convince me....

i am trying to get some good ideas for what to have my students write about for their timed persuasive essay they will be writing this coming Thursday and Friday. (We are on block schedule so i don't see my kids every day). They are doing a practice paragraph on if spanking is okay.

i have a wonderful resource through the school library - EBSCO - oh i love it. it's awesome. i can't say enough about it. They have a new tool called opposing viewpoints - they have a list of over 60 topics to pick from and give a 'point' 'counterpoint' and 'overview' of every issue.

the problem is that as i look over the list i see the topics that everyone writes about:
school uniforms, teen driving, teen smoking, bla bla bla.

i don't want the typical topic - but i also don't want something that is going to be too controversial. With sophomores it's kind of hit or miss. Sometimes they can be grown ups about the topic - or then there is the kid who makes a fart joke and can't stop laughing for ten minutes of class.

We are gearing up for the CAHSEE in March and i want them to be ready - this entails covering seven different types of writing. So we are spending about two and half weeks on each format. The next format will be expository writing, then personal narrative.

So my search continues for the perfect prompt. Something that will spark their interest but also be age appropriate. i'll be putting on my thinking cap for this one!

happy little flowers

Meg trying to get in on the fun!

daffodils have to be the happiest flowers on the planet.





The garden is getting ready to be in full bloom. The tulip bulbs that i planted a few months back are coming up out of the ground.



i'm excited to see how they will bloom. i really want to get a chair for the front porch so that i can sit and enjoy my flowers. Here is the real question. do you let your flowers enjoy the sun out in the wild or do you pick a few so you can enjoy them in the house?

I have a tendency to let them hang out in the yard. because after a long day at work it's nice to see their smiling faces as i drive up to the house.

i can't wait to see which ones will bloom next!

4 day weekend.

My school district is good at making schedules.

They have chosen to give one four day weekend rather than two three days - and i'm very happy that they have continued to go that route this year.

i love my job. it really rocks. but there are some times when i just need to veg out and not think about lesson plans, not get up early in the morning, just relax and be lazy.

today i met up with a few of my friends and did a little window shopping and lunch. i did get a really cute top at Express (6$). and then i came home and skyped with Cuirstaun. it was nice to see her. it was snowing there in Georgia. and i think she was missing California, well that was my hope at least.

the plan tomorrow is to pick some weeds of the hill. i can see them growing - dang they grow so fast. but the bulbs that i planted a few months back are popping out of the ground! and i saw some of my daffodils getting ready to bloom those must be the happiest flowers i have ever seen. so while i'm picking the weeds those little yellow smiling flowers can keep me company.

Imagery assignment

if you get the chance to teach Shakespeare's Julius Caesar - you have to rock this assignment.

The kids had a blast. i let them use a whole hour to finish. there was part of me that thought i should be doing something more "academic" but they were really looking deeply into the text and having a good ol' time. so we kept working.

So here is what you do.

Begin by reading Act II scene ii and address the fact that Calpurnia has this crazy dream - really it's a nightmare - about Caesar dying. She begs him to stay in the house and not go to the senate. so he tells her to calm down and deal with it. This does not go so well for Caesar. Very important lesson - Men: Listen to your wife!

So my kids go bonkers talking about what a wicked dream that must have been. So i had them pick a line from her little warning and draw it. Most of them picked the line about fierce fiery warriors fighting in the clouds and their blood falling like rain on the capitol. The boys were loving this!

Here is the speech for a little reminder

CALPURNIA Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
Besides the things that we have heard and seen,
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
A lioness hath whelped in the streets;
And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead;
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol;
The noise of battle hurtled in the air,
Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan,
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.
O Caesar! these things are beyond all use,
And I do fear them.

we had a great time. i'm trying to pick the best ones to go up on the wall. what little wall space i have left. :)

shh the hubby is sleeping.

i'm sitting here watching the dvr of Thirty Rock and i said something to Bren - and the picture above describes what i was greeted with. The cat is also asleep in his lap.

i also would like to address (as i'm sure you noticed) that i still have stalkings up. Everyday i think to myself - i should take them down. and then something gets in my way. That and i kinda love looking at them.

i also put up the GIANT card that Bren got me for Valentines day.

i promise that i will take the stalkings down tonight. in part because it's long overdue - and the fact that we are hosting the superbowl tomorrow.

rain mmmmm

so it's raining again this weekend and i'm excited. i love the rain it makes me want to curl up with a good book or a movie with the hubby. Bren has to work on Valentines day so we are taking time to celebrate tomorrow. the 14th is my brothers birthday so i'll be going over for his celebration next sunday.

here are a few other reasons to be excited.

• the bulbs that i planted in the garden are starting to peak out from their winter slumber
• there is a 4 day weekend in the very near future
• we're having friends over for the Superbowl
  
• my lessons rocked this week - there will be a post soon about my imagery project
• Henry's has the best gummi bears i have ever had in my life. they are Amazing!
  

blurg

our district is in a bit of a pickle. 14 million to count the number of pickles.

85% of money spent in a district is on it's teachers...

so they are looking to cut 14 million.

This is how my thought process went.

okay a possible 7% pay cut.... what can i make and sell on etsy?