Hello--- Below is a link to a project I have posted on Donorschoose.org. Donorschoose is a nonprofit who help teachers fund projects for their classrooms.
My project is simple: I am trying to get a set of 30 flash drives to have for students who can't afford to get one. I will temporarily check out a flash drive to a student in need so that he/she can complete required digital projects in my class.
Because my project helps prepare students for college, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match any donations my project receives. Whoopee!
share (click to see my project)
Thanks!
Amethyst
Posted using ShareThis
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
So Glad to Be Back
I am so relieved and happy to be beginning the school year at Tucson High once again, and too busy to say anything eloquent about it.
It was heartening to have so many people greet me with warm smiles and the recognition that I had been through this precarious "summer of the pink slip" only to be called back to the same school where I taught last year.
I feel extremely lucky as well, because others were not so fortunate as me. I was called back over three weeks ago, and I knew exactly where I was going and what I would be teaching. I was able to take advantage of some professional development opportunities and hit the ground running. I will not have my own classroom, but I have the dignity and opportunity to build on and improve upon my work from last year.
Right now, I feel relieved and energized, and I am remembering what it feels like to really be tired at the end of the day.
I am absolutely grateful for my many well-wishers. One positive about an experience like this has been to realize how much support and love I have out there, and I do not take it for granted.
It was heartening to have so many people greet me with warm smiles and the recognition that I had been through this precarious "summer of the pink slip" only to be called back to the same school where I taught last year.
I feel extremely lucky as well, because others were not so fortunate as me. I was called back over three weeks ago, and I knew exactly where I was going and what I would be teaching. I was able to take advantage of some professional development opportunities and hit the ground running. I will not have my own classroom, but I have the dignity and opportunity to build on and improve upon my work from last year.
Right now, I feel relieved and energized, and I am remembering what it feels like to really be tired at the end of the day.
I am absolutely grateful for my many well-wishers. One positive about an experience like this has been to realize how much support and love I have out there, and I do not take it for granted.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Questions About Desert Composting
I am enjoying the therapeutic qualities in turning the compost pile these days. However, I have no clue if I am a good, responsible composter. At least it doesn't stink, so that's something!
Questions Specific to Composting in the Desert/ Tucson:
1. Has anyone figured out if this is really worthwhile, considering that I am having to water my compost pile with precious ground water every other day or so?
2. How do I know if I am keeping the pile moist enough? In general, how do I know if I am tending my compost pile correctly for maximum results?
3. Any tricks for keeping the pile moist enough?
4. What kinds of bugs and critters are normal to expect around a compost pile? I know I should be on the lookout for neighborhood cats, but is there anything else I should worry about? I've got lots of ants and other miscellaneous little bugs. I also noticed some weird chrysalises (sp?) They were about 1 1/2" in diameter, white with a red tip on one end, curled into a circle and looked nasty-- some kind of beetle or something? Hopefully not cockroaches? Ew.
I'll try to add photos to this post soon.
Questions Specific to Composting in the Desert/ Tucson:
1. Has anyone figured out if this is really worthwhile, considering that I am having to water my compost pile with precious ground water every other day or so?
2. How do I know if I am keeping the pile moist enough? In general, how do I know if I am tending my compost pile correctly for maximum results?
3. Any tricks for keeping the pile moist enough?
4. What kinds of bugs and critters are normal to expect around a compost pile? I know I should be on the lookout for neighborhood cats, but is there anything else I should worry about? I've got lots of ants and other miscellaneous little bugs. I also noticed some weird chrysalises (sp?) They were about 1 1/2" in diameter, white with a red tip on one end, curled into a circle and looked nasty-- some kind of beetle or something? Hopefully not cockroaches? Ew.
I'll try to add photos to this post soon.
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