Sunshine Productivity

Well folks, it is just after 5pm and I have finished all of the reading and stewardship/citizenship report cards.  All that I have left are writing report cards - which will hopefully go quickly as I would really like to be done TONIGHT.  

Here are some photos from our sunshine productivity for your enjoyment:

These sunny spots are far superior to being upstairs with his face smushed to the wall.

 My outdoor work space courtesy of Ron Morrow's drop leaf kitchen table (cerca 1990s?); and another photo of Benson being a strange distraction.

  Time for kibbles ... and to work on writing report cards. 

Benson's Latest Tactics

It is another painfully beautiful day at Bumpus Ridge; and Benson is trying a series of new tactics to get me to take him outside:

Tactic #1: Finding the only sunny spot upstairs; then laying in said sunny spot despite the obvious discomfort (his back/face were shoved up against the wall).

Tactic #2: Being very cute and photogenic in said sunny spot.  Unlike Daisy (our old boxer-rotweiler) Benson loves the camera and poses effortlessly.  Dogs are strange.

Tactic #3: The Old Lady Lip (dog pouting)

Tactic #4: The Stare-Down

 Tactic #5: The Block

 

Yesterday I did set up an outdoor work station that is in the shade enough (although I got bitten by mosquitoes when I was out there last night).  My todo list today is uncomfortably long:

• 10 x Reading Report Cards
• 10 x Stewardship/Citizenship Report Cards
• 23 x Writing

To the Great Outdoors we go ...
 

Distractions

A few things are distracting me this morning/afternoon and I am having a hard time staying focused and even getting started.  Blarg, and it's already after noon. 

First distraction -- the sunshine.  It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL at Bumpus Ridge today.  Here is a view from the deck (which I can't use while doing report cards because of the glare)

This view is hideous. It hurts my eyes.  
My Benson nugget loves to be outside; and it is hard to deny him something so basic - enjoying the sunshine.  So, I thought I would try something new: let Benson outside unsupervised (but clipped in).  He is free to beetle-sniff and sunbathe, while I can sit upstairs guilt-free.

 At first, no big deal.  He found a sunny spot and seemed to be enjoying himself outside.
I peeked through the window a few minutes later and ...

 He was still there. 30 minutes later ...

Curious, but still there.  Then after I just started getting into my report card groove, I hear a loud crashing onto wood sound ...

Whoopsy.  Apparently, Benson had wrapped his 30 foot leash around the hot tub multiple times and then dragged it below a large flower pot and got stuck.  He may not be smart, but he sure is handsome.  Points for Benson because he also waited patiently for me to run upstairs to get my camera.  

As he and I meandered our way back inside, I couldn't help but stop for one last distraction:

Aren't we supposed to stop and smell the roses?




 

Project Section: DONE!

It is 4pm on Day 4. I just finished the project section of all 25 report cards. What is left? Why I am glad you asked:

• 23 x Writing Report Cards
• 23 x Reading Report Cards
• 23 x Stewardship/Citizenship Report Cards

An Update

I received a complaint from one of my loyal readers that I didn't blog about last night.  My deepest apologies if you went to bed on the edge of your seat, not sure where I left things.  So here is the rundown about my accomplishments yesterday: 

• 2 report cards completed in their entirety (23 to go)
• 12 project report cards completed (13 more to go)
• Girls Coffee @ Metro Perc (a lovely time)
• Called Direct Loans (ha!)

My goals for today are to finish up the 13 project report cards AND finish the reading reports (all 23 remaining).  Booyah.  However, I am already having a bit of a hard time getting started ... and here is one reason why (see photo):

Another reason is that I am sucked into this "terrible" teen drama Pretty Little Liars.  There are few things in this world that capture my attention quite like a teen drama.  But I have good multitasking skills and sometimes having background noise helps me focus.  Yesterday I grooved along with my Spotify playlist, today we will see if I can be as productive.  Wish me luck!

Goals & Day 3

I am a goal-oriented person. I like something to work towards; and I like to set goals to give myself structure, something to work towards, and something I can feel I accomplished.  But, occasionally my goals are unrealistic and I am left without the feeling of accomplishment that I need at the end of a long day.  On the other hand, if I don't set a goal or create an agenda then I feel unsure what to do next.  Does that make sense? Or did I just unload a bit of crazy?

Today begins Day 3 of my report cards -- and I am honestly not really sure where to start.  I know I need to start (like 45 minutes ago), but when faced with a nearly-overwhelming agenda it is hard to know when to start.  Do I start with the easiest to ease myself into a long day? Or should I start with what I know will be the most challenging? Decisions Decisions.

Now that I have bored you to tears and let you in on a little bit of my crazy, here is my agenda/goals for today:

• Project Work Report Cards (reflect on student participation/effort/work with regards to Lewis and Clark unit, Oceans unit, and Inventions unit)
• Project Work Boilerplate Language
• Call Direct Loans (they are trying to stress me out by making my payments 5x higher)
• Girls Coffee (people over paperwork, remember?)
• Order Rx (helps me fight off the crazy)

Booyah. I'll keep you posted.

Math Report Cards: Complete

It's 7:15pm, and I just finished my math report cards. The good news: uh, see previous sentence.  The bad news: my time management estimate was wrong and now I am feeling a bit behind schedule.  But, I am exhausted and need a fresh brain before I start on the next part.  So, it will have to wait until tomorrow morning.  TTFN.

Math Report Cards

My day started at 10am with breakfast in bed from the wonderful (see earlier post) Eric Tengs.  Then, a phone call to my dad; and report card work really began around 11am.  My overarching goals for the day are:

• Complete all math report cards
• Complete project portion of report cards
• Finish boiler plate report card language
• Laundry 

Initially I thought I would be able to complete the math report cards by 2pm -- my estimation was that each would take 5 minutes x 25 report cards = 125 minutes.  Well, it is 2:20 now and I have 10 math report cards completed which leaves 18 more (yes, I realize the math doesn't add up but I had 25 to do this morning as I had finished 3 last night).  So ... time to recalibrate.  I am going to take a short break (30 minutes) to eat lunch and watch Teen Mom.  Then back to the grid.  My new goal: complete all math report cards by 5pm; and switch over the laundry so Eric has clean underwear for tomorrow.  
 

The Key

The Key for any teacher to be successful is to have a support system that understands your crazy schedule.  These are the people who you haven't talked to in months (Kim) but still love you and know that I will call in the summer when I can have part of my life back again.  They are also the people in your life who you usually see on a regular basis (Candi, Tom, Jen, Kate, and the Girls Weekend crew) but understand when you drop off the face of the earth for a month at a time.  But, most importantly it is your partner.  Eric is possibly the best, most understanding, and supportive husband in the history of the world.  Without him I would not be the person I am.  He helps me become a better person and a better teacher. 


During report card season Eric is incredibly patient, proud, and supportive -- plying me with snacks (even the unhealthy ones that he typically doesn't support), and giving me space to get everything done.  Even though Eric doesn't really have a grasp on all that I need to do, he is supportive at every milestone and tells me he is proud of me when I meet a goal.


So ... thank you Eric for being you. I would be lost in this world without you.


With love,
Becky

 

People over Paperwork

Maddie was fantastic.  The School of Rock Stevie Wonder show was inspiring.  My only regret? That I didn't get up and dance when Jen asked me to.  Note to self: never decline an opportunity to shake your tail feathers.

Back to the grind.  My focus is on the skill component of 28 math report cards.  
Currently, I have 4 complete; my goal is to have all 28 done by 11pm.  

Booyah.

I'm Back

2:04 -- Brain Break Complete

• Time: took 27 minutes

Since I know all of you readers are dying to know what my work zone looks like, I have included a couple of pictures.  Please note the following critical areas: snack table (currently includes: vitamin water, tea, beef jerky, sugar babies and red vines), remote/phone area, foot rest, quilt to support ideal body temperature and places for piles of student work ... 

 

and here's me, thinking about all the work I need to do ...

 

• Next Job: Create Math Report Cards -- not completely from scratch, but from semi-scratch in order to include the state standards/content areas we focused on during the second semester.  Then, begin writing math report cards.
• Task Analysis: create math template that reflects 15-20 skills/content standards + 28 math students x 15 skill areas x personalized paragraph x comments (from student and myself) regarding Personal Learning Plan math goal
• Estimated/Goal Time: 3 hours (30 minutes for template, 2 1/2 hours for report cards equals 5 minutes per report card)

• Bonus Challenge: My talented niece is performing in a School of Rock Stevie Wonder-themed concert this evening.  Therefore, regardless of my progress I have to be dressed to leave by 4:15.  Sometimes people must come before paperwork. 

Brain Fried ... Already?!

• 12:45pm -- Grading Science Work Samples Complete
• Time: Took 90 minutes (didn't actually start until 11:30) + one 10 minute Facebook and Spotify break
• Next Job: Prepare Math and Science Work Sample Data to share with Principal (aka handwritten data entry)
•  28 students x 2 work samples with 9 total data points = 504 data points to hand write onto work sample cover sheet
• Estimated Time: 45 minutes

•  1:37pm -- Math/Science Work Sample Data Complete
• Time: took 52 minutes 
• Next Job: Brain Break; my jaw is tired from clenching in while focusing and my tummy is rumbling.  Also, the dirty hair plastered to my forehead is becoming less and less easy to ignore.
• Estimated Time: 30 minutes 

Analyzing Data

• 11am -- Report Card Begins.
• Agenda: Grade Science Work Samples (estimate time: 90 minutes)
• Job: Evaluate written student science reports in four main areas: framing the investigation, designing the investigation, collecting and presenting data, analyzing and interpreting results
• 28 students x 8 page assignments = 224 pages to review/analyze

• 12:45pm -- Grading Science Work Samples Complete
• Time: Took 90 minutes (didn't actually start until 11:30) + one 10 minute Facebook and Spotify break
• Next Job: Prepare Math and Science Work Sample Data to share with Principal (aka handwritten data entry)
•  28 students x 2 work samples with 9 total data points = 504 data points to hand write onto work sample cover sheet
• Estimated Time: 45 minutes 

A Teacher's Work Is Never Done

My school is quirky; and for those of you who know me well, that is a perfect fit.  We end every school year with a special Bridging Ceremony in order to help us say goodbye for the year and look forward to the next school year.  

Half of the class leaves after the ceremony; leaving a few stragglers behind for the last hour of the day.  We spend the time taking everything off the walls, organizing materials, and cleaning up.  Then final hugs goodbye -- and the puffins are gone for the summer. The school is quiet, empty.  The staff has a final goodbye lunch together, sharing memories and making plans for the summer.  Then the school year is over.  The sun is shining -- and yet, report cards loom on the horizon.

Now I realize that my school is different (see quirky above); but one of the things that we do well are narrative report cards.  These are intended (and I believe accomplish) to paint a picture of each child and their strengths and challenges in varies academic and social areas.  They are one of our strengths, but they are a beast.  

This is my attempt to document how I get report cards done -- partially to get sympathy and support from those around me who already know I work incredibly hard; but also for those naysayers who don't have a true understanding of what it is like to be a teacher. 

Saturday June 16th, 2012

• 9am -- Early Wake Up Call
• 10am -- Eric makes breakfast
• 11am -- Report Card Begins.
• Agenda: Grade Science Work Samples (estimate time: 90 minutes)
• Job: Evaluate written student science reports in four main areas: framing the investigation, designing the investigation, collecting and presenting data, analyzing and interpreting results
• 28 students x 8 page assignments = 224 pages to review/analyze