Why does that child have a teddy bear in school?
Please don't put your fingers in your mouth/nose/ears.
Why can't you follow directions?
This meeting has nothing to do with me, can I please leave?
I'd rather be practicing.
Six years of college, two teaching degrees, ten years of experience, and I have to justify my program's existence why?
No really, this meeting could have been an email.
Why am I out of coffee?
I'm out of coffee, someone might die today.
Will I get fired for the faces I make when I haven't had enough coffee?
Please don't put that in your mouth.
Why is that in your mouth?
No, you cannot go to the principal's office to tell her something really important.
Why would you need to leave my class?
Because I said so, that's why.
Will I get fired for telling students my job is harder than their parents' jobs?
No really, reply all is not a good choice.
A place for music education related ideas, philosophies, thoughts, and TpT items!
Showing posts with label Coffee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coffee. Show all posts
Friday, September 22, 2017
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Midyear check in!
Oh, you sad, neglected blog.
At the beginning of this year, I posted my professional goals. I intended to use that as a springboard to document the various things I did this year to meet those goals. This implies that I would be posting more frequently. Sadly, this has not been the case. Something about working 4 jobs and always having to be somewhere does not lend itself to writing blog posts. Such is life.
Back to those professional goals, though. I've actually done some things with them.
First of all, I tackled my file cabinet as intended. I now have my one functional file drawer organized in a useful manner. The first section is for emergency sub plans and procedures, with a laminated set of class lists, just in case. The great thing about this is that if something comes up and I am not able to be at school unexpectedly (which means something along the lines of... a bear attack, I suppose?), there are enough plans and activities in that drawer (and in the office) to keep my classes busy for several days (while my limbs are reattached, I suppose). I also tossed the old paperwork that was serving no purpose. Honestly, I don't know why it took 5 years to scrap the fundraising paperwork from 2009, but apparently it did. I also organized my IEP/504/Medical Alert folders so they were clear and consistent and easier to access, put my copy masters together, and rearranged a few other categories as well.
Essentially, I feel like I started using a file cabinet like a grown-up. Now if only I had a hanging frame for more than one drawer....
The two middle drawers still have my pool noodle rhythm pieces, I need to find a time to use those again soon.
The bottom drawer is mostly sound-related stuff - microphones, cables, microphone boxes, etc. Some day I will go back through this and make sure everything in that drawer is organized, too. But not today.
Second goal - organization of my table/desk space and mailboxes!
I am not going to show a picture of these. They're currently a big jumbled mess. This is partly due to just having a concert last night, and partly due to me being a mess when it comes to organization. In some ways the switch to a smaller table has helped. It frees up a little space in the room, and limits the surface area that is able to be cluttered. In other ways, it didn't make a difference. I still find myself with piles, I still end up perching things precariously next to my laptop, and sometimes that is a recipe for disaster. However, thanks to the laws of physics, those piles are a bit smaller than they had been.
The mailboxes have worked great so far, especially since I have not done my usual routine with student folders. I need to get on those folders, since my mailboxes are pretty much filled with student work. I also have some things stacked on top of those boxes, but not as badly as it has been in the past. Baby steps, I suppose.
Also, I ended up taking a large shipping label, measuring and marking out the small pieces I needed, and cutting them out and attaching them to the small binder clips to make labels for each class. I think it looks pretty darn good, especially since my handwriting is a bit suspect at times.
Third - the hot rod music cart! So having a PVC tube with drum sticks in it has been useful. The problem I have run into is that zip ties and smooth PVC aren't exactly the most secure means of attachment. What has happened is that one zip tie has slid off, which caused the whole thing to tilt. The good news is that makes the opening point toward me when I stand at the cart. The bad news is it also flops around and sticks out kind of awkwardly. What I think I will do is drill a couple small holes in the side of the pipe, then lag bolt it to the cart to hold it in position at a slight angle. Every now and then when I (or a student) move the cart those sticks will catch on something. Not a huge problem, but fairly annoying. Also, I don't like my slick cart looking kind of ghetto.
Fourth - greater student independence. This is definitely a work in progress, but I have in many ways increased the things I have students do on their own exponentially. Sometimes I still have to spell things out in ridiculously literal terms, but most of the time I can give a direction and set the kids to it. It usually works out as planned, but not always. One of the most helpful things in this area is definitely the use of band and strings students as helpers in general music. These are the kids who spend the most time in my room, so they are the most familiar with things. They're also less likely to do silly things that they shouldn't, so I am able to trust them with more responsibility. One more reason parents should encourage their kids to learn an instrument.
I have a confession to make. It's terrible, yet funny all at the same time.
One of my ongoing goals is to become more organized, to keep ahead of messes, to avoid creating piles, etc.
I had a student a few days ago ask why my room was so messy.
I kind of hung my head and mumbled "...I know..."
The good news is that I had it mostly sorted out with a couple days. The bad news is that the struggle is very real and continues. However, for my two remaining professional development credits I plan on taking a course on practical classroom organization strategies. Hopefully if the course is structured like I understand it to be it will be a better resource than looking at music ed blogs and Pinterest. If not, I'll at least have two credits out of it and my room won't be any worse organizationally.
If you have a great organization system, would you be so kind as to share it? I feel that all teachers can benefit from the ideas of others, especially in our own personal area of weakness.
Until next time, keep up that good work, folks!
At the beginning of this year, I posted my professional goals. I intended to use that as a springboard to document the various things I did this year to meet those goals. This implies that I would be posting more frequently. Sadly, this has not been the case. Something about working 4 jobs and always having to be somewhere does not lend itself to writing blog posts. Such is life.
Back to those professional goals, though. I've actually done some things with them.
First of all, I tackled my file cabinet as intended. I now have my one functional file drawer organized in a useful manner. The first section is for emergency sub plans and procedures, with a laminated set of class lists, just in case. The great thing about this is that if something comes up and I am not able to be at school unexpectedly (which means something along the lines of... a bear attack, I suppose?), there are enough plans and activities in that drawer (and in the office) to keep my classes busy for several days (while my limbs are reattached, I suppose). I also tossed the old paperwork that was serving no purpose. Honestly, I don't know why it took 5 years to scrap the fundraising paperwork from 2009, but apparently it did. I also organized my IEP/504/Medical Alert folders so they were clear and consistent and easier to access, put my copy masters together, and rearranged a few other categories as well.
Essentially, I feel like I started using a file cabinet like a grown-up. Now if only I had a hanging frame for more than one drawer....
 |
| What you can't see is the frustration caused by trying to file things that have no place to be filed. Argh. |
The bottom drawer is mostly sound-related stuff - microphones, cables, microphone boxes, etc. Some day I will go back through this and make sure everything in that drawer is organized, too. But not today.
Second goal - organization of my table/desk space and mailboxes!
I am not going to show a picture of these. They're currently a big jumbled mess. This is partly due to just having a concert last night, and partly due to me being a mess when it comes to organization. In some ways the switch to a smaller table has helped. It frees up a little space in the room, and limits the surface area that is able to be cluttered. In other ways, it didn't make a difference. I still find myself with piles, I still end up perching things precariously next to my laptop, and sometimes that is a recipe for disaster. However, thanks to the laws of physics, those piles are a bit smaller than they had been.
 |
| Yes, please. But not the chair. It looks uncomfortable. |
Also, I ended up taking a large shipping label, measuring and marking out the small pieces I needed, and cutting them out and attaching them to the small binder clips to make labels for each class. I think it looks pretty darn good, especially since my handwriting is a bit suspect at times.
Third - the hot rod music cart! So having a PVC tube with drum sticks in it has been useful. The problem I have run into is that zip ties and smooth PVC aren't exactly the most secure means of attachment. What has happened is that one zip tie has slid off, which caused the whole thing to tilt. The good news is that makes the opening point toward me when I stand at the cart. The bad news is it also flops around and sticks out kind of awkwardly. What I think I will do is drill a couple small holes in the side of the pipe, then lag bolt it to the cart to hold it in position at a slight angle. Every now and then when I (or a student) move the cart those sticks will catch on something. Not a huge problem, but fairly annoying. Also, I don't like my slick cart looking kind of ghetto.
Fourth - greater student independence. This is definitely a work in progress, but I have in many ways increased the things I have students do on their own exponentially. Sometimes I still have to spell things out in ridiculously literal terms, but most of the time I can give a direction and set the kids to it. It usually works out as planned, but not always. One of the most helpful things in this area is definitely the use of band and strings students as helpers in general music. These are the kids who spend the most time in my room, so they are the most familiar with things. They're also less likely to do silly things that they shouldn't, so I am able to trust them with more responsibility. One more reason parents should encourage their kids to learn an instrument.
I have a confession to make. It's terrible, yet funny all at the same time.
 |
| Thankfully, this is not my confession. Funny. But not mine. |
I had a student a few days ago ask why my room was so messy.
I kind of hung my head and mumbled "...I know..."
The good news is that I had it mostly sorted out with a couple days. The bad news is that the struggle is very real and continues. However, for my two remaining professional development credits I plan on taking a course on practical classroom organization strategies. Hopefully if the course is structured like I understand it to be it will be a better resource than looking at music ed blogs and Pinterest. If not, I'll at least have two credits out of it and my room won't be any worse organizationally.
If you have a great organization system, would you be so kind as to share it? I feel that all teachers can benefit from the ideas of others, especially in our own personal area of weakness.
Until next time, keep up that good work, folks!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Nurse! Get a coffee line stat!!!!
Ever have one of those days that was brought to you by coffee? Today is one of those days. Tomorrow and Saturday probably will be too. Here's the perfect description:
I just finished cup #3, thinking about cup #4, and I have a Red Bull in the staff lounge fridge.
Why, you ask?
Simple. Today is a concert day. 2nd and 3rd grade, to be precise. They're doing a program titled "Music Around the World." It's all music out of Music K-8 magazine. This is the best I have felt about a grade level performance in a long time. We had our dress rehearsal performance for the whole school this morning. If the kids can do as well tonight as they did this morning, this may be the best show yet. I am hopeful to have some pictures and possibly some video, but we'll see.
The best part is that tomorrow I am helping a friend up the road and have to be in her band room at 7:00, then at work a little after 8, then I have to go to another friend's house and load up my car to do a craft fair on Saturday in Leesburg. Nothing like a car crammed full of stuff, a 3 1/2 hour drive, 6-8 hours of craft show, reloading the car and a 3 1/2 hour drive home to get the blood flowing. I may see about installing a coffee Camelbak in my car. If I make it to Saturday night it may be a small miracle.
It's interesting, I was at a rehearsal a few nights ago talking with another music teacher who was telling me about how crazy things were schedule-wise in her house. She and her husband are both elementary music teachers, and involved in different ensembles and whatnot, and constantly running in different directions.
Hooray for all of us crazy music teachers and all of the crazy things we're into.
Hooray.
I just finished cup #3, thinking about cup #4, and I have a Red Bull in the staff lounge fridge.
Why, you ask?
Simple. Today is a concert day. 2nd and 3rd grade, to be precise. They're doing a program titled "Music Around the World." It's all music out of Music K-8 magazine. This is the best I have felt about a grade level performance in a long time. We had our dress rehearsal performance for the whole school this morning. If the kids can do as well tonight as they did this morning, this may be the best show yet. I am hopeful to have some pictures and possibly some video, but we'll see.
The best part is that tomorrow I am helping a friend up the road and have to be in her band room at 7:00, then at work a little after 8, then I have to go to another friend's house and load up my car to do a craft fair on Saturday in Leesburg. Nothing like a car crammed full of stuff, a 3 1/2 hour drive, 6-8 hours of craft show, reloading the car and a 3 1/2 hour drive home to get the blood flowing. I may see about installing a coffee Camelbak in my car. If I make it to Saturday night it may be a small miracle.
It's interesting, I was at a rehearsal a few nights ago talking with another music teacher who was telling me about how crazy things were schedule-wise in her house. She and her husband are both elementary music teachers, and involved in different ensembles and whatnot, and constantly running in different directions.
Hooray for all of us crazy music teachers and all of the crazy things we're into.
Hooray.
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