Lillian Draws a Bunny

Tips and Techniques

I have not be a substitute teacher for very long, but I have learned a thing or two about how to manage a classroom.  I should start off by saying that I am not the "fun" sub.  I am strict until I see that the students are doing what is expected of them. Also, I rarely sub elementary; if given the option I will always take the upper level classes. So, here are a few things that I have learned along the way (and still learning and will continue to be learning until I can't remember what I am learning).

• I live in an area where many of the students speak another language (Spanish). More often than not the students will ask me right away "Mrs. Shelton do you speak Spanish?" for the first few weeks when I would reply "no" then the students would start speaking in Spanish (now there is nothing wrong with that but in the context it is not appropriate) so here's what I did to guide the conversation into a different direction TIP: I know a little bit of German so when the students ask me if I speak Spanish I say "I speak German" (in German but I don't want to butcher the spelling) then the students go "hu" every time and it changes the tone from trying to make fun of the sub to "oh she knows a language that I don't, that's pretty cool". It works every time! 
• ALWAYS TELL THE STUDENTS WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM THEM (Behavior/Work)
• I like to write the agenda on the board and then go over it so the students know exactly what we are doing for that day
• Don't show any signs of frustration in your body language or facial expressions (this one is hard for me)
• Do what the teacher has asked you to do! I have already met so many subs that just do what they want. Not a good idea
• I don't give out candy or stickers but I do acknowledge the students that are on task with either a smile or saying out loud that I appreciate the work that they are doing
• Here is a website that has a lot of other help hints:http://www.supersubstituteteachers.com/classmgt.htm

My first attempt at Creative Non-Fiction

The Big Salad

By Rebecca Shelton

A large piper colored bowl is taken delicately from the fridge. This bowl originated from a Tupperware party hosted in 1978.  The once white plastic lid has turned a muddy beige from its years of service.  Placing the bowl on the counter I slowly peel back the lid, just as I do when I open my Christmas presents, one tiny corner at a time.  As the lid opens, a fresh, woody, and semi sweet smell dispenses.  My eyes are taken back by the culture and history that exudes from this giant orange basin; a combination of leaves from all parts of the world come together.

What  is to be found in this brilliant bouquet of greenery?

            There is an abundant amount of one particular leaf in this salad.  Some common salad grazer might see lettuce, but not I; I see lactuca sativa.  This lettuce is a free spirit. Each individual leaf is unique in shape, color, and expression.  Don't be fooled by its carefree manner, it has a sensitive and vulnerable side. If the conditions are not ideal the beautiful color of Japanese laurel turns mallard.  We can thank Columbus for this tasty morsel.  He brought lettuce to the New World because he wanted to share the culture that surrounded it. However, Columbus was not the first to crunch this milky weed. The Kings of Persia were partaking in this crisp leaf during the 6^th century.  At this time in history lettuce was placed on a pedestal.  The Greeks and Romans were specifically fascinated with the milky fluid that pours from a fresh cut. The fluid houses the majority of nutrients that are believed to have "painkilling" properties.

Peering into the bowl there is a shape that is strong and will yield to no other.  This long spear like shape has been found imprinted on the tombs of Egyptians. Said to have originated in the Greek Isles, the Cos lettuce has been cultivated for over 5,000 years.  This head shaped plant evolved as does everything else and was given a new identity by the Romans.  The name given to such a gallant foliage, Romaine.  Romaine is a salad all its own, that’s how powerful this leaf is.

Taking a closer peek at the salad, I notice specks of pale green leaves hiding amongst the sturdy Romaine.  This lettuce was packed in ice to preserve it's integrity.  So, it was given the name Iceberg.  Also, known as New York or Imperial depending upon the strain. It’s hiding because of its nutritional shame.  We can thank ourselves for its weak existence.  It does however, contribute a much-needed sweetness.

            Spread erratically among the other leaves are silky, deep red skins, laced with hard white veins.  This cabbage-like lettuce is known not only for its brilliant colors and slightly bitter taste, but also for  its medicinal purposes.  Plyni the Elder gave it mention in Naturalis Historia.  Praising its ability to aid with insomnia due to the sedative qualities of intybin ( a bitter substance that effects the nervous system).  The Venice Province is home to this "Red Chicory of Chioggia" also known as Radicchio.  This ruby will shine bright no matter what the season.

            I can hold out no longer.  With delicate care  I make sure that every individual species is collected upon my fork.  My eyes look upon the brilliant colors of emerald, bilboa, mantis, and cedar.  I inhale the earthy aroma.  The leaves dance around in my mouth.  With every grind they release all of the wonderful history that they have stored.  The intense woody flavor of Egyptian sand, the saltiness of a cross Atlantic voyage, the warmth of a Venetian sunset, the sweetness of  the New York fields.  Divine.

The Summer of Disappointment

Last Spring I was super excited about my future. With my freshly printed certificate I was finally ready to turn my books in for a paycheck and my first career. Unfortunately, those dreams were met with some harsh realities.  I applied for several jobs in and around the area that I live, only to receive one interview. My first interview, I was so excited, that feeling was quickly squashed, I found out that I couldn't speak Spanish, not that I didn't already know that.
The summer went by quickly and still no job.  I am not one to just sit around and wait so I applied for graduate school.  I just finished my first semester and have four more to go (I like quarters better). On the brighter side I did get a long term sub job in a school and grade level that I want to teach. I am new to the blogging world so bare with me (as if there is anyone else in the universe besides myself reading this).