The title is a reference to a song I could not stop dancing to today. Okay, I stopped when the kids got to the lab, but we only had three classes today, so I danced a little too.
Working on quite a few videos at this current time . . . there's the ESLRs video for our school's accreditation visit, the video for next week's chapel, and one for some friends of mine. My next big education one for use with my students is going to be a tutorial on using the San Jose City Library and Santa Clara County Library websites to find a book, video, or even a magazine article from the comfort of one's own home, even in one's pajamas.
Squeezed a few cache finds in at lunchtime, then we had a bunch of first graders come in at two to finish up and print their acrostic poems. We've had a lot of our younger kids out sick lately.
I'm really excited about what our students are working on lately. First and second graders are using PowerPoint to write and illustrate math problems. First, we did multiple addition (first graders are still on that project). Then, it's on to word problems (addition and subtraction). Our upper elementary students are making BioCards, about a Native American group, a famous Californian, or a figure from Colonial America. (3rd, 4th, 5th, respectively) Our 6th and 7th grade students are finishing up Poetry Portfolios while the 8th graders wrap up their Washington D.C. PowerPoints (to help them present their research papers to their history classes). The portfolios consist of poetry on a particular theme, both found poems by other authors and poetry by the students themselves. They are also putting in artwork to round out the portfolios.
Next we move on to using spreadsheets (again), but this time for budget and home economics type stuff. (Not cooking and sewing, but shopping and carefully spending!)
The most exciting thing is that our students are very motivated, and they are really impressing us with their performance and maturity. They've come a long way from the start of the school year. They understand what we expect, and they are delivering. It's the start of the revolution I had been hoping to put in place. These guys are not quite ready for being true contributors to Web 2.0 yet, as they lack some of the self-control to stay focused and serious, but we're getting there.
Baby steps, grasshopper. Or would that be baby hops?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
In defense of Wikipedia . . .
Last week, I was working with a group of teachers, showing them Google Earth and talking about some ways it can be used in education. Some of the overlay files I was using included location spotlights with links to wikipedia articles. So, of course, the topic was raised, "Diane, what do you think of having students use wikipedia as a source?" This was a fifth grade teacher who asked, and a colleague of mine for some time. Also, during the time I taught fifth grade (five years), she and I were both teaching fifth grade for the last of those five years.
Let me first say that there are times I don't let my students use wikipedia as a source. Sometimes it's because I am not allowing web sources on a particular project, and sometimes it's because I want them to broaden their searches. But I am not completely opposed to its use. I do warn my students, though, that just like everything else on the Internet, it must be evaluated for accuracy.
But so must the more traditional sources. Ready for a case in point?
Yesterday, one of our fifth grade students faced a dilemma about her topic, Molly Pitcher.
Now, Ms. Pitcher's real name was Mary Hays. The student's book source said that Mary's husband was William Hays. Encarta 2001 on CD-ROM said that Mary's husband was John Hays. Two "trusted" sources with two conflicting "facts." What to do?
I happen to keep a full set of the 1991 (gasp!) World Book encyclopedia in our lab. I gave the student P for Pitcher and H for Hays and told her to start in the P volume and see what she could find. Then I logged on to the available computer next to her and went to see what wikipedia had to say on the matter.
Here's the verdict:
Book: William
Encarta: John
World Book: William
Wikipedia: William
WHAT? You mean Encarta was wrong and wikipedia was right?
Of course. Both had to be typed in at some point by human hands, and humans are prone to error, whether their work is published by a software giant onto CD-ROMs or constantly updated by caring scholars and lay people on the Internet. In fact, the CD-ROM version of the "truth" cannot be changed. You have to buy a newer disc to get updated information. (And it would be interesting to look into whether Encarta has changed this error in later versions.) Wikipedia is constantly being reviewed by many different sets of eyes, along with their corresponding brains and hands. So errors can be caught and made right.
So, what did I tell my students? If you ever get conflicting information when you are doing research, get two more sources to help you figure out what the real truth is. Beware of bias and deliberately misleading information. And don't believe everything you read.
Nothing new there.
Let me first say that there are times I don't let my students use wikipedia as a source. Sometimes it's because I am not allowing web sources on a particular project, and sometimes it's because I want them to broaden their searches. But I am not completely opposed to its use. I do warn my students, though, that just like everything else on the Internet, it must be evaluated for accuracy.
But so must the more traditional sources. Ready for a case in point?
Yesterday, one of our fifth grade students faced a dilemma about her topic, Molly Pitcher.
Now, Ms. Pitcher's real name was Mary Hays. The student's book source said that Mary's husband was William Hays. Encarta 2001 on CD-ROM said that Mary's husband was John Hays. Two "trusted" sources with two conflicting "facts." What to do?
I happen to keep a full set of the 1991 (gasp!) World Book encyclopedia in our lab. I gave the student P for Pitcher and H for Hays and told her to start in the P volume and see what she could find. Then I logged on to the available computer next to her and went to see what wikipedia had to say on the matter.
Here's the verdict:
Book: William
Encarta: John
World Book: William
Wikipedia: William
WHAT? You mean Encarta was wrong and wikipedia was right?
Of course. Both had to be typed in at some point by human hands, and humans are prone to error, whether their work is published by a software giant onto CD-ROMs or constantly updated by caring scholars and lay people on the Internet. In fact, the CD-ROM version of the "truth" cannot be changed. You have to buy a newer disc to get updated information. (And it would be interesting to look into whether Encarta has changed this error in later versions.) Wikipedia is constantly being reviewed by many different sets of eyes, along with their corresponding brains and hands. So errors can be caught and made right.
So, what did I tell my students? If you ever get conflicting information when you are doing research, get two more sources to help you figure out what the real truth is. Beware of bias and deliberately misleading information. And don't believe everything you read.
Nothing new there.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Turbo-caching
It's not really something I should be proud of, but the very first geocache I ever placed disappeared within 48 hours of its being published (made official) on the geocaching.com website. I am so bummed, but I kind of saw it coming. I guess I should be glad that my neighbors are so aware of what's going on in the park across the street from their houses. And I think my next-door neighbor is probably the person who removed my little cache from its hiding spot. I'm just too embarrassed to ask for it back. And there's no way for him to find out it was me unless he becomes a geocacher himself. I guess I'll never see it again. [sigh]
In other news, I am up to 92 finds as of today. In a little over two months. Yes, I am proud of that. I am presenting the first of my three Google workshops for school staff next Wednesday (Google Earth for this session). I really need to sit down and prepare. I also need to work on the movie I am making for my friends' daughter's sixteenth birthday party. And the thank you cards I need to hand out for all the Christmas gifts I received from students. And the stack of grading I still need to get done. And more.
It's not easy being geek.
In other news, I am up to 92 finds as of today. In a little over two months. Yes, I am proud of that. I am presenting the first of my three Google workshops for school staff next Wednesday (Google Earth for this session). I really need to sit down and prepare. I also need to work on the movie I am making for my friends' daughter's sixteenth birthday party. And the thank you cards I need to hand out for all the Christmas gifts I received from students. And the stack of grading I still need to get done. And more.
It's not easy being geek.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Lights, Camera, . . . .
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
I can't believe it!
Only a little over a month later, I JUST found out that my birthday coincides with Ninja Day! Please go and view the video. I want celebrations next year.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Speaking of being stuck in the past . . .
Schools, that is. Time Magazine ran an article about this very thing. I'm reading it right now. And now you should go do the same.
Let's chat about it later, shall we?
Let's chat about it later, shall we?
Sunday, January 07, 2007
The State of Education: A Neighborhood Discussion
Okay, so I subscribe to a neighborhood eList for my part of San Jose. There had been quite a lot of discussion and debate over Proposition 13 and its outcomes. I had been skimming much of it, but I did not contribute. Finally, a few people started an offshoot thread dealing with the matter of "what's wrong with education today." Being a teacher (and a darn good one at that), I felt it was my duty to step forward with my feelings on the subject.
My initial post:
Schools, past present future
T. commented, quite correctly, that a major problem with schools today is lack of parental involvement, mainly due to work demands and lack of English expertise.
Then K. rebutted that these have always been problems for parents of school kids. Also true.
A major difference, though, (and I say this at the risk of sounding like an old fogey) is what the kids are doing while their parents are working, and how time is spent, and general parental attitude and expectation toward education and the school experience.
In the past, parents made it clear, both by word and deed (kids could look at their living example) that education had value, teachers deserved respect, and a diploma and a degree were the ticket to success.
Now, it's not only that parents may not be involved. (They certainly don't fill up parent-teacher association meetings, myself included on the parent end. And I'm a teacher.) It's that education is not necessarily a guarantee of career or financial success. (Look at all the people who got rich in the dot-com boom of the 90s with less educational experience than I have as a poor, underpaid teacher.) AND there is no respect for schools, teachers as professionals (just look at our salaries), or any kind of authority or institution. It's more of "no school/teacher/principal is gonna tell me . . . " and less of kids getting in worse trouble at home after a reprimand from school. Remember when you dreaded the note home? Now, kids come to school, backed by vociferous parents, ready to do battle and excuse their way out of any kind of consequence.
This is certainly not true of all parents. But it's no surprise, when you look at our media influences, that kids will threaten to try to get a teacher in trouble rather than admit being wrong and accept consequences. Today we hear kids say things like, "I'll just say a teacher molested me" when they want to avoid getting in trouble for their actions. And now we have many more single-parent families than in the past. How is one adult, in today's high-speed high-tech culture, supposed to do the work of both parents, when more is expected of the parent from work (at perhaps several jobs to keep up with the high cost of living)? Even two parents -- in our area here they're both working full-time -- struggle to keep up.
Gone are the days of Wally and the Beav, when Mom was always home to make three square meals, help with homework, do all the housework, AND bake cookies for the class party. Not that those days are preferable; I work full-time, and I am a wife and mother. HOWEVER, society has changed. Heck, EVERYTHING has changed.
Except education.
We still expect to do things the way we always have and get new and better results. Kids do not attend school in a vacuum. School staff frequently deal with neglected, hungry, improperly dressed kids day in and day out. But you better not give a kid an aspirin or even a hug.
Even when schools appear to be different nowadays, due to new technology or different methodology, any teacher who's been at this game a while can tell you about the pendulum swinging back and forth every few years on any number of issues in education. And all the computers in the world aren't going to change a thing when you have a system (and parents) who demand the A-B-C-D-F manner of grading, tests with pencil and paper, and all kinds of old standbys of yesteryear's schools.
I'm not saying any one thing is bad or good, or that any one method is preferable over another. What I am saying is that the world has changed. The same problems may exist, such as the parental language barrier and overworked parents, but they are so much more magnified in today's school climate. You're not going to tell me kids haven't changed. They know more by the age of ten than most of us adults knew by the time we finished high school. Not curriculum, such as grammar, math, science, or history -- although they have more information at earlier ages than they used to, since information is so readily accessible -- but they are much more worldly wise and have experienced so much more . . . often not for the better.
Education . . . and especially the funding thereof . . . is an incredibly intricate and complicated issue. No one statement can accurately sum up its problems or their solutions. And blindly throwing money at those problems is certainly not the solution.
I have had my rant for the new year. Stepping down now . . . .
Diane
I just figured I would get a few brief comments on the public forum. Not so. But I did hear from some people . . . . . .
From J.S. –
Lots of good points, Diane.
I know my parents were that way. They were poorly educated but fierce in their support of teachers, administrators and education in general. If we kids had a complaint, my parents' attitude was, "Live with it."
In reality, the quality of our teachers had a normal distribution: A few were great, most were adequate, and a few were terrible.
My folks insisted that we kids take responsibility for our learning. They couldn't help us with homework; they weren't educated enough. But, we were expected to do it, to try our best, and to get good grades. And if we didn't, it was our fault, not the teacher's.
They believed that we kids had to learn how to function well with any quality of instruction. As they said, "When you're an adult, you're not always going to have the perfect job or the perfect supervisor, so you'd better learn now how to overcome these kinds of obstacles because you're going to have to face them all of your life." And they were right.
From T. –
Very, very, very well said! :)
From K.S. –
Diane-
I think you have really captured the essence of the whole education system problems. Everything has changed and the system has not even come close to adapting.
Having several good friends who are teachers and a mother who decided it was time to retire for the reasons you listed (not because she ever stopped loving teaching kids) I just wanted to let you know I appreciate your frustration as a teacher and a working parent. I often wonder what it is going to take to engage the public in helping make the changes.
Hang in there,
From A.W. –
Hi Diane,
I am going to reply off-list because I don't want to get attacked by the rabid eListers.
I totally agree with you that everything has changed except education. I'm not advocating some drastic, immediate change (which just ends up being the current fad) but I think we need to start moving in some new directions.
One thing I believe (and feel free to disagree!) is that we have to let go of this notion that parent involvement is ever going to be a big part of kids' success in school. I see lots of "involved" parents who seem mostly interested in fundraising or social activities at their kids' school. But, as long as their kids' grades stay up, they have no clue what the kids are doing with their free time (and their cars and cell phones and spending money and internet access). Others have no idea that their child is struggling in some way until they drop out of college in their first semester (one who spent twelve years at Harker!).
And, of course, there are all of the parents who work or don't speak English or whose kids pass them academically by late elementary school. They may want to be more involved but can't.
I think we need to evolve toward a system that is academically rigorous but more self-contained. But that would require longer school days and longer school years, which would require more money. Of course, if we could improve the educational system we could reduce the number of young people entering the criminal system and we could save money in the long run....
Just some thoughts.
From O. –
I agree with everything you said....I am a 5th grade teacher in SJUSD.....5 more years to go before retirement, have been a widow for 17 years....raised my 2 kids by myself (both college graduates) and I am dealing with exactly what you said in the classroom!
From D.J. –
Diane...thank you for your very well said and well rounded comments!
From C.S. –
Hi Diane,
Your "rant" (your word, not mine) was one of the most articulate, well-thought-out posts I have read in a long, long time. Thank you for the time and effort you took. I am sending this message only to you to let you know that I truly appreciate it. I fear that what you wrote will still set off another rash of tirades, and I don't want to get involved in that.
Well, now, that opened my eyes a bit. Seven different people, just in the area in which I live, expressed support for what I had to say. And I feel passionately about this, so that was really some significant validation for me. And so I posted again, just to express my gratitude . . .
Maybe I should rant more often
Just thought I would throw in here that, much to my surprise, I had exactly SEVEN e-mails today from other eListers who wanted to privately lend some support or agreement to some or all of what I said about the education system yesterday evening. A common thread in their messages, though, was that they felt public comment on the eList would invite harsh criticism from the rest of the eList. And, having thought about it, I think they could be right.
I once offered my opinion on the eList and had a local resident and business owner (whose business I will NEVER patronize now) tell me I should move out of Willow Glen if I didn't agree with . . . well . . . HIM.
That having been said, I really do enjoy the interchanges here, as long as they remain civil. There have been times when I have either had no opinion on a topic, or had only one view, and the voices here gave me varied perspective and a lot to mull over. For that I am grateful. It's what makes our country great, really.
In other news, I've just spent an incredible day, working without my co-teacher (who was absent), with six classes of third and fourth graders as we embark on a new project in technology class. Their enthusiasm and willingness to move forward with the project really gave me the warm fuzzies today, despite the fact that they were antsy from having to sit and listen to me so long instead of logging in to their computers right away, and that third graders really are just second graders with a couple more inches of height. I then tutored a middle schooler, finished up a sample project, and graded a bunch of first and second grade PowerPoint mini-projects before I could head home to my family and supper. (And e-mail, of course.)
Of course, I would like to get paid more and have less take-home work. And I would like to spend a weekend with my family, or my entire Christmas Break, without feeling guilty over paperwork that sits ungraded, but I get something many of you probably DON'T get from your careers: a chance to touch the future and to see the effects of my work right before my eyes on a daily or weekly basis. I actually had a seventh grader (who has been in my class for two years before this) say to me yesterday, "Hey, I just learned something!" when he was doing research and compiling data for a project in my class.
Thanks to everyone for their support of educators like me and the work we do.
Diane
And got MORE replies . . . .
From L.A. –
PowerPoint is now taught in First Grade?! Wow! This is definitely getting kids ready for the modern workplace! ;-}
I joke that all I do at work is make cartoons in PowerPoint, as no one has time to read a document anymore. When coworkers say they don't know the PowerPoint tricks, I can now threaten to send them back to First Grade! I love it!
From E.S. –
Diane,
Here's number eight. I read your earlier message on WGNA elist and thought to myself, "Here's someone who thinks the way I do."
I've been retired from teaching in public schools since 1987, but dream about being in the classroom almost every night. I appreciate what you're saying about public education and the teacher's life. It's always good to read about successes in school.
Keep up the good work.
From D.J. – (again)
Thanks again Diane for your input...you are magical in your wording and phasing.
From D.D. –
Diane...
Much of the chat about Prop 13, schools and education I just glossed over. Some I agreed with, some I did not. As part of my New Years resolution to be kind, civil and refrain from causing trouble, I opted to stay out that conversation. However, after reading your most recent comments, I have only this to offer. . . . . . .
You folks who get up every morning and brave the sacrifice and frustrations to teach the young of our community and California stand as tall as any brave soldier who put on a uniform. You both are fighting for a stronger and safer country, and better world.
As for those who would thank you and stand with you privately for fear of offending a fellow neighbor, that is their choice. For me, I don't care if the whole world knows how much we appreciate what you are doing... even for those that were not born here or born of full citizens. Those kids you care so much about... it was not by their choice they find themselves in your trust.
God bless you, and my heart goes out to you.
From M.H. –
have you ever considered recruiting a volunteer from the ellist to help with the paper grading? there might be some retirees who have time on their hands and would be glad to lend a hand. three of my 5 children are teachers, albeit high school, so i understand the rewards of teaching - and the frustrations.
P.S. i missed the ranting and also the responses.
From B.S. –
Beautifully said!
From R.A. –
Hi Diane,
I really enjoyed your email. I liked hearing about your school day--as intense as it was! It reminded me of my parents.
My parents were both teachers and it's amazing to hear what non-teachers have to say about the state of education, the quality of teachers, etc. It's a very different perspective when you are an educator. I defended my parents on more than a few occassions when someone would remark about how nice it would be to have summers off and all of those school holidays. HELLO? Well, my mother got up at 5am almost every school day to prep for classes--she like to cater her curriculum to her students and enrich it a bit, so she went the extra mile. And for what? For those occassions, like yours below, of having a student really 'get it'. It was like recharging her battery when one of her students grasped onto a concept they had struggled with and then went with it. And for the last three years she taught school, she also tutored in the afternoons. Summers off? Well, not really. She did, afterall, have to make ends meet (she was a single parent for part of her career). While my brother was in college, she taught summer school to help him out. You know what he does now? He's a teacher.
My father taught college. He got up at 4:30am every school day to prep for his classes. (He didn't sleep much anyway, but still....). Even though he taught some of the same classes year and after year, he didn't used the same syllabus. He would vary it. That kept him fresh which in turn kept the students engaged.
Thanks for your efforts teaching. By the way, at what school do you teach?
So I told that last person where I teach. And I felt good about myself, my profession, and my choice to stay in it even when it has been tough (and financially UNrewarding) . . . for the first time in a VERY long time.
It's good to know that, depsite all the naysayers, there are people all around us who support what we do. Edu-geeks, CHARGE!!!!
My initial post:
Schools, past present future
T. commented, quite correctly, that a major problem with schools today is lack of parental involvement, mainly due to work demands and lack of English expertise.
Then K. rebutted that these have always been problems for parents of school kids. Also true.
A major difference, though, (and I say this at the risk of sounding like an old fogey) is what the kids are doing while their parents are working, and how time is spent, and general parental attitude and expectation toward education and the school experience.
In the past, parents made it clear, both by word and deed (kids could look at their living example) that education had value, teachers deserved respect, and a diploma and a degree were the ticket to success.
Now, it's not only that parents may not be involved. (They certainly don't fill up parent-teacher association meetings, myself included on the parent end. And I'm a teacher.) It's that education is not necessarily a guarantee of career or financial success. (Look at all the people who got rich in the dot-com boom of the 90s with less educational experience than I have as a poor, underpaid teacher.) AND there is no respect for schools, teachers as professionals (just look at our salaries), or any kind of authority or institution. It's more of "no school/teacher/principal is gonna tell me . . . " and less of kids getting in worse trouble at home after a reprimand from school. Remember when you dreaded the note home? Now, kids come to school, backed by vociferous parents, ready to do battle and excuse their way out of any kind of consequence.
This is certainly not true of all parents. But it's no surprise, when you look at our media influences, that kids will threaten to try to get a teacher in trouble rather than admit being wrong and accept consequences. Today we hear kids say things like, "I'll just say a teacher molested me" when they want to avoid getting in trouble for their actions. And now we have many more single-parent families than in the past. How is one adult, in today's high-speed high-tech culture, supposed to do the work of both parents, when more is expected of the parent from work (at perhaps several jobs to keep up with the high cost of living)? Even two parents -- in our area here they're both working full-time -- struggle to keep up.
Gone are the days of Wally and the Beav, when Mom was always home to make three square meals, help with homework, do all the housework, AND bake cookies for the class party. Not that those days are preferable; I work full-time, and I am a wife and mother. HOWEVER, society has changed. Heck, EVERYTHING has changed.
Except education.
We still expect to do things the way we always have and get new and better results. Kids do not attend school in a vacuum. School staff frequently deal with neglected, hungry, improperly dressed kids day in and day out. But you better not give a kid an aspirin or even a hug.
Even when schools appear to be different nowadays, due to new technology or different methodology, any teacher who's been at this game a while can tell you about the pendulum swinging back and forth every few years on any number of issues in education. And all the computers in the world aren't going to change a thing when you have a system (and parents) who demand the A-B-C-D-F manner of grading, tests with pencil and paper, and all kinds of old standbys of yesteryear's schools.
I'm not saying any one thing is bad or good, or that any one method is preferable over another. What I am saying is that the world has changed. The same problems may exist, such as the parental language barrier and overworked parents, but they are so much more magnified in today's school climate. You're not going to tell me kids haven't changed. They know more by the age of ten than most of us adults knew by the time we finished high school. Not curriculum, such as grammar, math, science, or history -- although they have more information at earlier ages than they used to, since information is so readily accessible -- but they are much more worldly wise and have experienced so much more . . . often not for the better.
Education . . . and especially the funding thereof . . . is an incredibly intricate and complicated issue. No one statement can accurately sum up its problems or their solutions. And blindly throwing money at those problems is certainly not the solution.
I have had my rant for the new year. Stepping down now . . . .
Diane
I just figured I would get a few brief comments on the public forum. Not so. But I did hear from some people . . . . . .
From J.S. –
Lots of good points, Diane.
I know my parents were that way. They were poorly educated but fierce in their support of teachers, administrators and education in general. If we kids had a complaint, my parents' attitude was, "Live with it."
In reality, the quality of our teachers had a normal distribution: A few were great, most were adequate, and a few were terrible.
My folks insisted that we kids take responsibility for our learning. They couldn't help us with homework; they weren't educated enough. But, we were expected to do it, to try our best, and to get good grades. And if we didn't, it was our fault, not the teacher's.
They believed that we kids had to learn how to function well with any quality of instruction. As they said, "When you're an adult, you're not always going to have the perfect job or the perfect supervisor, so you'd better learn now how to overcome these kinds of obstacles because you're going to have to face them all of your life." And they were right.
From T. –
Very, very, very well said! :)
From K.S. –
Diane-
I think you have really captured the essence of the whole education system problems. Everything has changed and the system has not even come close to adapting.
Having several good friends who are teachers and a mother who decided it was time to retire for the reasons you listed (not because she ever stopped loving teaching kids) I just wanted to let you know I appreciate your frustration as a teacher and a working parent. I often wonder what it is going to take to engage the public in helping make the changes.
Hang in there,
From A.W. –
Hi Diane,
I am going to reply off-list because I don't want to get attacked by the rabid eListers.
I totally agree with you that everything has changed except education. I'm not advocating some drastic, immediate change (which just ends up being the current fad) but I think we need to start moving in some new directions.
One thing I believe (and feel free to disagree!) is that we have to let go of this notion that parent involvement is ever going to be a big part of kids' success in school. I see lots of "involved" parents who seem mostly interested in fundraising or social activities at their kids' school. But, as long as their kids' grades stay up, they have no clue what the kids are doing with their free time (and their cars and cell phones and spending money and internet access). Others have no idea that their child is struggling in some way until they drop out of college in their first semester (one who spent twelve years at Harker!).
And, of course, there are all of the parents who work or don't speak English or whose kids pass them academically by late elementary school. They may want to be more involved but can't.
I think we need to evolve toward a system that is academically rigorous but more self-contained. But that would require longer school days and longer school years, which would require more money. Of course, if we could improve the educational system we could reduce the number of young people entering the criminal system and we could save money in the long run....
Just some thoughts.
From O. –
I agree with everything you said....I am a 5th grade teacher in SJUSD.....5 more years to go before retirement, have been a widow for 17 years....raised my 2 kids by myself (both college graduates) and I am dealing with exactly what you said in the classroom!
From D.J. –
Diane...thank you for your very well said and well rounded comments!
From C.S. –
Hi Diane,
Your "rant" (your word, not mine) was one of the most articulate, well-thought-out posts I have read in a long, long time. Thank you for the time and effort you took. I am sending this message only to you to let you know that I truly appreciate it. I fear that what you wrote will still set off another rash of tirades, and I don't want to get involved in that.
Well, now, that opened my eyes a bit. Seven different people, just in the area in which I live, expressed support for what I had to say. And I feel passionately about this, so that was really some significant validation for me. And so I posted again, just to express my gratitude . . .
Maybe I should rant more often
Just thought I would throw in here that, much to my surprise, I had exactly SEVEN e-mails today from other eListers who wanted to privately lend some support or agreement to some or all of what I said about the education system yesterday evening. A common thread in their messages, though, was that they felt public comment on the eList would invite harsh criticism from the rest of the eList. And, having thought about it, I think they could be right.
I once offered my opinion on the eList and had a local resident and business owner (whose business I will NEVER patronize now) tell me I should move out of Willow Glen if I didn't agree with . . . well . . . HIM.
That having been said, I really do enjoy the interchanges here, as long as they remain civil. There have been times when I have either had no opinion on a topic, or had only one view, and the voices here gave me varied perspective and a lot to mull over. For that I am grateful. It's what makes our country great, really.
In other news, I've just spent an incredible day, working without my co-teacher (who was absent), with six classes of third and fourth graders as we embark on a new project in technology class. Their enthusiasm and willingness to move forward with the project really gave me the warm fuzzies today, despite the fact that they were antsy from having to sit and listen to me so long instead of logging in to their computers right away, and that third graders really are just second graders with a couple more inches of height. I then tutored a middle schooler, finished up a sample project, and graded a bunch of first and second grade PowerPoint mini-projects before I could head home to my family and supper. (And e-mail, of course.)
Of course, I would like to get paid more and have less take-home work. And I would like to spend a weekend with my family, or my entire Christmas Break, without feeling guilty over paperwork that sits ungraded, but I get something many of you probably DON'T get from your careers: a chance to touch the future and to see the effects of my work right before my eyes on a daily or weekly basis. I actually had a seventh grader (who has been in my class for two years before this) say to me yesterday, "Hey, I just learned something!" when he was doing research and compiling data for a project in my class.
Thanks to everyone for their support of educators like me and the work we do.
Diane
And got MORE replies . . . .
From L.A. –
PowerPoint is now taught in First Grade?! Wow! This is definitely getting kids ready for the modern workplace! ;-}
I joke that all I do at work is make cartoons in PowerPoint, as no one has time to read a document anymore. When coworkers say they don't know the PowerPoint tricks, I can now threaten to send them back to First Grade! I love it!
From E.S. –
Diane,
Here's number eight. I read your earlier message on WGNA elist and thought to myself, "Here's someone who thinks the way I do."
I've been retired from teaching in public schools since 1987, but dream about being in the classroom almost every night. I appreciate what you're saying about public education and the teacher's life. It's always good to read about successes in school.
Keep up the good work.
From D.J. – (again)
Thanks again Diane for your input...you are magical in your wording and phasing.
From D.D. –
Diane...
Much of the chat about Prop 13, schools and education I just glossed over. Some I agreed with, some I did not. As part of my New Years resolution to be kind, civil and refrain from causing trouble, I opted to stay out that conversation. However, after reading your most recent comments, I have only this to offer. . . . . . .
You folks who get up every morning and brave the sacrifice and frustrations to teach the young of our community and California stand as tall as any brave soldier who put on a uniform. You both are fighting for a stronger and safer country, and better world.
As for those who would thank you and stand with you privately for fear of offending a fellow neighbor, that is their choice. For me, I don't care if the whole world knows how much we appreciate what you are doing... even for those that were not born here or born of full citizens. Those kids you care so much about... it was not by their choice they find themselves in your trust.
God bless you, and my heart goes out to you.
From M.H. –
have you ever considered recruiting a volunteer from the ellist to help with the paper grading? there might be some retirees who have time on their hands and would be glad to lend a hand. three of my 5 children are teachers, albeit high school, so i understand the rewards of teaching - and the frustrations.
P.S. i missed the ranting and also the responses.
From B.S. –
Beautifully said!
From R.A. –
Hi Diane,
I really enjoyed your email. I liked hearing about your school day--as intense as it was! It reminded me of my parents.
My parents were both teachers and it's amazing to hear what non-teachers have to say about the state of education, the quality of teachers, etc. It's a very different perspective when you are an educator. I defended my parents on more than a few occassions when someone would remark about how nice it would be to have summers off and all of those school holidays. HELLO? Well, my mother got up at 5am almost every school day to prep for classes--she like to cater her curriculum to her students and enrich it a bit, so she went the extra mile. And for what? For those occassions, like yours below, of having a student really 'get it'. It was like recharging her battery when one of her students grasped onto a concept they had struggled with and then went with it. And for the last three years she taught school, she also tutored in the afternoons. Summers off? Well, not really. She did, afterall, have to make ends meet (she was a single parent for part of her career). While my brother was in college, she taught summer school to help him out. You know what he does now? He's a teacher.
My father taught college. He got up at 4:30am every school day to prep for his classes. (He didn't sleep much anyway, but still....). Even though he taught some of the same classes year and after year, he didn't used the same syllabus. He would vary it. That kept him fresh which in turn kept the students engaged.
Thanks for your efforts teaching. By the way, at what school do you teach?
So I told that last person where I teach. And I felt good about myself, my profession, and my choice to stay in it even when it has been tough (and financially UNrewarding) . . . for the first time in a VERY long time.
It's good to know that, depsite all the naysayers, there are people all around us who support what we do. Edu-geeks, CHARGE!!!!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
I love my job, but . . . . .
I have discovered (again) what I don't like about teaching: grading papers.
Even though many of our "papers" this year are electronic, I still stink at the follow-through on assignments. I love coming up with ideas for projects and assignments. I love delivering instruction. I also happen to think I am rather good at both. I really love seeing where the kids take these projects, too. Some of them are really developing some amazing skills and honing their geekly talents.
But then I have to grade all that stuff. To be fair, my co-teacher does more of the grading than I do. And she's way better at it and more efficient than I am. But we're still swamped, and a week from today we have a deadline: progress report grades and comments need to be in.
These little deadlines and grading reports are what get me. After a full year . . . and even better, a few years from now, after several years in this program . . . parents, students, and teachers are going to be FLOORED by how amazing this program is, by how much the kids have learned, by how much they are growing in technology. But right now, when the program is only halfway through its first year, it's hard to make them have that kind of vision.
But I know how amazing it will come to be.
And that's what consoles me.
Just a bit.
Speaking of follow-through, I need to get on the stuff I have planned as part of my Googe Certified Teacher commitment. Better get on that.
Even though many of our "papers" this year are electronic, I still stink at the follow-through on assignments. I love coming up with ideas for projects and assignments. I love delivering instruction. I also happen to think I am rather good at both. I really love seeing where the kids take these projects, too. Some of them are really developing some amazing skills and honing their geekly talents.
But then I have to grade all that stuff. To be fair, my co-teacher does more of the grading than I do. And she's way better at it and more efficient than I am. But we're still swamped, and a week from today we have a deadline: progress report grades and comments need to be in.
These little deadlines and grading reports are what get me. After a full year . . . and even better, a few years from now, after several years in this program . . . parents, students, and teachers are going to be FLOORED by how amazing this program is, by how much the kids have learned, by how much they are growing in technology. But right now, when the program is only halfway through its first year, it's hard to make them have that kind of vision.
But I know how amazing it will come to be.
And that's what consoles me.
Just a bit.
Speaking of follow-through, I need to get on the stuff I have planned as part of my Googe Certified Teacher commitment. Better get on that.
Monday, December 25, 2006
P.S. Sharing the love
I realized earlier that I shared the whole "No screaming, no whining, no crying, Santa bring a car" thing in two consecutive blog posts, albeit nearly two weeks apart. That may be a crime or something in the blogosphere, but trust me, if I had a dollar for every time we've gone through that in the past month, I could probably pay for both our flights to New Jersey with the proceeds.
And you have my permission to try this at home with your own toddler or preschooler. Free of charge.
And you have my permission to try this at home with your own toddler or preschooler. Free of charge.
Merry Christmas!!!
Not that I forgot in my other post . . . I just wanted to make sure this message got all the special attention it deserves.
My readership may, for all I know, consist of many faiths, and some who subscribe to no faith at all. As you may or may not know, I am a Christian. Today, along with Easter, is one of the most important holidays in the Christian faith. The life of Christ on Earth began with His humble birth (which we celebrate today but which actually took place at some other time of year, about four years off from when the calendars got the old jump start) and "ended" with His suffering and crucifixion at Easter.
For me, these holidays are not simply an excuse to send cards or give and receive presents. This is a good thing, too, as I am too lazy and cheap to do Christmas cards, and my kids are lucky to get a few gifts at Christmas. We don't DO Easter presents. Finances simply don't permit, and if I didn't get them as a kid, why should MY kids, right?
Enough of that. I sincerely hope that all who look to Him find peace and joy this holiday season. And of course, many will go without today and tomorrow, and all of next week. Or perhaps they received a coat or a toy for their child for Christmas, but don't feel that kindness from strangers the rest of the year. Many live right here among us who wonder where their next meal or resting place will come from, and they rely only on charity for their sustenance. And this in what is fabled to be the richest country in the world.
If you believe in Him, if you look to Him as your source of strength, courage, and hope, please do more than just celebrate His birth to the fullest your bank accounts will allow. Instead of maxing out your credit cards on gifts and turning up the holiday lights all over your house and yard, see if you can't find a way to instead tuck away a little bit each month to donate to a needy family, charity, or even a relative or friend you know to be struggling. As an educator, I can promise you that your kids are better off receiving a few modest gifts each year while bearing witness to your kindness to those in need. Spoiled kids become adults who don't know how to leave the nest and don't know how to fend for themselves in the real world.
But children who grow up understanding what it is to wish for something, and to have that wish delayed or perhaps even worked toward, become adults who appreciate the little things in life.
My parents worked all year to set aside fifty dollars per child (there were four of us) to spend on Christmas presents. We knew the limit, and we were involved in choosing our gifts. Knowing we could not have it all made us appreciate what we had. And then, when I went through some very lean times as an adult, I was not too proud or spoiled to work weekends at a second job after teaching all week so that I could pay the rent AND buy food.
But this is not about me. So many are so much worse off than I am, in our country alone, nevermind the rest of the planet. Please do all you can to honor Christ's message and purpose every day, not just on the holiday we use to celebrate His birth.
Good night and God Bless,
D.M. (the O.G.)
My readership may, for all I know, consist of many faiths, and some who subscribe to no faith at all. As you may or may not know, I am a Christian. Today, along with Easter, is one of the most important holidays in the Christian faith. The life of Christ on Earth began with His humble birth (which we celebrate today but which actually took place at some other time of year, about four years off from when the calendars got the old jump start) and "ended" with His suffering and crucifixion at Easter.
For me, these holidays are not simply an excuse to send cards or give and receive presents. This is a good thing, too, as I am too lazy and cheap to do Christmas cards, and my kids are lucky to get a few gifts at Christmas. We don't DO Easter presents. Finances simply don't permit, and if I didn't get them as a kid, why should MY kids, right?
Enough of that. I sincerely hope that all who look to Him find peace and joy this holiday season. And of course, many will go without today and tomorrow, and all of next week. Or perhaps they received a coat or a toy for their child for Christmas, but don't feel that kindness from strangers the rest of the year. Many live right here among us who wonder where their next meal or resting place will come from, and they rely only on charity for their sustenance. And this in what is fabled to be the richest country in the world.
If you believe in Him, if you look to Him as your source of strength, courage, and hope, please do more than just celebrate His birth to the fullest your bank accounts will allow. Instead of maxing out your credit cards on gifts and turning up the holiday lights all over your house and yard, see if you can't find a way to instead tuck away a little bit each month to donate to a needy family, charity, or even a relative or friend you know to be struggling. As an educator, I can promise you that your kids are better off receiving a few modest gifts each year while bearing witness to your kindness to those in need. Spoiled kids become adults who don't know how to leave the nest and don't know how to fend for themselves in the real world.
But children who grow up understanding what it is to wish for something, and to have that wish delayed or perhaps even worked toward, become adults who appreciate the little things in life.
My parents worked all year to set aside fifty dollars per child (there were four of us) to spend on Christmas presents. We knew the limit, and we were involved in choosing our gifts. Knowing we could not have it all made us appreciate what we had. And then, when I went through some very lean times as an adult, I was not too proud or spoiled to work weekends at a second job after teaching all week so that I could pay the rent AND buy food.
But this is not about me. So many are so much worse off than I am, in our country alone, nevermind the rest of the planet. Please do all you can to honor Christ's message and purpose every day, not just on the holiday we use to celebrate His birth.
Good night and God Bless,
D.M. (the O.G.)
Don't Spill the Beans . . .
Among other things, my son got this game, from the small line of “Cootie Games,” for Christmas. This is the one from that series I do not remember from my childhood. Here are some things that I now, as the parent of a toddler, appreciate about this game:
5. It teaches him that plastic beans are not food. (Though his sister caught him going for a taste after I was out of the room.)
4. It encourages him to develop fine motor skills by having to pick out a “bean” from a Ziploc bag and place it on top of the “pot.”
3. It also causes him to have to be “gentle” in placing the beans, so further motor skill development occurs.
2. He learns how to take turns. Theoretically.
1. It’s fun.
Squishy C. and I just came back from a week-long trip to New Jersey where we visited family and friends. This means that he and I flew all the way there and back. I have learned a lot about parenting, and about myself, in the past week. And my son has grown immeasurably in that time as well. We live in California, where we have NO family on either side. My husband is from Scotland, where his two sisters live, and where we don’t get to visit very often. His parents are both deceased. I am from Northern New Jersey, where my parents and two of my three siblings still live. All my family (in this country, at least) is in that general region, except my brother in Oregon. Needless to say, my son is growing up almost not knowing his relatives.
So, what have we learned from our journey?
10. A toddler can vomit in his sleep on an airplane.
9. Six and a half hours is a long time to wear one diaper.
8. There’s really no point in bringing an iPod on a flight if you also bring a toddler and no other adults to help out.
7. Single parents are never given enough credit for what they deal with.
6. Even a toddler instinctively knows family from strangers, and a shy kid can be very loving when he senses unconditional love coming his way.
5. The power of Santa knows no bounds.
Our mantra for this trip . . .
ME: What is a good boy? No . . .
C: Tweaming (Screaming)
ME: No . . .
C: Whining
ME: and No . . .
C: Twying (Crying)
ME: And Santa . . .
C: Bwing a CAH! (Brings a car)
Not sure what I will do for the next eleven months.
4. When you’re visiting the cousin’s second grade classroom, all the crayons in the world don’t mean a thing if the toddler can see the “shwingpahk” (swingpark) out the window.
3. Irrational fears will develop out of nowhere. Live with it. (We are currently on leaves. Yes, the ones on the ground during the colder months of the year. Here in California, this has extended to palm tree berries on the ground. If you know where I live, then you know that this is a VERY bad thing.)
2. A toddler will always pick a favorite among the cousins. The key is to not letting the others know. They will usually develop some kind of catch phrase or secret handshake. In our case, when he and the pre-teen do high-fives, they each tell the other, “Solid.” I don’t get it either.
1. Family is wonderful. Family is stressful. I love my parents. I like living far away from them. I miss them (and the food in New Jersey) often, but my life is here, and I love it. Someday, I will be the parent to a grown-up son. And I hope he never moves as far away from me as I have from my folks. If he does, he gets to make the pilgrimage I just made. And I will not be making such a trip again until he is at least a few years older.
5. It teaches him that plastic beans are not food. (Though his sister caught him going for a taste after I was out of the room.)
4. It encourages him to develop fine motor skills by having to pick out a “bean” from a Ziploc bag and place it on top of the “pot.”
3. It also causes him to have to be “gentle” in placing the beans, so further motor skill development occurs.
2. He learns how to take turns. Theoretically.
1. It’s fun.
Squishy C. and I just came back from a week-long trip to New Jersey where we visited family and friends. This means that he and I flew all the way there and back. I have learned a lot about parenting, and about myself, in the past week. And my son has grown immeasurably in that time as well. We live in California, where we have NO family on either side. My husband is from Scotland, where his two sisters live, and where we don’t get to visit very often. His parents are both deceased. I am from Northern New Jersey, where my parents and two of my three siblings still live. All my family (in this country, at least) is in that general region, except my brother in Oregon. Needless to say, my son is growing up almost not knowing his relatives.
So, what have we learned from our journey?
10. A toddler can vomit in his sleep on an airplane.
9. Six and a half hours is a long time to wear one diaper.
8. There’s really no point in bringing an iPod on a flight if you also bring a toddler and no other adults to help out.
7. Single parents are never given enough credit for what they deal with.
6. Even a toddler instinctively knows family from strangers, and a shy kid can be very loving when he senses unconditional love coming his way.
5. The power of Santa knows no bounds.
Our mantra for this trip . . .
ME: What is a good boy? No . . .
C: Tweaming (Screaming)
ME: No . . .
C: Whining
ME: and No . . .
C: Twying (Crying)
ME: And Santa . . .
C: Bwing a CAH! (Brings a car)
Not sure what I will do for the next eleven months.
4. When you’re visiting the cousin’s second grade classroom, all the crayons in the world don’t mean a thing if the toddler can see the “shwingpahk” (swingpark) out the window.
3. Irrational fears will develop out of nowhere. Live with it. (We are currently on leaves. Yes, the ones on the ground during the colder months of the year. Here in California, this has extended to palm tree berries on the ground. If you know where I live, then you know that this is a VERY bad thing.)
2. A toddler will always pick a favorite among the cousins. The key is to not letting the others know. They will usually develop some kind of catch phrase or secret handshake. In our case, when he and the pre-teen do high-fives, they each tell the other, “Solid.” I don’t get it either.
1. Family is wonderful. Family is stressful. I love my parents. I like living far away from them. I miss them (and the food in New Jersey) often, but my life is here, and I love it. Someday, I will be the parent to a grown-up son. And I hope he never moves as far away from me as I have from my folks. If he does, he gets to make the pilgrimage I just made. And I will not be making such a trip again until he is at least a few years older.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Pardon me, have you seen my last two weeks?
Whoa, what was THAT? Oh, that. It was just time shooting past in the blink of an eye.
Actually, there were some seriously lazy interludes in there, for which I have no excuse. But there were also some seriously good work times and stuff too.
December 3rd I went geocaching with a crew from 'round here. Almaden Quicksilver and man did my legs hurt for a week after that. But those caches put my count up to 40 finds. (Now up to 43 after a few quick ones near work last week.)
Last night, we took the kids down to see the Christmas in the Park displays in downtown San Jose. Same stuff as last year, but there is something to be said for that holiday magic. My husband and I, both being from places where snow was a reality, both remarked on how realistic the "crushed-down snow carpet mixed with dirt and pine needles" thing was working. Cameron enjoyed the choo-choos and seeing Santa through a window.
Oh, yes. The Man in Red. Third time . . . not so much a charm. This past Saturday I took Cam to see Santa for the annual picture. He stood between me and the platform, arms raised in a blocking gesture, so that even I could not approach the hallowed chair. So I sat, with him in my lap, on the platform, and Santa came and kneeled behind us for the picture. What a guy. Now Santa knows (thanks to me, since Cam went all mute like he does) that Cameron would like a car for Christmas. A toy one. He's not quite three yet.
Loving how we can use the Santa thing to our benefit, by the way. When C throws a fit (which lately is any time he's even a wee bit tired), I can ask him if he's being a good boy so Santa can bring him his car. We then go through what being a good boy means:
Mommy: "No . . . . "
Cam: "Tweeming" (screaming)
Mommy: "No . . . . "
Cam: "Whining"
Mommy: "And no . . . "
Cam: "Twying" (crying)
If it weren't so frustrating when he gets like this, it would be cute and funny, but by that point I always have a headache, and am mentally composing the Nobel Peace Prize my neighbors will want to give me for getting the kid to stop freaking out. (He's SO loud.)
So, nothing all that geeky, except the geocaching, I guess. But there's been tons at work, plus I think I hooked another geek on geocaching. Today, I was out sick. But, as I have done once before this year, I spent much of the day approving project topics (countries this time) from 6th and 7th graders via e-mail . . . and when the Gaggle.net server crapped out . . . via IM through my co-teacher.
The kids seem like they're moving forward fairly well. They seem to have come around to the idea that learning how to research, present, and cite sources of information is a necessary skill. Some kids have already done their re-take of the online MS Word quiz, and the overall average went from 78% to 79% after the first of three nights of re-take opportunities.
Life is good. Pizza and lasagna in New Jersey is better. That's next week. Little C and I board a plane Saturday night for a week with my family back East. And my brother will be letting us get a close-up look at a fire truck, so C is sold.
All right. Sleep would be nice.
I promise to be more geeky and edu-tech next time.
Actually, there were some seriously lazy interludes in there, for which I have no excuse. But there were also some seriously good work times and stuff too.
December 3rd I went geocaching with a crew from 'round here. Almaden Quicksilver and man did my legs hurt for a week after that. But those caches put my count up to 40 finds. (Now up to 43 after a few quick ones near work last week.)
Last night, we took the kids down to see the Christmas in the Park displays in downtown San Jose. Same stuff as last year, but there is something to be said for that holiday magic. My husband and I, both being from places where snow was a reality, both remarked on how realistic the "crushed-down snow carpet mixed with dirt and pine needles" thing was working. Cameron enjoyed the choo-choos and seeing Santa through a window.
Oh, yes. The Man in Red. Third time . . . not so much a charm. This past Saturday I took Cam to see Santa for the annual picture. He stood between me and the platform, arms raised in a blocking gesture, so that even I could not approach the hallowed chair. So I sat, with him in my lap, on the platform, and Santa came and kneeled behind us for the picture. What a guy. Now Santa knows (thanks to me, since Cam went all mute like he does) that Cameron would like a car for Christmas. A toy one. He's not quite three yet.
Loving how we can use the Santa thing to our benefit, by the way. When C throws a fit (which lately is any time he's even a wee bit tired), I can ask him if he's being a good boy so Santa can bring him his car. We then go through what being a good boy means:
Mommy: "No . . . . "
Cam: "Tweeming" (screaming)
Mommy: "No . . . . "
Cam: "Whining"
Mommy: "And no . . . "
Cam: "Twying" (crying)
If it weren't so frustrating when he gets like this, it would be cute and funny, but by that point I always have a headache, and am mentally composing the Nobel Peace Prize my neighbors will want to give me for getting the kid to stop freaking out. (He's SO loud.)
So, nothing all that geeky, except the geocaching, I guess. But there's been tons at work, plus I think I hooked another geek on geocaching. Today, I was out sick. But, as I have done once before this year, I spent much of the day approving project topics (countries this time) from 6th and 7th graders via e-mail . . . and when the Gaggle.net server crapped out . . . via IM through my co-teacher.
The kids seem like they're moving forward fairly well. They seem to have come around to the idea that learning how to research, present, and cite sources of information is a necessary skill. Some kids have already done their re-take of the online MS Word quiz, and the overall average went from 78% to 79% after the first of three nights of re-take opportunities.
Life is good. Pizza and lasagna in New Jersey is better. That's next week. Little C and I board a plane Saturday night for a week with my family back East. And my brother will be letting us get a close-up look at a fire truck, so C is sold.
All right. Sleep would be nice.
I promise to be more geeky and edu-tech next time.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Kudos Ain't Just a Cereal Bar
Today was a very enlightening day.
First of all, I have to give a big shout out and mega props to my girl N.J. (not the state, the person) for getting Flash on all the computers in my lab between Tuesday (when we discovered our Flash-less situation) and today (when we got over 150 kids to take the online Microsoft Word quiz on Quia). She did this on top of putting out a humongous "fire" caused by what may have been a complete failure of the school's web and mail server(s). (I never did quite catch exactly what happened.) She is my hero of the week.
Now, about that quiz . . . . .
Okay, so SOME of the kids could not remember their usernames for Quia. (You know, the ones they set up themselves amidst warnings that I would not know their usernames?) EVEN THOUGH I told them on Tuesday to come to class today knowing them. And I could tell some of the kids did not STUDY, as I had politely requested they do.
But overall, they were amazing, considering that bandwidth issues meant that only a dozen or so kids could be taking the quiz at once, and the quiz kept acting freaky under even those circumstances. (They had 25 minutes, and the period is just under 50 minutes in duration, so a bit of juggling and rescheduling during study hall was required.) And, being the sweet creature that I am, I am giving them another chance to re-take from home if they make a request in writing and fill in a simple form so I know their parents know what's up. I like to make sure I cover myself, ya know?
Speaking of parents, during this somewhat stressful, action-packed day, my superintendent IMed me (we go full-on geek at our school) with two compliments (from parents) that were gleaned from a recent parent satisfaction survey. I don't remember the exact wording, but they both mentioned me by name, and one said they liked how I was challenging the students while the other one said they liked what I was teaching the kids in our classes.
I don't know if these parents have children in middle school or elementary (or perhaps both), but this was a clear affirmation in a time of considerable self-doubt.
Kids being kids, they do goofy stuff and DON'T do what I ask . . . regularly. It's easy to become discouraged, especially in this period of major change from how we've always done things. (Well, not ALWAYS, but recent memory for current students, at least.) The O.G. admits that she feels down from time to time.
But this news, gleefully interjected into a day when my co-teacher and I glared at one another with that "I could just . . . . . . argh! that kid!!!" look FAR too many times, came as a welcome surprise and a little reward. So often, in teaching, we don't find out the true rewards until much later, if ever. And, of course, they don't show up in that envelope on the 15th and the 30th. So I take what I can get.
Hey, today was payday too. Cha-ching. Double bonus.
First of all, I have to give a big shout out and mega props to my girl N.J. (not the state, the person) for getting Flash on all the computers in my lab between Tuesday (when we discovered our Flash-less situation) and today (when we got over 150 kids to take the online Microsoft Word quiz on Quia). She did this on top of putting out a humongous "fire" caused by what may have been a complete failure of the school's web and mail server(s). (I never did quite catch exactly what happened.) She is my hero of the week.
Now, about that quiz . . . . .
Okay, so SOME of the kids could not remember their usernames for Quia. (You know, the ones they set up themselves amidst warnings that I would not know their usernames?) EVEN THOUGH I told them on Tuesday to come to class today knowing them. And I could tell some of the kids did not STUDY, as I had politely requested they do.
But overall, they were amazing, considering that bandwidth issues meant that only a dozen or so kids could be taking the quiz at once, and the quiz kept acting freaky under even those circumstances. (They had 25 minutes, and the period is just under 50 minutes in duration, so a bit of juggling and rescheduling during study hall was required.) And, being the sweet creature that I am, I am giving them another chance to re-take from home if they make a request in writing and fill in a simple form so I know their parents know what's up. I like to make sure I cover myself, ya know?
Speaking of parents, during this somewhat stressful, action-packed day, my superintendent IMed me (we go full-on geek at our school) with two compliments (from parents) that were gleaned from a recent parent satisfaction survey. I don't remember the exact wording, but they both mentioned me by name, and one said they liked how I was challenging the students while the other one said they liked what I was teaching the kids in our classes.
I don't know if these parents have children in middle school or elementary (or perhaps both), but this was a clear affirmation in a time of considerable self-doubt.
Kids being kids, they do goofy stuff and DON'T do what I ask . . . regularly. It's easy to become discouraged, especially in this period of major change from how we've always done things. (Well, not ALWAYS, but recent memory for current students, at least.) The O.G. admits that she feels down from time to time.
But this news, gleefully interjected into a day when my co-teacher and I glared at one another with that "I could just . . . . . . argh! that kid!!!" look FAR too many times, came as a welcome surprise and a little reward. So often, in teaching, we don't find out the true rewards until much later, if ever. And, of course, they don't show up in that envelope on the 15th and the 30th. So I take what I can get.
Hey, today was payday too. Cha-ching. Double bonus.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Five Days have passed
I'm up to 29 geocaches found.
But that's not the purpose of this blog.
This week, I need to finalize my Google Certified Teacher Action Plan of Professional Development activities I will be doing the remainder of this school year. Middle schoolers are finishing up (I hope) their Charts & Graphs assignments using Excel and Word. They also have an online (Quia) quiz on MS Word this week. First and second graders have finished up their PowerPoint slides (for their class ABC books) and I just need to make the remaining slides, consolidate them, post them online, and give them to the teachers on CD-ROMs. With instructions. Meanwhile, the 3rd-5th graders are working away at their PowerPoint presentations based on social studies related research.
[sigh]
But I have reached that weird feeling already. Maybe you know what I am talking about. It's that "okay, when does summer get here?" itch. It's not that I am not enjoying my job this year . . . I am, immensely in fact. But I feel something else calling to me. Maybe it's because I have a trip back East coming up with my son, and that has had me thinking a lot about how to handle his new-found Terrible Twos (at just under age three!) on the plane and so forth. Or maybe it's my new geocaching hobby. Or maybe it's the Google Teacher Academy stuff. Or maybe it's my busy family life. Or maybe it's the lure of my summer job for 2007. (I so LOVED my 2006 summer gig.)
I guess this is what my colleagues mean when they tell me I'm ADD. I always want to be discovering, creating, imagining. But never grading. Or looking back. Or sitting still. (Unless I am chained to my laptop.)
But I do like sleeping in. Especially when I stay up late as I have been a lot lately.
This is when I start to feel more like a digital native than an immigrant. My family doesn't get it. Most of my colleagues don't get it. They can't even believe I answer IMs from kids when I am not at work. (It saves me time in the long run, believe me.)
Am I a good teacher, though? Does all this hyperactivity and ability to relate to my students count for much? I like to think it does, but I think I am biased.
Ah well, I suppose I need to sleep on it and think about it some more. But I sometimes wonder about a slight career change . . . . . .
But that's not the purpose of this blog.
This week, I need to finalize my Google Certified Teacher Action Plan of Professional Development activities I will be doing the remainder of this school year. Middle schoolers are finishing up (I hope) their Charts & Graphs assignments using Excel and Word. They also have an online (Quia) quiz on MS Word this week. First and second graders have finished up their PowerPoint slides (for their class ABC books) and I just need to make the remaining slides, consolidate them, post them online, and give them to the teachers on CD-ROMs. With instructions. Meanwhile, the 3rd-5th graders are working away at their PowerPoint presentations based on social studies related research.
[sigh]
But I have reached that weird feeling already. Maybe you know what I am talking about. It's that "okay, when does summer get here?" itch. It's not that I am not enjoying my job this year . . . I am, immensely in fact. But I feel something else calling to me. Maybe it's because I have a trip back East coming up with my son, and that has had me thinking a lot about how to handle his new-found Terrible Twos (at just under age three!) on the plane and so forth. Or maybe it's my new geocaching hobby. Or maybe it's the Google Teacher Academy stuff. Or maybe it's my busy family life. Or maybe it's the lure of my summer job for 2007. (I so LOVED my 2006 summer gig.)
I guess this is what my colleagues mean when they tell me I'm ADD. I always want to be discovering, creating, imagining. But never grading. Or looking back. Or sitting still. (Unless I am chained to my laptop.)
But I do like sleeping in. Especially when I stay up late as I have been a lot lately.
This is when I start to feel more like a digital native than an immigrant. My family doesn't get it. Most of my colleagues don't get it. They can't even believe I answer IMs from kids when I am not at work. (It saves me time in the long run, believe me.)
Am I a good teacher, though? Does all this hyperactivity and ability to relate to my students count for much? I like to think it does, but I think I am biased.
Ah well, I suppose I need to sleep on it and think about it some more. But I sometimes wonder about a slight career change . . . . . .
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The things that keep me up at night!
So, last night I was working on the handout of a project for my technology students. This is sort of a reward project for how hard they've been working on their big spreadsheet and graphing project. I did the project myself, using a 14 oz. bag of M&Ms, and then started making the Word document (which I will later post as a PDF for the kids to view).
Problem is, the image files from my digital camera are so big that it was taking FOREVER to get them to behave in Word the way I wanted them to.
Enter iMovie. I love iMovie. Have I mentioned how much I love iMovie?
I decided, at some time after midnight, that it would just be faster to make a video. So here it is.
I hope you like it. You'll need QuickTime installed, preferably the most recent version.
Problem is, the image files from my digital camera are so big that it was taking FOREVER to get them to behave in Word the way I wanted them to.
Enter iMovie. I love iMovie. Have I mentioned how much I love iMovie?
I decided, at some time after midnight, that it would just be faster to make a video. So here it is.
I hope you like it. You'll need QuickTime installed, preferably the most recent version.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
A rather reflective O.G.
Okay, so, I suppose I come off as a bit caustic and sarcastic in my writing. Two different people whose opinions I respect commented on that.
Hmm.
In other news, my son (now GeoTykeCSM) and I did some geocaching today. He doesn't really get it, since he's only turning three in a couple of months, but he DOES get that we found (and played on) some new swingparks today. Is "swingpark" a word used here in the States? Living with foreigners, I sometimes lose track of terminology.
I am now up to sixteen finds, but I did a lot of snooping of caches I could not get to with Cammy. I will have to go back for those, some under cover of darkness or if it rains soon on a day when I have time, that would be even better.
As for how I feel about the state of education and technology and all that stuff . . . I am still ripe with fervor, but feeling a little subdued just now. The O.G. is getting O.L.D.
Hmm.
In other news, my son (now GeoTykeCSM) and I did some geocaching today. He doesn't really get it, since he's only turning three in a couple of months, but he DOES get that we found (and played on) some new swingparks today. Is "swingpark" a word used here in the States? Living with foreigners, I sometimes lose track of terminology.
I am now up to sixteen finds, but I did a lot of snooping of caches I could not get to with Cammy. I will have to go back for those, some under cover of darkness or if it rains soon on a day when I have time, that would be even better.
As for how I feel about the state of education and technology and all that stuff . . . I am still ripe with fervor, but feeling a little subdued just now. The O.G. is getting O.L.D.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Show some LOVE!
Oh. I forgot to mention this.
If you read my blog, and you think that I'm not talking complete and utter drivel, show me some love by leaving a comment to let me know you were here.
But if you don't, it's okay. I'm getting used to talking to myself.
If you read my blog, and you think that I'm not talking complete and utter drivel, show me some love by leaving a comment to let me know you were here.
But if you don't, it's okay. I'm getting used to talking to myself.
"To Infinity and BEYOND . . . . . "
I'm up to twelve geocaches found, and I have hooked my co-worker, henceforth known as "Hot2Spot," into my little geeky world.
But in other news . . . .
I have been thinking lately about how things are going at my school. We have done this massive overhaul of the computer technology curriculum. Our projects are real-world type tasks, and they really challenge the kids to rise to new heights in their knowledge and skills. We integrate academic content from their "regular" classrooms into the projects. (Maybe someday, the teachers can trust this program enough to "hand over" some of their standards to us completely, thus freeing themselves up some time to cover the rest of it even better . . . or, dare I think it? . . . try something new?!?!)
Okay, my use of the ellipse is getting out of hand now.
The elementary kids (grades one through five) and their teachers are really loving how we've kicked it up a notch. The middle school students . . . (another ellipse, I know) . . . (ooh!) well, they're not so happy. We're making them think. We're forcing them to stretch. We're demanding that they learn. And learn they DO. But they do it grudgingly. In true middle schooler fashion.
And, you know, I can handle that. I have spent the past six years saying "read . . . AND FOLLOW . . . ALL the directions!!!" so often that I should trademark it and start collecting royalties from everyone else who ever says it. I know that we can only lead them to water. Even if we dunk their heads and hold them in there, those little ponies ain't drinkin'.
[sigh] -- really. I DID sigh.
Today I demonstrated for the third time how to do certain tricky steps. One of the kids who came away from the first trimester with a D on his report card in my class is reading his e-mail while I teach, right in front of me. Another, who failed the major assessment for the first trimester, is staring at his (blank) screen instead of even glancing in the direction of me and the demo projection screen. This was also within a stone's throw. (Don't ask me how I know.)
It's as if they're staging a silent protest: "You can't MAKE me become 21st Century Information Literate." Not their exact words, of course, but you get the idea. At least the protest has become mostly silent. Before it was more along the lines of, "How come we have REAL WORK to do in this class this year?" and "I liked it better when we only had a few easy projects!"
Most of the parents I have spoken to are on my side. Of course, there are the seething minority who still want me dead. (And this in a Christian school!) But the kids listen to their parents even less than they listen to me.
I think it may be that my students are spoiled. A majority of them are rather over-privileged. Quite a few of them have bedroom furniture and accessories worth more than my car. (Which isn't saying much, I guess, considering it's a 1997 Corolla.)
Eventually, there will come a point when they realize that the truly important things in life are the ones that Mommy and Daddy cannot buy for them. Independence. Responsibility. Pride in one's work. Humility. Thirst for knowledge. Respect for self and others. Self-reliance.
When that day comes, I shall be vindicated. Let's hope I'm still around to see it. At the rate they're going, it'll happen when they retire. And since I'll never be able to afford to retire, I will have long since perished, either perched over my keyboard or propped up in front of the whiteboard/projection screen, colorful dry-erase marker tightly gripped in my cold, geriatric claws. Of course, if it's far into the future, maybe the technology will have changed in schools by then. Or it could be next week at the rate these kids are taking years off my life with their whining.
Okay, enough about that. Whenever I get on this particular soapbox, I feel my bit about how little I get paid coming on. THAT's never good. Hint: Don't ever ask me why I am not pursuing my Master's degree. It's not a pretty sight.
But in other news . . . .
I have been thinking lately about how things are going at my school. We have done this massive overhaul of the computer technology curriculum. Our projects are real-world type tasks, and they really challenge the kids to rise to new heights in their knowledge and skills. We integrate academic content from their "regular" classrooms into the projects. (Maybe someday, the teachers can trust this program enough to "hand over" some of their standards to us completely, thus freeing themselves up some time to cover the rest of it even better . . . or, dare I think it? . . . try something new?!?!)
Okay, my use of the ellipse is getting out of hand now.
The elementary kids (grades one through five) and their teachers are really loving how we've kicked it up a notch. The middle school students . . . (another ellipse, I know) . . . (ooh!) well, they're not so happy. We're making them think. We're forcing them to stretch. We're demanding that they learn. And learn they DO. But they do it grudgingly. In true middle schooler fashion.
And, you know, I can handle that. I have spent the past six years saying "read . . . AND FOLLOW . . . ALL the directions!!!" so often that I should trademark it and start collecting royalties from everyone else who ever says it. I know that we can only lead them to water. Even if we dunk their heads and hold them in there, those little ponies ain't drinkin'.
[sigh] -- really. I DID sigh.
Today I demonstrated for the third time how to do certain tricky steps. One of the kids who came away from the first trimester with a D on his report card in my class is reading his e-mail while I teach, right in front of me. Another, who failed the major assessment for the first trimester, is staring at his (blank) screen instead of even glancing in the direction of me and the demo projection screen. This was also within a stone's throw. (Don't ask me how I know.)
It's as if they're staging a silent protest: "You can't MAKE me become 21st Century Information Literate." Not their exact words, of course, but you get the idea. At least the protest has become mostly silent. Before it was more along the lines of, "How come we have REAL WORK to do in this class this year?" and "I liked it better when we only had a few easy projects!"
Most of the parents I have spoken to are on my side. Of course, there are the seething minority who still want me dead. (And this in a Christian school!) But the kids listen to their parents even less than they listen to me.
I think it may be that my students are spoiled. A majority of them are rather over-privileged. Quite a few of them have bedroom furniture and accessories worth more than my car. (Which isn't saying much, I guess, considering it's a 1997 Corolla.)
Eventually, there will come a point when they realize that the truly important things in life are the ones that Mommy and Daddy cannot buy for them. Independence. Responsibility. Pride in one's work. Humility. Thirst for knowledge. Respect for self and others. Self-reliance.
When that day comes, I shall be vindicated. Let's hope I'm still around to see it. At the rate they're going, it'll happen when they retire. And since I'll never be able to afford to retire, I will have long since perished, either perched over my keyboard or propped up in front of the whiteboard/projection screen, colorful dry-erase marker tightly gripped in my cold, geriatric claws. Of course, if it's far into the future, maybe the technology will have changed in schools by then. Or it could be next week at the rate these kids are taking years off my life with their whining.
Okay, enough about that. Whenever I get on this particular soapbox, I feel my bit about how little I get paid coming on. THAT's never good. Hint: Don't ever ask me why I am not pursuing my Master's degree. It's not a pretty sight.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
The Appeal of Geek-oh-caching
And, of course, you know I mean that in an honorable way, being the O.G. myself.
I am beginning to get an idea for why geocaching appeals to me. (Five finds under my belt, and I don't even have a GPS receiver yet, by the way . . . but I'm not bragging.)
It's been a while since I have made a top ten list . . . you'd have to catch my old blog on LiveJournal to see a few of those . . . so maybe I'll give it a try and see how it goes.
Top Ten Reasons Geocaching Appeals To Me:
10. There's the obvious geek factor. Gadgets, Internet, and figuring stuff out. Need I say more?
9. Getting outdoors. I want more of that in my life. Even if it means going out in the rain.
8. Exercise. Ever since I had my son, I have not been able to afford that special time and finance combination that Curves required of me. (The ONLY thing that has ever helped me get in shape and lose weight.)
7. Along the lines of exercise and fitness, I have not really told a lot of people about my cholesterol. Maybe that's because I want the medication to do the work for me, and I am overdue for a follow-up visit and the requisite blood tests. Geocaching's got to be good for my cholesterol (darn those low HDLs), as long as I don't eat TOO much pizza. I hear there's a lot of that where ever geocachers gather.
6. Ever since those days of playing "Indiana Jones and the Nature Trail" on the hillside at Wallington Park (NJ), I have always had a secret side of me that longed to don the fedora and whip. I'll go with my normal clothes, but I'll be wearing the Indy gear in my heart.
5. As I traipsed about in the rain the other day, in these lonely San Jose streets, I could not help but feel like a secret agent or master of espionage as I lurked about, watching cache spots, waiting for the muggles to move on so I could move in for the kill. I also kind of looked homeless. Negative appeal points for that. Forget I mentioned it.
4. It kind of bugs my husband.
3. It's something I can do with the kids. In fact, Alison has already accompanied me twice and Cameron once. A was with me when I logged my first find. She has since discovered that a kid she knows at school does it. So does the lady she helps out down the street. Apparently, these people are everywhere, posing as normal.
2. It's like this counter-culture . . . or would that be subculture . . . that you don't have to hurt anyone or break the law to join. I might even make a few friends, virtual or otherwise.
1. Okay, this would not be an education blog if I didn't tie it all in somehow. I can REALLY see doing this with kids from school. Middle schoolers, of course. And parent volunteers. What a great excuse . . . I mean REASON . . . to apply for technology funds. I think we would go with an after-school club at first, then maybe see about making it the 8th grade technology class curriculum, maybe at least for one trimester? Well, if we still have mixed classes of 7th and 8th graders in the future, that won't work. But we can think of something. Maybe a tie-in with P.E., since that is what the kids have the other three days of the week during the same period they have tech class. Anyway, it's math, science, history, and geography . . . plus P.E. of course, all rolled in to one fun sport. So I guess even the O.G. will be learning plenty.
And that's gotta be a good thing.
I am beginning to get an idea for why geocaching appeals to me. (Five finds under my belt, and I don't even have a GPS receiver yet, by the way . . . but I'm not bragging.)
It's been a while since I have made a top ten list . . . you'd have to catch my old blog on LiveJournal to see a few of those . . . so maybe I'll give it a try and see how it goes.
Top Ten Reasons Geocaching Appeals To Me:
10. There's the obvious geek factor. Gadgets, Internet, and figuring stuff out. Need I say more?
9. Getting outdoors. I want more of that in my life. Even if it means going out in the rain.
8. Exercise. Ever since I had my son, I have not been able to afford that special time and finance combination that Curves required of me. (The ONLY thing that has ever helped me get in shape and lose weight.)
7. Along the lines of exercise and fitness, I have not really told a lot of people about my cholesterol. Maybe that's because I want the medication to do the work for me, and I am overdue for a follow-up visit and the requisite blood tests. Geocaching's got to be good for my cholesterol (darn those low HDLs), as long as I don't eat TOO much pizza. I hear there's a lot of that where ever geocachers gather.
6. Ever since those days of playing "Indiana Jones and the Nature Trail" on the hillside at Wallington Park (NJ), I have always had a secret side of me that longed to don the fedora and whip. I'll go with my normal clothes, but I'll be wearing the Indy gear in my heart.
5. As I traipsed about in the rain the other day, in these lonely San Jose streets, I could not help but feel like a secret agent or master of espionage as I lurked about, watching cache spots, waiting for the muggles to move on so I could move in for the kill. I also kind of looked homeless. Negative appeal points for that. Forget I mentioned it.
4. It kind of bugs my husband.
3. It's something I can do with the kids. In fact, Alison has already accompanied me twice and Cameron once. A was with me when I logged my first find. She has since discovered that a kid she knows at school does it. So does the lady she helps out down the street. Apparently, these people are everywhere, posing as normal.
2. It's like this counter-culture . . . or would that be subculture . . . that you don't have to hurt anyone or break the law to join. I might even make a few friends, virtual or otherwise.
1. Okay, this would not be an education blog if I didn't tie it all in somehow. I can REALLY see doing this with kids from school. Middle schoolers, of course. And parent volunteers. What a great excuse . . . I mean REASON . . . to apply for technology funds. I think we would go with an after-school club at first, then maybe see about making it the 8th grade technology class curriculum, maybe at least for one trimester? Well, if we still have mixed classes of 7th and 8th graders in the future, that won't work. But we can think of something. Maybe a tie-in with P.E., since that is what the kids have the other three days of the week during the same period they have tech class. Anyway, it's math, science, history, and geography . . . plus P.E. of course, all rolled in to one fun sport. So I guess even the O.G. will be learning plenty.
And that's gotta be a good thing.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Feeling the need to expand my Geekulosity . . .
I spent a lot of time yesterday reading about geocaching. I really want to try it. But before I shell out for a GPS unit, I think I will hunt down a few of the caches in my area just based on what is listed on the site.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about, just one weekend day's worth of research on geocaching.com oughta be enough to get you caught up. There are already so many other geocachers around here.
Of course, I have to get past my husband's instant reaction that these people must be weirdos with no lives. It may not help that he was somewhat anonymously mentioned ("a soccer coach was setting up for some afternoon drills practice" or something like that) in a log about a cache at a park where he frequently works near here. He said to me, "I think I saw those two women that day. I thought they looked odd."
Well, I would love to get my family involved. It could get us outdoors more, doing things as a family. Almaden Quicksilver Park, where my husband and step-daughter go hiking from time to time, has LOTS of caches just waiting for me.
And I want to see if I can get my students (and parent volunteers) involved in this too. Wouldn't it make a nice change for them to spend a few minutes online, then a few hours outdoors, hunting down the stuff they learned about online? And learning longitude and latitude in a practical sense, using GPS, would be a side benefit. All those years of teaching it in fifth grade only to have them lose their grasp of it within a few weeks . . . . . .
So I am off, in a few minutes, with my toddler in tow, to hunt down a cache hidden right here in our own neighborhood. Wish me luck!
Anyone reading this already into geocaching? Would love to talk to you!
If you have no idea what I'm talking about, just one weekend day's worth of research on geocaching.com oughta be enough to get you caught up. There are already so many other geocachers around here.
Of course, I have to get past my husband's instant reaction that these people must be weirdos with no lives. It may not help that he was somewhat anonymously mentioned ("a soccer coach was setting up for some afternoon drills practice" or something like that) in a log about a cache at a park where he frequently works near here. He said to me, "I think I saw those two women that day. I thought they looked odd."
Well, I would love to get my family involved. It could get us outdoors more, doing things as a family. Almaden Quicksilver Park, where my husband and step-daughter go hiking from time to time, has LOTS of caches just waiting for me.
And I want to see if I can get my students (and parent volunteers) involved in this too. Wouldn't it make a nice change for them to spend a few minutes online, then a few hours outdoors, hunting down the stuff they learned about online? And learning longitude and latitude in a practical sense, using GPS, would be a side benefit. All those years of teaching it in fifth grade only to have them lose their grasp of it within a few weeks . . . . . .
So I am off, in a few minutes, with my toddler in tow, to hunt down a cache hidden right here in our own neighborhood. Wish me luck!
Anyone reading this already into geocaching? Would love to talk to you!
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