Blog Challenge

My blogging friend over at "Just SO" threw out a challenge last week and tagged me to do this.  She listed 11 questions for 11 of her blogging friends to write about and then pass the challenge on to 11 others.  So, here are the answers to her questions, with mine to follow with the Blog Challenge rules.

Soda or Pop?

Neither.  I’ve been “clean and sober” since August 1, 2009,  just after trek.  I’m an ice water girl these days.

What would you consider your best trait?

I’m not sure.  Maybe, the unnatural ability to volunteer, seemingly for everything.  But, that said, it may not always be my "best" trait.  Good question.  If you have an idea for me, please let me know.

What advice would you give to yourself at 13?

“Relax about him, already.  He marries someone else, but you end up friends.  It is much more comfortable this way.  Trust me.”

Romance, Action or Mystery/Thriller?

Of those three…probably, romance…but not that  slimey Harlequin kind.  Give me a good, well written, Austenesque story.  Those, I love!  Actually I just finished P.D. James’  “Death Comes to Pemberley” which is both a mystery and a little Regency romance.

Would you rather vacation on the West coast or the East?

Vacation, you say?  East coast…I LOVED Harry Potter World at Universal Orlando, and would go back in a heartbeat. I’d love to take my kids to Washington DC and see everything we could there in terms of the Smithsonian, history, museums, etc. Maybe visit the Big Apple, and some other New England revolutionary & Civil war spots, as well as some old church history places.  But then, please let me come back to the West to live.

Who is your favorite literary character?

It is hard to beat Elizabeth Bennett.  That is one sassy, strong-willed, say-what-you-mean, win-the-guy-in-the-end kind of gal.  But I also love the characters in the Harry Potter series. They are so well written, and I can hear their voices in my head anytime ithink of them.  I( may have mentioned that once or twice before.)

What makes you laugh?

My 14 year old son.  More than he should, to be honest. He is too charming for his own good.

What would you buy if someone handed you $100 and told you to go and spend it on yourself?

I’d have a hard time.  My mom sends money for my birthday with just that direction, and there are times I really have to think hard about it.  Usually I end up with some needed new clothes, shoes, or books.

What song speaks to you most at this moment?

Not sure on this one either.  I’m not a big radio listener anymore, and when I do, it seems to always end up at some classic rock or '80s station.  But give me a big-hair-band tune from back in the day, and I’m all over it.  I do love me some Bon Jovi, Van Halen or Queen on a given day.

Do you have a favorite poem or quote?

“It is our choices that show who we really are, far more than our abilities.”

When was the last time you cried?  (And why, if you care to share)

Monday night in FHE…I shared a lesson on defending our family…and I testified to my kids and hubz how much I love them and that my strongest wish is to be together with them forever.  Bawled like a baby.

 RULES

*You must post the rules

*Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you; then create 11 questions for those you are tagging.

*Tag 11 people and link them in your post

*Let them know you have tagged them

And if you are, like me, in need of a kick in the pants to start you blogging and you aren't on the list feel free to take any or all of the above questions and answer them.  Let me know though so I can swing by and read!  (I may take some of the ones I came up with and use them for future posts)

Here are my questions for Wendy, Karen, Julie, Shanna, Kira, Taffy, Peggy, Chris, Kara, Kathryn, and Madi. I'm looking forward to seeing what you girls come up with too.

1)      What is your favorite family dinner recipe, and where did you find it?

2)      What characteristic do you find yourself constantly striving for but never quite reaching?

3)      What famous actor/performer/singer can you not stand at all, and why?

4)      If you could choose a different time period to live your life, what would it be and why?

5)      What is the most worrisome issue facing our generation?

6)       What is a personality trait that makes you crazy in others?

7)      If you were any animal, what would you be and why?

8)       How would you prefer to celebrate your next birthday if money were no object?

9)       What spices are in your cupboard but that you never use, and how did you get them?

10)    How do you deal with personal disappointment?

11)    If you had only one movie you could watch ever again, what would it be and why?

Can I? Why? What?

How many question can one child ask you in a row? Have you ever counted? Do you count the ones he asks twice because he wasn't listening when you answered the first time? Do your children rephrase the question with different words but the same meaning for you? Several times? How long can you listen to these questions in one morning? Does it make you want to shoot yourself? Or them? Does any of this sound familiar? Did you think too that this behavior would go away by the time they got to junior high?

Thoughts for Parent/Teacher Conference

Yesterday I scheduled The Boy's Parent-Teacher Conference. All evening long I was thinking about this opportunity. And the things I need to bring up at that meeting.

The Boy's teacher is brand new--not just to the school we have been at now for 9 years, but new to the profession of teaching. He apparently did something else in his professional career (with school age kids, he assured me) and now has attained a teaching credential and is a brand new teacher. Also, I understand that his wife is a school administrator in another district, so that adds weight to his expertise, right?

I was a brand new teacher once too, in a well established school with parents who were involved and trying to help. It can be intimidating and overwhelming from that side of the desk. But from this side of the desk, it looks very different. So to prepare myself, I thought I should write a list of discussion point I would like to bring up with Mr. New Teacher:

*It is now more than a month into the school year and I haven't seen The Boy bring home any spelling words. Or any writing assignments. Or a reading log with required reading for home. Do you have plans for any of these subjects in this class?

*I have been asking The Boy about his Guided Reading groups. He looks at me like he doesn't know what I am talking about. Will you be utilizing the trailer filled with the school's Guided Reading library? Will that be happening in this subject in your class this year?

* I have noticed, with curiosity, that The Boy has regularly spoken about the choice of classroom pets for nearly 3 weeks. I understand that it has been settled upon by bringing a bearded dragon lizard into the room. Did it actually take three weeks to decide, or where you filling time with the pet campaign instead of doing history, geography or social studies of any kind?

*The Boy was outspoken and highly disappointed when the "Bravo Board Bingo" was held and he received no prize while other select kids, according to The Boy, earned two or three prizes each. I understand the prizes were in the $2-$5 range, each. I have no problem with them receiving rewards for their own good behavior, but have you thought about just giving them a bookmark or a homemade certificate? This would save not only your money, but also the student's expectations that they come to school for the prizes and not the learning. Besides, as I understand it, you are running a classroom, not a popularity contest here.

*Finally, as I collect The Boy every day after school, it seems he regularly has a treat of some kind to tell me about that he ate in class that day. Is this bribing with treats plan working as your classroom management? The kids should be expected to behave, and as the teacher, you set that expectation for their behavior. Being consistent and firm in your rules in class will go a long way in helping them learn to control themselves and, consequently, the overall behavior in your class. Again, my kindest suggestion would be to eliminate food rewards and then the kids won't expect a treat every time they do something correctly. A little Pavlovian, isn't it?

So, Friends, what do you think? Do you think I am being too demanding of the teacher? Too interested in the plan he has for this class? Am I a helicopter parent here? Should I continue my line of questioning to include whether he intends to follow the Utah State based curriculum and testing requirements? Or the NCLB breakdown of sub-groups required to be tested with the state standardized test? And am I a little too sarcastic? I have about two weeks to work the kinks out before I meet with the teacher. I'll keep fine-tuning my questions.