36 and 1...Getting There?

Numbers are not always my thing, but these numbers tell tales:  already, into Quarter 2 of Year 36.  What a whirlwind!  I do confess:  I like cool breezes, but whirlwinds!?  Time slow down!

This is that in-between time:  when all papers are graded and time to reflect lingers, waiting for me to take that reflection time.  Shall we?

Observation 1:

As this is year 36 and as I ever advance towards retirement, I am consciously cleaning and purging.  Okay, so that is not progressing very fast, but with a piece of paper, each ink pen that no longer writes, units (and classes that I am discarding), I walk to that trash can with a determined purpose.  Yes, a liberating walk..  I like it.

Observation 2: 

Seguing from the previous observation, I am beginning that process to leave better notes and even better organized units, for possibly (maybe?) the next teacher will want some of what I have?  Not sure about that, for I do believe that each teacher has his/her own passions and ways to accomplish goals.  None of us are alike (thank goodness!).

Observation 3:

I am singing more.  Reasons for this?  I am enjoying my classes...the best group of students I have yet had in this school as far as attitudes, attention, and respect go; therefore, I have reason to sing, and sing I do!  Until this week.  But...next week will arrive, I will recover, and I will continue to sing.  You see...sing is My One Word for 2026.  Interesting how this One Word becomes such a factor, a presence every year.  I didn't start off singing...then, I was.  I really should have expected more challenges to my singing, one of which is that I have had a touch of the crud for over a week...yes, time for this nuisance to clear out!

Observation 4:

Never be surprised by people.  Just wow.  Yes, I was surprised much this week.  Twice.  Just wow.

Observation 5:  

Just when you think you know it all, you have quit learning.  There is always going to be more learning needed.  

Observation 6:

Distance yourself from know-it-alls.  Build a wall if you need to do so.  The wall does not have to be that tall, but sometimes distance is needed.  If nothing else, this gives you time to heal.

Observation 7: 

On Wednesday, I learned two more things about Google Forms.  Matters not your degrees nor your certifications nor years taught, you always need to be learning. Always.

Observation 8:

I do like the order in which I taught the units within this quarter.  But!

1. Need to begin The Crucible one week earlier next year.  
2. Need to revert to a previous plan:  Read Acts 1-2, Listen to Act 3, Watch Act 4.  
3. Kids REALLY love reading aloud, but fluency can be such a timing issue!
4. Must find more time to include more grammar.  Must.  Conventions have always been our lowest score at this school, which has never been the case in any of my other schools.  I can't seem to motivate the others to work ever harder here, as that should be an easy score to raise...but maybe not if you have never taught this the way conventions should be taught?  Hummm...maybe this is the answer?  They really do not know how to teach them...to the way they will be assessed?  OR maybe conventions are not our teachers' strengths...they like the reading and even writing more?  Need to think about this some more...
5. I moved a Teach-the-Oral-Com notes to quarter 1...and it was better this way...just need to revamp that unit a bit more.  Always modifying and adjusting!
6. Need to write more Quick Writes and paragraphs.  Just cannot get it all in!
7. I talk too much.  Yes, I do.  I have stories about everything!  AND!  Kids love stories...as they do not have to work during stories.  REALLY need to work on not chatting so much during Quarter 2!
8. Homecoming was quite the success!  I love Homecoming and had thought I might hand it over to the next organizer...but I do believe I need this for at least one more year.  Plus, I need to make a checklist for the next person, and that did not happen this year.  Starting it now:  choose a theme...actually, started it during Homecoming when the art teacher wanted to talk a possible theme.  Whew!  I did pause and chat...and then dove right back into the one we were literally living out!  How about this theme:  fairy tales?!  ChatGPT came up with some great possibilities for Spirit Days!  Really do hope this one flies with the others who help make this decision!
9. Quarter 2: The timing for this one scares me.  Week 1 had two days...can't even count those. Five weeks to Thanksgiving...and then off a week.  Two weeks and then semester exams.  That adds up to a seven-week quarter of teaching.  Just wow.

So, yes, Year 36 and Quarter 1...we have been there, done that.  Now history.  Just wow.

Onward!

The Latest AI Trend: Time to Play!

I saw a couple of these on Facebook, and when one of those friends posted the how-to, I decided to play!

Not sure all of the information nor the ages are correct on all of these, as I am not quite this great or young!  Very seriously!

Image 1:  

I began with this one as it was the first photo that contained just me, taken just last weekend.  But!  This pic is not quite me, as I am not a wearer of hats  (we wore hats at our recent women's tea).  

I did ask ChatGPT to change the dog to match our daschund...and to add my Little Man.  

This one reminds of me Holly Hobbie...what a flash from the past!  This one is also more personal, not so much about my professional side, which is fine, as I am most of what is mentioned, although I am more of a Diet Dr. Pepper drinker than that of coffee.

Image 2:

This image is from the day our seniors graduated.  I purposefully wore this shirt, reminding myself that, sometimes, we make lemonade when given lemons and that, I hope, all will make much lemonade as they go towards their future stories.

This one also includes my three English teacher PLC (adopted) daughters.  I like these girls:  they are so funny when they are together, always talking about something, sometimes at the same time.  Interestingly, none of the three have English degrees, but all are tremendous teachers...and could teach anything, for they are born to teach.  Therefore, they are amazing English teachers.  They make quite the team, and I am very proud of them.  Very.

In the teal container, again, should be Diet Dr. Pepper (not lemonade), but I had already suggested a few changes, so I kept it;  besides summer break is here, and lemonade sounds tasty!

Will give it up for ChatGPT...this one does look more like me.  

Image 3:

Hummm...I wish my hair looked more like this!

I cropped myself out of a picture for this one, so I asked ChatGPT to add more of me back into the image!  :)

I am a Southerner, and, as of two days ago, I completed year seven with this district and 35 years in total in education.  I still enjoy the journey (for the most part) and will return for another year (maybe two).  I do hope that these last years can be more of just enjoying the ride, for I do think I work too hard, probably harder than I have to to satisfy the bosses; therefore, I do need to work smarter instead of harder.  After 35 years, change remains a bit of a challenge!

On Monday, I had a student with a 59, who had not presented her Future Story and said she would rather fail than present.  We chatted back and forth, and she left thinking she would sit in my class for another whole semester next year.  I sent a text to the admin, one of whom chatted with her, and within five minutes, she was back wanting to chat about presenting that speech.  She did. (Thanks, Mr. Admin, for tag-teaming that one.)

When she finished and experienced the relief of having accomplished what I knew she could, I told her several things, one of which was that I would never have asked her to do something that I did not know she could do.  She walked, presented...and still kept breathing!  And...that next year I would enjoy seeing her in the hallway and to be sure and stop by and check out books from me.  "I will," she said, as she did this year.

She will never forget having walked the walk (to the podium) and having talked the talk.  She is now more confident in herself than she was.  You see...that was the goal all along.

ChatGPT knew nothing about this story of the 59er, but I am glad it included the High Five.  Always a good day when there's a success story to tell.

The Importance of Safety

Yesterday was a first...I spent some time in a Safe Room.

My Main Take-away: the kids (a bunch of them...from two buildings...I hear, across the district, we had all our kids in Safe Rooms)...the kiddos sat and chatted and pulled out and played games (I guess these games were just hiding in the backpack?! Who knew!)

Then, we went back to class...and calmly had class for 20 minutes for who has time to get behind (thank you, Mother Nature...our days are seriously numbered until Summer Break!).

Because...feeling safe is important and calming.

Parents, allowing us to take your babies to a safe room...that is the best decision you can make when Mother Nature decides to have a moment. (And...thank you to our district for ensuring we have these safe places!)

Before we knew we were going to the Safe Room, one of my boys who often thinks he knows-it-all asked if I would keep them safe if a tornado came, I said, yes, because I have connections (shhhh...was not actually talking about Mother Nature nor the Safe Room......and then I said that the Safe Room was the best place for all us of to be...and then the Intercom began to talk and sent us to that very spot. Nice timing.

ChatGPT and I worked on the following sketch (okay, I bossed, and ChatGPT finally followed most of my directions...picture many more kids in the background and two teachers playing the game with the group of what was actually all girls in the front!...but I need a nap...so we agreed to just agree!).

Stay safe.

26 in 2026!

Several years ago, I read a blog post where the writer presented her argument for writing intentions, instead of resolutions, as intentions are more forgiving and much more achievable.  I liked her way of thinking; therefore, I complimented her and imitated her jargon.  Thus, I now write intentions...and...I, also, write one for number of the current year.  Hummmm...those year numbers are adding up!  

Without further ado...my 26 Intentions for 2026:

1. Read every day...something besides my phone.
2. Spend less time on my phone.
3. Read an average of one book a week.  
4. Finish all the books I started in 2025.  
5. Buy fewer books for myself...as I have quite the supply.
6. Write more:  blog, journal, and poetry.
7. Read the Bible chronologically.
8. Lose weight.
9. Move more.
10. Drink much more water...less sodas. Ugh.
11. Teach with more focus on those who want to learn, hoping to inspire those who need more interest along the way.
12. Continue to grow professionally. 
13. Give books as gifts for birthdays. 
14. Send birthday and thank you cards much more diligently!  
15. Finish all the quilts I currently have started or promised to others.
16. Paint.  
17. Put away and pick up...especially in my car and house! 
18. Focus on my One Word:  Sing  
19. Continue making time for my friend groups:  Meeting of the Minds and the Wildcats.  
20. Enjoy the end of ALA.
21. More Tammy Time.
22. More focus on being a TamTam.
23. Declutter...some...maybe!
24. Organize...and keep organized...my storage building.  See #22.
25. Try out 60 new things...as I will turn 60 in 2026.
26. Read this list more than when I create it...and then at the end of the year.  Need these reminders much earlier on and more frequently throughout the year!

Made it...at some point, my intention may just be to finish writing the intentions!  

Happy New Year!  Here we go!

A Contest for National Poetry Month

Take the TG National Poetry Month Challenge! Join in! 

Dates:  April 1-30 - Yearly

Choose an Option:

1. Challenge 1 - The Epic:  A poem a day...yes, everyday!  You choose the topics and types of poetry you prefer.
2. Challenge 2 - The Sonnet:  A poem every other day (evens or odd) and write at least 14 days this month.
3. Challenge 3 - The Limerick:  A poem at least five times, for you are just here to have a good time and learn about yourself as a poet (aren't we all, though?)
4. Challenge 4:  The Haiku:  Three poems...as short as you would like them, for you just prefer to dabble a bit and want to attempt this challenge.

Winners!

One winner from each category will be awarded a prize!


How to Sign UP!

Sign UP Here!

OR

Just post a link in any TG Poem Post in the comments, being sure to include a link to your blog.  Add another comment when you have completed the challenge.

I look forward to your endeavor and the spirit behind the challenge being met.

Good luck!

Snow Many Blessings

In preparation for the snow that blessed us last night and today, I shared my mom’s recipe with my kiddos…you know….analyzing evidence and other such literacy jargon! (and proof you might always want to write neatly…as who knows who might post your writings years later! BUT! I sure do love having this recipe in my mom's handwriting!)

Snow Day Poll:

• A = serve Chocolate Gravy over whole biscuits
• B = tear those biscuits up first and cover with Chocolate Gravy

Let’s see if your thoughts match up with teenagers of today. (Originally posted this poll on my Facebook page).

I will say some almost convinced me to change my answer. Until! I looked them in the face and remembered they are teenagers and like to argue with any evidence on the table!

Very seriously!

Survey Results Say:

• In class, 50/50. Some were adamant that the gravy should be poured over whole biscuits, while others said do the work ahead of time and just be ready to eat.
• On Facebook, all but two voted B, with one wanting to dip her biscuit in the gravy and another wanting to place butter between the two sides of the biscuits before adding the chocolate gravy. Hummmm...

What a beautiful day! This was a beautiful snow...just the perfect snow. Snow on the trees, large flakes, at time. Just beautiful.

Should I have accomplished more than I did. Probably. Maybe?

#MakeThoseMemories! #SnowDayOne2025

SCHS Reads: Our Winter Picks

Off and on our high school faculty....well, another English teacher and I...have hosted a book club.  When she decided to not return to teaching and as a commitment to meet and chat and drink coffee and talk books, we decided to meet read a book each month over the summer and then to continue meeting even after school started.  

Our group has grown some...another English teacher sometimes meets with us and one of the history teachers is somewhat committed.  But...regardless...we love meeting and drinking coffee and chatting...sometimes, about the current month's book!

Our first three picks for 2025 are as follows: 

• January:  The Snow Child, which I saw recommended on some Facebook online book club...and because I soooo love a good snow in January (we are out tomorrow for our first snow day!  Yay!), so I suggested this title.  So far?  Interesting...seems to have a connection to a fairy tale, which I am going to need to read.
• February:  James, which I received as an Audible gift (a first for me)...because I have never listened to a book.  No.  Never.  Hummm...now, I must!  But...I went ahead and bought a hard copy, as I can see maybe wanting to use excerpts in my class?  This is a telling of Jim's side of the story, a character in Huck Finn.  This title is also the chosen title for The Girlfriend Book Club...and I chose for Friends and Fiction for January for a book that begins with PB or J...yes, my J book!
• March:  The Magician's Nephew - we chose this one after a discussion about my friend having read CS Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe...and that this was actually the first in the series...and that she had just asked her husband for the series...and my saying I had two copies of this series...and the decision was made to read the first one in the series.  Yay!

Now, I need to share this with our building/district...maybe another one or two will join us!

Friends who love to read books, aren't they just even more special?  I think so!

_________________________

Also, posted at TG's Book Thoughts.