Reasons why...

Reasons why I love (yes, love) my team:
We found out Friday that there will be some staffing re-arrangements at school this year due to budgets, lower student enrollment projections, etc... It would make me so sad to lose members of my team to another team, or another school. So here's my ode to them, even though they won't be reading it.

Karen: I love how she calls us her "kids" - she makes a great "mom"! She's a fellow Ute. She is my female support on the team. I am so alone on this team of men when she's gone - all that "manly" talk could drive me crazy! She's willing to share her stuff and ideas. She knows where to find all her stuff and ideas. She doesn't mind four techies trying to teach her stuff, and embraces what she can comprehend from us all. When I taught computers, she always walked through in the mornings with a cheery "Good morning, Miss Ferrin!" She was a great help as I planned things for 5th grade to do when I taught computers, and gave me realistic expectations for those students. She's very level headed. She expects a lot of her students and of us. She's a great person to talk to and text with.

Jeff: He is willing to take on anything. He's our go-to guy for Hope of America, the Christmas Sing, UTIPS. He very willingly took on the toughest science rotation for the year. He is very cool and collected and knows what's going on. I also love his understated sense of humor and timing. It always comes out at the most unexpected times, and almost catches you off guard, which is one of the best parts of his humor. I also love how he doesn't always know how to take Jami and Ryan's immaturity (which is a lot of the time - the immaturity, I mean).

Jami: He fits in so well with us - probably too well. He got a head start with us last year being a student teacher on our grade last year, and we all knew immediately he needed to be on our team. I love how if he has a question that he needs a serious answer to, he asks me because he knows that I'll give a serious answer. Just being out of college, some first year teachers think they know it all, but he gives an appropriate amount of respect to all of us, and adds in with his new-fangled college learnin' when he thinks it'll help. I also love how he and Ryan are such boys when they are together. A very strange relationship they have... but we all love the humor it provides.

Ryan: We are on our fourth year of teaching together. We've done a lot together - moved from 3rd grade to 5th grade together, survived eMints and history classes together, and have a fair amount of glances, eye-rolls, and looks that we share. I was the first person he told that his wife was pregnant last year (awwww, on the one hand; ewwww on the other...), and the one he called when the baby was born. (Oh, and also the one he called to go up to Timp Cave when he thought his wife would go into labor when he was up there... so guess who hiked back up for the second day in a row?) He also was very concerned when my dad died, and was glad when I came back to school. We're the resident techies on the team - if I don't know the solution, he does, and vice versa. We co-teach our school tech group. We share treats at eMints (well, he shares my treats), and we used to share a ride over to the district for eMints and then to his home afterward - more for his wife than for him, really (there's no reason to make his little kids stay up late just to come get him when it's kind of on my way anyway). Now I 'cry' on my way to class in my messy car because he has his own car and takes himself. He fully endorses my cooking and crafting abilities as demonstrated within my Domestic Portfolio blog. It's a very symbiotic relationship that we carry on.

My favorite team story:
When we learned last year that we'd be a team of three men and two women, Ryan was so excited to finally have "manly conversations": hunting, camping, guns, dirt, cars, etc... no sports though, because he's not really into sports. When we graded our DRA tests together in September, Ryan and Jami started talking about their new babies and sleeping schedules, and their wives feeding schedules. Jeff has two girls of his own, so he jumped into the conversation as well. I burst out laughing as their conversation got more and more detailed and less and less manly. They couldn't quite understand why I would be laughing so at them. Silly boys. :)

We've built a lot of team this year - I hope that we can remain intact!


Reasons I like going to conferences:
I've been to two conferences for school in the last two weeks - the Literacy Promise and UCET (Utah Coalition for Educational Technology). Love them!

1. Change. I get to get away from my students for a few days. I like them fine, but it's nice to get away once in a while. Change is good.

2. I learn a lot. Sometimes it's just things that I remember, and remember that I once knew that trick/strategy/resource. Sometimes it's totally new. On occasion, this remembering makes me feel guilty - it's things that I should be doing and I knew at one point that I should be doing them. Generally, this guilt goes away as I re-incorporate the technique back into my teaching. Sometimes it's just learning that I am doing some of these things, which is reassuring.

3. Commute time. I love conferences that are in Salt Lake - Trax, here I come! (I can't believe how much I enjoy taking Trax now... I got to where I despised public transit when I was using it every day. Now, I envy those days when I didn't have to drive myself. Ah...!) Last Friday and Saturday the conference was at Murray HS - 10 minutes drive time, and only because I got stopped at all the lights!

4. People. It's fun to be with people from school in a slightly different environment. For example, I have never seen my principal laugh quite so hard, or the sixth grade teachers let quite so loose. It was also great to see my fellow fifth-grade team mate pull out his iPod touch to play a game during a session. (I was doing exactly the same thing)


Reasons why I need a life:
I don't have a life. I am prone to staying at school for 12 hours at a time, or longer, more times per week than I would like to admit. The other days aren't much better. Even when I do come home somewhat on time (early for me), I bring school work home to do. Even though I don't always do it when I bring it home, it still comes home with me and taunts me. So I need a life that doesn't involve school.

1. All this school stuff is going to drive me crazy. I'm burnt out. Not good. I have 3 more months to teach this year, plus about another 30 more years before I can even think of retiring (thank you Utah State Legislature, Social Security, and poor interest rates).

2. I'm not sure my teaching or my students are better for all my time. No one wants a cranky, overworked teacher, and that's what my kids have right now. Granted, me on a bad day is probably better than a sub on a good day... but still.

3. I really do have things that I could do if I left school at school and left school before I'm too pooped. Lots of things. Crocheting, scrapbooking, reading, blogging... See? Lots to do.

4. People who are my age and who are still single are still single for a reason. While there are probably many reasons I'm still single, probably one of the major reasons that I am still single is that there are no single men at school when I'm there at 6 at night. Nor are they knocking on my door when I am exhausted and grading papers at home. Not that I am specifically going to include "going out to places to meet guys" in my "getting a life" campaign, but at least I won't be stuck at school where there definitely won't be anyone to meet.

I heart Alan Katz - even more!

A follow-up post to my first post about Alan Katz. About a month ago, I get a comment on that very post from guess who - Alan Katz himself! I was ecstatic! Elated! Overjoyed! And greatly impressed! I would have never guessed that he would have read that post - that totally wasn't the intent. But I'm glad he did!
I told my class that he left a comment on my blog, and I sent our original email to him again after school (this time using my gmail and not my school email account - I think that was the problem before). He emailed back within 10 - yes, ten! - minutes. He took the time to answer the class's questions, and will email us back as often as we email him. We haven't gotten back to email him a lengthy response yet - but the kids are totally impressed with him, as are other teachers, parents, and the principal.
So - if your class is looking to write a real-life author, give Alan Katz a try! Just don't use your school email. :)

Top 10 List 0f 2009

A month late, but here you go... my top 10 list of 2009. In no particular order:

1. History seminar in Philadelphia at the U of Penn. Civil War and Reconstruction from totally new angles, fun roommates, and unofficial field trips. Woo!

2. Trip with Mom after the history seminar - Hershey, PA - Palmyra, NY - Niagara Falls - and back to Philadelphia. It was fun to have a Mom-n-daughter trip, and fun planning it without her knowing about it (even though she claims she knew - ha!). Dad cashed in his coin bowl for her plane ticket, Holly made sure she got through security in SLC (no easy feat when you have a bionic, er, titanium knee!), and I picked her up and took care of everything else. It was fun to show her Palmyra and the Pageant. Even though she's been to some of the places we went, it's different with the Pageant going on. It was fun to show her where Holly and I have been and what we do during Pageant time - now she knows a little better what we're talking about. We've got plans also to all apply for the Pageant in the next few years - how cool would that be?!

3. History cohort trip to Boston. Freedom Trail - Lowell - Plimoth - Quincy - Lexington and Concord. Plus more unofficial field trips, shopping, and yummy restaurants.

4. Getting my daughter, Tippy. What a cutie. Good thing 'Grammy' thinks she's cute, too - she can be pretty mischievous.

5. Vegas trips with Holly - spring and fall break. Utah vs. UNLV, Bellagio gardens, the Apple Store, and the Cheesecake Factory. Too bad Holly wasn't old enough to do anything fun!

6. U of U football tickets. I'm so glad I got them! It was so fun to go with Joee, Mom, and Holly to the games. It was like the old days when the fam had tickets. Just wish they weren't so close to the top! (oh well - I'll move down next season). It was also fun to text Dad, Karen and Charlotte during the games. "Gr8!" "Cheer loud!"

7. Taking classes - crochet, crafts, technology.

8. Timpanogos Cave - 3 times! Once with my class, once a day later with Ryan's class (who wants to be on top of a mountain when your wife could be having a baby? Not Ryan...), and a week later with Holly. I think that's plenty. For a long time.

9. Wendover on the Fun Bus for Holly and Mom's birthdays. Finally - we're all old enough to do something fun in Nevada!

10. Thanksgiving weekend. It was such a blessing to get to spend one last good weekend all together as a family before Dad died. We went to the movies on Thanksgiving - New Moon and Blind Side. We had popcorn, nachos, and sandwiches - the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. We came home that evening and watched Up! Friday night, it was Dad's idea to go out to Kayesville to go to "Wade's" - Benjamin Franklin Crafts. It was such a great ride, such a beautiful day. We went to Jake's Over the Top for dinner - yum. Sunday we were all at church together. It was a great weekend. We are all so glad to have that last memory all together.

I heart Alan Katz

Why didn't I think of doing this before? How long have I been teaching again? And I have never done this before? Really?

I decided this year that I would start each track time by having my students read a poem. I've worked a few classics into the rotation, but mostly have stayed with fun and funny poems that I thought my kids would like.

Enter Alan Katz. He's the author behind the Silly Dilly Song Books - hilarious and kid-like lyrics set to common tunes. Love them. I found his book of poetry - "Oops" - at my local library and typed up lots and lots of his poems. Love it. My class spent most of the fall reading his poetry, talking about how his titles are often a play on the poem's meanings, and how fun they are to read and enjoy. We even wrote Mr. Katz an email (which he hasn't responded to, dang) with our own class poem in response to one of his - it's included below. We're working our way through his Christmas Silly Dilly song book - "Where Did They Hide My Presents?" - right now. Love it.

My kids love reading the poems every day. They have started checking out volumes of poetry from the school library to read. (Alan Katz as well as other authors - we've read a wide variety of poets, despite our fascination and love with Alan Katz.) I've never had kids who liked reading poetry so much. I don't think that I've ever enjoyed reading poetry this much, either. I also have quite a few kids now convinced that to be a successful children's poet, one must be a middle-aged, slightly stocky and slightly balding man. Don't believe me? Look for pictures of Alan Katz, Shel Silverstien, Brod Baggert, and Jack Prelutsky. Convinced yet? This has some of my young female poetesses a little frightened...

So thanks, Alan Katz. Can you respond to our email please? Pretty please?

Um…

by Alan Katz


People with bubble gum…
chew some.

People with coffee grounds…
brew some.

People with tomatoes…
stew some.

People with baseballs…
threw some.

People with crayons…
drew some.

People with bad colds…
blew some.

People with gooey tissues…
gruesome.



Um…

by Miss Ferrin’s 5th Grade Class

People who are twins…
two some

People with cows…
moo some

People who are detectives…
clue some

People with dirty hair…
shampoo some

People who clean up after dogs…
doo-doo some

People with ghosts…
boo some

People with roosters…
cock-a-doodle-doo some

People with lawyers…
sue some

People with knowledge…
knew some

People who have toilets…
poo some

People in Miss Ferrin’s class are
coo’ some

And some that didn't make it into our final copy:

People who are Utes... U some
People who are Cougars... Blue some
People who read Leven Thumps... Foo some
People who play Pokemon... Picachu some
People who know rams... Gnu some
People who like Mountains... Dew some
People who have assignments... Due some
People who like condensation... Dew some
People who have to use the bathroom... Loo some
People with flies... Shoo some
People with sheep... Ewe some
People who stick... Glue some
People with Mr. T pity the Foo' some
People who live in Hundred Acre Wood Winnie the Pooh some



Visit Alan Katz's website!

My Dad

John Ralph Ferrin

1949-2009

Our beloved husband, father and friend, John Ralph Ferrin, passed away suddenly on December 2, 2009.

John was born in Salt Lake City on September 5, 1949, to Ralph Shaw and Shirlee Ann Bishop Ferrin. He grew up in Midvale, and would spend most his life there. He enjoyed playing sports and camping with his neighbors and the scout troop. He earned his Eagle Scout award. John graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1967, participating in the debate club. He served an honorable mission in the Australia South mission from 1968 – 1970. He spoke often and fondly of his mission days. The people he served, the companions he served with, and the places he served in were important contributions in his life as John became the person he was.

John graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 1973. He was greatly involved in Institute and Sigma Gamma Chi. John returned to the U to earn a Master’s degree in history. The title of his thesis was “Historical Site Survey of Southeast Salt Lake County.”

John and Gail Lucille Kofford were married July 6, 1979, in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived briefly in Rose Park before buying a home in Midvale. They are the parents of Christine Anne and Holly Elizabeth.

John was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His favorite calling was Gospel Doctrine teacher. He was exceptionally passionate about the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. He inspired many students in his classes with his shared research and testimony.

He worked for Wheeler Machinery for 30 years. He enjoyed his time on the road, and interacting with his friends and customers. He served as union steward for many years. Many employees benefited from his dedication to his values and sense of fairness during contract negotiations.

John had many interests and loves throughout his life. John’s family was his greatest joy and most important thing in his life. He cherished every moment with them. John loved traveling. He took his family on many vacations. Alaska, Glacier National Park, the Oregon and California coasts, Prince Edward Island, Maine, and New York State were just a few of his favorite spots, as well as various places throughout Utah. He enjoyed vacation preparation almost as much as the travel itself, and his family benefitted from his knowledge about the places they visited. John was proud to be a Utah Ute. He and his family had season football tickets at the U for many years, and they enjoyed games together, during both good and long-suffering seasons. John had a variety of eclectic collections that he enjoyed adding to. Reading was a frequent pastime for John. He enjoyed any history era, but especially loved reading about World War II. Through his reading, he gained a wide and deep knowledge of a variety of topics. John realized the value of continuing one’s education, and was currently studying at TechSkills in preparation for his second career, medical coding and billing. John was a generous person. If he could help in any way, he was willing. He helped many family members and friends over the years. We are all better people because of our association with him.

John is survived by his wife, Gail, and his children, Christine Ferrin and Holly Ferrin; his brothers, Russell (Diane) Ferrin (Midvale), and David (Korinn) Ferrin (Phoenix). He is preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held Monday, December 7, 2009 at Midvale North Stake Center, 97 West 7500 South, Midvale, at 12:00. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund.

Craft it Forward

The first 5 people to leave a comment on this blog will receive something made by me. However there are some limitations:
1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make.
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year (a calendar year that is... no promises for the end of 2009!)
4. You have not a clue what it is going to be; poetry, bags, something a little crafty, or a little invention of my own. I may even bake something and mail it you! Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. It may blow your mind!

Here's the catch... if you choose to do this, you must post this on your blog and be ready to make something for five people, too. This will be fun! (and like how you have to be reminded of this!) And, when you receive the fabulous item I make you, you must post a picture of it on your blog. Or if you don't have a blog, send me a photo and I will post it!

Ready....Set....Comment!

Weebly

I discovered this great website that lets you create a website for free - Weebly.com. It's pretty fun to play around with... so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm going to maintain my blog here still, and use my Weebly site for pictures. Blogger kind of bogs down my picture posts...
Check it out!
http://quotidianpix.weebly.com/
Also, if you're a teacher, you can create a site for your class, and create student accounts so they can create sites as well. I thought I'd try it... I'll let you know how it goes!