Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. We have made it through the first full week of school here in Knoxville, and we are supposed to have a back-to-school dance next week. Can you believe it? I hope you aren’t overloaded with homework already, but if you are, you can do it!
Quote of the Week: “Life is not a solo act. It’s a huge collaboration.” –Gilda Radner
Song of the Week: What better song has been written about asking for assistance than “Help” by the Beatles? Released in 1965, “Help” was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, supposedly in response to the quick rise to fame experienced by the “Fab 4.” It captures the universal experience of needing help while grappling with self-assurance in the ability to make decisions. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get overwhelmed and forget my own advice about making decisions.
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: Have you ever heard someone say, “Can I ask a dumb question?” Well, the fact is that we can NEVER ask a dumb question. If you are struggling with something, don’t hesitate to say so. We are going to explore a few ways you can ask questions without feeling embarrassed.
If you’re thinking that there is a huge difference between asking for a piece of notebook paper and asking how to do your social studies homework, well, you are correct. But getting what you need is the main objective. If your teacher has items such as notebook paper or pencils sitting out in the classroom, either grab them on the way to your seat when you enter the classroom or wait until the teacher has finished giving lecture notes to get out of your seat to get what you need.
To get assistance with your classwork, try these ideas. Catch the teacher before school, during homeroom period. If your school is like mine, that is the perfect opportunity to get another explanation for how to find the slope intercept or why the colony of Jamestown succeeded or failed. If that embarrasses you, use the teacher’s email and explain where the breakdown in understanding happens when you are doing your work.
Please remember that the teachers and staff in your school are there to help you be the best you can be. I always try to discretely give a student a pencil when I notice they aren’t writing. Have a great year!
Recipe of the Week: Mini Tater Tot Cheeseburgers
What you’ll need:
24 tater tots, cooked and crunchy
1 lb. ground beef or turkey
salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. onion powder
6 slices of cheddar or American cheese, cut into small squares
6 cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced
12 small pickle slices
lettuce leaves, cut into small pieces
mayonnaise
ketchup
toothpicks, for assembling this masterpiece
First, bake your tater tots. Next, measure into a bowl the meat, salt, pepper, and the garlic and onion powders. Mix well and form into 1-inch patties. Once formed, cook the patties in a skillet over medium to high heat for about 2-3 minutes, or until fully cooked. Add the cheese to the little patties a minute or so before they are finished cooking. Now, it’s time to assemble the goodies. Using one tater tot as the bottom bun, stab it with the toothpick. Dab a little bit of mayo on it, then place one piece of lettuce, followed by a patty. Add your cherry tomato slice and the pickle. Place another tater tot at the top to seal the deal. Dip into the ketchup, if desired. Enjoy! As always, please feel free to give feedback regarding any of the recipes you have tried from this blog. Or, let me know if there is something you have a taste for and need help finding the recipe.
Shout-Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout-out to everyone who struggles to ask for help. Believe me when I say that I, too, have times when I fear asking for help. It doesn’t mean that you are not a capable person. Don’t go it alone. You’ve got this!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.