playing catch up

The past week was basically cleaning up my mess from the week before. Falling behind, being lazy and unmotivated, and not having the heart to be The Teacher 100% of the time, which led to problems in keeping my classroom under "control". Since I decided not to tell most of my students about what I was going through, a lot of them had snide little comments at times, like "Awwww, is Mrs. Pushie having a bad day?" in a very mocking, baby-talk kind of tone. I also had strange insult/compliments like, "Mrs. Pushie, you are my example for a round character. I never know what to expect from you." Um... cool...? Thanks? It was a funny moment. The classes that did know cut me some slack, but Spirit Week quickly erased any thought of forgiveness for grief from their minds. Oh well. I'm back and ready for 'em this week. Finally caught up, found motivation and, hopefully, things will get back to being right. (Plus, Homecoming being over is a HUGE plus... no more added craziness from that) By the way, speaking of Spirit Week, I posted some pictures on my flickr site that I took this week.
Today, at Target, we found the most amazing "playground ball" (like for 4 square or kickball). It had a skull and crossbones on it. They had HALLOWEEN THEMED PLAYGROUND TOYS! Holllllyyy moly, I was happy. And the ball was $4! It is now my "Ball O'Doom" for the classroom. A nice toy to toss around/at people during discussions. I also had a brilliant idea for my cart and how to re-organize it to create a small library to give those overacheiver kids something to do with all that free time they have. You better believe it's gonna have BUST, Adbusters, Mental_Floss (which a lot of the kids are really enjoying when others read it for their Reading Minute) and maybe an issue or two of Bitch? Maybe I'll risk it... haha. I'll probably stick some zines in there, too.
This week I get to include horror movies into my teaching of compare/contrast writing. I am brilliant. We'll be comparing and contrasting the movie trailers for the Romero "Dawn of the Dead" and the new "Dawn of the Dead" OR the trailers for the American release of "Ju-on" (the Grudge) and the Japanese release of "Ju-on" (because they are, amazingly, completely different). I hope the kids like it as much as I will. They really love talking about horror movies. Plus, tomorrow and Tuesday, it's been requested that we read a few spooky stories, so I'm taking in my big book (with creepy pictures) of some good ghost stories. My 1st bell were so amazingly well-behaved (seriously, it was a miracle. I was so suprised) that we're going to have a small little reward day. We're bringing in snacks and all of that and I'm taking in a movie for them to watch. They were totally excited! haha. I am going to make them sign a contract saying they will do the daily work (journal and reading minute) and clean up after themselves, or there will be no more reward days ever. again. (plus a few detentions/conduct notices)
As I wrote in the letters I sent out, things can only get better. (adding an extra hour to this day didn't hurt, either)