The View from Here

Nothing Exciting...

I didn’t do anything exciting yesterday. I don’t have a lot of photos to post. I just spent the day doing a little of this and a little of that. And it was wonderful!

I think the best thing about being on vacation at any time of the year is the freedom to do things at a more leisurely pace. So when I took my books to the library I drove down a street that I don’t normally take the time to travel. As a result I saw some of the new construction and development going on in Durant. When I visited the genealogy library I had the time to have two lengthy conversations without feeling that I was losing some of my research time. When I went shopping I didn’t worry about what time I might get home. When I cleaned my refrigerator I didn’t worry about the laundry still piled up. Time…it’s a wonderful thing.

We had a few different visitors to the feeders yesterday. The wind was blowing so wildly that I didn’t get many photos, but hopefully these little goldfinches will return and give me another chance.

The turtles are out of hibernation and making their appearance in the pond and on the rocks and stumps. I expect to see or hear frogs soon!

More flowers…and I will photograph them as soon as possible. The wind is beyond crazy!

Had dinner with Robert and Amber last night. And since we were celebrating his birthday we also found our way to Braum’s. Always enjoy seeing both of them! Lots of good conversation and laughter.

So…nothing exciting, but it’s great to be on spring break! 

Spring Break

I'm on spring break today and I'm not sure where I'll go or what I'll do.

But I'll be back later to tell you all about it. 

Have a great day! 

Green Roses

One of the questions I’m most frequently asked is “Do you think environment (parenting) makes a difference?” The question is usually asked because of a learning or behavior problem that has arisen and the real question parents are asking is “Will my efforts change this?” Well, yes and no…

 One of my early memories is of my parents working in a cotton field while I sat in the dirt beside the field and played with another little child. We tore the cotton seeds loose from several bolls and pretended they were rabbits. We dug elaborate tunnels and made little grass beds for them. I was probably about four years old. There were other children in the field who were following their parents down each row. Some were content. Others were crying. I was perfectly happy to play with my bunnies. My own nature and creativity made that possible. However, my parents were the ones who took me to work with them and expected me to behave myself.

When I was about nine we lived in a duplex. There were several other units on our block and a huge open field behind us where my brothers and other boys had mock war battles. I often visited several of the homes because one contained a little baby, one had a genius who was my age but in high school, and one had green roses growing beside the front steps. I had never seen green roses and I had to know how that was possible! The owner took great pride in explaining it to me. The ironic thing was that even though my brothers and other children passed by there each day to get to the play area, NONE of them even noticed the roses. I had to tell my brothers they were there! I was always an observant child, but one reason I developed that skill was because by the time we lived in that duplex I had moved thirteen times. My parents had taught me to adjust to different situations and to be aware of my surroundings.

In the nature vs. nurture debate I definitely think that nature tips the scale, but environment plays a vital role in developing that nature. Moving a lot made me more confident and friendly and observant and self-reliant. It might have had the opposite effects on a child with a different nature. I think where we err is in assuming that parents ARE the environment. They are NOT. They are only a small part of a child’s environment. I can think of at least six people who played a VITAL role in nurturing me. And I can think of another dozen or so who influenced me in ways that still impact my life. I don’t know if that should be discouraging to parents or offer them a sense of relief that they are not totally responsible for the adults their children become.

My answer to parents is that what you do today will make a difference today. Whether it makes a lasting difference is up to your child and the choices they make.

It’s the old “you can lead a horse to water…” conundrum. Well, no, you can’t make him drink, but at least YOU gave him a choice. 

Happy Birthday Robert!

In going through Robert's photo file I noticed three themes: A boy and his mother. A boy and his pet. A boy and his transportation. LOL So...a sampling of each. Happy Birthday to my favorite son!

And of course, a boy with his dad.

Sigh of relief...

All is right with the world again. Daffodils are blooming! Heater is off. I was fearful for a while that winter would never end. I know that friends and family are now dreading the heat of summer, but I will try to be more appreciative this year of the sunshine and heat.

Another sigh of relief…Robert arrived, safe and sound, from his travels to the north and east. So much bad weather for so long- he certainly gained some snow experience! Had a great visit and loved hearing about his trip to D.C.

Just a few more days until spring break and my mind is swimming with plans and projects. Just hope my body is cooperative! Time to get in shape with my favorite exercise…gardening.

Satisfied

I finished report card testing yesterday. While I can’t say that I’m pleased with the progress of each and every student, I can say that I’m satisfied with the overall class results. The reading level of the group is high. The knowledge and skills of most students meets CC requirements. There are some very capable students in my class who could go to first grade tomorrow!

I’ve given some serious thought to the results of this year. What we are teaching and how we are teaching is entirely different from what I was taught in college. The expectations for our students have radically changed. I wonder sometimes how my professors, two in particular, would react to a day spent in my classroom. I think they would be pleased with some of the results, but very unhappy about some of the methods and expectations. One of them would be adamantly opposed to the testing we do.

We got off to a rocky start this year because of some behavior problems and lack of motivation. For the most part we have overcome those. We have also faced some academic challenges. I’ve used a few new methods this year and found them successful. I’ve also relied on some “tried and true” things that I’ve done for twenty years!

Overall…a satisfying year. Now we have nine more weeks to hone our skills! Lots of reading, writing, and vocabulary work ahead so this will be the best little group of first graders ever! 

What's in a name?

Mary Martha "Molly" Maddox Carlton

 

Apparently today is “middle name day”, so let’s all celebrate!

 My own middle name, Elizabeth, is somewhat of a mystery. My mother once told me that it was chosen from the Bible. My father told me recently that they knew a “really smart” woman named Elizabeth. I’ll take either explanation.

First names are often set by fate, passed down from one generation to the next. Or they are the product of current trends. Middle names are more often chosen to honor a friend or minor relative. For older generations your middle name might also be your mother’s maiden name or the name of the doctor who delivered you. I’ve seen plenty of both!

My mother, Margie Colleen Springer Simmons, actually used her middle name rather than her first name. My father-in-law, Irwin Edward Maurer, opted out of both of his names and was called “Dutch”.

In honor of Middle Name Day, here are some of the more unusual names, first and middle, from our family:

Rhoda

Chapman

Hindi

Ophelia

Pryor

Hagar

Ambrose

Magdelena

Greene

Arval

Delbert

Lumiza

Delina

Dicy

Fields

Serious Reading

I have to admit that I don’t often read a “serious” book, unless it’s about education or children. I most often read medical mysteries or historical novels or science fiction.  “Escape” reading is my usual choice. However, I was an avid reader in college and I do have a serious academic side that still surfaces once in a while. I have a penchant for American history and biographies. So, on the recommendation of a friend I just finished reading “Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul- Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty” by John M. Barry.

All I can say is WOW. I thought Kenneth C. Davis and David McCullough made me feel ignorant! I always suspected that the “G” version of American history we were fed by school textbooks was rather lacking in credibility, but really…I now feel like 90% of what I learned in school was specifically taught in order to develop my American pride. Ironic that the more I learn about the REAL history of our country and the very real personalities of the key players, the more reason I find to BE proud…proud that anyone survived to create a country!!

I think what struck me as I read this book in particular is how complacent most of us are about our freedoms. We take for granted our freedom of thought and speech and religion as though such liberty has always been the norm.

I was also very interested in this time period and the Puritans because my own ancestors settled in New Amsterdam shortly thereafter. Knowing the political climate of the time gives me a new perspective on their reasons for escaping to America.(One of them was arrested and fined for letting a Catholic priest into his home to baptize his child.)

I won’t bore you with an in-depth review. My opinions aren’t nearly as relevant as the author’s. But if you have similar interests I would recommend this as a “good read”. 

Mixed Feelings

Can one be hopeful and slightly depressed at the same time? I came home yesterday to snow still piled up in the corners of my dreary looking flower beds. I know that we will eventually be complaining about heat and drought, but I am SO ready to photograph flowers. This photo was taken last year on March 3! Perhaps God is teaching us more about patience and gratitude. Certainly a lesson we all need.

I started report card testing with my students yesterday. I am so very proud of their progress, but also disheartened by the fact that some simply are NOT ready to advance to first grade. I always feel like there is some process or procedure we should have begun earlier with these children. Perhaps we should test them for “readiness” before they enter kindergarten. Then that just means more testing, testing….catch 22.

I overheard a woman yesterday say that she has eleven children. A dozen was once my goal (when I was a crazy teen) and I have personally known several people from families of 10+. One former co-worker was number eleven of fourteen. So while I know it is possible, and big families make some folks happy, I just can’t figure out how anyone supports eleven children these days.

Well, it’s Friday. Mixed feelings about that too. Haven’t accomplished all that I’d hoped this week, but excited about a weekend of reading and relaxing. 

Spring...

The whispers have already begun. The anticipation in my class is palpable.

Yes folks, it’s that time of year again!

Time for Mrs. Maurer to stop assigning homework and give up any illusions that education will be a priority for my students.

Time to acknowledge the fact that many students will need a morning nap at their desk.

Time to listen to exciting tales of tragedy and triumph.

Yes….it’s T-BALL time!!!

Relax. I’m ready for it. Been there, done that. I understand. And yes, after spring break there won’t be any more homework for my class. I don’t expect parents who are chauffeuring two or three children to practices and games to also supervise homework and reading. It’s just a fact of life that once the games begin hearts and minds and bodies are out there on the field.