I *heart* Russia

I hit a point last night where I went psycho on myself. I hit turbo mode. We're starting a new unit, on Russia...which should be a problem. I love Russia. But...I dunno, I just...I can't explain it. But, I've got this thing where I can't start a unit now until I've read everything I can get my hands out about that country. It's bizarre. I read our text and the supplemental text and the text I got at the workshop I went to this summer (which rocks...and I actually enjoy reading for fun...sad) plus everything from the Economist...and yeah, it's a sickness.

So last night I freaked out because I hadn't read all that stuff yet and I didn't feel prepared for this week, despite the fact that 1-3 were taking a test and I would have plenty of time to get something together. I always feel like if I haven't done my homework I can't remember how things relate together and then I don't get homework assignments written on time or...well, anyway.

So I didn't sleep all night.

But today, I was a mad-woman. I don't know when I did it...I think one of my planning periods, I read a whole chapter in my supplemental text (and this was on top of many other things). Then I came home tonight and blasted through another chapter. So that brings my count of pages to about 60 for today. But, it's Russia so it's easy. A lot of it was familiar so it didn't take too long to read. Then I outlined and mind-mapped the chapters and where I was going to use them. Despite the fact that I still have 60 more essays, and 80 tests to grade, I feel accomplished. At least I know where I'm going for the unit.

If I feel I have all the background knowledge, I can put it together fairly well. It's like...if it's all floating around up there, then I just take it out and arrange it as it fits best. Plus, I'm finding I remember interesting stories and facts better since they're floating up there too. But, if I don't have all that stuff floating up there, I feel like I dont' have anything to draw from and then there will be gaps...I can't rely on someone else to put the information together for my students because it doesn't make sense to me.

Anyway, that's why I mind-map units. It is seriously a long thought-process. My kids may not realize it, but each unit is meticulously thought through to make sure concepts flow through and each day logically follows the rest.

The reason I've been so nuts is because this week is nuts. Tuesday I have to leave immediately after school for a lecture I'm taking at UW. It's great...very nerdy, but great. They're doing a series on Petropolitics in 4 parts. Three of the 4 are countries we study: Russia, Nigeria, and Mexico. The fourth I'm interested in anyway: Venezuela. So yeah...that means I can't grade or plan tomorrow night. Then Wednesday we have "Super Wednesday"--no kids but different schedule. Wednesday night Jessica and I are going to Spamalot!! I'm excited! But, yet again...no grading or planning (hence the stress to get stuff together since tonight I have to be ready for Thursday in addition to Tuesday). Thursday I'll be exhausted...but if I can make it to Friday with some energy left I'll be good.

Reflection: I'm tired all of the sudden. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Today was a long day. But...even with all the work I did...oddly enough, though I was feverishly trying to complete it...I just love Russia so much that I just keep WANTING to read...nuts. Oh yeah, and the other reflection I have after today is that I need a personal masseuse. I realized last week and especially tonight, that when I'm in one of these moods I get so tense that I put myself in pain all over...hmm...definitely gotta look one of them up...

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