Injustice-violating the rights of another

Today I taught a fun lesson using the song "Where is the love" by the Blackeyed Peas as the hook. It was great except fifth graders didn't know what injustice was. They didn't know that in America we have worked to overcome injustice. So we learned...we danced..we sang..and then they started to write. Only they had to leave and change classes before they even got started good.

However, I was changed. I looked at my classes today and realized that to me the biggest injustice we commit is when we deny our students knowledge in the quest of test scores. YUCK!!!!

I think it is an injustice that this year my students have not read Number the Stars, Letters from Rifka, Charley Skedaddle, or Snow Treasures. That they don't understand the concept of "sacrificing ourselves" for the greater good of others.

I think it is an injustice that the librarian refuses to encourage reading for fear they will mess up the library shelves. Telling one of my students that she "better not read" Number the Stars or she wouldn't meet her AR goal, because it was below her reading level.?.?

I think it is an injustice that every year I have fifth graders who do not know how to read above a third grade level and no one has ever found out why.

I think it is an injustice that our students do not have a love for reading or writing.

I think it is an injustice that in order to get a student the help they really need we are required to jump through 12 weeks of hoops. Or that this process is so painstaking and has such holes in it that has turned into a process that never has an end. I feel like I need a secretary to keep up with the paper work!

So what am I going to do about it...

Color

The beautiful weekend weather has made me want color in my life. Yes, my toes are crying, "Paint me and show me off." I feel the need for new flip flops. Spring are you coming? However, all these voices are also saying, "Paint the bathroom. You will be happier." I know it is true.

So today I found a scrap piece of tile. I'm taking it with me to the paint store. Maybe the paint store by Sonic. Because I hear another voice saying, "Cherry limeade will make life better. Also, a cheeseburger would be good."

Anyway I'm thinking that some how these colors have to come together to make my life complete.

The bedroom is green and those blues are calling me. I hope I can find some sunroom cushions that will match my color scheme.

Count Down!!!

Eight, seven, six,...

Let the count down begin. Only eight more days till the 5th grade writing test. I'd like to be sitting confident that the state will provide all fifth graders with a prompt they can write too, but who knows. It hasn't been that way in the past. (For example: Explain how why it is important to live a healthy lifestyle.) So my stomach continues to hurt.

Today Dan is sick and that is not a good thing, because I have no time for anyone to be sick in my world! Not till about May!

After the DREADED (my principal wants 90% of the 5th graders to pass it) writing test, we will be celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary. WOW! 26 years seems like a long time. Then again it seems like yesterday. The sad thing is I think he gets better looking and I get fatter and look older! Kinda unfair!!!

Writing more on research propsal. I'm about sick of all the rewrites and ready to do the research. 

Love is in the air

I love a lot of things:

God

Dan

My Boys

My Daughter in Law

My Friends

Books

Teaching kids to read

Coffee

Cooking

Good Food

Learning something new

Pictures

Good Art

Antiques

Cross Stitching

Football

Sooners

Cowboy Decorating

Woodwork

MeMe

CW, Kate, and Carter

Carl

Dan's parents

Ocean

Mountains

Being alone with Dan

Being alone

A clean house

Decorating

Living

Mexican Food

Pasta of all kinds

Pickup Trucks

New Clothes

Cheap Wine

My Church Family

Flipflops

Monochromatic clothing accented with classic jewelry

Diamonds

Ecclectic jewelry

What in the World?

I tend to pride myself in the fact that I'm bohemian by nature. I really enjoy living on that "hippie type" edge. I tend to hate rules and thankfully God protects me by surrounding me with folks who abide by rules. So why do I HAVE to do the laundry before I can clean the house? It is very strange to me...