I revved up the good old iBook I received as a hand-me-down. It's a generous tradition that we pass on too. The investment in keeping the iBook alive and usable for my applications is well worth the minor expense. I also invested in some minor tech gizmos to help keep my content area tech-savvy. With the continuation of traditional art media next year, I don't want to "get behind" in the upkeep of creating a tech school.
My focus will be on creating pod and vodcasts to demonstrate or introduce techniques, and also to connect what is learned in the classroom with outside influences. Hopefully once I learn how to podcast (which I hear is very easy) my students will be able to contribute to the process also by creating their own podcasts.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
from 5/28
5/28
I have to sometimes take a look back to see the balance of situations. For example, a particular student will behave some of the time like a small cat, cuddling up next to you being as sweet as can be as long as it suits her needs. Then for a few weeks, she’s ferociously manipulative, fabricates very elaborate situations and perspectives, - and will work so hard to defend them as the lies crumble around her. This pendulum swing has occurred with each of her teachers, all at different times.
It helps to see that the last time the swing over to the dark-side occurred, it lasted for about two or three weeks, and dissipated. We’re probably at the 2 week point now. Maybe she will be going on a three-week episode.
I can see the balance of the situation in that it is not only me as one of her teachers that has experienced this situation, and the problems it has created in the classroom. I can also see that some of the students’ balance is that she is getting more attention as she creates her negative behavior swings. We’re not heaping as much attention on her when she’s at the positive end of the pendulum swing. She's just finally doing as is expected, so she's left alone. We move on and get back to work.
The school has had to set up some pretty punitive consequences in response to behavioral issues. However, we don’t have as many positive consequences established as we have punitive consequences. It’s amazing how attending to the consequences has sapped energy and funding away from rewards. That can happen so easily, and so quickly in schools.
It’s a lot of work to keep positive sometimes (usually during March and in May/June). I remember how much work my master teacher put into creating the positive environment. As a school we have done well and we have done poorly in creating a positive and negative balance. The year is not closed, yet.
I have to sometimes take a look back to see the balance of situations. For example, a particular student will behave some of the time like a small cat, cuddling up next to you being as sweet as can be as long as it suits her needs. Then for a few weeks, she’s ferociously manipulative, fabricates very elaborate situations and perspectives, - and will work so hard to defend them as the lies crumble around her. This pendulum swing has occurred with each of her teachers, all at different times.
It helps to see that the last time the swing over to the dark-side occurred, it lasted for about two or three weeks, and dissipated. We’re probably at the 2 week point now. Maybe she will be going on a three-week episode.
I can see the balance of the situation in that it is not only me as one of her teachers that has experienced this situation, and the problems it has created in the classroom. I can also see that some of the students’ balance is that she is getting more attention as she creates her negative behavior swings. We’re not heaping as much attention on her when she’s at the positive end of the pendulum swing. She's just finally doing as is expected, so she's left alone. We move on and get back to work.
The school has had to set up some pretty punitive consequences in response to behavioral issues. However, we don’t have as many positive consequences established as we have punitive consequences. It’s amazing how attending to the consequences has sapped energy and funding away from rewards. That can happen so easily, and so quickly in schools.
It’s a lot of work to keep positive sometimes (usually during March and in May/June). I remember how much work my master teacher put into creating the positive environment. As a school we have done well and we have done poorly in creating a positive and negative balance. The year is not closed, yet.
from 5/26
5/26
There are those isolated incidents where I question if I prepared my students well enough to complete independent learning tasks. Then there are times like today. I KNOW I prepared them to do their work. We spoke in class. I posted it in the gradebook. I posted it on the class page. I e-mailed all my students, twice. Not a single student brought in the work required. Not one.
I thought it was just me. After stepping into another classroom today, I discovered I was in good company. I heard the same things announced from that teacher. “I’m not moving back your deadlines. You have to be responsible for your project.”
Many teachers here report that the students just showed up and are not ready to learn. No pencils. No homework. No books. Even my mom reports the same situation with her students – 90 miles away. It must have been the three-day-weekend. Maybe it’s because it’s almost June, and we’re almost mentally done – teachers and students alike.
I used to say “I love Freshmen; baked, broiled, or fried.” Now I say “Freshmen are an acquired taste.” I wonder what I’ll say next year.
There are those isolated incidents where I question if I prepared my students well enough to complete independent learning tasks. Then there are times like today. I KNOW I prepared them to do their work. We spoke in class. I posted it in the gradebook. I posted it on the class page. I e-mailed all my students, twice. Not a single student brought in the work required. Not one.
I thought it was just me. After stepping into another classroom today, I discovered I was in good company. I heard the same things announced from that teacher. “I’m not moving back your deadlines. You have to be responsible for your project.”
Many teachers here report that the students just showed up and are not ready to learn. No pencils. No homework. No books. Even my mom reports the same situation with her students – 90 miles away. It must have been the three-day-weekend. Maybe it’s because it’s almost June, and we’re almost mentally done – teachers and students alike.
I used to say “I love Freshmen; baked, broiled, or fried.” Now I say “Freshmen are an acquired taste.” I wonder what I’ll say next year.
from 5/13
5/13
The end of my second year is approaching. While going from traditional media to a digital media has not yet happened this year, the return to traditional media was great. I was able to experiment a little with my curriculum and pedagogy. In reflection, the risks I took really paid off; the student work demonstrated real growth and learning. I also really got to explore and utilize technology each and every day in the classroom.
The summer break will be eight weeks of time with my sonwhich I am thrilled about! I'll also take on a student's challenge of completing a painting a week, and filming it for YouTube demonstrations. I am also excited to be creating some podcasts and vodcasts for the classroom lessons.
Using YouTube in the classroom to demonstrate has been really helpful this year. Demonstrating drawing on teh SMARTboard has also been invaluable. I have access to the Senteo response devices (little remote controls for the students to answer your own multiple-choice tests that you create within the program) however, it hasn't yet fit the way I have taught... changes are underway.
The end of my second year is approaching. While going from traditional media to a digital media has not yet happened this year, the return to traditional media was great. I was able to experiment a little with my curriculum and pedagogy. In reflection, the risks I took really paid off; the student work demonstrated real growth and learning. I also really got to explore and utilize technology each and every day in the classroom.
The summer break will be eight weeks of time with my sonwhich I am thrilled about! I'll also take on a student's challenge of completing a painting a week, and filming it for YouTube demonstrations. I am also excited to be creating some podcasts and vodcasts for the classroom lessons.
Using YouTube in the classroom to demonstrate has been really helpful this year. Demonstrating drawing on teh SMARTboard has also been invaluable. I have access to the Senteo response devices (little remote controls for the students to answer your own multiple-choice tests that you create within the program) however, it hasn't yet fit the way I have taught... changes are underway.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday is mine!
The last day of the year will be filled with fun tasks to complete. I'll be working on the bus and also on listing Dan's comics for sale on eBay.
I'll visit a bit with my grandmother who will be celebrating and avoiding her birthday. I'll sure be glad when I shake this cold, though. It's time to wrap a few loose ends up and move into 2009 ready to enjoy it all.
I'll visit a bit with my grandmother who will be celebrating and avoiding her birthday. I'll sure be glad when I shake this cold, though. It's time to wrap a few loose ends up and move into 2009 ready to enjoy it all.
Monday, December 29, 2008
So, it's been a while!
I must admit, I nearly forgot my password when logging in. The last post was at the end of June, this one at the end of December.
I'm really glad to kiss 2008 goodbye. I'm sure many others are also. It's been a tough year, personally. Professionally it has only gotten better with each step. The board and the people supporting the new school I work at are incredible, creative, inspiring people to work with. The students and parents are amazing also.
Many of the issues at my last school have escalated, and my former colleagues are calling on me for my documentation. Yikes. I'm grateful to be back home.
I've been busying myself with renewed interest in my art career, my spirituality, and my connection with my family. A 'project' I've inherited has been taking inventory of, and grading my uncle's comic book collection. I have been reluctant to do this since the get-go, but it needed to be done. I've been able to learn a bunch about the books he loved so much, and I've also photographed each cover. I can use the images of each one in my art class now. Of course, it's also necessary to list them for auction online. I've finally gotten over my feelings of betrayal to my uncle by selling off his collection, and the brand-new eBay store is up and running just this week. I feel much less guilty since they're not my books, it's not my profit, and it's helping my grandparents settle the uncle's estate.
I'm really glad to kiss 2008 goodbye. I'm sure many others are also. It's been a tough year, personally. Professionally it has only gotten better with each step. The board and the people supporting the new school I work at are incredible, creative, inspiring people to work with. The students and parents are amazing also.
Many of the issues at my last school have escalated, and my former colleagues are calling on me for my documentation. Yikes. I'm grateful to be back home.
I've been busying myself with renewed interest in my art career, my spirituality, and my connection with my family. A 'project' I've inherited has been taking inventory of, and grading my uncle's comic book collection. I have been reluctant to do this since the get-go, but it needed to be done. I've been able to learn a bunch about the books he loved so much, and I've also photographed each cover. I can use the images of each one in my art class now. Of course, it's also necessary to list them for auction online. I've finally gotten over my feelings of betrayal to my uncle by selling off his collection, and the brand-new eBay store is up and running just this week. I feel much less guilty since they're not my books, it's not my profit, and it's helping my grandparents settle the uncle's estate.
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