Welcome to Abbie Lane!!!!

Highly UNqualified!

2005-05-15T03:58:43Z

Let's think back to a few weeks ago when I was required to take the Illinois State 'Assessment of Professional Teaching' exam, just to make sure that I truly am pedagogically informed. (Please keep in mind this really was not necessary as I received a perfect score on the exam in AZ.) Now, in one of the most offensive and intellectually insulting experiences I've ever faced, the state of Illinois has informed me they are not quite sure that I possess the proper knowledge required to graduate from 8th grade. In order to obtain an Illinois teaching certificate, I am being forced to take the Illinois Test of Basic Skills; all despite having a college degree, an AZ teaching certificate, and 9 months experience teaching 6th grade. This is RIDICULOUS!!!!! THREE CHEERS FOR JUMPING THROUGH THE HOOPS OF GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY!!!!!

abbielane @ 2005-05-10T16:04:00

2005-05-10T21:05:03Z

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to good manners and elegance.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it.

In this moment, you think of love as something you don't need. You just feel like flirting around and playing right now.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Evaluation Fairy

2004-10-04T21:08:21Z

The Evaluation Fairy visited all of the scheduled classrooms today...EXCEPT for mine!!!! UGH!!!! That means I have to make MORE details plans and find MORE flashy lessons for tomorrow...Another late night of looking up stupid Illinois State Learning Standards! BOO!!!!

Mr. Rogers' Quote of the Day #8

2004-09-18T01:42:51Z

"It's the people we love the most who can make us feel the gladdest...and the maddest! Love and anger are such a puzzle! It's hard for us, as adults, to understand and manage our angry feelings toward parents, spouses, and children, or keep their anger toward us in perspective. It's a different kind of anger from the kind we may feel toward strangers because it is so deeply intertwined with caring and attachment."

Mr. Rogers' Quote of the Day #7

2004-09-17T02:07:19Z

"Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like 'struggle.' To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now."

Excitement of the Day

2004-09-15T21:48:09Z

YAY!!!!!!!!! Today was payday...my check was MUCH larger than I thought it would be...This full time job/salary thing is definitely working!

Mr. Rogers' Quote of the Day #6

2004-09-15T21:33:35Z

"Part of the problem with the word 'disabilities' is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can't feel? Or talk about their feelings? Or manage their feelings in constructive ways? What of people who aren't able to form close and strong relationships? And people who cannot find fulfillment in their lives, or those who have lost hope, who live in disappointment and bitterness and find in life no joy, no love? These, it seems to me, are the real disabilities."

Mr. Rogers' Quote of the Day--#5

2004-09-14T22:12:04Z

"Who you are inside is what helps you make and do everything in life."

Mr. Rogers' Quote of the Day #4

2004-09-13T11:42:57Z

"Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime's work, but it's worth the effort."

Mr. Rogers' Quote of the Day #3

2004-09-12T19:18:28Z

"Little by little we human beings are confronted with situations that give us more and more clues that we aren't perfect."

Mr. Rogers' Quote #2

2004-09-11T13:46:24Z

"If you grew up with our 'Neighborhood,' you may remember how we sometimes talked about difficult things. There were days...even beautiful days...that weren't happy. In fact, there were some that were really sad.

Well, we've had a lot of days like that in our whole world. We've seen what some people do when they don't know anything else to do with their anger.

I'm convinced that when we help out children find healthy ways of dealing with their feelings--ways that don't hurt them or anyone else--we're helping to make our world a safer, better place.

I would like to tell you what I often told you when you were much younger: 'I like you just the way you are.'

And what's more. I'm so grateful to you for helping the children in your life to know that you'll do everything you can to keep them safe and to help them express their feelings in ways that will bring healing in many different neighborhoods."

From a Public Service Announcement
Following the Events of September 11, 2001

Mr. Rogers' Quote--Day 1

2004-09-11T02:56:16Z

Looking for something in my room this evening, I came across one of my favorite books of quotes--"The World According to Mr. Rogers." I remember when I had no worries and my biggest fear was missing the daily episode of Mr. Rogers. Man...to be that simple again...

As silly as this seems, I've decided to begin posting a daily Mr. Rogers' quote. I'm not quite sure if it's meant to benefit all of you or just to reassure MYSELF...either way, ENJOY!!!!!

So here goes...the Mr. Rogers' Quote of the Day...

"I have always wanted to have a neighbor
Just like you!
I've always wanted to live in a
Neighborhood with you.
So let's make the most of this beautiful day;
Since we're together we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

From the song "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

Lament

2004-09-11T01:49:54Z

I don't know why I trust when I only get used; I don't know why I continue to put my heart on the line and allow it to be stomped on; I don't know why I still say it when I get half-hearted responses that are said but not meant; I don't know why I try to get close to others when I just end up getting burned; I don't know why I attempt to get control when I end up barely surviving; I don't know why I invest my heart and soul when I always come in last; I don't know what I have wants when they never seem to be fulfilled; I don't know why I hang on to hope when hope is dead; I don't know why I make an effort when it's not appreciated; I don't know why I care when I don't feel cared for; I don't know why I bother to cry when no one steps up to hold me and make it better--

I just don't know!

INTRODUCTION!!!!! Update

2004-08-08T09:03:50Z

As the upcoming school year rapidly approaches and I was obtaining, either through other people's generosity or the stretching of my limited budget, tons of stuff for kindergarten...

I accepted a NEW teaching position. I'm moving to SIXTH grade!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm pretty excited...have returned the Kindergarten teaching manuals (after removing the collected dust) and have brought home 6th grade stuff to collect dust. The best part though is that I was in my room and all the furniture is there!!! I was able to draw my floor plan, and hopefully, on Monday, the custodian will have everthing moved.

The biggest thing though is that this doesn't seem real yet. I'M GOING TO BE A TEACHER!!!!!!! WITH MY OWN ROOM!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(ps...Sparky, my hermit crab died...I'm very sad!!! I loved that name for a crab...what will I do now to name my new one?)

HOME!!!!

2004-07-15T23:03:24Z

I have safely returned home from my 13 day escapade in Tempe. It was GREAT to see so many of you when I was there...sorry to those I missed...hopefully, we can meet up next time.

I had soooooooo much fun being back in AZ. It was nice to be there for an extended period of time...gave me that sense of normalcy that I always miss when I bop in for the weekend.

The absolute best part was that I laughed more over the 2 weeks than I have laughed in the past 4 months. It felt amazing. I sometimes forgot how lucky I am to have someone who just cracks me up (in a good way).

DDR Update 1

2004-06-22T04:18:43Z

Just burned 361 calories in 50 minutes doing the DDR workout mode...that's equivalent to jogging 4.5 miles!!!!!

Man...it's HARD work and I definitely worked up a sweat...I'm doing a bit better on the routines...helps to count!!!!

VK

2004-06-22T04:13:46Z

Just a quick note to all of you currently residing in Arizona--

I've made my VK plans...I will be arriving at Sky Harbor Airport at 2:24 on Thursday, July 1 and will departing at 3:25 on Tuesday, July 13.

I'd love to get together...Call the cell and we'll meet up when I get in town...

DDR

2004-06-22T02:55:07Z

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally got my DDR...

I read this article in the newspaper about how people have been losing tons of weight by playing Dance Dance Revolution. What a concept!!!!! Such a concept, there's even a website dedicated to it:

http://www.getupmove.com/

Anyways, I figure if Tanya from Seattle can lose 95 lbs and Matt from I don't know where can drop down 151 lbs, there's no reason why I can't lose at least 10...

Unfortunately, I've hit my first snag...despite the fact that I have a minor in dance...I SUCK!!!!!! It's much harder than it looks. Maybe the problem is that I'm playing the game mode and not the workout mode...that's what I'm trying next...

Wish me luck and I'll keep you all updated...

abbielane @ 2004-06-19T10:31:00

2004-06-19T15:31:33Z

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Class

2004-06-19T04:01:52Z

I have officially completed my first Graduate level course!!!!! I had soooooooooo much fun!!!!! I still do have to finish a few parts of my journal, but that's it...I HOPE I get an A!!! You know...During college, I couldn't wait to get out; now, I realize how much I wish I was back.

Though it was a LONG week...it was nice to get it done in 5 days (keeping in mind we went 8-4). I was AMAZING at problem solving and even turned into Teacher's Pet...I loved every minute of the attention. The best part though was that I finally feel like I have some grasp on the type of math instruction/routine I should have in my Kindergarten class. I'm starting to believe that I may actually be able to handle a bunch of Kindergarten munchkins and still get some learning done.

GOOD NEWS!!!!! I found out today that Illinois is going to honor my provisional ESL endorsement. I'm joining a cohort in my district to finish the full endorsement--only 4 classes left. The best part is that I got in contact with a professor from Illinois State University who has some type of grant, and he is going to pay for my endorsement...THE WHOLE THING...YAY!!!!!

Recital

2004-06-14T01:57:04Z

Recital season is over for another year...YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (4 Shows in 2 days (One Friday night and Three Saturday is just TOO MUCH...it definitely challenges your endurance but it's worth it!!!)

I happen to LOVE recital time because it is the only time during the year I get flowers (well...save the beautiful sunflowers I got for my birthday and the gorgeous roses I got for graduation). This year, I got a bouquet of yellow roses that smell WONDERFUL!!

This year's show went off relatively well and was kind of fun. This was the first time in 21 years of dance recitals (man, 21 years, I'm getting sooooo old!!!) that I was able to sit in the audience. It's nice to see things from out front, but as I usually wear headset and assistant stage manage, it does go a bit slower when you're in the seats.

I am so wonderfully graced with amazing dancers. Kyla (my sister) was BEAUTIFUL as the soloist in 'Go Into Your Dance,' the tap piece I choreographed for the Senior Competitive Tap Team. She attacked every step with an exciting vigor, and I was able to hear all of her sounds clear as crystal from the balcony. The sparkle of her smile was almost blinding as she spent her well earned three minutes in the spotlight. It was quite a proud moment. Many people came to me after the show and said how much she reminded them of my days as a tapper. What a GREAT feeling!!!! You always want your dancers/sister to follow in your footsteps, but when others notice, it's quite an honor.

MATTHEW'S BUCKET!!!!! What can I say...I LOVE THAT DANCE!!!! (If you haven't seen it, the link to watch it online is below.) Kyla, Colleen, and Jacqui was AMAZING!!!! Despite my crazy style and ideas, they never doubted me and always came to rehearsal ready to learn. The development of their artistic character over the last eight months as they've learned to embody the purpose behind the movement shows their potential to become great dancers (not that they aren't already).
As a choreographer, you always strive to have your piece leave an impression on the audience. When the girls first stepped into the buckets and the water came splashing out, I actually got goosebumps as the audience let out a huge GASP! During intermission, my piece was the buzz of those milling around the theater...I could not ask for anything more from a piece.
***Downside to using water...When you do cool stuff, like water, in college, the tech crew cleans it up. When you do it at a local dance recital, the CHOREOGRAPHER gets to do the mopping...imagine me crawling around with towels drying the stage...HHHMMMM...maybe next year I'll leave out the water...

Here's the only problem to the success of Matthew's Bucket...what to do next year????? I can't show up with some rinky-dink cutesy dance....I must find a way to top it...I was leaning towards fire, but I think that's not allowed within the fire code....ANY IDEAS????? PLEASE RESPOND!!!

Just a final note...CONGRATS to my graduating seniors, Colleen and Jacqui...You were both so beautiful...You inspire me as a dancer and a choreographer...and I am so lucky to have worked with you...I have watched you over the past 15 years into enthusiastic, dedicated and technically blessed dancers...Good luck as you enter the college dance scene--it will challenge your views as a dancer but in the end, will make you true artists of your form!!! (And...Yes, I'll admit, I cried during your solos as you were too beautiful for words) GOOD LUCK!!!!

Trading Spaces

2004-06-14T01:02:05Z

As silly as this seems (and yes, I'm more of a While You Were Out girl these days), I felt the need to include the following as an expression of the sheer JOY I felt this morning upon watching the rerun of last night's new episode of Trading Spaces. After a respite from Trading Spaces Land, Laurie Hickson-Smith returned to create one of her best rooms ever. A basement living room, Laurie painted the walls an amazing aqua color, reminiscent of Tiffany's blue. Featured on the entire expanse of one wall was a giant checkerboard like display of fine wood, with the grains of the squares alternating by directions and having the vertical grained pieces raised. To finish off the room, a giant canvas with designs from a Hawaiian print fabric attached through the use of decoupage, classic white furniture, and beautiful honey stained boxes flanking the plasma TV...WAY TO GO LAURIE...You're my Trading Spaces heroine!!!!!

Which Trading Spaces designer are you?

Laurie

You are a southern belle with taste leaning towards the more classic and refined. Your rooms usually involve a lot of rich fabrics, and large headboards. You have a tendency to stress out a lot, but in the end your rooms always turn out perfectly, just the way you plan them.

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

INTRODUCTION!!!!!!!!

2004-06-10T03:39:47Z

I would like to introduce to you the new Kindergarten teacher at Lowrie Elementary School in Elgin, IL.

(drum roll please .^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.)

Miss Abbie Duewel!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

(and the crowd goes WILD!!!!!!!)

Yes...I'm am VERY VERY VERY lucky to have obtained a job, especially this early in the summer.
No...Kindergarten was not my first choice.
Yes...I would rather be in an Intermediate grade.
No...I don't wipe noses or tie shoe laces.
Yes...There will probably be a 6th grade opening up in the building before the end of the summer, and the principal has said that he will move me.
No...I am unable to purchase stuff for my room yet as I'm not certain that I'll stay in Kindergarten. Even bulletin board borders are greatly different between primary and intermediate. I am going to go to IKEA though and get some items that I can use in either grade...like a reading rug.
Yes...I've already brought home the teaching manuals so, though my intention is to read through them and start to plan my curriculum, they can sit in my room and collect dust.
No...Sparky, my hermit crab, will no longer be my only class pet. I saw this great green snake at Petco the other day...only $15 and it eats earth worms(I will NOT purchase anything that must be fed crickets or mice).
Yes...Rumor has it that I am the first new hire in the district this year; therefore, when 1st year teachers are pink slipped at the end of the next school year (as often happens), I will be first on recall list.
No...I have no clue as to the whereabouts of my teaching certificate...might be a good idea if I chose to locate it.
Yes...It is quite a scary thought that the future of America is now in my hands as I will be starting and setting the tone for the educational lives of tomorrow's leaders.

;)

!!!!!MATTHEW'S BUCKET!!!!!

2004-06-08T18:05:51Z

CHECK OUT MY LATEST CHOREOGRAPHIC CREATION
(which won me the TOP CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD at competition this past weekend!!!)

Matthew's Bucket!!!!

http://www.lindsaycoats.com/KACL/wdj2004-video.htm

(click on #15)
(YES...the first thirty seconds are blurry...and YES...that's real water in the buckets!!!)

ENJOY!!!!!!