Food Drive Awesomeness!

So, today was the end of a different but truly awesome week of food drive.  I know some of you have had opinions about the changes this year, but I want to make it clear that I have LOVED the service days and hanging out with the incredible Goodpasture students.  I also LOVE the way we have truly worked as a school to serve our community.  I LOVE the fact that the food drive was not about our rewards this year.  And I really LOVED the wonderful pep rally today.  Did you see the excitement in the elementary students?  Did you see that our precious kindergarten students had nearly $2,000 worth of food?  Did you see that those guys LOVED being in that gym and celebrating?  Did you see our teachers who were willing to be a bit awesomely foolish as we illustrated the read 12 Days of Christmas?  I know that all of you are jealous of my moves, ha-ha!  If I haven't said it lately, I want my students to know that I cannot think of anywhere else I'd rather be than Goodpasture.  Even after 20 years of teaching, I am so thankful to get to work at this school.  I know that God will continue to bless us as we serve Him by reaching out to others.

Sound off time!!!  If you want some extra credit, post your comment to the following question no later than Friday, December 14, by 3:00 pm.  Be sure you follow directions:)

What has been your favorite part of food drive this year?  Think about all of the activities we've done over the past two weeks.  Type a 4-5 sentence, well-written response with some commentary (why is that event your favorite) and post it on time.  

It's Almost Turkey Time!

The excitement is brewing...The air is filled with an intense longing...Yep, we are all thrilled that in just a few days we will have an entire week away from school.  Yes, teachers like breaks just as much as students do!  As I reflect upon activities my family will do next week, I want to do my best not to forget what the season is about.  Don't get me wrong, I love the food of Thanksgiving and the thrill of shopping for a deal on Black Friday, but I want to make sure I remember the blessings and the importance of family.  So, I plan to spend time next week hanging out with my precious grandmother.  The munchkins and I will also see a movie,  Then, the whole huge clan comes to our house for Thanksgiving dinner--all of my siblings and nieces and nephews and even great nephews!  Finally, I get to spend more time with my grandmother as we shop Friday morning.  We'll meet around 4:00 to shop then finish off with a Hardee's breakfast.  Loads of fun memories!

Here's your chance for some extra credit.  Tell me what your plans are for Thanksgiving break AND tell me what your favorite Thanksgiving food is.  Type a 4-5 sentence, well-written comment that addresses both parts.  Be sure to post your comment no later than Monday, November 19, by 4:00.

What a Great Night!

If you missed the game against Lipscomb last night, you really did miss out!  What a game!  I am so proud to be a Cougar!  Our volleyball team started off the eventful night with a big win over Macon County (there is no way I'd ever play against Macy--I think she'd kill me!).  Then, our football players made some incredible plays, especially the fabulous representatives of the junior class!  Our cheerleaders did a phenomenal job keeping the student section active.  Our students were rocking the neon (even though I am afraid some of that body paint probably will not wash off for several days--retreat-goers just might have a human nightlight!).  Our band members showcased a wonderful half-time performance.  God blessed us with weather that was perfect for football!  And my Mallory got to be on TV with Carter and several other Goodpasture students!  Even though my energy level is very low today, I am THRILLED I came to the games and watched them till the end.  I will admit I was a bit nervous during the football game when Lipscomb still had possession with a minute left on the clock.  However, our Cougars showed incredible determination and strength as they prevented a devastating touchdown.  What a nail-biter!  I think last night proved to everyone just how special our school is and how we can make it through difficult situations!

So, I know you all are looking at this blog just to get to the extra credit.  I would really hate to disappoint you. . . But I'm not sure I want to give you extra credit.  I mean, you really don't need it, do you?  You should be making wonderful grades without extra credit, right?  Just kidding--here is the topic!  Now that I've rambled about how much fun I had last night, I want you to share a memory of the best school event you have attended.  You can talk about a specific game or activity, or you can do something more general.  Your well-written post MUST be at least 5 GOOD sentences that explain what the event is and why it is so memorable to you, and you MUST post it no later than 3:30 on Friday, September 28.  Happy memories!

Muddy Mallory

A couple of weeks ago, my children and I were going for a bike ride.  As I waited at the end of the driveway, my three kids came trekking down the hill of our back yard, moving toward the driveway.  They were so excited!  The problem, though, is at the bottom of the hill, you have to turn left a bit to stay on the driveway--straight ahead is a shallow creek with a large drop-off.  I think you see where this is going!  Mallory was trying to keep up with her big brothers and totally forgot how to use the brakes on her bike.  Before I could stop her, she went headfirst straight into the creek and face-planted over the handlebars right into the muddy creek!  Being the mom I am who remembered my husband had just killed a copperhead in said creek the day before, I flew to the creek and grabbed Mallory (nearly falling down that drop-off myself).  Yes, she was crying.  Yes, she was being very dramatic, Yes, she was a muddy mess.  Yes, she has long hair that was caked in mud and small rocks.  Yes, she was scraped up.  And, yes, I took a picture!  When I realized she was fine except for some scratches, I knew she would one day laugh at herself for trying to keep up with her brothers.  So, I grabbed my not-so-smart phone and took a picture with its not-so-good camera.  This picture is the end result :)  Yes, she did laugh when she saw her face (before we washed her hair four different times!).

I'm sure most of you did something really stupid during your childhood--maybe something careless--but something that you now can laugh about.  Post a comment telling me about something careless or mindless you did as a child, but something that is actually funny although it may not have been very funny to you at the time.  Be sure your comment is well-written with at least 4 good sentences.  If you post an appropriate comment by Tuesday, September 18, at 4:00 pm, you will receive extra credit.  Happy memories!

Spring Break is ALMOST Here!

There is a certain madness in the air at Goodpasture as all of you a bit more squirrely than usual.  Some of you are no longer in the classroom even though your body is there.  You know what I'm talking about...Some of you are already on a beach somewhere because you just can't wait till SPRING BREAK!  Believe me, I'm counting down the days, too!  For me, Spring Break means all of the English III research papers are graded!  It also means play time at the Boyd house!  We don't have any great travel plans (we're going to Disney World when school is out, so I have to save some money), but we will do lots of fun things--yes, you can be jealous that we're going to the zoo and family fun center and Chuck E. Cheese!  However, I put the picture of my munchkins at the beach as a teaser...I'm sure some of you will be roasting on a beach very, very soon!  

So, I know you're looking for it...EXTRA CREDIT!  If you are interested in some extra credit, you have to type and post a response that answers BOTH questions:  1. what are your plans for this spring break?  and 2.  what is your most memorable spring break ever?  You need a GOOD, well-written response of at least 5 sentences!  This lovely response MUST be posted by Friday, March 16, at 3:00--the official beginning to Goodpasture's SPRING BREAK 2012!!!!

It's Research Paper Time at GCS!

I must admit I'm pretty bummed we have not had a REAL snow so far this winter, and it's not looking very promising.  I'm sad our sled is not going to be zipping down the hill of our yard while a Boyd kid is heading for a frozen creek!  Oh well, maybe next year!  The good news is no one has had to work on research during a snow day; instead, we've had plenty of school days to stay on track (I'm trying to make the most of things here!).  So, you wonderful students in English III are wrapping up your papers while you lovely Dual Enrollment students are about to dive right in.  I know this is not anyone's favorite assignment of the year--it's not mine either.  Remember, my job is to help you prepare for college, so I MUST teach this concept.  If I were like Cinderella's Fairy Godmother, I'd just wave my wand and put the knowledge into your head without the pain of the actual process of doing the research and writing the paper.  Alas, "I'm not a princess, and this ain't a fairy tale!"

I know you are actually looking for an extra credit opportunity.  Soooo...Let's talk about procrastination and our superb ability to waste time!  Tell me what you do when you're supposed to be doing your school work--what gets you distracted?  Right now, I'm listening to Adele radio on Pandora and working on this blog while I'm taking a break from grading papers.  Type a good response of 3-4 sentences (show me you haven't forgotten how to write) that explains what distracts you and causes you to procrastinate.  All comments MUST be posted by Saturday, Feb. 25, at 5:00 p.m. in order to receive credit.  Ready...set...procrastinate!  Just kidding--procrastination will not be a good idea right now!

Much Madness is Divinest Sense

Emily Dickinson once wrote, "Much madness is divinest sense."  I think she was writing about me!  There are times when school gets so busy that I feel like a crazy woman, but at least Dickinson thinks that "madness" is somewhat sensible!  In the chaos of preparing for the TCAP writing assessment and beginning the research paper, I've been swamped!  I also wonder what is going on with this crazy weather--It is NOT supposed to be 60 degrees in January!  I mean, where is the snow???  My kids are beginning to think the sled will not make its 2012 debut, and that would just be sad!

As we all anxiously wait for another snow day and dream of staying in our warm beds on a cold morning, you get a chance to sound off.  Besides sleeping late, what do you like to do on a snow day?  If you do nothing besides stay in bed, think about what you liked to do as a child.  For extra credit, type a 4-5 sentence well-written response and post it no later than Friday, January 27, at 5:00 pm.

Happy New Year!

I cannot believe it is already 2012!  Either I'm just getting older and time is flying, or the old adage that time flies when you're having fun is true :)  With the new year comes the opportunity for new beginnings and new goals in English.  If you're not happy with your grade or performance first semester, you have the chance to change it--do things differently!  If you did well but know you can do better, then figure out how to do better.  Either way, challenge yourself to really utilize your talents and to work diligently this semester.  That diligence is going to be required especially since most classes will be doing the RESEARCH PAPER during the third nine weeks!!!  English III students will begin the basic material on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 10 and 11.  If you need to see the topic list from which to choose, see me or send me an email.  Remember, you must pick from a list of 105 topics.  If you have an idea for a topic that is not on the list, see me--I just might consider allowing you to research it if it directly relates to American history.