If you think like me, maybe you'll think this is funny.
Today I was going to introduce to my students what matter is. From there we would move on to atoms and molecules. Before I told them anything though, I told them they had a minute to go find some matter. After a minute they needed to be back in their seats with matter in their hands. The countdown began. This is where I really started laughing. None of the kids knew what matter was. Most just wandered around the room and watched what other people were picking up. One of my smartest students got the dictionary right away and tried to look it up in a minute--he didn't get it done, but since at the end of the minute he had a dictionary in his hands, he still passed with flying colors. The part I loved the most is that one of my students who never wants to get anything wrong was trying desperately to quiz me on this-- to get some kind of information from me. He said, "Is there one for everybody??" and "Does it have 'matter' written on it??" I immediately wrote that down so I wouldn't forget. Such silly questions!
At the end of the minute they all sat down and said out loud what they picked up. More than half had a dictionary or a science book---I guess they figured there's strength in numbers. They were amazed when I told them all of them were correct! I think they learned what matter is today!
**Anybody still sitting there wondering what matter is?? Go look it up!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Funniest Episode Ever
I recently purchased The Office Season 2 on DVD with a gift card I got for Christmas. This proved to be one of the best purchases I have ever made when I watched the funniest episode ever last night. This episode is entitled "The Injury." Here is a clip from the episode:
I enjoyed that part a lot when I watched it, but seriously, the whole episode had me laughing. I'll be watching that one again soon.
I enjoyed that part a lot when I watched it, but seriously, the whole episode had me laughing. I'll be watching that one again soon.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Tomorrow always comes
Tomorrow is the start of school again. I had a most excellent Christmas break. A full two weeks--that's right, I'm not in college and my Christmas break is TWO WEEKS LONG! This has seemed like the longest break, and I haven't gotten sick of it. I know there are schools all over the state that got the same amount of time off, so I'm not thinking I'm more special, I'm just marveling at how much I've done over the last two weeks and how much I've enjoyed it.
I got to host my first Christmas celebration. It was a successful all-day festivity with the Demarest side of the family. They are so fun. I felt no pressure to present something outstanding because I knew I wouldn't be judged--they were just there to have fun. Fanciness doesn't impress them, kindness does.
Luke and I sang with both sides of the family. Once in a small church in Correctionville, and once in a slightly bigger church in Marshalltown. All this happened in one day: Christmas Eve. Oh, we are such good singers; or, Oh, we have no shame.
A Christmas celebration in Marshalltown with the Brant side of the family was all I had hoped for and more. Lots of great time with neices and nephews, Mom and Rick, brothers and sisters, and family friends. I have to say though that the time wasn't long enough. There are so many people in my family that I can't help but come away from a time like that and think that I wish I would have had more time with this person, or that person. I've decided to just give thanks for the time we had and pray for a next time soon.
New Years Eve saw Luke and I at a hockey game with some of our closest friends: his sister Charity and husband Paul, and a couple who is like family, Micah and Sarah Gitlin. The Sioux City Musketeers managed to conclude their 11-game winning streak with a two point loss Sunday night against Des Moines. Paul filled us in on all the rules, and we had lots of fun. We went to Perkins after the game, then played games until midnight.
New Years Day Luke and I were again with the Demarest family, plus Gitlins, for lunch and a movie. We saw Night at the Museum. Fun family flick. I laughed. After a quick trip to Walmart some of us returned to our house for dinner and fun. We all split up while we were in Walmart and it was such a treat to be walking around and then spy some dear friends in the aisle. It was like a little surprise each time.
Luke and I went to our camp reunion for a day in Spirit Lake. It was amazing to see such great friends. Even more amazing to know that it wasn't the first time since summer that we'd seen our closest friends, and it won't be the last time until next summer. We had a semi-silly gift exchange and I think Luke and I walked away with the only silly gifts: a singing, moving mouse, and a Riverdance video with Valentines day candy. It's always a fun time when camp and Guitar Hero are involved.
I also had a lot on my mind this break. Luke and I were asked to make three very important decisions in the last two weeks. Not life or death, well, not all of them. All of them I'm taking very seriously and am praying about. I want to let the Lord lead and direct. We have knee-jerk responses for all three, but don't want to decide too quickly. We're praying for wisdom and are so grateful for the opportunities the Lord has placed in our lives.
Happy New Year to you all. There are not many who read this blog, that I'm aware of, so I can honestly say to all who I'm aware of: I'm so thankful for another year with you!! Lots of love to you and your families as you begin a new year. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
I got to host my first Christmas celebration. It was a successful all-day festivity with the Demarest side of the family. They are so fun. I felt no pressure to present something outstanding because I knew I wouldn't be judged--they were just there to have fun. Fanciness doesn't impress them, kindness does.
Luke and I sang with both sides of the family. Once in a small church in Correctionville, and once in a slightly bigger church in Marshalltown. All this happened in one day: Christmas Eve. Oh, we are such good singers; or, Oh, we have no shame.
A Christmas celebration in Marshalltown with the Brant side of the family was all I had hoped for and more. Lots of great time with neices and nephews, Mom and Rick, brothers and sisters, and family friends. I have to say though that the time wasn't long enough. There are so many people in my family that I can't help but come away from a time like that and think that I wish I would have had more time with this person, or that person. I've decided to just give thanks for the time we had and pray for a next time soon.
New Years Eve saw Luke and I at a hockey game with some of our closest friends: his sister Charity and husband Paul, and a couple who is like family, Micah and Sarah Gitlin. The Sioux City Musketeers managed to conclude their 11-game winning streak with a two point loss Sunday night against Des Moines. Paul filled us in on all the rules, and we had lots of fun. We went to Perkins after the game, then played games until midnight.
New Years Day Luke and I were again with the Demarest family, plus Gitlins, for lunch and a movie. We saw Night at the Museum. Fun family flick. I laughed. After a quick trip to Walmart some of us returned to our house for dinner and fun. We all split up while we were in Walmart and it was such a treat to be walking around and then spy some dear friends in the aisle. It was like a little surprise each time.
Luke and I went to our camp reunion for a day in Spirit Lake. It was amazing to see such great friends. Even more amazing to know that it wasn't the first time since summer that we'd seen our closest friends, and it won't be the last time until next summer. We had a semi-silly gift exchange and I think Luke and I walked away with the only silly gifts: a singing, moving mouse, and a Riverdance video with Valentines day candy. It's always a fun time when camp and Guitar Hero are involved.
I also had a lot on my mind this break. Luke and I were asked to make three very important decisions in the last two weeks. Not life or death, well, not all of them. All of them I'm taking very seriously and am praying about. I want to let the Lord lead and direct. We have knee-jerk responses for all three, but don't want to decide too quickly. We're praying for wisdom and are so grateful for the opportunities the Lord has placed in our lives.
Happy New Year to you all. There are not many who read this blog, that I'm aware of, so I can honestly say to all who I'm aware of: I'm so thankful for another year with you!! Lots of love to you and your families as you begin a new year. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Monday, December 18, 2006
In the last four days:
I played Scene It and won
I enjoyed my spa day at Jardin Salon and Day Spa. After a relaxing time at Panera for my favorite: icey mocha and playing Sudoku; I went to the spa and started off with a half hour massage. How amazing! Following that was a hair wash with head massage, pendicure, manicure, make-up, hairstyle and lunch. I was so grateful for the experience, but couldn't help thinking of all the people I would love to have there with me. Four and 1/2 hours can be kinda lonely. However, I got to meet some cool people. What was my favorite? The hair wash with head massage. Ahhhh!
After my day of pampering Luke and I got dressed up and went to Red Lobster to spend our gift certificates. After waiting for a while, the power went out. The mall next door lost all power too, so the movie we were going to go to afterwards was out of the question too. We tried to wait it out, but decided to go to the theater downtown, so we left the restaurant. Traffic was crazy. We saw Happy Feet. It was very enjoyable.
Speaking of enjoyable movies...today I went to The Nativity Story with my class. I LOVED IT. I thought it was so different than any Nativity interpretation that I have every seen. I liked how it didn't paint Mary to be this holy, untouchable, unrealistic girl--it was very thought provoking and overall realistic, I thought. I laughed (a little), I cried (more than a few times), I enjoyed! After the movie one of my boys said, "There should be a Nativity 2!" I thought that was funny. I said to him, "It's called Passion of the Christ."
And lastly, in the last four days I got a financial lesson from a seven year old. Today little Natasha said, "Mrs. Demarest, do you want to see my credit card?" Sure! I said. "Have you used it yet?" "No, I don't have any money. If we don't have the money, we can't use the credit card." She is wise beyond her years. Apparently she heard that from a fifth grader named William. I believe it. He's obsessed with money.
I played Scene It and won
I enjoyed my spa day at Jardin Salon and Day Spa. After a relaxing time at Panera for my favorite: icey mocha and playing Sudoku; I went to the spa and started off with a half hour massage. How amazing! Following that was a hair wash with head massage, pendicure, manicure, make-up, hairstyle and lunch. I was so grateful for the experience, but couldn't help thinking of all the people I would love to have there with me. Four and 1/2 hours can be kinda lonely. However, I got to meet some cool people. What was my favorite? The hair wash with head massage. Ahhhh!
After my day of pampering Luke and I got dressed up and went to Red Lobster to spend our gift certificates. After waiting for a while, the power went out. The mall next door lost all power too, so the movie we were going to go to afterwards was out of the question too. We tried to wait it out, but decided to go to the theater downtown, so we left the restaurant. Traffic was crazy. We saw Happy Feet. It was very enjoyable.
Speaking of enjoyable movies...today I went to The Nativity Story with my class. I LOVED IT. I thought it was so different than any Nativity interpretation that I have every seen. I liked how it didn't paint Mary to be this holy, untouchable, unrealistic girl--it was very thought provoking and overall realistic, I thought. I laughed (a little), I cried (more than a few times), I enjoyed! After the movie one of my boys said, "There should be a Nativity 2!" I thought that was funny. I said to him, "It's called Passion of the Christ."
And lastly, in the last four days I got a financial lesson from a seven year old. Today little Natasha said, "Mrs. Demarest, do you want to see my credit card?" Sure! I said. "Have you used it yet?" "No, I don't have any money. If we don't have the money, we can't use the credit card." She is wise beyond her years. Apparently she heard that from a fifth grader named William. I believe it. He's obsessed with money.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Just Tell Us!!!
Today I really stumped my students. They decided to sing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," so I decided to play a little Christmas game with them. That's what you get for singing in class. I had them guessing all day. I got a little annoyed when they wanted to guess instead of doing their math homework, and when they stayed inside for recess so they could ask me for clues. Oh well, it's just for one day. I'm ending this madness tomorrow.
So, I said, "It's a little known fact that there actually is a tenth reindeer."
"What? No there's not!" (What followed was a reciting of the introductory part to the "Rudolph" song: "You know Dasher and Dancer...")
So we listed them all on the board, counted them up, and then I said, "There's one more."
This blew their minds.
We sang the song again. And again. Then...
"Oh! I've got it!"
My brightest student wrote it down real quick and submitted it for my approval. He was right. Then we broke for lunch. The second half of the day was filled with guesses like, "Is the other reindeer's name Glee? Foggy? Eve?" No, no, no. Seriously, foggy??
Anyway, all of them but one has gotten it. I'm really proud of the one who got it first, and the one who will most definitely get it tomorrow because they are the ones who have figured it out for themselves. The rest of them quizzed me and each other all day long, thus getting hints from EVERYONE!
Just a little holiday fun. I'm certain many of you out there know what I'm talking about and already have it figured out, but in case there's anybody out there who hasn't, let's not give it away.
Hidden within "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is the name of a tenth reindeer. Can you find it???
Sunday, December 10, 2006
What do Sunday nights mean to you?
For 18 years Sunday nights used to mean going to church. For a long time I just sat with my mom. Then came the teen years where we would sit in the front as a youth group. It was fun for us cause we could all be together. It was fun for the adults because they could have a clear view of their youngsters sitting in church and not out on the streets.
In college it meant going to Bible study with Stacy Elizabeth Billings for most of the years. Other years it meant just studying or spending time with my roommates.
The past two summers they have meant staff fun night. One night in particular was not so fun: rock wall climbing. The strangest thing though: when it was over, it was a little fun.
Since school has started Sunday nights have meant Amazing Race. Tonight, however, Sunday night meant going to a Christmas program at a church I don't normally go to in order to see my students preform. It meant seeing one of my students from last year who doesn't go to my school anymore. I was assured that he is doing ok and that all the hard work and frustration we experienced together has made him so dear to my heart. I was brought to a point of pure joy in seeing him tonight. It was worth it. This particular Sunday night meant catching up with my cousin James who happens to live in Sioux City, but whom I never see. He's handsome and funny and so caring. It was worth it to go just so that we could have the best conversation that we've ever had. Amazing Race was just going to have to wait this Sunday. So, I set the Media Center to tape it. What I wasn't counting on, but should have thought about, was that football runs late on Sundays, so 60 Minutes gets started late, and that pushes Amazing Race back a half an hour. 7:30-8:30 instead of 7-8. The computer set it to tape 7-8. So, I have no idea who won the race, but I do know how it started. I kinda feel like I watched the whole season for nothing! What's the point in watching the process if you can't see how it ends?? Hmmm, my mind is racing because I feel like there should be some kind of spiritual connection to all of this. I'll think on that one. Anyway, I suppose missing the final episode of Amazing Race is worth it for the chance to be with James and to see my students. Teaching is the most wonderful profession to have. What else is there? All my life I've thought I would be a teacher because seriously, what else is there to do?? I honestly thought that. Now I know there's more, but there's nothing else I'd rather do.
In college it meant going to Bible study with Stacy Elizabeth Billings for most of the years. Other years it meant just studying or spending time with my roommates.
The past two summers they have meant staff fun night. One night in particular was not so fun: rock wall climbing. The strangest thing though: when it was over, it was a little fun.
Since school has started Sunday nights have meant Amazing Race. Tonight, however, Sunday night meant going to a Christmas program at a church I don't normally go to in order to see my students preform. It meant seeing one of my students from last year who doesn't go to my school anymore. I was assured that he is doing ok and that all the hard work and frustration we experienced together has made him so dear to my heart. I was brought to a point of pure joy in seeing him tonight. It was worth it. This particular Sunday night meant catching up with my cousin James who happens to live in Sioux City, but whom I never see. He's handsome and funny and so caring. It was worth it to go just so that we could have the best conversation that we've ever had. Amazing Race was just going to have to wait this Sunday. So, I set the Media Center to tape it. What I wasn't counting on, but should have thought about, was that football runs late on Sundays, so 60 Minutes gets started late, and that pushes Amazing Race back a half an hour. 7:30-8:30 instead of 7-8. The computer set it to tape 7-8. So, I have no idea who won the race, but I do know how it started. I kinda feel like I watched the whole season for nothing! What's the point in watching the process if you can't see how it ends?? Hmmm, my mind is racing because I feel like there should be some kind of spiritual connection to all of this. I'll think on that one. Anyway, I suppose missing the final episode of Amazing Race is worth it for the chance to be with James and to see my students. Teaching is the most wonderful profession to have. What else is there? All my life I've thought I would be a teacher because seriously, what else is there to do?? I honestly thought that. Now I know there's more, but there's nothing else I'd rather do.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
It's Christmas time
I won a watch at our staff Christmas party. Wait, correction: Luke won this watch at our staff Christmas party. He gave it to me. I'm pumped about it. I really enjoy wearing it and it was completely free. I had said before that my New Years resolution was going to be to accessorize. Well, here's my first accessory. 
This is our tree a little bit after the cats knocked it down. It doesn't look quite like I would like it to. There's no ornaments on the bottom third of the tree, and everything that is on the tree looks all messed up. I'll get around to fixing it by the time family comes over for Christmas. Oh yeah, Luke and I were asked to host the family Christmas get-together this year. I'm excited about it. It will be lots of fun with the Demarests.
I didn't want to put any of my Precious Moments ornaments on the tree because they are too heavy and also because they might get broken by the cats. So I created a home for them in the kitchen.
This is our tree a little bit after the cats knocked it down. It doesn't look quite like I would like it to. There's no ornaments on the bottom third of the tree, and everything that is on the tree looks all messed up. I'll get around to fixing it by the time family comes over for Christmas. Oh yeah, Luke and I were asked to host the family Christmas get-together this year. I'm excited about it. It will be lots of fun with the Demarests.
I didn't want to put any of my Precious Moments ornaments on the tree because they are too heavy and also because they might get broken by the cats. So I created a home for them in the kitchen.
