Corn snakes in the classroom...periodic updates to my Chgo classroom donation :)

[Dave123]

Thanks for the update!!! You are lucky you found Fritz, he is really good with kids. But we can't forget your other 2 snakes. Maizie and ummm the other one. There nice too.

Happy Holidays to you and your snakes.

 

[chibitamalove]

Cegninedorf, I have almost no idea what you said. XD I picked out "Yes I am not majored in Spanish", my name, you like Shakira, and 14 years old. Wow, I suck at Spanish. And I have an A- right now.

 

[dave_jaclyn]

Any news?
I've been wondering about your classroom critter the last few days.

 

[Cegninedorf]

Cegninedorf, I have almost no idea what you said. XD I picked out "Yes I am not majored in Spanish", my name, you like Shakira, and 14 years old. Wow, I suck at Spanish. And I have an A- right now.

Actually, I think that you got the main idea of it all...and that's all that really matters, right? Some of the time -- depending on the accent -- I have a hard time understanding someone else's Spanish so I just wait til I hear words I know...and that's it. I get the jist & I leave it at that.

 

[Cegninedorf]

Any news?
I've been wondering about your classroom critter the last few days.

It's been a little hectic lately...we returned to school on the 8th, and I had no idea what the temps would be like in my classroom (usually the heat is shut off...), so I left Fritz at home. Then, I had to spend two days at a conference and I wasn't going to leave him with a sub there and then he had to eat and I discovered that he'd been readying to shed...so...! Fritz will probably go back in on Monday. He finally shed, he's been growing like crazy and catching up for his growth dry spell from when I first got him & he was regurging (he stayed at about 48 grams for 2 months...and now he's over 90 grams within the last 2 months!) from the stress. He's doing super-well, handsome as ever and well-behaved. And, I think that he misses being at school, too...

By the way, has anyone seen the Dec & Jan issues of "There's just...Something About Corns"??? I have an article in there on none other than Herr Fritz.

 

[Cegninedorf]

Decent sleep = great ideas!

I'm finally excited about something...it's been a long time coming, too!

So, to be honest with you, I do love being a teacher, I do like my students this year...it's just been that I've been having a personally tough time of it. And, while I know that the personal stays home, it's tough to do that as a teacher because I become so enmeshed in the personal lives of the kids, and I take home so much of my school stuff that the two become entwined in some ways. It's really unavoidable if you're doing any kind of a decent job as a teacher. I mean, my apt is overrun with school stuff...I wake up in the middle of the night thinking of ways to help certain students...and when I first started teaching, I'd wake up or have a hard time sleeping because I'd literally hear a student's voice calling out my name. Yes, I know I need a vacation -- but I just spent my last winter break pretty much just sleeping it away. And as it is: I'm a teacher, where am I going to get the money for a vacation?

So! Where does that lead me to? No, I'm not trying to have you be my guest of honor at my own pity party :sobstory: but I am trying to explain why I've been slow-coming with info about Fritz and ideas involving him in my classroom. It's just been a tough year, no matter how much I've wanted so many wonderful things to happen. I *did* eventually get him in to the classroom, and now I'm working on some other issues involving him...right now, more or less getting the students involved with maintaining him daily. My plan is to have two very responsible students take over the daily maintenance: water bowl & poop-scooping (should there be any...usually, it's me who's the lucky one because he does it at home!). Per the vet whose workshop I attended, I'm going to train 3 students on what to do, and let them work on it daily for a month. Then, those 3 will train 3 more (of my choosing...)...and we'll see how it goes...

Otherwise, another issue I've been working on resolving is -- bizarrely & sadly enough -- how to say "thank you" to Terri & Connie...I had the kids work on one little project, but I just didn't feel that it was *right*...and then it hit me this morning. I have this wonderful idea and as soon as it's ready, I'll divulge all (lest either "thankee" be reading this!). I'm really excited about it...but I think the part that I'm most excited about -- another sadly enough -- is that I'm *finally* feeling excited about something, anything at all! Don't get me wrong: I love my pets, and I love having Fritz in the classroom and I think that he's an amazing asset, but...like I said, rough year, all around...

So! Look forward to some fun news coming up and hopefully you'll be able to hear the creativity buzzing in 2nd grade from where you are during this next week...

And, oh, yes! More photos, very soon!

 

[Dave123]

Well sorry to hear that this year didn't start out the best, but you have 11 more months to make it better.

I think it is a great idea of having 3 students train 3 more. That would be a good experience for all the kids involved.

Glad to hear Fritz is doing good.

I hope the rest of the year turns out great. Ohh and don't forget the picks.

 

[Cegninedorf]

Well sorry to hear that this year didn't start out the best, but you have 11 more months to make it better.

I think it is a great idea of having 3 students train 3 more. That would be a good experience for all the kids involved.

Glad to hear Fritz is doing good.

I hope the rest of the year turns out great. Ohh and don't forget the picks.

I took my camera today...and it died before I got the pictures of the kids & the principal watching Fritz eat! The principal stopped in to ask me a question & ended up staying so that he could watch Fritz eat... He asked just as many questions as the kids...! However, I have 4 kids left to take photos of with Fritz and then we're almost done with our "project" and then they'll get to see Fritz eat again this Fri, if all goes well this weekend...(I left him at school this weekend so that he can digest...he should be fine, though -- he stays overnight just fine, so I imagine over the weekend should be fine, too...)...and then I'll have some last, few photos of that, too. It was a busy day...


:wavey:

 

[Dave123]

I took my camera today...and it died before I got the pictures of the kids & the principal watching Fritz eat! The principal stopped in to ask me a question & ended up staying so that he could watch Fritz eat... He asked just as many questions as the kids...! However, I have 4 kids left to take photos of with Fritz and then we're almost done with our "project" and then they'll get to see Fritz eat again this Fri, if all goes well this weekend...(I left him at school this weekend so that he can digest...he should be fine, though -- he stays overnight just fine, so I imagine over the weekend should be fine, too...)...and then I'll have some last, few photos of that, too. It was a busy day...
:wavey:

Well, thats okay I can wait to see picks. Thanks for the update.

 

[Cegninedorf]

Ooooh, don't you worry your pretty lil'head -- I *have* photos! It's just been a busy teacher weekend already and I need to load them all & then black out the eyes & upload them to Image Shack, and yes, you will get photos...and y'all can see that Fritz has really grown!

Soon, soon!

 

[Dave123]

So... Haven't seen you around for a while. You still here? Got any picks? I wanna see Fritz and the kids.

 

[Cegninedorf]

This week is Spring Break and I'm getting our little project *finally* together...the kids are excited to see it finally together and I wish it hadn't taken this long, but alas, it's coming together...photos will be forthcoming, I promise. Wait 'til you see how much he's grown! I guess because I'm with him every day, I haven't really seen it, but other teachers & my students have...Fritz has quite the personality, too, I'll tell you.

So, here's a sneak-peek of what's coming...and a very updated photo of Fritz, taken on Wed, I think...yes, my girls' eyes are blacked out, but for the photo only.

(Oh, and yes -- one student is wearing gloves; she was found to have some mystery allergy earlier in the school year, so we just play it safe by letting her wear gloves. )

 

[CornCrazy]

Wow!!!

Look how big Fritz has gotten! He's looking good!

 

[Dave123]

Hey, a picture!!! Fritz is looking awesome. Can't wait for more.

 

[Cegninedorf]

Look how big Fritz has gotten! He's looking good!

Thanks! Fritz has developed quite the ham personality...the kids have really been enthralled with him the past 2 months because he's been out & about during the day quite a bit...and if you asked them as to why Fritz is out so much, they'd tell you that he's "looking for a girlfriend because Spring is the season of love." (At least, that's how I've justified it!) They really do adore him.

Hey, a picture!!! Fritz is looking awesome. Can't wait for more.

Oh, Dave...do I sense sarcasm here? :sobstory: I do wish that I was better as keeping up with things here, but just to exemplify: a former teacher & I got to talking in a pet store last week about how our personal lives have literally suffered due to our classrooms -- the very reason why she left teaching. Sometimes I do wish that I worked a 9-to-5 job where I could leave everything at the office, and not bring anything home, so that I could have more free time to post photos...but that's just not in my job description and what happens in the classroom is with me all day long, including the lovely germs the kids give me -- which I've been dealing with all school year thanks to some kids whose parents see school as free daycare so they come to school with snot all over their faces (sorry for the graphics, but it's true...) so that I can teach them how to blow their nose. I've even had to tell parents to keep their kids at home because the child was so sick in my room & no one was there to answer the phone. And while those issues aren't your problem, they're mine, and they're part of the reason why I've been so bad about posting photos...and wouldn't you know it? It's my Spring Break and I'm sick...but, thanks for being the thorn in my side: I'll get to work on more of those photos. :wavey:

 

[Dave123]

It's my Spring Break and I'm sick...but, thanks for being the thorn in my side: I'll get to work on more of those photos. :wavey:

I wasn't trying to pester you at all. I guess I did and I'm sorry for that. I do understand what teachers have to do and have to go through because my family knows many teachers. Next time I will just wait for you to update this, I just thought you forgot because you have other things on your mind. Really though, I hope you feel better and post picks on your time and convenience.

Thanks and sorry.

 

[Cegninedorf]

I wasn't trying to pester you at all. I guess I did and I'm sorry for that.

Oh, goodness...that's what I get for responding at 4 am while in the midst of an asthma attack (I spent 3 hours in the ER this morning for that reason, too...oh, bother! :sobstory: )!!! :bang: No, you weren't being a pester -- you were *reminding* me of the obligation that I started myself...I was just tossing a bit of sarcasm (thus the smiley faces!) your way about how eager you are to see what's going on in my hyperactive/on-the-verge-of-ADHD classroom. If you really are that desperate to actually see, then feel free to transfer to Chicago for the day & visit all you wish. I'm sure that my students would be thrilled to enlighten you.

So, don't be sorry at all. I do apologize for falling behind with my updates...once 3rd quarter report cards are out of the way (essentially, the rest of this month), then I'll be a better reporter. Knock on wood. :grin01:

 

[Dave123]

Asthma attack, that stinks. Glad you are doing okay.

I could tell you were using some sarcasm, I have done that before. Ohh about moving to the windy city, not sure if thats in this years plans, but maybe next year. It would be fun to see you, your students, and your snakes. Maybe when I visit my friends that moved up there.

Worry about other things before the pictures, LIKE YOUR HEALTH!!! :grin01:

 

[Cegninedorf]

WOW...long time, lotsa craziness...

I duly apologize for my seeming neglectfulness with this thread, for anyone who has been interested, but mostly to Terri/CornCrazy because I promised to be much more informative about Fritz & my classroom...

Fritz has maintained a very important role in my classroom, however, it's been a super-tough year due to one student and her extremely angry parent/guardian who has been causing loads of trouble for -- I kid you not -- the entire school (as she has an older sibling who he is also in an uproar about...). The situation has gotten to the point where the parent has decided to sue to the school, and I've spent many a stressed, sleepless night over this mess, as I'm obviously directly involved in this. I can only imagine how the other parents of my students would feel if they only knew how much time I literally spend on this one child's situation -- who really isn't that much of a problem, it's the parent who is causing loads of problems because he needs massive amount of therapy and he doesn't know at all what he wants so he changes his mind every second and is incredibly antagonistic and threatening where he's almost been arrested at the school for pushing a teacher -- and I have to push a lot of other things to the background. Just even writing this now and thinking about this is causing my heart to race because it's such a bloody mess. So, my priorities have been forced to take a massive detour and I just haven't had the energy to focus on much else. I apologize for the sob story... :sobstory:

However, our corn snake project is just about complete -- I just need to get some photo release forms back from a couple of other kids and I may have to make some heavy alterations because this parent's child is obviously involved, too, and while he doesn't want her excluded from anything, he also doesn't want to sign anything, thereby excluding her (see what a mess this man is???). It's been bizarre...but I'm working through it...

As for photos, they're just about done being edited -- and I may have to do some more editing, now.

The kids love Fritz, and a few teachers have asked me to come into their classroom to do demonstrations with him -- and on Tues, I'm presenting to a group of just teachers on corn snakes. Whenever I present now, each teacher gets a copy of Kathy Love's article "Children and the Corns" because I think that that article really breaks it down for the reader as to how easy the care is & how beneficial it is to learn about corns. One teacher -- who I love -- told me that prior to meeting Fritz, she was terrified of snakes...and now, she's thinking of bringing one into her own classroom! She said that she never imagined feeling that way, but she's fascinated.

My only concern *now* is that kids will think that all snakes are like Fritz. I always mention the differences between domesticated/captive/wild when I talk about corns, and I compare those terms with other animals...but I think that I have instilled some environmental awareness in my students, which is relieving and heartening.

So, as for giving a true update with photos on my classroom & progress & our project, that may have to wait until July, when life is a tad-bit calmer (as I'm also in the midst of moving & planning out some summer education projects...) and there is no longer the threat of a lawsuit over my head. :sidestep:

 

[Dave123]

Wow, you have really been going through a lot. It sounds like this year has been a roller coaster ride. Well on a high note you have changed many kids minds about snakes and even a teachers! Good for you!

I hope the best for you, your snakes, your students, and you entire school, that you all can get through this. (Yes, it does matter to the snakes. :grin01: )

As for those pictures...I MAY be able to wait until July for those. Hey, I will have babies then so I will trade you those picks for your picks.

Thanks for the update and good luck with everything.