Gossip hurts everyone!!

Another blog...here we go. Blogging should be fun not a chore, yet many of us have a difficult time deciding what to write about. This includes me! So I thought about my day and decided that something that happened today was worth talking about. First off, it involves our "extra" member in our class. Yup, you can tell him that I am writing about him. Anyway...I asked him a question today about another student and I was quickly quieted with his response. Do you remember? He told me he was going to talk with the student and only the student about the incident. Wow!! That was a fantastic answer and I really felt a bit small for even asking him in the first place. So Kudos to George for stopping the gossip mill. Thank you George for putting me in my place as I tried to get some juicy gossip. That was wrong of me to talk about another student, especially in front of the entire class.

We work/attend a very small school where everyone knows everyone. Or at least they think they know. Gossip and drama are a given at Sand Creek. We should learn from Wednesday's conversation and put a stop to all this gossip. It truly isn't healthy and most of the time is wrong. What do you think? In your answer to my blog today, talk about gossiping and how George handled this situation. How can Sand Creek cut back on all of the gossip? Have you ever played that game where you whisper something into someone's ear and then they whisper it into someone's ear....until several people have heard the whisper? Then the last person says what they heard and it never is what was originally said. A very fun game! Well, that is what happens with gossip. It may start out true, but eventually ends up exaggerated!!

In your blog today, tell me something interesting that happened to you this week. Did you hear something interesting? Did you do something interesting? Also, please comment on two other blogs. The catch here is you must comment on someone's blog different from before. I want everyone to get comments! Have a great day!!

Paranoia is running rampant

Are you sick? Feeling under the weather? Are you wondering if or when you will be sick? Or perhaps your symptoms are simply phantom. You aren't sick and probably won't be...but what about that runny nose and scratchy throat. Are you really sick? I think that this H1N1 thing is getting out of hand. It is true, there is a large influx of flu very early this season and apparently Lenawee County is getting hit...but why the big scare? Are you contributing to this scare?

Now after saying all of that, I will probably be the next sick one. I can't live every day wondering if I am getting sick. I do recommend washing your hands, not sharing anything with a friend, and getting rest. But please don't panic. If you do get sick, stay home until your fever (which by the way is the biggest indicator that you have a bad flu) has broken. Rest, drink fluids, and come back to school when you are healthy. Did you know that you are contagious before you even have the symptoms? Just like the chicken pox (which all of you probably had a shot for!!) Be considerate of others and keep your sickness to yourself. Being sick isn't any fun, but we will get through this winter!! So...in response to this, give me your thoughts about N1H1, the newly mutated Swine Flu.

In your blog this week, write about anything that you want. I would like you to also respond to at least two other blogs from this class (not counting mine). People love to have comments, so comment away! Have a great time blogging. Keep smiling :-) and be make healthy choices this winter.

Fall has arrived!

Driving home from school this time of the year can be very beautiful. I really love to drive down my street and look at the changing colors of the trees. My street (in Adrian) is lined with big trees. They are very beautiful!! I love fall for the temperature, but not for the raging allergies that happen. I also love the colors, but not the rain so much. What do you like/dislike about fall. What is your favorite thing to do this time of the year. I like to go for a drive on a sunny day or take my dog for a walk. In your answer to my blog -- tell me about fall!

In your blog this week I would like you to list 5 things that happened in history on this date (October 15). List the item and the URL that you found the information about that event. You can look up anything...sports, music, historical events, war events, entertainment in general, people, etc. Be sure to list the item and the URL. Then tell me why you choose to search for those events...you love music, you are a pet lover, you are a history buff... Can't use those responses, but tell my why you searched for those 5 events in history. Happy blogging.

Let's Begin

So, we begin the blogging process. I am wondering how you feel about this blog stuff. You guys love to text, but actually sitting down and writing something probably isn't what you had in mind. Well, that doesn't matter! You have to blog. First, you will make a comment on my blog. In that comment please tell me your feelings about this blog thing. Do you think it will be fun? boring? hard to do? crazy? whatever comes to mind. Because this is associated with a school, please use proper capital letters and good grammar.

Secondly, you will be writing your own blog. Most times I will tell you what to write on our blog days. PLEASE feel free to blog at any time. Have your friends and family check us out. The whole reason to blog is for someone else to read it (not just me). You may blog about anything you want this week, but I would like you to include a paragraph giving three (3) goals you have this senior year of school. Tell why you have each goal. Remember to use good grammar and appropriate capital letters.

Have fun blogging!!

Spirit Day!

Have you got Spirit? Are you ready to shine today? I am lacking a bit of Spirit today, but I am trying. I was hoping to just kind of sit back and watch the activities, but at the last minute I get to do Wii bowling. Good thing I have a Wii at home and know what bowling is all about (of course, who doesn't know about bowling). The problem is that I have had to set up how to actually run the event. At least this is an event that anyone can win at. The younger kids have as good a chance as anyone else. Good luck today and may the best class win.

In the answer to my blog today, tell me where in the world you would rather be right this minute. There will no credit for anyone that says I would rather be in bed sleeping, what a cop out! I would actually rather be in Tucson or Gainesville visiting one of my daughters. Plus it is warm and sunny in those states!!

In your blog today I would like you to take one of the following topics and write me at least one paragraph. Let your mind go. Really blog! Let the feelings come on out. Remember to use good spelling and grammar and have fun! Really good blogs will receive extra credit.

Friends I Can't Wait to Meet
Letting Go
Just When I Think I am Done
Books I Would Write
I Want to Brag a Minute

Be sure to let me know what topic you have chosen and enjoy the blogging session. Seniors, it is your last time to blog for me. Have a great Spirit Day!!

Good Morning!

I keep forgetting to blog, which I am sure most of you are very happy about. But not today! I am running a bit late this morning (early morning meet at 7:00 a.m.!!), but I think I can still get a short blog in. So, yesterday was Spirit Day events pick. In the answer to this blog, tell me what you have been "chosen" to be a part of. Also, what do you think about this whole Spirit Day thing. Does it really promote a togetherness within the school? Is competition a good thing? I personally, don't understand the whole concept. Good thing I am not in charge :-)

In your blog today, tell me what your plans are for the summer. I know there is going to be a wedding and someone is moving very far away, but what about the rest of you? My plans are to travel a bit. I am headed to Arizona (I hope) to visit my daughter. Who goes to Arizona in the summer...crazy?! I am also taking my parents up north for a tour of the UP every summer. This might be my last :-( I also hope to visit my cottage in the UP at least once. So I guess my plans are to travel a bit. My sister would love for me to visit out east, but I just don't know if I have the time. You have to relax a bit in the summer, don't you?

Have a great day! I am very thankful that it is FRIDAY! Happy blogging

Spring yet?

Well, we all made it through March. I don't know about you, but I am very glad about that one. I way overbooked myself for that month. Crazy! We are now on the down side, working toward May (or June for some of us). I am hoping that you all had a great spring break. I know that I did! I went to Florida to visit my daughter for a couple of days and had a great time. It was sunny!! Always a good thing. I know that Michigan has April Showers, but this is getting ridiculous, don't you think?

We have talked about a few computer related things these past weeks, so here is another one. Do any of you Twitter? I hardly text (only to family), why would I Twitter. Yet, this is all the rage. Everyone is doing it. Do we really need to know every single thing that someone is doing? I mean individuals twitter about every day simple events. It you don't know what Twitter is, check it out at twitter.com. You can set up an account and see what it is like. It appears to be a shortened version of blogging with a touch of Facebook. I dare ya...sign up!! Let me know what you think of twitter (after taking a look) in your answer to my blog today.

In your blog, talk about something very interesting in your life. Tell me the best thing about spring. Just let it go. Tell me the BEST part about your spring break and not that you didn't have to come to school. Have a great Thursday.

Is March over YET!

I think that this must be the longest month of the year! I can't wait for March to end. Of course that brings us to spring break which is fantastic! I packed too much into my March and I am paying for it now. I am sure some of you at least can't wait until the weekend (senior trippers) or for next week when you will be off touring the state (mini trippers).

Yup, it is true I am not at school. But trust me I would rather be at school then where I have to go...a funeral. My husband said to remember that you can't have a funeral without F-U-N! I'll let you all know if there was any fun. I am thinking not. But duty calls and I am off to Allegan. The only good part is that I don't have to get up early. This is a very large blessing since I have been at school before 7:00 am every day this week.

We probably won't blog next week, so I just have to ask...what are your plans for spring break? Tell me the details in your response to my blog. I am headed to Florida to see my daughter. She attends the University of Florida studying music. I NEVER go anywhere for spring break. This will be a first. I am very excited to head to warmer weather, but not too excited about the flying thing. But I will survive.

In your blog this week, tell me about our unit on Photography. I am thinking many of you just didn't get into the picture taking. Got any suggestions for me for next year? What was good, what was not so good? We still have one more project which we will do upon returning from spring break. It will be fun, or at least I think so. Be nice and constructive, but tell me what you think. Also, what more would you have liked to learn about Photoshop? Any other projects that we should have done? Maybe more filters. Let me know in your blog this week.

Have a great day! I'll see you on Friday.

If you could be a star...

Ah, another lovely day in spring. Will it rain cats and dogs again today? Or will it be another cold day? Don't you just love spring. At least it isn't snow. I am just plain old tired of snow. It has been a crazy two weeks for me. How about you? Can't you just hardly wait until spring break? (or senior trip week!!) It shall be a bit quiet in the class in a week and a half. I love spring break, but usually I don't go anywhere. Not this year...I head to Florida for a couple of days. I can't wait. I get to see my daughter. The only problem is the plane ride. I HATE to fly and flying by myself is even worse. I'll make it, it just won't be much fun. I have to have my music or a DVD. I have to have something to get my mind off the fact that I can't get out of the plane!!

So, today's question is...if you could be on any reality show, which would it be. I really don't like reality shows, but they are VERY popular, don't you think? Survivor sounds too hard, as does Amazing Race. I am already married, so bachelorette is out :-) I think I am too short for those modeling shows (plus a bit old). Do you think I have it in me to be on one of those apprentice shows? NOT!! Oh, I can't sing or dance, so those are out, and I definitely don't want to be on one of those crazy love a rock star shows. Those are totally gross. Maybe they could make a reality show about the life of a Sand Creek school teacher. Wouldn't that be just so interesting!!?!?

Guess I'll just stay around here. Do you think you could handle one of those shows? Pick one and tell me in your answer to my blog why you would want to be on that show. In your blog, tell me whatever you want, but please use good grammar and spelling!! Try to step outside the box and tell me a little more than you usually do (some of you do just great, but others...well you know who you are). Have a great day!!

Can you follow directions?

Yes, well, can you follow directions? This is always a mystery to me why I spend time creating handouts/assignments and then students don't read them. Of course, then I am to be blamed for their bad grades! Why is this? Have you forgotten how to follow directions or are you just so smart that you think you can remember the directions. Let us just say that although the visual puns that have been turned in are good representations, most of them did not follow directions. If you had followed directions, you would have a perfectly sized picture (5x7), not 7x5.25, or whatever. Something to think about as you continue in this class.

It saddens me that I feel like I am pulling teeth to get students to take pictures. This really is an easy time in this class. I haven't asked for masterpieces, just take pictures. The first major assignment (camera settings) was a flop! Only two of you turned in all of the assigned pictures. Can you see that I am getting frustrated?!?!

Well, enough complaining. In your own blog this week define for me the term "social network." Do you social network? What is your favorite way/form to social network? I know what it means, but I don't think I "social network." Do your parents? It appears that I should, but I just don't have the time, energy, or really the desire. Besides the fact, I don't have anyone to social network with :-(

As always have a great day!

What Mid-Winter Break!

Do we really have a break tomorrow? What is up with that. I have come to believe that we are always on a break. We have only had one week since Christmas that has been a complete week. Got any cool plans for tomorrow? Tell me what you are going to be doing in your response to my blog. I will be working at church. Yup, I create the slide presentations for services and Lent is up and coming. I have been "chosen" to create the Wednesday Lent service presentations. Not sure how I got that job!! Guess I just can't say no.

In your blog today I would like to know what you think are the top two "alone-in-the-car behind-the-wheel activities besides driving." You can write about anything else along with this answer. Maybe enlighten us on an interesting experience you've had driving your car.

How is your picture taking coming? Please take the effort and enjoy the art of photography. I really love to take pictures, although I don't take enough time to take pictures. Which one of your pictures is your favorite so far? Have a great weekend and enjoy your time off. Take pictures if you haven't gotten yours finished!!!

I love a great picture!!

Ahhh! Another day of lovely Michigan weather. Last week we froze with single digit temperatures and this week it is in the 50s. Don't you just love it. So how is photography going? I know we haven't done that much with it, but I think you guys are going to like taking pictures and working with them in Photoshop. I want you to take a look at the picture below and in your answer to my blog write 5 things that you find interesting that make this a great picture. Look closely and study before you write your five things. Think about lines, color, placement, tone, etc.



In your blog this week you can talk about anything (more than just one sentence!). Also remember no funny abbreviations and no spelling errors. Along with your blog I want you to upload your flower picture to your site. Just checking to see that you can add pictures to a blog. We love pictures. You should probably resize the picture a bit and be sure that it is a .jpg. Other than that, it is a piece of cake uploading pictures to blogs. So....enjoy!

Have a great end to your week and enjoy the weekend. Anyone going to the dance on Friday? Do you really know what Sadie Hawkins is? Do you know where it came from? A bit of extra credit if you can answer those two questions in your own blog. NO cheating...look it up yourself.

Frustration

We made it to Thursday without a snow day. Very strange indeed! It looks like we just might have a full week of school...the first one since early December. As a teacher I just find all these snow days rather frustrating. I can't seem to get into the groove and get moving on my plans. Do you feel the same way? How do you handle frustration? I usually get a very large headache and clench my teeth! I get a bit short with people and usually just want to be by myself for awhile. You know to get back on course. What types of things frustrate you? My biggest problem these days is when someone asks me to do something and before I can get it done they have asked someone else to do it or asked someone else to tell me about it. Just let me do my job and I will be a happy camper.

In your blog today let me know a few things you would change about your education. DON'T say bad things about Sand Creek, just in general what would you rather have been doing at school. You know, different subjects, different projects, different times, longer hours, shorter hours, more hands-on, more computer classes, etc. Just let me know. I am always curious. But, please don't just tell me that you hate school and that you hate Sand Creek. Believe me, education is education no matter what school you are at it would be basically the same. As is in all of life...it is what you make of it. Make the best of every situation and life will be much better.

Have a great day!!

Spirit Week - Do you have spirit??

Can you guys remember how to go to school? I mean we haven't had a full week of school since before Christmas!! I know, you seniors are loving it. I do enjoy days off, but I do not enjoy going to school more days in June. But what can we do...absolutely nothing. I could really use warm weather!

So, do you have the Aggie Spirit? I know what some of you are going to say!! Sand Creek is a small school and seems to have a great deal of Aggie Pride. I went to Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and well, it was just too big for everyone to have Pioneer Pride. Yup, I was a "Pioneer." To be completely honest, I enjoyed high school, but haven't been back since. I probably would not be considered one that had much Pioneer Pride.

How many dressed up this week? Will you at least wear green on Friday? Did you take a look around on Wednesday? Which decorated hall was the best? Your blog can be about anything this week, but answer my questions when you write to me! Have a fabulous day.

Empowering Technology

Another quiet day at home. I am sure you all had a great Wednesday. Did you sleep in? I sure did. I probably should have gotten up and done work around the house, but who wants to do that?

I have been enjoying your blogging, but really feel that most of you are just going through the motions. You haven't gotten the hang of blogging. I must confess that I am not the best blogger. I find it difficult to believe that anyone really wants to hear about my life. But I am challenging you to step up to the plate and be more aggressive with your blogging. I also want you to stop with the "text talk." I want full sentences and no missed spelled words. I mean what does "prolly" really mean. It isn't even a good shortening of what it is suppose to be. No credit this week if I see missed spelled words on purpose!!

In your own blog, I want you to tell me the item of technology that "empowers" you. What I mean is what technology do you feel really gives you power. Take a minute and give it some thought. Technology doesn't have to mean computers! A mechanical pencil is actually technology.

Happy blogging!