April 17, 2005
I've decided
I decided not to return to school next year full-time.
I'm sure you can all figure out the reason why. I'm just not done being a full-time mom yet.
If there were a part-time job open there, I'd take it, but they aren't going to create one out of thin air no matter how good I am. :)
Now that I've made the decision I feel like I'm done for the year. There's more than a month left...I need to find some motivation someplace.
We have a five-paragraph persuasive paper to do...one that includes library research, internal citations, a Works Cited page...and I am so not up for it. Of course I can't just write the assignment on the board, or whip up a short little handout...I have to take them through it step by painstaking step because I feel like learning the process is as important as the outcome. I'm working on a thorough how-to guide that is now six pages long and isn't done yet.
They'd probably prefer that I just make it super-easy for them and let them write about "Why my parents should increase my allowance" with no library research and no MLA formatting to worry about. But they're not in 6th grade anymore, and I refuse to pass them along to their sophomore year teachers with no formal writing practice under their belts. They wrote this type of paper back in the fall; we'll see how much of it they remember.
I'd rather be watching TV.
Posted by Amy at April 17, 2005 09:28 PM
we are working on research papers with our kids right now (i say we because the english teacher is NOT giving them nearly enough library time, and well they come to me for help with everything anyway) and they don't want to be doing it any more than we do...
and even though i am coming back next year, i'm done already too... its so time for sleeping till noon and reading books all summer, my reading pile keeps getting bigger and bigger
Amy,
Can I come in as a guest "helper"? I'd LOVE to work on library research and Works Cited pages!!! I so miss using my brain on something other than Sandra Boynton books and packing diaper bags! :) Perhaps I could write a persuasive essay on why LP should allow me to come back to work next spring PT. What do you think?
TTFN,
Darcie
I know how hard this decision has been for you to make. Im glad you have got it figured out now, and you can relax.
ENJOY the rest of the school year woman!! I know you can!! ENJOY IT!!
*GREAT BIG GIANT BOOBY SQUISHING HUG!!*
Hi, I've been reading your blog after I stumbled on it working on a report for botany class about medicinal herbs...lol
You have some really cool entries! Your daughter Quinn is just TOO cute.
I commend you for forcing the MLA standards on HS students. I'm a 4th yr student in college who was told she needed English 1 and 2 to finish up...so I enroll...and there are 1st and 2nd yr college students that have NO idea how to use a college library or site sources!!! Where the heck did they go to school?
Hope you don't find me to be an intrusion -- I love blogs, and I'm a Xanga user...don't hate me LOL
Amy, I've been so curious about what you were going to decide to do. I'm so happy you made a decision that you feel good about. Of course, I know that the English teaching community is missing out on an amazing teacher. But, I know you'll be back some day. I too feel done for the year (and I have until June 10th!). I'd love to help you with your research papers, but I have my own to deal with--ugh! Maybe we can get together and commiserate :)
Amy, I still remember my girls cursing their teacher at Marian for making them write the "paper from Hell". Then in college they praised her because they were so prepared. So it might take a few years but eventually they will be happy.
Do you have a copy of the apache boy video?
as one of them sophomore teachers... i thank you from the very bottom of each and every one of my gradebook columns... from the top of each and every mound of crispy cool essays...
hey HEY hey! (yes i emphasized the middLe hey). how are you? you are my favorite teacher ever and i havent taLked to you in years! i was thinking about you a LittLe whiLe back and went searching for your website (i had forgotten it, eeks!), and Lo and behoLd, IVE FOUND IT!!! im gLad to see you and your famiLy are doing so weLL, and just so you know, i want to be done with schooL too. weLL for me it just feeLs pointLess when i have no idea what i want to do!
i hope to hear from you soon! and if not, i hope things continue to be fabuLous for you!
ps. i dont know if you taLk to rich anymore, but guess what -- HES ENGAGED!!!!
holla at mrs. lester!! your the bomb at teaching!! thank you so much for working so hard at teaching us how to write this paper. even though u haven't graded mine yet (COUGH COUGH) i'm sure that because u taught me how to sooo well- it'll be a sure a+!!!! thanx again for bein awesome!! if u need a babysitter for quinn lemme know!! 1-847-837-1965
adios!! katlyn mathy
