Makes Me Smile #5 - Warm Copies

Pin It

I was fortunate this year to get a printer placed in my classroom. This is a wonderful thing simply because it saves me vast amounts of time walking from one end of the school to the other.

This past Friday my class was finishing up a writing assignment as I printed up their Weekly Evaluations. As I lifted these pages out of the printer, the warmth emanated from the paper to my fingertips. I held the copies close to my chest. The warmth of these crisp sheets flowed through me like sunlight on a winter’s day.

Warm copies from the printer make me smile.

The Forgotten Photos - Shadow and Light

Pin It

I got busy last summer and never looked through the photos of my journey to the Redwood Forest. These are just a few of the images of light and shadow from the sojourn to - and while at - this majestic place.

I should also probably mention that I'm guest posting over at Laugh out Loud today...

Moments with Joey – Favorites

Pin It

SCENE 1, INTERIOR. MORNING, CLASSROOM. The teacher is walking back into the classroom from making copies before school starts. A lone boy is sitting at the back table with his Math book cracked open. He is working on an assignment as the teacher moves to the table.

TEACHER: Hey, how’s my favorite Joey in the whole, wide classroom?

[The boy looks around the room, noticing that he is the only kid currently present].

JOEY: Mr. Z, I’m the only Joey in the room…in fact, I’m the only kid here.

TEACHER: Ah…[The teacher puts on a knowing look]. But that does not negate the fact that you’re my favorite Joey…

[The boy lets this sink in for a moment; after a few seconds he looks up at the teacher].

JOEY: Mr. Z, what if I were the only kid to show up for the day? Wouldn’t that be cool?

TEACHER: Yeah, it would. We’d have to go on a field trip…maybe to go see a movie or something. Maybe the newest Harry Potter.

JOEY: I’ve already seen it.

TEACHER: Well, maybe that new Narnia movie, then.

JOEY: I’ve already seen that one, too.

TEACHER: Then maybe we’d just have to stay in the classroom and do homework all day.

JOEY: With you? Just you and me? THAT would be so awesome…

[There is a pause as the teacher and boy both continue to work on their individual projects].

JOEY: Mr. Z?

TEACHER: What?

JOEY: Thanks for letting me be your favorite Joey in the whole, wide classroom.

TEACHER: You betcha...after all - you could have been my second favorite Joey.

[Pause].

JOEY: Yeah, and you’re pretty nice like that.

TEACHER: Somebody’s gotta do it...it might as well be me.

[Fade to black].

The Forgotten Photos

Pin It

I was searching for something on my computer this evening when I stumbled across these photos. These were from my travels over the past year or so...I wondered to myself just why I didn't share these before now.

I have no idea; I guess it's because I'd forgotten about them.

I share them with you now...

Oh, and I posted over at Four Perspectives tonight, too.

Media of the Week - Sesame Street

Pin It

It’s a little bit funny…I originally started off this week’s Media of the Week with merely wanting to show a clip I found on YouTube recently, starring Grover with the clever remake of an Old Spice commercial.



As I wrote my two sentences and prepared to publish, I thought about Sesame Street. I thought about watching it when I was a kid. I thought about you, and how we probably share this show in common. After all, most of us have grown up creating fond memories with Sesame Street along the way. And let’s be honest, who can’t resist tapping their foot and singing along with the words of the catchy opening tune, belting out along with it, “to where the air is free!”?

Reflections of Insecurity

Pin It

There are times in my life when people point out my flaws. I know that these imperfections exist. I am conscious that I have them. Believe me, there is nobody in this world that knows better than I do that they exist.

Do I try to be better?

Yes.

Am I perfect?

Far from it.

Yet, when people seem inclined point out my failings and the places where I am deficient in life, I always find myself pondering these non-successes with an intensity that borders on merciless. It isn’t long before I start to berate myself, and I begin to focus on all the other shortcomings that I have—all of those things that others know nothing about, and I add them to the list of reasons why I am a complete failure as a person.

This happened recently.

When I awoke this morning I was so distraught that I didn’t feel like going to work. I found myself sinking into the whirlpool of depression and despair as I thought of all the ways in life I hadn’t succeeded, and those ways in which I’ve been a disappointment.

I laid there in bed staring at the ceiling, hardly mustering up the energy to get ready for the day. I thought about school. I thought about calling in ill. After all, one who felt in such dire straits as myself could hardly be expected to go to work and have the energy and vigor expected of a teacher, could they?

Moments with Joey – The New Student

Pin It

SCENE 1, INTERIOR. MORNING, CLASSROOM. The teacher is getting the math lesson ready for the day when a young boy enters the classroom. He pauses at the door for a second and scans the room. Upon noticing the teacher, the boy begins to walk towards him.

JOEY: Hi, you’re Mr. Z, right?

TEACHER: Joey, you know exactly who I am.

JOEY: Oh, no I don’t. You see I’m a new student.

TEACHER: Oh. [The teacher feigns surprise]. Well in that case, what’s your name?

JOEY: Joey; it’s spelled J-O-E-Y.

TEACHER: Well, it’s nice to meet you, Joey. So, is there anything I should know about you?

[The boy looks thoughtful for a second, and then cracks a whisper of a smile].

JOEY: Yeah, I’m a slacker.

[The teacher grins].

TEACHER: Well, now that is some important information.

JOEY: I thought you would want to know.

TEACHER: Yeah, though I probably would have eventually figured it out on my own...

JOEY: Yeah, probably...

[Fade to black].

The Single's Awareness Day Challenge

Pin It

Valentine’s Day for me as a child always seemed to be fraught with bright cards with cartoon characters emblazoned upon them, packages of sugar-encrusted candy, boxes decorated with tissue paper and glitter, and the revelation of secret crushes amongst friends

Funny how things don’t really seem to change - well, except for maybe the glitter…and the candy tastes better.

It seems to be that for some, Valentines Day is a continuation of this selfsame holiday with little to no variation. While for others it has transformed into a day of veritable gloom and depression - of inward loathing, self-disappointment, and longing for a special someone that never seems to arrive.

While I cannot do anything for those in the latter category to make their Valentine wishes come true, there is something that I – that each of us - can do…whether or not we have a special someone to share the day with.

Do you remember last year? Do you remember the challenge I issued to my class? Do you remember the challenge I asked of you? Do you remember how you were able to change the lives of the people around you? Often complete strangers?

Excellent. (But if you don’t remember, you can read about it here).

Media of the Week - A Single's Awareness Day Preemptive Strike

Pin It I know it’s a day and a half early, but one can never be too prepared for what could quite possibly be coming. It’s always best to be ready for every situation. So, just in the event that your plans go awry, don’t worry…Teachinfourth has got your back.

Don't worry...you'll get it...

The Email Chain

Pin It

It was about eight or nine months ago that I was introduced to this savvy little bit of comedic genius from David Thorne. It is told via email replies back and forth.

It made me laugh.

A lot.

Oh, and I don't like cats, either...

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.20am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Poster.

Hi I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon. Missy This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number. Thanks Shannon.

Moments with Joey – Eye Doctors & Tooth Fairies

Pin It

SCENE 1, INTERIOR. MORNING, CLASSROOM. The teacher is helping a young boy with his equivalent fractions assignment before school. After a few minutes the boy starts to understand it; the teacher begins to score journal entries. After a several more minutes the boy puts his pencil down.

JOEY: When I was little, I didn’t believe in the eye doctor. [Pause]. But then I found out that he really does exist.

[Offhandedly, not really paying attention].

TEACHER: Oh, so sort of like the opposite of the tooth fairy?

[There is an intake of surprised breath from the boy, and his eyes widen like fried eggs. The teacher notices the look of shock on the boy’s face and quickly adds].

TEACHER: Just kidding, the tooth fairy? Totally real.

[The boy breathes out a sigh of relief and begins to work on his assignment again].

JOEY: I always knew it.

[Fade to black].

Media of the Week - Mashup #7 - Boulevard of Mashed Songs

Pin It Oaisis & Green Day?

Simply brilliant.

I think no more words are truly necessary...



Just as a bonus, who doesn't love a little Snow Patrol along with The Police?

Media of the Week - Mashup #6 - Eight Become One

Pin It So, just who doesn't love it when eight classic songs are brought together all in order to make a new remix sensation?

Yeah, that's what I thought, too.

Ruminations at 5:00 AM

Pin It

I found myself on the threshold of decisions this morning as I rolled over and looked at my alarm clock. I blinked unbelievingly at the time displayed: 3:30.

Should I get up or just lay here?

As I stared up at the ceiling fan, a thousand questions rattled about inside my head, like pennies in an empty coffee can. I knew if I were to get up, I would most likely become tired early in the day – probably being spent by lunchtime. This was doubtless not the best alternative when one has a class of 26 rambunctious students, and faced with the likelihood of an inside day if the temperature is too low…

I lay there and willed myself back to sleep.

Sleep wouldn’t come.

Media of the Week - Mashup #5 - Recycled Romance

Pin It This particular mashup is in honor of Tib, residential fan of John Mayer. All I can say is that it's a good thing that we're friends...

Media of the Week - Mashup #4 - Dark and Difficult Times & A Little Extra

Pin It With the lastest Harry Potter movie sensation sweeping the nation, it would seem that a Harry Potter Mashup would be in order.

And here it is...



Of course, I realized that I accidentially posted this on Sunday - and even though I removed it, it still showed up in Reader.

Curses.

Because of this, I must share another song or two to still make this post somewhat exciting...

Media of the Week - Mashup #3 - Collision of Six Songs

Pin It When six songs come together and flow into one another in a seamless tapestry, one can not help but smile...

This is probably my favorite mashup of all that I'm going to share...there's just something wonderful about how these songs all seem to go together. It's almost like they were meant to be mixed together in a potpourri of awesomeness.

Seriously.