The Write Stuff

Odyssey Test Answers

2011-06-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

I stopped writing in this blog, but then I went back and read parts of the teacher things...and I decided I want to start writing in this one again. Though, I am starting three weeks before the end of the year. Oh well!

Here's a taste of what kinds of ridiculous and awesome things my kids write:

The question reads: Odysseus gets in a lot of trouble because he is always shooting off his mouth. If you were one of his crew how would you persuade him that this isn't wise? Remember, he's your boss and you can't disrespect him.

"I would say chief you're nice but don't you think you're being a little mean or disrespectful? Just a little bit, not a lot. Just be a little bit more sweeter or nicer."

"To persuade him I would say Captain Odysseus stop talking like that or no one will cooperate with you. If you're nice to use we will follow your directions. So if you tell us to mop the deck we will do it."

"My leader, Odyssues, sir, I'm not questioning your decision. With your greatness and looks sir. I'm just saying sir we need to make better decisions. Again I'm just saying just think about it. Also, maybe some of us crew members could make decisions."

"I would say that the enemies will know where you live and take revenge on your home and your dearly beloved Penelope who awaits for you in your dwelling."

This is my favorite one: "I would tell Odysseus to be quiet because you can be a mystery. People will always think who was the guy who got away from the cyclops? If you stay quiet you can be the most famous man in the world. I would also say every girl in Ithaca will love you after you tell them secretly. Your wife would be so happy, she could always count on your to protect her."

That girl knows how to male ego works. Damn!

Summer Projects

2010-06-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

During the summer, I like to try to get a lot done...I have more time and energy than the rest of the year. I decided to post my to-do list now and then check back in September to see how I did. Without further ado...

*Go to all medical appointments: eye doctor, dentist, and annual checkup

*Clean out linen closet

*Clean out hall storage closet

*Clean out under my bed

*Clean out my trunk

*Organize my home file cabinet

*Go on at least four hikes

*Go kayaking four times

*Try surfing again

*Read at least 8 new books

*Lose ten pounds

*Organize the posters in my classroom

*Get all classroom filing done(!)

*Don't get sunburned(!)

*Get credit cards paid off in August paycheck

Oh yeah, this blog.

2010-06-20T11:27:00.000-07:00

Raspberries, though delicious, must be eaten within about 15 seconds of coming home from the grocery store, otherwise they all mold. So even when they're on sale, I have to think of how many I can eat in the same day.

Why Walk?

2010-03-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, May 8th I will be participating in the Revlon Run/Walk for women's cancers in memory of a fellow Carnegie teacher who passed away this school year. I am joining other teachers, staff, students, and their families in a team in order to fight women's cancers. I am also participating as a role-model to my students, to show that it's important to do something about causes that are important to you.

If you'd like to donate, here is my fundraising site: https://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/MyWebPage.cfm?pID=538358

Thanks friends.

So, you know how I'm a teacher?

2010-02-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

In the last month, two students have thrown up in my classroom. Both of these boys threw up on their desks. Like, didn't even make a move to run out of the room or to a trash can. Just barfed on their notebooks. Seriously?!?!

On the Ancient Israel test, they had to list five of the ten commandments. One boy wrote all of his as excalamations. As in, "You shall not commit adultery!" and "You shall not have other gods before me!" It's like the ten commandments are on the back of a DVD cover, describing a wacky adventure!

I was talking the other day and said, "Okay my children..." and a boy said, "Yes, my lady?" I told him not to call me that because it was creepy. He's called me that for the last three days straight.

30 Day Shred

2010-01-31T11:00:00.000-08:00

Has anyone tried this DVD? I have been reading a lot of blogs where people are doing it, but I want an opinion from someone I know, if possible. I am thinking about doing it sometime soon-I would love to be in better shape, and I like that it has three levels, so you can work your way up to make it more challenging.

One of the reasons I am thinking of doing this is because my gym membership is on hold until May. I did this for financial reasons, and since my prime gym months are during the summer-I really wasn't using it at all over the last few months. I occasionally go on walks or bike rides on the beach path, but I know this would be a more challenging workout and would work on muscle, which is what I am missing.

Anyone want to do this with me? Accountability?

Said with enthusiasm, to my 6th graders today,

2010-01-29T09:06:00.001-08:00

"Alliteration is my favorite literary device!"

What do you remember from 6th grade?

2010-01-25T14:56:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while I do an activity at school that I think the kids might actually remember. The things I remember from 6th grade include dissecting owl pellets, an affirmation activity where we all wrote nice things about each other, writing protest letters to the school district, and current event discussions (during one of which I stood up and called a classmate a "male chauvinist pig!"). There are a few other details, but that's about it. The rest blurs together.

As a teacher, I know that my kids won't remember every lesson I teach. Hopefully the things they learn build on each other, and while they don't remember the lesson, they remember things that I taught them. But, it's nice every once in a while to know that I did something special, that at least a few of them will remember.

Today, I think, was one of those days. My kids did How-To Speeches in English. The lesson was public speaking and writing directions. They had to make a poster and give their speeches today. Highlights included a boy who did how to make a paper airplane. He brought in paper for everyone, we all made planes, and then I had them line up outside to see who could throw theirs the farthest. Another boy did how to make sugar cookies and brought in homemade cookies for everyone. Along the same lines, a girl did how to make cupcakes and brought in cupcakes. A boy from first period did how to clean your room, and his poster included pictures of him cleaning his bedroom, along with a before and after photo (I'm thinking his mom suggested the topic). One girl did how to make lemonade and printed recipe cards for everyone. I also learned how to pitch a baseball, how to straighten my hair, how to shoot a free throw, how to draw a dog, how to make paper stars, how to cure vomiting, and how to do a rear naked choke hold (the boy demonstrated on another student. Neither was naked, just to clarify).

The kids overall did a great job and put a lot of effort into it. Eve the really nervous ones said they liked the assignment, and I was proud of them. I told them that it really made me happy to see the effort they put into the assignment. Definitely a new staple of being in Ms. Fletcher's English class. :)

Cartoons make the best musicals.

2010-01-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

Every year during my Israel unit I show The Prince of Egypt to my history classes. And every year I forget how much I love this movie. I think I may have blogged about this before, but it's usually the part where they're crossing the Red Sea that gets me. This year though, it's an earlier part in the movie where they sing this song:

"How can you see what your life is worth
or where your value lies?
You can never see through the eyes of man,
you must look at your life through Heaven's eyes."

I don't know why this hit me so strongly...but it did. There are lots of things I think of as important in life. And I spend a lot of time thinking about the little things. And I know I still will. But for a second I thought about the things in my life that matter. It matters that I am the kind of teacher who cares about my students. It matters that I love people, and show that I love them. It matters that I am a good friend, sister, daughter. And it's so hard to keep those things in mind when I am distracted by the little things. But for a minute, while watching a cartoon, I looked at my life through Heaven's eyes.

You Say You Want a Resolution...

2009-12-31T12:59:00.000-08:00

In 2010 I will....

...stop cursing. It's not like I go crazy, but like I tell my students, there are better ways to express yourself.
...shampoo my makeup brushes once a month. I am terrible about this, and it's not that difficult. Once a month is probably not ideal, but it's a start.
...be more positive about relationships. I wrote down affirmations for when I get in my negative mood about it, and I will not harbor negative thoughts.
...start my house down payment fund.
...have 100 no drive days, meaning I will walk, carpool, or ride my bike rather than use my car. It's green, it saves money on gas, and it makes me exercise.
...complete my secondary credential in English.

All about me...

2009-12-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

I had my students do an activity where they wrote eight sentences on any topic they wanted and then they traded with a neighbor and marked them as either facts or opinions. Some of them were stuck and so I said they should write about me (because I'm vain.) Here are some of my favorites:

"Ms. Fletcher is serious about classwork."

"She also is strict when people are talking."

"Ms. Fletcher is a Dodger fan. Also she does not like the Angles." (That's how he spelled it.)
"She also had nice blonde hair."
"She is better than all my other teachers."
She is the best teacher ever."
"Ms. Fletcher is the fastest typist in our school."
"Ms. Fletcher's class is very very FUN!"
"Ms. Fletcher cares for everyone in the class."
"We are not allowed to eat in class."

It's beginning to look a lot like memories...

2009-12-07T14:59:00.000-08:00

I love decorating my Christmas tree because I have been collecting ornaments from various places I've traveled, and so decorating the tree makes me think of trips I have taken and people I love. For example...

My cherry blossom reminds me of DC and visiting Melanie and Tasha.
My Big Ben reminds me of my trip to London with Shelley.
My Eiffel Tower reminds me of my trip to France with my Aunt Katy.
My Shaker Village ornament reminds me of my trips to Kentucky with Bethany. (and of the Godshalls, though I have not visited them there.)
My Dodgers ornament reminds me of Becca and Justin, my fellow Dodger fans.
My Jamaica ornament reminds me of my fabulous trip in August with Jessica and Elizabeth.

So, decorating my tree last night was great fun, not only because I have a lovely tree in my living room, but because of the sentimental value of my ornaments. They are my favorite travel souvenir. And, if anyone has an ornament that goes with Italy, tell me where to get it (I am totally willing to cheat and buy it after the fact so I can think of my trip to Florence and Rome with Rebecca).

Changing the stigma...

2009-12-06T22:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight I ordered Christmas cards with pictures on them for the first time. I always want to order these kind, because they are the kinds of cards I like to receive the most, but I've always felt weird ordering them as a single person. But tonight I decided that you don't have to be in a couple or a family to send out pictures on your Christmas card. I chose four pictures-two from Jamaica, one of some friends and me at Easter brunch, and one of Erin and me at a Dodger game. The hard part was deciding what the typed message should say. Here are some of the ideas Kerri and I came up with:

"Merry Christmas Suckas! Still single!"

"I care too much. Bitches be crazy!" (That's from Parks and Rec)

"I'd like a man in next year's card. Know anybody to set me up with?"

I eventually decided on something much more boring, but also much more appropriate. So my single friends, you too should make a photo Christmas card if you want to! And, prepare to receive one from me. :)

This is mostly for Erin...

2009-12-01T22:58:00.000-08:00

From one of my student's essay about Benjamin Franklin, who she says invented the library:

"Libraries are probably the most resourceful thing on Earth. Without this invention, I could not be able to type this essay! I probably would not know who Benjamin Franklin is! Most of you will say, "Well I can check on the internet." Guess what! They got their information from libraries! Libraries are the best invention on the planet!"

He's got a ticket to ride

2009-11-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

The Beatles cross generational lines and cultural boundaries. How do I know?

Today I put on The Beatles 1 Album and looked over to see an eleven-year-old Mexican boy in the year 2009 singing all the words to Ticket to Ride.

I love it.

Why I Like Carson

2009-11-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

So, a few weeks back my kids turned in essays for the citywide Why I Like Carson essay contest...and two of them placed! One kid won third place and the other won first prize! YES! My principal came in this morning to tell me and congratulate the kids and me. Very fun! It made me feel successful as a teacher and it's fun to see something positive come through for the kids.

New Personal Finance Blog

2009-11-18T21:15:00.000-08:00

Hello Blog Readers!

I have decided to start another blog-a personal finance blog, called Homeowner by 30. So, for those of you interested in a blog devoted to living frugally, saving, and getting out of debt, check it out. For those of you who wish I'd shut up about money, you're in luck! The Write Stuff will now be devoted to random musings, teaching thoughts, movie reviews of films of the 1970's...you know the drill.

Or, if you can't get enough of me, feel free to read and subscribe to both! :)

Love,
Jess

Anyone know anything about Swagbucks?

2009-11-14T16:14:00.000-08:00

This looks pretty legit and I've seen some other bloggers write about it. Or click on the banner and see what you think. I have three Swag Bucks so far, but it looks like you earn them by using their search engine. I am a big internet searcher, so this has some potential. Bloggers have mostly talked about getting amazon gift cards, but you can also get DVDs and all sorts of other things. Hmm....

No Spend November

2009-11-14T15:40:00.000-08:00

I have been seeking out blogs about saving money recently, for a few reasons. One, to get ideas of how I can save or bring in extra money. Two, it's nice to be able to relate to other people who are working on changing lifestyle habits and working their way out of debt in an anonymous format.

Today, I stumbled across a blog about No Spend November. This guy makes a rule that he can't spend any money except on things like rent, credit card bills, utilities, etc. No groceries, and for him, no gas. The trick is that any money extra made during that month CAN be spent. Spare change, selling things on Craiglist, calling out people who owe you money, rebates, etc.

Check out his blog. You can click on each day of the calendar to see his daily update. I really like this idea and I am planning on doing No Spend January, which lacks the alliteration, but gets me through the holidays. I am planning on doing a daily update on my blog for that month. Anyone else in? I'd love to see how much we can all save and how much we could really earn if we got creative and sold stuff around the house, took in recycling for cash, and collected the spare change.

Amazon Mechanical Turk

2009-11-12T23:21:00.000-08:00

I know Amazon Mechanical Turk is sort of gimmicky and sometimes shady. I know that the rates can make working in a sweat shop seem lucrative. But I transfered my $6.95 over to an Amazon.com gift card and bought my next book club book used for a total of $4.00, which means I have $2.95 to spare.

FREE BOOK!

Need I say more? I'm addicted!

(If you have no idea what I'm talking about, google it. I've been completing HITs while I watch TV and my goal is to build up funds consistently so that I can shop for books and DVDs without spending any money. Tedious? Yes. Right now, totally worth it? Yes.) Also, google the origin of mechanical turk for another interesting story.

Blog Plagarism

2009-11-09T15:02:00.000-08:00

Once again, I don't have much to say...so I will steal the words of my students from their important person essay. The assignment: choose an important person in your life, three traits that describe them, and write a five paragraph essay using evidence to back up the traits. Without further ado...

"The person that holds a family together is a mother. My mother is a mom who is supportive, smart, and kind-hearted to others and me."

"The most caring person I know is Areli. She's caring because whenever we see someone we know by themselves she always goes up and starts talking to them."

"My first trait that explains why Pablo is an awesome friend is that he is hilarious. He is hilarious because whenever I'm down he is always there to tell me a funny yo mama joke."

"My mom is giving because everytime I go outside she says, 'Here is a dollar for the ice cream man.' Also, when I go to Target or somethign she says to choose three things but not over $50. The biggest thing my mom always gives me is love. That is my favorite thing she gives me."

"Brianna is very brave when it comes to protecting her best friends. If someone is picking on them she says, 'Leave them alone...gosh!'"

"She likes cats, dogs, and as any grandma does, she loves babies."

"My grandma is faithful everyday. She is faithful because everyday she has a bright smile on her face when she goes to her radiation. It feels like a sunburn and that hurts really bad. Another reason why she is faithful is because she has breast cancer...everyday when my grandma wakes up she has faith that she is going to get better."

"Another trait I would use to describe my dad is brave. My dad went to Iraq in 2004 for almost two years. I call that brave because he didn't know if he would come back to his family. When he came back he was hurt mentally and physically. At night he used to wake up screaming thinking he was still in Iraq."

And finally...one boy seemed to get a little confused...he wrote about his mother was loving...lazy...and clumsy. I would be mortified if my son turned this in: "The reason she is lazy is because she would say, 'Let's go to the store later,' and when we are all ready she's in bed saying, 'Let's go on the weekend.' She always has to eat someone else's food because she is too lazy to make her own."

Sigh. They can't all be perfect.

Go ahead, make my day.

2009-11-02T11:14:00.001-08:00

Things that made my day:
1. I sent out an email to parents asking for donations of cups, napkins, juice, and donuts for our Egypt Placemat Breakfast on Thursday (they had to read a book about Egypt and make a placemat with five facts from their book On Thursday we are going to circulate and read each others while eating breakfast). I have had seven parents volunteer to bring items. Love it!

2. The kids did a decoding Hierglyphics activity that was actually pretty challenging. I was going to go over it at the end of the period and half the kids who hadn't figured it out yet yelled, "NO!!!!" because they wanted to figure it out themselves. The room was abuzz and they were SO into it.

3. I was getting observed by one of my assistant principals today, and I coughed, like once. He asked if I was sick and if I was drinking tea. He then left my room, went to his office, and made me a cup of tea and brought it back. Seriously.

And it's only 11:15am. :)

I don't feel I have to warn you of spoilers, since the movie came out in 1976

2009-11-01T00:10:00.000-07:00

I watched the movie "Carrie" for the first time tonight...whoa. That movie is honked up. But actually pretty well done.

First of all, the weird religious Mom who thinks sex is evil, calls Carrie's breasts "dirty pillows," berates her for having her period, and thinks the devil is in Carrie because the mom enjoyed sex...whoa. Whoa. And then, at the end when all the candles are lit everywhere and Carrie ends up crucifying her mother with knives along the doorway...I don't even know what to make of all of that. Talk to your kids about sex in a normal way, I guess is one of the morals of Carrie.

I also thought it was interesting how quickly the horror part happens. It's a long build up and then bam! Pig's blood, everyone is dead, she and Mom fight, house collapses in the span of maybe twenty minutes. It's an interesting style and makes the movie different from most modern scary movies, which are all about gore all the way through.

It definitely has it's scary moments-when her mom is hiding behind the closet door; when her mom tries to kill her; when she kills her mom, crucifixion style; when she reaches out of the ground and grabs Sue's arm.

But I think the strongest reaction I had wasn't fear, what makes the movie horrifying is the horror I felt at how mean the girls are to Carrie. Literally, when she goes up on stage to accept her award as prom queen, I was curled up on the couch saying, "oh no, no, no." The cute boy is being nice to her, her classmates are applauding. But knowing that John Travolta and his girlfriend (who keep slapping each other around, which is also pretty odd), are about to douse her in pig's blood was the hardest part of the movie to watch. It's just so awful.

Okay, and then the ending-why does the house crumble into the ground? Apparently "be sure to check for termites" is the other moral of Carrie.

5 Things

2009-10-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

My friend Nicole just posted a blog with five things she likes-she mentioned choosing to focus on the positive in life. I liked her list so much, I decided to make mine:

1. Bagels with cream cheese. I have recently been eating these for breakfast again and it is the thing I look forward to the most in the morning. The crunch of a perfectly toasted bagel, licking that little bit of extra cream cheese off my finger. Yum!

2. Men who respect women. And not just in the chivalrous way (though who doesn't love that as well?), but I am thinking of men who truly value women's opinions as equal to men's. Who are friends with women, who can admit when a woman is better than them at something, and who realize that these traits make them no less of a man. Frankly, these kinds of guys are few and far between, but whenever I meet one, I like him.

3. Middle School students. But only at school, not out in public. But I love that my kiddos say hi to me enthusiastically when they see me in the hall, even if they just left my room five minutes before. I love that they have boundless energy and can make me laugh every single day. That even when they make me crazy, I still kind of enjoy them.

4. Great pictures-part of the fun of being the yearbook adviser is that I get to see all sorts of fun pictures. Whether it's Ms. Aguilar and Mr. Stowell decked out in their search & rescue gear pretending to pry open a door with a crowbar, two girls jumping up and down at the school dance, or a great 8th Grade Favorites picture, where the "Most Talkative" kids made signs that say, "Dang, does she ever stop talking?" and "OMG I wish he'd shut up!" I love good pictures of people looking like themselves and having a good time.

5. Live music. Concerts are perhaps my favorite thing of all. And tomorrow night I get to go see the Foo Fighters perform at the taping of VH1 Storytellers. Super small venue, we get to ask questions, possibly meet the band, and it was free. Expect a blog on that in the next few days!

Movie/TV on DVD recommendations???

2009-10-23T12:36:00.001-07:00

Well, I officially have bronchitis again. Blerg.

So, besides watching my Thursday shows and the latest episode of Glee on Hulu this weekend, I am looking for ideas of movies or TV shows that I can rent this weekend.

I plan to sit at home, eat Natalie's crock pot recipe (see the comments on my last blog), read (library here I come!), and watch TV/DVDs. That's it. If anyone wants to risk catching my disease by parking it on my couch next to me, lemme know. Especially if you can bring a movie I don't already own.