Kids Say the Darndest Things

I was reading Judith Viorst's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to my second graders this week when I had one of those Did-anyone-else-hear-that? moments every teacher experiences on a daily if not hourly basis.

This story has been winning hearts since 1972 as readers can’t help but relate with Alexander who has a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day from the moment he gets out of bed. It’s a classic, to say the least, alongside Viorst’s other titles.

When I read it this year, though, a comment from one of my bright, witty boys had my heart chuckling. Hopefully you’ll appreciate it like I did.

The story begins, I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

It continues on as he gets squished in the backseat of his carpool, is forced to wear the railroad-train pajamas he hates and is even subjected to seeing kissing on TV. What a terrible day.

During his less-than-perfect day, Alexander narrates, …the elevator door closed on my foot and while we were waiting for my mom to go get the car Anthony made me fall where it was muddy and then when I started crying because of the mud Nick said I was a crybaby and while I was punching Nick for saying crybaby my mom came back with the car and scolded me for being muddy and fighting.

As my students sat crisscross applesauce on the carpet, I heard from the front row, “He was framed!”

“Why do you say that, Taylor?”

“Well, when there is more than just one person involved in something bad and only one of them is caught and punished, it means they were framed.”

Classic. I love my job.

Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy

In the last few years I’ve developed quite a fascination with health as a whole. The main two components being the obvious: what I consume and how I keep active.

To be honest, I was never one to take it upon myself to exercise. In fact, I dreaded it. This surprises some, but I realize the reason for my laziness was the reality that I didn’t know how good it felt to pick myself up and unglamorously sweat. Most of you can relate with that feeling, it just took me longer to understand the benefits and feel the difference. I’m currently staying active by walking my dog a handful of times a week (a mile or two) and dancing, kicking and punching the sweat out at kick boxing sessions 2-4 times a week. It’s fun, goofy and you can burn up to 600 calories within an hour if you’re giving it your all. I throw in a Pilates session or swim (fins and all) on occasion.

On to what I consume; as I mentioned in previous posts, I love food. I enjoy making food, eating food and talking about food. Who doesn’t love food? It’s actually a love-hate relationship because it can be the enemy staring you down when you are trying to resist and you least expect it. Especially when you have the sweet-tooth gene (thanks a lot, Dad). I’ve really had to change my eating habits in the last couple years for a few reasons. First of all, I get hungry all the time, so I need to eat all the time. Therefore, I need to be careful what I have around (if it tastes good, it’ll be gone soon). Secondly, I have low blood sugar, so I get dizzy if I don’t eat regularly and get enough protein. This is a really common problem, I’ve come to realize. Lastly, I have an extremely sensitive stomach. I envy my co-author who can eat anything and everything in any combination, order or quantity. Her father gave her the iron stomach gene.

I’ve decided to take it upon myself to understand what’s in the food I’m eating. There is so much contradictory advice presented to us on what to eat, which foods cure what, which will give us a “flat belly” and on and on and on.

“The jumble of information quickly turns into nutritional white noise that many people tune out.”

Walter C. Willett, M.D. (Eat, Drink and Be Healthy)

That quote is what pulled me into reading my first science-based nutrition book. Willett shares some holes in the USDA Pyramid. He worked on creating a new food pyramid with different and more expansive information. You’ve probably heard quite a few of these, but I thought they were good reminders nonetheless.

All fats are bad: Saturated fats (whole milk, red meat etc.) & trans fats (margarine, vegetable shortening etc.) can be blamed for clogging our arteries and leading to strokes, heart diseases etc. However, the Pyramid informs us to use all fats sparingly, while monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (olive oil, nuts, whole grains, fish etc.) are really good for your heart and shouldn’t be sparse in your diet.

All ‘complex’ carbohydrates are good: Six to eleven servings?! In the original USDA Pyramid, these servings include the starches like white bread, potatoes and white rice. In reality, our digestive system turns these starches “into glucose and pumps this sugar into the bloodstream… high spikes in blood sugar are followed by similar surges in insulin… triggering the unmistakable signals of hunger. These high levels of blood sugar and insulin surges are now implicated as part of the perilous pathway to heart disease and diabetes.” Carbohydrates we should be focused on are whole grains (brown rice, oats) and beans. It takes our bodies longer to digest these carbs, so they have a slower effect on our blood sugar and insulin levels.

Protein is protein: The Pyramid suggests equal amounts of red meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans and nuts. However, red meat contains the previously mentioned saturated fat and cholesterol and may give us too much iron (it’s in a form our bodies absorb whether we need it or not) and should be consumed in moderation. We should be focusing on chicken, turkey, fish, beans and nuts, which have less and/or healthy saturated fats we need.

Dairy products are essential: The Pyramid suggests 2-3 servings a day. However, Americans already get more calcium than almost every other country in the world. Fragile bones? There is little proof that calcium consumption prevents broken bones when you’re older. While calcium is important, there’s no emergency to increase your intake. Focus on spinach, broccoli, tofu, orange juice and skim milk or you can take a calcium supplement.

Eat your potatoes: Potatoes really shouldn’t be considered a vegetable because they’re mostly easily digested starch. They should be grouped with the other carbs. They don’t contain the health benefits other vegetables have been proven to.

Bottom line? Eat “good” fats, whole-grain carbs, healthy protein sources, lots of veggies (hold the taters), take a multivitamin as your insurance policy and exercise.

MOVING

So it's off to Montana and I've had two weeks to make it happen. Talk about chaos.

So what do you do with chaos? You make it "organized" chaos. Have a plan for everything and have back up plans. Then make back up plans for your back up plans. If you stay organized, take things day by day, and act responsibly by making thorough and wise decisions everything will work out to it's best and you won't become overwhelmed and break down. Even if you are doing your best and there are still stumbling blocks, keep moving and don't let anything bring negativity or cause you to give up. Nothing good comes out of stress and disorganization--it's just a set up for disaster and a loss of the needed mental capacity.

Now there are still so many unknowns and there probably will be until my arrival. This move could go in various directions but these are some of my best tips I have learned during this process so far:


1. Print out a separate planner and keep it with you at all times. Put your to-do list and important numbers on the backside. For example: I printed out one page of the 2 weeks I have until moving day. This way I can focus on just the next two weeks and not get too ahead of myself. Cross out stuff on your to-do list as you go. Use a pencil because things might change!

2. Network, network, network. Talk to everyone-- you never know if they might be of assistance or have something you need. Be honest and don't be afraid to share your situation with people you come across even if it's the receptionist at the moving truck company. You never know who might help you out. My co-worker happened to have bubble wrap and tons of boxes. Another co-worker of mine had a great vet that prescribed me sedatives for my cats at a low price. Some of the simple things were being taken care of which helped me take care of the other big and complicated things.

3. Cut the crap. Moving quite a bit in the last 4-5 years I have had many closet cleansing sessions. My new rule, if you haven't worn it, seen it, or touched it since the last move-- get rid of it! Make a pile for trash, goodwill, and ebay for the things you could make some extra cash on.

4. Stay calm and look at the positives. There are going to be obstacles and road blocks. I literally had a stumbling block at the beginning of this week. I drove my car right into a median between two parking spots and into a planter. It was a unnecessary start for the morning of my one day off, and I wanted to scream. When I really thought about my foolish mistake, all I could do is laugh it off, call the tow truck company and patiently wait finding something to fill the time like updating my to-do list. These hectic moving times can make someone emotionally vulnerable, so when you hit those road blocks-- laugh it off and keep on keepin' on.

The New Coupon

It's called "group buying" - the newest trend in saving money at your favorite local businesses. Imagine buying a $25 gift certificate for only $10 or even less. Seems almost impossible. Here's how it works:

The first time I found out about this phenomenon was on Groupon.com. Each day there is a new deal in your area on the website. Go on to check the daily deal or have them alert you by email. Discounts can be at local restaurants, spas, theaters, etc. If enough people sign up with their credit card number agreeing that they would be interested in the deal, the deal with activate.

My roommate introduced me to Restaurant.com which is another group buying website. Go on and you'll find tons of local restaurants in your area. Before you go out to eat log on, find a restaurant and buy a gift certificate for 50% or more off. Print and then you are good to go. It's a great way to find new dining experiences close by.


Try receiving an even greater discount by finding the latest promotion code and type it in when you check out. My roommate bought $180 worth of coupons/gift certificates for $14 by typing in the promotion code "cook." Make sure you look at the fine print since some deals only include dinner and exclude happy hour.

So be adventurous and check it out! Using Restaurant.com, my roommate and I fell in love with a new crepe place that we never knew existed!

To Have And To Hold

Last week, intriguing conversation arose while studying the book of Matthew with friends. In The Sermon on the Mount, divorce is discussed in verses 31-32 of Chapter 5. The gist of this passage states those who get a divorce or enter into a relationship with someone who has been divorced caused by the sin of adultery is committing adultery.

Our discussion was riveting, but I found myself personally wrestling with one question brought to the table. If unfaithfulness occurs (sexual immortality, abuse etc.) in a marriage, should both parties be devoted to the covenant they made, continue in the marriage and work together to honor God? In other words, if my spouse abused me or committed adultery, is it my responsibility to continue to pray for him, remain in the covenant of marriage and stay devoted to him as a wife? My initial human response is, No, I don’t deserve that, as I’ve remained faithful. However, when we choose to enter into a marriage, isn’t God calling us to a greater purpose than simply satisfying our own needs and desires? Isn’t marriage so much more than a piece of life intended to fulfill our worldly happiness?

As we continued to discuss various perceptions, a couple of personal stories surfaced. Both stories were recent and true.

The first was about a couple married for quite some time; they had children. The husband was not a Christian, while the wife was and they entered and lived their marriage as so. The husband developed a drinking problem and eventually began abusing the wife and young children. While the wife was scared for herself as well as her children, she did not want to leave her husband because she had made a commitment to him and God the day they made their vows. For safety, she and the children moved into a different house, while she continued to remain in the marriage. She prayed for her husband daily and reassured him she would not break her commitment to him. After five years, her husband came to know the Lord, repented of his sinful nature and their marriage was restored. Today, they have a faithful, loving marriage and they use their story as a testimony of the power of God’s promises.

The second story was about a couple also married for quite a few years. The husband traveled frequently. While away, the wife continuously cheated on her husband. After a few years, her husband became knowledgeable of the adultery his wife had committed. The husband went to his wife and apologized profusely for not being a better husband for her to feel as though she needed to seek elsewhere. She wept as she admitted her wrongdoing. They worked through this pain and are living in a committed marriage to this day.

Both stories highlighted strong character to me. In the first, the woman was inconceivably faithful to God and her promise in marriage. She held her commitment to the Lord and her husband by completely putting her own desires aside and literally giving her life to God. Through her faithfulness, she was rewarded. In the second story, the actions of the husband shocked me. Of course, the wife had made her decision to be unfaithful in her marriage and admitted to doing so, but the character of the man to take spiritual responsibility for what went wrong, is beyond description.

This concept of faithfulness is obviously applicable to the covenant of marriage, but what about looking at it from the standpoint of our calling to be obedient to God in all aspects? We are called to do radical things from a worldly outlook. We have to learn to put our flesh aside and fully submit ourselves to a God who loves us unconditionally and promises to fulfill even the unknown desires of our heart. It’s inspiring to have tangible examples of human flesh carrying out what God has called us to do, even though it goes against everything we are taught in this world.

Pet Therapy

Starting fresh and moving to a new city can be full of excitement and new discoveries, but there are also times of feeling lonely. My roommate and I are usually on different schedules and so there were many points when the house would feel cold and empty during the times she was gone. Every little noise around the house at night would make me nervous. Even though there was always endless tasks to do around the house, the quietness of being by myself would be difficult at times.


My roommate and I talked about getting kittens before we moved into our apartment but never acted upon it until her birthday a year after we moved. I would have never imagined the effect having pets in the house can have on a person. Even though baby animals can be hell raisers at times, I realized those lonely hours were now lively and warm. God blessed with me with kittens that love to snuggle and be close to me constantly. While at times it can be hard work having pets, especially two rambunctious kittens, it can also add much love to a home.

Having a pet around can be good for the body and spirit. It has been studied that pets have been related to physical benefits such as lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and increasing exercise and activity. The simple act of petting an animal can be therapeutic and help with hypertension. According to Discovery Health, older people increase in alertness when caring for animals.



There are many emotional benefits that I never realized existed. Owning a pet can help decrease anxiety and depression. The entertaining creatures make us laugh and relax which in turn relieves stress. A pet can increase the release of endorphins and other hormones tied to pleasure receptors in the brain. They are great companions for when people are ill or dealing with grief. Pets are one of the best friends a person can have, filled with unconditional love.

There are probably several more benefits than I could name. Whenever I'm home alone for a night it's nice to have my buddies around to hang out with and keep me from worrying over every little noise. Hearing them breathe or stir around in the middle of the night helps with the eerie silence. I highly recommend for other post graduates like myself out there dealing with living on your own that you invest in a pet. If you are out of the house frequently I would recommend taking care of two pets. We have two kittens in our apartment that have become best comrades. I don't feel guilty being out of the house or out overnight because they have each other. Also, if you have heard infamous Tarzan and Jane stories, you know pets can be quite the conversation piece as well!

Spring Conferences

As a teacher, alongside the obvious planning and teaching, you must keep open communication with your students’ families. This includes informing parents/guardians about their child’s academic progress and daily behavior at school. This regular contact, whether it be in person, through phone, e-mail or written documents, is key to a smooth school year.

In addition to these frequent updates, most schools require parent-teacher conferences a couple times a year. I recently completed spring conferences and I thought I’d share some of my observations of what it takes to achieve an effective conference with successful long-term outcomes.

Second grade happens to be a year of innocence, fun and pure curiosity. It’s nearly impossible not to see the amazing qualities of each child at this age. Yes, of course all students have their “moments” (some more than others) where teachers begin to think, “What should I honestly try next to get this child to be successful, behave, sit down or stop crying?” But in my experience, school days are full of positive outcomes, incredible accomplishments and new discoveries. This creates indescribable relationships between teachers and their students and students among their peers. Each year, classrooms literally become communities (especially in the primary grades).

The most important thing I’ve learned about having a successful conference is, bottom line, parents want to know you like their child. This seems obvious, but when teachers are trying to convey academic concerns (among other issues), the positive aspects of the child almost seem to go by the waist side. It’s extremely important to praise each child’s accomplishments and let them and their families know how proud of them you are. Once this is established, it’s unbelievable how much more willing the child and their family will be to put extra effort into what you request.

I always begin by telling my students’ parents their child’s outstanding qualities. Personally, I adore each and every one of my students, so I find this to be the easy part of conferences. It’s more difficult for me to explain issues that need to be addressed, especially if it’s how that child is doing academically. I want to be able to say each child is a pleasure to have in class and they are progressing at a steady rate with the rest of the class. As we all know, this isn’t always the case. I’ve found it’s best to start with the positive, address any issues or concerns and end on another positive note.

Another important aspect to consider is whether or not to have students sit in on the conference. I’ve heard and read many theories on this topic. Those who think it’s appropriate, generally feel it’s imperative. The general consensus is the teacher shouldn’t be saying anything the child shouldn’t be hearing. On the other hand, some disapprove, claiming conferences are held to privately discuss the status of students without feeling as though the child’s feelings will be hurt. At this point, I’ve reached a middle ground approach for my conferences. I literally let the parents decide. If they arrive without the child, it’s obvious to me they assume conferences are for parents and they may even want to convey information to me without their child hearing. Nothing is mentioned on the matter and our adult-only conference takes place. In other situations, parents arrive with their child at side, asking, “Can he/she come in, or should they wait outside?” I reply by telling them it’s their decision. These conferences take place however the parent feels more comfortable.

During conferences where the child is present, there are positive and negative aspects. The positives include being able to compliment the child in front of their parent(s) and being able to address any issues with the child witnessing the contact between teacher and parent. Students may even be asked to explain behavior and what they are going to do to fix the problem. These can be extremely effective moments. The negatives include the uncomfortable moments of conveying low academic levels when it is out of the control of the child (learning disabilities, English Language Learners etc.) and being able to openly discuss personal situations occurring in the child’s life. I’ve disregarded the negatives by having the child step out of the room for the first or last portion of the conference in order to discuss things privately with the parent(s) if it’s necessary.

Along with knowing you like their child, parents also want to know how their kid compares to the rest of the students in your particular class. Each conference period, I create a grid to visually show parents how their child stacks up against my other students in various academic levels and assessments. I order the scores from greatest to least and highlight each area where their particular child lies on the spectrum. It’s an extremely effective way to share academic levels while conveying where those scores lie within the rest of the class.

Lastly, it’s important to keep conferences within the allotted time. I tend to schedule my time slots with breathing room in between in case unexpected issues or topics of discussion arise. After all, these are some of the only times you get to sit down and have the undivided attention of your students’ only other advocates! Celebrate this opportunity and take advantage of the fact that you have support behind what you put your heart and soul into.