Just because I love this band so much

Teaching kids the art of detecting "BS"

It seems a little hard to explain to students that they need to go online and do research (since that seems to be the only place to do it now adays), but that they shouldn't believe it all. I think that a great activity for them is to tell them to research a generic subject, such as genetic mutation, or something that is a major conspiracy theory, like the 9/11 crashes. Send them out, tell them to locate anything that they find of interest on the subjects. When they come back, they can present their findings to the class. With the conspiracy theories, they could show the rediculous information that is out there on the different ways that it could have happened (though some are more credible than others).

After demonstrating to them that there is a lot of bad information out there it is important to show them that there is good information, and how to discern it as such. I would like to provide them with some websites that provide credible information, such as Wikipedia. In addition, show them ways to locate credibility, such as researching the person who wrote the article, or looking for accredidation for the article that they have found. Is the person who wrote it a credible source, what education do they have, what proof of that education do they provide??? Just like anything in English, we need to teach our students how to think for themselves and to discern things that may seem strange or new. Once they know how to think critically about their research in the classroom, they should be able to transfer that knowledge elsewhere.

I have the real guys, so I guess we have to add the Lego version

Strange times in the education world

Overall, I think that this has been a good week. As I was walking through 408 to get to the exit through Mrs. Johnson's office I saw someone telling her a little complaint, at that point I decided on my way out I would let her know that everything was going well and I had nothing bad to tell her. I think it made her day, I get the feeling that people, especially in her position, don't really get that kind of feedback regularly.

I am still a little nervous when I am teaching, but I know that I am going to love it full time. This week was the first time that I really got a chance to sit with students on an individual basis and help them with their papers. It was nice to have students asking me for help that really appreciated my guidance and assistance with their papers.

On the other end of the spectrum, I just don't know what to do with some students who just seem determined to do nothing and fail. I don't know how to motivate someone who expects to either have everything handed to them or is just okay with failing. It is a hard thing for me to see, especially when I know that student has a great deal of potential. But, I can't let the problems of the few distract me from the promise of the many, I will keep trying.

Looking forward to chaperoning the dance next week. I'm going to bring my Fiancé, and since we are going to teach a Synergy class on Swing Dancing together (Mr. Wegenka said he would hire her on as well), I thought we could showcase our talent a little bit there as an advertisement. I'm looking forward to all of these extra activities. On Monday I was thinking that I would bring the chaperon sign up to class to get the other interested people to sign up, I'm afraid that they will wait until the last minute and then the dance will be cancelled before they commit themselves.

What a start to a week

It has been an intersting week. Our computer broke down at the end of last week, so while I am still grading things, I can't enter the grades into our grading program. I can understand how much work teachers really do now too. Even if I am grading things that are not essays and don't require near that much reading, it is still a lot of work to have to do them in the first place. But, it is just another piece of the job, that's why we get paid the big bucks, right?

It is exciting to go to school and know that my Guide Teacher and I are getting along so well. I really feel like we are becoming more than "co-workers" at school, I consider her my friend now and feel very comfortable with her. Also, I get the feeling that she appreciates my work and help, and I hope that she can tell that I appreciate her, though I do try to let her know.

Back to the computer thing, it is hard to get things fixed. When we needed a code for a Macintosh computer, the tech guy at school told us that he's "not really a Mac guy" and said that we should ask someone else, then we just got the run around. It seems like we would get a lot more done with a little more cooperation.

We had our first talk about TESA and how we should speak to students, etc., at Monday's class. Then, I went to my first period class on Tuesday morning and had a lapse in brain function and said something incredibly rude to a student. All I wanted was for the earth to open up and swallow me whole for the rest of the day, since I knew I was wrong. But, she's better with me now, I think that we have gotten past it and I have definitely learned my lesson. At least I know I was wrong and can move past it, there's a little something to hold onto.

Wish I could think of things like this...

My kids utilizing a blog in the classroom setting

Well, from what I can gather, wouldn't be very useful to my students. While they thought it would be nice to be able to respond to things in that manner, most of them don't have ready access to the internet, let alone a computer. It would just be another hassle for them to have to stay after school, go to a library, etc. in order to find a computer to use a blog on. It seems like a good idea, but in a low income school, which mine very much is, it would be almost impossible to expect all of my students to regularly check and use a blog.

On the other hand, many of them didn't even know what a blog was, that was interesting to explain, and then to get the blank looks of "why do people do this crap?"

That's about it though, no blogs for my class, not right now at least.

End of Week 9/11-9/15

Well, this week has had its interesting twists and turns. I've done a lot more actual grading, which is a nice change as compared to running erands and making bulletin boards, though I realize that these are just as important parts to the job, in their own way. We had picture day, and of course I didn't expect the kids to walk orderly in a line to the gym, but it was a little disconcerting to realize that I can't watch all of them all the time. In addition, I found out that one of my kids might possibly lash out violently if we push him over the edge with his work, giving him a hard time for turning in things late, arguing back with him when he argues with us. I didn't realize how touchy you have to be with some students, especially the ones that appear to be the toughest. All things that have gotten me thinking, but not in a discouraging way.

Beginning of Week 9/11

Well, I went into this week not really knowing how my master teacher was thinking about scaffolding me into the full teaching, but I think that now I have a better feel. She and I have talked, and I think bonded a lot more and I think she is going to give me second period in order to give me the opportunity to see her do first. The kids are also really starting to warm up to me, I can tell because they remember my name now. Not only that, but they even ask me for help, and feel confident that I can give it to them. That is probably the best feeling that I have had about this whole experience so far. It's probably the reason that I wanted to get into this work, because I wanted to change the lives of these kids, it's nice to get a little positive feedback.

After Surviving Week 1

The week has gone by pretty quickly. I never realized how good Thursday would feel, waking up and realizing that I didn't have to attend any extra classes in the evening.My guide teacher has been very helpful and responsive throughout our time together. As we go along she takes the time to point out particular things that she tries to do. In addition, she does let me do a great deal of the grading and clerical work, not so much to turn me into her work slave, but to give me an idea of what will be involved. Having introduced me merely as "Mr. Russell" has helped the students to see me not as a student teacher, which I don't believe that they realize, thankfully, but as a co-teacher. While Mrs. Perez-Peters is taking the lead now, I do know that I will soon be feeling comfortable enough to take the reins and to become a more active part of their learning experience. The kids were not nearly as unruly and unresponsive as I believed that they could be. Overall, I have enjoyed my time so far and look forward to the rest of the year progressing in the same manner.

Reactions: Before the Students Arrived

The first day when my guide teacher was a little interesting. It seemed somewhat short and a little whirl wind. I have to admit that I first had some trepidations about Mrs. Perez-Peters. She was a little quirky and a little over the top sometimes. However, I soon learned that all of this fuels her for her days, and that she is an intelligent, passionate teacher, who really loves what she does. My planning time with her has shown me that she puts a lot of thought into what she gives to her students. In addition, she has become incredibly adept in interpreting their problems and knowing how to handle them on an individual basis. One thing that I do appreciate a great deal is the time that we take to sit down and discuss the lesson plans. Not only do we plan for the next week, which helps me think of things to do for my own future classes, but she also wants my input on how I think things went with the lesson we just did. If there is something that I have any sort of comment or criticism on she takes it in stride, and then explains why she may have done that in a certain way. She is an excellent guide teacher, and with that in mind, I believe that I am in good hands for the semester and possibly the year.

Is the worst picture of me ever taken?

Titling my blog

It was harder than I thought it would be.