I was on vacation for 10 days in New Orleans with my family. We had a wonderful time. It took us 2 1/2 days to get there and back on the train.
Well two of my 3 children will return to school very soon. My daughter begins her sophomore year on Aug. 10 and my son will begin first grade on Aug. 15. My 3 y/o (will be 4) will enter pre-kindergarten on September 7 which is the day that I return to work.
I'm looking forward to teaching my second year of 5th grade. I have a lot of wonderful ideas in my head tha I want to implement this year. One of the main improvements will be with me staying late on Mondays to prepare for the week. This will make my commute longer but it will be worth it in the long wrong. Fortunately, 2 of my children will alrady be close to home or at home by the time I arrive. To help me out at home,I hav decided to organize my life. For instance, Monday will be Crock Pot night and so forth. Lunches will be packed at night and clothes will be ironed and laid out at night as well. I will pack my car at night as well. My goal is to be out the door by 5am every morning. I will prepare for this ow because I have to go to two trainings and professional development meetings so I can work on my routine.
I'm looking forward to meeting my new students and helping them soar to the next level.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
At Home with children
As an parent that happens to be an educator, I'm aware of the summer brain drain. To help combat this matter, I have set aside time each day as school time.
Parents, here are a few tips to help your child maintain what was learned to previous year.
For older children
1. Have them read a book and write a book report on the book. Try to have them read a book for each month that they are off.
2. Have them write out their multiplication facts. Give them a timed quiz and randomly call out facts and have them give you the answer. On the quiz, have them write the facts 10 times each for the problems they got wrong.
3. Have them practice their handwriting especially their cursive writing.
4. Visit your local library, they have wonderful, age- appropriate activities.
Younger children:
1. Have them read an level appropriate book to you at least once a week. Have them tell you what the book was about. Ask comprehension questions about the book. Example: what color was the shirt that the boy was wearing?
2. Have them practice their sight words (high frequency words). Most teachers send home a summer work packet that might contain the words.
3. Review addition and subtraction facts.
4. Have them practice their handwriting.
5. Visit your local library, they have wonderful, age- appropriate activities.
Take your children on nature walks and discuss what you see along the way. Look for free activities in your area and visit those places.
I know you might be saying but I have to work. There is always the weekend. Our children are children for such a short period of time let's make the best of it.
If you have internet access search on-line learning activities that you can do at home. Purchase computer soft ware. I purchased Hooked on Phonics from Target and used that with my children. I will provide a list of websites in the next issue.
Please do not allow your child to spend countless hours in front of the television. Allow them to play outside and get creative. Your child's teacher will appreciate it when your child returns to school in the summer/ fall.
These are only my opinions and suggestions.
Parents, here are a few tips to help your child maintain what was learned to previous year.
For older children
1. Have them read a book and write a book report on the book. Try to have them read a book for each month that they are off.
2. Have them write out their multiplication facts. Give them a timed quiz and randomly call out facts and have them give you the answer. On the quiz, have them write the facts 10 times each for the problems they got wrong.
3. Have them practice their handwriting especially their cursive writing.
4. Visit your local library, they have wonderful, age- appropriate activities.
Younger children:
1. Have them read an level appropriate book to you at least once a week. Have them tell you what the book was about. Ask comprehension questions about the book. Example: what color was the shirt that the boy was wearing?
2. Have them practice their sight words (high frequency words). Most teachers send home a summer work packet that might contain the words.
3. Review addition and subtraction facts.
4. Have them practice their handwriting.
5. Visit your local library, they have wonderful, age- appropriate activities.
Take your children on nature walks and discuss what you see along the way. Look for free activities in your area and visit those places.
I know you might be saying but I have to work. There is always the weekend. Our children are children for such a short period of time let's make the best of it.
If you have internet access search on-line learning activities that you can do at home. Purchase computer soft ware. I purchased Hooked on Phonics from Target and used that with my children. I will provide a list of websites in the next issue.
Please do not allow your child to spend countless hours in front of the television. Allow them to play outside and get creative. Your child's teacher will appreciate it when your child returns to school in the summer/ fall.
These are only my opinions and suggestions.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Summer Vacation
Hooray, summer vacation is finally in session. I'm looking forward to Monday morning when I can sleep past 3:45am. I'm praying that my sons allow me to sleep until 6:00am.
So yes I took my daughter to the mall to go shopping for her summer clothes. She wanted to get these micro mini shorts that look like a pair of panties. She was frustrated but needless to say she did not get the shorts. Now she wants to wear makeup. She is only 15 and her teen acne is finally starting to clear up but I think that she is just too young to start wearing makeup.
So yes I took my daughter to the mall to go shopping for her summer clothes. She wanted to get these micro mini shorts that look like a pair of panties. She was frustrated but needless to say she did not get the shorts. Now she wants to wear makeup. She is only 15 and her teen acne is finally starting to clear up but I think that she is just too young to start wearing makeup.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Beginning of Commute
Good morning and welcome to the first blog of Commuter Mom. I decided to sart this blog to talk about some of the ups and downs of being a commuter mom. My commute began 3 yrs. ago when my family and I left Los Angeles and moved to Temecula, CA. I had know idea that I would have to drive over 2 hours with a then 3 y/o and 1 y/o. I was under the impression that since I had a clear credential that I would be able to transfer easily to a job closer to home. Was I ever wrong. We moved at the time when teachers were being laid off left and right. My school ended in May this particular year. All summer I was submitting applications. No takers. Come September, I began my journery. My morning began at 3:45am. My husband would get our sons together around 4:30am and we were out the door my 5:00.
Traffic was horrible. I was just thankful that the children were fast asleep. Finally, I made it to their daycare. It was hard for me to leave my sons especially the younger boy because he was a preemie (but more on that later). I was back in the car for 20 additional minutes. I made it to work at 7:45am and the bell rings at 7:55. I was exhausted. To make matters worse, I was teaching a new grade level. It took me about a week to get accustomed to the drive so I was know longer barely making it in the door but arriving by 7:20.
The drive home was quite different even more traffic and two alert boys. I would arrive home by 5:30-6PM. My daughter who was in middle school was home by the time I arrived. Tired, I had to begin dinner and look over homework. This went on for 180 days. I just thankful for our 3 week winter vacation and spring break plus 2 1/2 months off for summer. I'm still commuting and will keep you posted.
Traffic was horrible. I was just thankful that the children were fast asleep. Finally, I made it to their daycare. It was hard for me to leave my sons especially the younger boy because he was a preemie (but more on that later). I was back in the car for 20 additional minutes. I made it to work at 7:45am and the bell rings at 7:55. I was exhausted. To make matters worse, I was teaching a new grade level. It took me about a week to get accustomed to the drive so I was know longer barely making it in the door but arriving by 7:20.
The drive home was quite different even more traffic and two alert boys. I would arrive home by 5:30-6PM. My daughter who was in middle school was home by the time I arrived. Tired, I had to begin dinner and look over homework. This went on for 180 days. I just thankful for our 3 week winter vacation and spring break plus 2 1/2 months off for summer. I'm still commuting and will keep you posted.
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