A Poem For Disruptive Students

I wrote this poem earlier this school year. I used this poem to teach students about analyzing poetry as well as theme and narration. They were really engaged in this lesson.

I SEE YOU

You make strange noises
OR You laugh at things
That are not funny
OR Maybe you FART
LOUD and SMELLY

Because your voice has
Been silenced
By 9, 10, or 11 years
Of the Public School Prison

And for some reason
You’ve gotten into your head
That you cannot be successful
That you’ll always be the one
Laughing, Throwing, Farting

And you think that
Laughing, Throwing, Farting
Is the only way that you can be
HEARD

BUT
I see you; I hear you
I see a Doctor, Lawyer
Teacher, Preacher,
Policeman, Fireman,
Husband, Father
Mother, Wife

I see You!
I hear You!

Note: I have a downloadable version of this poem with questions that focus on theme and narrator.

Five Discounts Every Teacher Should Know About

Every teacher knows that we get discounts at Barnes and Nobles (and we appreciate that), but there are a lot of other discounts out there that you don't know about.

1. Phone Service (Home and Cell)- Did you know that depending upon which county you teach in, you may be able to receice a 15% discount on your Verizon Wireless bill.
Also, you will be able to cut your home phone service down to 39.95 a year by using Magic Jack.
Also check check out this blog on free directory assistance.

2. 100's of Discounts- I've just discovered this really cool site that informs teachers about hundreds of discounts that are available to teachers. http://www.myeducationdiscount.com/

3. Software-Teachers can also receive 75% off of sofware from Microsoft Word to Adobe Creative Suite to everything in between. See my previous post for info.

4. Eye Glasses- Believe me when I tell you this, you can get a COMPLETE pair of glasses for $8.00. I'm actually wearing my $8.00 glasses right now as I type this blog, and I have no complaints. Check out this previous blog.

5. Apartments- Many apartments will either waive your application fee or give you discount on the fee. Make sure that you ask.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear poster

I've add a new poster to my Poster's Page.

This is one of my favorite Bible verses. I took this picture of my mom's Easter lilly over a year ago; I just recently edited in photoshop.

Easy Low Calorie Chili

As a teacher, it is hard to find time to cook healthy tasty meals. Well here's a quick and easy meal that you can come home and whip up right after work. It only takes about about 20-30 minutes to cook.

Ingredients:
1 pound of lean ground beef
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 can of kidney beans
1 onion
1/4-1/2 of a jalepeno pepper
2-3 table spoons of sugar
salt or garlic salt

servings 4-5

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet
2. While the beef is cooking:
Cut up the onion and jalapeno pepper.
Then combine the kidney beans, tomatoes, onion, and jalapeno pepper in a large pot.
VERY IMPORTANT- BE CAREFUL WITH JALAPENO PEPPERS; they can get really hot.
I usually just leave the peppers in the pot for about five minutes and then I take them out.
3. After the beef finishes browning, drain it and put it in the large pot with the beans and vegetables.
4. Add sugar and salt.
5. Let it simmer for a few minutes and you're done!

Free Posters For Teachers

Free Posters

I've started a page of posters I've created. I'll be updating it frequently, so keep coming back.

Seven Free Things for Teachers

Who doesn't like free??? Well, here are seven things for teachers that are ABSOLUTELY free.

1. Worksheets, Ebooks, Lesson Plans, Oh My- Enotes.com has a bunch of free e-books by reputable publishers like Scholastic. (See previous post.) Enotes also has free worksheets created by teachers. TeachersPayTeachers.com is another site that has free worksheets for teachers created by teachers.
And of course you can get tons of free stuff and advice right here at http://www.freethingsforteachers.com/

2. Posters- Cool and quirky posters: See Post
3. Free Foreign Language Lessons- Would you like to brush up on your French or delve into Italian. Check out these free courses: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/

4. MIT Open Courseware- Speaking of free courses. This is so cool. You have assess to lecture notes, videos, exams etc. on just about anything you can imagine, from American Political Thought to Documentary Photography and Photo Journalism.

5. Software- You can download anything from wordprocessing software to networking software to video games. Check out http://www.sourceforge.net/

6. Whatever Your Heart Desires- At Donor's Choose, You can request anything from pencils to musical instrument. This site pairs up teachers with people or companies in the community who are willing to help. It actually works. My teacher put in a request for $300.00 for Weekly Readers and her wish was granted.

7. A Great Coworker- Never underestimate or take for granted the coworker who you can turn to on those days when the phrase, "Maybe teaching just isn't for me", keeps running across your mind. This is the person who will laugh with you, cry with you, pray with you, and remind you that you are indeed where you are supposed to be.

written by: Sharron Scott

School Supplies for 1 Cent at Staples

site: http://staples.shoplocal.com/staples/default.aspx?action=entryflash&adref=staples_right_hand_nav&cm_sp=merchandising-_-weekly%20ad%20right%20rail-_-weekly%20ad%20right%20rail

I was just checking my email, and I saw this deal. You can get pencils for a penny! You can get a whole lot of other drastically discounted school supplies to0.

Make sure to sign up for the weekly adds via email, so you'll be in the know.

Continue to enjoy your summer, and don't forget to go to the beach or at least take a dip in the pool1

PowerPoint Review Game

site: http://www.enotes.com/documents/powerpoint-review-game-39823

Here's a PowerPower Point review game that I just created. It's pretty cool; check it out

First Grade Workbook

site: http://www.enotes.com/documents/shapes-more-41669
Shapes and more! I made this mini workbook for the little guys. I had fun making it---I was able to get in touch with my inner child.