Canned Food Drama

The annual canned food drive at school ended yesterday.

I told my third period class I wouldn't give them homework over the break if we won-

We didn't win.

I am not giving them homework.

I do think it is absolutely hillarious that the teacher who won got so competitive, that she went to the store yesterday at lunch, after she heard she was losing to us, and bought enough cans to beat my class. As we speak, my students are declaring the injustices of how the crown was stolen from them by a last second trip to the store. Oh, the joys of junior high.

It probably would have been cheaper to just buy your class pizza, then to buy all the cans. My students contributed 279 cans to the cause. The winning class 311.

Oh well- it all goes to the Food Bank and helps feed hungry families during the Holiday Season.

Can't we all just be happy and feel good that we helped the needy this time of year?

The joy of junior high drama and the canned food drive.

Survival Mode

Teachers are just as guilty as the students when it comes to counting down to Christmas Break. We hope the week before will go by super fast, so we can get to the much anticipated break. Sometimes, it just seems to last forever. How do you survive the week before Christmas Break?



10. Assign your students lots of book work, so they have to sit and work quietly and they don't bug you. (Please note, I am not doing that this week!)



9. Give your students a quiz/test so you can sit and do nothing while they take it. (Please note, I am doing this tomorrow- one down side, I then have to grade the quiz.)



8. Sign up to bring treats to the daily grazing table in the copy room



7. Make a deliberate effort to avoid the copy room at all costs- the temptation is just too great!



6. Partake in the Secret Santa gift exchange (sad face here because our school did not do one this year)



5. Get super competitive about the canned food drive at school and bribe, blackmail, and motivate your students at all costs in order to achieve the super classroom status as winner of the canned food drive



4. Continue counting the minutes until Christmas Break has arrived



3. Make long to do lists and continue to avoid and neglect them every night



2. Assign difficult homework to tortue your students



1. Just give up and resign yourself to the fact that despite your most amazing efforts, your students are not remembering anything you teach that week.

Week in Reflection

Last week was a pretty significant week. First, it snowed 8 inches in Boise on Tuesday night, resulting in a snow day for the Boise School District!!! Only my 2nd snow day in seven years teaching. Awesome!! The snow did cause our tree in our backyard to snap as well. That is going to be messy to clean up!

Then, LJ and I did lots of car shopping. My Infiniti was coming to the end. It has been a good car, with 216,000 miles on it. It was just time for us to move on. So Friday night we bought a 2008 Ford Edge. I like it- it was a little more then I wanted to spend a little less then that, but it is a good car and I like it. It should last a long time.

The Christmas decorations are up and the snow continues to fall. Good times in Boise, Idaho!

SIZE 10

My Take For Life Diet continues on. I down about 20 pounds now and I was finally brave enough to try on a size 10 pair of pants- and guess what?...

THEY FIT!

I am wearing pants today I have not been able to wear in over a year. :)

HIP HOP HOORAY!

I still have more weight to go, but it is coming off!

I am super excited and thank you to everyone for supporting me.

HAPPY MONDAY TO ALL!!

Books I've Read since September

I am behind on my book updating, despite the fact I am reading like crazy. I have at least 20 new History Books to read, plus all of the books from school that kids and other teachers recommend. I just can't get enough sometimes.

I admit it- I have a reading problem.

My name is Kari Overall, and I am addicted to reading.

There, I said it. Now let me share those books I have read with you.

-The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
-Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
-Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
-Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
-Little House on the Prarie Series (all 6) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
-Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
-Stotan by Chris Crutcher
-The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher
-The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
-The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
-The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
-Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
-Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
-Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
-Revolutionary Mothers by Carol Berkin
-The Winter of Red Snow by Kristiana Gregory
-The Declaration of Independence by David Armitage
-Sons of Liberty by Adele Griffin

Pick one- enjoy it. Reading- JUST DO IT!!!

History Lesson with Answers!

My sister Katie posted a picture quiz last week on her blog of all her travels throughout Europe. She was amazed that people didn't recognize those places more easily, so I thought I would do the same. These are a few of the things I have taught my students in the last week. See how many you know:

A) Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death." Patrick Henry
B) Who said, "There! His majesty can now read my name without his glasses." John Hancock
C) Who said, "These are the times that try men's souls." Thomas Paine
D) What document says, "We hold these truths to self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Declaration of Independence
E) Who is Nathan Hale? Patriot who was captured by the British and hung as a spy
F) What is Ethan Allen famous for? Leading the Green Mountain boys in the victory at Fort Ticonderoga
G) How are Sam Adams and John Adams related? Cousins
H) Who was President of the Continental Congress? John Hancock
I) Who was commander of the Continental Army? George Washington

Answers to come soon!

Week in Review

3 weeks down on the new diet. I am starting to get the hang of it. I have lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks and am feeling good. I am also noticing what foods I really crave a little too much. It is easy to turn down candy bars, but cheese is my weakness. We had a soup party at school this week, but I resisted. We went to the pumpkin patch as a family to celebrate Kori's birthday and resisting popcorn and those cute little donuts was a little hard. I do miss being able to dig into a chip now and then. It is worth it though- the pounds are coming off and I am feeling good. My workouts are picking up and I am looking forward to even better results.

School is plowing along. Each day I am amazed at the things kids say and do.

On a completely separate note: We attended my nephew's flag football game yesterday- he is six. The parents were horrendous. They were walking the sidelines, pacing, following every move of the ball, coaching their kids. Two dads moving the chains were yelling at another dad, who was mad their son was offsides. Then they walked by and said, "Oh, I didn't see that, was that an 80 yard touchdown run." So then another parent talked trash back. Who talks trash at their six year old son's flag football game? There are some intense parents in the world. Let the kids enjoy it and have fun. Sheesh!

Bumper Cars

Driving home tonight, I was merging on the freeway. The car in front of me accelerated- I wasn't that close; I glanced back to check traffic and when I looked again, the car had come to a complete stop. I slammed on my brakes, but I just didn't stop in time. I flew forward and heard a loud bang. I was convinced the front of my car was gone. I pulled my car over, got out, to a shaking young man in the car in front of me. His car was fine, my car was fine. He wasn't injured and neither was I. Two nice state patrolmen descended upon the scene. Since the damage did not exceed $1500, no citation was issued and we all left.

I am embarrassed and shaken up. I have never hit anyone before and it is not a fun feeling. I think I will leave the Bumper Cars for the theme parks next time.

Giveaway

Head over to my sister Katie's blog and check out her giveaway! Click here!

Montana- Old School

For Labor Day this year we went to Montana. I didn't take many pictures, but my sister Kori did. You can check out some here. She mentioned the tradition of taking pictures in the swing, so I went back and found some of the pictures I have scanned in over the years of calendar and movie making and I thought I would share some. These pics are quite embarassing and illustrate my looking like a boy phase, but here they are anyway.

Week 1

I have not been able to lose weight for the last 9 months. I trained for and ran a half marathon and didn't shed a pound- in fact I gained weight. After watching my parents shed their pounds this summer, I decided it was time to give their new thing a try.

Today was the end of the first week. It wasn't always easy. Take Shape for Life has you eat 5 of their meals and 1 of your own. You cut out many of your favorite foods. :( It has been an adjustment thinking about what to make for dinner every night that fits into the guidelines given, but without simply eating chicken and salad every night. I don't want to get bored. So I am learning what I like and don't like and learning to be brave and try new things. LJ as well has embraced the diet.

At the end of week one, I have lots five pounds. I know that will slow down in the weeks to come, but I am dedicated to it for at least a month. If I absolutely hate it at the end of that time, I will quit, but I think I can do it and lose the weight I want to.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

ESPN GameDay

Saturday morning my friend Steph and I got up early to brave the crowds and watch ESPN's GameDay filmed at Boise State. This is the premier College Football television show and to have it in Boise was awesome!! I love College Football, so I just couldn't pass up the chance. We ended up down on the sidelines and upclose. It was neat to see how they filmed the show, framed shots, moved cameras and people, and to be there for the event. I got to shake Chris Fowler's hand and we even ended up on television. Being the nerd I am, I taped the show and watched it when I got home and looked for myself. Now I can say I have been on national televison! :) Thanks Steph for the great morning! It is a memory to remember. :)

Steph and I

Montana 2010

We went to Montana for Labor Day this year. We love Montana. Grandma and Grandpa's Cabin has been the place of memories and magic for over 2 decades. The kids love playing in the dirt, water, throwing rocks, baseball, running, seeing bears, four-wheelers, and we even did a nature hike this year. We played Scrabble, read Hunger Games, the boys watched lots of Supernatural, LJ fished on the mighty Missouri, and we ate lots. The cabin was even better this year because the addition is done- thank you Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Greg, Cheryl, Lynn, etc for helping finish the bedrooms and bathroom so we can all spread out and fit. I wish we could have seen more of everyone, but I know how busy life is. I didn't take many pictures, but here are some. Katie, Clint, Max, and Ryan- we missed you!! Until next year cabin- :)

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Junior High

The first month a school is flying by and I have learned a lot already. I love my students and am trying all kinds of new lessons with them. We are having fun and becoming masters of United States History. I have learned a few funny things along the way; I thought it would be fun to share.

10. Doing your school work entitles you to a car
9. Fighting on the 2nd day of school gets you 3 days of in-house
8. Teenagers only know four different types of dancing: Congo line, Macarena, Jumping, and Grinding
7. Even adults like treats from their boss on the first day of school
6. Naming your child a color is acceptable today
5. Walking through the hall yelling "Gay Pride" and "Bi-Pride" won't get you beat up
4. Having a fridge in my room is the best thing I ever did- why did it take me 7 years to figure this out?
3. Smoking Spice before school on school grounds is not a good idea
2. "No you may not call the colony of Virginia, "Va-jay-jay" as you label it on a map. That is not appropriate."
1. "Pocahontas and John Smith were friends and no matter what you say Mrs. Overall, they met in a tree!"

Chris Crutcher

Chris Crutcher is a young adult author who grew up in Cascade, Idaho. He is edgy, succint, and tells it like it is. He came and spoke to our students last Friday in an all school assembly.

Did I mention he is captivating?

He kept 600 12-15 year olds entertained for an hour. They laughed and listened and learned. He explained some of his life stories that shaped characters in his books. He also explained how he mixes people and events to create works of fiction.

I hadn't read much of his work before- now I am hooked. In the last few weeks, I have devoured, Running Loose, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, Whale Talk and am currently working on Deadline. Some of his stuff is a little on the edge; he isn't afraid to use a swear word when nothing else will do. But it is real. And my students eat it up.

I recommend his books. He provides real life stories that people can relate to. I was crying as I finished Whale Talk . His stuff makes you think and thinking is never a bad thing. Check out the local Idaho author and get some good reading in while you're at it.

Cloudy with a Chance of a Cold

I felt it. It hit yesterday morning right after first period. The first sign of a sore throat. That faint scratch you feel seeping up into the back of your throat. By 8th period, my voice was sore from talking all day and I needed more water to keep me going. Last night I took it easy, ate dinner, doused myself with airbourne and orange juice and went to bed.

It didn't work.

This morning the tightness in the throat and the cloudiness of the head are ever present. I can feel the congestion gathering in my nose and sinuses. And of course, it is back to school night tonight!

So to the five people who read my blog, what are your favorite cold remedies? Or cold preventions? How do you know when you have a cold coming on?

Just say no to the snot. It makes like miserable for all. Now I head to school to spray my room with Lysol and wipe down every desk, stapler, paper, pen, and door handle with a Clorox wipe. I will win the war on germs.

Can't Buy Me Love

I'm back and ready to blog! And I mean it this time. :)

Remember that show? Late 80s early 90s set in Tucson, Arizona. I lived in Tucson when it came out, so I thought I was super cool. The popular cheerleader gets paid to date the nerdy kid for one month so he could be popular. I don't think any money was exchanged this time, but here's my little story:

School has been in for about three weeks now. We had out first dance of the year on Friday night. I was chaperoning ( meaning I walk around and embarass kids who are dirty dancing or stop the 9th grade boys from starting mosh pits with their jumping), and I notice one of the cheerleaders. She is cute and not overly talkative, but not shy, and she is talking to one of my sweet, nerdy, glasses, slightly overweight, special ed kids. They hung out all night long. They danced, sat on the wall and talked, walked around. I couldn't believe it. I found the cheer advisor and told her how cool I thought it was and how proud I was of this student. After the dance I found her with her friends and mentioned it to her, and her reply to me was "Yeah, anonymous student is cool. He is way fun." It reminded me that there are nice kids in the world who don't conform to social norms and who hang out with people just because they are fun and not because of what they where or what sport they play. Be proud of our kids and remember some of them are doing great things and inspire us once in awhile!

Boulder Part 2

Boulder Part 1

July

I feel like I blinked and July was over. This is very depressing. Now August is here and school is only three weeks away. During July I watched a lot of baseball, LJ was gone for a week, I traveled to Boulder for a week and we spent the last weekend of the month in northern Idaho with friends. Boulder was a huge event for me. I attended a Gilder Lehrman Summer Seminar for teachers. It was an all expenses paid trip to go study with the best historians on the Great Plains and their impact on American History. I stayed in the dorms at UC Boulder and studied with 25 new friends from around the country. This was the best professional development I have ever done in my life. We studied with Elliot West, professor from Arkansas. I left the week, enriched, inspired, and full of new teaching ideas and strategies. We also learned and studied with Patricia Limerick of UC Boulder. I am grateful for this fabulous experience I had and the chance to learn from the best. The highlight of the week was a trip to Bent's Fort in Colorado. The Plains truly are a great place which have deeply impacted the history of our country. Lots of pictures to follow.

The last weekend of the month was spent at Silverwood Theme Park with our friends Jenn and Jason. It was so fun. I love roller coasters and rides. The water park was cold, but fun as well. I didn't take any pictures which is super sad! Thanks for a great weekend!

Mad Props

Today I watched my sister Kori's three children while she got her hair done. Let me just saw, "WOW!! How do you do it every day Kori?" I was exhausted after two hours and she does this 24/7. I had 4 year old Jack, 3 year old Kenzie, and 4 week old Cache. Little Cache needed lots of burping and then decided that he didn't want to sleep anywhere except my arm. Kenzie didn't nap long enough and caused lots of mischief. Jack just wanted to be pushed on the swingset so badly, but ended up eating, watching Star Wars, driving the car, and playing Wii. Cache ate and burped and slept and cried and wanted attention. It was tons of fun and I love hanging out with them (cause I don't get to see them often), but three is....well, it is three children under the age of four. So let me just say to all you mom's out there, "YOU ROCK!" I am mad impressed with those mothering skills. Kori is a new mom and she is making it happen with grace and style, while her wimpy older sister is tired after two hours. Thanks Kori for letting me chill with your kids today and trusting me with them and keep doing your thing, cause you make mothering look easy!

My new toy

I like to compare myself to Monica (from Friends). I am a total control freak, love being organized, and one of my favorite possessions is my label maker. I have always wanted a shredder. What else does a girl need to complete their office get-up then a shredder? I could never quite stomach spending the money on one, but today, enough was enough. My filing cabinet is spilling over and the office needed serious help. Enter, the Fellowes P-58Cs, courtesy of Office Max and their shredder sale. Now, I have a shredder to shred to my hearts content. Good-bye old paper and hello identity protection. This happy little clam has slowly been pecking away at her pile of papers and throwing those tiny shreds in the recycling bin. It's a marvelous day!

Slow down trigger foot...

Well, gosh, darn it. It has been over three years since my last speeding ticket; I must have forgot to knock on wood this morning. LJ forgot his phone, so I took it to him at work and then I was rushing to get to class on time. The same cop has been in the same place on Cole Road just past Costco every day for the last two weeks, but could I remember that, Nooo! I just had to go a little too fast and drive right by him when there was no one else around, so of course his radar got me dead on and of course he just had to pull me over. Of course he gave me a ticket. I did not argue, I did not cry, I did not make up some elaborate story about why I didn't deserve a ticket. I sat there in my car and accepted my punishment like a big girl. I know I drive fast and I know I need to slow down and now I have an $85 punishment to remind me of those two facts. Thank you Boise Police for helping me learn a valuable lesson today.

My new favorite cleaning product

I just got done cleaning the bathroom and I thought I would share my new favorite cleaning tool. My mom introduced me to the Magic Eraser probably 5 or 6 years ago when they were moving. I knew it was great for getting marks off walls and baseboards, but I am slowly learned to appreciate just how versatile this eraser is. It works great for cleaning tile floors. I recently decided to use it on my bathtub. It has gotten my tub so clean. I started about a month ago, just scrubbing the tub. And I scrub with the eraser every week and now most of the scum and black line that you can't get rid of are nearly gone. My tub looks whiter and brighter then it has in years. Your tub won't look amazing overnight, but after a few weeks, it will look great. Give it a try and let me know how your results turn out. You just might find you like it.

And then there were none...

LJ's youngest brother, Kurt, got married this last weekend. Jenica and Kurt were married in the Boise Temple and then had their reception out in Nampa. It was a long and busy day. The last of the five boys is finally married. Kurt and Jenica are off to Parump, Nevada to begin their new adventure. We wish them the best of luck and hope they come visit often. Rick and Kellie did a fabulous job on the food and a good time was had by all. Congratulations Kurt and Jenica!!

The Happy Couple

Jake and Kellie

Anita

LJ with his corn dog

Rick with the popcorn

Rooster in the sand

So it begins...

Another school year has come and gone. I can't believe I have taught for six years. The time goes by faster and faster. I used to wonder why my mom could never remember what happened and in what year. Now I understand why. It just all seems to blur together in a haze of fog.
We went to Carrie Underwood last week. Awesome! One of the best concerts I have ever been to. I have loved her since week one of her debut on American Idol and she did not disappoint. Her opening acts weren't too shabby either.

I finished school Friday and started class Monday. I am in a Teaching American History Grant (hereafter referred to as TAH) and I love it. I get to learn more about History, collaborate with colleagues, and fill my mind instead of emptying to unappreciative ninth graders. Well, with class comes lots and lots of reading. So in the last week I have read, Liberalism and Socialism by John Dewey, American Progressivism by Pestritto and Atto, and Electing FDR: The New Deal Campaign of 1932 by Donald Ritchie. I still have about 4 more books to go, plus over 100 pages of primary sources to read, but it's all good. I am plugging away at it. I won't take the time to write a book review of these- you might fall asleep. I will say that Pestritto & Atto's book is a great collection of Progressive Era sources. I also really liked the Ritchie book. It is a clear, concise summary of the election of 1832, who ran in each primary, and the politics of that time. I highly recommend it.

So here is too another rainy week in Boise (what like the 5th in a row?) and another great week of learning.

Kody Graduates!

My youngest brother Kody graduated from high school on Friday night! The baby of the house has made it. I wonder how my parents will react to soon having an empty nest (I think they will survive), but Kody might not. :) Kody is one of my favorite siblings and I have many phrases and sayings of his saved in my memories. I share a few of my favorite pictures of him here. I will never forget his e-mail to me in college about the cat getting run over, the picture he colored for me in second grade, and the note he put on his leftovers one night, telling everyone not to eat Kari. I love you Kody and am so proud of you!!!