How do you grow a money tree?

Well, unfortunately, I don't actually have the answer to that question, but I do have a creative idea for making a fake one as a gift. The above picture is a money tree that my stepmom made for my stepsister as a Christmas present. As with the Christmas Eve tradition, my stepsister got to open a gift on Christmas Eve tonight, and my stepmom just couldn't resist giving her this oh-so-hilarious-item. In my family, we have always thought having an actual money tree would be completely awesome. We all work very hard for the things that we have, which isn't all that much when you really examine it. My dad has always joked about "watering the money tree" in order for us to go and "pick money off the money tree" for the things we really want to have, but can't really afford. I thought this was a very creative and interesting gift.

The Passing Lane is for PASSING

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people do not use the passing lane correctly. It is most definitely called the passing lane because it is meant for passing other, slower vehicles in the right-hand lane. Even though there is a law stating that drivers cannot sit in the left-hand lane other than if they are passing, many Illinois drivers cannot seem to grasp this concept correctly. Maybe their minds just cannot fully understand exactly what this means. But from what I have seen, it causes a much larger problem on the roadway. For example, those people with road-rage are more apt to tailgate them, attempting to force them to switch to the right lane. As I have previously stated however, sometimes these lovers of the left lane just do not comprehend the obvious. When they do not switch to the right lane, the road-ragers usually will pass them in the right lane. I myself have passed others in the right lane several times, but I make sure that I still use my turn signal, look over my shoulder, and then pass them. One of the things that I normally see while driving though, are those same drivers affected with road rage swerving over to the right lane and then pass those oblivious drivers hogging the left lane. I have also seen many near accidents happen because of both sets of drivers. If I could make it happen, I would have a giant-lit up sign for when I pass these wonderful people chillin' in the left lane. Once I pass them, I will switch back over to the left lane, press a button, and then they will read "The passing lane is for PASSING. Please switch back to the right lane until you need to pass someone before you cause an accident." Hmm, maybe I should patent this device...

Surviving My First Semester

As of 2pm today, I have successfully finished my first semester of teaching. I can't believe that an entire semester has passed already. I have my mentor, another first-year teacher, and some wonderful students that I want to thank for getting me to this point in the first job of my career. As with any job, there have been both positives and negatives, but the fact that I have made it this far just shows me that I am tough enough to handle some of the more stressful times. Having a teaching job is probably the best Christmas present that I could ask for this year. I am thankful that I was chosen for this position. I have heard several compliments from both students and parents. They both have told me that they are surprised they're learning, and having fun in my class at the same time. Apparently, neither one of these happened with the previous teacher...

I'm really loving my teaching job so far. I just hope that I am able to continue making a difference in these students' lives.

High School Students' Caring at Christmas

As a high school teacher I never expected my students to get me anything for Christmas. And honestly, that's okay. The only thing that I would want them to give me is a bit more respect than usual around the holidays. However, a few of my students have given me gifts and there's still a good week until Christmas break. These gifts helped me to realize just how much some students enjoy my class. The little green dinosaur at the top is a tea infuser. One of my juniors knew I'd enjoy because of how much tea I drink and because of the play on words. The trophy at the bottom is an ornament that another one of my juniors got me in early December. I'm definitely feelin' the love!

The Ugly Tree

I just started reading The Ugly Tree, by Tamara Lyon. After reading the Prologue and the first few pages, a total of maybe five pages in total, I realized that her writing is hilariously blunt! I'm very excited that I get to meet her in person on November 18th when she comes to visit my school. My sophomores are just going to love her!

Here's an excerpt from The Ugly Tree:
"Given the woman's obese figure, penchant for glittery clothing, and a habit of wearing raspberry colored lipstick on oversized, clown lips that look like they've been pumped full of collagen, I privately refer to her as Jelly Roll. Really, at some point the woman must have taken lessons from a hemorrhoid; rarely do ten minutes go by before she's on my butt about something." (page 8)

A World of Difference!

Above, is a picture of the large bulletin board outside my classroom. It is going to be the start of an entirely new thing to my students....the writing process. From what I have gathered, they have done little to no writing in their high school English classes. The writing that I have had them do so far for my class, I've been told, has been more writing than they did "all of last year." I keep asking myself how that is even possible. I've only had these students for two months! It makes perfect sense why they didn't make AYP in Reading or Writing the past two years.

On a different note, I seem to be getting along rather well with my students, and have had very few discipline issues in my classes. I missed a day last week to attend a workshop, and ended up coming to my classroom to get the papers to grade from that day. When students saw that my light was on and my door was open, I had many of them tell me that they missed me. It was hard for me not to laugh because I know they were being genuine, but I was only gone for a day! It definitely made my day, however. I'm glad that things are still going so well.

Living my Dream

I am still in shock that I finally have a job. My mom and I always talked about me becoming a teacher and I still can't believe that I am finally doing it. Above, is a picture of a bulletin board that I created for my students.

It is officially seven weeks into my first year of teaching, and I really am loving it. I admit that it took a while for me to get used to the amount of work I needed to do, but I am truly living my dream.

I am teaching five sections of English class and I have freshman through juniors. I am really loving this teaching thing so far!