One of my students ate an ant at recess.
That pretty much says it all. Mind you, I teach fifth graders, not kindergartners or even first graders so you don't think to say, "Don't eat any bugs!", when they leave for recess.
J has his tongue in a cup of cold water, and he's crying quietly. I'd like to think he's crying because he is reconsidering the error of his ways; realizes the potential danger of what could have happened if he had an ant allergy, but it is probably more because he won't have recess for a week. Or maybe his tongue hurts.
Apparently the feast began when another student dared him to eat an ant. I saw him out at recess holding the tip of his tongue, and asked why he wasn't playing. It took several re-tellings to understand the gist of it since he held his tongue the whole time and half the class was yelling their versions of the story. After scolding him, and actually saying,” If they told you to jump off a bridge, would you do THAT?"
Not letting him answer because I was afraid of what he would say, I sent him to the nurse to be on the safe side. I wrote a discipline slip on each student only to find the “Pass the buck” refrain begin. Apparently the sixth graders were eating ants too. Nothing like an elementary school kids' logic: if enough students get in trouble, then maybe I won't get in as much trouble.
The sixth grade participation does not surprise me one bit as I had that class last year, and they are notorious at school already. Deputy San Martino met with several boys and one girl for "incorrigible" behavior. That means they were bad a lot.
I can't help but think of Bill Cosby's routine in when he talks about his kids being brain damaged. I posted a link so you can see the validity of his point of view. If you have ever been a parent or a teacher, you realize he is not exaggerating.
I was forced to use the "S" word. It was a STUPID decision.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Why editing your students' writing is a good idea.
The local Kiwanis gave each student in the fifth grade class a Webster's Dictionary for Students which, surprisingly enough, gets used. After three years, I have finally wised up and will no longer spell words for my students. They can slaughter the English language with ole Webster.
So, of course, the friendly letter followed shortly. Expository writing, the friendly letter, is an Arizona writing standard anyway. So, I set my class to writing their thank you's. I put a very clear sample on the board which only a third of the class ignored. Most of the thank you's were standard, yet sweet. Lots of "I really like...," and "Thank you for.... One student wrote, "I use it alot in class. Can you send us more stuff?" The latter sentence was nixed.
One student's really stood out. A lot. Little Mickey (name changed to protect the ...)is a very low reader and writer. Her letter started with the same, "Thank you for the dictionarys. They are so usefull. I can find exciting words like intoxication and menstruation in it."
I could feel my mouth hanging open. Trying very, very hard not to laugh, I furiously erased those exciting words she found. I don't know whether she was pulling my leg or not, but she professed innocence of their meaning. I explained to her, in the hall, that "intoxication" means drunk, and I just blew off "menstruation". She can find out the wonder and beauty of being a woman some other day. I just told her that none of the Kiwanis would be interested in reading either word, and let's go find some different ones.
Yikes. I would never have sent letters out without reading them first, but I still shudder.
Oh, and her two new words were "quadrilateral" and "zoology".
So, of course, the friendly letter followed shortly. Expository writing, the friendly letter, is an Arizona writing standard anyway. So, I set my class to writing their thank you's. I put a very clear sample on the board which only a third of the class ignored. Most of the thank you's were standard, yet sweet. Lots of "I really like...," and "Thank you for.... One student wrote, "I use it alot in class. Can you send us more stuff?" The latter sentence was nixed.
One student's really stood out. A lot. Little Mickey (name changed to protect the ...)is a very low reader and writer. Her letter started with the same, "Thank you for the dictionarys. They are so usefull. I can find exciting words like intoxication and menstruation in it."
I could feel my mouth hanging open. Trying very, very hard not to laugh, I furiously erased those exciting words she found. I don't know whether she was pulling my leg or not, but she professed innocence of their meaning. I explained to her, in the hall, that "intoxication" means drunk, and I just blew off "menstruation". She can find out the wonder and beauty of being a woman some other day. I just told her that none of the Kiwanis would be interested in reading either word, and let's go find some different ones.
Yikes. I would never have sent letters out without reading them first, but I still shudder.
Oh, and her two new words were "quadrilateral" and "zoology".
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Bookbinder Shoes. Mine Precious!
As I stated the other day, nonexistent readers, cute Golden Means was the source of my downfall. Her post about the Bookbinder shoes led me to AnthroLand where I fell in luv.
If you read the reviews, there are some fit issues as in actually keeping the shoes on which is one of the primary functions of shoes if you think about it. Wearing them; walking in them. I normally hate heels, preferring Keds to about anything except for boots, but these shoes are a must. They call to me like a siren to Odysseus. They are actually comfortable not to mention transcendentally representative of my identity, focus and soul. All that crap from from a pair of overpriced, whimsical shoes. When you find something that touches and represents your identity, focus and soul, you want to hold on to it. BUT THEY WON'T STAY ON!! I bought heels doodads, but they still flop around off my heel. As I stated in my review on Anthro, I am keeping them even if I have to carry them around, put them on and stand in a corner with my back to a party just so everyone can see my too-cool-for-school shoes. And when I say too cool for school I am talking about where I work. Sadly, they are too cool for my school.
These are the shoes for the true bibliophile. Maybe I'll decorate with them.
Here are the darlings.
If you read the reviews, there are some fit issues as in actually keeping the shoes on which is one of the primary functions of shoes if you think about it. Wearing them; walking in them. I normally hate heels, preferring Keds to about anything except for boots, but these shoes are a must. They call to me like a siren to Odysseus. They are actually comfortable not to mention transcendentally representative of my identity, focus and soul. All that crap from from a pair of overpriced, whimsical shoes. When you find something that touches and represents your identity, focus and soul, you want to hold on to it. BUT THEY WON'T STAY ON!! I bought heels doodads, but they still flop around off my heel. As I stated in my review on Anthro, I am keeping them even if I have to carry them around, put them on and stand in a corner with my back to a party just so everyone can see my too-cool-for-school shoes. And when I say too cool for school I am talking about where I work. Sadly, they are too cool for my school.
These are the shoes for the true bibliophile. Maybe I'll decorate with them.
Here are the darlings.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
SOMEBODY READ MY BLOG!!!!!
Golden Means actually posted on my blog, and I am so happy. She has a cute and peppy blog about, hold your hat, Anthropologie. I know, I know. She is also the incredibly wicked, evil temtress blogger that posted pictures on the Bookbinder heels which inspired-made me buy them. Style entrapment.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
I love my Anthro Society Picnic fat sack skirt!
Hello out there! I love, love, love the Picnic Society Skirt. I can see the “Picnic” in it, but I haven’t figured out whose “Society” it is yet. The size 2’s of the world? Generation Z with $11,000 in AnthroDebt?
Oh, who cares. Let’s talk about what’s really important. This skirt is adorable; it’s made of bright and vibrant faux vintage style hankies in reds and blues and flowers. It is everything a flirty and fun Anthro skirt should be: it has style; it has color; it has that unique vintagey feel that Anthro has, and it is really not that flattering. Cutest skirt ever, and I look like a fat sack in it. To be more accurate, I look like a really cute fat sack, but the elastic waist is an oopsy daisy. (See below for definitions,)
Have you ever noticed that while Anthro has the cutest clothes, all too often they are not that flattering.
Don't make me prove it. Because I can.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Puttin' the UGH in ugly. The mini-maxi caftan.
Mrs. Roper, your new Anthro catalogue is here!. Thanks Chrissy!
Yep, in the bewildering decline of AnthroTaste, they have now sunk to a new low: the mini-maxi caftan. It's a maxi; it's a mini' it's a caftan all rolled into one. And, it is not just ugly girls, it is expensive! Each one clocks in at $310. Yikes.
Poor things aren't even named, and there is minimal AnthroBlather about them and not one review. Why no reviews? They are only available online!! Crazy man. The mini-maxi, which sounds like a serious feminine product, is not generally a lock for the fashion forward unless AnthroLand is attempting a fashion foray into a line called The Emperor Has No Clothes.
Now, I looove vintage as much as anyone (anyone who loves vintage). It is one of the reasons I was drawn to Anthropologie in the first place, vintage inspirations with a quirky quaintness. But Mrs. Ropers wardrobe(that's a Three's Company reference for the young and/or clueless) is generally not desirable vintage for, no not retrophiles, vinties. Get the cutsie little terms right, please!
If you are going to retrophit and steal from different eras, then let's go back to the oldies and goodies. But, that sounds like fodder for another post. Here is the visual evidence of Anthro run amuck.
Yep, in the bewildering decline of AnthroTaste, they have now sunk to a new low: the mini-maxi caftan. It's a maxi; it's a mini' it's a caftan all rolled into one. And, it is not just ugly girls, it is expensive! Each one clocks in at $310. Yikes.
Poor things aren't even named, and there is minimal AnthroBlather about them and not one review. Why no reviews? They are only available online!! Crazy man. The mini-maxi, which sounds like a serious feminine product, is not generally a lock for the fashion forward unless AnthroLand is attempting a fashion foray into a line called The Emperor Has No Clothes.
This drapey, deep-v dress is cut from a vintage pattern and crafted from vintage material; it's a limited edition find for true retrophiles. An Anthropologie exclusive from SOR Select by Some Odd Rubies.
Now, I looove vintage as much as anyone (anyone who loves vintage). It is one of the reasons I was drawn to Anthropologie in the first place, vintage inspirations with a quirky quaintness. But Mrs. Ropers wardrobe(that's a Three's Company reference for the young and/or clueless) is generally not desirable vintage for, no not retrophiles, vinties. Get the cutsie little terms right, please!
If you are going to retrophit and steal from different eras, then let's go back to the oldies and goodies. But, that sounds like fodder for another post. Here is the visual evidence of Anthro run amuck.
Monday, 18 July 2011
The Great Mompos Dress Conspiracy of 2011
Scandal hits Anthropologie. The poor Mompos Dress is under attack. It has been dissed. According to several Anthromancers, this sweet cornflower blue dress has been viciously targeted by potentially false reviews set up to destroy Mompos’ reputation.
The cutie pie in question...
Kim from Anthroholic states in a five, no wait, seven paragraph review the following…
On reflection, I have edited this for length, not content.
"There has been some uproar over the poor reviews on Anthropologie's website for this dress, and I have to say, I can see why. I cannot believe anyone would rate this dress 1 star. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The quality is impeccable. Some said the color was dull in person. The color is anything but. It's a vibrant, gorgeous cornflower blue. I see no dullness, no gray cast, nothing. It has a gorgeous scalloped pattern with white eyelet, and the hem of the dress is scalloped - a super cute touch...
The neck is a higher cut than I'm used to, however, I found it very flattering.
The belt that comes with the dress is adorable! It's got stitching, a bow. I'm in love. It snaps in the back with four snaps. I like that it's removable. You can wear it to the side, wear it in the center, or heck wear it with other things!
I, like many women, am not a huge fan of the dreaded side zip so many designers use on dresses, so bonus points to Tracy Reese for using a back zip! ...
This dress gets 5 stars from me! I am insane over it and thanks to someone special in my life, it's mine! I love that it has that 1950's shape I love so much. Dresses like these make me think Anthropologie is headed back in the direction we all know and love so...
I personally wouldn't chance waiting on this one. It's already backordered for the first time online, and 3 other girls bought this while I was at the store yesterday!
You will not be disappointed in the lovely Mompos!
Zip on over to Anthroholic for a picture of Kim in the dress. She looks adorable in it. No, Iam not being facetious. I am, however, jealous that I am not quite young enough or short-waisted enough to wear it. Cute vintage touch. Anyhoo, the drama continues.
Kim and the Mompos have some support. What the ACLU and Freedom Riders did for blacks back in the 1950s, Anthromancers will do for the poor maligned Dress which will soon be out of stock. Or would be out of stock if these lying, sack o’ diaper meanies would just be quiet. Behind the scenes, bloggers everywhere are quietly and consistently emailing Anthropologie in support of THE DRESS. Apparently, it IS cornflower blue, and it IS NOT washed out. IT is without a doubt the most perfect AnthroLand dress ever, and that is saying a whole heck of a lot. There.
Here are a couple of the supporters…
"I have never been so happy to see someone wearing the lovely Mompos as you Kim. Isn't this dress just thoroughly lovely. I was so upset I actually emailed Anthro about that Bogus 1 star review. Of course I realized that the reviewer was smart enough to make sure they were within the guidelines that would prevent reporting the review as inappropriate. I'm still confused over that skewed helpful/unhelpful vote ratios. Someone is playing dirty pool. I am so happy that honest gals recognized this contemptible review as untrustworthy and continued to order and purchase this gorgeous T Reese."
Them's fighting words. You go girl!
And another…“every time I wear people just are in awe”
Wow! In awe just by wearing this dress! I may have to reconsider my short-waisted issue.
Now, some of the haters. Boo.
I feel like you would really have to dress this one up with red lipstick and sky high heels to not feel like a little girl in this dress. The fit was okay on my hourglass shape, I suppose I'm just not used to such a high neckline. I suppose for conservative gals this would be a plus :
Excuse me, how much of a slut Housewife of New Jersey or insert the major metropolitan city do you have to be to consider that a HIGH neckline? Not low certainly, but high. Has this poster ever heard of Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly? Must the display of massive quantities of faux tanned skin mean sexy or style. Wanna bet this poster long scraggly hair parted in the middle, wears jeans a leetle too often and sun-damaged cleavage.
And here is the review that started it all.
"I was initially thrilled to see this dress online, and it just arrived in my store. Sadly, the dress in real life is NOTHING like the photo. The blue color is very faded and not in a vintage way - more in a way that gives the appearance of looking old and faded. I really expected the pretty blue I saw online, and this color in reality looked completely washed out.
I tried on 3 different sizes, and each of them pulled uncomfortably on my underarm area. This would not be a comfortable dress to wear at all, and I could not see wearing it for more than a few minutes with the way it pulled under my underarms.
I really wanted this one to work, and was prepared to purchase full price, but it was so washed out looking in person, and the fit was so poor, I just couldn't do it."
Heads are going to roll
The cutie pie in question...
Kim from Anthroholic states in a five, no wait, seven paragraph review the following…
On reflection, I have edited this for length, not content.
"There has been some uproar over the poor reviews on Anthropologie's website for this dress, and I have to say, I can see why. I cannot believe anyone would rate this dress 1 star. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The quality is impeccable. Some said the color was dull in person. The color is anything but. It's a vibrant, gorgeous cornflower blue. I see no dullness, no gray cast, nothing. It has a gorgeous scalloped pattern with white eyelet, and the hem of the dress is scalloped - a super cute touch...
The neck is a higher cut than I'm used to, however, I found it very flattering.
The belt that comes with the dress is adorable! It's got stitching, a bow. I'm in love. It snaps in the back with four snaps. I like that it's removable. You can wear it to the side, wear it in the center, or heck wear it with other things!
I, like many women, am not a huge fan of the dreaded side zip so many designers use on dresses, so bonus points to Tracy Reese for using a back zip! ...
This dress gets 5 stars from me! I am insane over it and thanks to someone special in my life, it's mine! I love that it has that 1950's shape I love so much. Dresses like these make me think Anthropologie is headed back in the direction we all know and love so...
I personally wouldn't chance waiting on this one. It's already backordered for the first time online, and 3 other girls bought this while I was at the store yesterday!
You will not be disappointed in the lovely Mompos!
Zip on over to Anthroholic for a picture of Kim in the dress. She looks adorable in it. No, Iam not being facetious. I am, however, jealous that I am not quite young enough or short-waisted enough to wear it. Cute vintage touch. Anyhoo, the drama continues.
Kim and the Mompos have some support. What the ACLU and Freedom Riders did for blacks back in the 1950s, Anthromancers will do for the poor maligned Dress which will soon be out of stock. Or would be out of stock if these lying, sack o’ diaper meanies would just be quiet. Behind the scenes, bloggers everywhere are quietly and consistently emailing Anthropologie in support of THE DRESS. Apparently, it IS cornflower blue, and it IS NOT washed out. IT is without a doubt the most perfect AnthroLand dress ever, and that is saying a whole heck of a lot. There.
Here are a couple of the supporters…
"I have never been so happy to see someone wearing the lovely Mompos as you Kim. Isn't this dress just thoroughly lovely. I was so upset I actually emailed Anthro about that Bogus 1 star review. Of course I realized that the reviewer was smart enough to make sure they were within the guidelines that would prevent reporting the review as inappropriate. I'm still confused over that skewed helpful/unhelpful vote ratios. Someone is playing dirty pool. I am so happy that honest gals recognized this contemptible review as untrustworthy and continued to order and purchase this gorgeous T Reese."
Them's fighting words. You go girl!
And another…“every time I wear people just are in awe”
Wow! In awe just by wearing this dress! I may have to reconsider my short-waisted issue.
Now, some of the haters. Boo.
I feel like you would really have to dress this one up with red lipstick and sky high heels to not feel like a little girl in this dress. The fit was okay on my hourglass shape, I suppose I'm just not used to such a high neckline. I suppose for conservative gals this would be a plus :
Excuse me, how much of a slut Housewife of New Jersey or insert the major metropolitan city do you have to be to consider that a HIGH neckline? Not low certainly, but high. Has this poster ever heard of Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly? Must the display of massive quantities of faux tanned skin mean sexy or style. Wanna bet this poster long scraggly hair parted in the middle, wears jeans a leetle too often and sun-damaged cleavage.
And here is the review that started it all.
"I was initially thrilled to see this dress online, and it just arrived in my store. Sadly, the dress in real life is NOTHING like the photo. The blue color is very faded and not in a vintage way - more in a way that gives the appearance of looking old and faded. I really expected the pretty blue I saw online, and this color in reality looked completely washed out.
I tried on 3 different sizes, and each of them pulled uncomfortably on my underarm area. This would not be a comfortable dress to wear at all, and I could not see wearing it for more than a few minutes with the way it pulled under my underarms.
I really wanted this one to work, and was prepared to purchase full price, but it was so washed out looking in person, and the fit was so poor, I just couldn't do it."
Heads are going to roll
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)