Summer

Last summer did not deserve the title summer - it was cold, rainy and gray. Now this summer is what it is all about; mid 70's and sunshine - all my gardens are definitely more advanced than they were last year.

This coming weekend is Eagle River's big celebration, the Bearpaw Festival. Including a 5K run that Chris will be running in!

Opening the door to my room this morning was a weird event - something had scratched huge holes in my carpet and there were papers all over the floor around my desk. Finally someone put it together - a squirrel had gotten locked in my room and was trying to get out my (non)opening window, then scratched the carpet by my door - it eventually made its way up through my ceiling tiles. Rotten way for a little squirrel to end.

Summer

Aaahhhh, the lazy days of summer - sleeping late, making sun tea, walking the dogs, playing in my flower beds. I love this, especially when the weather cooperates- last year it felt like we had nothing but gray skies and rain, and my less than a 5 gallon bucket of potatoes from 30 hills, certainly bears out that it just never warmed up. So all the sunshine and blue skies thus far are deeply appreciated and enjoyed.

Other creatures are also benefitting from the kindness of this weather. This cow moose and her twins strolled through our neighborhood last evening. Mama moose are hyper protective and everyone kept kids and dogs away from them but Chris took a few pictures of them. The one posted is my favorite.

Heres to summer, may this one remain as beautiful as it has begun.

Love/Hate

The last week of school.

I have a love/hate relationship with those words. I never feel like I have taught my students enough, there is so much more to cover and time to spend with them - but on the other hand - it is now time for myself, at least as much as Chris' soccer schedule will allow me. Time to piddle around in my gardens, play with the dogs, quilt and read.

Like I said, love/hate.

But for my students the overwhelming feeling is of relief. Relief at getting to sleep later, relief that there are no more projects due, relief that they don't have to spend any more time with whichever teacher annoys them most. But I also suspect that there is a bit of mourning occuring also - every milestone reached is a cause for celebration and nostalgia, and just a touch of sorrow as they move further away from their childhoods with each of those milestones.

Chris is experiencing that sorrow now as he is begginning to make the transition from 8th grade to freshman. He and his friends will have a fun last week of school - they are going bowling and having a pizza party. I told him next year at this time he will be concentrating on finals and perhaps the state track meet, a far different level of intensity than pizza & bowling.

Here's to change, our only constant.

Class of 2009

Seniors last day...those three words mean the world to so many kids. Whether they are the valedictorian of their class (go Artan:) or just got the word that they have a waiver for that last 1/2 credit and have definitive word that they get to walk on Tuesday (our graduation!) They are walking three feet above the ground - in January when it was cold and miserable and easy to sleep in (and three Januarys prior to this as well) despite their worst intentions they came to school - they moaned, we groaned, but we all made it through and now as the trees turn brilliant spring green they are feeling their own sap rise and as teachers, we feel pride and joy and let's admit it - relief!!

This is, without a doubt, my favorite part of spring!

Springtime in Alaska

Aaaahhhhhhh.....there is nothing like the relief of finishing up a class. I certainly feel it and I know my students are, at this point in the school year, aching to feel it too! Spring fever-cabin fever- whatever fever you want to call it, it is a real phenomenom - and here in Alaska where winter only loosens its grip after a fight, these spring days are a blessing and a curse.

The weather forecasters say we have the possibility of snow showers today and looking up at the Chugach mountains I can say that they are right. I am, however, selfishly hoping it doesn't move down here as my son is running today.

That is the other thing about spring time in Alaska, the season is a bright burst between winter and summer and the athletic seasons that mirror it are too. Chris' JH track season is 4 weeks long. In that time he has to develop and peak skills in a hostile environment. Today it is low 40's - which he says is ideal for running as long as the wind doesn't blow or that snow up on the Chugach's doesn't move down.

Let summer begin!

Golden Moments

Student creativity is truly the blessing in my business. I am constantly amazed at how they will stretch themselves on a project. It certainly makes my job so much more fun when I see their enthusiasm expressed in a project they have invested time and thought into creating, when it moves beyond "the minimum necessary to pass" and into the realm of "I get this and its cool to get this" information!

Today one of my classes is presenting their "Gold Rush games" I have my back to them and I am listening to them discuss how to play their games, put finishing touches on, and tease each other about how good their games are - this is nirvana for me because I know that far beyond my worksheets these games are what they will remember about this class. Success.

I am also watching a few students who have no game in front of them - they are trying to become invisible to me, because they know a grade rides on this game. I know of no stronger motivation than other students enthusiasm and yet, there are still those students who are impervious to it - sometimes it feels like beating your head against a wall getting them involved - but it sure feels good when you do!

Testing

Today we began our round of testing with science. I hope that my students are doing well and getting into the mindset they need to be successful in this testing. Next week the big 3 hit: Reading, Writing, Math. I will be proctoring in a section of students unfamiliar to me which will make things interesting - however, I will rely heavily on my partner who is experienced and skilled with this section!