A sabertooth cat from the OMSI field trip about a month back.


The end of the year crazies are setting in among the students and staff.
The last month of school has ever been difficult for me... well because the students become difficult. We all have some form of spring fever making us want to jump out of our chairs and bust loose into the outdoors.


For the students it means more joking around, more horseplay, an increased activity level on the playground... which leads to more accidents, ice packs and calls to mom or dad... more trips to see the principal and extremely short attention spans.


For the staff it means more activity outside of school, leading to less rest, shorter tempers and apologies after the blow ups. Yes, we are the more mature ones!
It also means more paper work to tie up the year... reports to file, inventories, next year's game plans and our yearly evaluations.
(Boo hiss on evaluations! Though I did manage to ace mine... you still dread them.)


Here is an excellent example: I have a student that I am trying to teach the basics of writing. We have a very clear and easy set of plans that come in layers. It begins with a form of sorts:
Title
Topic Sentence
Three Main Points
Details for the 3 Main Points
Conclusion Statement

All that is required is that you fill in the information. Simple really.
This child has been working on this simple form for two days with little progress.
I looked at the odd things she had written on the form... way too complex and off topic for what is required for a brief idea organizer... took a deep breath and said
"Let's just focus on your topic sentence. You know your subject is 'my favorite pet'.
So, you want to include what your pet is and its name. Okay?"


She wrote: "Sweet roses grow, violets show, it is summer, the sun is so low."


The last 26 remaining days of school will be a real trial... add to that my overwhelming desire to be moved home to sanctuary and I think the school should fear that I may begin eating our young... and the dragon lady better watch it too. I have zero to lose now. I'd be happy to slay the dragon before I go.

(There is always a dragon lady or male counterpart isn't there?)


On the Randy front... things keep getting better. Looks like we get to see Willie Nelsen and Pat Bennatar too. Very cool beans. He's been the sound man in a few bands over the years. Its great to have music in common. It has always been a big part of my life. Oh, in case you think I am being spoiled... well I am, but he has been going to lots of concerts for a long time. I'm happy as a clam to share it now.


Tomorrow: a meme from C4C. Too late to include it today, but a fun one.
Have a great Tuesday. May it pass swiftly!


One last note. Sadly, Lynn Redgrave passed away today from complications from breast cancer. Let it serve as a firm reminder to get a mammogram as required ladies and you fellas... check your women and be sure they go! I lost my mom that way and several friends now. They have come a long way since my mom passed, but early detection is still the most important way to keep your life.