thursday thirteen #21--wow, what a month!

Thirteen Random Things I have realized this month... 1. My anxiety levels go from zero to sixty and then slowly throttle back, so it is best for me to wait until the panic subsides to try and fix the problem that set it off. 2. After calming down, I can be quite efficient. Even when my HOUSE has FLOODED, and I am across the world in England. 3. The people at my insurance company were really, really nice and helpful. Of course, they haven't had to pay any money out yet. But so far, props to State Farm. 4. I really, really love Pete. He's also one of the very few people who can get away with being in my personal space while the anxiety engine is revving. 5. I calm down much more quickly when Pete is around. 6. I like Manchester! I want to visit the museums, and learn my way around, and buy a really high tech umbrella. 7. Mmmmm curries are good. 8. When the weather is cool, I want to bake. There will be many cookies in this household; I think. 9. The month is only half over, really. Which is good because my wedding is just over two months from now! 10. I love my engagement ring. So pretty! so sparkly! 11. We've already been to two weddings this summer. And there's another one before ours--and you know what? each one has been unique and so much fun! 12. The first season of the new Doctor Who is still awesome on second viewing. 13. P.C. Hodgell is getting published again! And is writing a new book! There are excerpts of her wonderful, wonderful books on the site. And Robin McKinley has a new book out in September! Excerpt on her site as well. And yes, I mean each and every one of those exclamation marks. Happy Thursday!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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1. pretty life online
2. sandy carlson
3. sue
4. on a limb with claudia
5. the mocha mom
6. b boys mom
7. lori
8. sj reidhead
9. kim
10. popping bubbles (awesome name!)
11. sheila
12. clarence
13. jen

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thursday thirteen--#20 (wow!)

Thirteen Things I was doing yesterday instead of being online 1.We went to the beach to write! 2. Horseback rode--horse was a bit crazy. 3. Read two books (newest in the Kage Baker series and "Lectures on Don Quixote" by Nabakov) 4. Watched dolphins playing in the waves. 5. Texted everyone I know to tell them I was watching dolphins playing in the waves. 6. Hung out with those friends who were also at the beach. 7. Changed a tire. 8. Changed another tire. 9. Cursed all tires and the nails that are attracted to them. 10. Drove very, very slowly on the spare. 11. Planned a fun trail ride for tomorrow. 12. Called friends 13. Finally, got both tires fixed.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

1. Jennifer
2. Alice
3. Jen
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Thursday Thirteen #19--summer reading edition

Thirteen books I'm planning on reading this summer! 1. Adolescent Literacy: Kylene Beers (et. al) I am such a teacher-nerd. I can't wait to read this book! 2. One Hundred Years of Solitude: Gabriel Garcia Marquez just because it's been awhile. 3. Sunshine: Robin McKinley I re-read this book every few months, so it's pretty much a guarantee. 4. Breaking Dawn: Stephanie Meyer My former-students and I have an online-book-date to discuss this book. I cannot wait. 5. 84, Charing Cross Road: Helene Hanff This is one of my go-to-when-stressed books. I am moving across the continent (plus the Atlantic) and getting married. I anticipate stress. And good times. 6. Pale Fire: Vladimir Nabakov I love this book. I know; it's an illness. 7. The Ladies' Paradise: Emile Zola Love it. See above comment on illness and love of books. 8. Team of Rivals: Doris Goodwin This book kept getting bumped to the end of the TBR pile. I have placed it back on top. 9. The Schools Our Children Deserve: Alfie Kohn I love this guy. He is unequivocal, well read, and diligently researched. 10. The Foundation Trilogy: Isaac Asimov See stress, the relieving of. 11. North and South: Elizabeth Gaskell Yes, I love 19th century novels. Oh well, there are worse vices. 12. When You Are Engulfed In Flames: David Sedaris I'm looking forward to reading this book; I've heard good things. 13. Matilda: Roald Dahl Not just for kids!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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1) Nicholas
2) lilibeth
3) claudia
4) Shannon
5) bernie
6) sobeit
7) diana
8) sjr
9) poppingbubbles
10) lori
11) carol
12) marcia
13) meju
14) writer & cat
15) jen
16) lori
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Thursday Thirteen #18 (a little early)

thirteen ways my life is changing this year 1. I'm getting married! 2. I graduated my first "looped" class--two years with them was wonderful, painful, invigorating, exhausting, and something I'd love to do again. 3. Got back to reading in French! 4. Gave up on reading in French--and then tried again. 5. Got quite, quite close to thirty. 6. But not too close. 7. I really improved in my riding. 8. I am attending the San Marcos Writing Project! 9. I'm getting married. 10. I'm moving to England. 11. That deserves two spots--I'm moving to England! 12. I've committed to writing more articles for professional journals. 13. I'm getting married! And moving to England!

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pussreboots
allisonsays
losthemisphere
lilibeth
Susan
Carol
Bubba
Di
Lori
sobeit
Sandy
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Thursday ThirteenQ #17!

Thirteen Things about the first weeks of school! 1. We all agree, Eclipse is an excellent book. 2. My 7th graders are not quite all grown up--but they've mellowed some. 3. The new seating arrangement seems to be working. 4. Having the AC controlled at the DO is not a great idea--my room gets direct afternoon sunlight, and when the temperature hit 104 at lunch last week, my room was toasty! 5. I'm much more organized than last year--we'll see how long that lasts. 6. It's fun to eat lunch with my village-mates again. 7. Some of my kids lives are so much more complicated than any of us realize--it's easy to understand why they cannot concentrate, but I still need them to concentrate. 8. Our first Scholastic Book Orders are going out this week. I'm so excited! 9. The new "online gradebook" our district has required us all to use will not be available online to the parents for awhile. 10. I'm sleeping the sleep of the exhausted. 11. It's a little disconcerting to get up at 5am to run and have it still be warm outside. I hope the heatwave breaks soon. 12. Kids are funny. And wonderful. And aggravating. 13. Back to school Night is next week! I LOVE Back to School Night! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Melissa 2. Bubblegum 109 3. WAHM 4. Denise Patrick (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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I've never really done one about me--so TT 16 it is!

Thirteen Things about Miss S 1. I startle very easily. As would be expected, middle schoolers find this hilarious. 2. I don't remember learning how to read. I do remember a librarian taking a book away from me because it was "too difficult." If I remember correctly, I then made my dad go check it out so I could finish it. 3. I am a very insecure confident person. Once I feel comfortable with a task, I can go ahead--but I am very hesitant until I really feel I know what I'm doing. 4. I wanted to be a vet when I was in middle school. Then, I figured out that someone who was deathly allergic to cats should probably avoid that as a profession. 5. I once hit my sister's finger with a croquet ball. By accident! Her nail fell off! 6. I lived in fourteen houses before I was sixteen. 7. I love swimming, especially in the ocean. 8. I love rearranging my books. I think I just like physically handling them. 9. I was a commitment-phobe until I met my current significant other. 10. I like rainy days only if they are also days I can curl up with a good book. Otherwise, I get annoyed that I cannot curl up with a good book! 11. I re-read books. A lot. 12. I like to exercise. Right now, I'm running four times a week and horseback riding three times a week. 13. I love summer because of the fruits and vegetables that are available. Mmmmm, white nectarines! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Malcolm 2. Gattina 3. Laura 4. Nicholas 5. WAHM 6. Damozel (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen--number 16!

Thirteen Things you would see in my classroom right now 1. Stacks of books (lots!) 2. Boxes of books (lots!) 3. Books neatly tucked away in bookshelves. (sigh, not so many..) 4. The entire contents of my cabinets--I somehow thought it would be great to take *everything* out to "get a fresh start." Dear god. 5. A countdown to Monday--when the kids show up! 6. My "teacher" books slumped on my desk--oof, I have a lot to read before Monday! 7. The folder that contains the first ten of the million memos I will get this year. 8. A list of my students posted on the wall. 9. Bulletin boards waiting to be hung up. 10. My "welcome to the world of reading!" sign 11. Various items for the students to explore to learn about American History. 12. Did I mention the *entire* content of my cabinets??!! 13. A tired teacher, right in the center--but still working! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. emmyrose 2. David 3. Amy 4. kat 5. stephanie 6. suprina 7. Gattina 8. "blank" >grace of angels 9. Audrey Rose 10. Gabriella Hewit 11. Shannon (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen--Fifteen it is!

Thirteen Things I want to improve this school year 1. Organization--I say this every year. But, this year I have bought an agenda that (I hope!) will be big enough to include the meetings and lesson plans for the year. I have also "penciled in" specific days where I will re-organize myself. I've got a fairly well-established guilt complex, so I can usually get something done as long as I schedule it. 2. Expectations. Many of the students I have arrive with low expectations--of their teachers, of themselves, and of school in general. I definitely see it as part of my job to show them what they can accomplish, that school is a safe and successful place for them, and that they need to give their teachers a chance. 3. Get more books into my classroom. Make the books "come alive" and encourage my students to branch out. 4. Call home more. Many of my parents are quite difficult to reach. Notes home get lost; phone calls home are never answered; I need to try to be more persistent this year. 5. Stay out of school at least one day on the weekend. Last year I got sucked into a nasty habit of spending a significant amount of my weekends at work. It took a rather stern lecture from my SO to get me to give myself more time at home--and I discovered I need it. The pull to always be working is still there, though. 6. Gather my notes together for some action research this year. I made some stabs at it last year, but I really let it fall apart. I'd like to stick with it this year. 7. Make sure I avoid, or at least minimize, my contact with those of my colleagues who are so tired or sour about teaching that it depresses me. They're not bad people, but it's hard to hang out around them without coming out of it upset about the job--and that rarely helps me. 8. Only collect what I need to grade. I would love to only assign exactly what my students need, but I am struggling a little bit against a culture that really values "rigor" (defined usually as a worksheet)--I will try, at least, to make sure that I assign things that my students will value. 9. Get the papers back faster. Of course, instantaneously would be too slow for some of my students, but I would like to set a five day limit on all grading--within reason. 10. Do more group work. It's very easy to take a class that gets a little wiggly and convince yourself that you need to always be in control--I'm going to try and loosen up a bit this year and see what happens. I'm sure they'll surprise me. 11. Keep up the exercise, even when I'm tired. I really need the relaxation that exercise brings me, and I always end up feeling better when I stick to an exercise schedule. 12. Blog three times a week. I've already written one TT about why edu-blogging is important, and I'd like to keep up the habit. 13. Try and make sure I say "thank you" and pass along compliments. I'm usually pretty good at this, but I would love to make sure it's an instant part of me. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Malcolm 2. Shannon 3. Mama's Moon 4. Denise 5. Erin 6. Gattina 7. Damozel 8. Kristee 9. Jenny McB 10. Shannon 11. Jackie 12. Natalie 13. Clubbs (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen--number fourteen!

A small selection of thirteen things on my Ipod I'll admit it...I'm a fan of the Ipod (and the Iphone...sigh) 1. "I Can't Decide" by the Scissor Sisters from "Ta-Da". I first heard this song on Doctor Who, and I thought it was hilarious. I really like the rest of the album as well. 2. "The Dress Looks Nice On You" by Sufjan Stephens off of "Seven Swans". It's just a lovely, lyrical song. His voice is amazing and ethereal and luminous (which I know isn't a "sound" word--but it does describe how I "hear" his voice.) 3. "Stay on Your Side of Town" by Susan Werner off of her "I Can't Be New" album. This lady has a great, smoky voice. I first saw her sing with Keb Mo, another favorite of mine. 4. Speaking of Keb Mo, I have his "Your Love" from "Suitcase" on constant rotation right now--it's just bluesy, funky and fun. 5. "Cheeseburger in Paradise"-- a classic Jimmy Buffet tune. I was raised a proud Parrothead--the man just means summer to me! 6. The opera "Carmen." This opera was the first I ever went to "live"--it was on a school trip in middle school. I was amazed and enthralled, and I still love the music. 7. "Fishing for a Dream" by Turin Brakes off of their "Jackinabox" album. This one is slightly sappy for me as I can hear my SO singing it in my head when I listen to it. It's one of his favorites and one of mine. 8. "Dashboard" from Modest Mouse's "We Were Dead Before the Ship even Sank". A great song to run, work, or jump around with. The rest of the album is excellent as well. 9. "I Hear the Bells" from Mike Doughty's "Haughty Melodic." I first heard this song on an episode of "Veronica Mars." I thought it was lovely. 10. "Midnight at the Oasis" a Maria Muldaur classic. Like Jimmy Buffet, her music was a constant in my life as I was growing up. I love her voice. 11. A series of albums by Ludovico Einaudi--gorgeous, ethereal piano music. 12. "Wine, Women, and Song" from the "Little by Little" album by Harvey Danger. Totally a fun song--great to run to. 13. The entire collection of the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" radio plays because sometimes you just need a little Douglas Adams. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Kristee Weldon 2. Damozel 3. Nicholas 4. Robin 5. kailani 6. Tempest Knight 7. Mama Lee 8. Nicole Austin 9. Lori (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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luck number 13! Thursday Thirteen.

Thirteen Things I plan to do the first day of school 1. arrive early, very early. 2. applaud my students as they walk onto campus (a school tradition). 3. giggle with a few of my fellow teachers. 4. look on in awe at how tall my seventh graders are now that they're eighth graders. 5. try and give each child a compliment. 6. make a few mistakes. 7. laugh at my mistakes. 8. call "traver" "colin" and "colin" "traver" 9. do a little dance. 10. forget to take attendance until it's almost too late. 11. accomplish about half of what I plan to do. 12. worry about the students who aren't at school that day. 13. collapse in exhaustion at the end. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. becky 2. the rock chick 3. clubbs 4. double decker 5. dawn (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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thursday thirteen--#12

Thirteen links that I like--check 'em out! 1. ReadWriteThink --this is an amazing site for teachers. Tons of great lesson plans, Six-traits materials, and other great resources! 2. lolcats. What can I say? Most of the time, this site makes me giggle. Sometimes, it makes me laugh out loud. Silly, but fun. 3.xkcd---this is a "webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language." I really enjoy reading this comic--it is very funny a lot of the time, but, even more than that, it is beautiful and touching as well. Try checking out the "previous" comics. 4. Creampuffs in Venice --this yummy site is one of my favorite food blogs. The writing is great, and the food never fails to make me say "yum!" 5. Inhabitat --this website focuses on innovations in technology, design, and materials. A great place to visit to see what's happening in "green building" or to see if there are any great art installations or shows coming near you. 6. librarything --okay, confession time, I love organizing my books. I don't mean "she just kind of likes it when they are put away." No, no I mean "she will take all of them out of her bookcase and reorganize them as a fun summer project." It's a sickness, I know. I love librarything because it gives me somewhere to track my books online--even though I've only got about 20% of them actually done right now. My next investment is a "cuecat" to make scanning those barcodes a snap! 7. The International Children's Library-- go see what they're doing over there. Amazing things... 8. Chronicle of the Horse Forum-- this forum is a place for all sorts of horse people to discuss, ask advice, and argue. It's great, and the bulletin board has a strong and interesting personality. 9. bakingbites--- another of my favorite food blogs. Yummy and fun to look at! 10. slashdot-- an "oldy" in terms of the internet, but it's still a great place to go and see what's going on in the "nerds for news, stuff that matters" department. 11. The Open Library-- go on, pick a book! 12. tomatonation-- a great site. Fantastic articles, really well-written commentary, and of course "The Vine." Written by one of the Television Without Pity contributors. 13. Please, please check out the blogs on my sidebar. I really enjoy reading the stories of my fellow edu-bloggers, and I'm sure you will as well! Also, follow the "continue reading" link to see all of the links from the comments! It's always fun to check out other Thursday Thirteen participants! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. friday's child 2. dewey 3. pussreboots 4. the crux 5. eric 6. lara angelina 7. comedy + 8. special k~toni 9. crimson wife 10. janet 11. carrie 12. ms.whatsit 13. mistihollrah

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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thursday thirteen #11--ahh, summer

Thirteen opening lines 1.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat; it was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort.--The Hobbit JRR Tolkien 2. My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973. The Lovely Bones Alice Sebold 3. It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Nineteen Eighty-Four George Orwell 4. Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez 5. It was a pleasure to burn. Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury 6. There once was a boy named Eustace Clarence Scrubb and he almost deserved it. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader C.S. Lewis 7. Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy 8. One summer afternoon Mrs. Oedipa Maas came home from a Tupperware party whose hostess had put perhaps too much kirsch in the fondue to find that she, Oedipa, had been named executor, or she supposed executrix, of the estate of one Pierce Inverarity, a California real estate mogul who had once lost two million dollars in his spare time but still had assets numerous and tangled enough to make the job of sorting it all out more than honorary. The Crying of Lot 49 Thomas Pynchon 9. Marley was dead, to begin with. A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens 10. It was love at first sight, the first time Yossarian saw the chaplain he fell madly in love with him. Catch-22 Joseph Heller 11. You don't know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that ain't no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth. That is nothing. I never seen anybody but lied one time or another, without it was Aunt Polly, or the widow, or maybe Mary. Aunt Polly -- Tom's Aunt Polly, she is -- and Mary, and the Widow Douglas is all told about in that book, which is mostly a true book, with some stretchers, as I said before. Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain. 12. I was the shadow of the waxwing slain / By the false azure in the windowpane. Pale Fire Nabokov 13. "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. Little Women Louisa May Alcott I haven't written anything up on the lines...it would have crossed the line to crazy-long, and I think they are all much better writers than I! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (plus two I forgot to link last week!) 1. Eric 2. Amy 3. thomma lyn 4. :) 5. damozel 6. pussreboots 7. lara angelina 8. l^2 9. fence 10. dorothy 11. ancsweetnsassygal 12. californiateacherguy 13. madam rubies 14. christine kane---> by the way, this lady can sing! Go listen to her! If you comment, I will add your links above!

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thursday thirteen #10--finally in double digits!

Thirteen reasons that edu-blogging is important 1. Very few things improve teaching as much as collaboration. 2. Teaching can be a lonely profession; it's nice to have another place to find a group of adults that understand what your workday is like! 3. The more support teachers get and the more support teachers give, the better our profession will be. 4. This way, we don't have to bore our SO's with day after day of tales about our students--we can tell the blogosphere! 5. That even when your students "discover" your blog, you can turn it into a great conversation (and be very relieved that you've always promised yourself not to write anything publicly that you wouldn't be willing to say publicly!) 6. Somewhere, someone knows the answer to all of your questions--or at least a good place to start looking. 7. Teachers, in general, are funny, humble, fun, passionate people. Their blogs reflect that. 8. Blogging is a form of reflection--and I, as a teacher, need to make sure I make a place for that in my life. 9. Reminders that students will be students--no matter where in the world they are located. 10. Teaching is about learning--and one of the most powerful ways to learn is from others. 11. The opportunity to tell "noodlenose" stories. 12. The creativity and dedication of teachers is amazing--and access to their thoughts and experience through a blog makes communication between teachers a worldwide event. 13. It's always good to share the love. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Thanks! Eric! For the kind words--everyone should make sure to check him out at Secondhand Thoughts 2. And make sure to check out all of Amy's blogs--she's got some great stuff going on!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen--Sweet Number 9!

Thirteen Things I want! (warning: this may be a little bit whiny and should be taken with a grain of salt) 1. I'm very worried about a new student that is being given to me. He went to an alternative school for one and a half trimesters this year because of (very, very bad) behavior issues last year. They are placing him in my happy-go-lucky afternoon class. Hopefully they will change his behavior, and he won't change theirs. I want him to be positively affected by the class and show he has changed! 2. I wish that I didn't feel as if my classes were bursting with students. It's nice to be thought competent enough to "deal" (see #1)--but enough already! I'm out of seats! I want enough room for everyone to feel comfortable! 3. I want the weather to warm up! (Yes, I know I'm in SoCal, but I'm also a wimp!) 4. I want more time to read--I feel as if I am working and working and working. (See #2!) 5. I want to lose ten pounds. 6. I want to be able to meet the needs of all of my students. 7. I want superhuman powers. (see #6) 8. I want the ability to be a calm, centered person in the face of the maelstrom that is middle school. (see #7) 9. I want my students to know how much I care about them! 10. I want all of my students to work to the best of their ability. 11. I want to become a better horseback rider. 12. I want to figure out a way to get kids to try new things with less resistance. If you thought getting them to eat vegetables was bad--you should see what they do when faced with new genres and forms of writing! 13. I want everyone to take a deep breath--look around--and thank someone for helping them with their day. And, on that note, thank you for reading this list! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thurday Thirteen--number eight!

Thirteen Things Miss S does when it gets cold outside (yes, I know I'm in Southern California--but it hit 24 degrees here last night!) 1. Wimper and walk around wearing several layers of sweaters and my special "warm" socks. 2. Drink cups and cups of Trader Joe's Chocolate flavored tea--it's like calorie-free hot cocoa! (Well, not quite, but close enough!) 3. Read Little Women. For some reason, this is a read by the fireside type book for me. 4. Giggle at my students running about attempting to "skate" on the ice-slicked grass quad. 5. Nearly pull my quad attempting to walk across said grass in sneakers. 6. Dance around stupidly outside my classroom while attempting to unlock the door with shivering hands. 7. Curse self, repeatedly, for never wearing enough layers--even in Southern California. 8. Enjoy the weather! It's fun to have some chill in the air every once in awhile. 9. Celebrate that the shortest day of the year is almost over--the days get longer from now on! 10. Wear cool scarves and fun hats. 11. Lose scarves and hats--I have no idea where they go... 12. Wander around in down booties and fuzzy socks. 13. Look forward to Spring. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Wacky Mommy 2. Karen 3. Chickadee 4. amy 5.ancsweetnsassygal 6. Laura 7. Jessie 8. sanni 9. Melissa 9. caylynn 10. susan helene gottfried

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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thursday thirteen, lucky number 7!

Thirteen things on my to-do list 1. Call chimney sweep (I feel like Mary Poppins!) 2. Call a locksmith (Robin Hood: Men in Tights anyone?) 3. Write out notes from last three staff meetings--yeah, right. 4. Set up wireless internet at my new house! 5. Finish moving into new house. 6. Call Nana to thank her for gift! 7. Schedule haircut (this has been on the list for awhile...) 8. Reschedule dentist appointment. 9. File paperwork from recent house purchase (this should take up several slots really, there's a LOT of paper!). 10. Throw away all unneeded paperwork from job. Even more paper! 11. Find a tree and apologize for wasting all of its siblings in pointless paper. 12. Plan month of January so I can take a real break and not do any school work. 13. Figure out where to buy Groucho Marx glasses as a gag gift for one of my fellow teachers. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. The Bluest Butterfly 2. Rashenbo 3. elementaryhistoryteacher 4. she 5. Janet 6. K T Cat 7. Caylynn

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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thursday thirteen, six it is!

My first thirteen(current) yet to be read stack 1. Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami--I love the man. His writing affects me much like Gabriel Garcia Marquez's. I emerge from his books a little bewildered and completely exhausted. I love it. He also has a cool website. 2. Death in Cyprus by M.M. Kaye. She wrote most of her books in the 40's and 50's, and they are lovely, light mysteries. 3. Windflower: a novel by Nick Bantock. The man is amazing and each book he publishes is an entrancing work of art. I wonder if this one will topple my current favorite: The Venetian's Wife. 4. Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich. The woman makes me belly-laugh, what can I say? I love watching Stephanie fall in, and out, of love, danger, and donuts. I've actually read this one before, but I like re-reading Evanovich when the days get short, and I don't get enough sun. They cheer me up! 5. Memories of my Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Ever since I stumbled upon his Love in the Time of Cholera, I've devoured every single one of his books I could get my hands on. They are beautiful. 6. The Ghost's High Noon by John Dickson Carr. One I haven't read by the master of the locked door mystery. 7. Story Time by Edward Bloor. So far, fantastic--a flying girl! Genius children! And demons! 8. The Stupidest Angel: a heartwarming tale of Christmas terror by Christopher Moore. More demons! (Or is it an angel?) Also zombies, idiot townspeople, and the world's most mishandled miracle. I love Christopher Moore, and I keep his books on constant rotation. 9. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. If you haven't read Twilight, the first book in this new author's series. Go get it. Now. Meyer has created a world that perfectly meshes a teenager's first love and vampires. She's worth staying up till 1am for! 10. Himalaya by Michael Palin. I loved! the tv series. I'm reading the book. 11. Understanding Reading: sixth edition by Frank Smith. This man is utterly amazing. I've blogged about him before (in July), but was reading the fourth edition, the sixth has all of the great stuff before+more. What a deal! 12. Eragon by Christopher Paolini. I'm actually attempting this book for the third time. My students love it--but I've found the prose to be a little...much. 13. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Because we're reading it outloud to each other in class. And because I laugh too hard at the jokes if I don't read the sections to myself the night before!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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thursday thirteen--the fifth!

Thirteen Things Miss S managed to forget over Thanksgiving Break 1. The air conditioning in my classroom (which did NOT work when it was warm)--will always come on full blast when it is 49 degrees outside. 2. I really, really, really love my job. 3. That no matter how much you work over break, the second that school starts up again you will already be behind on the paperwork. 4. The kids miss you. 5. My voice needs a few days to harden up to talking so much--I sounded like a goose on Tuesday! I occasionally honked! Eek! 6. My co-workers are awesome. 7. My principal is awesome. 8. My janitorial staff is beyond awesome. Seriously, they rock! 9. Teaching is tiring. 10. Scholastic book orders are like Christmas once a month. 11. Winter Break is fast approaching. 12. Commas, and other grammatical goodies, are more difficult to teach than ever. 13. The kids are growing up so fast.


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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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a turkey of a thursday thirteen (#4)

Thirteen Things Miss S is thankful about for this day I thought of making a list of what I was thankful for in general, but I wanted to be more specific and focus on what sorts of things I love about the day itself--not the least of which is the reminder to be thankful and realize what you have! 1. My family and I always take out the beautiful plates and cutlery that we've used every Thanksgiving I remember. I love our morning ritual of cleaning and polishing. 2. I can eat several kinds of pie and no one even blinks at it. 3. Sitting down to a long dinner with the people I love best. 4. Laughing and laughing and laughing. 5. The weather down here in November--crisp, cool, and 68 degrees. Hard to beat! 6. Home-made cranberry sauce--yum! 7. Hearing what each person is thankful for--it's a great reminder of what is really important. 8. The general optimistic holiday vibe that surrounds us on Thanksgiving. 9. My mom's stuffing. So good! 10. Sighing with satiation after the meal. 11. Cleaning up with my dad--it's been our job to do the dishes since I was eleven! 12. Watching "The Muppet Christmas Carol" with my family. I have no idea how this tradition started (Possibly because we're Jewish, and thus felt no issue with watching this movie "early" :) ). 13. Having the opportunity to say "Happy Thanksgiving" to the blogosphere! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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thursday thirteen, the third!




# 3 Thirteen Things that help Miss S re-center herself 1. Re-reading Little Women or Robin Mckinley's The Blue Sword (for the 100th time each). I find something so cathartic about reading books I know and love. 2. Finding a new book to love, currently Stephanie Meyer's Twilight. (go read it! it's great!) 3. Speaking with loved ones--near and far. 4. Laughing with my colleagues. 5. Horseback riding 6. A long walk 7. Lots of exercise. 8. Drinking lots of water and feeling healthy. 9. Hanging out with friends and "forgetting" work for awhile. 10. Realizing I do make a difference in my job. 11. Organizing myself/cleaning up and putting things away...(yes, strange, but I find it soothing!) 12. Re-watching old favorite movies (Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes comes to mind) 13. Just looking around and realizing how much I have and how lucky I am.




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants




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