The Caffeinated Classroom

Things are actually going rather well this week (I’m knowing in all the wood I can find) and we are in good shape for super Saturday this weekend…

Right in the middle of 2nd period today, however, I felt the world around me spin and said out loud “the wind is changing and my allergies are now here.” Like I knew it would, my nose got all stuffy and I became immediately DUMB 🫠

Somehow I made it through the day and rehearsal, even though this was exactly what my brain sounded like…

8 days to opening! Follow along for the rest of our production of Guys & Dolls!



Producing a High School Musical from Auditions to Opening Night

I used to allow myself to use tech and dress rehearsal weeks as an excuse to eat poorly (or not at all) because I “didn’t have time” to prep food. Time and many migraines have finally taught me to take care of myself (as well as I can, because this is still the actual real world and sadly not a fantasy land).

Stay tuned for the breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks I’m pre-making to bring with me this week 🤩

Grab your snack, drink, and that stack of papers to grade because it’s time for a GRADING PARTY 🥳

Remember when “life hacks” were the most buzzy of buzz words and everything was a “hack??” Well, having a little grading party actually is the greatest hack of all time…

Today’s special guest even sang a duet with me from off-camera 🤩

Here’s what we have planned for the week ahead:

Period 1 AMLIT (11th ELA) - Research Presentation Assignment & Topics, Book Club Meetings 3 & 4, Visual Art Rhetorical Analysis, FRQ (Timed Writing)

Period 2 COSTUMING - Sewing Machine License Practical Tests, Sewing Machine Project, Intro to Costuming Basics

Period 3 ADV THEATRE - “Puffs” Blocking Rehearsals, Production Budget Updates, Set Install

Period 4 PREP - Grade FRQs from Friday, Grade Sewing Machine License Paper Tests, Prep for 8th Grade Family Night, Choreograph Guys & Dolls Finale, & too much more…

Last week was safety week, so there were quite a few disruptions to the regular routine, and I’m hoping this week will be a bit smoother… I’ll keep you updated all week in stories!

Want to STEAL MY LESSON PLANS? Comment MARCH for this month’s calendars & the whole month of bellringers!

It’s absolutely a 3-ring circus, but there is also a lot of joy when we’re singing and dancing for hours on end 😆

Drama teachers out there- what is your spring musical this year?? (Asking for a friend who wants ideas for future seasons)

The fact that more teachers don’t have full tantrums more often is truly a marvel if you’ve spent even a moment in a school over the past 6 years, nonetheless extended time throughout the past 6 years…

I think we deserve awards.

And baked goods.

And awards in the form of baked goods.

Right in front of us, every single day, are young eyes watching. They may not seem like it all the time, but they pick up way more than we realize (and more than we give them credit for).

Establishing routines and expectations are small things I can do in my classes to help us all regulate a bit and process the world around us.

The biggest hurdle for me is honestly myself - when I am stressed or tired (and I’m all that and more this week) I tend to let routines slide, BUT THAT IS WHEN WE NEED THEM MOST! Let’s check in later this week to see how well I implement my own plans…

Who is with me? 🙋🏻‍♀️

Rehearsal isn’t just about getting the show ready.

It’s where students learn how to collaborate, adapt, and stay present when things don’t go as planned.

Long after the curtain closes, these are the skills they carry with them.

This work matters.