Going veg

Ok, I know its been a long while!!!! I have been crazy busy for the past year but I'm trying to maintain balance in my life so the goal for the rest of this year is to put myself first....not students, teachers, etc. but me! I want to maintain my 2 years of teaching without getting sick! To do that, I think I'm going to try something new, going vegetarian! I will keep posting about the trials and tribulations. I have already tried it once and I got severe stomach pangs but it was when I was working out like crazy and I wasn't eating enough...so I'm going to chalk it up to that! To start my morning off before my workout, I'm eating a big bowl of cinnamon oatmeal and a couple of pumpkin muffins (thank you Mrs. Jones!) After working out and cleaning the house (job for the day), think I'm going to make some pumpkin soup. Don't know why I want to eat pumpkin everything now, I think it's this gorgeous fall weather. Pics and posts to come!

Frustration overload!

What is it about school these days? What ever happened to the days when kids came to school, had a peaceful day of learning, teachers got breaks, and were happy to be there? Instead, everything is mis-managed, people heap the blame on everybody else, and we are all running around screaming and crying. This is absolutely the worst I have ever felt. I have never seen anything like this poor management and last minute stuff. I know I told myself I would suck it up next year but I really don't know how much more I can take. If it weren't for the shitty economy, I would be out jobhunting right now. Teachers should not have to be treated like this and I have had ENOUGH!!

History can be hot...

History can be hot!

Ok, in class, we were reading a short story about Troy during our intervention reading program and since the school mascot is a Trojan, the kids were curious about Troy. I told them some background about Troy and we found Greece and Turkey on the map, googled who Helen was, etc. They were really curious about it and some students actually convinced their parents to let them watch clips of Troy over the weekend. They came in on Monday and were like Can you believe there is a recent movie about Troy? They wanted to read more about Troy so I sent them to the library but what helped fuel the fire was the movie..

Though more modern historical films have their story lines a little twisted around, you have to admit that with beautiful cinematography, special effects, and gorgeous actors, it makes history a bit more interesting. Would my students have been as interested in Troy if the film was dated, the sound was a little off, and the actors weren't very modern? Probably not...

I'm not saying that the old films we watched in history class are bad, that we should throw the textbooks out, and we need to teach a sexy version of history. It's not that at all; modern movie clips are meant to supplement, not take over. In order for people of any age to learn anything, they have got to make connections with it and relate to it. These modern historical representations make the characters more relatable, not just some king you can read about in a dusty old book...

For instance, during a unit on the Great Depression, I watched a teacher introudce the Depression (5th grade) by showing clips of "Seabiscuit" and "Cinderella Man." Students were mesmerized! They really saw how men desperately lined up for jobs, families moving out west, and how gritty life really was and it hooked them! These same kids were lining up at the library after school to check out books on the Depression and we had excited parents calling in saying their dinner table talk was all about what they learned at school, not just "Well, we got to go outside today...."

Especially with older students who aren't pushed as much for learning history, esp since it's not a tested subject, need something relatable to it to get them hooked. They have got to realize that the issues we face today have not really changed that much over the years. Women still worry about their men leaving them for a younger woman, women in power are still not as respected, and I believe religion will always be the cause of wars till the end of our days...

Yes, I'm biased towards historic films since my husband is a history teacher and I love the fashions, hair, romantic storylines, etc. But it also makes you want to read and learn more about it....and I think, 'What's wrong with adding a little spice?' Here are some of my favorites...

Alexander (starring Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Jared Leto, Val Kilmer) Directed by Oliver Stone

This is a great one; if you can get past the fact that Colin has blond hair, this is a wonderful movie with gorgeous cinematography and great acting. For the shallow ones of us out there, Alexander's brat pack is full of eye candy and the costumes and jewelry are awesome! I want one of Angelina's snake arm braelets!


The Tudors: (starring Jonathyn Rhys Meyer, Natalie Dormer, Peter O'Toole, Marie Doyle Kennedy, Annabelle Wallis, Henry Cavill, Jeremy Northam)

One of my personal favorites! This series, though thwarted and full of sex, is incredible with an excellent acting cast and beautiful cinematography in each scene. The actors are ridiculously good looking but it gives you a new perspective on the young Henry Tudor, not the fat and bloated king we remember from history class as the king who chopped off his wives' heads.


The drawback? A bit worried that with the stunning Natalie Dormer gone, the show will lack a little in excitement. Dormer played Henry's fiery, controversial second wife, Anne Boleyn. Dormer brings a new dimension to Boleyn, showing a softer side than has previously been shown in movies and books. You can't help but like her and admire her for her determination and intelligence to land her on the throne. Also, the fire between Rhys Meyer and Dormer, gave the show its excitement. Dormer said herself in an interview that the dynamic between them was so important since that was the basis for Henry and Anne's relationship; one of the most passionate and tragic love stories of all time.

The Tudors is a must see!

There are lots of good movies out there to see, especially if you want to brush up on some of your history! These would be good clips to use in a classroom, or if you just want to watch a good movie! Here is a list of some of my favorites:

Alexander
Elizabeth movies

Troy

Gladiator

The Duchess

Marie Antionette

The Count of Monte Cristo

John Adams HBO series

The Patriot

Cold Mountain

Amistad

Gone With the Wind

Seabiscuit

Cinderella Man

Forrest Gump

FlyBoys

Pearl Harbor

Syriana

Body of Lies

The Kite Runner

Paradise Now

See below for pictures from my favorites!

Colin Farrell as Alexander the Great

Rosaria Dawson as Alexander's wife, Roxanne

Angelina Jolie, as Alexander's mother, Queen Olympius. My old roomate saw this movie on the big screen and said no one but Ms. Jolie could have played this role. You cannot watch this movie and not think that this is probably the most beautiful woman in the world...

Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth; the red hair was legendary, from her father's Tudor side and her looks were rumored to be as beautiful as her mother


Natalie Dormer and Jonathyn Rhys Meyer as Anne Boleyn and Henry 8th



Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn, Henry Tudor's second wife

Anita Briem as Henry's 3rd wife, Jane Seymour

Tamzin Merchant as Henry's 5th wife, young and promiscuous Katherine Howard


Joss Stone as Henry's 4th wife, Anne of Cleves, one out of 2 queens to escape from Henry with her life


Our two lead characters in The Kite Runner, set in Afghanistan





Brad Pitt as the legendary Achilles...good golly, who wouldn't want to watch Troy after seeing this picture? This one's all for you ladies!

Spring Fever!

Ok, I promised that I would not post about school on the weekends, even I have enough of school talk come Saturday! Some other things I like to blog about are movies, fashion, music, local events, current events, etc.

If some of you are like me, I had a case of spring fever last weekend and completely cleaned out my closet, filled 2 trash bags full of stuff, and ordered some pretty new things for spring. That cleaning out feeling is so addicting! I think I got this way when I walked into my brand new classroom 2 years ago and it was filled with junk I didn't need and it took me over a year to clean it out. I've become a throw away anything I don't need girl..apologies to my pack rat of a husband. Anyhoo, I've put together a couple of items that every girl, no matter the size or your personal tastes, could use and love for spring!

Buy these tanks in a rainbow of colors; wear them alone or layered. They look great with anything! They're on sale at Old Navy for $3 and $5!

Again, these lightweight tees come in a variety of styles and colors. My favorites are from J Crew because their colors this spring are so pretty but the ones from Old Navy are just as cute and much more affordable!

Cargo crop pants are my new love. When I moved from the mtns to the beach, I went out and grabbed every color of these I could find. They're perfect for girls who love their jeans like me but it's too warm for them! My favorite look is white crops with a bright tee!

Love these pretty beachy dresses! Pick from a variety of styles from Victorias Secret where they're always cute and on sale! My personal favorite are the strapless, smocked ones because they double up as a beach cover up. Wear them around the house or dress them up with some sandals and cute jewelry!

My number one thing I start looking for when warm weather is around the corner are sandals! I live in flip flops and my sister introduced me to cute sandals from Old Navy. They are just as comfortable and a little bit dressier! This year, Old Navy has tons of new sandals from gladiator to simple to pretty ones with stones. The best part is; they're ultra cheap! You can buy as many as you want and you won't feel guilty. These sandals look great with everything!

This just to get you started. They're talking about more winter storms coming next week but its ok to get a head start on spring especially since everyone is tired of this crazy winter weather!

Yay for science!

Yay for science lesson! The kids were all about it...we did a seed sort where they guessed the seeds and wrote them down. Then, we went and collected soil, where it started to rain but the kids were so excited, they didn't want to go in...

Funny how my behavior kids settled down, got along in small groups, and were all around engaged...maybe I should strive to make every lesson exploration and hands on with alot of journal writing...hmmm, there's a thought, its just pacing guides and life and such that get in the way. This makes me realize though it's not all about the pacing guide, the basal, core program, etc. It's about the kids and the fact that they're learning is what's important. I was so proud of them!

High points: being somewhat relaxed, cheeseburger for dinner (so bad but I deserve it!), calm -er class, Gilmore girls, being in for the night
Low points: looking around my apt and realizing I should probably clean
Can't wait for: sleep!

rainy day

Pretty good day of school...





The only thing irking me today was a spoiled child who got another child in trouble. Apparently there was a question of one hitting another in art which the teacher did not see but said child was taken to the ER because of it. Yes, this child is not healed enough to participate in PE but is healthy enough to run around and torment others on the play ground? ugghhh....and the child he accused, who has never done anything wrong, has a bad day because of it. I love the parents in my room but come on mom, your child is not above everything. Good parenting is what it all boils down to...anyhoo...





Good points: I got a student back today that I did not want to lose, hugs at the end of the day, being able to play outside right before it rained, a yummy surprise breakfast, a nice glass of wine tonight and the prospect of acutally being able to work out tomorrow morning and sleep in some...





Highest point: child who tested on a pre-k reading level at the beginning of the year is now reading on a 3rd grade level and reading fluently...that is why I do my job!





Prayers tonight: teacher I work with who lost her dad yesterday





At the end of the day: knowing that no matter how beaten down I feel sometimes, in the end, I, as all teachers do, make a difference!

Where I would like to be on this rainy day...

beautiful...

One of my favorite quotes I heard from the lovely Vanessa:
"For her I changed pebbles into diamonds, shoes into mirrors, I changed glass into water, I gave her wings and pulled birds from her ears and in her pockets she found feathers, I asked a pear to become a pineapple, a pineapple to become the moon, and the moon to become a coin I flipped for her love, both sides were heads: I knew I couldn't lose." unknown

About me...

Hi, I'm Robin Schroot. Here are some things about me and my life...

• Home: Originally from Charlotte, NC but now call, New Bern, a sleepy little town on the Carolina coast, home


• Career: 2nd year 3rd grade teacher at a rural school; teaching so far has proven to be every bit as challenging as I've heard but I think I've measured up nicely so far...


• Relationship: newlywed; got married in June


• Pets: none but my husband and I want a dog soon


• Kids: if you don't count the kids I spend 7 hours a day with...


• Likes: rainy days, movies, dancing, girls' nights, beach weekends, mtns, campfires, sleep, leggins with muklaks, cowgirl boots, fashion, art, religion, hair, eyes and lips, friends, family, antiques, Anthropologie, shopping (esp with my mom!), coffee with french vanilla creamer, cheesecake, traveling, meeting new people, seasons, snow, hats, snuggling, his eyes, history, anything Moroccan, books, glasses, and kids!
• Why I created this blog: this blog is for everyone especially for my fellow teachers, and for anyone who believes that no matter what life throws at you, we are lucky to be young, free, and alive
• above picture was taken in Cozumel, Mexico on my honeymoon