One Week

Last weekend I decided that I spend too much time on Facebook, so I decided to limit my use to Friday evening through Sunday evening. I made it a week on my technology diet and was happy that I was able to abstain. I was really very tempted several times and was able to wait. Ah, delayed gratification.

I went to one of the local high schools twice this week to hang out with a friend who was helping out with their homecoming. It was good to see a few former students. One of them showed me pictures of his toe when it got ripped off in a four wheeling accident during a trip to Michigan. One of them pointed out his new gauges in his ears, and I asked if they hurt when he made them bigger. He explained that it doesn't as long as you increase it correctly. It sounds random, but these were kind of kids that I most enjoyed teaching. I think they're interesting. I realized that this is the last group that I will have taught there and the last faces I'll recognize should I go to homecoming evening events next year. I felt a little sad at that.

With my own students this week, most things went well. I don't do a lot of hands on work with them, but I decided to test the waters with a propaganda exercise. We had defined six methods like bandwagon, testimonial, etc so I gave them a stack of magazines and told them to find an image for each one and to be ready to explain it. They were engaged, and this was a good sign. Sometimes I forget that trying to engage them can be important in learning. With so much focus on assessments and AYP I feel scandalous if I do much fun stuff because what's the line? Is the time spend flipping though the magazines to find these examples a waste of time? I would argue that it wasn't because they had to think of what would fit and what wouldn't, and they used their notes during the assignment.

Back to work we go!

This is the last day of fall break. I guess I'm ready for the week to begin in a way. We had wonderful weather, and I was able to get some tasks done around the apartment. I have my lesson plans for the week for my 6th and 8th graders. I somehow failed to realize that I had not printed the pacing guide for this grading period for my 7th graders, so I'll need to get there early to get that one done. Not too big of a deal, but I wish I had noticed. If I remember correctly, we have two welcome groups and one for behavior tomorrow, so I probably won't get to cover much material.

As for my blue sweater, I finished the back and cast on one of the sleeves. I would have done the sleeves at the same time, but I was at my mom's and only had the one ball of yarn. I'll post a pic of the back sometime soon.

Another thing going on is that Nathan should hear about the loan sometime tomorrow. I hope it goes through and am nervous about it. If it does, then we have all the prep and moving. If it doesn't, I know he'll be disappointed because he really loves this house we're trying to get. I do too, but I guess since I owned one with the ex it's not really the same thing. Fingers crossed for good news.

Goldenrod

Well, I finished something over fall break! I made this vest and added the hood by using another pattern in addition to the original one that just had a wide collar. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. The sleeve part blocked out a little wide, but that's okay because it's very comfortable. I've already cast on for my next project, which is a lovely pale blue sweater with a leaf design up the front left side. I can't wait to finish it. My goal is to have it done by the 23rd of next month, when I will turn 29. I feel that I should post pics of it along the way so that I can at least see progress. So, this one of the back. I'm just about to start shaping the armhole, and then it'll look a little more like a sweater. Hopefully.