February 2012
36 posts
Google-Trained Minds Can't Deal with Terrible... →
visualturn:
infoneer-pulse:
College and university librarians are concerned about students’ search skills, and no wonder:
At Illinois Wesleyan University, “The majority of students — of all levels — exhibited significant difficulties that ranged across nearly every aspect of the search process,” according to researchers there. They tended to overuse Google and misuse scholarly databases....
Why grading takes me so long:
compositional:
mllehazelwood:
Read a page.
Shake my damn head.
Sit in disbelief that someone thought this was good.
Check the internet to clear up my head.
Finish reading paper.
Craft a long letter to the student (average of 400 words) where I try to find something to praise and yet ultimately tell them why this is not good.
Shake my head. They won’t even take the time to read my letter.
...
Second Tragedy
diaryofafyt:
A senior just came running into my room in tears. Did you hear about _________? She died this morning!!!
A senior student of ours was admitted to the ER last night for mono and died this morning. Two student deaths in four days. This is unthinkable. I do not want to be a teacher today.
Nothing prepares a teacher for this. There was a shooting near my school earlier this year. One...
“One of the simplest and most effective rewards for good behaviour is the...”
–
Stop ignoring good behaviour!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/2012/feb/27/behaviour-management-teaching-strategy?CMP=twt_gu
(via englishteacheronline)
I love this. I know it’s intended for younger kids, but several of my freshmen deserve the recognition. Unfortunately, positive...
1 tag
Break is over. Stress remains.
I realize most schools don’t get a week off in February. I don’t know why it’s commonplace in the Bay Area, especially since I grew up three hours from here and we didn’t get a week off in February.
However, I’ll take it. The last few weeks have been so stressful, and the break was so nice. I ended up enjoying Disneyland once we slept for a while, and we got to see...
6 tags
Hero's Journey flash activity: filed under rad... →
Using this flash interactive website, students can either fill in the journey of an existing hero, or create their own hero. For each element they fill in (trials, the mentor, etc.), the website explains that element of the journey and gives examples from popular stories like Star Wars, The Lion King, and King Arthur.
The only bummer is the computer the student is using must be hooked up to a...
“When you’re scientifically literate, the world looks different to you. It’s a...”
– If I Were President… - Neil deGrasse Tyson (via photosynthesizinghappiness)
Ladies, have you ever used a hair straightener to...
ohmuffins:
Ladies, back me up here.
You have. Haven’t you?
I absolutely have. :)
2 tags
I know I should be excited about Disneyland
But I’m really just tired and want to enjoy my break by relaxing at home.
Teaching has literally sucked the life out of me this month.
3 tags
Firsts this week
- Cried. On my way to work.
- Anxiety attack during lunch that made me consider finding an sub and going home.
- Felt job security. Was called “indispensable” by my principal.
- The period that was once my headache period won the competition among all four of my English classes. Also, they made my freaking day today, despite aforementioned anxiety attack. I now adore them, and I...
3 tags
Tucson Schools Ban Chicano and Native American... →
girlwithalessonplan:
bettyinthebush:
Because they want to avoid teaching about “race, oppression, and ethicity.”
OH AND THEY BANNED “THE TEMPEST,” TOO.
It’s ON, Arizona!
(UCWIDT? ”Lost” is heavy on “Tempest” metaphors. And I feel like slapping people. Heeeheehee….)
What. The. Fuck. Arizona. This makes me angry. How dare a state deprive a large population of children the...
We are Just Getting Started...: A Teacher's Day is... →
texasfirstyearteacher:
What kills me is that it’s not the actual teaching part of my job that is stressing me out. I love, love, love that part of my job. But adding in all of the little things like a presentation every few weeks, different random duties and responsibilities, 3-4 meetings…
OMG YES. This has been my biggest complaint the last couple of weeks. The only time I haven’t...
Me: Hi! It's (me) - is this (parent)?
Parent: Uh huh...
Me: I just wanted to let you know that your son had a really great day at school today.
Parent: OH PRAISE JESUS
2 tags
4 tags
“Kids will work hard to learn, because they are naturally curious. When we...”
– 10 Reasons Why Most Tests Lead to Lower Standards
http://www.educationrethink.com/2012/02/10-reasons-why-most-tests-lead-to-lower.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JohnSpencersBlog+%28Education+Rethink%29 (via englishteacheronline)
3 tags
It's very possible
I’ve been watching Pit Bulls and Parolees all morning instead of grading.
It’s possible I am PMSing and unusually moody and don’t give one crap that work isn’t getting done.
3 tags
Things that should be happening
- Hubby and I should be grading papers.
Things that are happening
- Hubby, pup, and I are on couch watching Family Guy.
- Hubby and I are contemplating going to bed at 8:30.
3 tags
Wasted sub day
Most teachers I know agree that it’s more work to prep for a sub than it is to just be in the classroom ourselves. Teachers in my department have agreed to meet after school to work on mandated projects instead of taking a day away from the classroom.
So when I was offered to attend a training, I was hesitant. It’s something I definitely want to be trained in though, so I said yes. I...
“Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the...”
– The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals • On today’s 2-1 panel ruling, which overturned California’s gay marriage ban on constitutional grounds. This is a validation of a previous ruling against Proposition 8 back in August 2010, made by now retired Judge Vaughn Walker. ProtectMarriage, the group that...
4 tags
So not ready
for Monday.
6 tags
Testing the theory
that the best time to go shopping on a Sunday is during the Super Bowl.
Have to go to the grocery store to get essentials for the week.
Get to go to the mall to buy girly make-up things that I convince my husband I “need,” and while I probably don’t really convince him he smiles and says, “OK, babe.” He’s the best.
Have to make something for lunches for us...
3 tags
If it weren't required, would you write out lesson... →
heysnix:
kbkonnected:
Hmmmmmmm…
No. Notes, maybe, but no plans. Not at all.
As a new teacher, I focus on learning goals when I plan, but I don’t write out a plan each day. Lately especially, as all of my plans have been blowing up in my face. I think the room to adapt and improvise is essential, and following a prescribed plan limits creativity and causes me stress. Some of my best...
Into the Strenuous Briefness: alipetarian9090... →
iamlittlei:
alipetarian9090 replied to your post: Had a good talk with a student about religion/evolution today
Hy dear! i want to comment on darwins theory.. his theory is like that you put tub, water, bananas, some vegetable in a room. and you left that room for 2 years. after two years you…
If an award for Most Sarcastic Tumblr Post existed, this fine young lady would win. Hands...
3 tags
Teacher Guilt
That annoying voice in the back of my head that starts whenever I have “free time.” It says, “You could be grading right now,” or “Are you sure that’s what you want to do tomorrow?” or “Is your lesson meeting standards and preparing them for the CSTs?”
And then it starts in on BTSA stuff. And then the anxiety begins.
I’m sitting on...
“At best, this decision is spineless. At worst, it’s cruel. Rescinding the...”
– If you’re frustrated that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation dropped its support for Planned Parenthood, GOOD’s Nona Willis Aronowitz put together a handy list of where else to send your money.
(via TheHairpin)
Joining the ranks
of the sick at home teachers.
Bleh.
2 tags
Despite
novicephoenix:
Despite all of the bullshit going on at my school, one of the things that makes my day better is teaching my kids.
OMG YES! I keep having rough days at work, and I keep hearing myself say, “Actually, the kids were great today. It’s the adults on campus that are driving me crazy.” Not to mention the extra responsibilities that keep sneaking their ways onto my...
