Proving our 8th graders wrong

We are headed into Thanksgiving week. This year with the way our schedule was changed we only have Thursday and Friday off. I Will gladly take any time off that we can get at this point. This school year has felt longer than just the 3 months we've been here. Things will be different this year going into the holiday. Usually, we spend the day before break creating cards for a local nursing home, but there's so much information that I need to get to the kids that I don't think it will happen. Seeing them only one day a week really makes it hard to get all the information they need. We have had to pair down what we are teaching and only hit the key standards. This makes it extremely difficult to slow down and really teach the materials we want to teach. Some days I struggle, I feel like they are just barely touching the surface of topics we usually dig down deep to teach. 

This unit has definitely gone smoother than the memoir unit. I realized that starting the year (especially a year in a pandemic) with a memoir unit is harder than you'd think. You are trying to get to know the kids, they are trying to get to know you and trying to figure out what they want to share with you. At the beginning of the year, you build those relationships but it takes time. Last year we started with the suspense unit that we are currently in and I think this would have been the better way to start this year as well. But, that's in the past and we can't change any of that. All we can do is move forward with what we have and try to get as much information as we can while also testing the students left and right (definitely not my decision). 

My interns last day was on Friday. So this week will be strange to be on my own for part of the time ( I have one class alone without my co-teacher). I didn't realize how much of the small stuff she would do, so I am trying to get back into a routine of what all I have to do. Having a three day week will help make the adjustment go smoother. It was great having her, but I am happy to have my "me" time in the mornings back. It was hard some days to just sit and get stuff done when someone else is in the room and you want to make sure they know what to do or explain what it is that you are doing. 

Last week, my co-teacher and I created a youtube channel. We kept joking with our students that we were going to create one. One of our classes (5th block) was totally against us doing it and said that it wouldn't go well, we'd get zero likes or subscriptions. Bri and I took this as a challenge accepted moment and decided to go forth with a channel.. Our other classes, who supported us, helped us come up with a name and some ideas of what we should put on it. During parent-teacher conferences when we didn't have parents to call or meet with, we went ahead and did an introduction video. We then edited it and showed it to our students on Friday. As of this morning, we have 32 subscribers and 114 views. I'd say that's a pretty good start to our channel. Stay tuned for future videos. 

Love from a future youtuber. 

Hybrid Teaching is a Different Ball Game

The last time I wrote was the last day I had with my 8th graders from last year. I had barely anyone show up to play scategories. It was a very sad day for me. There was no closure. No goodbyes. These babies were off to high school. I struggled for a while with this for a while. But, I didn't have much time to mourn this, I started working on the curriculum for the new school year and that made me really happy. I was even taking GT classes at CCU so I was fairly busy and it got me excited for the new year to start. 

Fast forward to now, October, where we are a month into the 2020-2021 school year. We have been in a hybrid model since Sept 8th. Which to tell you the truth, I am not a huge fan. It limits our time to see our students to one day a week for 100 minutes (some schools are doing 50 minutes over two days). It has been a huge adjustment for all involved. I feel like I am a first-year teacher all over again. 

To add to the anxiety of the school year starting with hybrid, I have a new co-teacher and an intern along with barely knowing what I am doing. We are working well together and have come into a fairly decent "routine" of sorts. Seeing each group of students one day a week, besides virtually on Friday's, has made our time in class with them that much more important. The three of us have worked out ways to all work with the kids in different aspects of each week's lesson. 

My intern, Jess, is only with us for a few more weeks. It's crazy how fast this time has gone. This is my first experience with an intern, and I am struggling to help her become a teacher when there have been so many things stopping us from actually teaching. I am hoping that what I have been able to help her with will be enough for her to get her own classroom and succeed in the future. We have 3 weeks left and we are going to make the most of what we have because that's all we can do right now. 

Check-in on your teacher friends, they are NOT ok. I am so thankful for the mindset change I started last school year because even though I don't always follow the routines lately, I still have them in the back of my mind and it is about the only thing that's keeping me going. I am going to try and write more frequently, but we all know how that goes... 

Love from the teacher who is surviving on a whole lot of coffee and Hulu. 

Quarantine Day 72

It's been 36 days since I last wrote, which was on day 36 of quarantine. I've struggled the last month to write. I just haven't been able to put words to paper about everything going on. Today, however, I am going to try and express it. I constantly tell the kids that writing is a great outlet when you're going through a rough time, yet lately, I haven't followed my own advice. So here's hoping that will change.

The day after my last post ( I believe it was only a day later), we received the news that we would not be going back to school for the remainder of the year. Even though I was prepared for it, it just didn't seem possible for us to be able to get back to school and with not much time left, I was still heartbroken. I am still struggling to wrap my head around it and it's been 4 weeks since the news hit. We are currently in our last 6 days of school. No new assignments have been given for two weeks. We've been working with students to get caught up on missing assignments. Some kids are turning in their devices and we are saying very different goodbyes. I know every teacher is going through the same thing, and I have loved seeing everyone coming together to support each other through this time. Today is my last day of doing anything on the computer with the kids. Hosting a scattegories game, hopefully, several of them join in so I can see them one more time before they head off to the high school.

It's been 72 days since we started quarantine, things have started opening up over the past few weeks with social distancing guidelines to follow. I'm grateful for the beaches being open and restaurants are slowly getting back to normal. Outdoor seating has been open for about 3 weeks now. It's been nice being able to get out and just be around other people, even from a distance. There are a lot of changes, but I am glad things are getting back to semi-normal.

This past weekend I took a trip down to Savannah, GA. I have always enjoyed the city and wanted to get away for the weekend. I found the perfect little Air BnB right outside of downtown and decided to do it. The place I stayed made the whole trip. It was exactly what I needed for a weekend getaway. With it being Memorial Day weekend, Savannah was fairly busy, but I was able to still enjoy myself. I had signed up for a ghost beer tour. It was a lot of fun walking around the city learning more about the history. I was al little disappointed in the actual ghost part of the tour, I felt like it was mostly history, which I knew, and not very scary. So, I definitely want to go back and do another one. Honestly, my favorite part about the trip was enjoying the place I stayed. It had a treehouse and the suite I was staying in had a reading nook and skylights. When I woke up in the morning, I made myself a pot of coffee, opened the door for the cats (there were 3 that were really snuggly), and read in the reading nook for a few hours. Such a relaxing morning, and you better believe I will be staying there again.

If 2020 wasn't crazy enough already, today we are experiencing Tropical Storm Bertha. For me, I think back to a year ago, my last day in Beavercreek before moving, and how I lived through my very first tornado. It was a pretty scary evening and not knowing what kind of damage was done. Thinking back, I remember I wasn't sad the next morning driving to drop my keys off to my first apartment. I was sad about all the damage that had been done to my hometown and not knowing if or when it could be fixed. It's interesting to me what we focus on in moments like those. I think I had accepted that I was moving and things would be different, but I didn't want to remember my hometown in that way.

A year later, I sit in my new apartment, watching out the living room window this tropical storm and just hope it doesn't cause too much damage across the coast. Hopefully, we don't float away.

I feel like I am just rambling at this point, so I will go for now and maybe one day, I will focus more on what I plan to say. Practicing what I teach is the first step to this whole thing, so I think I am on the right path.

Love from the girl who is trying to stay positive during this whole thing and working on her mindset.

Quarantine Day 36

Over an entire month at home. 36 days have come and gone just like that. Yesterday I started week 5 of e-learning with my kiddos. I had a full week off for "Spring Break." It was so strange not to go anywhere or do anything during that time. I feel like I exhausted all of my usual enjoyable activities. I read, I took the dog for a walk, I took a lot of naps, I read some more, watched a little TV, played games on my phone, and then I did it all again. 

About halfway through the week and in the middle of book number 3 (of the week, I am at 8 since quarantine started) I realized how much I missed the kids and that even though I am not a fan of the online learning, at least it was giving me something to do. One day when it wasn't raining, I got the bike out and loaded it in my car and took it to Brookgreen Gardens, which thankfully is still opened, and road around there for part of the afternoon. I put the bike back in the car and walked the part of the gardens bikes can't go. I was there a few weeks prior and it was so wonderful to see more things in bloom. This is my first spring in the south and I am glad places like that are open and you can practice social distancing while also enjoying nature. I notice I breathe (then sneeze because, you know, allergies) a little deeper when I am out in the gardens. 

Starting back to the online learning yesterday was great and made the day fly. I checked in with the kids, got to see some of their faces on google meets, most of them are just getting out of bed so they tend to hide their faces from the camera, but it's still great to get to talk to them. A few even went on the virtual tours I sent them the day before break, so it was entertaining to hear their stories about some of their favorites. 

I feel like with all this extra time on my hands and being home all day every day, I should be able to keep up with blogging or journaling. But I am truly struggling to continue to know what to say. I mean most days seem to run together and I don't really do anything out of the ordinary, other than maybe spend at least $70 each time at the grocery store, for no reason, at all. I am trying to stick to a semi-normal routine, one that is similar to what I was doing when I was actually working. It seems to help me stay sane. Some days, though, I don't follow it at all and you know what I've learned? That's ok too. This is a strange time we are going through and deal with it any way you can, that's what I am trying to do, at least. 

Well, I feel like I have written a bunch of nothing, so I am going to come back another day when maybe I have more insightful things to say. 

Love from the girl who is living for the beautiful cloudless days and spending as much time on her patio as she can. 

Quarantine Day 21

Well they say that it takes 21 days to break a habit or start a new one. Here we are 21 days into this quarantine and we're still chugging along. I really hope that this does not become the new normal.

I thought I would write more, but in all honesty, the days have actually flown by. Well, most "school days" seem to fly by and I feel like I get barely anything accomplished. Then there are other days where I feel like I have nothing to do and the day drags on. I think I have found a balance of working and being on the computer and taking small breaks. I never sit this much and I am starting to feel it in my hips and my legs.

We started Week 4 of e-learning this week, I can't believe it's been a month of being out of school. It's actually gone by really fast, but I hate that I am missing the kids so much. Monday and Wednesday are my favorite days because the kids hop into our google meets and we get to check in with each other. Last week, we shared our animals and had a range of pets show up on the screen. Dogs, cats and even a bird. My honors class has been finishing up Romeo and Juliet, and although we are not in the classroom right now, they've done a great job of reading the play over google meets. We are finishing it up this week and can move on to other things.

Outside of doing school work way more than I ever asked for, like all weekend long and in the evenings, I haven't done much else. This past Saturday I walked around Brookgreen Gardens. Getting to be out in the sunshine, enjoying the flowers and walking around was so good for the soul. And before you go with the whole social distancing thing, I was. I wasn't around anyone and kept my distance when other's were near. Plus, it's an outdoor garden with acres of land, free from touching anything.

I am looking forward to this 4 day week. Friday starts our Spring Break. I am looking forward to some time off. Deciding on where to go still, maybe you could help me. Should I go to the living room, bedroom or patio? I'm leaning toward the patio if it's nice out. I get solid sunshine in the morning and then in the afternoon there's a light breeze, plus the animals love being out. I'll let you know what I officially decide later in the week, or next week.

I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy, and sane.

Love from the girl who is extremely tired of screen time.

Quarantine Day 15

2 full weeks of Quarantine. If I had had the virus, this would be my freedom day. They recommend that 14 day quarantine if you have exposure. But, alas, that is not the case here. I am still in quarantine until May 1st, at least. 

Originally, today would have been the last day before going back to school tomorrow. Our original dates were just until March 31st. Now, we have extended that time until May 1st. There are many districts around the country that have gone ahead and canceled school for the remainder of the year. We will see what happens here. At this point, not much will surprise me. 

Some things I have learned during my 15 days at home: 

1. My apartment has never been so clean. 

2. Love all the extra loving from Bandit and Minerva.

3. My patio has become my favorite place to enjoy my cup of coffee and read my personal development book each morning. 

4. I have officially started talking to Bandit and Minerva as if they are my roommates. They really should start pulling their own weight. 

5. Speaking of weight, I really hope I don't start gaining any because all I seem to do is eat EVERYTHING. 

6. The one thing I am thankful for is the routines I created back in June. I have been able to stick with it, even being stuck at home because my workouts are available online. 

7. On a serious note, it's definitely been lonely being cooped up all the time by myself. 

8. I've been able to read A LOT, which is great. I'm reading books that have been on my list for years. 

9. I'm not a huge fan of e learning, and it's taking some getting used to. We are struggling to find what works best for everyone.

10. I TOUCH MY FACE WAY TOO OFTEN. 

This has been a learning curve and I am trying to adjust to this new normal, like everyone else. Some days are easier than others. I don't mind being alone in my clean apartment most of the times. I really like my apartment. 

I don't think I would have handled things as easily if this had happened, lets say, a year ago. My mindset was in a completely different place. I wasn't necessarily unhappy, but I wasn't in the best head space. Over the past 9 months, I have done a lot of work, both physically and mentally to be where I am today. I am grateful for the ladies I have met and connected with and those who have helped me work on myself. I am in such a better place and no longer live solely inside my head. 

Learning to talk about and share with others my struggles and my journey has opened my eyes to see that so many others have similar struggles and journeys, and knowing that you're not alone is always a comfort. It's taken a while to learn to share, but if I can help just one person, then it will have all been worth it. 

Love from the girl who is forever cleaning her clean apartment. 

Quarantine Day 2

First official work from home day. A little strange. I slept in a little bit later than I would if I were driving to school, which was nice. I made breakfast for myself, fed the cat and dog, took bandit for a walk, read my personal development book: Mastering Your Mean Girl, drank my coffee, just like every other morning. The strangest part was when I was done with all of this, all I had to do was walk 5 steps from putting my dishes in the dishwasher to my kitchen table. This is where I have decided to set up my "classroom."

I was really impressed with how many students had already completed Day 1's assignment on my google classroom. I had the first 5 days launch, yesterday at 6 PM. A sense of normalcy for them, I think. While checking in and giving feedback to those that had submitted assignments already, I had a pesky helper. Minerva kept walking across the keyboard, sticking her head in my coffee mug, and then sitting and staring at me. Did I mention I need to really figure out a way to train her to stay off the table? 

After I was all done checking in with those students who had already submitted their assignments, I got up and threw a load of laundry in, finished cleaning up from breakfast and made another cup of coffee. It was about 10:30 by this time and because it was technically my "plan time" I decided I needed to move my body (my kitchen chairs aren't the comfiest for as long as I was sitting). Love that I just walk a couple steps into the living room and it doubles as my gym. 

Shortly after working out and taking the dog for yet another walk (third one, I think at this point), I realized that I didn't have much in the way of lunch food. I braved Lowe's Food and grabbed a couple things. Reminder: I was already hungry at this point. $70 later and now I am home with a "few" groceries to last me through the weekend. Still no toilet paper or paper towels in sight. I do believe I can make it for a while with all that I have and just bought. 

Watch out for me on the next addition of Chopped: Quarantine style. What can you make from all the random food in your apartment? Stay tuned for new recipes to come. 

Things I have learned after Day 2: 

1. I don't totally hate it

2. To go off of #1, I think I will hate it eventually, but for right now I like it. 

3. I am able to get the things on my forever long to-do list for my apartment done while also working. 

4. Bandit may be put up for adoption if she keeps wanting ALL the attention.

5. Better add Minerva to that adoption list, she keeps getting into everything. 

6. The day actually goes fairly quickly. 

7. I don't have to dress up, or for that matter, put a bra on. 

Here are a few of the pictures that I took today of the new normal.

Love from the teacher trying to get through this crazy time, just like the rest of you. 

Quarantine Day 1

I've decided that while I am stuck at home for a minimum of two weeks, I'd start a journal of daily life during this quarantine. I used to read all of those Dear America books. The ones that would follow a girl or guy, through periods of history, usually a war or something tragic that happened in American history. They were mostly fictional, but there was a lot of truth to what they went through. 

So, here I am, officially Day One. I just got home from school making lesson plans for the next 10 days for my students. We've moved to elearning, which is something new to all of us, so it will definitely take some getting used to for all involved. But, I have faith in my students and know that they will pull through. They're pretty resilient. This working from home thing is going to be something that will take some getting used to. Minerva has already been on the kitchen table, where I am currently writing this, 3 times. She's knocked over some papers, a book and has taken to chewing on the corner of my notebook. Maybe is a good a time as any to train her not to get on the table. Adding to list now. 

I don't even know where to begin when it comes to processing my thoughts and emotions through all of this. With it being so new to everyone, it's hard to not have the answers. Anyone that knows me, I struggle with the unknowns, I have worked the past 9 months to be okay with not always knowing the outcome. But, this is a completely out of my control unknown, and I'm working hard to process this for myself. When I left school today, I felt like I was going on a trip, I looked around the room, seeing if I forgot anything because I wouldn't be coming back until this was all over. I really hope I remembered everything. 

Most of the morning, all through planning, the only thing I could think about was my students. It's only been two days and I already miss them (Don't tell them I said that!). Not knowing when I'll see them next is a little nerve racking. I just read something that I need to keep as my mantra for the remainder of this quarantine and that is, "Today I will not stress over things I can't control." 

Love from the teacher who is currently making a chart for each day of things that need done to help hold herself accountable.