freakteacher's topics - tribe.net

SEE Happy Go-Lucky

timmodee — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:35:38 GMT

By Mike Leigh. It was on several critics' Best of 2008 lists. It is, among other things, a valentine to the art of teaching.
The scene where she's talking to the aphasiac homeless man made me cry and cry.

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

a poll about work hours

cooldawn — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:40:45 GMT

When I worked in a large public school, I honestly don't remember having set "contract hours" beyond my scheduled classes and cafeteria duty. If there were I think it was something along the lines of 15 or 30 minutes before 1st period and after last period; about an eight hour day. Now I'm teaching at a charter school which includes set hours of a nine hour day (nine and a half on morning duty days) on the employment contract. This is new to our contracts this year, btw... When I brought it up I was told, "well, you obviously don't know much about charter schools - that's pretty standard". So I'm taking a poll.... how many hours per day are you *required* to be on campus?

posted in freakteacher - 6 replies

Yoga, English, Spanish, ecobuilding teachers needed for an ecovillage in Mexico.

bosquevillage — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:14:23 GMT

Hello!

We are a budding ecovillage in the highlands of Mexico.

We are looking for some longer term volunteers to live here in exchange for the work they do.
We need: Kitchen manager, yoga instructor, massage therapist, ecological building instructor, domestic help, and teachers of Spanish and English.
Our regular volunteers pay a fee to work here, but for these positions we can make other arrangements. We are also open to new residents with compatible values.

After years of work, this forest serves as a retreat space for artists, performers, writers, and other creative and friendly people. It is called the "Bosque Village". Bosque means forest in Spanish.

This place is becoming an ongoing small festival as well as a growing community.

We have a constant stream of volunteers and amazing visitors! Some people come through when they are between jobs, traveling, or to live here for a time and telecommute. Some of our visitors are visiting many communities looking for one to live in.

WEB PAGE: http://bosquevillage.com
NEXT LITTLE FESTIVAL: http://jobutsu.com/cumbreyah

You can also add the Bosque as friends on social networking sites:

* http://www.facebook.com/people/Bosque-Forrest/1326703744
* MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/bosquevillage
* Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebosque/

See you in Mexico!

~La gente en el bosque

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

What's so wrong with being a freak teacher?

Columbina — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:03:23 GMT

I'd like to say how happy I am that this group exists.

I just got home from my level I class in advanced instructional design for students with moderate to severe disabilities. We got kind of side tracked in class because the teacher went off on a tangent about "professional dress" and people who "have their tattoos all hanging out" and how it is difficult to respect those people and to see them with our population of students because she finds their appearance more stigmatizing to special ed. kids.

Sooo... I did my student teaching in a first grade classroom with neon pink hair and I did fine. The parents didn't say anything and were fine with it (it's San Francisco after all). The kids loved it and looked forward to working with me. At the end of the year they were supposed to write letters to the people who worked with them and the teacher had to wait until the end of the day to give me mine because they had ALL written letters to me and she had to assign them to write letters to the other helpers. Anyway...

The conversation really frustrated me because I am all about inclusion and believe that a wheelchair and an AAC device are probably pretty "distracting" to the other kids, but are also a way for them to learn about the diversity and difference of other people and their needs for self-expression. Every school I've ever worked at has had a mission statement claiming that they value diversity. Does anyone else find it hypocritical if that diversity can't include punk-rock culture, or indie-librarian culture, or goth culture? To me those things stick with you and show that your childhood and adolescence helped make you an adult and they aren't things you just shed so you can look like everyone else. Nor is your culture something that you need to deny in order to be respected. At least it shouldn't be.

If we're working in special ed. isn't the point to teach people not to judge other people's competencies based on how they look? In seems so silly to say that we all have to wear to the khakis and collared shirts if that's what the other teachers wear, when such dress denies our identity (or at least one way of accessing it) and our culture. Isn't that sending the opposite message?

posted in freakteacher - 5 replies

Seeking crafty crew for projects in Mexico and Uganda

solomax — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:52:09 GMT

Last April, I toured Uganda teaching people how to sew hammocks, and donated four sewing machines to continue the project... which is called Stitch Uganda Together: http://stitchugandatogether.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102380&id=906200533#/group.php?gid=2408133160

This April and May I plan to be back in Uganda, and so I'm gathering a crew to tour teaching circus skills, green building and gardening.

I'm good with a hoop and can walk a slackline. I love building with bamboo. We'll create the Temple of Lost and Found on the slopes of Mt. Elgon. Think of it as the creative-comfort vibe of a Burning Man camp, crossed with the nature and good food of a rainbow gathering, and lots of kids--very sweet kids, who need lots of love, because their folks died in landslides. This is in connection with a village of 2000 people called Bunabumali, in Uganda, on the border of Kenya.

With help from Pacific Domes and Jeff Taylor, I got a 60ft dome from the playa to Mississippi after Katrina to hooked up with a Rainbow kitchen, and we rocked it for nine months. We'll do this grassroots style in Uganda and Mexico too: http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=7741275027359055423

Performers Without Borders has great videos showing their work... and this is the sort of thing we could do:

http://www.performerswithoutborders.org.uk/video.html

and Lucent Dossier in LA(many you'd know) have also done this sort of playful work:

http://current.com/items/77320051/lucent_dossier_vaudeville_cirque.htm

Mid-January to mid-february 2009, Action Heroes will be in Roblito and Mazatlan, Mexico for family camp... and the Mazatlan Awareness Festival. You are welcome to join us!

http://www.solomax.com/roblito.html

http://tribes.tribe.net/roblito

http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?id=906200533&gv=12#/group.php?gid=19571155904

Lots of photos from Katrinaland and Roblito here too: http://actionhero.smugmug.com/

Please send me your phone number if you want to talk.

cor.contact@gmail.com

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

cell phone procedures/consequences?

January — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:48:58 GMT

so what do y'all do? I am determined to not let the cell phones be the headache they have always been for me this year.

My school has the policy that they aren't supposed to have them out in class, our administration is more than cooperative about penalties, it's just that I have major issues with not wanting to spend a lot of time policing the cell phone usage and every year as a result I end up having big problems because I wasn't enforcing the rules across the board consiste3ntly from the getgo.

I know- I just answered my own question. BUT...

How do you guys deal with it in a way FROM THE BEGINNING that doesn't cause an argument, waste valuable class time, etc. I have toyed with the idea of buying a blocker. Thoughts? Has this been addressed already?

sorry but I am not proofreading this- sorry if that offends anyone- not in the mood to be perfect right now. we're all friends here, right?

posted in freakteacher - 4 replies

hooot

Joy — Fri, 25 May 2007 20:38:54 GMT

12 more days od school yay. finishing my third year. i dont think i can take it for many more

posted in freakteacher - 15 replies

If you’re tired of spending your own money for classroom supplies, here's a solution!

JulieWoodsOneWord — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:52:52 GMT

Hi, I’m Julie Woods. I want to let you know about a resource that could make a huge difference to you and your students in the coming school year! It’s a 4-module telewebcast training course for K-12 educators in how to get classroom grants. It’s taught by Lesley Barker, a professional grant writer, experienced teacher, and amazing human being. We’re hosting this program because schools around the country are facing even more budget cuts this year, and with the rising cost of gas, it’s becoming more difficult – often impossible -- for teachers to bridge the gap between needs and budget with money out of their own pockets. It starts on Tuesday night (7/15) so please check it out: http://www.grantmapper.com/followyourmap.

The course focuses on grants of $100 - $5,000, as well as grants of equipment and supplies, which usually involve less paperwork than grants >$5,000. Lesley has mapped the grant application process, broken it down into easy-to-duplicate steps, and created templates for each module. She’ll also be sharing budget tips, insider insights on what funders really want to know, information on grant opportunities you can apply for now, and more. The telewebcast format is super-convenient. You can participate from home by phone or over your computer, and submit your questions for live Q&A. A Certificate of Completion will be issued to all registrants who complete the course in its entirety.

We’ve worked to pack as much information and as many helpful resources into four 2-hour modules as possible, while keeping the price super low, so the maximum number of teachers can attend. We’re also giving out a 1/3-off coupon – DCM321 – which brings the enrollment fee down to $99 for all four modules. This is an unheard-of price for this kind of intensive training! And by taking the course now, you can go into the new school year with the skills to boost your budget for supplies, technology, field trips, enrichment programs, professional development, and much more! Best of all, you can use these skills – and Lesley’s templates – to apply for multiple grants per year, year after year.

Go to http://www.grantmapper.com/followyourmap to enroll.

If you have ANY questions or if you or someone you know needs this training and can’t afford it, please contact us at (206) 350-6589. We want to help! They say it takes a village to raise a child. So please pass this information on today to anyone you know who is working, has worked, or wants to work in the K-12 school system. The course starts Tuesday, so please take action now. Helping get even one teacher make the connection to this training could help many hundreds or even thousands of children in the coming years.

In thanks and appreciation for all you do,

Julie Woods

P.S. If you need an additional motivator to help get the word out, you can join our affiliate street team and get paid $20 for every person who completes the course after enrolling via your affiliate link. Get 5 teacher friends on board and you’ll have earned your own tuition fees (or money for whatever you want). You can post your affiliate link on your social networks, send an email to your lists, and call your friends who care about helping our schools and the children who attend them. This is our way of putting some money BACK into your pocket and we hope it helps! To get full details and sign up, go to http://www.grantmapper.com/spread-the-word.

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

Brain Research Help!

Andie — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:12:40 GMT

Hi all,

I'm stuck!

Can you tell me how many times it takes for something to become internalized and let me know the source you got your information from? I'm working on a paper and can't seem to find the information anywhere!

Thanks so much!!!!

(Sorry for the cross posting!)

posted in freakteacher - 2 replies

HELP! I'm burning out!

jennylaura — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:44:50 GMT

This is my 3rd year of teaching and I'm not enjoying it.

The kids are great. The parents are super-involved and supportive. The paperwork is eating me alive and I feel like a glorified babysitter.

Someone give me "the talk" so I'll feel motived to go to work tomorrow.

Thanks.

posted in freakteacher - 6 replies

anyone in here teach AP Statistics?

cooldawn — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:22:20 GMT

What text book do you use? What are some things you do or don't like about it?

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

Music teachers?

David M. — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:11:29 GMT

Just wondering if there are any music teachers. If so, since this is about "throwing out the books", what is your primary educational methodology?

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

freaks v. preps

Kate the Great — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:18:12 GMT

Ok, so here's the deal...I have a class that has these two "groups". There is a lot of hostility between the two groups and I am unsure as to why. As far as I can tell it is all based off of stereotypes and generalizations. Oddly enough most of the hostility is coming from the "freaks". I am looking for an activity that will break this down so they can see what similarities they have. Anyone know of such an activity? As of right now I am just trying to quiet the comments but I would really rather address it.
Any thoughts?

posted in freakteacher - 3 replies

New Tribe: Child's Play

Kit Kat — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 03:17:06 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I've created a new tribe called Child's Play. Share and find new ideas about how we can help our children to learn and develope through play and have fun doing it!

http://tribes.tribe.net/childsplay

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

maternity leave

heidealist — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:38:03 GMT

So, Baby's coming any time- so, obviously- not starting the school year with my class- they'll have a sub the first few months. I want to see what other mommy-teachers have done re: sub plans. I don't think it's realistic for me to make daily plans for the next few months- although one teacher at my school did- another one did NOTHING, with no negative consequence.

What's actually expected at your school?

What do teachers actually deliver?

posted in freakteacher - 5 replies

teaching children about alternative economics

tufani — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 22:08:55 GMT

Can anyone suggest information for young people to teach them awareness of money and economics without making them into money slaves?

Thanks

T

posted in freakteacher - 3 replies

Outdoor Educators

DarklingThrush — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 02:01:30 GMT

I started a new tribe for Outdoor, Experiential, Environmental, and/or Adventure Educators. A place to share ideas and resources so we can do what we do even better. Anyone who works to get people outdoors and learning is invited. Or anyone who thinks this is a something they would like to do.

I currently work as a Wilderness Instructor for Outward Bound Discovery most of the year, taking a break to work summers for the Boulder Outdoor Survival School (primitive survival skills). I have also worked for the Sierra Club, Student Conservation Association, and Sound Experience. I would love to connect with others from these organizations, but would also love to hear from some of you who have worked for others, so we can cross-pollinate (woo-hoo! lol).

http://tribes.tribe.net/outdooreducators

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

high standards

dr-yo — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 22:18:21 GMT

Once again I am confronted with people in this tribe who are responsible for helping develop the budding minds of young Americans, yet who cannot (or will not) write a coherent sentence. The level of basic language competence in this group is appallingly low. Really, it's below average for tribe.net.

There is a substantial difference between "their" and "there." This and other horrifying errors are common here, and they go by without anyone saying "boo." Weren't we all supposed to know this stuff by sixth grade? It's understandable that some people may have learning disabilities, or are just plain stupid, and will never learn. But these people are TEACHING CHILDREN!?!

Minor details of grammar are not important in a public forum such as this, and of course the Internet is eroding everyones' writing standards. However, for people to be so lazy, ignorant, and/or stupid is simply annoying and depressing. Again, I expect that teachers be held to a higher standard, and I think this expectation is reasonable. And yet people get away with being dumb or mediocre, and no one says anything.

My confidence in this country's educational system is pretty much smashed at this point. I guess that means I should leave this tribe, in order to a) protect my own emotional well-being and b) spare others the burden of my judgments. Flame on if you wish, but I'm not going to bother reading it.

On the bright side, I met my sweetheart in this tribe, so it's not all bad.

posted in freakteacher - 24 replies

"Chalk" by Morgan Spurlock

Cush — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 21:33:15 GMT

Finally! What promises to be the first "real" movie about teaching since ... since ... well, since ... forever! I was always hoping that there would be a teaching episode of Spurlock's "30 Days", but now I can see that he was just saving himself for a film! Hurray!

Watch the trailer at the film's website: http://www.chalkthefilm.com/#/home/

It's a small film, in limited release. SO PASS THE WORD!!!

posted in freakteacher - 4 replies

Last Week

Andie — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:37:35 GMT

I usually really enjoy the last week of school, but this year I'm hating it.

Two hours with a class I hate? Ugh. If we were all used to block scheduling it would be different, but as it stands, this is hell.

I'm showing the Wizard of Oz. If anyone asks, I'm sure I'll be able to come up with a good, standards-based reason.

posted in freakteacher - 9 replies

End Term Parties

SkylarkingSLP — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:05:24 GMT

Does any of your schools have them for the staff? What are they typically like? Good turn outs or not??

posted in freakteacher - 2 replies

I hate doing Report Cards. (Just venting.)

jennylaura — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:20:16 GMT

Ever get the feeling that your students are getting bad grades because you aren't a good teacher?

The kids this year were really "low"... for lack of a better term.

Report cards depress me sometimes. :(

posted in freakteacher - 6 replies

got a good one for ya

January — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 18:09:43 GMT

OK- this could be contraversial- I am not trying to stir things up like others have in the past though. This is a legitimate issue I have and I want some feedback- I'm trying to "check myself" to see if I'm being unresonable.

I went to a meeting the other day about our freshmen camp we have the week before we go back to work. We get paid by the hour for our time for that whole week (coming in on our summer vacation= extra money) The thing is, the asst. principal in charge of this ALSO asked us if we would be available to come the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday BEFORE that week as well from 9:00-1:00 to train the juniors and senior LINK crew (mentor group to the freshmen) on how they are going to help us out the whole week and stuff. Something about the way she worded this didn't feel quite right to me so I said "um, sorry Mrs. _______ but, you're going to pay us for that time as well, yes?" and she started this "uh, uh, well, funding... uh" business and then she said "Don't you guys ever, you know, volunteer to do things out of the goodness of your heart?" and everyone there was like "yeah, okay" and then she went on to something else. Later on she said "so, will y'all be able to come to those other three days?" and I said "I will if I get paid" and NO ONE CHIMED IN TO BACK ME UP! It was awful. I felt like this tightwad or something.

The truth of the matter is, yes, I DO volunteer a lot of my free time and money to do stuff that I don't have to do all the freakin' time. Because it's usually something I feel like I should do or want to do. But I don't really feel a need or a desire to spend three more of my precious summer days at school for nothing. I don't know of any profession where employees would volunteer to come in on their days off for free. When I said I would come if we got paid, I was hoping that everyone would kind of join in with me and they'd be FORCED to find the money to pay us. I mean, if everyone just complacently says, oh yeah, we'll come in for free, then why WOULD they pay us? Duh!

It's a matter of principle to me- I believe that I am valuable and that my time is valuable. It's just not worth my while to do this for free. I plan on sticking to my guns on it, but I fear I will be the only one.

What do y'all think? Am I wrong for this? Seriously, I want to know.

**I don't feel like checking my grammar right now- so I'm sorry if there's any typos or other mistakes- it does not reflect on my ability to write or to educate. I'm in summer lazy-ass mode right now.****

posted in freakteacher - 11 replies

Next Year's Classes

Andie — Thu, 10 May 2007 17:13:36 GMT

How do they pick who teaches what at your school?

This year they went by seniority and now everyone is mad at everyone else. Kind of sucks, because I like working here.

posted in freakteacher - 6 replies

unions in the bay area

cooldawn — Thu, 10 May 2007 20:06:15 GMT

I've been putting it off, but I really need to join a teacher's union again. I belonged to AFT when I taught in another state - the one time I *personally* needed their help on something they were great and I thought the dues were reasonable especially considering how proactive they were on behalf of the teachers in my district. Nobody on my current campus belongs to a union, so asking coworkers is kinda out so.... thoughts? experiences?

posted in freakteacher - 4 replies

possible East Bay opportunity- long-term sub?

heidealist — Thu, 17 May 2007 02:37:07 GMT

I have good news. I'm expecting a little one at the end of August. This is going to make starting the next school year a bit challenging. I was hoping to find someone with a long term sub-credential AND some credential training who was looking to get a few months experience. It occurs to me it might be good for someone looking for student-teaching/intern-type experience. I'd be out of the classroom the first few months (at least through early December). I'd be possibly available for mentoring/advice/help planning in the fall- definitely available over the summer, but as it's my first child, I really have no idea how available once the baby comes. This person would be welcome to complete any student-teaching requirements in my room after I return.

My tentative assignment is a 3rd grade classroom- although things have been known to change come September.

Oh, and I teach in Hayward.

Let me know if this fits anybody's needs.

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

National Boards for Professional Teaching Standards

Andie — Wed, 09 May 2007 16:16:00 GMT

Anyone complete it? Working on it? Want to talk about it?

I take my exams next month and I'm cramming. The current book of study is Kylene Beers' "When Kids Can't Read"

Here's the link, if you're interested: http://www.nbpts.org/

...maybe that's a new tribe idea...?

posted in freakteacher - 4 replies

Really tired of immature, flaky people...

jennylaura — Fri, 11 May 2007 03:22:39 GMT

No, not my students (they're 4th graders, so they have an excuse), the "adults" I seem to befriend.

I'm other for other teachers to build reliable friendships with. Anyone wanna grab a drink sometime? I work in Santa Clara, live in Fremont, and don't mind driving.

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

A place to talk about Art in the classroom...

Alison — Wed, 09 May 2007 15:41:35 GMT

This is a tribe I created for art teachers or for any teacher that wants to incorporate art into their classroom.

http://tribes.tribe.net/4teachers

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

A fantastic blog with an entry of particular interest...

jennylaura — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 07:49:04 GMT

Check it out, kids.

The item of interest:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_sGYULzoQCgA/RjKzSTB_-RI/AAAAAAAAAhg/QCve4rPuseM/s1600-h/homework+future+paleofuture+paleo-future.jpg

The blog itself:
http://paleo-future.blogspot.com/

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

Day goddamn fucking TEN!

heidealist — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 23:23:28 GMT

Yep,
still on the picket line
Yep,
still fighting for respect in the form of dollars so that good teachers will stay in this poor district
Yep,
still fighting the good fight & sticking it to the man
Yep,
still exhausted.
Yep,
still miss my students with a sad and broken heart
Yep,
still carrying the weight of 10 other bay area districts who are right behind us in negotiations on our shoulders
Yep,
still waiting, angry, but
Yep,
still united in solidarity with my colleagues

I never guessed it would go on this long.

posted in freakteacher - 9 replies

Free Minds, Free People

Tara — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:40:48 GMT

Hey everyone. I wanted to invite you to this fantastic conference that's taking place in Chicago, June 21 to 24. Free Minds, Free People (www.edliberation.org/conference) will bring together teachers, youth, parents, researchers and community-based educators from across the country to begin building a movement to develop and promote Education for Liberation. Education for Liberation is an umbrella term we use to describe the work of people who are trying to link education, social justice and activism.

This conference features dozens of workshops by and for educators and youth from across the country on topics including social justice schools, action research, arts and liberatory education, Freedom Schools, youth organizing, teaching critical consciousness and much more. It will take place in Chicago at Little Village/Lawndale High School.

Help us build a movement liberatory education! Register here (www.edliberation.org/conference/register) for Free Minds, Free People.

Can’t make the conference, but want to stay in touch? Join the Education for Liberation Network listserv (https://lists.duke.edu/sympa/subscribe/edliberation), a coalition of educators and youth believe a good education should teach people who to understand and challenge the problems their communities face.

Questions? Email freeminds@brotherhood-sistersol.org
This conference is sponsored by The Brotherhood/Sister Sol, the Chicago Freedom School Project, the Education for Liberation Network and the University of Chicago’s Center for Urban School Improvement.

Hope to see you in Chicago!

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

lets share funny stories

Joy — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 17:45:43 GMT

ill start
last week a 7th grader drove a tractor to school. were talkin over 100,000 dollars worth of tractor and bush hog. he had written permission from home. heh

posted in freakteacher - 27 replies

Help Needed - re Block Schedules

Jody — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 16:10:43 GMT

Hi to you all :)

My school is planning on "piloting" a block schedule this coming week and then the staff are supposed to give their Pros/Cons about using it the following year.

I work in a middle school 6th-8th and i, myself am and SDC teacher (so, I've heard from my standpoint, I may have some flexibility not to go by this as I work with a co-teacher, but...)

Have any of your schools used this? And/or what did you find was a positive or negative about it?

This would mean we would teach to students in periods 1, 3, 5 for 2 hours on Mon Tues...then teach to students in periods 2, 4, 6 for 2 hours on Wed, Thurs. - I don't know what they are planning for Fridays b/c it is an early out day.

Personallly, I am concerned for students with this set up for multiple reasons, including foremost....consistent daily instruciton, review, reinforcement, and re-teaching of skills, etc.

LOVE to hear from you!!! ...they kind of sprung this one on us..apparently, some in leadership spoke accolades of this ie. b/c they teach science or other programs where the typical period is difficult to get through all activities...Please help!

posted in freakteacher - 12 replies

What are your thoughts on this one?

Jody — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 02:33:29 GMT

I work in a school that has about 70% of the students on free and reduced lunch. There are numerous gangs in surrounding areas and a lot of students experience life situations with regard to this that some of us teachers have never been exposed to. There is an enormous amount of apparent frustration and pain. Also there is an air of disrespect that seems rampant on our campus from more students than one would expect on any one campus.

It's interesting b/c you really can see how the school environment is a microcosm of life in general.

I have so many things I'd like to say, but really don't know where to begin...it seems like the issues...politcal, social, etc. are enumerable. I have been teaching near to a decade now in two different leveled environments. The first elementary - now middle school.

It worries me that so much outside of school, that we a lot of times we don't have control over, is affecting these young people...the next generations to come...what will become of this??

I am a Special Day Class teacher and have to and do maintain an extremely structured and tight ship overall in my class to ensure learning takes place... but, for example, I just recently had to serve detention duty and it was absolutely shocking to me!

Here, I am thrown into a room with around 25 students all of whom have acted up in whatever way to earn their pass into detention. The principal came in and spoke to these students prior to leaving me with them...and then the behaviors experienced in this one hour period were off the charts. I realize a lot of this is due to the students in there not knowing me and/or having respect (because that needs to be earned)...but, you would think that being planted in that situation as a consequence, that they would have second thoughts about acting out, etc. in that environment and with a staff/adult. Nope...it was a constant battle to guide, direct, re-direct, and identify positive choices and consequences, etc. for not following normal rules etc. in that environment.

My feeling is that something larger is happening on a societal level that is breaking down with the responses nad reactions of our students. Of the 25 students I oversaw...8 received additional consequences at the end of the time period. 1 student walked out and was brought back later by security. Another student needed to be escorted out of the class by security. The other 17 luckily for them earned there way out of further consequences by earning that back in the remainder of the detention period. It just seems like such a sad state that this is what it has come to in our society.

I remember when I grew up myself that as much as I despised and defied certain "authoritiy"....I still recognized and knew how far I could take things. That still meant something to me and my peers at that time. Now, it seems like there is no care of consequences, etc. and how this affects these little guys. I've been in meetings where students' have even taken it as far as to tell their parent "I don't give a shit" and told teachers to "f-off" etc. with no care or concern for what this meant to them and their daily lives, rewards or consequences possible. It absolutely astounds me. Part of me feels like a major part of this is societal influences and a breakdown in familial relationships, etc.

So what do we do now?

In my small classes, I feel like I am able to extend teachable moments that guide my students toward their right path, etc...but, what about students who don't necessarily have a specific and individualized connection with you?

Any feedback would be interesting and welcomed.

posted in freakteacher - 2 replies

what? you have weather here?

cooldawn — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 04:37:37 GMT

Long story short I decided to have my 7th graders make a map this week. I begged and borrowed all the huge tape measures I could and found an area far enough away from the other classrooms that they wouldn't be bothering anybody (which is an outside area between the HS and MS classrooms). So out we go to measure... a little wet and a little drizzle but no big deal cuz I figured it would be better to measure a bit over a couple of days. I told 'em they couldn't go outside to measure tomorrow unless their homework was done - lo and behold I had eight kids in my room during lunch working on homework today. So this afternoon I look at the weather for the rest of the week here - rain and more rain... tomorrow is an 80% chance of rain. Can't back out now that they've done their part, so I guess I'd better pick up a couple of rain slickers on my way to school tomorrow

posted in freakteacher - 6 replies

worst teacher day ever

Joy — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 15:14:32 GMT

I just found out that one of my students has passed away this weekend. This has not happened to me before and the thought of going back to school and holding 3rd period without him is completely unbearable. I should say something, but what? I feel so lost right now. If anyone has advice on getting through this please post. Anyone been through it already, please share.

posted in freakteacher - 4 replies

CBL

00smittenkitten — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 02:05:22 GMT

Anyone else working with the Character Based Literacy Program?

http://www.scu.edu/character/

posted in freakteacher - 5 replies

Anybody else working with incarcerated teens?

00smittenkitten — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 03:26:05 GMT

Subject says it all.

posted in freakteacher - 7 replies

what's your favorite way to teach writing?

January — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 20:07:31 GMT

I am teaching two honors classes this year, which is a whole new ballgame for me. I am really good at teaching writing with me "regular" kids, but the honors kids already know how to write, at some level, and willingly. This doesn't seem like it should be a problem, but I want to know is, what are some ways I can really make them GOOD? We read a lot of good writing, how can I help them learn to write like little authors? They already know how to sound smart, but how can I help them learn to sound like WRITERS? Any good ideas?

posted in freakteacher - 12 replies

i need a freaky and fabulous incentive system

Joy — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 22:19:50 GMT

starting monday im going to have the last period of the day with 30 students that did not pass there big test last year. it will be the second math class of the day for these 8th graders. they are going to be pissed. the class has all of the most uncooperative students from my other classes in it. they need incentive to act right. i am scared. any ideas for a reward system that will not take much time to implement and would motivate 8th graders. i am willing to spend money, but i cant spend too much. any and all ideas will be very much appreciated

posted in freakteacher - 13 replies

Intro and feedback desired

Kate the Great — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:33:44 GMT

Hey there folks! I'm new here and wanted to give a quick intro. My hubby and I live down South on the Gulf Coast of TX in a town of less than 4,000. My high school that I teach at only has about 140 kids in grades 9-12. My certification is in art and I am awaiting a classroom soon! Until then, I run the study hall. I want them to explore what they enjoy and learn more about it and themselves. They don't see it this way but rather think I am trying to punish them. They don't see the difference between productivity and punishment.

So for next semester I have made some changes. I require them to bring something to do, read, draw, etc. and in the case that they don't I have installed a "task jar". I have a few tasks already but would love to have input from others for others. I try to vary them so it's not all writing or centered over one thing in particular. Basically they are drawn randomly from a bowl and what you pull is what you get.
Here's what I have:
Contribute to the outdoor classroom
Research a religion

Research an artist or art period

Write about today’s quote

Draw a surrealistic landscape

Research a band you like-find 3 more you’ve never heard of that share the same feel.

Create a wire sculpture

Think of a place you’ve never been to but want to visit. Where would you go…why…what would you do?

Read an interview from the shelf
It's an idea in progress and I would love some input. Thanks folks and hope all is well in your little corners :)

posted in freakteacher - 9 replies

A field trip to Central Mexico?

solomax — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:38:37 GMT

Over the next three months, 30+ tribe members (healers and serious/playful action heroes) will join me in Central Mexico to develop a cultural exchange community center. We have an HQ in Palmillas, Sinaloa and land near Roblito, Nayarit.

I'm currently at home in Eastern Canada, and could speak with you on the phone during the next week if you are interested in joining us. On January 15th I leave for Mexico.

During the march break you could bring a group of students, and we'd set them up with locals to live with for a week.

General info about this project: www.solomax.com/roblito.html

Details unfold in our tribe: http://tribes.tribe.net/roblito

Send me your phone number and a good time to call ASAP.

If you would like to stay updated on this project, add your email to the google group form at:
www.actionheronetwork.net

-Cory Richardson
506-635-4122

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

moderator checking in...

cancangal — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 03:21:37 GMT

hey freakteachers,

i was out of town for a week and half on some family business and did not get to check this at all during that time. in response to a few messages to my PM, i will read through posts tonight and get caught up. then i will deal with the messages sent to me reagrding current postings and posters.

in the meantime, please treat each other well. being freaks doesn't mean we don't have good manners.

your moderator,
ophelia

posted in freakteacher - 2 replies

high success lessons - take 2

cooldawn — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 02:07:11 GMT

let's try not to derail this one... okay?

for my young and below grade level kids I do alot of work with manipulatives and making them verbally explain the given process involved. Adding/subtracting positive and negative numbers is something we spend alot of time on since it's a central concept to the algebra they'll be taking a year or two down the line. Red poker chips are negatives (IOUs) and the other color chips represent positives (dollars). "One dollar cancels out one IOU" is a concept the kids relate well to the pos/neg thing. They have problem sets for adding same sign, adding diff signs, and subtracting like/unlike signs. For each problem set they have to draw out what they've done with the manipulatives and they work their way up to making a general rule. Kids have to be able to verbalize the rule and back it up with examples before moving on to the next problem set. Depending on ability level, we spend 3 to 5 days on strictly integer problems. Kids that satisfactorily finish their problem sets before class time is over can choose between peer tutoring or supplemental bonus projects.

posted in freakteacher - 23 replies

share your most successful lesson plans

arrr — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 14:06:35 GMT

lets get inspired.....!

posted in freakteacher - 64 replies

effective discipline

arrr — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:00:24 GMT

What works for you? I am dealing with primary school children. Children hate to be seperated from their classmates so seperation or isolation is one method I use that's effective. Shouting also works, but it makes me feel bad in the end. So, I'm looking for other suggestions.
Teaching in India I've seen some pretty creative methods like having the children hold onto their own ears while standing up and sitting down. For two naughty ones teachers will make them hold onto each other's ears at the same time. Funny!

posted in freakteacher - 32 replies

learning disabilities

dr-yo — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:19:56 GMT

I'm reposting this from the "effective discipline" thread because it kind of got buried in there:

Regarding special accommodations for kids with learning disabilities: Can someone explain the logic in giving these kids extra attention, having someone read the test to them, etc.? I thought the whole point of testing was to figure out how well the kids perform. If we bend over backward to make it easier for some people, then aren't we A) getting a bogus reading on their performance, and B) giving them false hope for their level of competence in the "real" world?

posted in freakteacher - 24 replies

Call for children's short stories - Interfaith / Multicultural

tufani — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 00:34:13 GMT

Hey

I live in a small mountain town with its own low frequency community radio station. We have a new children's story time and are looking for great short stories. This is a community with strong interfaith and multicultural awareness, so we are selective about what stories we read on the air.

Will anyone recommend or share their own short stories with us and our listeners? Let me know of any online resources, or just send me a copy of it as a message. Author names and other supporting info will be shared along with the reading of the stories.

Much thanks!

Tufani

posted in freakteacher - 2 replies

WORLD VIEWS - Poster Creation Challenge

solomax — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:59:41 GMT

This project is about creating social change, by putting out the most powerful spells and imagery to help create positive world views.

Media too often tells us we are not good enough, not beautiful as we are, and that we should be fearful. It promotes government and consumerism, and we need more media that promotes community and creativity.

Let's see positive messages that empower us to believe we are all beautiful, and can do anything we dream.

Since high school, I've been doing slide shows sharing images and spells that offer inspiration and many points of view. The combination of both words and images are much more powerful than either one alone.

Now with a slide scanner, I'm going through my large collection of slides and journals, to create posters that will be put in schools, prisons, group homes, office buildings, or anywhere people may benefit from a shift in perspective.

I've created some examples: http://actionhero.smugmug.com/gallery/2145782 (use the slideshow button)

And now I challenge you. What messages do you want to put out into the world?

Post your submissions in the photo album at http://actionhero.tribe.net

The prize will be poster size prints of the top three. First place will get all three prints of the top three. Second place gets two, and third gets one.

There will be a panel of judges from the Action Hero Tribe.
There will be a post on Action Hero stating who they are when they are confirmed.
You can submit as many images as you'd like (700 px high -- We'll make a screen saver using all of the best.)

To make these images into posters, they will need come from large files. Small file sizes (72 dpi / 700 px high) are good for the screen saver, but not for posters, so submit them, but know they can't be judged with the ones to be printed.

My scanner scans at a resolution of 4000 dpi. I'm not sure what is needed to make a clear image 2ft high. I'm still new to printing digital. Do you know?

Since I'm hosting the challenge, my work will not be included.

We don't have a deadline yet, but I'm thinking around March or April, so we have lots of time to build interest and do good work.

After the winter holidaze, Action Hero Network will be heading down to central Mexico for a couple months to create a cultural exchange community center in Roblito, and you are welcome to join that adventure as well: www.solomax.com/roblito.html ...lots of good photo opportunities there.

Suggestions welcome as to how we can make this contest even better.

Have fun!

-Cor

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

I autta write a book

lionjill — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 01:50:27 GMT

Of all the ridiculous things that happen in special education. Everyday I hear more wild and crazy things about what happens in our district - and I just want to start writing the great American tell-all. But if I did, would any one buy it, or would it just stress me out more knowing that it sat there unread?

posted in freakteacher - 7 replies

Subtly Subversive

Cush — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 13:30:33 GMT

I imagine that most of us are not willing to risk our careers by being overtly anti-authoritarian or overly provocotive in our classrooms, but I'm also certain that that doesn't stop us. So, in what sneaky and subtle ways are you YOU in your classrooms?

Examples: (1) I have a wooden apple on my desk which a student gave me years ago. But on top of the apple sits a little rubber snake. He he!, (2) Above my desk I have that one poster of the U.S. flag where the stars are replaced with corporate logos. And (3) on the window ledge I have a die-cast model of a VW Passat driving over a much smaller Matchbox Hummer. Ha!

posted in freakteacher - 52 replies

advice/suggestions about getting a teeny tiny nose stud.

January — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:22:46 GMT

I really want to get a teeney tiny nose stud but I'm not sure if our principal allows it. I'm afraid if I ASK, she'll be like "I'd rather you didn't" but I kindof think I could just go and get one and maybe she'd never notice- I only actually SEE her a couple time a year- as far as face-to-face-having a conversation kind of a thing. I know our DISTRICT is okay b/c I know other women in other schools that have them... I'm in a big urban high schools. I just kindof feel like if I got it, it wouldn't be a big deal, but if I ask permission, I'd be told no... what do y'all think?

posted in freakteacher - 14 replies

The Modern School Movement: Anarchism And Education In The United States

Colin — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 08:50:19 GMT

The Modern School Movement: Anarchism And Education In The United States
by Paul Avrich (Introduction by Barry Pateman)
I can't recommend this book enough.I love this book. It was my introduction to Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia and his Escuela Moderna. Check it out, 'tis a good read about what came earlier. A great read from a great author, now sadly missed due to his recent passing.

Based on extensive interviews with former pupils and teachers, this Pulitzer Prize-nominated work is a seminal and important investigation into the potential of educational alternatives. Between 1910 and 1960 anarchists across the United States established more than twenty schools where children might study in an atmosphere of freedom and self-reliance in contrast to the formality and discipline of the traditional classroom. These "Modern Schools" sought to abolish all forms of authority and to usher in a new society based on the voluntary cooperation of free individuals. Their object, during an era of war, social ferment, and government repression, was to create not only a new type of school, but also a new world. Among the participants were Emma Goldman, Margaret Sanger, Alexander Berkman, and artist Man Ray.
The first in a series of new editions bringing the work of Paul Avrich back into print, this book is widely considered (including by the author himself!) to be Avrich's finest work.

Available at
http://www.akpress.org/2004/items/modernschoolmovement

If you are ever bored, (I know I know - like teachers have down time) And are looking for something new to read, by all means take a look.

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

Digital-game based Learning

shazlaw — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 23:13:55 GMT

"Digital natives" referring to today's students, need to be listened to, according to an internationally acclaimed speaker, at a Conference I attended today.
They are native speakers of technology, fluent in the digital language of computers, cell phones, messaging, video games, and the Internet,
whereas most teachers are digital immigrants.
This is self-evident.
He went on to say that "students lack engagement and motivation", and merely through observation, (no evidence) he recommends teachers use games, cell phones, messaging, and blogging to make learning effective and relevant.

How far do teachers go, in order to engage students?
"Today's learners are no longer limited by their teacher's ability and knowledge", so he encourages teachers to open up 'their digital world' for learning.
I'm all for that, but there is something simplistic and flawed in his thinking.
He suggested that students have access to cell-phones during testing, so they could be rewarded for initiative, by calling someone to get the answer to a test question.. (Now that sounds familiar.)
He finished with this logic:
1. Digital games produce learning with engagement.
2. Once kids experience engagement, they want it all the time.
3. Therefore, everything we design in education, engagement is more important than content.
4. More digital game-based learning is needed.
(All 4 statements are flawed)
Has anyone heard of Marc Prensky and his prolific websites?
I suspect that he is another example of someone who made it to the top of the educational speakers consortium, without a questioning educator in sight.
Just another Conference where nothing is grounded in realistic standards, dripping with jargon, and self-indulgent ‘buy my books’ power-selling.
Shameful.

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

Teacher Parties

kathleen — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:28:58 GMT

I went on a mystery bus tour with people from my school last night and it was CRAZY! I've never partied with teachers like this before. I've been to gatherings at bars where teachers stood around and bitched, but this was some crazy fun! We all got on a bus, not knowing where we were going. There was LOTS of alcohol, games, we drove little race cars at an amusement park, and ended up at a bar and danced ourselves silly! Anyone else out there have fun events with your colleagues?

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

- Looking for a certified teacher, with experience in an alternative method of education, for the kids of PachaMama.

nareshlove — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 01:15:02 GMT

- Looking for a certified teacher, with experience in an alternative method of education, for the kids of PachaMama.

Please follow these links ,

www.pachamama.com

http://pachamama.com/PracticalInfo.asp?PageId=88

Love,Naresh

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

let the healing begin

dr-yo — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 21:57:42 GMT

Let's all join hands and sing "Kumbaya."

posted in freakteacher - 21 replies

Waaah! (and then I'll shut up)

Samantha Earl — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 02:00:11 GMT

I now have my most obnoxious student for TWO periods a day because he's been bumped out of sheltered English and into mainstream. So not only do I teach him ELD where he thinks he needs to be the coolest kid in school, but I also teach him literature.

I'll be ok...

I'm sure of it...

Bleeargh.

posted in freakteacher - 4 replies

A Simple Idea for School Reform

Michael — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:39:29 GMT

Below is a preliminary proposal to pay kids to attend and succeed in high school. Let me know what you think.

I said it in school, and I'll be you said it, too. If you didn't, I bet the obnoxious kid two seats behind you did. Man, we should get paid to go to school. Over twelve years of teaching, I cannot say I ever appreciated the sentiment. It was always said when the kids felt I was asking too much, or it was an insistence that they should not have to wait for some distant day when the skills they learn in my class or any other MIGHT some day be valuable. After over a decade, I'm ready to concede their point. Students should be paid to go school.

On the face of it, the idea seems ridiculous. After all, between the national and state government, every child in California already receives $8,192 in free education each year. It pays for facilities, textbooks, electricity, administrators, and teachers. Aren't we already paying teachers a tremendous amount to educate kids for ten months out of every year? Don’t students manage to improve their test scores a bit every year? Yet for every reform made in the last thirty years, the US dropout rate remains 30% (Time Magazine, April 17). Urban schools have even higher dropout rates. The African American and Latino communities struggle with dropout rates over fifty percent. Meanwhile “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2002 there were slightly more than four million young people who were the right age to be starting college for the first time. But the Department of Education reports that only 1.4 million students entered four-year colleges for the first time that year: a roughly 35-percent rate of attendance. [During the same period,] 26 percent of the black population, and 15 percent of the Hispanic population enrolled in four-year institutions when they reached the age to do so” (Chronicle of Higher Education, Volume 52, Issue 27, Page B50). What does this mean? It means that the schools fail basically two-thirds of their students, or alternately that two thirds of students fail. The myths fall on all sides of these statistics, ranging from racist ramblings and declarations of the necessity of privatization on the right to musings on legacies of oppression and the need for self-expression on the left. Blame for this falls on bureaucrats, stingy taxpayers, administrators, lousy parents, apathetic students, and unqualified teachers. As a teacher, I believe that the majority of people believe the only controllable variable in education is teachers, hence cries for everything for merit pay to more education. Every so often, someone gets daring and pushes for class-size reduction or vocational training. Even as we speak, momentum is building to make testing determine whether children are promoted. None of it ever changes the dropout rate or significantly alters the college acceptance rate. I don’t believe any of these programs will work because they rely on people being better than they are. I think people do their jobs to get paid, and they work harder for more pay. I believe that most people respond better to immediate feedback and are poor at long-term planning. I believe that we are not going to change these statistics significantly by changing teacher behavior, because it never has in thirty years of reform. But there is a variable that has not been touched by the system: the students. We should pay them to succeed.

As a teacher, I find my greatest challenge to be motivating students. This is true whether I am teaching gifted students or remedial students. It is as hard (harder) to get a remedial student to read a short book than it is to get a profoundly motivated gifted student to learn and perform a major role in a Shakespearean play. Still and all, it is hard to keep bright, privileged kids doing their best, and harder to keep disadvantaged kids working hard. Even so, at both levels, kids ask a salient question: what’s the point of learning this? The privileged kids can look at the long-term and consider keeping options open, after all, they know people who have exercised these options. The other children consider this a flight of fancy. They do not know anyone who uses algebra or physics. They know no one who writes for the local newspaper, and if they know a lawyer, this person is even more remote than their teachers. If the best students lose sight of a tangible long term, how much harder is it for disadvantaged youths to believe in some airy-fairy future I try to sell them on. It doesn’t work, and we lose a tremendous amount of human capital because of it. Kids just do not see the point of school. I say we help them over this hump in high school by paying them to come to school, learn the skills, and act as upstanding citizens.

First, let’s pay them to come to school every two weeks. Most urban schools have severe difficulties keeping their attendance at 95%. The kids who miss school are precisely those most likely to drop out. So let’s give them a five dollar a day solution. We pay them five dollars a day for each day they are in class, except that forfeit the pay if their attendance drops below 80% in any two-week period. That’s step one, then we give them a multiplier based on their GPA. The multiplier for a D is 1.0, for a C, 2.0, all the way up to A’s which multiply by 4.0. A straight A student with perfect attendance could rack up $400, or up to $4,000 a school year, which beats most part-time jobs high school kids get and a financial incentive for excellence. On the other hand, it also creates a direct incentive for the kid who does not see the long-term reason for learning algebra to actually try. He or she may be overcoming problems with basic skills to succeed, but it is conceivable that the need for money for prom or to help out mom could be just enough to spell the difference between a D and C or C and a B. Most of the kids who find motivation her will be in the middle, which addresses the portion of kids who get ready for college. However, there is no shortage of kids who are nominally passing might stay just to get the money, especially when they consider the easiest alternative is working at a fast food restaurant. The “pay the students” program should keep the marginally successful in school and improve their performance. The best part is that if the kids are not enticed, they do not cost anything at all.

Once we get over our aversion to paying kids to succeed, the benefits of the program become clear almost immediately. It provides a college fund for the most successful students. If we want more kids to enroll in advanced science or math classes to provide the next generation of engineers, we have a market mechanism to get successful kids to enroll by adding an honor point onto their GPA multiplier. It provides a direct incentive to kids who may not see any point to doing well in school. It would be easy to add a multiplier for citizenship, thus giving kids a financial incentive to be polite. Suspensions would suddenly carry the sting of costing kids and not just the schools money. Furthermore, the program costs nothing for kids who do not respond. They simply do not receive additional funds. Fundamentally, it makes success in school carry a tangible reward. Kids can say, “Hey, I’m just trying to get paid.” In fact, a disruptive kid suddenly becomes a threat to other kids’ paychecks. I’m betting this shift in motivation from intrinsic to extrinsic motivation will benefit that majority of students who do not self-motivate, while not penalizing the successful kids. I think it would be revolutionary in the sense that it affects the motivation of the one of the two groups we assume cannot be changed, the students.

The big question is cost, but I am going to insist that the cost is not only negligible, but that it is financial foolishness to disregard this proposal. By the time a Californian child enters ninth grade, society has invested $73,728 in his or her success. Across the four years of high school, I’m guessing that the average cost per student would be a little bit north of $8,000, maybe $10,000, an amount comparable to one year of education. The average high school dropout earns $11,000 a year. They’re never going to pay enough in taxes to pay enough into the system to repay their education. Furthermore, dropouts are 3.5 time more likely to be incarcerated. It costs $31,000 a year to keep someone in prison. An imprisoned dropout is a huge lost investment for society. On the other hand, kids that stay in school generally make much more money, which means they will grow up to be taxpayers that reward society’s investment in them. It would be cheaper than universalizing preschool in all likelihood, and the advantages would be immediately measurable.

I invite any supporting statistics, anecdotes, or constructive criticism of this proposal. It is my hope that it is the cheapest way to increase the college population and reduce the dropout rate simultaneously. Thank you in advance for your support.

posted in freakteacher - 26 replies

can I get a freakteacher take on this question?

heidealist — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 02:55:28 GMT

I asked this over on teacher, but am still struggling with solidifying my policy.

Physiological appropriateness...

so- what should one expect realistically from 10 year old bladders? Restroom requests are always difficult for me. Either I say NO and feel like a torturous sadist, or I'm spending all my class time deaing with it and feeling taken advantage of. What's realistic? It seems like once or twice a day is excessive, once or twice a month might not be enough. It also has to be fair AND I want it to reward those who go at recess/lunch and don't disrupt class time.

Ideas/opinions?

posted in freakteacher - 5 replies

I want to cry

DeniseDenise — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 21:56:51 GMT

So this is my first year, I'm teaching first grade in a great charter school, I love the school and love the faculty, a real caring community of learning.
I didn't realize how mych of me effort would go toward parents. I know I can;t please everyone, but this one mom seems to have it out for me. I gave her child an 'infraction' for washing her hair in the bathoom sink while everyone was waiting for her outside (part of our discipline system- which is just a minor thing- 3 infractions= a note home, 4= a detention.) So she came into back to school night, yelled at me for giving her daugher an infraction "FOR NO REASON!!!" and proceeded to try to burn me at the stake in front of all of the other parents. another mom who'se daugher was in on the hair washing, thanked me for giving the infraction, told me her daughter understands why she shouldnt do that anymore, and that she won't do it again. - goes to show you the difference in parents. other parents wrote to me saying that I was doing a great job and that mom shouldnt have spoken to me that way...
So now the mom wants to have a conference with me and the VP because she dislikes my choice of spelling words!!!!!
I want to cry, what the fuck is going on, how do I deal with this and make this woman go away?
Please help,
signed,
clueless about the parents

posted in freakteacher - 6 replies

what would you do if...

cooldawn — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 01:50:13 GMT

Let's say you signed on with a new school and, after a month with kids, you still hadn't been given teacher's editions for 3 (out of 4) of your preps and the TA you'd been promised still hadn't arrived either?

posted in freakteacher - 8 replies

Young Filmmaker Screening at Grand Lake Theater Tomorrow FREE!

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 02:19:14 GMT

BAVC-Youth Sounds presents

THE 2006 ANNUAL FACTORY FILM FESTIVAL

Featuring new shorts by youth in the Oakland Bay Area
With an opening performance by BUMP Records

From situation comedies to sobering public service announcements, this program features brand new shorts by BAVC’s advanced video collective, The Factory. The impressive line-up demonstrates that Bay Area youth are concerned about issues like HIV, homelessness, war, smoking, dating, and the generation gap.

Saturday, September 9
4:30 PM-6:00 PM
Grand Lake Theatre
3200 Grand Avenue, Oakland

Free and Open to the Public!

The Factory is BAVC’s advanced video production collective for young filmmakers. Mentored by adult artists, youth work collaboratively to produce creative work intended for television broadcast and film festival distribution. The Factory is located in downtown Oakland and open to Bay Area youth ages 15–19. For more information contact scott@bavc.org or call 510.836.2660.

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

Community of Learners idea....

Vixxen — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 15:40:38 GMT

Hi Everyone!!

I teach Kindergarten, and I'm preparing to begin my Master's
project on the Community of Learners concept. And I was
wondering if you all have any ideas for things I could include
in my classroom as I create my strongest Communty of
Learners yet. I am going to be teaching Social Studies concepts
within this community, and matching up my students up
with students in another class who do not have such a
strong learning community and will be taught using
straight curriculum. Any suggestions or ideas?

vixen

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

Are you an activist?

Michael — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 02:34:17 GMT

I am always hoping that is the freaks, the strangers in the strange land of education, that create what's best in education. I have this dream that hippy freaks are planting organic gardens in the urban jungles, that the scantily-clad bunny at Burning Man directs plays at her school, or that the freakish boy in the ring at Fight Club is a wrestling or debate coach, and his teams win. I'm hoping always that the bravery that makes someone a freak translates into someone who wants to change the world in real life. Do my people exist, or is being a freak a mere indulgence?

posted in freakteacher - 7 replies

Pluto's potential

arrr — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 05:44:57 GMT

Its a nice way to demonstrate to the kids that what is being taught isnt the final word. Informations, even so called facts, can prove to be wrong, outdated, or misinformed. Way to go Pluto!

(CNN) -- Science teachers consider Pluto's flunking out of planet status a plus rather than a minus.

"It's exciting. It's a chance to teach kids that this is the nature of science. Things are always changing," said Rich Hogen, who taught fourth grade for 32 years in the Arizona school system.

At the beginning of the week, it looked as if Pluto would be spared the subtraction as the International Astronomical Union considered increasing the number of planets to 12.

But Thursday's vote reversed course, categorizing Pluto and two of the planet hopefuls, Ceres and Xena, as dwarf planets.

"I think it would have been more difficult had they added more," Hogen said. "There's a lot of research out there on the nine planets. They just dropped one."

Instructors who taught for years that our solar system has nine planets will have to spend some time brushing up on the new categories.

"I spent a half-hour poking around in books to get a sense of what definition of a planet has been used in the past and how the proposed changes are taking place," said John Whitsett, who has taught chemistry and physics for more than 30 years.

"It's a chance to start looking at more than just the nine planets," Whitsett said. "What do we mean by a comet? What do we mean by a dwarf planet?"

Whitsett believes the change will focus attention back on science, which he thinks has been relegated to a supporting role in recent years.

"Ever since No Child Left Behind was passed, there's been a tremendous emphasis on reading and math, and as a result, especially in elementary schools, science has taken a back seat," he said.

"What we have is something that's been making a lot of press. Students are going to be asking questions, and I've always found that the best time to teach is when kids are asking questions, " Whitsett said. "Anything that gets kids engaged and thinking about science has got to be a good thing."

Susan Wagner, vice president for exhibits and programs at Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois, said her team has some work to do.

"We will definitely be adjusting our exhibits to reflect this vote," she said. "When our building was created, we originally had eight planets that were placed in the outside façade, because Pluto was not discovered. So it's ironic that we're going back to the eight planets."
Inspiring future explorers

Becky Peltonen, an elementary school teacher in Panama City, Florida, had mixed feelings.

"On one hand, I like for the eight to have exclusivity, because you need to have certain characteristics to be a planet. It shows kids that some things do have to change. We need to teach modern science and use the new definitions," Peltonen said.

"But on the other hand, I'd like to stick with tradition," she said. "Let Pluto be grandfathered in."

Peltonen was disappointed about the astronomical union's about-face on numbers. "I wanted them to add the planets, because I think that would inspire the next generation of explorers that there are things out there to be discovered."

Peltonen, who teaches science to all grades at Oscar Patterson Elementary School, had her fifth-graders sing their mnenomic "planets song" after the news of Pluto's downgrade.

"I'm going to have to write a new song!" she said when they finished.

A top science teacher pointed out another change. "Teachers will have to redo their murals," Gerry Wheeler, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association, said.

But, he said, "The opportunity far outweighs the inconveniences of renaming a planet."

Whitsett, who is the president-elect of the NSTA, emphasized that the refigured solar system can energize teaching the true meaning of science.

"It's not a collection of facts. It's a process. It's a way of solving problems. As our understanding of these facts changes, then the science changes a little bit," he said.

Science and understanding change, but this change is not so earth-shattering, he said.

"The solar system right now is exactly like it was 24 hours ago," Whitsett pointed out. "Nothing's changed in that time period -- just the name by which we define each of these things."

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

CASCD newsletter - August 2006

cancangal — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 02:13:44 GMT

Kate Kinsella ROCKS!! If you can take one of her workshops, you should.
--- --- ---
Dear California ASCD Member:

On behalf of the California ASCD Leadership Council, I want to welcome everyone to a new school year in our state. It is our intent as a professional organization to be responsive to the current needs of California's leaders in curriculum and instruction and to promote quality programs to improve teaching and learning.

I wish to remind you of an excellent professional opportunity we are hosting this October 4-5, 2006. California ASCD will present Dr. Kate Kinsella for two full days on "Writing Scaffolds for Mixed-Ability Classrooms Across the 6-12 Subject Areas." Please click on this link to open a copy of the registration form.

I wish to offer a special extension of the early bird team price of $300.00 per person for groups with three or more participants from the same site. This e-mail incentive special will be extended through Friday September 8, 2006. Please mention this ad with your registration reservation. You may make a reservation for your team by contacting our office at 800-660-9899 or e-mailing cascd@cascd.org.

Dr. Kinsella is renowned for the success of her instructional strategies that provide second-language learners and less proficient readers with language and literacy skills that help them succeed in their classwork and on high stake tests. She provides examples of explicit, guided instruction in building academic vocabulary, carefully scaffolded writing instruction with specifically worded rubrics, and many examples of student work to demonstrate the success of her methods.

We hope you or your colleagues will join us at our event!

Sincerely,

Hilda S. Baca-Fetcenko
President, California ASCD

If you would like to unsubscribe from the California ASCD electronic mailing list please send e-mail to cascd@cascd.org.

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

The Fear of Flags: A Cautionary Tale from Colorado

Cush — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 03:06:14 GMT

We're only on our third day of school here in Colorado, and already a good friend of mine is embroiled in a ridiculous battle over displaying foreign flags in his classroom.

If you care anything about the politicization of the classroom, and about what modern heroes look like, please glance at my last two blog entries.

http://people.tribe.net/cush/blog

posted in freakteacher - 10 replies

charter schools v/s public schools

cancangal — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 19:24:37 GMT

http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/08/22/charter.schools.ap/index.html

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

school cancelled indefinitely in Gary, Indiana

cancangal — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 19:23:33 GMT

http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/08/25/gary.teachers.strike.ap/index.html

Tawk amongst yourselves...

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

PE...

cancangal — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 19:27:45 GMT

This is a subject close to my heart (i teach dance and swimming classes as well as high school English and university level theatre classes) and seeing many of my students dropping PE or being forced out of it by NCLB requirements has robbed many of them of the little exercise they got on an almost daily basis. Any comments?

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/08/20/PE.NCLB/index.html

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

* NeW HeRE !! *

Affinity — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 05:41:08 GMT

Hello! Estranged from the "normals" indeed. How advantageous it is though...so pleased to be in such good company.

posted in freakteacher - 10 replies

Hello!

laural — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 21:13:14 GMT

I wanted to say hello to you guys. A friend of mine sent me this link and I am so happy he did!
I am a first year teacher of first graders. I have a lot of anxiety about teaching because of the responsibility I have to the children in not only teaching them what they need to go to the second grade but also teaching them that they are wonderful people who deserve to be loved. This is a tall order to fill but I am going to do my best to do it!
I am going to go and read the past posts now.
Hugs to all,
Laural

posted in freakteacher - 4 replies

FaVoriTe 1st WeeK cOmmUniTY BuiLding iDeas?

Affinity — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 19:21:51 GMT

Okay, so I've been using "Tribes" activities for maybe seven years now... I'm feelin' like they're just a little played out for now.

So if you're emotionally prepared to even think about opening week yet - what are your favorite 1st week community builders?

This is a profile of my class, but i'd like to hear from any grade levels through secondary.
6th grade, self-contained, very diverse population, Title I school, about 32 - 34 students.

If not, keep digging the rest of your summer!

posted in freakteacher - 2 replies

Summer slipping away??

Mum-blebee — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 08:08:03 GMT

Does summer seem to be slipping away a little too quickly for anyone else???

I'm excited to go back and see the kids to teach... but I'm LOVING all of my adventures!

Love and hugs. :-)

posted in freakteacher - 6 replies

SelfAwareness*~--ThinkingRevolution--;;Listening;;

stevencoolcat — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 21:05:03 GMT

http://sitepalace.com/StevenMannettetje/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/selfawarenessthinkingrevolutionlistening-
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/realize2actualize/

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

Question

ohsoverysassy1 — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 00:19:13 GMT

In the long term, I'd like to earn my doctorate in psychology. I have a friend who says that I believe that I need to get my masters in special ed and "work in the trenches" before hand, but that I really don't. In the long run, I'd like to develop curriculum for kids with EBD and treatment programs as well. I felt I needed both the MEd and the PhD or PsyD depending upon my plan of attack.

What say you freak teachers?

posted in freakteacher - 10 replies

Literacy Slogans?

kathleen — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:17:18 GMT

Looks like I've been elected Literacy Czar at my new middle school. Good news is we've got everyone coming onboard new at a brand new school and have a great opportunity to create a culture of literacy. I've got lots of great ideas, but wanted to have almost an ad campaign for literacy. My administration is behind me 100%.

I was trying to think of a slogan for our literacy campaign. "Literacy is good!" was my husband's bright idea. I may just have posters saying "Literacy is..." with different answers, like, "Literacy is power." "Literacy is a tool. Use it!" "Literacy is a way of life." Literacy is more than reading and writing." "Literacy is expression." etc. What do you think? My favorite one I found while surfing around was from a site containing joke state slogans. Arkansas' slogan was, "Literacy ain't everything."

Any thoughts? Ideas? Things that have worked at your schools?

posted in freakteacher - 12 replies

Drowning in NJ

June — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 17:40:13 GMT

Hi, fellow educators,
I have never blogged before so forgive me if I learn the protocol as I go along.
I am in need of listening ears to hear my frustration about the new primary school in which I teach. The philosophy of the head reading teachers hasn't changed in 30 years and they deficit teach instead of developmentally teach. When students do not understand concepts, they are "not listening enough or not studying enough and are told they better try harder or they will fail." The new principal that started in '05 told me the superintendent praised him for the high retentions with the assumption that the students will learn what they need to learn to be successful in the rest of their school careers. My school is a cluster school grades Pre-K through 2nd only. I gave him studies that said neither retention nor social promotion worked.( Intense remediation during the school year is what they need. )The retained students may do better in first and second grade but by third grade they start to fall behind again. He commented that the principal was removed from the cluster school grades 3rd through 6th, and was transferred to a desk job because he wasn't preparing his students for promotion. He was resistant the info in the studies I gave him. He said our school is a traditional school and he has to satisfy his superiors. The principal told me if a student started the school year with problems, I needed to reflect it in his grades right away by giving him F's so the parents will not be able to argue at the end of the school year that their son or daughter needs to be retained. I do not want to damage children to satisfy the administration. The reading teacher comes into my classroom every day to teach, berate, belittle my little guys to the point of tears frequently and tells me which students she recommends I retain and it would be best that I start to reflect the grades on the report card. (I complained about her to the principal several times. He said she's been working there for thirty years. He knows what she is doing.) Even so, I have a good enough relationship with the principal that I am still giving him books and studies. He said he will read them on his vacation. I believe him. I joined ASCD for resources for our school to give him. The thing is, since our school teaches to the test, our test scores are high, so he doesn't see a problem with what is going on. I would like to help my school teach students that enhances self-learning and not destroys those students who have difficulty. The interesting thing is that we have skipped all the fad teaching techniques that have come along and are using a basal reader. We are required to do all the workbooks that go with it. There are alot of good things that go on in our school, but I will continue to instill a more humane countenance to the philosophy.

posted in freakteacher - 4 replies

freakteacher summer adventures

cancangal — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 19:29:01 GMT

share them!

how do you fill your summer daze?

posted in freakteacher - 14 replies

summer reading recommendations

cancangal — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 03:57:44 GMT

michael's response to the "adventures" post inspired this... what are freakteachers reading this summer? share, comment, recommend, ya'll know the drill. i'll start.

i just finished sneaky people & the houseguest by thomas berger. what incredible prose and amazing use of language. my sweetheart and i plan to re-read finnegan's wake next month, out loud to each other. i find that is the best way to really get a feel for joyce's style.

i've also been reading a bit of the oxford classical dictionary before bed each night. i just open randomly and read a few pages. i love reference books of all kinds, so this one is a real treat.

posted in freakteacher - 3 replies

hilarious

Molly — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 20:15:43 GMT

I got this in an email earlier, though some of you guys would appreciate it.......

Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays.

These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country.

Here are last year's winners.....

1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.

2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.

3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking
at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.

4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.

5. S he had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.

6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.

8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.

9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.

10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.

11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.

12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.

13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.

14. Long separate d by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.

15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.

16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.

17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River.

18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.

19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.

20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.

21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.

22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, eit her, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.

23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.

25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

posted in freakteacher - 3 replies

Dance away your political cynicism...

Mikey — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 03:13:27 GMT

I would suggest that anybody interested in a real laugh go to thepartyparty.com and listen to some of the funniest BushSpeak out there.

Be sure to check out "Dick is a Killer."
"White Lines" is pretty good, too. There's also a duet with Bush and Hillary, but I don't remember the title. I played some of this stuff before class, and I was grinning for a good part of the day.

posted in freakteacher - 0 replies

Job interviews/finding a job- advise please!!!

DeniseDenise — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 15:07:17 GMT

So I've personally sent out 20 resume's on very nice paper and envelopes. Had my resume/cover letter looked at by a principal and the career center at my university. I also handed out probably 35 resume's between two job fairs. I also have my info up on PAREAP, which is where most public schools in PA get their candidates.
I've had interviews with four schools. One school asked me back 2 more times but I havent heard back from them (though they offered a friend a job).
This is the first series of professional type interviews I've ever gone on so I'm a little wet behind the ears. What more can I do? What should I be doing to follow up? I hear 'thank you notes' are a good thing to send after an interview but what should I include/how should I write/send them? email, thank you card, letter??? Are there things you NEVER say on an interview? CAn you please give me some tips here? I need a job and don't want to be subbing in the fall.

Please, any advise would be great.

Thanks, Denise

posted in freakteacher - 5 replies

Im a freak teacher too!

HUNNYDUMELONS — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 00:16:51 GMT

Im so happy there is place for me.

posted in freakteacher - 2 replies

days count

kundalinicowgirl — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 15:46:14 GMT

I have 4 days left and counting.....
Woohoo!
School's almost out......

posted in freakteacher - 7 replies

myspace

heidealist — Wed, 17 May 2006 01:54:42 GMT

wierd- A bunch of my students are over there. I found my 14 year old niece- she's not being a "bad girl" says she, although she is lying and cussing a lot. I'm a bit afraid of finding my students. I'm guessing they're probably lying about their ages, etc. They're only 6th grade-ish. What if I find them and they're all nasty boys or bad girls? What do I do then?

Also- I feel like such a nerd. I only have 2 friends there- my friends are mostly here- I don't even know if I have friends there, or if I should keep things separate...

Anybody else over there? Anybody else found their students there?

posted in freakteacher - 26 replies

Came across this...

00smittenkitten — Wed, 17 May 2006 12:51:08 GMT

Certificate of completeion...

http://tribes.tribe.net/rawadvice/thread/0ee570ea-d673-4ec2-8c29-f47203707380

posted in freakteacher - 2 replies

"Electives"

kathleen — Thu, 25 May 2006 15:52:05 GMT

I wrote this to my current principal in the face of a decision they've made to go to a 10 period day in order to give kids more "fun" things to do. The idea is that with more "electives" they hope to increase attandance. Trouble is, they don't have any Arts teachers to teach those classes, so core area teachers will be teaching elective classes. Math teachers will teach some "fun" math class, english teachers will teach some "fun" english class, etc. The principal said at a meeting yesterday that these classes should have no homework and should not be rigorous. Here was my response. I'm going to a different school next year, so it won't be an issue for me. I just have trouble keeping my mouth shut!

I know I won't be here next year, but I wanted to put in my last 2 cents on the subject of electives, from the perspective of someone with a degree in the Arts and who made my living in the Arts for over 10 years.

As I look out on our kids, I know for a fact that they'll need strong abilities in Reading, Writing and Math to be successful. I also know that beyond that, a great many will not make their living as readers, writers or mathematicians. Many of our students will work in trades, skilled professions or even the arts or athletics. The trouble I see with the plan to make electives "fun" and non-rigorous is two-fold. One: it creates a paradigm that tells kids math, science and language arts aren't fun. Two: it also says to kids that the disciplines involved in the arts aren't important, that they are only for "fun."

Perhaps it would be a good idea to create a culture where Math, Science, Art, Athletics, Reading, Music, History and Drama are all fun and all require discipline to succeed. I know the realities of testing gets to all of us and we're judged by how our kids perform on those tests, but we can't lose sight of the fact that we are still educating a whole child, whether what we're teaching is tested or not. I also believe kids will do better on the tests if those core classes are made enjoyable and give kids the opportunity to use those other intellegences we've all heard so much about. I know many teachers at Clayton are already doing this. I just hate to see the arts devalued by being touted as "just for fun." Okay, that's my last two cents!

posted in freakteacher - 5 replies

does anybody use rocks/crystals in the classroom

Joy — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 18:12:14 GMT

as a means of enhancing patience, communication,or organization, or for any other reason.
I am a first year teacher and I feel extremely weak in these areas at times, so i thought i would try using rocks to change my energy a little bit. Does anyone else do this and if so what are some suggestions.

posted in freakteacher - 17 replies

35 more days of skewel!!!!!!!!!

Joy — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:54:33 GMT

i'm so excited im having conuvlsions! :) :) :) :)

posted in freakteacher - 10 replies

I become initiated tomorrow

DeniseDenise — Thu, 18 May 2006 02:40:30 GMT

It is true freakteachers of the world!
Squeeze a cheek!
I'm graduating tomorrow.
So hello, from your newest _official_ member.

Now, what to do, what to do...
I'm thinking charter schools.

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

students out on monday?

cancangal — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 14:58:07 GMT

anyone else dealing the possibility of having few students show to school on monday? there are statewide protests planned for may 1. any thoughts, ideas, on what/how to deal with it?

i keep emphasizing the importance of education and that there is plenty to do to show support after school, but i am concerned about having so many students out.

posted in freakteacher - 11 replies

Boarding School Teachers

greta — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 20:40:08 GMT

Are any of you teachers at a boarding school? I teach at a private school (6-12) that is mostly day students but does have some boarding students. I teach 7th grade, while all boarding students are high school kids. There are some changes happening next year, regular faculty (non dorm parents) will now have duties on some weekends supervising the dorm kids. I am really struggling with this idea and am not happy. Does anyone have experience with this? What do you think? Should all faculty have responsibilities to supervise dorm students on weekends? Thanks for your thoughts and input...I am just trying to figure out if this will work or if it seems fair (for both faculty and students)

posted in freakteacher - 5 replies

Hi. I'm new here. Special Ed?

itsoktoplay — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 03:20:02 GMT

I'm currently working on my masters
in Education Leadership, school prin-
cipal type stuff, but am seriously con-
sidering a change to a dual cert. in
spec. ed. and elementary teaching.
I know that temperament is altogether
crucial and I get the profession as I
was a (behavioral) special ed student
in my middle school and secondary
years. Any of you out there that can
share your experiences of those of
your colleagues? peace. thanks.

posted in freakteacher - 1 reply

freakteacher "reader's digest moment

cancangal — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 05:47:25 GMT

i teach mostly english language learners, 10th and 11th grade. my juniors are currently working on a research project that requires them to interview an artist in the field they are researching. tonight, while grading the interview profiles, i came across the following, written by one of my top ELL students. He has a large speaking vocabulary, but still has a long way to go with written language.

<The room smell like an art room... I could also smell the colon of Mr. Brooks. It smelled like old man colon. He smelled like my grandfather, which is not a good smell.>

Took me three reads to totally comprehend COLOGNE.

posted in freakteacher - 4 replies

Help! I'm all out of ideas!!!

jodygoodman — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 13:39:19 GMT

OK. Many of you are probably in the same boat, but I've just ran out of ideas and steam for the year. I teach 8th grade US History and were just starting WWII. I've got 25 days left and the kids afre bored stiff. We've doen projects out the wazoo, papers, presentations, debates, jeopardy games, and so forth. I'm really at a loss. If anyone has any ideas, please leave a reply. Much obliged.

posted in freakteacher - 10 replies

Horrid Class!

Andie — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 22:55:52 GMT

Hi all,

I have this one horrid class. About half of them are angels, and the other is AWFUL. It's my 6th period--so I go home every day in a bad mood because they are just asses most of the time. They are the kids who just ruin things, this last half.

Today I'm not teaching. They are just sitting there in my hot classroom (the ac is broken) silently. I'm not taking any questions, I'm not doing anything until they tell me why they are so rude to me. So far no one has volunteered to answer my question.

I'm so tired of leaving work in a pissy mood. I don't want to do it any more.

posted in freakteacher - 14 replies

Confused

00smittenkitten — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 02:51:02 GMT

OK so I graduated in December, got my credential in March and began applying to sub.

My District of Choice didn't acknowledge my app at all, my second choice said come back in September to see if we need subs, at that point I panicked and put out feelers in a variety of directions.

So now I have been hired to sub by 4 local districts, including my DoC, and the county just contacted me to say they want me for alternative ed subbing. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, suggestion, advice anyone?

posted in freakteacher - 5 replies