A week without students, summer has begun

While each summer can slightly feel like a loss (loss of the daily routine, loss of contact with students, etc.) my teacher husband has been touched by loss. One of his students was killed while visiting family out-of-state. Wrong place, wrong time. Completely unexpected.

My husband's school is smaller than the one I work at, and they're famously close with one another. The students are very supportive of each other, and quite a true family. They'll all be in our prayers as they try to make sense of this loss.

I admit I worry about the livelihood of a few of my students. One or two in particular, I wonder if they're returning to school in the Fall, (any school if not ours) and hoping they don't get involved in anything they can't use their brains to get out of over the summer. I don't want to lose them. It's too easy in their neighborhood to get caught up in things that are destructive to their future. I hope they're as stubborn with their goals as they were with me at times in the classroom.

Color Theory and the Classroom

I'll be researching the effect of the colors that surround us, and how they can help promote learning or concentration. It sounds a little kooky, but there may be something to it.

I've noticed an improvement in student concentration when my classroom is cleaner, better organized. Personally, being surrounded in cool colors and flourescent lights has a negative effect on my mood and energy level. It really hurts my eyes, too. Being an Art Teacher, I tend to be protective of my eyes and my hands.

Most importantly for our site: What colors and patterns help to combat the eye strain that is associated with frequent computer usage?

I also want to put together a few really good examples of classroom displays. Word walls, achievement boards, focus of the unit, or content-based vignettes could be very helpful. Use of SDAIE techniques in this application is appropriate. I'm absolutely welcoming links and/or pics to great looking classrooms and classroom displays. I'll be creating a PD session on this topic, and will share the vodcast/presentation with contributors.

BTSA and other maladies

I'll admit that my BTSA portfolio is ready for review, and not ready too. It seems pretty unreasonable to get a years' worth of work done in three months, while starting a new school. Review is Wednesday, hope I'll be all ready by then.

Keeping my energy up this late in the year requires a little more effort. It's hard to leave for the long drive in the morning when my DH gets to stay home (his classes at his school are complete.) Almost everything (except BTSA) is caught up, and I think I'll be able to walk out, turn in my keys for the summer, and have a great getaway weekend in Sedona. I'm tempted to stay much longer than two nights, though.

It's time. Time for friends and family, and weddings, and Oak Creek, and a road trip, and dancing beneath the trees next to the creek on an early summer evening.

I'll be switching a few things up for the curriculum next year: going from a modified block-schedule to a 4x4 block. This means doing a one-year curriculum meeting every-other-day within one semester meeting every day. Should be smooth... just faster?

I am loving the image by Waterhouse of Psyche entering Cupid's garden posted to the left. Peeking in, but not yet there. Feels like me right now, peeking in, but not yet there.

Another step forward

I've created my google account, linked this blog, and finally have begun searching for rss feeds. No longer kicking and screaming as I join the new century of technology - but dreaming of how to incorporate what I learn and use with the tech not only in my teaching, but my daily life. More importantly, how can I bring my '79 VW Bus into the new millennium without ruining it.

Yes, I've seen the '64 that was redone. (see the link) I've contacted VW and the company that did the installations. Whatever magic they've worked on the bus, they're not yet open to sharing, or taking me on as a client. What a pity. It would make the daily commute so much sweeter.

Baby steps, baby steps: I still need to get the bus painted, and a few minor tweaks here and there. Baby steps with technology, too. The "Flylady' motto seems appropriate; "you are not behind, just jump in where you are."

welcoming June, looking ahead

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.

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.