Hey Good Cookies!

Looking for flowers in the weeds...
...in no particular order.

- No more junior high singers in groups of more than 10.
- Today was the seniors last day!
- The fifth grade finished watching Newsies today. I LOVE that movie!
- I got a workout today setting up risers and the portable stage for graduation. I did have help, but I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty either.
- When asked on their evaluation whether or not they would like to be in choir next year, four JH students put IDK. (Hilarious, but also somewhat sad...)
- The sun was shining today!
- My mom called.
- I managed to bake the chocolate chip cookies just long enough. Mmm...
- The principal had some supportive things to say about my experiences this past week. (Not many aspects of that will make it on this list)
- I'm going to go buy some groceries! This is a big deal!
- My nephew is due to arrive in approximately 24 days.
- I'm going to Des Moines this weekend! Grilling, Sister, and Friends!
- Only one song left to perform this year!
- In 13 days I will no longer be a first year teacher!
- I'll actually be home to watch Grey's tomorrow night!
- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prunes are Gross

Bits and pieces...

I went into K-mart last Friday for a spool of thread... I bought a sewing machine. I want to blog about it, but I will save that for when I have more energy.

That same night Mallory called me in tears asking me to talk to mom and get her to "Lay me some slack!" It was really hard not to laugh.

24 School Days... almost to the point of fingers and toes... I suppose I could now if I had extra phalanges on each appendage.

I have a lake in my back yard. Technically it's the Cedar River overflowing its banks. I'm glad to live at the top of the hill.

I played cowbell for the JH Honor Choir. I rocked it. Yet still, "More cowbell!"

The band teacher had an interview last Friday. Yay, it went well. Boo, she might leave me.

This is how I feel about school @#$W#$^#$%&#$%^#@$%@#% (24 days left!)

I went to hear the UNI Concert Chorale tonight. Wow. Men's Glee Club is tomorrow night. They will be wow+!

I'm TIRED... and going to sleep now!

Detention!

My last few weeks of teaching have been miserable. There's not much there to sugar coat the rest. A few good moments, but still... overall, not a pleasant experience. I've shed a lot of tears... and I haven't cried much since I was in junior high myself. Why would I waste my time and talents to be so completely disrespected? Today I went in to talk to the principal about the behavior of the junior high students. We came up with a more strict plan for punishment. There is one overall warning, and then any screwing around or disrespect and it is a 30 min. detention served after school that day or the next. The second time is an hour and the third will bring on 3 hours of Saturday school. So 2nd block I firmly explained the new rules. By the end of the period, three people have 30 minutes and four have an entire hour. This means I get to stay an extra 45 minutes longer than required in order to baby-sit. I would say that I had somewhat of a backbone before. I'm not a complete push-over, but I have been walked on. Now, I'm working on follow-through. One of the students waited about 30 seconds after I finished saying that there was to be no talking to say, "Ms. Zwiefel, you're a good teacher." I responded with, "30 minute detention." I've also made two fifth graders cry.

I AM a MEAN Teacher!
By: Laura M Staunton/ New Jersey
Barb Erickson/ Michigan

A MEAN teacher insists that each student do the best s/he is capable of doing.

A MEAN teacher insists that students hand in their assignments on time and takes off points for late assignments.

A MEAN teacher does not accept incomplete assignments.

A MEAN teacher requires each student to think carefully and to make her/his own decisions.

A MEAN teacher holds each student responsible for her/his own behavior.

A MEAN teacher makes students keep the classroom, themselves, and their belongings neat and clean.

A MEAN teacher does not allow free time in class until all class-work is done.

A MEAN teacher gives homework regularly, sometimes even on weekends.

A MEAN teacher calls on students who don't raise their hands to answer questions.

A MEAN teacher requires all students to treat each other with respect.

A MEAN teacher makes life miserable for students by insisting that they always tell the truth.

A MEAN teacher produces students who are respectful, responsible, and successful.

THE WORLD NEEDS MORE MEAN* TEACHERS!

*(MEAN = Making Excellence A Necessity)