what i'm reading

School is ending. In fact, today was the very last day I taught my students anything new. Which means that I now have time to do my own reading. (Yay for summer!) I have already started in on my reading list (and some books that are not on my list, but I read because there was nothing else available.)

Mindset, by Carol Dweck: I know I said this already, but read this book! Especially if you are a parent. Or work with kids. Or know kids. Or know people in general. If you want a copy, I will send you one, that's how much I think you should read it. Best of all, it's research-based.

How to win friends and influence people, by Dale Carnegie: I've never read it because it sounds so cheesey (seriously?) but my therapist friend recommended it. (He's not my therapist. Just a friend who happens to be a therapist.)

Testimony, by Anita Shreve: Mediocre, at best. I bought it at the airport bookstore because it's about drama at a ritzy private school, which I love reading about since I work at a ritzy private school (and they had approximately 3 titles to choose from). It's overly dramatic, even for a high school drama. Don't waste your time.

The Wednesday Wars, by Gary Schmidt: I heard it was good. It was cheap. I'll let you know how it goes.

Farewell Summer, by Ray Bradbury: I loved Dandelion Wine (and Farenheit 451). Hopefully this one will be as good as his other books.

Work Hard, Be Nice, by Jay Matthews: About two men who created phenomenal schools and the philosophies they used to establish them. (The KIPP schools. I hear great things about them.)

Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli: also heard that it was good, but really know nothing about it.

any other recommendations? I have all kinds of time this summer.

weekend

So I thought that my weekend, full of reading and swimming and getting a spotted sunburn was really fantastic until I came home and found out that Erica ran off and got engaged!!!

Yay, Erica!!! (and Ben. We like you, too!)

Mindset

Read it. You won't regret it.

Moral of the story: If you want your kids (or students) to be smart and talented, do not tell them that they are smart and talented. Instead, tell them how great it is that they're working so hard to accomplish something difficult.

a million little pictures

I just signed up for this project. (Anne recommended it.) Now I need to decide what I want to document.

looking forward

a few things i am looking forward to:

• Memorial Day Weekend. With Ashley!! It will involve rollerblades, lakes, and Mexican food.
• Summer break. (To be kicked off with a nice long nap in the sun)
• Meeting Asher
• Iron Chef June! (Lemon tarts + lemon buttermilk sherbet)
• Lots of long runs through the woods. (I finally started running again - that hasn't happened since last November. Yikes!)
• Reading Mindset by Carol S. Dweck. (It's our faculty summer reading, and looks fabulous!)
• Working my way through my reading list as much as possible this summer
  
• A pedicure. I may get one on my way home from school today. My feet are currently ugly.
• A trip to Maine (also with Ashley)
• 
  

loss

I did not win iron chef on Sunday.

Someone else did. They also made cinnamon rolls. They were not cooked.

To redeem myself, I brought the leftovers to my students. They told me they were the best cinnamon rolls they have ever eaten. (Sometimes they lie, but sometimes I'm okay with that.)

so...

1. I have this student. He's brilliant. (And totally socially awkward.) He just got rejected from his three top colleges. (Mainly because he's totally socially awkward.) He got mad and put a virus on the school computers that replaces all files with documents named Satan1, Satan2, etc. I think one day this kid is going to completely snap.

2. Today was our very last track meet of the season! (Which is good, because I was about ready to snap.) I almost crashed the bus on the way home from Alexandria. (Don't worry, everyone's okay.)

3. I really think I'm going to win Iron Chef this month. II know I said that last month, but I really mean it this time...) I'm making cinnamon rolls. Who would not love cinnamon rolls?!?

4. I had no idea that The Office started at 8:30 this week!! Good thing I can watch it on NBC.com!!

5. My students took their AP exam on Monday. Some of them did really well. Some of them didn't study. They did not do so well.

question

Would you still be friends with me if I wore this shirt in public? Because I totally want it:

happenings

One of our students brought some sea monkeys to school a few weeks ago, and they have since been living in my classroom. The male sea monkeys grew (very noticeable) testicles last week which has been a source of never-ending entertainment for my students. (So glad I don't teach health.)

The mud run a few weeks ago was quite fun, but not nearly as muddy as the Roanoke run.




I did not win Iron Chef April. I thought for sure I would, but no luck. However, the peanut butter fondue was a little piece of heaven in a bowl. Next month's ingredient: potatoes. I need to find a winner. Sweet potato ice cream, maybe? Who knows.



My students take their AP exam on Monday. My job is just about done.

rubiks

I bought a Rubik's cube a few months ago for $1. Then promptly forgot about it.

This week, I found it and brought it to school with me, just for fun.

My students are obsessed with trying to solve it.

I am obsessed with trying to solve it before they do. (I think I'll win...)