Well folks, here we are.  The last day of Thanksgiving break, the day before we have to go back to work.   Why does it seem these fun days are so short?  

 

 

Just a bit of information.... I am using internet connection to read AOL mail and journal entries by everyone and guess what? NO BANNERS!! Isn't that interesting?? I guess if you don't pay for the service, you don't have to see the ads.... Peace, Love and Happiness!!! Jackie

I just want to say I'm thankful for all of you this year!! Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!!

Higher Standards??

As we all know, the banners have been causing a bit of stir among many of the J-Land Bloggers.  I read an blog earlier that carried this link:  Bank of America, Fleet pay $675 million fund settlement - Mar. 15, 2004 .....   As you know, this is one of the many advertisors that seems to be pasted across the top of  our blogs upon occasion.  I just wanted you guys to see their past.  I will say this is my favorite part of the article:

      Bank of America, which uses the promise of "higher standards" in its advertising campaign, has been caught up in various investigations.

And everyone thought Martha Stewart was a bad ass....  'It's a good thing!'

2nd Annual Invention Convention

   Friday in my classroom was the big event of fall for some of my kids.  It was the '2nd Annual Invention Convention'....  We had a variety of entries....  For example:  Alabama Plane, Auburn Plane, Speedster Plane, Steam roller, Mark Martin race car, Magic Trick, the Yin Yang Project (3 guys worked on that one), and a Camera, TV and Microphone.

   Each person (or group) had to demonstrate or explain about their invention.  The planes flew, the steam roller and race car worked,  the magic trick was a hoot and the project from the 3 kids was well organized, well presented, the kids were well spoken and the camera, tv and microphone needed a lot of imagination, but made with the excitement only a teacher can dream of!  Each entry won first place in their 'category' (can you believe that? hehe) 

  Let's talk about the camera, tv and microphone.... This invention won the award for BEST USE OF TAPE.  This kid loves to invent things. Last hear he made a 'Wheelchair Telephone'.  All of his projects consist of at least one main ingredient.  Tape.  Somehow, he can get anything to hold together with tape.  The invention this year had a wooden door stop taped to the side!!  Other parts used were boxes, paper, plastic cups and who knows what else!

  The only disappointment I felt about the 2nd AIC is no girls participated this year (I got into trouble for making participation a requirement last year, thanks to all those parents that live within a box with their little closed minds that get smaller and smaller with each breath of air they take in... but hey, the ring leader parent's kid didn't waste any time making something other day the minute he learned there was a prize involved..). 

  Last night I was chatting with a friend about life's goals and such.  I was asked what my goals were for the year 2010.  I can add to the typical list I gave to my friend.  I am adding to that list this: Hosting the 6th Annual Invention Convention!   

Journal trial and error

Ok, this is just a trial run to see if the AOL-GTB (gods that be)  have finally fjound the snare in all this.....   if not.... what's next???????

The Big Rush Out

Well, it seems people are leaving J-land in droves.  Most of my favorite 'reads' have passed along their other links and that is ok.  It's much better than falling off the cyber mountain of life while people are wondering where the heck you went!!!  Thanks guys for sending those links!  I have dealt with the ads this way: When I first sign onto the journal, I just use the little 'roller' on the mouse about 1 notch.  I don't have to see it anymore!  I know it's not the point.  It would be nice if there has to be ads if we could just choose the ones we want to see.  For example:  I might choose Red Cross or United Way.  Oh wait, I forgot.... those organizations don't have money to spend on advertising on AOL.  My bad.
   Another thought I've had this week is this.  I wonder what has been happening in the main offices of AOL with all the people leaving.  My opinion is they expect after all is said and done, given a little time for those who will leave to go, things are expected to be back to normal.  New journalers will slide into favorite positions taking the place of Patrick, Jimmy, Wil, and Remo (just a few of my favorites that have chosen to use other sources...).  And yes, I may even decide at some point to join them out there....  

Does this really work?
I'm sick of this.... I want my journal back, AOL!!!!!!

Love, Peace and Happiness

 There is a little coffee shop I enjoy visiting sometimes.  The overall mood of the shop rather hints at heath food and old hippie stuff.  A friend decided to visit and then reported she could see me in there, being rather 'a hippie type of hang out place.'  Then THAT foot in the mouth look came over her and she began this sudden fury of apologies.  Not to worry, I assured her.  Although to young to be a true 'old hippie,' I do have those eclectic tastes (with the exception of the health food, needless to say!). I still have an original peace sign leather hair holder and will wear upon occasion that my hair is long enough to use, I still use the peace symbol sign (and mean it as 'peace' knowing our world will never see utopia as it was meant to be enjoyed...), and upon occasion when nothing else fits, a groovy might be heard to come out to fall upon the ears of those people nearby. 
     So, you are asking yourselves, what are the differences?  I do now realize rules and organizations have to be implemented in order for changes to occur, men in ties can be hot,  and over forty is not so bad after all. 

Peace, Love and Happiness, my friends!! 

Saturday Six

This is my first time to answer Patrick's questions.  I love this set!!

Saturday Six - Episode 83

1. You are invited to spend a night, alone, in a large house that is believed to be haunted.  A close friend of yours whom you trust tells you of his or her own experience, and you have sufficient reason to believe that there may be a genuine haunting going on there.  Without promise of any kind of reward for staying the night, would you agree to do so?  I would have to stay, if nothing else, for the adventure of it... and besides, it may be someone I know! 

2. What do you most enjoy about your job?  The different and wonderful personalities of the kids! I enjoy them everyday!  (Except November 1, but that's another entry....)

3. Who was the last person you had a conversation with?  What was the main topic of the conversation?    Marion- We talked about Thanksgiving at her house.  Would I drive up on Wednesday?  Would I stay until through Friday?  Do we want to go shopping (NO!!!).  Do we want to visit estranged family members (this brought giggles from us both...)

4. Take this quiz:   What kind of "smart" are you? I am all around smart... 'a well-rounded brain'... hey!  Matches the rest of me!!

5. What was the last food that you totally ruined -- to the point that it was inedible -- when trying to cook?   Rice with dill weed... I wept.

6. STRANGELY-OBSCURE QUESTION #1:  Ifyou had to do over again, would you change anything?   Yes, there are a couple of things I would do differently.... but then, of course, I wouldn't be the person I am today!

 

So, what about you??  How would you answer?

Southern Speech

OK....  who ever said I didn't have a southern accent was wrong.  I just took this quiz and my score is:  83% Dixie.  They also added this little question:  Do you still use Confederate money??  The answer is no.  It ain't no good!  (Yes, I know.... that's a double negative....)  What about you?  I dare you to take the quiz and post your score!!  I can't wait to see just exactly how southern or yankee you are!! 

alphaDictionary * Free English Online Dictionary

 

 

Questions

 As you know, I started talking about temperature, thermometers and such yesterday.  I forgot to tell you about the interesting conversation I had with one of my students. After talking about how a thermometer works and telling the class to put their finger on the bulb of their student thermometer this is what happened:

Me: Is the red moving up?  Isn't that cool??

Class:  YES!!  (actually, it was more like 'yeah' but since I'm writing this I thought I'd add a little more enthusiasm.)

Student:  Ms. Jackie, I have a question.

Me: (All excited because this kid has been into this new subject and he always asks great questions!!) Yes, What's your question?

Student:  Why is this thermometer made in China?



So much for class!!

The Perfect Plan

     As some of you know, I think November 1st should be a legal holiday!  It's the day after Halloween, the kids come to school all buzzing on sugar and God knows what else.  I had the perfect plan (Thanks, Susan!)!  Unfortunately, it feel through.
     Plan A: The perfect plan consisted of a nature hike beginning with a quarter-mile walk up to the outdoor classroom.  Then on up to the nature trail behind the school to see what types of leaves, trees, pine cones, etc. we could find. As I mentioned above, it feel through.  For the first time in weeks, it rained. 
     Plan B: Stay in the classroom and learn about thermometers, degrees, the freezing and boiling points for water, and body temperatures. 
     I think ALL OF US would have been happier with Plan A!!