I'm jealous!

Grandma is getting to spend the day with sweet little Asher. I don't mind telling you how jealous I am! You may notice that grandma is spoiling him rotten. He never gets anything sugary at home. Lucky Charms! Are you kidding me? He loves them!

The perfect storm

As a teacher, I have learned there are many factors that influence student behavior. Students bouncing off the walls could be caused by too much sugar, excitement about Christmas, warm weather, snow, and many other factors. Today it looks like we might have the perfect storm. A confluence of events that every teacher dreads. Pray for the teachers today. We need it!

Teaching in the 21st century

I don't teach math, and there is a really good reason for that. It is not my strength. I know how to do math, but my brain is just not wired for the analytical side of things. Take a look at the photo below. I wish it was a joke... I really do. I only post it because it is funny in a sad, sad way. There is a complete lack of basic skills and knowledge with today's students. There is such an emphasis on higher order thinking skills, that teaching the basics has been abandoned. I contend that a student cannot employ higher level thinking skills without a grasp of basic knowledge (multiplication facts, for example). You would be shocked at the number of 4th, 5th, and even 6th graders who could NOT immediately say that 7x6=42. I am not exaggerating, and I am not joking. You would also be shocked that these same students have extreme difficulty adding and having to carry a number from the next column, or subtracting when borrowing is required. If these basic skills are not in place, higher level thinking cannot occur. I don't think educators at the state and national boards of education understand this. There is a reason test scores are down nationally, and it has everything to do with students trying to do higher level math without the solid foundation of basic knowledge. For example, students have no idea how to do long division because they do not have the foundation skills of multiplication, addition, and subtraction in place. I know this seems like common sense, but it's entirely true. Please do not take this as some sort of rant. It's not. I am just reporting what I observe in the classroom on a daily basis. You be the judge.

Winter Fun

There were patches of black ice as I drove to work this morning. Yet another reason to love this complete wonderfulness we call winter. There are people who like the snow, and always exclaim, "It's so pretty!". I say these are the same people who never have to shovel the driveway. Never once have I been shoveling my driveway while marveling at the beauty of the snow at the same time.

Farewell

Tonight in Chicago, Obama will give his farewell speech. 10 more days and then it's goodbye!

Horse Cramps

A few weeks ago, Sveta reported she had horse cramps. Horse cramps? I wasn't sure what those are. After some questioning, it was determined that she had a Charley Horse. You never know what kids are going to say! I sure do hate those horse cramps! They hurt!

Honest Parents

As a teacher, I sometimes appreciate the blunt honesty of parents. I never received the gift shown below, but I sure can appreciate the sentiments and honesty behind it. I am mostly posting it because it's funny (and sometimes true).

Winter

Temperatures in the single digits this weekend.
Snowy roads.
Slip-sliding to work.
Abby totaled her car in the ice storm last month.
The wiper fluid in my car is frozen and my windshield is a mess.

Have I mentioned how much I love winter?

Look after your husband- Part 3

This is the final post about the 1950 Home Economics textbook---

Make him comfortable-
Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing, and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
(I don't even know where to start with this one. I know there was a time when a subservient wife would do such things, but I'm no Ward Cleaver, and Tami is definitely no June).

Listen to him-
You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
(Ummmm.... no. Just no.)

Make the evening his-
Never complain if he doesn't take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure, and his need to come home and relax.
(Yeah, right! Because she has spent the whole day RELAXING as she cleans the house, cooks your meals, raises the children, does a million other things in anticipation of your arrival home just so she can take off your shoes for you. Nope. I can't can't get behind this one).

The Goal-
Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
(And may I ask, where does a wife and mother go to renew herself in body and spirit?)

This has been a fun peek at what teenage girls were being taught about being wives in the 50's. Obviously things have drastically changed in the last 50-60 years. There are small snippets of this that could still apply today, but generally, women are not stay-at-home wives and mothers anymore. Household chores, child care, grocery shopping etc... is more of a shared proposition these days. Being a wife and/or mother is one the most difficult, under appreciated jobs in all the world. I have nothing but utmost admiration and respect for wives and mothers... especially those who are home full time (My own wife, and eldest daughter come to mind) Kudos, ladies! Your kids are awesome, and it is in large part because of you!

Look after your husband- Part 2

More from the 1950 Home Economics textbook---

Prepare the children-
Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures, and he would like to see them playing the part.
(What? When I get home from work, I expect to see my children a bit disheveled. They have either been at school all day or have been playing all day. I don't expect them to look like they're ready for church when I arrive).

Minimize all noise-
At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile.
(This one is ridiculous. This a functioning home, not a monastery. My wife is raising children, not monks who took a vow of silence!)

Some don'ts
Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.
(This is one I can ALMOST get behind. However, it would have to work both ways. It would also mean that I can't come through the door and start complaining right away either. "Why is that table dusty, and why isn't Abby's hair combed????)