2009 in review

One of my resolutions for the new year is to blog more often, at least once or twice a week. But to end the year, I want to look back at things I have accomplished.
2009 saw me teaching 6th grade, with a class I had for the third year in a row. This was the highlight of the year for me, and was sad to see them graduate in June. In September I started over in 4th grade, a tough transition to a new class, but one that has worked well. I like the class a lot and may get to move with them as well into 5th and 6th grade.
Over the summer I was in the Dominican Republic for 6 weeks. I taught English to some Korean students and also took Spanish lessons. I met a lot of great people and had a ton of fun. After returning from the DR I set out on a little road trip into New York and Connecticut to see Phish (always a dream I had to be able to go "on tour" with a band). I went on to see them later in the year as well in Philly.
All in all it was a good year, and I look forward to 2010.

Books Read in 2009
1. Prince Caspian - C.S. Lewis
2. The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch
3. Naked - David Sedaris
4. Sign of the Cross - Chris Kuzneski
5. The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton
6. Series of Unfortunate Events #1 - Lemony Snicket
7. Touching Spirit Bear -
8. Cirque du Freak: Living Nightmare - Darren Shan
9. Fool - Christopher Moore
10. Cemetery Dance - Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
11. Motorcycle Diaries - Ernesto "Che" Guevara
12. Freedom Writers
13. Still Life With Crows - Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
14, 15, 16, 17. Diary of a Wimpy Kid - All 4 books
18. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
19. Paddy's Lament - Thomas Gallagher
20. Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S. Lewis
21. The Silver Chair - C.S. Lewis

Concerts in 2009
1. Metallica - 1/7 - Wachovia Center
2. Soulive - 6/5 - TLA
3. Phish - 8/13 - Darien Lake, NY
4. Phish - 8/14 - Meadows Music Theater, Hartford, CT
5. Phish - 8/16 - Saratoga Performing Arts Center, NY
6. Phish - 11/24 - Wachovia Center
7. Phish - 11/25 - Wachovia Center
8. George Stanford - 11/28 - Tin Angel

St. John the Divine

St. John the Divine is the largest Gothic-style cathedral in the world. It is an Episcopal church and many people say it may be the largest cathedral, any style. The thing is, is that it is still not done.

Summer Flashback

Since I haven't posted anything in a while, I am going to start putting up pictures and whatnot from my travels over the summer. Enjoy!

DR Week One

I have been in the DR for a week now.
Samil is very full of energy and keeps me busy most of the day. He wakes up at like 7, so I kind of have to as well (we sleep in the same room).
Amely is doing well, although eating a whole lot. She sleeps a lot too.
I have been teaching three Korean students, Sua, Yoon, and Rosa, English. It's a small group and is very different from teaching in the US.
This weekend we went to a resort in Puerto Plate (or Sosua). It was beautiful and we had a lot of fun. I swam, ate a lot, went dancing, and saw some pretty entertaining shows.

In the DR

So, I have finally arrived in the DR (actually on Sunday, but we didn't have internet until last night). I will update more on Sunday with pictures and whatnot when we get back from the resort (going to the resort in Puerto Plata for three days).

Busy Week...

So, the school year is just about done and summer vacation starts in a week (a little less actually). You would think this is a nice relaxing time of year and that I could relax and just cruise right into the summer.
I wish it was that easy.
I have a project due next weekend. A Framework for Collaboration. I haven't started it yet. It won't take long once I get started (it needs to be over 5 pages), but it has to get done. I've read what I needed to read for it, but haven't started to work on it. Haven't even really thought about it.
Graduation for my students is on Tuesday. Besides practicing at school I need to figure out what I am going to say at the graduation, get all the awards filled out and ready to go, get everything organized, decorate the gym and auditorium, pick up a helium tank, fill up balloons, and probably even more. Graduation, on top of it, is going to be a trying time. My sixth graders are leaving after 3 years of being in my class.
Monday night there is a PFT meeting. Should be interesting, but it takes up my time.
Wednesday and Thursday I need to finish cleaning and packing up my classroom, along with records and whatnot.
And, to top it off, I am leaving for the Dominican Republic for six weeks on Saturday night. I need to pack sometime in there, and figure out what I am teaching when I get there.
I'm sure I missed some stuff, but you get the idea. Busy week before summer vacation.
I'm kinda looking forward to it ending (because I really need a break).

Two weeks...

So there are only two weeks left to go until the end of the school year. Normally this wouldn't be such a tough time. I would be excited and ready for it to come. But, this year is different.

My class is graduating this year, leaving the school. The class I have had for 3 years. What may go down as my favorite class ever. So, hopefully you see the problem.

I don't really want them to leave. Sure, I want them to grow up and finish school and be successful and live life, but they are like family now, my kids, so it's hard letting them go. I worry about them. What will happen when they leave? Will they make it? Will they drop out (they better not)? Will they visit, like they say they will? Maybe I shouldn't, but after three years it's hard not to. I have watched them grow up. We've been through so many good times and bad times together. It's just not easily gotten over.

But I have to. Next year is a new year, with new students (for the first time in 3 years). It will be trying. They are going to be compared to the kids that are leaving now. It just won't be the same. I have to start over.

So i have decided to enjoy the next two weeks as much as possible. It may be the last time I spend with them.

Frustration

For those who don't know, I am working on my master's degree in ESL (English as a Second Language). I already teach ESL students but I'm finally learning how to do it in a formal setting.
So, classes are wrapping up this week, and I have this journal article I got to read and write up a little summary/report of. The problem is that the article is absolutely boring. I can't get into it, I don't even understand what it is saying. It is that bad.
Why must journal articles be written like this. Do people really want to read something they can't understand. I mean, they are designed to help people like me, who are in the classroom to improve our teaching. But if I can't understand it, then I can't do anything with it.
Why can't they write in a more simplified language for all of use who don't spend our days trying to come up with big words to include in journal articles.
Anyways, enough of my rambling. More later...

Welcome

So I have decided to venture into the world of blogging outside of my classroom blog for my students. I'm new to this so please relax and don't expect too much right now.