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"The time has come, the Walrus said, to speak of many things..."
January 2008 - Posts
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Next week I’ll be using the following in preparation for The Great Gatsby in my College in the H.S. course: The Cotton Club clip
Eight Men Out clip
Izzy and Moe clip
The History of Jazz clip
“I’m a Fool” by Sherwood Anderson
“Bernice Read More...
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I had 155 students in five classes this semester, and I only had three students earn an ‘F’ grade. It feels great!
I have wrestling districts this weekend, so I will try and post some ideas I have on another topic tonight before I leave town. Read More...
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This morning, during finals mind you, the teaching staff was mandated to attend a staff meeting concluding 15 minutes prior to the first final of the day. We sat down, already grumpy since our time is crunched because of a special schedule we use for Read More...
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I posted recently that I don’t have a set of class rules, and a responder wondered how I go without rules.
This may sound overly simple, but I tell my (high school) students that I only create rules if we need to have them. We only have them in Read More...
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I finished the final grades in two of my classes, and for the first time ever, not one of my senior Mythology and Writing students failed the class. I know that sounds odd, and I’m not sure if it’s more of a commentary about my current or Read More...
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I will blog again tomorrow, but I got home late and am tuckered! Good night and good luck to me tomorrow with the first day of finals. Read More...
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Hyperviolent and excessively gory. That is exactly how I would describe the new Rambo movie. I can’t say I’m altogether shocked; however, I did have one surprise while watching this brainless, Stallone-created ego trip: kids were in the theater! Read More...
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Last night I attended some birthday bashes and, of course when a group of teachers get together, the conversation eventually leads back to teaching. One of the gang asked me why my year has been so successful, so I explained my new philosophy on grading. Read More...
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This is one of my favorite lessons of the year in American Literature. Here goes:
1. I have everyone pull out a single sheet of paper and a pen or pencil and then pull up the screen revealing the question “What is an American?” The students Read More...
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Recently, I sat down with one of our counselors and discussed the numerous reasons for so many freshman failures and failures in general. Of course, the normal reasons sprang up: student apathy, teacher ineffectiveness, absences, disconnections from school, Read More...
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Why do so many states create their own state test?
I’d love to see every state use the ACT and SAT with every high school student. Maybe each state could divert the funds currently used for their own state tests to pay for all students to take one Read More...
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At my school we don’t allow pop to be sold until a certain time during the day (1 or 2 pm) because of the rise of child obesity, the increasing ingestion of caffeine, and the higher rates of childhood diabetes among other health concerns. Of course, Read More...
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I’m not one who generally feels sorry for the current administrative team, and that is obviously my bias, but I did feel somewhat bad for them last week. Until the proverbial foot entered the mouth.
My school had a huge (no, gigantic would be more Read More...
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Recently, I have been discussing The Red Badge of Courage with my College in the H.S. class, and we focused for a day on the way the protagonist, Henry Fleming, begins to realize his insignificance in the face of the universe. Fleming does not really Read More...
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I have a fantastic week ahead.
In my American Literature course we are finishing Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” and “The Raven.” Then the students get to finish their final projects, which they created for themselves. Read More...
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Currently my school is looking to create an intervention system which exists during the school day. The requirements we must meet are: it must occur during the day, must not require any new cost, and must not require any new staff. Tough restrictions, Read More...
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I decided to clean off the shelves in my room of older material, and I realized just how many conferences, trainings, and other professional development sessions I’ve attended. I must have put 20-25 thick binders into boxes and over 150 files into Read More...
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On Monday and Tuesday we’re going to watch Star Wars and Mythology produced by The History Channel. I think the kids will be excited to see how the patterns, structures, and archetypes used in Greek/Roman and Norse mythology are still being used Read More...
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The other day I posted about allowing my students to choose their final projects for The Princess Bride, and it looks to be a success. Once I gave the students the option of another thesis paper or their own project, they immediately jumped into groups Read More...
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I love Netflix! The flexibility of the system and the variety available allows me to explore new releases and older programs I missed the first time around.
Right now, I am having a fabulously wonderful time watching the 90s sci-fi television series Babylon Read More...
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One of my absolute favorite stress reducers is taking my current bubble-gum novel (you know, the ones you can chew on and then spit out at any time), sitting in a quiet spot in a restaurant, and then reading my book. A quiet meal with a good story is Read More...
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I read an article the other day stating that teachers are not necessarily motivated by money to switch schools and to work in at-risk schools. One researcher stated that a 48% pay increase would be needed to spur teachers to switch schools.
I’m Read More...
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I stumbled upon a piece of information from a fellow colleague that our finals schedule may be changed despite finals being a couple weeks away. I guess a meeting for department heads is scheduled for tomorrow to discuss the issue. The rationale for the Read More...
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This week we’re beginning two novels I enjoy teaching: The Red Badge of Courage and The Princess Bride. Plus, the kids can easily relate to these two tales, and here’s a very brief summary of how I teach them thematically.
With Crane’s Read More...
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According to the latest national education statistics:
Washington now ranks 46th in class size.
Washington is now 45th in per-pupil spending.
Yikes! We’re getting worse. Read More...
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I’m thinking about giving my students a choice with their final novel projects. The students may compose a second literary analysis paper, or they may create an alternative project which incorporates an analysis and a visual. They will have to decide Read More...
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I’m not teaching as well as I should want to right now. I’m just going to throw out my frustrations in a venting session and call it good. Catharsis time.
1. My classes are just too large! My smallest class has thirty kids, and all of my courses Read More...
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Ok, before you read this post, I’m going to admit freely that this issue is one which brings out my snarky and biased side.
A writer with the News Tribune advocates higher pay for math and science teachers to lure better and new teachers to the Read More...
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