Help, please!

One of the requirements of my educational research class is a class research project. If you're reading this, please click the link and take our survey. We're trying to get as many completed surveys as possible; the more data, the more accurate the results. Please pass it along!

Ah! Spring! And Meet Noelle

My research has been going okay. I'll probably end up changing my question for my Research Proposal a little bit, but I think I have almost all the articles I need. (I need to go to the library at Texarkana College for the last two articles.) My research paper for Human Growth and Development is on hold until I finish my Chapter Review, which is due next Tuesday. God's got this, so I know I'll do fine.

Registration for the Spring semester started today for Grad students and Seniors at A&M - Texarkana. After talking with a nice gentleman in Financial Aid, I decided to register for two classes instead of three. It won't hurt my future financial aid and I'll be awarded aid based on the number of hours for which I register. I was looking at three classes, two education classes that my adviser had suggested, as well as a reading class she had suggested for next summer. The first seven weeks of this semester were pretty hectic. I am thankful that the tech class lasted only seven weeks. I'm hoping next semester will be a little less hectic. It will definitely be less hectic than if I had decided to take three classes.

While I was at Target last night, I found an Elf on the Shelf. There were only two left, both girls. Meet Noelle.

I have all kinds of mischievous and cute plans for her this holiday season! I'll be sure to post some of her adventures. 

One last thing. Paul almost never gets sick. He's been sick since Thursday. His fever keeps going up and down. He has a constant headache, apparent sinus problems, and his appetite is pretty much non-existent. Not that I want to be sick, but I almost wish it were me that's sick. At least I have medical insurance. I was able to add him to my vision and dental insurance, but medical was almost $300 out of each paycheck. We can't afford that big a hit twice a month. Any prayers for him would be greatly appreciated. 

Electronic databases are not my friends today.

Before we came home today, Paul and I went to Best Buy for a new black ink cartridge. I think this is the only time we've ever gone in, gotten what we wanted, paid for it, and left. We usually look around the store for a while. (I guess we were both ready to go home and eat.) Anyway, I finished printing the articles for my HG&D research paper (I'm hoping I have enough resources now) and started searching for articles for my research proposal in my research class.

Even using "transition", the search term Dr. L suggested, I am still not really finding anything. Instead of printing out all these articles that are closely related but not really what I'm looking for, I realized I could print just the citation and abstract. My next step is to email the research librarian and see if she can help me out. I'm really starting to wonder if nobody has done any research on whether transitioning from small elementary schools to large junior high/middle schools has an effect on student behavior. Maybe I'm totally off-base with my question. Maybe there are just too many variables, with the change in school and puberty, with all the hormones, craziness, and confusion it seems to bring. Maybe I should just change to a topic that is simpler to research. But I'm really interested in this topic right now. I'll talk to the reference librarian before I make a decision.

Two words for the week . . .

Test and research. Other than work, that's what my week has been all about. Monday night was the test over the methodology presentations in my research class, followed Tuesday night by the usual chapter test in Human Growth and Development. Wednesday morning was my makeup test for last week's chapter test in HG&D. Since all that's over, I've been working on research.

Last night, I was looking up articles for my research proposal in the research class. I found some articles that I think may work, but I was having a lot of trouble finding the right search criteria for my topic. My question is "How does moving from a small elementary school to a large middle school effect student behavior?" I found lots of info on small schools vs. big schools and whether middle school/junior high should even exist. Today, I finally messaged Dr. L for suggestions. I don't know why I never thought last night to use the term "transitioning", but I'll check it tomorrow.

Tonight it was time for some research on my topic for my HG&D research paper, causes of the downward aging of menarche (a girl's first period) in America. I was able to print eight articles before my black ink cartridge went out. I'm on hold until tomorrow. I guess that's a good thing. I just realized it's a little after midnight. I have to be at work at 8:30 am. At least it's finally Friday.