things to do, and it gets me further into the community of my new school.
It's intense. Our teacher is a deaf man, and we don't have an interpreter. So it's "immersion" ASL. But he's a really good teacher who knows how to scaffold his instruction so that nobody gets lost. And I mean nobody. Because there are 9 of us, he can take the time to make us all practice until our hands hurt, or until we get it right, whichever comes first. It's really cool.
Did I mention that it was intense? It's really difficult to be in a room for 2 hours with so little sound. Even though all of us (students) are hearing, it was a very quiet lesson. I can tell you that I have rarely sung along with the radio louder than I did on my way home from my first class! I'm looking forward to learning more.
Speaking of learning more, tomorrow is Grade Day. I have long been of the opinion that grades are not really a measure of learning, but I am required to assign them, and to religiously report them, so I do. The fact that it's already Grade Day proves that time is flying, and I am happy that my geography students' Five Themes Unit will be reflected in the grades.
I sent some student letters and photos of the project to our class's Vicarious Voyage partner, Nastasa. I'm hoping it'll inspire her to send us more photos and notes from her Semester at Sea trip. Now, it's time to add my hyperlinks and go update the school blog, and then to bed to rest my eyes after their long day of interpreting hand signals.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Pie Iron
That's right. Or, otherwise stated, "Vanishing Pie Iron 2011," because when a year is assigned to something, it becomes a landmark event in life.
Last night I returned with Miss Gokey to the Old Mill camping ground in Lee Canyon at Mt. Charleston. We were excited to set up Miss Gokey's new orange tent, then to EAT a scrumptious camping feast which includes our own specialties: pie iron blintzes and pie iron pierogis. After cooking my frozen pierogis, I left the pie iron open in the fire while I ate the delicious thing.
I must say that I doubt Mrs. T is a true Eastern European: who ever heard of a cheddar-jalapeno pierogi? I returned to the fire to retrieve my iron, and lo and behold...half was intact, but the other half was just a pointy stick! I poked around in the fire and did not see the top of the pie iron. This morning again, I looked for my pie iron and did not find it.
Speaking of irons in the fire: I have finished my lesson plans for next week for geography! This means that the pizza's on its way and I'm about to watch disc 3 of season 3 of True Blood. YES, I'm that far behind in True Blood, but it will be a fitting reward for finishing my work.
I've also decided to ask donorschoose for a grant for a book Jodi told me about called Schooled. I've been looking for a school-appropriate read for my Explorations classes, and I think this is it.
I'm considering asking the students what they actually want to learn in explorations instead of foisting social studies on them. But I might ditch that idea, because social studies is, in my opinion, underappreciated, so it will do them good to hear about cultural diffusion and social contract theory NOW, before it matters to them. They'll recognize these terms and concepts LATER, when it matters very much so that they can graduate from high school.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance
The planet that I'm looking at right now is apparently JUPITER. Go Jupiter!
That's where the Understanding the Earth chapter comes in.
Well, I find this post a little boring, although my week wasn't boring at all.
I survived my 6th Parent Night with quite a bit of panache. I'm well into the book I am reading, Seeing and Being Seen: Tourism in the American West, as well as the book on my Kindle, which I read about on HydroJen's Book Envy blog. It's called All These Things I've Done and I've only just started it, but it seems promising.
I'm glad to be reading, since the principal gave the whole school the homework assignment to "read," making reading a habit like playing video games, ordering pizza or watching True Blood.
Hmm. Maybe it was boring, after all. But boring is awesome sometimes. Next week: my triumphant return, once again, to Old Mill. Last time I stayed at #12, this time #11. Next time? Remains to be seen. But I'll keep you posted, I'm sure.
Last night I returned with Miss Gokey to the Old Mill camping ground in Lee Canyon at Mt. Charleston. We were excited to set up Miss Gokey's new orange tent, then to EAT a scrumptious camping feast which includes our own specialties: pie iron blintzes and pie iron pierogis. After cooking my frozen pierogis, I left the pie iron open in the fire while I ate the delicious thing.
I must say that I doubt Mrs. T is a true Eastern European: who ever heard of a cheddar-jalapeno pierogi? I returned to the fire to retrieve my iron, and lo and behold...half was intact, but the other half was just a pointy stick! I poked around in the fire and did not see the top of the pie iron. This morning again, I looked for my pie iron and did not find it.
Speaking of irons in the fire: I have finished my lesson plans for next week for geography! This means that the pizza's on its way and I'm about to watch disc 3 of season 3 of True Blood. YES, I'm that far behind in True Blood, but it will be a fitting reward for finishing my work.
I've also decided to ask donorschoose for a grant for a book Jodi told me about called Schooled. I've been looking for a school-appropriate read for my Explorations classes, and I think this is it.
I'm considering asking the students what they actually want to learn in explorations instead of foisting social studies on them. But I might ditch that idea, because social studies is, in my opinion, underappreciated, so it will do them good to hear about cultural diffusion and social contract theory NOW, before it matters to them. They'll recognize these terms and concepts LATER, when it matters very much so that they can graduate from high school.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance
The planet that I'm looking at right now is apparently JUPITER. Go Jupiter!
That's where the Understanding the Earth chapter comes in.
Well, I find this post a little boring, although my week wasn't boring at all.
I survived my 6th Parent Night with quite a bit of panache. I'm well into the book I am reading, Seeing and Being Seen: Tourism in the American West, as well as the book on my Kindle, which I read about on HydroJen's Book Envy blog. It's called All These Things I've Done and I've only just started it, but it seems promising.
I'm glad to be reading, since the principal gave the whole school the homework assignment to "read," making reading a habit like playing video games, ordering pizza or watching True Blood.
Hmm. Maybe it was boring, after all. But boring is awesome sometimes. Next week: my triumphant return, once again, to Old Mill. Last time I stayed at #12, this time #11. Next time? Remains to be seen. But I'll keep you posted, I'm sure.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Two. Words:
Cowboy Astronomer!
But before I get to that, I have to say that keeping up with the comments on my school blog has prevented me from posting here in a timely manner! In previous years, the blog has died off after a month or two of school. But if I keep showing it to the students on the nifty LCD projector that dangles like a constellation from my classroom ceiling, perhaps I can keep them interested in it this year.
Speaking of constellations (yeah, that was a bit of an awkward transition), tonight I had the pleasure of attending the Cowboy Astronomer presentation at the CSN Planetarium. I'm actually hoping someone approaches me trying to sell me an Entertainment Book so that I can get the coupon to see more shows. It was awesome and hilarious and unsatisfying all at the same time.
First of all, the planetarium is tiny. Which is good, since including the three of us, there were 8 people who went to see the presentation. That's a shame. It starts with a little cartoon pickup truck driving into a dark landscape. Then a voice with a thick drawl starts telling the story of how the narrator became a Cowboy Astronomer. He points out the Big Dipper and Polaris, the only two stars I think I'll ever be able to positively identify. He talks about Orion and Sirius and mentions stories that various cultures throughout history have attributed to the Pleiades.
Somewhere near the end, before you hear the little blue door of the cartoon pickup slam shut and see it drive away, the Cowboy Astronomer advises: "Make friends with the Universe." Is there any better advice than that? I think not.
A wonderful time was had by all, which was necessary. And it never hurts to be reminded that, "all you have to do is go outside...and look up."
But before I get to that, I have to say that keeping up with the comments on my school blog has prevented me from posting here in a timely manner! In previous years, the blog has died off after a month or two of school. But if I keep showing it to the students on the nifty LCD projector that dangles like a constellation from my classroom ceiling, perhaps I can keep them interested in it this year.
Speaking of constellations (yeah, that was a bit of an awkward transition), tonight I had the pleasure of attending the Cowboy Astronomer presentation at the CSN Planetarium. I'm actually hoping someone approaches me trying to sell me an Entertainment Book so that I can get the coupon to see more shows. It was awesome and hilarious and unsatisfying all at the same time.
First of all, the planetarium is tiny. Which is good, since including the three of us, there were 8 people who went to see the presentation. That's a shame. It starts with a little cartoon pickup truck driving into a dark landscape. Then a voice with a thick drawl starts telling the story of how the narrator became a Cowboy Astronomer. He points out the Big Dipper and Polaris, the only two stars I think I'll ever be able to positively identify. He talks about Orion and Sirius and mentions stories that various cultures throughout history have attributed to the Pleiades.
Somewhere near the end, before you hear the little blue door of the cartoon pickup slam shut and see it drive away, the Cowboy Astronomer advises: "Make friends with the Universe." Is there any better advice than that? I think not.
A wonderful time was had by all, which was necessary. And it never hurts to be reminded that, "all you have to do is go outside...and look up."
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The First of the Great Long Weekends
On Thursday, I received a happy e-mail from the Spring Mountains NRA announcing a night hike in Lee Meadow on Friday night. I said to myself, quoting John Muir, "The mountains are calling and I must go."
I decided to pack my sleeping bag and tiny tent in the car on the off chance that there might be an open campsite on...Labor Day Weekend. Ha! Fat chance! Except...there was! At the Old Mill picnic area about a mile down the road from the rendezvous point for the hike. Therefore...
The tent was only slightly wobberjawed due to disuse.
The program was fabulous! Our guide, Elise, led 12 of us all together on about a mile walk from McWilliams campground to the meadow and back. When we arrived at the meadow, there were wild horses grazing.
At the 7pm start of the walk, it was twilight, but by the time we finished, all the gorgeous stars were out, and it was dark. She stopped us at times and had us explore our senses. One thing I love about the educational programs in the Spring Mountains is that the guides always make you do two things: stand still and quiet for at least a minute, and walk up and stick your nose on a Ponderosa pine to smell it!
When I returned to the Old Mill area after using my night vision for an hour, all I had with me to guide me back to Hotel Hendrix was the wind-up flashlight from Yosemite. Despite the little power trip that comes from generating your own light, the Yosemite flashlight has limited usefulness and consequently...I got lost. Twice. Finally I recognized my camping neighbors from the afternoon, and ended up in my camping chair, wrapped in a blanket staring up at the stars until my eyes closed on their own and I moved into the tent.
Because I was convinced that I actually wouldn't find a campsite, I had scant provisions with me. When I descended the mountain to meet with Miss Gokey for our day trip to Utah yesterday, I stopped at Walgreens and made a little "impromptu camping kit" including nail clippers, a comb, disposable flossers and other assorted travel toiletries to keep in my trunk organizer for future use. I have resolved to return to the Spring Mountains in two weeks. It's only an hour or so drive from North Las Vegas, which means I can get to my campsite as quickly as I can get home on a Friday afternoon.
Yesterday's trip was to Cedar Breaks National Monument, where we hiked above 10,000 feet for the second time in our lives, the first time being last Labor Day at Great Basin National Park. Our hike took us to a 1,600-year-old bristlecone pine:
and offered us spectacular views of Utah's unique and amazing rocks:
We agreed that it was pretty much a *perfect* Labor Day weekend all around, and we treated ourselves with dinner at the Cracker Barrel in St. George after our very full and very rewarding day.
Since there are two more days off, today begins "normal weekend" mode, wherein I grade papers, blog, facebook, text, and otherwise lay around in my pajamas.
I absolutely love long weekends.
I decided to pack my sleeping bag and tiny tent in the car on the off chance that there might be an open campsite on...Labor Day Weekend. Ha! Fat chance! Except...there was! At the Old Mill picnic area about a mile down the road from the rendezvous point for the hike. Therefore...
The tent was only slightly wobberjawed due to disuse.
The program was fabulous! Our guide, Elise, led 12 of us all together on about a mile walk from McWilliams campground to the meadow and back. When we arrived at the meadow, there were wild horses grazing.
At the 7pm start of the walk, it was twilight, but by the time we finished, all the gorgeous stars were out, and it was dark. She stopped us at times and had us explore our senses. One thing I love about the educational programs in the Spring Mountains is that the guides always make you do two things: stand still and quiet for at least a minute, and walk up and stick your nose on a Ponderosa pine to smell it!
When I returned to the Old Mill area after using my night vision for an hour, all I had with me to guide me back to Hotel Hendrix was the wind-up flashlight from Yosemite. Despite the little power trip that comes from generating your own light, the Yosemite flashlight has limited usefulness and consequently...I got lost. Twice. Finally I recognized my camping neighbors from the afternoon, and ended up in my camping chair, wrapped in a blanket staring up at the stars until my eyes closed on their own and I moved into the tent.
Because I was convinced that I actually wouldn't find a campsite, I had scant provisions with me. When I descended the mountain to meet with Miss Gokey for our day trip to Utah yesterday, I stopped at Walgreens and made a little "impromptu camping kit" including nail clippers, a comb, disposable flossers and other assorted travel toiletries to keep in my trunk organizer for future use. I have resolved to return to the Spring Mountains in two weeks. It's only an hour or so drive from North Las Vegas, which means I can get to my campsite as quickly as I can get home on a Friday afternoon.
Yesterday's trip was to Cedar Breaks National Monument, where we hiked above 10,000 feet for the second time in our lives, the first time being last Labor Day at Great Basin National Park. Our hike took us to a 1,600-year-old bristlecone pine:
and offered us spectacular views of Utah's unique and amazing rocks:
We agreed that it was pretty much a *perfect* Labor Day weekend all around, and we treated ourselves with dinner at the Cracker Barrel in St. George after our very full and very rewarding day.
Since there are two more days off, today begins "normal weekend" mode, wherein I grade papers, blog, facebook, text, and otherwise lay around in my pajamas.
I absolutely love long weekends.
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