Past
I taught fifth grade longer than any other grade in elementary school--although I taught all of them at one time or another. Any student who had me as a teacher in fifth grade would tell you that after I welcomed each student and told them how glad I was to have them in class (and I was!), I would announce that NO fifth grade student would be promoted to sixth grade unless they could identify each state and capital on a blank map of the United States. They had an entire nine months to practice. Well, that was fair! In all honesty, there was no way that I could have failed to promote them to the sixth grade. However, by the blood, sweat and tears that a few put into the task, I must have been a formidable and believable tyrant. I was proud of the fact that, in spite of a few groans and pitiful looks, most took to the task with relish and passed with flying colors. I hope that those kids, adults now, can tell their children that they worked hard in school and learned a great deal about the country in which we live. Not one child, in all those years, refused to comply with the instruction or mouthed off to me. It’s true that some were more enthusiastic than others, but every one of them set about the task with determination, and no one failed to accomplish it. We had a surprise party at the end of the year to celebrate. No one ever said that learning couldn't be fun!
Present
I read an article the other day about an officer who was fired because he supposedly treated a teenager with excessive force in removing her from the classroom. Varying accounts have surfaced in this tale--supposedly the young girl struck the officer; the officer supposedly had several other complaints against him. The one account which appears to be quite consistent is that the young girl was using her phone in class and was asked to stop by both the teacher and the principal. The officer was the third person involved in some action against the girl. I guess my initial question is why didn’t she respond the FIRST time…when her teacher asked her to stop? As with the students in my class, some who responded enthusiastically and others who grimaced, all obeyed the instructions and completed the task. My second question is why do kids today feel a contempt for authority to the extent that they cannot only disregard directions but become violent and abusive in the process? “…How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me.” (Proverbs 5:12-13). I find myself viewing this in light of the past two days’ experience. My grandson has had a visit from his best friend. This friend came with his wife and four children. It is amazing to see young children who are instantly obedient and respectful. They are a loving and wonderful family. We have been truly blessed.
Recipe
Best Lemon Sheet Cake
1 deluxe lemon cake mix
1 cup of buttermilk
1 pkg. (3 oz) of lemon instant pudding mix (dry)
In a large bowl, stir together dry cake mix and pudding mix. In another bowl, combine all wet ingredients and eggs that the cake mix calls for plus the buttermilk (where your box reads the amount of water (usually 1-1/3 cup) put in 1 cup of water and 1/3 cup of lemon juice to make the cake even more lemon-tasting. Beat with the mixer until blended. Add to the dry ingredients and beat until combined. Bake in a greased 9 x 13 cake pan in a preheated 350 degree oven for the length of time called for on the cake box. It may require a few minutes longer because of the extra moisture in the cake. Simply use a toothpick to test it.
When the cake is slightly cooled, ice it with the following mixture.
4 cups of confectioner’s sugar
1/3 cup bottled lemon juice
3 tbsps vegetable oil
3 tbsps water
Mix the above with a blender until smooth. Add one more tablespoon of water if the mixture doesn’t have the consistency of sauce. Glaze the cake. Do not over glaze. Just a thin layer is required because the icing is sweet.
I have to honestly say that I don’t know where this recipe came from. However, my daughter loves lemon so this recipe is a keeper. If the baker who originally gave us this recipe (all neatly typed and smudge-free) will step up and acknowledge their guilt (it is rather rich), I will be happy to give credit where credit is due.
I taught fifth grade longer than any other grade in elementary school--although I taught all of them at one time or another. Any student who had me as a teacher in fifth grade would tell you that after I welcomed each student and told them how glad I was to have them in class (and I was!), I would announce that NO fifth grade student would be promoted to sixth grade unless they could identify each state and capital on a blank map of the United States. They had an entire nine months to practice. Well, that was fair! In all honesty, there was no way that I could have failed to promote them to the sixth grade. However, by the blood, sweat and tears that a few put into the task, I must have been a formidable and believable tyrant. I was proud of the fact that, in spite of a few groans and pitiful looks, most took to the task with relish and passed with flying colors. I hope that those kids, adults now, can tell their children that they worked hard in school and learned a great deal about the country in which we live. Not one child, in all those years, refused to comply with the instruction or mouthed off to me. It’s true that some were more enthusiastic than others, but every one of them set about the task with determination, and no one failed to accomplish it. We had a surprise party at the end of the year to celebrate. No one ever said that learning couldn't be fun!
Present
I read an article the other day about an officer who was fired because he supposedly treated a teenager with excessive force in removing her from the classroom. Varying accounts have surfaced in this tale--supposedly the young girl struck the officer; the officer supposedly had several other complaints against him. The one account which appears to be quite consistent is that the young girl was using her phone in class and was asked to stop by both the teacher and the principal. The officer was the third person involved in some action against the girl. I guess my initial question is why didn’t she respond the FIRST time…when her teacher asked her to stop? As with the students in my class, some who responded enthusiastically and others who grimaced, all obeyed the instructions and completed the task. My second question is why do kids today feel a contempt for authority to the extent that they cannot only disregard directions but become violent and abusive in the process? “…How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me.” (Proverbs 5:12-13). I find myself viewing this in light of the past two days’ experience. My grandson has had a visit from his best friend. This friend came with his wife and four children. It is amazing to see young children who are instantly obedient and respectful. They are a loving and wonderful family. We have been truly blessed.
Recipe
Best Lemon Sheet Cake
1 deluxe lemon cake mix
1 cup of buttermilk
1 pkg. (3 oz) of lemon instant pudding mix (dry)
In a large bowl, stir together dry cake mix and pudding mix. In another bowl, combine all wet ingredients and eggs that the cake mix calls for plus the buttermilk (where your box reads the amount of water (usually 1-1/3 cup) put in 1 cup of water and 1/3 cup of lemon juice to make the cake even more lemon-tasting. Beat with the mixer until blended. Add to the dry ingredients and beat until combined. Bake in a greased 9 x 13 cake pan in a preheated 350 degree oven for the length of time called for on the cake box. It may require a few minutes longer because of the extra moisture in the cake. Simply use a toothpick to test it.
When the cake is slightly cooled, ice it with the following mixture.
4 cups of confectioner’s sugar
1/3 cup bottled lemon juice
3 tbsps vegetable oil
3 tbsps water
Mix the above with a blender until smooth. Add one more tablespoon of water if the mixture doesn’t have the consistency of sauce. Glaze the cake. Do not over glaze. Just a thin layer is required because the icing is sweet.
I have to honestly say that I don’t know where this recipe came from. However, my daughter loves lemon so this recipe is a keeper. If the baker who originally gave us this recipe (all neatly typed and smudge-free) will step up and acknowledge their guilt (it is rather rich), I will be happy to give credit where credit is due.