Pigs

I discovered the blog In That Room recently, and have been reading it late into the night. She writes with humor and honesty, and I enjoy seeing how she runs her tech-savy class. Recently she posted this story, and I had to pass it along! When you put this high stakes testing in any other context, it sounds crazy. I am not anti-accountability or even testing, but this high stress and pressure test is not the answer for creating a better school system.

The Pigs and the Scale

By Brent Beasley

The farmer wants his pigs to be fat. Of course he does. The fatter the better. 

He became concerned when he realized that, even though he fed them all the same, some pigs were fatter than others. The problem, he concluded, was that he wasn’t weighing the pigs enough. So he began to weigh the pigs a few times a year. Still, while some of the pigs were getting plenty fat, many of them were still skinny or, at least, not fat enough. 

The farmer decided that the best thing to do to solve the problem would be to weigh them again and again throughout the year. So, the farmer invested a lot of his resources in weighing. He developed new types of scales. He began keeping complicated records of the pigs’ weights. He devised a system where he could compare the weights of the pigs not just individually but between each different pen and also based on what color each pig was. All the while, the pigs weren’t getting any fatter. The only thing that seemed to be getting fatter was the wallet of the scale-maker.

So, the farmer added more weigh-ins. And in the days and weeks leading up to each weigh-in, he held practice weigh-ins for the pigs. One day, the pigs were looking longingly at the food piled up around their pens. “No time to waste sitting around eating,” the farmer said. “I need you to practice weighing. Here are some tips on how to make yourself seem heavier.” The only weigh-in strategy that seemed to help at all was eating a good breakfast. 

But even on the days that one particular group of pigs wasn’t weighing-in or practicing weighing-in, the farmer didn’t like them to eat. Pigs are noisy eaters, you know. They might disturb the others who are weighing-in or practicing weighing-in. Besides, there was no one to feed them, anyway. All the workers on the farm were overseeing the weighing of the pigs or the practicing of the weighing of the pigs in some of the other pens, so the pigs that weren’t being weighed or practicing being weighed were herded over to one particular area and told to sit still, be quiet, and wait. 

After the last weigh-in of the year, everybody relaxed. But the pigs wondered, “Why bother to eat now, if we aren’t going to even be weighed anymore?” The farmer told them that the weighing was only to help them get fatter. But the pigs didn’t believe him. They knew that the scale was much more important than the food. They knew that it’s the weighing that makes a pig fatter. They had been taught that well.

Interactive Story Starters

The end of school is getting closer by the day! Only one paper, two presentations, and three finals stand in my way! The countdown helps me to stay more focused, at least in theory.

I was subbing for a third grade class today and learned about the coolest story starters from Scholastic! (click on the picture for a link!)

We pulled it up on the smart board in the class so it could be interactive. When you select which type of story prompt you want, it then asks you to select a grade for the prompt (K-1, 2, 3, and 4-6). There are four different types of story starters, but today the kids picked adventure. When you open the page you can either have one student pull the lever or have four each come up and push the buttons at the bottom. I have four students high on the clip chart, so I let them each spin a wheel. 

Here is a picture of our prompt for today. They though it was so much fun! 

A sample prompt from the fantasy category. 

My personal favorite, questions to a space dog! 

In the class I was subbing for they have 20 minutes between lunch and specials time. Such an awkward gap! But this interactive story starter got everyone involved and excited to write. I love that the prompts are not just stories, but descriptions, lists, questions, and more! It is a great way to get their little brains thinking. 

This is a website that now has a spot in my bag of tricks. There is also a link for teacher resources. Gotta love Scholastic! 

 

Currently May

I can't believe it is already May! This semester has flown by. I only have three days of classes and three finals standing between me and graduation. I start this month an undergrad student in Texas and will end it a graduate student in Tennessee! Although change is coming at me fast, I am excited to see what the next few years bring! With a new month comes a new Currently from Oh' Boy 4th Grade. I love her style and attitude!

Listening

Ever since the beginning of last summer when I studied for a month in Colorado I have been listening to country music. I have had periods of country music in my life before, but this is the longest country kick I have had since I was like 10. When I found out I was going to live in Tennessee after graduation, my country music listening only intensified. My favorite country song right now is Chicken Fried by the Zac Brown Band. Whenever I start my country playlist this song always goes first!  

Loving

We have had a pretty cold spring here in Texas, but if finally warmed up in the past week or so. Not that I want it to be in the 90's yet, but 70's-80's would be fine. But today was cold! In the 40's-50's and very windy. I was shocked this morning, but now I am enjoying being wrapped up in a blanket and wearing my favorite hoodie one more time this season. 

Thinking

I graduate in a few weeks and have to be in Tennessee SEVEN DAYS later. So fast!! I have to pack my apartment, figure out what I will need for a week at my parent's house and pack that separately  and then take everything to TN. No idea how I will make everything fit! I have been saying all semester that it is "future Kate's problem" the only problem that future Kate is coming up quickly! 

Wanting

My coffee pot bit the dust recently. I either have to beg a cup off of a friend of go to the coffee house on campus. I think I have been there every day this week. It is cheaper than starbucks, but not free. I guess I need an endless supple of money for the coffee! 

Needing

Senioritis has hit me really hard in the last few weeks. As I check off things (last philosophy paper, last reading, last debate) I find I have less motivation. And with only a few assignments and finals left, my productivity is not looking good anytime soon. 

Summer Bucket List

1. I have accumulated so many children's books this year! Most I have bought for less than a dollar at Half Price Books (which is the Beatrice to my Dante) or at thrift shops. A few I have from my family. But I have yet to devise any sort of system. I need to at least divide by grade level to know what books to have in my room!
2. I will only be a few hours from Nashville, and I really want to go! I have never been before, but would enjoy listening to some live country music.
3. My semester has been nuts between classes, two part time jobs, and stage managing, and I have not had a single blank day on my calendar this semester. I just want one day where I don't have to do anything at all!

Happy May everyone!

Keep Calm and Just Graduate

Just four more days of classes in my undergraduate career! It still hasn't really hit me how quickly everything is ending. One more week of classes, then a week of finals, then a week at home, then I move to Tennessee! May will be a whirlwind of endings and beginnings, but I am excited for the new opportunities.  I am trying not to see big picture right now and just focus on a few days at a time.

This mantra has been all over campus. It is true, at this point it is important to focus on graduating, but that is hard with so many other things to do!

The biggest time commitment I have right now (yes, over classes) is the show I am stage managing. Senior drama majors at my school have to produce and direct a one act play. For those that don't know, the stage manager is the one that runs everything! From keeping track of what goes on in rehearsal, blocking, lines, design meetings, daily reports and emails, to the actual running of the show when it goes up.

I have enjoyed the experience, just not the immense amount of time it takes each week. We have been in tech and dress for the past two weeks, and the show opens tonight! By Sunday it will be over. I am excited for the show to have an audience! Although I am ready to have my evenings back, I know I will miss the show. I love being involved in theater and know it will be harder to stay active in once I graduate.

One of my favorite parts of spring in Texas is the bluebonnets. There are huge fields of them near campus and they add such a beautiful color to the sometimes drab landscape. When they bloom, you know spring is here! They last for about a month. When they start to die, you know that heat is coming. Well, the bluebonnets are starting to die and we have weather in the upper 80s. Every year I block out how hot it can get here. I think my mind focuses on the good so that I don't hate my state. I am excited to see if weather in Tennessee is any cooler, but based on my weather app I think not. At least my brain is used to helping me forget the hot months! 

Tell Me Something Good

I found this awesome linky today all about focusing on the good! So I'm linking up with Rowdy in First Grade to share one good thing from home and from school. Head over and link up!

From Home

I got to talk to my little sister today! Living five hours (soon to be ten hours!) away from home is really hard sometimes. I have loved college and am so excited to move to Tennessee, but I know I will miss my family. I come from a close-knit large family that spends a lot of time together, so I like to stay connected. My Mom calls every couple of days, but I don't often talk to my Dad or siblings. But my sister is a senior in high school and we don't have enough girl talk! It was great getting to catch up with her, we don't do it nearly often enough. 

From School

Another great thing about today (I promise good things happened the rest of the week) is that I got to see my student teaching kids. I am on the sub list for the district, although I can only sub on the days I don't have classes. I went to my student teaching school this morning thinking I was going to be in third grade, but ended up with my kids for the afternoon. My supervising teacher was in meetings, so the kids and I made posters about earth day and started to re-decorate the room after testing. They were thrilled to see me and it was so nice to spend time with them. I can't believe how much some have changed in just two months! That 5th grade attitude is coming out for some of the kiddos. My favorite part was that while we were working, a kid would occasionally just get up to come hug me. Too sweet! I promised I would go see them again one more time before I leave. 

It is so nice to focus on positives of a week instead of dwelling on the negative or just trying to forget the week all together! Check out Rowdy in First for more good weeks! 

Teachers for Boston

Last week was a week of loss, sorrow, and a testament to the American spirit. I love being an American and am proud to see my beloved country pulling closer together in tragedy. Around the world people are praying, showing support, and helping in any way they can.

Living in Texas right now, I have have seen first hand the every-day people giving their time and money to help the people of West. College students driving down to West to help with relief work. Elementary schools gathering extra supplies for students. The Blood drive lines were extra long today. Although I move to Tennessee in less than a month, my heart is with Texans and their strong commitment to taking care of each other. 

Helping the people of West has been an amazing experience, but I also wanted to help Boston. There has been so much hurt and so much hope in that city the past week. It makes me want to go up to the East Coast and volunteer! Unfortunately that is not the most reasonable plan. But as I was reading some blogs today I stumbled upon Michaela over at The Center Based Classroom, who has organized a fundraiser to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. Bloggers from all over the country have donated products for this fundraiser. If you donate $20, you can get one of two product (K-2nd or 3rd-6th) bundles, both valued at over $150! All of your donation goes to the One Fund to help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.

I bought the K-2nd bundle, and I already love it! There are some really great resources in there. I pulled out fact and opinion uno with my tutoring kids today and they loved it! Buying either bundle is a great way to help Boston and have some new resources for the end of the school year.  Thanks to The Center Based Classroom for organizing this amazing fundraiser! 

Taste the Rainbow!

I loved my first Linky party, so when I found this one, I knew that I wanted to participate! Enjoy learning about me, and make sure to check out Flying into First Grade.

TOPIC - Skittles Game

Here is the code:

Red- Favorite Ice Cream Flavor

Orange- Favorite Memory from College

Yellow- Favorite Sports Team

Green- Favorite Fast Food Place

Purple- Wild Card(Tell anything about yourself)

Red

Being from Texas, I love pretty much any flavor of Blue Bell ice cream. I am totally a chocolate girl with pretty much any other dessert, but for ice cream my hands down favorite is Banana Pudding! It is light, refreshing, and tastes like a cold version of my favorite childhood dessert. What's not to love?! 

Orange

Spending a semester in Rome was the highlight of my undergrad. Most of the students at my university go, so I went with my closest friends. We lived in Rome for four months and traveled all over Europe. One of my favorite days within Rome itself was climbing the Cupola (dome of St. Peters) with a friend. Here I am at the top! 

Yellow

So, ummmmm.....I don't really follow sports. I will watch a game if everyone else is. I enjoy volleyball, basketball, and soccer the most, but also know the rules to football and baseball. I will jump on the cheering bandwagon, but based on silly things, like jersey color. 

Green

I love Sonic drinks! There was a Sonic by school and if we hurried in getting ready for the next day, we could hit happy hour. Pure ice bliss. 

Purple

I have a children's book buying obsession! It is rather ridiculous. I come from a family of book hoarders lovers and was always surrounded by reading, so it is only natural that I would continue the tradition. I already have a (rather packed) bookshelf full of children's books. Classics, my childhood favorites, and now 2nd grade level books. If I ever end up on hoarders, it will be for books! 

Don't forget to check out the Flying into First Grade for more Linky fun!