Okay, I am not well-versed (heehee) in the art of poetry. My education in the realm of this genre is elementary but not elementary enough to wonder whether or not knowing what a couple really is will be useful on the Regents or the rest of my student's lives. So today, I got whiplash by my literacy coach who seems to understand literary much more than "literacy." Tomorrow, she wants us to discuss couplet after what has been a rousing unit of translating poems into words the students can understand. What do I want them to glean? The main idea...the theme! Characterization! Imagery! Um, things that seem more useful than a couplet!!!! Am I teaching DOWN to them or teaching what's important?
Finished my curriculum map in 4 periods--45 minutes each--AND did the reading for class and started to read the Cat in the Hat in Hebrew. Hoooyah! I am a multi-tasking genius (almost). October is my month off from the four-days-a-week class schedule but I might be meeting with this Rebbitzen (look it up) who will teach me the art of Kosher and all sorts of stuff which means my pants have to stay on until my future husband takes them off. Is this a complaint? No! Kosher pareve rocks because it means normally dairy deserts are utterly dairy-less. As for family purity...I'm really starting to think the only man I want taking my pants off IS my future husband. Deal.
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Thursday, September 29, 2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Happiness! Happiness! Happiness!
So it's not secret that my first name means "GIVES LAUGHTER" in Espanol but my Hebrew name will most definitely be Aliza. It makes sense because Judaism gives me such joy and studying it gives me such happiness. Plus, I am starting to think I am world-renowned for my humor and ahem, modesty. ALIZA WINS HANDS DOWN.
Sniffles for the Igmeister who is leaving soon soon.
One of my favorite students (possibly my favorite) informed me that his mother died this summer. He emailed me every day during the summer to sling jokes back and forth and I just did not know what to say. My biological clock is definitely ticking. I am only 10 years older than this kid but I want to mother him senseless, I want to make up for his loss. I know I cannot but if it means taking his 5 bucks for lunch and buying him something good to eat, I will do it! I love this kid. :(
Um, I have not started my curriculum map which is due tomorrow and I do not care. I cannot plan for anything. Luckily, most of my ACTUAL classroom planning is quite figured out tomorrow.
Who needs sleep? Really?
Um, if my name is Aliza Diaz does that mean that, um, my name translates to "Happy Days"? (Stole it from little sister.)
Sniffles for the Igmeister who is leaving soon soon.
One of my favorite students (possibly my favorite) informed me that his mother died this summer. He emailed me every day during the summer to sling jokes back and forth and I just did not know what to say. My biological clock is definitely ticking. I am only 10 years older than this kid but I want to mother him senseless, I want to make up for his loss. I know I cannot but if it means taking his 5 bucks for lunch and buying him something good to eat, I will do it! I love this kid. :(
Um, I have not started my curriculum map which is due tomorrow and I do not care. I cannot plan for anything. Luckily, most of my ACTUAL classroom planning is quite figured out tomorrow.
Who needs sleep? Really?
Um, if my name is Aliza Diaz does that mean that, um, my name translates to "Happy Days"? (Stole it from little sister.)
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Jew Burn-out?
Rav Elie says that if I burn out, I burn out and just to do what is comfortable. Wearing the Star of David to work really confused my lovely students so I told most of them I'd explain it all after work if they were REALLY interested in knowing TMI about me. Meanwhile, I can't seem to finish Becoming A Jew because it is so darn long and I have so much homework and grading and planning that I can hardly breathe, sleep.
Teaching is fundamental....
So, this year I am not only teaching the eleventh graders who have to take the English Regents in January, I am also CO-TEACHING aka TEAM TEACHING. You know what they say about there being no "I" in team...well, essentially, there's no ME in TEAM either, unless you scramble and get rid of some letters anyway. My co-teacher berated me in front of Igor about my supposed low expectations for my students because, um, I thought we should like EXPLAIN things before asking them to DO things. Imagine a world where teachers TEACH their students something and THEN grade them on whether or not they can actually do it. It seems like my co-teacher wants to play a game where we GRADE them and hope that they learned something from some other teacher long, long ago.
Why is this major drama? My job could be on the line if the eleventh graders bomb the test. My co-worker assures me that the co-teacher will get the blame because she's taught for 10 years and she's our Literacy Coach (she helps us do our literacy groove thing, team teachs and figures out curriculum). My co-worker also is pushing me to talk to the principal so we can discuss things like how the co-teacher doesn't believe in spending 6 weeks on a 250 pg. book and really just believes the kids should read it all at home---3 chapters a night!!!!
Why is this major drama? My job could be on the line if the eleventh graders bomb the test. My co-worker assures me that the co-teacher will get the blame because she's taught for 10 years and she's our Literacy Coach (she helps us do our literacy groove thing, team teachs and figures out curriculum). My co-worker also is pushing me to talk to the principal so we can discuss things like how the co-teacher doesn't believe in spending 6 weeks on a 250 pg. book and really just believes the kids should read it all at home---3 chapters a night!!!!
Israel or Bust!
Igor drama--Sniffle, Igor is leaving on Monday. Ig, if you're reading this, I apologize for your business being all over the blog but I am kind of sad, very sad. Sob. Sob. Ig watched my first class today. It is very weird having a friend watch you teach, it's like you're letting them see a whole different side of you...a side that withholds bathroom priveleges no less. Okay, can't discuss Ig anymore or else he will lecture me for hours.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Another Day of Sex
Managed to mention "sex" in the classroom when I tried to make the children understand why "lusty" can be defined as "strong" because of male virility. Ahem.
Tons of grading to do, major carpal tunnel pains from the lovely rain.
Best time to hand in papers due at 12am? 11:38pm.
Umbrella parts are lethal---my pinky tried to bleed all over my 30+ pages of reading I had to do for class today.
Hectic Schedule:
Wake up: 7am
Leave for Work: 8am (Laziness)
Get to Work: 8:15ish Making Copies Like Crazy, Getting Organized
Teaching: 9:15am-3:30pm with grading breaks in-between periods
3:40pm-Late for Monday Meeting as usual
5:10pm--Rush to the Midmanhattan library after running around looking for an AP to sign off on Igor's visitor form
5:45--Cut myself showing my bags to MML guard.
6:08--Finish speedreading through 2 chapters.
6:45--Chill with cool guard at KJ (shul)
7--Last Basic Judaism class
8--High Holidays class
9:15ish-Rush to 34th St Post Office to mail Half.com packages
10--Walk/Rush to Carrie's house on 26th St for food (Actual Arrival: 10:45pm)
11pm--Begin typing up one-page paper using (almost bloody) notes
11:38pm-Post Homework
11:40pm--Create plan for lesson tomorrow
12:15--Leave Carrie's house
1ish-Arrive at home
2:15am--Sleep
Tons of grading to do, major carpal tunnel pains from the lovely rain.
Best time to hand in papers due at 12am? 11:38pm.
Umbrella parts are lethal---my pinky tried to bleed all over my 30+ pages of reading I had to do for class today.
Hectic Schedule:
Wake up: 7am
Leave for Work: 8am (Laziness)
Get to Work: 8:15ish Making Copies Like Crazy, Getting Organized
Teaching: 9:15am-3:30pm with grading breaks in-between periods
3:40pm-Late for Monday Meeting as usual
5:10pm--Rush to the Midmanhattan library after running around looking for an AP to sign off on Igor's visitor form
5:45--Cut myself showing my bags to MML guard.
6:08--Finish speedreading through 2 chapters.
6:45--Chill with cool guard at KJ (shul)
7--Last Basic Judaism class
8--High Holidays class
9:15ish-Rush to 34th St Post Office to mail Half.com packages
10--Walk/Rush to Carrie's house on 26th St for food (Actual Arrival: 10:45pm)
11pm--Begin typing up one-page paper using (almost bloody) notes
11:38pm-Post Homework
11:40pm--Create plan for lesson tomorrow
12:15--Leave Carrie's house
1ish-Arrive at home
2:15am--Sleep
Sunday, September 25, 2005
AC places his vote...
Alright, let's be serious. I am not graceful, I am not a flower, Ariella is cool but it makes me think of the little mermaid. Gavriella is toooooooo long.
The final two contenders are:
Aliza---Joy, Happiness
Adalia---G-d is my refuge
So far, there are THREE votes for Aliza from Rachel, Carrie and AC.
Place your votes!
The final two contenders are:
Aliza---Joy, Happiness
Adalia---G-d is my refuge
So far, there are THREE votes for Aliza from Rachel, Carrie and AC.
Place your votes!
Sunday laziness
Wow, Desperate Housewives is really interesting. Charmed is crazy. I still haven't graded a thing. Sigh.
Igor's afraid...
that I'm going to burn out because I'm "going too fast." Meanwhile, I affixed my mezuzahs to the doorframe in my bedroom and the door outside. Still need one for the living room. Memorized the prayer for handwashing in English and Hebrew.
Now own: Siddur, Shabbat candles, Shabbat CD and book, Shabbat candleholders, a challah cutting board, Hebrew flashcards, bencher, Star of David pendant and plastic Kiddush cups. (Thanks for shopping with me, Allyson!)
Most of the books I need to read for the conversion process are on the way OR else they are on hold at the library OR else I'm borrowing them from some lovely people. Last day of Hebrew class is Wednesday!
No thanks to UPS for misdirecting my original Star of David pendant to 100 W. 26th Street. If it ever finds its way to moi, it will be returned promptly.
Eichler's on 42nd Street and Fellers rock. Great service to non-Jews/Jews-to-be.
Teaching front: Would rather watch Charmed than figure out a lesson for tomorrow. Haven't done ANY grading this weekend.
The Igmeister will be seeing me teach on Tuesday. He'll be watching my best class, though.
Shabbat front: Hopefully will be spending Shabbat with Devora and Chaia living it up in Washington Heights.
NEED TO WATCH A FILM SOON. Miss movie theaters.
Now own: Siddur, Shabbat candles, Shabbat CD and book, Shabbat candleholders, a challah cutting board, Hebrew flashcards, bencher, Star of David pendant and plastic Kiddush cups. (Thanks for shopping with me, Allyson!)
Most of the books I need to read for the conversion process are on the way OR else they are on hold at the library OR else I'm borrowing them from some lovely people. Last day of Hebrew class is Wednesday!
No thanks to UPS for misdirecting my original Star of David pendant to 100 W. 26th Street. If it ever finds its way to moi, it will be returned promptly.
Eichler's on 42nd Street and Fellers rock. Great service to non-Jews/Jews-to-be.
Teaching front: Would rather watch Charmed than figure out a lesson for tomorrow. Haven't done ANY grading this weekend.
The Igmeister will be seeing me teach on Tuesday. He'll be watching my best class, though.
Shabbat front: Hopefully will be spending Shabbat with Devora and Chaia living it up in Washington Heights.
NEED TO WATCH A FILM SOON. Miss movie theaters.
Hebrew Names for Moi
The competition is fierce as the following names try to win a spot as my middle name....
Lael---of G-d
Aliza--JOY! Happiness! (My name now DOES mean 'gives laughter')
Hannah--Grace
Dahlia--Flower, Gentle, Tree Branch, depending on where you look
Ariella--lion of G-d
Adalia-G-d is my refuge
Gavriella-G-d is my strength
So far, Aliza and Adalia/Dalia are in the lead with most of the votes. Ariella is new in the game. Gavriella is possibly too long and what if being call me Gavi. Ew.
Lael---of G-d
Aliza--JOY! Happiness! (My name now DOES mean 'gives laughter')
Hannah--Grace
Dahlia--Flower, Gentle, Tree Branch, depending on where you look
Ariella--lion of G-d
Adalia-G-d is my refuge
Gavriella-G-d is my strength
So far, Aliza and Adalia/Dalia are in the lead with most of the votes. Ariella is new in the game. Gavriella is possibly too long and what if being call me Gavi. Ew.
I'm not as witty...
as my new pal, Devora, who inspired this blog but I'm going to have to give it a try. This weekend was my first Shabbat meal at the beautiful home of Gavri and Shani who have already promised to set me up once I finish up the conversion process. Amazing! I was so sure that people were going to think I was weird. Okay, some people do but for the most part, they're not Orthodox Jews!
Shabbat meal faux pas: Asking during a "meat" meal if the desert had milk in it. Reasons why Shabbat meals are heaven even when one makes incredibly not-so-hilarious faux pas: No milk, can eat everything!
Finally finishing up Becoming a Jew, Jew IQ has shot up threw the roof. Esther told Maya the reason I was converting is that "[she] hates Jesus." Made me sniffle with sadness. So not funny. Does she really think I hate Jesus? Do I hate Jesus?
Finally received tickets for High Holidays services, must make sure not to let cat eat it or lose it under the fridge or forget when the HHS take place.
Pretending to grade/read/talk to friends while waiting for the "handyman" to arrive and clear up some issues in my bathroom.
So far, this blog is boring. Let's talk about my irrepressibly cute students:
On Thursday, a whole bunch of them did not do their homework, a 4-5 paragraph essay. My class sits in three rows so I dubbed the first row "Winners" and the other two "?" and seated the students who had finished up their essay in the "Winners Circle." Then, I let the rest of the class vie(sp?) for seating in the Winners Circle and the middle row (the "Moving on up" row). For extra fun, I would eject a kid if he was in the middle row and was not writing fast enough! Being a teacher is an experience.
:)
Shabbat meal faux pas: Asking during a "meat" meal if the desert had milk in it. Reasons why Shabbat meals are heaven even when one makes incredibly not-so-hilarious faux pas: No milk, can eat everything!
Finally finishing up Becoming a Jew, Jew IQ has shot up threw the roof. Esther told Maya the reason I was converting is that "[she] hates Jesus." Made me sniffle with sadness. So not funny. Does she really think I hate Jesus? Do I hate Jesus?
Finally received tickets for High Holidays services, must make sure not to let cat eat it or lose it under the fridge or forget when the HHS take place.
Pretending to grade/read/talk to friends while waiting for the "handyman" to arrive and clear up some issues in my bathroom.
So far, this blog is boring. Let's talk about my irrepressibly cute students:
On Thursday, a whole bunch of them did not do their homework, a 4-5 paragraph essay. My class sits in three rows so I dubbed the first row "Winners" and the other two "?" and seated the students who had finished up their essay in the "Winners Circle." Then, I let the rest of the class vie(sp?) for seating in the Winners Circle and the middle row (the "Moving on up" row). For extra fun, I would eject a kid if he was in the middle row and was not writing fast enough! Being a teacher is an experience.
:)
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