Bringing Back a Classic!

Here is a meme that I made last year. I was emphatic about the idea that students need to search for textual evidence to support their ideas.

Puppy Bowl

I have been reading an article with my students about the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl. I told them that I would attach a video of it on my blog. We plan on watching it tomorrow. I like the idea of a Puppy Bowl since puppies are so adorable. I makes me wonder though. What animal sporting event would mimic a human sporting event featuring felines? I was thinking maybe ping pong or Wimbledon because card like to chase moving objects. This will require some thought.

It's Playoff Time

This is one of my favorite sports times of the year. It is the first round of the NBA playoffs. For the next few weeks, there will be an NBA game on ESPN and TNT. I love watching the games and then settling back and listening to Kenny-The-Jet-Smith, outspoken and hilarious Sir Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and The Diesel-Shaquille O'Neal.  They make NBA commentary fun to watch. I have been watching them for years and years.

This year, I am whole heartedly supporting Houston and San Antonio. Finally, I think the Rockets have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. The problem, however, is that they have to face San Antonio in the next round. I know. I am counting my chickens before they are hatched, but the Rockets defeating OKC is a sure thing, and the Spurs, baring any unforeseen and unfortunate injury to Kawhi Leonard,  may have their brooms out early. I wish that Houston or San Antonio would play the Golden State Warriors before meeting each other. Who is the stronger team? I would say San Antonio, but the Rockets are no joke. They have plenty of fire power from beyond the arc and the Beard has finally learned to play some defense and share the ball. This year, he has made his teammates better! I could say the same thing about Kawhi. He goes about his business without much fanfare. He just plain gets it done on both ends of the floor. I heart Charles and Shaq call him the most complete player in the NBA, even above LeBron. Wow! That is saying something. I even heard Reggie Miller make the same comment in his play by play last night!

This year, the NBA has my attention long before June and everyone's predicted final match up: Cleveland versus Golden State. Although I would like to see a rematch, I would also love to see the Spurs or Rockets upset Golden State. That would be wonderful. If that happened, then I would have to take my support away from LeBron, Kyrie, and Kevin and cheer for the Beard or Kawhi and friends. Vamos a ver lo que pasa...we will see what happens and how the ball will bounce. Go Rockets and Spurs.

Please click on an article by Skip Bayless. He speaks about the reasons why Kawhi has ascended past the King. Is it is true? You be the judge.  Kawhi-Five Reasons Why

Feeling Rather Silly

Since I now have a few more viewers on this blog, I am going to post more photos of my cat. Some of my students were amazed that I had a blog. They took some ludic reading time today and began to read some of my blog posts. One such student said that she likes my poetry. I read the poem that she referenced. It was about my big kitty Sammy. In his honor, I will post some photos of him. He is such a silly, silly feline.

Raw Score Conversion Scales for 5th Grade Reading and Math

Today the raw scores conversion scales were released for the STAAR Reading and Math for Grade 5.

• The passing standards for English Reading was 58%. 
• The passing standard for Spanish Reading was 47%.  
• The STAAR English and Spanish Math passing standard was 47%.  
• Students may appear to have performed better in Math than in Reading. Look at the passing standard. It is lower in English Math than in English Reading. Why the difference? We soon shall see.
• If you would like a more details about the raw score conversions scales click on the Texas Education Ageny-Raw Score Conversion Scales March 2017 .

My Dear Mom

My Mom and I at home in Ohio

My Mom and I love to take photos together.  She loves to smile. Usually I am not too fond of taking photos, but with her it is A okay. This photo was taken a few years back. I am glad I was able to capture her beauty inside and out. I love my dear mother!

Dog Teasing Video

Looking through some funny videos, I came across this video that I shared with my class last year. It was about a dog being teased by his owner in a very hilarious way. The dog speaks. It always makes me laugh. The dog is adorable. Enjoy!

Cat Burglar Dusty

I was reading with my students today. We read about this serious cat burglar who is an actual cat. He is a Snowshoe beautiful cat who steals articles of clothing, stuffed animals, towels, shoes and anything he can get his paws on. He burglarizes his neighbors at night. He became famous when Animal Planet had filmed him in his nightly pursuits. They used an infrared camera to record him. You can find his video on YouTube. He was even on The Tonight Show with David Letterman. I researched him and shared his YouTube video with some of my students.  In the video he is known as Dusty the Klepto Cat. I find him adorable.

Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday
By Maureen Ucles

Lazy Sunday
In April
Nothing on TV
No game
NBA, NFL, NCAA
all out
Listening to the sounds
AC running
Ice cream truck humming
Music box
Ice cream pops
Fudgecicles
Good humor bars
Sandwiches with vanilla or chocolate
Klondikes bars in all their iterations
What I wouldn't do
To be a little tike
Shell out the nickles, dimes, quarters
Breathe it in
Take a bite or two or three
Doesn't matter much to me
Soaking it in
On this lazy Sunday afternoon

Poem #4

Getting Caught Up

This is poem number 4

I am caught up

Hope tomorrow

Will have more

Vamos a ver!

No Idea-National Writing Month

No Idea

No ideas

cross my mind

pen

just a lazy cat

meowing

rolling

waiting

for

my attention

No ideas

two stanzas long

an enormous beautiful

Tabby

waiting to be petted

behind the ears

under the chin...

no ideas

only

a super lazy

kitty

fourteen

years 

young

idea challenged
am I

Tony Romo-Poem Number Two For 2017 National Poetry Month

I have been lagging in my posting as of late. I could say as of really late. To make up for my absence and to celebrate National Poetry Month, I am posting four poems tonight. We will see where it goes!

True Blue-Ode to Tony Romo

Driving home 

Houston traffic
Four thirty-eight
My wicked fate

Dastardly diesel fumes
Toxic, noxious
Spewing my way
Sitting powerless
Quadrapalegic

Waiting
insane traffic

 parking lot
bored out of my mind

watching the grass grow

 humongous monster
 F-150
Dallas style

Painted in white

blue stars on the back
SHOUTING--

TRUE BLUE!

Cowboys

Fan Number 1!

I wondered

Does he know?

Hasn't anyone said?

Tony Romo has retired!

Tony Romo has retired!

Poor Texans!

Moving to the booth

No more controversy

How boring!

How bland!

My car

Toyota Corrolla

Nothing blue

Nothing true

Football fan

Detesting the 'Boys

Texans need a QB

better than Hoyer

Brock

Anyone?

Not Tony Uh-oh!

Even Tony
with a broken back,
Two collarbones

in the blue and red 

throwing bombs

to D-Hop

(not to the other team)
better than Brock

Now nothing
Prospects? Savage?

Poor D-Hop
B Miller

No passing!

At least we've got
Clowny and Watt

Defense! Defense!

We're moving!
Traffic's flowing
Twenty-five mpr
Five o five
Driving home

National Poetry Month-Better Late Than Never

Better Late Than Never

I need to write a poem

I'm four days past

What's the problem?

Please don't gasp!

I know

I'm making up 

for lost time

Yes indeed,

It's 'bout time

Put the pencil

to the paper

Leave a carbon footprint

Write in the digital

a poem

to start it off

set it ablaze

Hey!

It's National Poetry Month

Gotta move

Grove

Get it going!

Here I go!