Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The Frustrations Abound...

So here I am, already breaking a resolution. I don't know if I'll be able to find enough positives to discuss in order to sandwich each negative today! So, this will be a Dagwood sandwich.

Positive: I got to spend some time at the beach today! Warm weather, a bit of a breeze...it was lovely.

Negatives:
Oh man! This is just not my evening!
First, I'm taking two online courses this summer. Woo-freaking-hoo. Neither course is one that I particularly want to take, but I am because I have to do so! Now, the one course requires a book of which I cannot get a copy (and was informed of the need for said book two days before the course start date). The other course was to have ended today (with assignment submission permitted for another week), and the last three assignments haven't even been posted!

Second: Curriculum overviews for next year. OK, I see the need. Yes, I even see value. However, the BC curriculum guidelines are NOT designed for classrooms with three grades. It's tough enough to get through every required learning outcome for one grade in a single grade classroom. To get through the curriculum for three grades at once? Very difficult. There are no considerations for multi-grade classrooms, no suggestions for which things to skip/combine/over-lap/etc, and a whole lot of nothing for ideas to combine the curricula. Therefore, I have to start pretty much entirely working from scratch. That's fine, but it also means that I have to be able to justify the reason for not using more than about 20% of the recommended resources for the grades...and this year is a government audit year.

Perfect.

I'll get over the aggravation. I'll make it work. It will be a fabulous year. But right now? In July? I could just throw it all out the window.

Third: I am missing the funeral for a friend's father, because it would have required nearly 14 hours of travel each way. That sucks.

Fourth: That computer of mine is on it's way to Vancouver for repairs. Just perfect.


Positive: I have plenty of computers to borrow and use in order to express my frustrations.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

What to say?

Positive: I finally got my Staples Teacher Card stuff sorted out! Yay for discounts and rewards!
Negative: My computer is being shipped to Vancouver for repairs, and will not return to me for at least 2 weeks.
Positive: I have other computers at my disposal, and all of my most important documents backed up!

Sdaly, I must also report that the new EXPO retractable dry-erase markers are not available at the Kelowna Staples location. This is most unfortunate, as I was very excited to try them!

Friday, July 10, 2009

A New Resolution

...It is entirely shameful that I have been so out of touch with this blog. Sure, I spend what seems like hours every evening either with email or Facebook, but so rarely update this!
I have a goal! My goal is to post something (almost anything!) on this blog at least once a week. That shouldn't be too difficult! I may post far more frequently, sometimes...
I have a second goal. This involves having at least two positive things to say for every negative item on the blogging agenda (the sandwich effect). Can I do it? Yes. Will I? That remains to be seen!

So, positive number one. I can't seem to stop searching for classroom deals! I found a class set of pillows for only $3.49 each! I saved $12 on each one! The kids will love being able to sit on something comfy for stories or videos, and I might be able to get rid of some chairs from the room.

Negative. I have to take two classes this summer. One is "in progress" and the other starts next week. I really haven't felt yet like either class will be of any use or has anything to say of interest to me. That's frustrating! I'd love to take classes in something exciting or useful! Having hours each day devoted to things which are simply annoying is like working on report cards during the summer. EVIL!

Positive number two. The sun is shining! Warm weather! Tim Hortons exists! Starbucks is here! I've been to Chapters twice! Traffic lights! Summer in the city!
I love Port Hardy, but there is nothing quite like being able to meander through a bookstore with a mocha in one hand and a pile of new reading material in the other!