Done.

Wanted to stop in and share some exciting news: I RESIGNED!
Done and done.

An old photo from January 2012 when we were celebrating Jill's resignation!

My last day of work will be July 4th--a true day of independence!

I'd be a liar if I didn't admit to being a little nervous about resigning.  However, the very day I turned in my paperwork a dear friend gave this verse to me:  "One handful of peaceful repose/Is better than two fistfuls of worried work . . ." (The Message, Ecclesiastes 4.6).  So very fitting.

Not quite sure what's coming next, but I've got a few dreams in the works.  We shall see what happens.  I think I'll be happy as long as it involves having a life again. Yay!
♥, Molly 

View from Here // Binat & Bubbles

inspired by {this moment} by soulemama
an image // from the week // no words

 

♥, Molly

View From Here // Rainbows, Butterflies & Sunshine

inspired by {this moment} by soulemama
an image // from the week // no words

♥, Molly

Pumpkin on the Prowl

inspired by {this moment} by soulemama
an image // from the week // no words

♥, Molly 

Last Day of School

inspired by {this moment} by soulemama
an image // from the week // no words

 

♥, Molly 

my sentiments, exactly.

sometimes, i want to do this to my students.

their father, photographer jason lee, has a whole blog full of crazy photos he takes of these two little sisters. pretty cute.

♥, Molly

I Scream, You Scream . . .

Although I felt like it would never ever get here, it finally did! Tuesday, July 12th, was my LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!

We continued the Cox family tradition and headed to Baskin-Robbins for some ice cream. {Just so you know, here are a few pictures of celebratory-ice-cream-eating from my first, second, and third years of teaching.)

Fourth Year of Teaching

photo by Jill


[Most of] The Hump Day Crew: Jill, Shera, Sarah, Molly, Jen

Unfortunately, Ms. Hannah was unable to join us at our last minute date.

However, she got her ice cream cone the next day at the hospital. The nurses were kind enough to keep it in the freezer for me until she arrived--even if they did have to put it in a bio-hazard bag.

Here's to finishing another successful year! Happy Summer!!

♥,
Molly

View From Here//Some Rooms Should Never Feel This Empty

inspired by {this moment} by soulemama
an image // from the week // no words



♥,
Molly

A First Grade Novel

Today as I was sorting through a stack of random papers I came across this story. I instinctively started to throw it out, but then decided otherwise.

So without any further ado, here is the tale of . . .

The Mom and the Baby
by Mariam Abudulla
(As told to Miss Molly)


The Mom come. The
baby. Yaaay!


I sad.
And the baby
he ________.**
**Can you guess what word? If you're thinking die you're on track. She didn't know how to say it or write it, but she definitely knew how to show it. Right in the middle of reading her story aloud she did a full-on impersonation of a dead baby--complete with tongue out and eyes rolled to the side. Priceless.

The baby. He
happy.


As you can see, we've still got some work to do. (Ahem, no punctuation and general lack of description.) However, for a little 6 year old ELL writer, I think she did a pretty swell job. I particularly love 2 things:

1. The lackluster but clear attempt at a plot-- even though it's kind of awful she does try so very hard to have a problem and a solution. I've got to give her credit for following directions.
2. Her illustrations -- hellO princess hat!

Thanks for reading.

THE END
(Which she more accurately pronounced like Thuuuuuuhhh End)

♥,
Molly

You Look Like a Monkey

We've been studying animals and life cycles lately. While I was doing Guided Reading with a few kids, one of my other groups of students was making books about 'big' animals.

A whale is big.

A moose is big.

A camel is big.

A rhinoceros is big.

A polar bear is big.

An elephant is big.

A zebra is big.

But a Taif? Nooo, silly girl!


Okay--it's an easy mistake (kids will write their name on any ol' blank line); and it's not really that funny (maybe you have to know her); but it does remind me of why I like working with kids. The littlest things they do can make me smile.
-m.

weekend wear

trying to work on report cards this weekend and i'm pretty sure i'd get a lot more done

. . . if i was wearing these. by garnet hill

think they come in big people sizes?
-m.

"Miss, Miss!"

"It's the Burj Khalifa!"

-m.

100 ______?

Today was the 100th day of school. (Which means we're more than halfway through. Hooray!) I thought it would only be appropriate to make sure my Question of the Day fit the occasion. Here's what my kiddos had to say . . .

If you could have 100 of anything, what would it be?

• 100 ice creams (Noura)
• 100 butterflies (Fakhira)
• 100 babies (Abda)
• 100 Sponge Bobs (Wadima)
  
• 100 Ferraris (Rhawdha Saeed) Yes, she really said this.
  
• 100 bags of cotton candy (Rhawdha Bilal)
  
• 100 rabbits (Moza Nasir) I'm sure there's more than one rabbit owner out there who's unintentionally had this problem.
  
• 100 flowers (Ghizlan)
• 100 'popcorns' (Shefaa)
  
• 100 brothers (Sherina) Her mom just had a baby--and it was a girl.
  
• 100 Miss Mollys (Shamma) He he! Poor kid!
  

I think if I had 100 of something, I would like 100 plane tickets. (Make that Etihad first-class and be sure to throw in some direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Seattle, please.)

How about you? 100 _______ ?
(Reid, Wyatt, and Walter, I hope you're reading today.) :-)

Happy 100 Days!
-m.

Summer Edition 1.0: The Last Day of School

July 7th: School's out for summer!

Quite a few years ago, Jill's lovely momma decided to take her daughters out for ice cream on the last day of school . . . And it became tradition. Only a few years ago, Jill decided to take her roommate out for ice cream on the last day of school . . . And it became tradition.

First Year of Teaching

Jill was such a good friend to me during my first year. Even now, I am still so very thankful for all she did to help me make it to June! (P.S. If I look tired and emotional, it's because I was.)

Second Year of Teaching

My sweet Rosie made time to come join me for a little last-day treat. I love how we continued the good times with a delicious enchilada dinner, a perfect bonfire, and a night swim in Lake Padden. Such a satisfying end to such a good year!

Third Year of Teaching

Carrying the banner all the way to Abu Dhabi!

These dear friends and fellow teachers helped me keep my chin up despite all of the chaos. Your support was invaluable! Thanks ladies!!

From left to right: Shera, Jill, Hannah, Sarah, Jen, and Molly

In the words of my students, "Teechaaaaa! Finish!" (This must be said with a very drawn out 'a' at the end of teach[er] and a really strong, quick jab of the word finish[ed].)

Teacher finished!
-m.

Week One. Done.

Yay! I made it through week one!

Although I'm still overwhelmed on all fronts, I must say that this year is already off to a better start than last year. It's not as smooth as I expected it to be (darned expectations!) but the schedule is coming together, the routines are falling into place, the kids are starting to actually listen to their crazy English speaking teacher, and I'm already feeling so much more supported by the staff and administration.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!
-m.

school's out for summer!

sorta.
the official last day of school with students: june 4th.
the actual last day of school with students: may 30 (yes, you're reading that right. the whole 'school calendar' thing doesn't mean much around here.)
the last day of school for teachers: july 8th.

in a way, school has been out for 3 weeks now. it's been nice: classes are no longer in session, the work day is shortened a bit, i'm not taking heaps of books and papers home with me each night, and my stress levels seem to be reaching normal again. (whatever that is?)

even though i'm more than ready to close the door on this school year, i'd say i'm doing so in pretty high spirits.

we've had some pretty good times:

. . . observing how plants grow and change;

1. Shahad's bean was a late bloomer. 2. Shaqra can't believe it--her plant is the tallest!

. . . learning about butterflies and reading Eric Carle books;

Taif shows me her play-doh model of the life cycle of a butterfly while she 'reads' The Hungry Caterpillar.

. . . making life-size self-portraits and singing "Head and Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" about 9 gazillion times;

1. Fatima couldn't stop giggling when asked to stand next to her self-portrait. 2. Tracing one another
3. Al Hanoof and her self-portrait share the same exact smile. 4. Alyazi and Hamda--Best Buds

. . . comparing and contrasting living and non living things;

This little firecracker, Khawla, literally bounces around school. Her enthusiasm is hard to contain. In this picture, she's showing that the fake flower and the goldfish crackers are not living while the lily and Dora and Diego (the fish) are living.

. . . trying new math stations;

1. counting and sorting 2. Moneera and Haya make new shapes
3. Shaikha shows she understands conservation of number 4. Noora works on patterns

. . . sharing responsibility for our classroom;

1. Shamsa, board eraser 2. Hamda, attendance helper 3. Shama, paper passer

. . . and mostly trying not to miss a single moment of watching these little people blossom.


it's been an intensely challenging year. {duh.} however, despite all of the frustrations and setbacks, my students have been the silver lining. i'm proud of all that they've accomplished--especially with the less-than-ideal circumstances at our school. i'm thankful for the ways they've helped me become a better teacher. i'm humbled by their graciousness and their forgiveness when i've been grumpy and when i've made mistakes. i'm so privileged to have been the recipient of their hugs and beautiful smiles.

i'm one -- very lucky -- teacher.
-m.

p.s. i apologize for the blurry faces, but modesty must prevail. i did try to leave their smiles as much as possible. i really wish you could meet them--they're so darn cute!

How Does Your Garden Grow? Part II

Well, according to Shama, it's going to grow, but right now it is just "baby".


Shahad says her seed grows "big". Then she added, "Green. Big and green."


And Khawla, who always has something to say, jumped up and shouted, "BIG! Miss Molly! Me--TREE!!"

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Because our garden is growing in plastic baggies. For now.
-m.

Inferno

While I'm on the theme of fire . . .



The latest round of report cards at my school have been an ongoing torment for at least 2 weeks. It's far too aggravating and stupid and lengthy to explain, but "heck" seems just about the right term. I think I'm frustrated enough to punch someone -- or cry -- or quit -- or do all three. Argh!!!!

I keep telling myself that "this too shall pass". I guess that one way or another it will, right?

Summer has never sounded so so so so good.
-m.

Playing with Lighters & Gasoline

wYep--and I was even at school!



So, in the middle of teaching, I was pulled out of my classroom and told to go outside where a small gathering of teachers and mothers had already assembled. They were standing & listening to a lecture from 2 men in uniform. Since it was in Arabic, I'm not exactly sure what was said, but I know it had something to with fire extinguishers.

As soon as I saw the extinguishers, I had a strong suspicion there was going to be real flames involved. Based on what happened next, I'm glad I ran to my room to grab my camera. Just as I was rushing back, I saw one of the men pouring a clear liquid into a trough. My jaw must have dropped 6 inches when I realized what this clear liquid was -- gasoline! Then I kind of choked on my own spit when I saw the lighter. I definitely haven't been studying explosive fire starting techniques lately, but I thought I remember reading somewhere that gasoline and flammable objects don't mix too well . . . Maybe I saw it in a movie or something?

A Simple Tutorial on How to [Start and] Put Out A Fire
(translated from Arabic to English by yours truly)
Step 1: Pour gallons of gasoline into a trough
Step 2: Ignite gasoline with a lighter; If a lighter is not available, a match is another acceptable substitute
Step 3: Stand with a wide base, pick up your extinguisher, point it towards the flames, depress the handle, and VOILA!

After the initial demonstration, the two men in uniform started talking to the teachers again. At some point in the 2nd portion of the lecture (right during the part when I wasn't really trying to understand Arabic anymore) they must have asked for volunteers. When I started hearing a couple of the teachers whisper my name, I snapped to attention. Too late! Before I knew it, I was pushed to the front of the crowd. Whether I wanted to or not, my debut as a firefighter was at hand!


Well, as this picture shows, I wasn't a natural. I had a bit of a hard time figuring out how to hold the darn thing. Apparently trying to support the whole canister is difficult. And unnecessary.
When the 2 men in uniform and the security guard started barking instructions at me, I could barely hear them above the laughter coming from all of the other teachers. From what I deduced, I think the men kept yelling at me to put the extinguisher down and just grab the handle. Nice . . .
Fortunately for my reputation, I was able to improve my extinguisher-holding skills and blast that blaze like nobody's business!


Miss Asma, Miss Esther, Miss Lisa, & Miss Molly will know what to do if any students play with lighters & gasoline. HALAS!

Never a dull day at the office . . .
-m.