13 is too young to have a nemesis

Or should I say that 13 is too young to actively pursue a one-sided nemesis relationship. But that's exactly what 3 of my 8th graders are up to these days. Oh, I'm apparently the enemy. Or at least they've decided that my class is the one in which they want to have a truancy war.
Oh well, only 6 more weeks with these little angels. Then it's back to the 7th grade angels.

13 year olds. Need I say more?

Well, I guess I could. These children these days are so disrespectful and pompous. Arrogant, immature and irresponsible. There is always someone there to hold their hand or even to do work for them when they decide not to do so for themselves. There are no consequences for NOT doing it themselves. And they have absolutely no sense of self responsibility in actions, behaviors, attitudes. When you call them on it, it's someone else's fault. Most likely yours.

I have one very terribly awful 8th grade class, and one not quite as bad. I can't force them to have fun by doing hands on science activities, and I can't make them shut their mouths. But I can force them to do boring book work like copying the text word for word, or answering chapter questions. This, strangely, quiets them down for a short amount of time. But it makes me feel like a bad teacher. I WANT them to do the fun things, because it's more fun for me too.

It boils down to this: there is no follow through in the school's infrastructure to deal with children with a complete and total lack of respect for adult authority.

I like the 6th graders. Sweet, respectful and excited to learn.

Sarcastic commentary on my students

These children are awful this year. All of them.

If it weren't for their (the sarcasm sets in . . .) bright sunny dispositions, happy compliant demeanor, jubilant enthusiasm, positive attitudes, and quiet independent study skills, they'd be perfect little angels.

Fuzzy wooly skeins as pleasurable alternative to the more traditional stress balls

Thursday night wasn't so good for me. I was totally stressed out.
School.
Teens.
Overwork.
Underpay.
Lack of appreciation.
Lack of human contact/interaction.
Dearth of nice co-workers.
An unknown future.
Housemates having babies.
Lack of Krista-empathy and an understanding smile and sometimes unheeded advice. (Yes, this is very selfish. She's probably in labor right now. She has a few other things to worry about than my problems.)
sigh.

Friday was a lot better. Last night was good. I had dinner with my family. Chris is good.

Now it's Saturday and I'm going to clean! Yay!! Then do some crafting YAY!!

Autumn, ala Goldsworthy

Last weekend I had some artsy fun in the foothills with the beautiful Autumn colors. A serene walk amongst the oaks is a much needed getaway from the stress and activity of the school week. I wish weekends came more often. In fact, I wish the weekend was 5 days and the work week was just 2. Think of how much fabric, glitter, paper, calendars, feathers, rocks, sticks, leaves we'd need to fill our time! And don't forget the sheep! We'd need quite a few of those too.

The Donut That Tried to Kill Me

I don't remember the sugar high, but the crash was HARD!
I almost couldn't dance on Tuesday night. I never fully awoke from my 45 min nap that afternoon.
By Wednesday evening, I was back to normal.
I need to stay away from donuts.
This must be what it's like when you quit caffeine.

Cal Acad Opening

On Sunday we went to the opening weekend of the Cal Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. It was fabulous! So many wonderful things to see and do and learn about and play with.

Highlights for me were the 4 story indoor rain forest, the living roof, the penguins, the live dissection viewing room, and all the beautiful photography of sciency things.

Here are a few photos.