Little Life Lessons

I’m so proud of the person my daughter has become and all she’s accomplished.  Now that she is a college student, I thought I’d take a few moments to post some of life’s little lessons I’ve instilled in her throughout these beautifully blessed 18 years.  The young woman she has become and continues to grow into attests that she’s been listening. 

• The world is your oyster.  You CAN build your own future and the possibilities are limited only by you.
• It’s okay to change your mind.
• Experiment.  Dabble.  Reinvent.
• Reading is fun.  It’s an everyday part of life!
• Write it down. It’s magic – things happen more swiftly and productively when you get it on paper.
• Finish your work first and you’ll be able to relax and have more play time.
• Sometimes you have to drop everything and dance it out!
• Expose yourself to all types of activities.  Music, dance, theatre, art, sports . . . try it ALL and then decide what you truly want to stick with.
• Make friends in all types of circles.  You can never have too many and having friends of all ages, interests, and backgrounds makes life all the richer.
• All problems have a solution.
• Everything is more clear in the morning.
• Forget the bad; remember the good.
• There is a reason for everything.
• Life has a way of turning out for the best.

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Inspirational Inspirations

As a teacher, summer serves as a time for reflection and renewal – both on a professional and personal level.   These are resonating particularly strongly in my head these days as I’m starting a new running program.  Running is sooooo hard for me which is why I’m finally, finally giving it a serious try ~

“Sit as little as possible.  Give no credence to any thought that was not born outdoors while moving about freely.” –Friedrich Nietzsche . . . No matter what my mood, going outside makes me feel better – even when I was attacked on the head by two birds the other night while going for a run (silly scary!).

“Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors.  Try to be better than yourself.” –William Faulkner . . . Such a great goal to strive for.

“Obstacles are those frightening things that become visible when we take our eyes off our goals.” –Henry Ford . . . Keep your eye on the prize and everything else will seem less signficant.

“When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” –Theodore Roosevelt . . . What a great way to look at the idea of finding strength when we feel most defeated.

“Sweat cleanses from the inside.  It comes from places a shower will never reach.” –Dr. George Sheehan . . . I feel soooo invigorated after a great workout!!!!

“You can have anything you want, if you want it bad enough.  You can be anything you want to be, if you hold that desire with singleness of purpose.” –Abraham Lincoln . . . THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE!!!  I truly, truly, truly believe this.  I’ve proven this to myself and it is what I’ve been teaching my daughter since day one.   I could write a huge, lengthy post on my belief as to how this affects all aspects of our lives . . .

“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” –T.S. Eliot . . . Anyone can talk the talk but only those that actually go for it will get anywhere.

“One cannot consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.” –Helen Keller . . . This beautifully illustrates the desire for greatness, for love, for achievement.

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Writing from the Pen of an Author

Todd Strasser

Yesterday, Todd Strasser paid a visit to my school for Writer’s Day and, later, to the students in our reading classes for a more intimate writing workshop.This is the second year my school has been lucky enough to host a popular YA author.  (Neil Schusterman presented last year after we completed Unwind.)  Engaging and personable, Strasser literally brought the writing process to life, keeping the students captiviated and involved.  My students were particularly excited to ask questions about the novel we recently completed in Reading Strategies, If I Grow Up. He even promised to name a character after one of my students.  Watch for Tiara in his next book! 

 During his all-school presentation in the auditorium, Mr. Strasser emphasized the importance of writing and reading in the 21st century while humorously depicting his own journey as an author.  Here are a few of the highlights ~

• Writing is a struggle no matter what the assignment is.  That’s the journey . . . that’s the adventure . . . that’s the challenge.
• Writers get ideas from either their own experiences or through experiences of those they know.  If they don’t know someone with a particular experience, they research until they do know!!
• All of Strasser’s books are about “outsiders” because he always considered himself an “outsider.”
• Revise, revise, revise . . . A piece of writing is never complete.
• Strasser takes 8 – 9 months to complete a novel.  (this seems short to me!)

During the writing workshop, Strasser created a short story with the students to illustrate the writing process in action  ~

• Writers write to send a message.  A message is unfolded gradually throughout the course of a story.  It’s all about baby steps . . . that’s what keeps us turning the pages.
• Subplots are disguised . . . characters who seem “incredibly useless” are often the most significantly important.
• Good stories are character-driven . . . the plot unfolds not because of outside pressure or force but because of who the characters are.
• Whatever is happening in a story is not usually what the main character is expecting to happen.
• Writing and reading go hand-in-hand.  The more we read, the more we are exposed to writing styles.
• Reading others’ writing validates our own thoughts.

Now where’s my green pen??

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Delivering Happiness Challenge & Giveaway!

Watch for GG’s review of Delivering Happiness on its release date, June 7th 2010!!

I am honored to be selected to review the new, yet-to-be released book by Tony Hsieh, the successful, young CEO of Zappos.com!  The Zappos team generously sent me two advanced copies of Delivering Happiness – A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose.  I’m busy reading my first copy and can’t wait to post the review.  In the meantime, I’d like to give away the second copy to one lucky GG follower.

This book will not be released until June 7th.  I would like YOU to receive an advanced copy!

I’m almost halfway through the book and can tell you that Hsieh shares insightful, interesting and humorous anecdotes about his plight through entrepreneurship.  He doesn’t use a ghostwriter and writes authentically.  This read is useful for all in its illustration of how Hsieh uses happiness as a framework (imagine!!) to produce results in business and personal life.

So . . . here is my challenge to you.  Too many times people see the glass half empty instead of half full; too many times people don’t see the fun in life; too many times people don’t feel the joy in their journeys.  I challenge you to deliver happiness to someone and share just how you did it:

1.  Follow me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GradingGirl

2.  Perform an act of kindness to someone you know or to a complete stranger.  Your act of kindness can be as simple or elaborate as you like.

3.  Come back to this post and, in the comments, describe that act of kindness.  What did you do?  What was the reaction and result of your delivered happiness?

4.  Respond by Friday, May 14th 11:59pm.  You can post as many delivered happiness descriptions as you like.

5.  One winner will be chosen based on the genuineness of the delivered happiness.

6.  I will mail the book anywhere in the United States.  SPAM comments will be deleted if deemed appropriate.  Make sure you have a valid email address when commenting so I can contact you for a shipping address. (your email address will be kept private)

Enjoy delivering happiness!!!

**GG does NOT endorse or giveaway products I do not stand behind.  As an English teacher, a self-proclaimed reviewer of “all things worth grading,” and a life-long reader of many books, I can give this away with confidence that the recipient will not be disappointed.**

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Save Some Water for the Fishies!

“ Save some water for the fishies!!”

This is what I used to say to my daughter when she was very young and just learning the hand-washing habit.  To gently curb overzealous scrubbing, I’d remind her about other creatures of the world who needed water too.  She could relate given that her beloved goldfish, Popsie, gave her so much joy.

In honor of Earth day, I feel the need to do my part to preserve our environment.  One area I really could improve upon is water conservation.  I’m still that person who carries plastic water bottles from time to time (DON’T tell my Californian relatives!!) rather than refilling a thermos.  Perhaps if I share these startling statistics I just found with you, I will be more apt to clean up my own act:

Water Conservation*

The average American uses 140 to 160 gallons of water per day.  This is an unbelievable statistic!!!  Here are some further breakdowns.  As you can see, there are things we can do to conserve how much water we use each day!!

~ To brush teeth (running water continuously) 2 to 5 gallons (turn off that faucet – do lunges around your room instead, like I do!)

~ To flush a toilet, 5 – 10 gallons (flush carefully!)

~ To run a dishwasher, we use 15 – 25 gallons (does this mean I don’t have to do dishes at all??)

~ To wash dishes by hand, we use 20 gallons (hmm . . . good reason to let the dishwasher do the dirty work.)

~ To water a small lawn, we use 35 gallons (much to my neighbors’ dismay, I REFUSE to water.  That is such a waste to me!!)

~ To take a shower, we use 25 to 50 gallons (maybe 3 minute showers isn’t such a bad idea . . . )

~ To wash a small load of clothes in a washing machine, we use 35 gallons (time to combine loads . . . or just don’t do laundary!!)

~ To take a bath, we use 50 gallons (yikes!)

*Information from EPA.org

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Do Aunts & Uncles Get the Shaft?

My brother called tonight with a “question for Grading Girl.”  The conversation began like this:

Bro: What do you call your mother and father?

GG:  Parents

Bro: What do you call your grandmother and grandfather?

GG:  Grandparents

Bro: What do you call your brother and sister?

GG:  Siblings

Bro: What do you call your aunt and uncle?

GG:  That is a good question!!!

Why did he call with such a question, you ask?  First, he too was an English major as an undergraduate and he has as much curiosity with our crazy language as I do (sometimes more!).  Second, he is expecting his first child in less than a month (a daughter!!) and I am, thus, about to become a very proud first-time aunt!! 

We have a general term for parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins but we don’t have a general term for aunts and uncles.  Why not?!  Is this something that once was a part of the English language but, for whatever reason, evolved to extinction.   Aunts and uncles are a significant relation; why don’t they have a word to reference them? Come to think of it . . . we don’t have a general term for nieces and nephews either.  Do other languages have such a term?  I took seven years of French and, as far as I remember, they have a separate name for aunt (tante) and uncle (oncle) but no general references.   Is there another language that has a general, gender-neutral term?

Hmmm . . . .  we aunts and uncles along with nieces and nephews must unite!  Perhaps we can come up with a new word and hope it catches on.  What about ancles for aunts and uncles and niflings for nieces and nephews?  I do enjoy making up words, after all!!  See my Words of Whimsy posts for proof of that.

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Things You Can Never Do Too Many Times

You Can Never . . .

~ give too many hugs.

~ sneak too many kisses.

~ smile too much (even when you don’t feel like it, it’s one of the best ways to boost your mood!)

~ bake too many homemade goodies for people you care about.

~ spend too much time with your kids.

~ tell your spouse or significant other too many times how much you love him or her.

~ tell your parents too many times how much you appreciate them.

~ tell your siblings too many times how happy you are to be related.

~ dance too many dances (whether it’s at your cousin’s wedding, at your co-worker’s bachelorette party, in your new salsa dance class, or in your basement).

~ sing too many songs (even if it is only in the shower!).

~ read too many books.

~ watch too many movies.

~ laugh too much.

~ clap too much.

~ celebrate too many holidays.

~ go for too many walks on beautiful days.

What else?? . . .

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Bringing Blogging to the Classroom #3

Today, students are typing their first posts!  All is quiet as they anxiously type, edit, and insert away!!! Here is the initial worksheet I used to aid in their set-up. 

 

Getting Started with Your Blog! ☺

Go to www.edublogs.org .  Click the box labeled “Sign up here”

Create a Blog Domain – this will be the url address that everyone will visit. This should be short and memorable. It should also be something that you won’t mind using for the rest of your years in high school.

DO NOT USE YOUR FULL NAME AT ALL!! YOU CAN USE YOUR FIRST NAME AND FIRST INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME!!

Create a Blog Title. This is the title that appears at the top of the home page each time someone logs on. This title should be a reflection of your personality or interests.

Privacy – You must click on NO, so that your blog cannot be searched within search engines.

You must click on NOT INTERESTED for additional information.

 Your username should be something that is short and memorable for you.  Additionally, your password should be something you will always remember.  Do not use a password that you use for other applications!!!
_____________________________________________________________________
Posts are the individual writings you add to your blog.

To add a new post:
 On your page, click on “Site Admin.”  It is on the bottom right column of your page.
 Now you will be in your “Dashboard.”  This is the back of your blog, where you can change the look of your blog, add new items and delete old items.  

Click “Posts.”
Click “Add New.”

You can now start typing or cutting/pasting a document into the post.

You will be able to upload photos, but I will need to approve them first.
   

 

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The Top Phrases in the English Language!

Screen Shot of Words from GG – go to Wordle.net, type your web site URL and watch the magic!

This is something I started just for fun.  Can you think of others???

The Single Best Word:     Yes!

The Two Best Two-Word Phrases:              I’m sorry.               Snow Day!

The Three Best Three-Word Phrases:        I love you.   You were right.  This is delicious!

The Four Best Four-Word Phrases:

Want to come in?
It’s on the house!
You look so young.
Let’s do that again!

The Five Best Five-Word Phrases:

Come to dinner with me.
Have a great Summer Break.
There’s no charge for this.
You are going to Hollywood! (as exclaimed by the Idol judges)
You make me so happy!

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Brilliant Brainstorming!

Clashing personalities or overblown egos often stand in the way of a productive meeting (or as my district identifies it – Professional Learning Communities).  Whether you are meeting with a larger or smaller group, the better ideas often seem to occur after the meeting is held.  How can we improve upon this?!

 

I read about this discussion-generating method in the current issue of Psychology Today (one of the 17 magazines I subscribe to!) and thought I’d bring it back to my PLC at the next session.  It worked!!!  It proved a more honest, productive way to generate thoughts.

Here it is (courtesy of Psychology Today) ~

I.   Write ~ Everyone sits down with a different colored pen and a piece of paper.  Each person writes an idea on the paper and passes his/her paper to the right.  EVERYONE IS MORE ACCOUNTABLE IF THEY HAVE THEIR OWN COLOR – BRILLIANT!! 

II.  React ~ Read the idea (silently) on the paper you just received, then add your own idea.  If you can’t think of something, just pass it along to keep the creative juices flowing.

III. Review ~ When a paper has about five ideas, retire it to the center of the group.  Everyone now analyzes them.  Because everyone’s ideas are all out there, there’s a need for a more systematic consideration of each idea.

IV.  Select ~ Everyone makes a list of their favorite ideas.  In my groups case, we are a small enough group that we just orally identified the favorites.  For a larger group, writing down the favorites may be more productive and honest.

“When the group is committed, they are usually surprised with what they achieve.”  (Heslin)

Bonus to Educators:  This can work as a classroom strategy as well, as a means to generate discussions or initiate background knowledge!!

Try it at your next meeting!!! 

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