School project

After my series on mascots, I was tickled to discover a project that one of my students did for a language assignment on photo editing. I thought it was worth sharing. (I love mascots!)

The halfway point - part 2

November
The local newspaper had holiday essay contest. I decided this would be a great project for the students. They disagreed, but I reminded them that composition class–like life–is not fair. I tried to provide an incentive by reminding them that the winner would receive a $50 savings bond. "What's a savings bond, Miss Tiefel?" They weren't too thrilled with the explanation, preferring crisp greenbacks in their hands. The requests to watch a movie in class continued, but I persevered with my whimsical idea that education is more important than entertainment. Winter's right around the corner...is there a glorious snow day in my future? Nope.

December
The finished holiday essays are sent off to the newspaper. Congrats to Joey, who took first place in her age category! The fifth and sixth graders began writing business plans in composition. To my pleased surprise, most of them loved this project so much they lobbied to skip reading class and just work on composition. Some of the seventh and eighth grade students informed me that they have formed a Miss Tiefel fan club. I am suspicious that this is a plot to manipulate me into in-class movie watching. Eau Claire receives 22 inches in a record snowfall, but this icy bounty arrives over a weekend. Foiled again. I was blown away by the amazing number of thoughtful Christmas gifts from students and parents and I enjoyed having a Christmas break for the first time since college.

January
All of my students began prepping for a second round of research papers for the school's history fair, which takes place in February. I began prepping myself for endless questions about sources, citations and bibliographies. We started a sci-fi unit in literature class and I decided this was the perfect time to watch a movie! They are beyond thrilled. We watch the first half of Tron. The students laugh at the 80s hairstyles and clothes. (What's so funny about that? I thought they looked awesome.) Oh, and in the longest, coldest month of the year, here's the ultimate irony: I still haven't had a snow day.

The halfway point - part 1

I spend a few hours each day sharing my life-long love for reading and writing with fifth through eighth graders. At the beginning, I couldn't imagined how I would even describe the experience, but since Friday marked the end of the second quarter, I thought I'd share an update from the first half of the school year.

August
The first week, the seventh and eighth grade literature class read Charles by Shirley Jackson. I spent the next two weeks hearing the students use the word "fresh" to describe impudence. I am bombarded by constant requests to watch a movie in class. I begin to wish for a snow day.

September
I discovered that one of the great secrets of the universe is getting students to turn in their work on time and listened to a chorus of collective groans when I assigned a research paper on a historical figure. While I had a rather loose interpretation of "historical figure" and allowed reports on Evil Knievel and Les Paul, I drew the line at Prince Poppycock. (I didn't recognize the name, but I felt pretty comfortable making that judgment call based on that fact alone.) I continue to be bombarded by constant requests to watch a movie. Is there a chill in the air?

October
I read some poetry with the students and during the discussion, I heard the thought expressed that "old people" should not go barefoot. When I probed for details about how old is OLD, I am chagrined to hear them say  "40." I promptly tell the students that I hope they are still going barefoot when they're 80. "Eww. Gross, Miss Tiefel." The school had a fall party with a wild west theme. I dressed up as a pioneer woman, but according to some students, I looked like a pilgrim instead. The seventh and eighth graders continue to beg to watch a movie in class. Is that a blizzard in the forecast?

Check back tomorrow for the second half of the post. :)

Playlist for the holidays

I love making gift tags or baking Christmas cookies when I'm listening to festive music. It doesn't hurt to have a candle burning either (I'm loving this new fragrance from Yankee Candle. Or, try the amazing Frasier Fir candle from Minnesota company Thymes).

Here are some whimsical, yuletide tunes that are worth a listen:

• Breath of Heaven. Amy Grant's beautiful song that envisions Mary's thoughts and feelings during the first Christmas.
• Silver Bells. Andy Williams does a simply sweet version that makes me want to shop in a charming downtown.
• Up on the Housetop. This song details children's Christmas wishes and American Idol contestant Kimberley Locke did a rollicking version of it.
• O Holy Night. This song captures the peaceful essence of Christmas better than most and it's just gorgeous.
• Sleigh Ride. I haven't heard a bad version of this song, but I like Deborah Gibson's version.
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Remember the magic of Christmas as a child? Bruce Springsteen clearly does.
• ANYTHING from A Charlie Brown Christmas. I love everything about Charles Schulz's Peanuts, including the music. "Do they even make wooden Christmas trees anymore?" Classic.
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas. My personal favorite is the version by John Denver and the Muppets: "Did you say Piggy pudding?" 
• Silver and Gold. This is the perfect song to play while decorating the tree during a blizzard when you have no other place to go. Burl Ives' voice is iconic.
• 2000 Miles. I can listen to this song by the Pretenders any time of the year, but it's particularly poignant at Christmas. 

What are your must-listen-to Christmas songs?

Icky songs of the season (revisited)

Last year, I wrote about my least favorite Christmas songs. Recently, I discovered that I omitted a few and in good conscience, I cannot let the travesty stand. Here is my addendum to last year's list.*

• The Chipmunk Song. Here's all I'll say about this one: it's a good thing that Alvin, Simon and Theodore aren't relying on me to purchase that hula hoop for them. (Sort of in the same way that my nieces are relying on me to buy them Bratz dolls.)
• The Chimney Song. San-ta's de-com-pos-ing in my chimney and isn't it CUTE? My rational self always asks, "Where are this kid's parents and why don't they do something about this?" Are they just running around, spraying Lysol to cover up the problem?
• The Christmas Shoes. This represents the cheapest theatrics of the holiday season. It's emotional manipulation, pure and simple. I have perfected the technique of changing the radio station in fewer than three seconds when this dud comes on.
• ANY version of the 12 Days of Christmas--and that including (and especially) parodies. There's only so far jokes can take you when a song isn't that great in the first place.
• Cherry, Cherry Christmas by Neil Diamond. Full disclosure: I am not a Neil Diamond fan, but this song is just...strange. Add in the blatant self-promotion and it's a recipe for holiday nausea.
• Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney. It's fitting that this song--complete with Casio keyboard sound effects--made the list, since John Lennon made the list last year. Is there any redeeming musical value in this song?

I don't want to be a Grinch this holiday season, so tomorrow, I'll post my favorite songs that put me in the mood for shopping, gift wrapping and tree trimming. :)

*If this list is used for evil like last year, you're looking at 2025.

Whew.

I made it. Barely. Check out the aftermath!

Here's my recipe for a full Friday night:
Take 10 giggly girls, add colorful crafts and generous helpings of pizza, soda, chocolate chip cookies and cake. Sprinkle a small, but potent dose of prankster brothers with scary masks for best results.

Crafting with coach

This fall, I coached a fifth and sixth grade volleyball team, so tomorrow, I'm having 10 middle school girls over to my house for craft night. We're celebrating the end of the season. I expect lots of giggling, chatting and squealing. Maybe I should find some earplugs!

As I was thinking about a project to do with the girls, I was reviewing my crafting supplies and recalling how I got started. The blame for my obsession rests primarily on Jen: a Close to My Heart consultant, talented scrapbooker and very dear friend. :) She introduced me to CTMH nearly 10 years ago and their products are among my favorites when it comes to scrapbooking and crafting. I especially love their beautiful coordinating inks (the design of their swivel ink pads is genius) and papers (the best cardstock I've ever used, with a white core).

I'll post an update from craft night tomorrow and let you know if my eardrums are still intact. :)