Random Tid Bits

1. On the last week of classes, I felt so bad for Mica. He had his Science Fair presentations. He had to give 3. The last presenter put his form in another student's spot. They are listed by number, and I guess the last digit was covered up. He had to present his project to yet another person. Thankfully this kid just rolls with the flow.
   
   The year earlier he was told to leave his stuff in his class, or wherever - do not bring it to his Science Fair Presentations. He left his stack of books, and stuff in the cafeteria, for that last presentation he shouldn't of had to do. Then he went back up to get his stuff, only to find it was all gone! He went to the lost and found, asked the cafeteria person if they knew who took it, and asked the office. It wasn't in any of those places. I told him, they may have turned his books into the school library. Nope! Thankfully he found his stuff the next day. A staff member turned it into the office. Talk about a heart stopper! If that would have happened to Isaak, he would have lost it.
   
   Then Mica checked his grades. He has B's in 2 or 3 classes, when he should based on his assignments have A's. His homeroom teacher thinks it's a computer glitch. She emailed his teachers. Mica's like, "Well B's are good." BUT he earned A's! We still don't know if this was fixed. 


2. We've been rewatching Orphan Black. We all love the show. I never realized it's rated M, and the first time we watched it Isaak was probably 8 or 9. Now he's 11. Dang Tatiana Maslany is a great actress! Underrated, for sure. I think we counted, and she plays around 12 or 13 different roles: Beth (cop), Sarah (punk), Katja (French Girl), Alison (Soccer Mom), Cosima (Science Geek), Helena (Ukrainian Messed Up One), Rachel (Stuck Up), Krystal (Prissy), M.K. (Introvert Artist), Tony (Trans), and others on videos like (Jennifer and Camilla) they don't always name. You can tell when one is trying to be the other. How does she do that?











3. Every year, for the past few years I have the boys write for this:
   
   
   
   
   
   They've never won, but it's still good to make them write. Isaak seems more about it than Mica. Mica's more the reader. Isaak's choosing to write about the Soccer Mom Alison from Orphan Black. It was from a book. Who knows if it's ok - being an M rated show. 


4. The boys were a bit ticked off at me, for not having a Dance Party for New Years Eve. They apparently like that. I just wanted a chill holiday. PLUS Nebraska is rated the highest for Influenza A. Not that I think we should build a bubble, for our family, but I don't really want sickness drug in. Isaak's "friends" wanted to know if he was having a party. He told them, "No". Then they proceeded to say they'd hang out together, but never invited him. What did the want? Our food? Thank Gawd he has other friends at school! One is our carpool, and takes Isaak to school a lot!
   
   What did you do, for New Years Eve?


5. At this point I'm tired of food, and we had a Pot Luck, for work on Thursday.

Random Tid Bits

1. It took me 30 minutes to clean 1 dry eraser board in my first year classroom. I called to leave boss man a message, "Hello! :) I think it may be time to change out the dry eraser boards. It's taken me way to long to clean it. It still looks stained."
   
   He called back, "Mr. G (coworker) says it's too much work to switch them out. He wants to see if we can coat them, or do something else to them. He'll be the one that has to replace them."
   
   Me feeling like an ass, "Ok, but they've been there since I started in 2001. I think they are ready to retire." I felt like saying, I think I may be ready to retire right along with them. Not really ha! I sometimes feel like I get people more responsibility when I don't mean to. I'm just trying to get things done.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Recycling has been way too hard at my work. Seriously! They act like I'm cutting off their limbs to get them to recycle. One sweet lady takes care of the cans and bottles. I take care of the paper. I was combining the paper boxes - each classroom has one under their printer table.
   
   I'm supposed to do it on my own time. There are times where I try and sneak to combine them. Today was one of those days. Really I was just cleaning up all three rooms: Grades off the walls, brooms, cleaners and rags all put away.
   
   Boss Man came out when I was doing it. He didn't seem annoyed that I was combining the boxes. He did seem a little like his pants were on a little too tight when he found out I was taking the student's grades off the walls, to toss them out. He said, "These should be shredded!" I said, "Oh I can do that if you'd like, but to be honest everyone has always thrown them out, since I started here in 2001. The student's names, and social security numbers are not on them. It's just a Student I.D. number that means nothing to anyone, but the students."
   
   He said, "Really?!" I said, "Really." He said, "Well I'll talk to the Director to see what she thinks." I said, "Go ahead. She tosses her grades out too. Let me know what you both decide." Truth be told, even his wife tosses grades away.
   
   
   
3. The Education Director wants our spring syllabi by January. I'm trying to get them done. My co-worker got his turned in in October. He hasn't gotten his proof-read and back yet. I'm not sure what I should think of that.
   
   
   
   
   
4. The Education Director said, "Did you do attendance for the last week of classes?" I think we're one of the only colleges that takes attendance - possibly! The students check in and out with a hand punch. All I can think of is gross - germs! I'll just take my own attendance thank you! They insist it needs to be done. The last week of classes everyone leaves after their test, which throws the punch way off. I don't even see the point. I did it anyhow.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Travis wanted me to apply to a $250 Grant. I really wish there were examples of written grants proposals and artist statements online. Maybe there is, but I can't find them. I can find sites that talk about them, but not specific examples. I'm not saying I want to copy them. Just read them, and come up with my own. That's how I roll. I look, see draw, and totally change it into my own. I do that with writing as well. Do you roll by example? 
   
   I was lacking on sleep all last week. I was worried about Isaak. This week I feel like I'm getting Isaak's cold, so my thinking/writing wasn't working that day at all. It never happened. Possibly it happened, but I never submitted it. That made me so pissed. I was annoyed because Travis said, "It's so easy! I'll help you write it." Then he watched Spiderman Homecoming with the boys. It didn't just stop there. They watched all the special features. Any superhero movie is loud, then quiet, then loud again. Here I was trying to write. I wanted to scream.
   
   
   

Soq Eeros

You're probably wondering, What the heck is up with the title of this post?

Isaak brought home about 5 journals at the end of the year. In most of them he can write whatever he wants. 

I just love how they write when they are 5. They write things phonetically and backwards.

Here's what he wrote:

I like to see awt my wido I see a kare and a rake and a trak and a dillden and I like to see awte my wido. I like to play with my drother I like to qlay with my drothr I drag kostms awt the hase like to qlay soq eeros gamse.

Here's what it is translated as:

I like to see out my window. I see a car and a rake and a truck and a building and I like to see out my window. I like to play with my brother. When I play with my brother I like to play with my brother. (not sure why that's twice, but it's cute.) I drag costumes out the house like to play superheros games.

I think I've read it 15 times. The first time I was trying to figure out what it all was, the second time I was still trying to figure out what it all was, and after that I got it. I smile each time I read it. They have to start somewhere.

It's good to see that he likes to play superheros with his brother.

I think it's so funny that Mica started out never drawing ears on his people. We kept telling Mica, "This person can't hear." Isaak's all about ears. His people can hear really well!

I do have to say that both of my boys had/have pretty good handwriting.

WW: Isaak's Writing and Art {Linky}

Isaak wrote this with the class. He's five. I think his handwriting is getting much better then the start of the year.

The only mishap is "tep" is supposed to be "top".

He also created this drawing at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

If you have a moment please enter Organicasaurus snack Giveaway and GungHo Natural Energy Boost Giveaway.

Ergonomic Pen - The UGLee Pen Review and Giveaway

I really love the pens I got for review from UGLee Pen!

'UG' stands for Ultimate Grip and 'Lee' for the physician who spent 8 years coming up with the perfect pen design.

What I Thought:

• The grip is so nice. I'm used to pens with no grip at all. 
• Since I'm a teacher, I write on grade slips often. I'm also on the computer much of the time, so my hands get tired. It helps to know that I now have a pen that is easier to write with. It feels smooth to write on anything really! 
• I did write on smooth paper, and turned around and drew on canvas. I wanted to see if it would write on something textured. It did!
• I let Isaak play with the pen as well. He loved it!
• I didn't see on the packaging if it is water resistant for art techniques. I just decided to try it out. It didn't make my drawing bleed a whole lot, but it wasn't as clear as it originally was either. They made no claims about this pen being water resistant. It was purely my own experiment.
• I think they will help the kids when we work with them on learning cursive. I get why they are taking cursive out of the schools, but I think it's an art form. If my kids don't get it in school, I'll teach them.

A Little About UGLee Pen:

• It's the world's most comfortable ergonomic pen. In fact you can write all day without strains, or cramping.
• It has a full size grip, which is so nice!
• There is finger tip grooves for easy writing.
• It gives a person smooth writing. 
• You can refill the 1.4mm ball pen. It's better on the environment!

The UGLee Story:

"While a student in Medical School, I began my search to find a pen that would relieve my hand fatigue. After years searching and hundreds of pens purchased, I decided to design an ergonomic pen of my own. I hope you enjoy the true comfort of the UGLee Pen!" - James Lee, MD

Giveaway Time:

This giveaway is for a 3 pack of UGLee pens. The colors will be chosen at random. This is a US only giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. You need to be over the age of 18 to enter. This giveaway is for the US only. I did get products to help with the review. The winner will need to respond back within 48 hours, or I will pick a new winner. 
 
 
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Reading Kingdom Review

Reading Kingdom is an online reading & writing program for children ages 4 to 10 years old.

I was thinking Mica (almost age 8) would love this! He's big into reading, writing and technology. Mica did like their games, but he seemed to grasp things too easily. He read 7 chapter books over the weekend, if that tell you anything. The boy's nose is stuck in a book all the time. His teacher told us that he's way above his level.

It's good I had another kid to try their learning games on. Isaak (age 5) really liked it! He first watched Mica play, then played himself. I could see his mind wheels were turning. Sometimes he'd stop playing and ask, "Mom what letter do I put in there?" At first I helped him. The next session I just told him to figure it out. I love that they have the kids repeat a word in a different way. This helps them to learn it.

About Reading Kingdom

The founder is Dr. Marion Blank. He is one of the world's top experts on literacy and he is the Director of the Light on Learning Program at Columbia University in New York.

They also have a blog; where readers can find tips, lesson plans, activities, helpful books, and much more.

Reading Kingdom has gotten many awards and testimonials from educators, parents and homeschoolers.

Prepared

I'm really glad we were given this opportunity to review Reading Kingdom. I know Isaak will get a class in school called Technology, and site words to read. I feel like he'll be on the right track with learning.

Stay Social

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Buy Reading Kingdom

You can create a Reading Kingdom account and use your account for free for 30 days.
After 30 days pay only for your first reader: Only $19.99/month or $199.99/year.
For additional readers only $9.99/month or $99.99/year.

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. Reading Kingdom sent me the information to help with this review


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Books!

I just love books that have an extra special touch added to them! When I grew up my Mom read a story to us every night and my Dad came in to tell us a made up story.

Mica and Isaak love books to. Last night Isaak picked out 5 books for me to read and Mica 1 longer book. Mica's been wanting to read The Gingerbread Man. After we read it, they run around in circles taking turns being the Gingerbread Man. One has to chase the other. Their imaginations are truly amazing. I do have to say that sometimes for the adults it's a bit much. I'm talking about the running, laughing, high pitch squeals and sometimes one falls and than there is crying. They carry this imagination everywhere to. The grocery store cart is the Polar Express. Isaak shouts out to Mica, "Stop the train! Pull on the break!" I have a love and frustration with their imaginations.

I'm getting ready for spring classes. Illustration is one of my next courses. I can't wait! I love when we get to the Children's Book Illustration project!


These are a few of my favorite children's books:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carl

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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - A Pop-Up Adaptation By Lewis Carroll and Illustrated By Robert Sabuda

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Bembelman's Bakery By Melinda Green and Illustrated By Barbara Seuling (My favorite from when I was a child)

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The Stinky Cheeseman By Jon Scieszka and Illustrated By Lane Smith

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David Gets in Trouble By David Shannon

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I have many more that I like! These are just a few that came to my mind first. I can't wait to check out this new book, Can You See What I See? Toyland Express By Walter Wick!

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I love the go behind scenes in books and movies! Here's the one on this book:



 

Go Graham Go! is giving away a copy of this book along with a $50 Visa Cash Card!

Elevator

Daddy made this elevator mostly out of Duplos and a few other things.

 

Check out the writing on the chalkboard to.