so i was chastised by my father earlier for not updating in awhile, so i decided i should probably do so. we luckily have the day off tomorrow for president's day and its a good thing because i've got about 1000 things i need to do. i promised my kids a new incentive system to get them to be quiet and such so i need to get that together. anyway.... as i updated last time things are still going much better this semester. my kids are still somewhat in control (at least as compared to last year) and we are getting along much better. my biggest concern now is finding out how in the world to get my kids to pass the end of course test. not the simplest task by any stretch of the imagination. the test is in about two months and i'm extremely concerned about how my kids will perform. anyway... update...
we've had several snow days since school started which has been pretty nice (it has also put me even further behind than i already was in preparing my kids for this test). i am about tired of the snow and cold. i want warmth. one of the best things i've been able to continue doing this semester is getting to school early to read, think, pray, and ready myself for the onslaught of children. i have signed up for the country music half marathon at the beginning of the year so i've been trainig for that again. however, i ran almost 17 miles today so i am seriously considering switching over to the full. i just don't know if i can actually run 26 miles. i almost died today after 17 but we'll see.
i've had several kids who i've been able to form pretty decent relationships with... some that hated my guts at the beginning of the year. i gave a test about a week and a half ago and it was the first test that was actually as hard as it needed to be as compared to their end of course test. my kids failed pretty miserably but i had several kids stay after school and do test corrections to bring their grade up. in most of my classes i have kids actually doing work this semester, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to convince them that there is a purpose in them continuing to try when they are getting 20s and 30s on their test. but... despite the very poor results of the last test.. most kids are still trying. ok so we need a humorous interlude here....
so i have a drawing every friday in which the kids put the tickets they have earned for the week in a jar and i pull names and they win chips and candy, etc. last week my wonderful gradnmother had sent me some valentine''s cookies and i included a few of those in the drawing. the kids immediate response of course was "don't nobody want none of your stanky cookies." it took all i had not to go insane but once they actually ate the cookies they became an instant hit. i had two kids come after school and ask if i had any of "them cookies" left. so congrats mee-ma, the cookies were quite popular at central high school. i also discovered that sikenya (the one who threatened to slap the old people) can has an unbelievable singing voice. i discovered this by wandering upon a practice session she was having after school. she of course immediately told me to go away, but when i did not she continued to practice and i could tell she wanted to show off for her favorite teacher :) haha.
in summary..... its too cold. i want warm. i ran a long way, could run longer soon. things are getting better. my kids don't hate me as much. some even like me. sadly, they still don't seem to be learning a whole lot. despite their initial hesitations, the kids love mee maw's cookies. sikenya can sing like a mug. that is all. peace.
