Posted on September 3, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
Sometimes as I’m moving around in my day, an image gets stuck in my head that I can’t shake. Sometimes it conjures up a memory, a feeling, or provides an impulse to do something. Often, though, I just see something that I want to capture in my mind for no particular reason-it just speaks to me. I’d like to offer these images up for ‘thought contributions’-as a way to generate a community of ideas together.
Unlike most people who live in my part of California, I hate the hot weather. Sometimes I really wonder what I’m doing here-all I can think of is how to escape the heat and get to the cool, foggy days on the coast. So when I think of summer’s end, I don’t mourn the long, hot days – my mind actually goes right back to our last summer trip to the northern part of California, where when the valley is baking in 100+ degree heat, we enjoyed a lovely day in the mid 60s. Today’s photo, taken while hiking with my kids at Trinidad, California, is in honor of the end of summer-and the beginning of back to school, back to work, and back to schedules.
When summer ends, what do you miss the most?
Posted on August 31, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
Wow! What an honor to receive the Versatile Blogger Award from Teachermum today! I am so touched and grateful that she has enjoyed reading my blog! She and I sure have a lot of things in common… teachers by day, bloggers by night, and MOMs 24/7! Please be sure to read her blog and find out all about the term she coined, ‘The Crumple Effect’…I love it!
The Rules after accepting the Versatile Blogger Award are:
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Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
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Share 7 things about yourself
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Pass this award along to recently discovered blogs.
I hope you enjoy these enlightening, funny, supportive and inspirational bloggers as much as I do!
voiceBoks
Coming Home To Myself
Now in order to receive the award…Seven Things About Me:
1. I have really never won anything in my life. I have never won a trophy, first place, or really any kind of award. Wait-I did win the ‘best dancer’ award at my school…not sure if that was a joke, though.
2. When I was a little girl, I was extremely shy. So shy that I wouldn’t talk to most people, and if I went to a friend’s house and anyone but them answered the door I would hide. I’m still shy, but have managed to get over my fear of public speaking enough to stand in front of teenagers every day-and they can be a tough audience!
3. I met my husband at a punk rock concert in the 80s. Neither one of us then looked much like we do now. He had way more hair, I had way less. We were both backstage after the show, and ended up together. That was 26 years ago.
4. I would love to live in a foreign country. I wish I had just done it when my kids were little-now that they’re old enough to have opinions, it would be hard to tear them away from their friends, sports, and school. Well, they might be ok with the school part. Maybe when I retire I’ll buy a house somewhere in a Spanish speaking country and just live there for awhile. I hope they’d come to visit me.
5. I used to drive a VW Thing. It was yellow, it had no heater, and the doors, windows, windshield, and top were removable. There was a plug on the bottom of the floor that I could remove and just hose it out when it got dirty. SUCH a California girl car, and I loved it. My boyfriend (future husband) hated it.
I miss that car.
6. I once was a groupie. I have seen The Cure play all over the world…I can’t even count the number of times I have seen them. I have an amazing vinyl collection of all their music that I just can’t bear to part with. We still own a turntable! I will still see them play whenever they come to California…maybe not in other countries anymore, but you never know!
7. I was an OB-no, not the kind that delivers babies. Although I have done that, twice. I am an original barista. I made a mean cappuccino before anyone even knew what Starbucks was. In the 80s that was the only job I could find with hair the color of an avocado!
Thanks again to Teachermum for the kind recognition of my blog. I guess now I can’t say that I’ve never won anything.
Posted on August 29, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
Posted on August 28, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
It’s the first day of kindergarten…parents lined up at the door, new backpacks grace the backs of eager (and some not so eager) young students dressed in their new school clothes. Mom and dad hover, some concerned, some triumphant-all documenting the day with flashes from cameras and smart phones.
Flash forward seven years-it’s middle school. Yikes! No more hovering-at least not where the kids can see you! New backpacks-maybe, if they’re cool. Dressing down instead of dressing up. Photos? No way-those had to be done at home, out of sight of the friends.
I’ve spent the last week working with my 8th and 9th grade leadership students getting ready to welcome every 7th grader to our school. It’s a beautiful thing, really. Believe it or not, those 7th graders are pretty nervous-they just don’t want anyone to know it.
At Emerson Junior High, we take two days of summer vacation to train students how to mentor the incoming 7th grade students using the WEB program. Through team building, get to know you activities, and tons of leadership skills, we build a program to make every kid feel like they belong at our school.
The day before school starts, we run a four hour orientation that starts as 265 students in the gym, breaks down to small groups, and ends up with the WEB leaders and 10 7th grade ‘webbies’ in classrooms getting to know each other and helping the new kids feel more connected to their new school. And NO PARENTS are allowed!
WEB has been a fantastic program for our school-we’ve seen discipline issues reduce and connectivitiy increase. Our school climate thrives with the ‘students helping students succeed’ approach…and despite all the hard work and energy it takes right before we start our ‘real’ teaching jobs, we get a trememdous satisfaction watching the magic happen.
One of the most important things the WEB leaders share with their 7th graders are ‘Words of Wisdom’ about how to survive and thrive in middle school. They are brutally honest-I guess it comes with their own ‘trial and error’!
Those middle school days can be a real test of our parenting skills – so much to learn, and no handbook to go by! So, if you’re a parent, a teacher or a middle schooler, take a look at the Emerson Jr. High Words of Wisdom-you might just learn something!
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Be on time and pay attention and LISTEN in class. Don’t procrastinate!
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Use your planner. Get things done as soon as possible. Stay organized!
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Make a good first impression with your teachers and new friends.
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Understand and follow the rules. Don’t share your locker combo.
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Stay healthy. Get plenty of sleep and eat breakfast. Bring a snack and lunch, too!
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Follow the dress code. Get to class on time!
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Try not to get stressed out. Ask teachers or counselors for help in classes if you need it.
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Participate in class and other fun stuff at school. Make an effort!
- Don’t feel shy – include new people in your group of friends.
Words of Wisdom for us all, don’t you think?
Posted on August 26, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
Sometimes as I’m moving around in my day, an image gets stuck in my head that I can’t shake. Sometimes it conjures up a memory, a feeling, or provides an impulse to do something. Often, though, I just see something that I want to capture in my mind for no particular reason-it just speaks to me. I’d like to offer these images up for ‘thought contributions’-as a way to generate a community of ideas together.
Today’s Friday Photo was taken a few weeks ago on Treasure Island. Look at her! Look at the balance, the coordination. Look at the lines of her body. The steel of her frame. The transparency of her skin. The muscles of her legs. The sway of her hips, and the grace of her hands. She is larger than life, dwarfing all those around her. Look at the peacefulness of her face, thoughts kept deep within. Look at Her! What a Woman!
What do you see?
