This week is Teacher Appreciation Week.
Here is what I found in my mailbox at work this morning:
Mrs. B. is a wonderful teacher because she is nice. She will help any student with homework and schoolwork. She is very smart and punctual. Plus she is very graceful with hardheaded students. Over all she is a great and wonderful teacher. (He also drew a picture with the caption "pretty as a flower.")
Never underestimate the power of saying thank you. It goes a long way.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Oven pancake, apple style
I don't think I have ever posted a recipe before but this is just so good, so homemade and so easy that I can't resist. Those who don't like cooking I give you permission to skip this post-go read something else.
As for everybody else, if you are looking for something new to make, I hope this helps.
This recipe is actually from Betty Crocker and she calls it Puffy Oven Pancake.
2 Tbsp. stick marg or butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk (I used soy and kept the whole recipe pareve).
1/4 tsp salt
1. Heat oven to 400. Melt marg in a pie plate (I used an 8" round disposable pan) in oven.
2. Beat eggs in bowl. Beat in remaining ingredients and pour into pie plate.
3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until puffy and deep golden brown.
To make the pancake with apples:
Prepare the pancake following the above directions-except sprinkle 2 Tbsps. packed brown sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon evenly over melted marg in pan. Arrange 1 cup thinly sliced peeled apple over sugar. Pour batter over apple. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Immediately loosen edge of pancake and turn upside down onto plate.
I actually doubled the recipe and it worked great. It fed 4 kids and 2 adults with nothing left over. I think it would go great with whipped cream but I didn't have any so we ate it plain and it was still fabulous.
I hope you enjoy the oven pancake as much as we did!
As for everybody else, if you are looking for something new to make, I hope this helps.
This recipe is actually from Betty Crocker and she calls it Puffy Oven Pancake.
2 Tbsp. stick marg or butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk (I used soy and kept the whole recipe pareve).
1/4 tsp salt
1. Heat oven to 400. Melt marg in a pie plate (I used an 8" round disposable pan) in oven.
2. Beat eggs in bowl. Beat in remaining ingredients and pour into pie plate.
3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until puffy and deep golden brown.
To make the pancake with apples:
Prepare the pancake following the above directions-except sprinkle 2 Tbsps. packed brown sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon evenly over melted marg in pan. Arrange 1 cup thinly sliced peeled apple over sugar. Pour batter over apple. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Immediately loosen edge of pancake and turn upside down onto plate.
I actually doubled the recipe and it worked great. It fed 4 kids and 2 adults with nothing left over. I think it would go great with whipped cream but I didn't have any so we ate it plain and it was still fabulous.
I hope you enjoy the oven pancake as much as we did!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Bright spots in a blah week
This week has been rough.
Not for any terrible reason, thank G-d.
Just regular life is a little overwhelming. Especially when Sundays have a lot going on-I feel like I am always playing catch up.
But there have been some bright spots this week including:
1. Sinus rinse!! My allergies have been killing me and (thanks for the medicine advice, everyone!) I got a sinus headache yesterday on top of all the allergy drama. So I used my sinus rinse and it really works. The pressure in my head went away almost immediately. So that was a yay!
2. I made an oven apple pancake last night. Homemade. Delicious. I doubled the recipe and it was gone it 10 minutes, I didn't even have time to take a picture. I will try to post the recipe later in case anyone wants it.
3. Report card pick-up day today! Not exciting except for that I didn't need to go into work until 12 today. So I did get some stuff at home done today.
At least there have been a few bright spots this week. Maybe there'll be more, who knows?
Not for any terrible reason, thank G-d.
Just regular life is a little overwhelming. Especially when Sundays have a lot going on-I feel like I am always playing catch up.
But there have been some bright spots this week including:
1. Sinus rinse!! My allergies have been killing me and (thanks for the medicine advice, everyone!) I got a sinus headache yesterday on top of all the allergy drama. So I used my sinus rinse and it really works. The pressure in my head went away almost immediately. So that was a yay!
2. I made an oven apple pancake last night. Homemade. Delicious. I doubled the recipe and it was gone it 10 minutes, I didn't even have time to take a picture. I will try to post the recipe later in case anyone wants it.
3. Report card pick-up day today! Not exciting except for that I didn't need to go into work until 12 today. So I did get some stuff at home done today.
At least there have been a few bright spots this week. Maybe there'll be more, who knows?
Monday, April 12, 2010
#101
This is my 101st blog entry. I have officially passed 100 posts. That has got to be important to mention, right?
Actually, I do want to say thanks to everyone who reads, it means a lot to me. Blogging has been a way for me to express myself and share my thoughts and the fact that people out there in cyberspace find me interesting is very encouraging. So I thank you and my self-esteem thanks you too! And feel free to speak up and share. I love reading comments.
Anyway, yesterday I forgot to mention something else I love: coffee!! I finally opened my new keurig and it is fabulous, awesome, and amazing. It really makes a great cup of coffee (and fast too). I'm not sure about the tea yet but I also drink lots of tea, so I think I am going to get my money's worth. Speaking of money, I got a really good deal on it. It's kind of a long story but my mom bought the mini at Kohl's for $72 ( she had an extra coupon and it was on sale and less sales tax in MD). I then returned it and upgraded to the elite and used a 15% off coupon so only paid $100 (including tax) for it. It's normally $130 without tax so I think it is a pretty good deal. And it will be an even better deal if I don't buy coffee during the week!
I could really use the coffee today-I am sooooo tired! It is so hard to be back to the routine. Even though it was back to the routine last week, this is the first Monday in a while and it is just plain exhausting!
I think I am going to go hunt down a cup of coffee to survive the afternoon. . .
Actually, I do want to say thanks to everyone who reads, it means a lot to me. Blogging has been a way for me to express myself and share my thoughts and the fact that people out there in cyberspace find me interesting is very encouraging. So I thank you and my self-esteem thanks you too! And feel free to speak up and share. I love reading comments.
Anyway, yesterday I forgot to mention something else I love: coffee!! I finally opened my new keurig and it is fabulous, awesome, and amazing. It really makes a great cup of coffee (and fast too). I'm not sure about the tea yet but I also drink lots of tea, so I think I am going to get my money's worth. Speaking of money, I got a really good deal on it. It's kind of a long story but my mom bought the mini at Kohl's for $72 ( she had an extra coupon and it was on sale and less sales tax in MD). I then returned it and upgraded to the elite and used a 15% off coupon so only paid $100 (including tax) for it. It's normally $130 without tax so I think it is a pretty good deal. And it will be an even better deal if I don't buy coffee during the week!
I could really use the coffee today-I am sooooo tired! It is so hard to be back to the routine. Even though it was back to the routine last week, this is the first Monday in a while and it is just plain exhausting!
I think I am going to go hunt down a cup of coffee to survive the afternoon. . .
Saturday, April 10, 2010
I love. . . and a question
warm, sunny days
long naps on Shabbos
cake, bread, muffins, scones, or any carb laden food
quiet
a long novel with lots left to read
time to read the long novel
all the work and parenting that my husband does around here
when my kids make me laugh
And now for my question-really bad allergies have been acting up: sneezing, runny nose, etc. Anybody had good luck with an over the counter allergy med? Benadryl works but then I am comatose for hours after. I need something that will help but not require a bed in the immediate vicinity. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
long naps on Shabbos
cake, bread, muffins, scones, or any carb laden food
quiet
a long novel with lots left to read
time to read the long novel
all the work and parenting that my husband does around here
when my kids make me laugh
And now for my question-really bad allergies have been acting up: sneezing, runny nose, etc. Anybody had good luck with an over the counter allergy med? Benadryl works but then I am comatose for hours after. I need something that will help but not require a bed in the immediate vicinity. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Monday, March 22, 2010
this time of year
what i am doing with my time:
cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning.
lists, lists, and more lists.
i like making lists but in this case i feel like it just showcases all that i need to do, they keep getting longer, not shorter. i did find last year's lists/menus so it should help. also, (gasp!) i am getting some cleaning help (i don't have a cleaning lady during the rest of they year).
errands, errands, and more errands
haircuts, haircuts, and more haircuts
work, work, and more work (iep paperwork just keeps getting longer)
spring break is coming!! yay, all of pesach will be spent at home and with my family which doesn't happen often (usually i have to work during chol hamoed).
worrying about all the school budget cuts happening all over the city.
hoping i will still have a job next year (i am pretty sure i will but you just never know).
researching gardening/ how to grow plants in my backyard..
more later. . .
cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning.
lists, lists, and more lists.
i like making lists but in this case i feel like it just showcases all that i need to do, they keep getting longer, not shorter. i did find last year's lists/menus so it should help. also, (gasp!) i am getting some cleaning help (i don't have a cleaning lady during the rest of they year).
errands, errands, and more errands
haircuts, haircuts, and more haircuts
work, work, and more work (iep paperwork just keeps getting longer)
spring break is coming!! yay, all of pesach will be spent at home and with my family which doesn't happen often (usually i have to work during chol hamoed).
worrying about all the school budget cuts happening all over the city.
hoping i will still have a job next year (i am pretty sure i will but you just never know).
researching gardening/ how to grow plants in my backyard..
more later. . .
Thursday, March 4, 2010
accountability, etc.
I'm finally getting around to writing about accountability.
This is a very important topic for me as it seems to rear it's ugly head almost daily in my life.
A few weeks ago after report cards came out some of my students had D's and F's on their report cards. Now, anyone who knows anything about special ed knows that it is really not ok to put those kinds of grades on a report card of an IEP student. Why? Because that usually means something is wrong in the IEP and it's not working. And usually I agree with that. I just don't see a lot of point in giving special ed students failing grades-they are already working extra hard.
But what about when the grades are already modified (changed to help the student succeed)? And they are receiving all the modifications and accommodations listed in their IEP? So, simply put they are just not doing the work that is expected of them. What happens then? Philosophically speaking, is giving them a passing grade in that situation appropriate? It's certainly not the way real life works.
Just to backtrack for a minute: I have mentioned before that I work in "the ghetto." (please don't be offended-my students call it that). And my students more than any other in the school are lacking so many things-money, family support(emotional), sometimes even food and clothes. So I understand that there are many factors that get in the way of their success. However, when do I stop making excuses for them and start to demand responsibility?
I truly feel that constantly lowering my expectations for responsibility does no one any good. It just continues the cycle of entitlement and the feeling that they don't have to try because there will be no real consequences for their actions. I think our society has completely enabled people with labels, people who fall in the special ed category. It's not a free pass. But I think that has trickled down from society. Students with disabilities need different things (hence, the individualized part of the IEP). Certainly they should have full and complete access to what they need. But that does not mean there are no consequences. Good or bad. Maybe the consequences will be different from others. But there are still certain results as a cause of specific actions. Whether or not it is because of a disability.
I'm getting a little off topic because I really want to focus on a situation that happened with a student that has an IEP but what happened is not a result of her disability. So here goes. An eighth grader I teach got a D in writing last quarter. I had been in touch with her parents over the course of that time (when she was missing assignments) and so it should not have been a surprise to them when she received that grade. Why did she get that grade? Simply because she did not turn in any work. Writing is difficult for her. However, she barely qualified for special ed services and organization is not an issue that is addressed in her IEP. And yet, the parents want to blame me and say that it is because I am not doing my job (they didn't actually say that, but it was implied). It is always easier to blame someone else than actually deal with the real problem. Anyway, besides the fact that I was personally offended (I work my butt off!!) they are doing their daughter such a disservice. She always has some sort of excuse why something isn't done (too noisy, couldn't finish it-the computer isn't working, etc.). She also tells her parents one thing and her teachers something different. So she is manipulative and trying to get out of work that she has to put more effort into to achieve a satisfactory result. She absolutely earned that grade. But am I not supposed to give it to her just because she has an IEP?
The grade stands and the principal supports me. And I documented myself well (note to teachers reading this-document, document, document so you CYA). There was a little more drama involved because they went behind my back to get sympathy and agreement from other staff members. However, it actually ended fine so far because it is not about me. It is about what is best for the student. Ultimately I want my students to be successful and however that needs to happen I will do it. But it is hard to do this job and feel like you are not helping, only enabling. I hate that.
Unfortunately, progress reports come out next week so the cycle will just repeat itself again. UGH. . . not looking forward.
Stepping off soapbox for now. . .
In some other news:
My sister had a baby boy on Sunday!!! Yay!! She made it to 36 1/2weeks! I'm going to the bris this weekend without any children. We'll see if I get to relax at all.
Little T lost her first tooth this week! She has a gap now in the bottom of her mouth.
Purim was low-key which is just the way I like it! I'll upload some pics soon!
Busy week and it is just getting busier as we move closer to Pesach!
This is a very important topic for me as it seems to rear it's ugly head almost daily in my life.
A few weeks ago after report cards came out some of my students had D's and F's on their report cards. Now, anyone who knows anything about special ed knows that it is really not ok to put those kinds of grades on a report card of an IEP student. Why? Because that usually means something is wrong in the IEP and it's not working. And usually I agree with that. I just don't see a lot of point in giving special ed students failing grades-they are already working extra hard.
But what about when the grades are already modified (changed to help the student succeed)? And they are receiving all the modifications and accommodations listed in their IEP? So, simply put they are just not doing the work that is expected of them. What happens then? Philosophically speaking, is giving them a passing grade in that situation appropriate? It's certainly not the way real life works.
Just to backtrack for a minute: I have mentioned before that I work in "the ghetto." (please don't be offended-my students call it that). And my students more than any other in the school are lacking so many things-money, family support(emotional), sometimes even food and clothes. So I understand that there are many factors that get in the way of their success. However, when do I stop making excuses for them and start to demand responsibility?
I truly feel that constantly lowering my expectations for responsibility does no one any good. It just continues the cycle of entitlement and the feeling that they don't have to try because there will be no real consequences for their actions. I think our society has completely enabled people with labels, people who fall in the special ed category. It's not a free pass. But I think that has trickled down from society. Students with disabilities need different things (hence, the individualized part of the IEP). Certainly they should have full and complete access to what they need. But that does not mean there are no consequences. Good or bad. Maybe the consequences will be different from others. But there are still certain results as a cause of specific actions. Whether or not it is because of a disability.
I'm getting a little off topic because I really want to focus on a situation that happened with a student that has an IEP but what happened is not a result of her disability. So here goes. An eighth grader I teach got a D in writing last quarter. I had been in touch with her parents over the course of that time (when she was missing assignments) and so it should not have been a surprise to them when she received that grade. Why did she get that grade? Simply because she did not turn in any work. Writing is difficult for her. However, she barely qualified for special ed services and organization is not an issue that is addressed in her IEP. And yet, the parents want to blame me and say that it is because I am not doing my job (they didn't actually say that, but it was implied). It is always easier to blame someone else than actually deal with the real problem. Anyway, besides the fact that I was personally offended (I work my butt off!!) they are doing their daughter such a disservice. She always has some sort of excuse why something isn't done (too noisy, couldn't finish it-the computer isn't working, etc.). She also tells her parents one thing and her teachers something different. So she is manipulative and trying to get out of work that she has to put more effort into to achieve a satisfactory result. She absolutely earned that grade. But am I not supposed to give it to her just because she has an IEP?
The grade stands and the principal supports me. And I documented myself well (note to teachers reading this-document, document, document so you CYA). There was a little more drama involved because they went behind my back to get sympathy and agreement from other staff members. However, it actually ended fine so far because it is not about me. It is about what is best for the student. Ultimately I want my students to be successful and however that needs to happen I will do it. But it is hard to do this job and feel like you are not helping, only enabling. I hate that.
Unfortunately, progress reports come out next week so the cycle will just repeat itself again. UGH. . . not looking forward.
Stepping off soapbox for now. . .
In some other news:
My sister had a baby boy on Sunday!!! Yay!! She made it to 36 1/2weeks! I'm going to the bris this weekend without any children. We'll see if I get to relax at all.
Little T lost her first tooth this week! She has a gap now in the bottom of her mouth.
Purim was low-key which is just the way I like it! I'll upload some pics soon!
Busy week and it is just getting busier as we move closer to Pesach!
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