Second week... feels like about the fourth week. We have been chugging along with school this week. Gave my first quiz today and first test is friday. First project is due on Monday. So my World History kids are getting into the swing of things.
AVID is another story. This new class for me is basically a college prep class. I will have these kids from freshman year through graduation. For freshmen the first week of school is a blur. So we didn't accomplish too much last week other than getting the kids used to our crazy bell schedule, finding their classes and getting their heads screwed on a little straight.
This week we have made a little more progress. Tonight was our district meeting for AVID and it was great to see teachers in other schools and share stories about the program and how it is going for them.
We have one more tutor to hire and we interview her tomorrow after school. It has been great because over 1/2 the tutors we have hired I have had as students in my World History class. I know they will do a great job tutoring our AVID kids.
It has been a real exciting adventure so far... and we've only just begun.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Monday, September 03, 2007
Sweaty Boy
This is a picture from a few weeks ago when Aidan and I went to McDonalds together. He got a toy inside his Happy Meal, which he actually calls the meal a "Happy Toy." He gets right to the point.
Aidan had been playing in the kid's zone and was super sweaty! McDonalds in Atascocita has the biggest PlayLand I have ever seen. It is amazing. Four or five slides. Tons of tunnels. Lots of things to climb. The thing goes the whole way to the top of the 2nd floor.
A week later I had stopped to get breakfast at the Shipley's across the road and glanced over... no more McDonalds! It was leveled to the ground. I asked the guy in Shipleys and he said, "They are building a bigger Playland." Couldn't believe it.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
How cute is he?
Love this picture of Aidan. Astros hat, Spider-man shirt.
Tonight when he was in the tub, he put his index finger to his head and said, "Me's always thinking..." and tapped his finger against his head. I just busted out laughing. He's so crazy.
Monday, August 27, 2007
A Special Day
Today was really something. Yeah, it was the first day of school. That was great and everything. But, it was the VERY first AVID class for me and for AHS. During the period our counselor came in to say hi to the kids. So did our assistant principal. So did our PRINCIPAL. I had to say to the kids, "Do you think a counselor, assistant principal and THE principal have visited ANY other class today? Isn't AVID a special place?"
The freshman that I have were pretty shell shocked by the time 6th period came around. I told them all to take a deep breath and let it out. Then we talked over any problems they were having getting around our huge 5A school. It was good to see them relax a little.
My World History classes were really good. Here is my schedule this year:
1 - Planning period for AVID and Advisory/Small Learning Community
2 - World History
3 - World History
4 - World History Pre-AP
5 - Planning period (it's also lunch - never shortened! Woo Hoo)
6 - AVID
7 - World History Pre-AP
It is sweet having my two level classes in the morning when those kids can concentrate a bit more. And my "honors" or Pre-AP are in the afternoon. A nice schedule. I am in my room all day long and even have my own planning periods in my room (didn't have that last year). I think they took good care of me in the scheduling office and I am glad for that.
I made a video and showed it to my classes today of first day Rules/Procedures. I am pretty excited about it. So many teachers stand up and do the "Teacher in Charlie Brown Routine" on the first day. You know, "Whaa, whaa, whuuu, whuuuu." That constant drone about their expectations. I decided to do mine a bit differently. The kids seemed to really enjoy it. When I get it loaded up to the website I will share the link.
Looking forward to day 2. I am pretty beat tired, but it is worth it.
The freshman that I have were pretty shell shocked by the time 6th period came around. I told them all to take a deep breath and let it out. Then we talked over any problems they were having getting around our huge 5A school. It was good to see them relax a little.
My World History classes were really good. Here is my schedule this year:
1 - Planning period for AVID and Advisory/Small Learning Community
2 - World History
3 - World History
4 - World History Pre-AP
5 - Planning period (it's also lunch - never shortened! Woo Hoo)
6 - AVID
7 - World History Pre-AP
It is sweet having my two level classes in the morning when those kids can concentrate a bit more. And my "honors" or Pre-AP are in the afternoon. A nice schedule. I am in my room all day long and even have my own planning periods in my room (didn't have that last year). I think they took good care of me in the scheduling office and I am glad for that.
I made a video and showed it to my classes today of first day Rules/Procedures. I am pretty excited about it. So many teachers stand up and do the "Teacher in Charlie Brown Routine" on the first day. You know, "Whaa, whaa, whuuu, whuuuu." That constant drone about their expectations. I decided to do mine a bit differently. The kids seemed to really enjoy it. When I get it loaded up to the website I will share the link.
Looking forward to day 2. I am pretty beat tired, but it is worth it.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Bragging Rights!
Just like the inaugural game... we win again! :) Way to go Texans. Looking sweeeeet.
Texans Beat the Cowboys!
Texans Beat the Cowboys!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Back to School
Wow, this week is going to be a busy, busy one.
Norma and I are back at school for a week. The kids return for their first day on Monday of next week. But, we are lucky to have a week to prepare.
Today was really long and focused on an educational speaker in the morning and a welcome back to the faculty in the afternoon. They even marched me up into a skit as "the Teacher of the Year" -- I'll be glad when someone else is doing that next year! (Hopefully Norma!) We moved in some more boxes and have a couple of more car loads full until we are finished. What a pain. I would almost rather teach all year long than move out and back in each year. Crazy.
Tomorrow we have meetings in the morning and then I have more meetings in the afternoon. Our first ever AVID parent night is tomorrow night from 6:30-8:30. I am very excited to see some kids and meet their parents, but I am worried that not many will show up. It is hard to get the word out during summer and some are sure to be on vacation with their families and miss it.
Wednesday I will be presenting and facilitating technology training all day long. That will be a long, long day for me. Things like email, our gradebook program and our webpages will be taught.
Friday is another big day. In the morning I will be involved in two presentations to the faculty. One is regarding AVID and the other our Small Learning Communities and Advisory.
Busy, busy week.
Aidan did very well in his first day back to the sitters. It is so hard to take him and leave him there. But, we are all spoiled by our great summers together. So many families do not have what we do and we need to be thankful for it.
Summer is officially over for us. :( Sad... but I am really excited about this school year. Probably more excited than any school year I have ever been a part of before.
Norma and I are back at school for a week. The kids return for their first day on Monday of next week. But, we are lucky to have a week to prepare.
Today was really long and focused on an educational speaker in the morning and a welcome back to the faculty in the afternoon. They even marched me up into a skit as "the Teacher of the Year" -- I'll be glad when someone else is doing that next year! (Hopefully Norma!) We moved in some more boxes and have a couple of more car loads full until we are finished. What a pain. I would almost rather teach all year long than move out and back in each year. Crazy.
Tomorrow we have meetings in the morning and then I have more meetings in the afternoon. Our first ever AVID parent night is tomorrow night from 6:30-8:30. I am very excited to see some kids and meet their parents, but I am worried that not many will show up. It is hard to get the word out during summer and some are sure to be on vacation with their families and miss it.
Wednesday I will be presenting and facilitating technology training all day long. That will be a long, long day for me. Things like email, our gradebook program and our webpages will be taught.
Friday is another big day. In the morning I will be involved in two presentations to the faculty. One is regarding AVID and the other our Small Learning Communities and Advisory.
Busy, busy week.
Aidan did very well in his first day back to the sitters. It is so hard to take him and leave him there. But, we are all spoiled by our great summers together. So many families do not have what we do and we need to be thankful for it.
Summer is officially over for us. :( Sad... but I am really excited about this school year. Probably more excited than any school year I have ever been a part of before.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Auction Fantasy Draft
Saturday I drove up to Nacodoches, TX for an auction fantasy football draft. I had an awesome time. Fish fry, 8 good guys, and a super draft. It was really competitive. We had a $200 budget to fill 20 spots on our team. LT went for $105! I still can't believe that. Amazing.
Here is my team - The Duez Dragons:
QB:
Brees, D NO $27
Delhomme, J CAR $1
RB:
Alexander, S SEA $37 (which I just now realized is his jersey #)
McGahee, W BAL $23
Peterson, A MIN $17
Lewis, J CLE $7
Barber, M DAL $4
Hunt, T PHI $1
Bell, M DEN $1
WR:
Wayne, R IND $35
Houshmandzadeh, TJ CIN $23
Jackson, V SD $6
Rice, S MIN $1
Henry, C CIN $1
Muhammad, M CHI $1
TE:
Gonzalez, T KC $10
Olsen, G CHI $1
D:
Panthers, CAR $1
K:
Brown, J SEA $1
I feel like I have a pretty solid team. But, it is only an 8 man league. Maybe I am fooling myself?
Pretty decent draft for me. I think I surprised some of the guys because I bid up on a lot of guys early and pushed their dollar figures up. That's what you have to do in a draft like this when it is an auction. You have to bluff a little and push the prices past the player's actual value so that you can get others for cheaper. It only backfired on me one time! I nominated Gonzalez and then pushed his price to $10 thinking it could go as high as $15. Well, it stopped there. :( I didn't really want him, I was saving at least $35 for Antonio Gates. But, maybe I can make a deal. I think I saved myself by getting Olsen late in the draft for a dollar because he's going to be a stud and is good protection in case the elder statesman Gonzo goes down.
It was a lot of fun. Long drive, but well worth it. Can't wait till football gets going for real.
Here is my team - The Duez Dragons:
QB:
Brees, D NO $27
Delhomme, J CAR $1
RB:
Alexander, S SEA $37 (which I just now realized is his jersey #)
McGahee, W BAL $23
Peterson, A MIN $17
Lewis, J CLE $7
Barber, M DAL $4
Hunt, T PHI $1
Bell, M DEN $1
WR:
Wayne, R IND $35
Houshmandzadeh, TJ CIN $23
Jackson, V SD $6
Rice, S MIN $1
Henry, C CIN $1
Muhammad, M CHI $1
TE:
Gonzalez, T KC $10
Olsen, G CHI $1
D:
Panthers, CAR $1
K:
Brown, J SEA $1
I feel like I have a pretty solid team. But, it is only an 8 man league. Maybe I am fooling myself?
Pretty decent draft for me. I think I surprised some of the guys because I bid up on a lot of guys early and pushed their dollar figures up. That's what you have to do in a draft like this when it is an auction. You have to bluff a little and push the prices past the player's actual value so that you can get others for cheaper. It only backfired on me one time! I nominated Gonzalez and then pushed his price to $10 thinking it could go as high as $15. Well, it stopped there. :( I didn't really want him, I was saving at least $35 for Antonio Gates. But, maybe I can make a deal. I think I saved myself by getting Olsen late in the draft for a dollar because he's going to be a stud and is good protection in case the elder statesman Gonzo goes down.
It was a lot of fun. Long drive, but well worth it. Can't wait till football gets going for real.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Mr. Potty Trained
Aidan is officially potty trained. He does not even need to wear diapers at night. He is not even 3 yet (until Oct. 27th). So I am truly impressed.
He hasn't even had any kind of an accident for a long while. He goes by himself without even telling us sometimes. It is an amazing thing to watch him grow up.
Today Norma decided that she wanted to bring him by the high school where I was recruiting students for Avid Tutors. Aidan said, "Stay home!" Then Norma explained that "pretty girls" would be there... and Aidan was ALL IN. He said, "Pwetty Ghooowls" the whole way to the school. He was a ball of energy at the school and Norma could not get over how many of the seniors, their parents and our teachers and staff knew his name. He really is rather famous!
It is remarkable to consider, too because it is not like they read this blog. Very few people that I work with even know that I have it. I am not exactly sure why I even keep it private any more. It's not like I post things that I am ashamed of or that I don't want people to read. But, we'll see.
School is about to start soon (our first day back as teachers is next Monday) and I am really, really going to miss the time with Aidan. I am going to have to save a little energy during the school day to give to him when we get home each day. That is going to have to be something I concentrate on. Sometimes I get carried away with the teaching stuff!
He hasn't even had any kind of an accident for a long while. He goes by himself without even telling us sometimes. It is an amazing thing to watch him grow up.
Today Norma decided that she wanted to bring him by the high school where I was recruiting students for Avid Tutors. Aidan said, "Stay home!" Then Norma explained that "pretty girls" would be there... and Aidan was ALL IN. He said, "Pwetty Ghooowls" the whole way to the school. He was a ball of energy at the school and Norma could not get over how many of the seniors, their parents and our teachers and staff knew his name. He really is rather famous!
It is remarkable to consider, too because it is not like they read this blog. Very few people that I work with even know that I have it. I am not exactly sure why I even keep it private any more. It's not like I post things that I am ashamed of or that I don't want people to read. But, we'll see.
School is about to start soon (our first day back as teachers is next Monday) and I am really, really going to miss the time with Aidan. I am going to have to save a little energy during the school day to give to him when we get home each day. That is going to have to be something I concentrate on. Sometimes I get carried away with the teaching stuff!
School Begins... already
This summer has been longer than a normal Texas School Summer. We got out at the end of May, but we don't go back until a week from Monday. So they are starting the school year later this year than normal. But, it has been such a busy summer that it feels like we are already back at work.
Today we had "Flight School" for our Eagle Seniors to come in and get their schedules, packets, and get them signed up for clubs and organizations. It also gave us a chance to meet with kids that might want to be AVID tutors. We'll need to hire 8 of them. We have a lot to choose from - about 15. So I am really happy about that. We'll start interviewing them next week.
In the afternoon we had our first AVID district executive meeting. It was very interesting. We laid the groundwork for a lot of our decision making for the program. But, there is so much work to do. That is what I am going to start doing tonight is getting more prepared. It seems like I need a couple of extra weeks of summer just to get this stuff done, but if I had a couple extra more weeks I would just put it off, wouldn't I?
Nothing that a little more coffee and hard work won't fix!
Today we had "Flight School" for our Eagle Seniors to come in and get their schedules, packets, and get them signed up for clubs and organizations. It also gave us a chance to meet with kids that might want to be AVID tutors. We'll need to hire 8 of them. We have a lot to choose from - about 15. So I am really happy about that. We'll start interviewing them next week.
In the afternoon we had our first AVID district executive meeting. It was very interesting. We laid the groundwork for a lot of our decision making for the program. But, there is so much work to do. That is what I am going to start doing tonight is getting more prepared. It seems like I need a couple of extra weeks of summer just to get this stuff done, but if I had a couple extra more weeks I would just put it off, wouldn't I?
Nothing that a little more coffee and hard work won't fix!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Great Time at the Game
We had a great time at the Astros game last night. Thanks to Uncle Bill and Aunt Aimee for the tickets! :)
It was so funny, we were getting out of the car downtown and I said to Aidan, "Check out all those big buildings!" He looked up and then said, "SpiderMAN!" We were cracking up. He really had fun. We bought him a new Astros hat and he looks super cute in it.
We only go to about a game a year right now. It's not easy to take him down there in traffic and fight the crowds. Last night's game was a sell out. Unfortunately the Astros dropped a heart breaker to the Brewers. It is just not our year.
Aidan was great though. I can't even imagine how much better he will be next year at this time.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Football Season Returns!
Well, I am an excited guy. I love fall because of football. It is also a great time of year because it is a time of beginnings. School begins and everything is new. Football begins and even my Texans have a chance... sort of. :)
Fantasy Football drafting has begun and our family league has it's draft on Sunday. It is a great league this year. We have a couple of my friends that have played before along with new friends from work. Three of the ladies that worked with Norma and I last year at AHS are all joined up. That is going to be a lot of fun to see them duel.
My team names this year are the Duez Dragons (in my $60 auction league live draft in Nacagdoches, TX) and the Texas T-Rex. Both team names are for Aidan and his favorite animals. I even worked up a logo for the auction league:
It is going to be a lot of fun this year to play fantasy football and watch the games on our new big screen HDTV. Tonight's game with the Cowboys and Colts was just beautiful to watch. Also we began watching Hard Knocks on HBO HD. The show details the life of the NFL player in training camp. This year's team is the Kansas City Chiefs. Very interesting stuff and a lot of fun to watch in HD.
Football is back! Woo Hoo!
Fantasy Football drafting has begun and our family league has it's draft on Sunday. It is a great league this year. We have a couple of my friends that have played before along with new friends from work. Three of the ladies that worked with Norma and I last year at AHS are all joined up. That is going to be a lot of fun to see them duel.
My team names this year are the Duez Dragons (in my $60 auction league live draft in Nacagdoches, TX) and the Texas T-Rex. Both team names are for Aidan and his favorite animals. I even worked up a logo for the auction league:
It is going to be a lot of fun this year to play fantasy football and watch the games on our new big screen HDTV. Tonight's game with the Cowboys and Colts was just beautiful to watch. Also we began watching Hard Knocks on HBO HD. The show details the life of the NFL player in training camp. This year's team is the Kansas City Chiefs. Very interesting stuff and a lot of fun to watch in HD.
Football is back! Woo Hoo!
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