Monday Morning

Just a quick note to tell you how wonderful your blogs look. I am very proud of the hard work that you've put into them. I see you all learning and growing as readers. Keep it up!

I'd like you to consider the following quote and it's importance. This is the one that I told you about (it's hanging on the wall in my bedroom). What does it mean to you? I can't wait to read all of your responses and then I'll tell you what it means to me.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
~Lao Tzu

Saturday in Spartanburg

Yesterday Charles, Grace, and I went to our friends' house for dinner. Do you remember me showing you Regina's blog as an example of a good one? We went to her house. We got to see her husband and their daughter, Aly. You'll be glad to know that little Aly's collarbone is all healed up. Aly and Grace loved playing together and they were so fun to watch! Regina made chicken pot pie for supper; it was absolutely delicious. She's going to send me the recipe.

I called my mother today and told her that I was going to do some Christmas shopping. She suggested that I do it in Spartanburg. So, Grace and I traveled down to Sparkle City and we got lots of shopping done!

Now, we're getting ready to all watch a movie together (Grace is taking a nap). I hope that you all are having a great weekend. I'll see you Monday. We have an exciting week coming up! You get to finish and share your books and I've heard buzzing about a "Polar Express" Friday.

Almost there!!

I have two big research papers due tomorrow. After my Tuesday class at UNCC, I will be finished for the semester. So, if I can concentrate, finish up these papers, and attend class all in one piece, I will have reached the finish line!

Don't forget to study for your math test tomorrow and your traditional literature test on Wednesday.

No Latin Root tonight; I'll give it to you tomorrow.

Christmas Parade

We went to the Christmas parade this evening and, although it was freezing cold, had a great time! We got to see the OPES Safety Patrol! We also saw Kelsey, tumbling with her gymnastic team. You all did such a wonderful job!

Change of plans for the weekend. I have too much school work to do so I am staying home to work on two research papers. I told my friend Stephanie that I'd have to miss her housewarming party:( Actually, I'd probably better get back to those papers now...

Happy Weekend, Everyone:)

Winter Program

Tonight is our Winter Program at the school. Good luck to all my sweet children who are performing! I wish that I could be there, but alas, I have school at UNCC. I have a presentation tonight on "Culturally Responsive Education." It's a 30 minute presentation and we will have time at the end for everyone else to ask me questions.

It's almost Friday! Does anyone have good weekend plans? My friend, Stephanie, just bought her own house and I'll be going to her house for an aptly titled get together, a "housewarming" party. I think that Mr. Charles, Grace, and I are going to Brattonsville on Sunday for their Christmas tour. It's like stepping back in time. There are bonfires lit along the walk and you get to go into the houses and see what Christmas would have been like for the Brattons.

A Question for you from Mr. Stancil!

What is the most important skill in volleyball (bump, set, serve), and why?

Lots of Information...

Just thought I'd post some information for my chickens and their parents!

*Tomorrow is support your college team day. Anyone want to guess what I'll be wearing??? GO EAGLES!

*Tomorrow is the last day to send in canned goods.

*Sell those raffle tickets! One dollar buys you a chance to win a Dell laptop!

*It's almost Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for this holiday season? I'm so thankful for Grace, Charles, the rest of my family, school, my students, sunshine, rainbows, the rain, the colorful leaves, Biltmore, memories, my puppies, ability, books, tea, coffee, pictures, computers, and so much more. I'm so very lucky.

The Second Shift

I am reading The Second Shift by Arlie Russell Hochschild. I have to read the book for class (it is not one that I chose for myself). Before I actually started reading it, I had made up my mind that I probably was not going to enjoy the book. The front cover has a picture of a rubber duckie and a briefcase which seemed a bit silly. However, once I began reading the book, I absolutely loved it. The book deals with the hardships that working mothers endure. Hochschild talks about how some moms work all day and then come home and must cook, clean, do laundry, help children with homework, etc. It is similar to working a second job, hence the title, The Second Shift. The first part of the book serves as an introduction, laying the foundation for the author's thesis which deals with the complex web of ties between a family's needs, the sometime quest for equality, and happiness in modern marriage. The second part of the book (which I have just gotten into) deals with individual couples and the way in which they make their family work. This book reminds me of another book that I am currently reading (one that I want to read) called Mama PhD which is about how mothers have raised families and gone to school as well.

Well, my little ducklings, I hope that you have wonderful evenings. Remember to find a good book so that beginning Monday, you are ready to read and blog:~) See you in the morning!

Inventor/Invention Post 2

How would the world be different without your invention?

Crazy Sock Day!

Alright Old Pointers! Today is crazy sock day (we're trying to "sock out" drugs). I have on my princess toe socks! Hurray for fun ways to say no to drugs!

Our field trip to the Carroll School is tomorrow. Remember to dress in layers (in case it is chilly in the morning and warms up) and bring a bottle of water. You're really going to enjoy this trip. It's almost as if we get to go back in time. You'll even get to meet two incredible men who attended the Carroll School when it was in operation. The experience is one you'll remember for a long time. Did you know that the Carroll School was featured in Southern Living this summer?

If you get a chance, blog about your experience tomorrow.

Inventor/Invention Post 1

Happy Monday Students!

Who has the most interesting inventor and/or invention? Let's see.... post an interesting fact about your inventor and/or invention!

Research Project

Students chose inventors and inventions today. They will be researching the invention of their choice. It will be interesting to see what information they can uncover. My students are incredible knowledge seekers.

Has anyone found anything out about their inventor/invention yet? Chocolate chip cookie anyone? ;~)

Where, oh where, are my students?

Ok, I asked the students to see if they could find my blog tonight. Let's see if anyone does:) I just got an email from Mrs. Campbell. Next Wednesday is going to be "Sabres' Day." If you are a football player, wear your jersey next Wednesday. We're going to have a special pizza lunch in the cafeteria.

Tomorrow is Friday! Does anyone have fun weekend plans? My friend Stephanie is coming up for the weekend. She just bought a new house, so we're going to go to IKEA to find her some furniture. I also have some papers to write for UNCC.

Well, it's about 3:20 and I need to head up to Charlotte for class. I am the discussion facilitator tonight; I hope that all goes well. See you in the morning, students!

Mrs. Yearta

Big Time Bloggers

Yay for technology!
The students have set up their blogs (for the most part). I cannot wait to see the learning that takes place through the encouragement of discourse mediated with technology.
Mrs.Y

A New Year- A New Post

It is my goal this year to get sudents up and blogging. We will blog about literature that we've read and I hope to conduct and participate in meaningful discussions online. I will need to get students set up with email addresses so that they can log in and then I think we'll be ready to go. This year, we will learn together!