Jason got sick after I went to work on Thursday. I called him after school, and he sounded horrible! I felt badly he was at home all day, and I had NO idea!! He's been sick before, but never this sick! YUCK! So I called the doctor, and he called in some meds. Jason has pretty much slept for the past 3 days. I am SOOOOOO bored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As many of you know, men don't make good patients! Hate to think how one would act if they were dying! hehehe!!
Jason snores, yells, kicks, etc! After being married for over 3 years, I had enough!!! Jason went to see the doctor about a month ago for a sinus infection. He asked about his sleeping patterns. So the doctor told him to do a presleep study. He had to wear this thing one night that recorded certain things. He went the next morning to turn it in. They called within hours saying he needed to go to the sleep study place for an evaluation. He went last week. They called within a day, and told him he tested positive for sleep apnea. They lady in charge laughed at Jason when she woke him up. She asked if he remembered certain things like yelling, kicking, etc. ALL the things I told him he did that he thought I made up. He didn't remember a thing.
So now he has to go back for another night so they can test certain levels of oxygen, etc. I can't wait! I can't even describe a night with Jason. I get VERY LITTLE deep sleep. That is why Jason has to go back. They said they need 4 hours of deep sleep, and he didn't get it last time. So now I know why I am so tired all the time. I am not getting into my deep sleep.
So hopefully it's just a few more nights of no sleep!! Until then...yawn...I will continue to be sleepy!
Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills....
If you are a teacher, these words hit a nerve. It's the lovely state test for Texas. Although I do see some good in a state test, I am NOT for the TAKS test. I have had a 4th grader try to cut her wrist so she wouldn't have to take the test. Every year I see kids get sick on TAKS test day. Is it worth it? To me, it's not.
In 4th grade, they have to take the writing, reading and math tests. It's their first year for the writing test, so it's a lot of unknowns for the kids. Since 3rd grade students HAVE to pass the reading test to move on to 4th grade, a lot of 3rd grade teachers skip out on writing to have time for reading. Which I totally understand! When I taught all subjects, I left out science to have more time for writing, and they have to take a science TAKS in 5th grade. It's a never ending cycle!
Today was our "practice TAKS test" for writing. We used the released test from last year. Since I am at a WONDERFUL school this year, it wasn't as big of a deal. But I still had to cover my walls, walk around all day, etc. BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Covering the walls means anything letters, words, etc. on my walls I had to cover. We have to make sure each child in the state of Texas is on the same playing field. In my opinion, if they are smart enough to use the posters, cursive writing chart, etc.....let them! But I do as I am told and cover the walls.)
Anyway, I am reminded of the following post....the football version of TAKS. Read it. I know it sounds crazy, but that is how teachers feel. I have a student this year that will probably skip 5th grade because she is so bright. In that same class, I have a young man that is doing well if he writes 5 sentences. Yet, they are to pass the same test.
For this reason, I am now tutoring Tuesday mornings, Tuesday after school, and Wednesday after school. I might as well pop a tent in my classroom.
I don't have the answers, and I don't claim to have them! I just now A LOT of VERY GOOD teachers are leaving the education field because of the stress and craziness of it all. The good news is...you can usually find a teaching position in a TAKS testing grade!! :) Bad news is...they are gone after a year!
If you are still reading this, WOW! Thanks for listening to me on my soapbox! Can you tell Jason is gone tonight?! :)
I'll sign off for now...enjoy!
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND: The Football Version
1. ALL teams must make the state playoffs and all MUST win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable. If after two years they have not won the championship their footballs and equipment will be taken away UNTIL they do win the championship.
2. ALL kids will be expected to have the same football skills at the same time even if they do not have the same conditions or opportunities to practice on their own. NO exceptions will be made for lack of interest in football, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities of themselves or their parents. ALL KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL!
3. Talented players will be asked to work out on their own, without instruction. This is because the coaches will be using all their instructional time with the athletes who aren't interested in football, have limited athletic ability, or whose parents don't like football. 4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the 4th, 8th, and 11th game. This will create a New Age of Sports where every school is expected to have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimum goals. No child gets ahead, so no child is left behind. If parents do not like this new law they are encouraged to vote for vouchers and to support private schools that can screen out the non-athletes and prevent their children from having to go to school with poorly performing kids.
Well, Wednesday was my first day back. What happened to getting 2 weeks off for Christmas?! I know I should be thankful for what I get because I am blessed to have a while off, but my breaks keep getting shorter and shorter. All for tourism for Texas. Whatever! :)
I drive about 15-20 minutes to work each day. I usually leave my house around 7A.M. This morning was one of the prettiest sun rises I have seen in a while! Then I got stopped by a train. I am usually like...uh! But this morning, I was so glad because I got to sit and watch the sun rise. WOW! What a mighty God we serve! I needed that breath of heaven as I was sleepy and praying that God will use me in a mighty way today.
I got a new student today. She is from Florida and seems like a precious young lady. She is GT, so that is always music to a teacher's ear...especially with the state writing test in EIGHT weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not much else is going on. Just work and basketball games. I hope everyone is doing well!
