Spookyish

Halloween just doesn't seem like Halloween when children don't need to stuff themselves into their snowsuit prior to putting on their costume.  However, because the calendar is not dependent upon snow, and because I live in a region of the world in which, if it were to ever snow, I'd brace myself for something far nastier than Halloween, I will put on my witchy attire and embrace the hot Halloween.  Okay, so it's not witchy attire, it's nunny attire, but you get my drift.

I begin my post with musings about Halloween more for my mental well being than for your entertainment, although I'm sure my strategies to ensure my mental well being are somewhat entertainning.  At any rate, with tomorrow being Halloween, that means we're yet another month closer to Christmas break.  As of Saturday, we're down to 7 weeks, which means right now, it's about 7 weeks and 4 sleeps until I will be home.  I'm not very excited about returning to the snow covered, blustery prairies HA!  I have my sole winter outfit all ironed and ready for the trip.  I will wear it once I arrive in Vancouver - at which point the drop in temperature (even if just at the airport) will be significant.  But I am getting ahead of myself.  Perhaps I should fill you in on the goings on in my present life.

Well, presently there are 7 weeks and 4 sleeps until I am home.  Hee hee.  I am so funny.  We are up to our necks in our current unit of inquiry, studying how timeless stories help us express our beliefs and values.  Students have done some really great work throughout this unit.  Right now they are working on two massively exciting writing projects: first, they are finishing the story Loser by Jerry Spinelli.  They have all begun drafting, after planning out how their story will end.  I struggle, sometimes to remember that they are fourth graders, and as such, their writing lacks a certain flair.  Don't get me wrong - there are some really great writers, but I just wish that I could find a way to explain to them how to bring their writing to life.  We model lots, we conference lots, we talk lots, but they still don't get it!  I think it's the reality that they are 4th graders - and developmentally, they are where they are!  Doesn't mean I won't try to bring them farther!

The other piece of writing that they're doing is developing a script for their mini scenes.  It's coming together well.  I think we should have all the scripts written by the end of tomorrow at the latest, then we can just practice, practice, practice.  It should be a fun way to end our unit.

Other than that, we're ticking along just swimmingly.  Work is work.  Time with kids is really great and since that is where i spend most of my time, I can say that more of my work life is great than not!

Outside of school life, well, I'm heading up for a trip to Dubai in a few weeks.  I am really looking forward to it.  Then I think I am going to bugger off to Bali for my birthday at the end of November.  I have been here almost 9 months and have yet to get to Bali.  That's really lame.  Those plans are tentative, so we'll see how things unfold.

Oh, one last bit of very exciting news.  I got mail last week.  A big shout out to DKG - my program arrived safe and sound.  There's something about getting mail from back home that fills your heart.  SO, if any of my faithful bloggers want to drop me a line the old fashioned way, a little piece of mail can make me smile for days :)  Hee hee

And on that note, I best be off. 

Have a Happy Halloween!

Tylene