tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60441509241388163482024-03-20T02:36:27.285-05:00My School Daze (plus)Students aren't the only ones learning
~Teaching in the Midwest~MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-2686744937457848682015-08-30T14:14:00.000-05:002015-08-30T14:14:09.641-05:00School TIme! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoSwVD7bLvU2pEcHe8F1Qyr8pYTO3HOnMI4fJspEBS_vVyn0jItjy_sxmIDvEiXtR-rbYITK3kBvNdFkA79QckeYjoTMHCGbfiTllo-smP_mErGhXCG3SzcCanwpAJUZw97SR5ZGId0jO/s1600/bus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoSwVD7bLvU2pEcHe8F1Qyr8pYTO3HOnMI4fJspEBS_vVyn0jItjy_sxmIDvEiXtR-rbYITK3kBvNdFkA79QckeYjoTMHCGbfiTllo-smP_mErGhXCG3SzcCanwpAJUZw97SR5ZGId0jO/s400/bus.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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It's that time again! School busses are all around, school supplies are disappearing from the shelves, and kids are going to bed earlier and earlier. <br />
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There is a fresh new feeling in the air.<br />
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May everyone have a great beginning to their school year! <br />
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-80454990569202317022015-08-05T07:00:00.000-05:002015-08-05T07:00:01.445-05:00Middle School Bash <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Middle school kids are social. Very social. <br />
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We had a Middle School Bash last weekend to get the students together before school actually starts.<br />
This serves three purposes:<br />
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<li>To help the new kids who are moving up into middle school develop a sense of belonging </li>
<li>To create community between grade levels and amongst the teachers </li>
<li>To have fun </li>
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I think we accomplished all purposes. We had about 30% participation -- which I feel is good because of vacations and such these last few days. </div>
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The evening was full of water balloons, pizza, and kickball. It rained for awhile, but we used that time to go in and have the pizza. </div>
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My thoughts for the evening: I was surprised at how much last year's 6th graders have grown over the summer. I also hope that the new 6th graders will find that we teachers are approachable. </div>
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I think having a bash should become an annual event. </div>
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<i>Do you do anything over the summer to engage with your students? </i></div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-39000402100224902422015-08-04T15:32:00.000-05:002015-08-04T15:32:16.667-05:00Back in the Saddle Again <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At the end of last school year I had decided to leave the school where I was teaching. You can read about it <a href="http://myschooldazeplus.blogspot.com/2015/06/leaving.html" target="_blank">here.</a> But during the summer, the school board contacted me to see if I would come back for another year. The principal had resigned leaving things a bit topsy turvy and there were a few teaching positions to be filled. They were looking for some consistency. Since I did not have any other employment plans in place, I gave the offer a lot of thought and decided to return. <div>
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It is a small private school. It will be nice to keep the small classes, know the hidden culture of the school, and know most of my students before the year begins. There will be the same disadvantages as last year, but this year I will know about these going in. </div>
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The awkward part is that people, both teachers/staff and parents, knew that I was leaving. So I feel like there is room for gossip and rumor. I do not want to participate in that. Already I have run into people who ask me leading questions hoping that I will fill in the blanks. </div>
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I am kind and courteous, but I am not offering any information that is not necessary. </div>
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It has led to a few prolonged silences. The good thing is that I am very busy trying to prepare, so the silence can be made brief as I make excuses to get back to work. </div>
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I don't know what the year will hold, but I am excited about teaching the kids. </div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-12496793128677624302015-06-12T06:00:00.000-05:002015-06-12T06:00:02.714-05:00Leaving <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have decided not to return to my school next year. <br />
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In my last post I briefly discussed some of the reasons for my decision. I do not have anything lined up yet and I am not even sure if I will continue to teach. I've got some serious thinking ahead. <br />
If nothing else, I can go back to subbing next year until I find something else. <br />
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I went back to my classroom this week and returned some items I had at home and I also picked up the last few items of mine that were still there. It was sad going back into the room where I have so many good memories along with a few not-so-good memories. <br />
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The room looked so lonely and sad with all traces of me gone.<br />
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I will miss it.<br />
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-4786738135991070162015-05-28T10:23:00.000-05:002015-05-28T10:23:02.604-05:00End of Year Thoughts <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yet another school year is over. We spent our last day together about a week ago. This was my first year teaching in a private school. There are definitely some advantages to this environment, but there are also some disadvantages. <div>
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One big disadvantages is that numbers matter. You want to have large enough classes so that the school is efficiently using resources, but you also want to have small enough classes for students to be able to get more individual attention. It is a fine balance. </div>
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Related to that is the number of teachers. As class sizes ebb and flow, so do the teachers. You may be out of a job because there are not enough students to require a separate teacher. </div>
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Another disadvantage is the pay and benefits. Compared to the public school system, private schools make a lot less money and benefits are usually not as good. This year I made about 55% of what I made while teaching full time in the public schools. I am lucky to have pretty good benefits, but I had more while working in the public system. The trade-off is the smaller classes and environment. </div>
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I've got some decisions to make. Do I stay another year? Can I afford to stay another year? </div>
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I've got some thinking to do. </div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-53489971454991993472015-05-10T14:12:00.001-05:002015-05-10T14:18:21.261-05:00Bloglovin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14041533/?claim=x892v3t35p6">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
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I have linked this blog up with bloglovin. I used to use Google Reader to read the blogs I followed, but haven't found an aggregater that I like since that went away. I have seen many blogs with the bloglovin button, so I decided to give it a try.<br />
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So if you are on bloglovin, look me up and follow me!<br />
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Do you use any kind of reader to follow blogs? <br />
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-53882226375149204482015-04-08T23:28:00.001-05:002015-04-08T23:28:18.874-05:00A Change in Plans <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Subbing last year was quite an education. I enjoyed it most days. There are advantages and disadvantages though to subbing.<br />
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Advantages:<br />
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<li>You can take some days off whenever you choose</li>
<li>You see a variety of ages and a variety of teachers' classrooms</li>
<li>You don't have to plan or take work home </li>
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Disadvantages: </div>
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<li>Unless you are able to pre-arrange your days with a teacher, you won't know where you are going to be until early morning</li>
<li>There may or may not be adequate lesson plans </li>
<li>The pay is not so great</li>
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In all I believe it was a good experience for me, but I will not be returning to sub again next year.</div>
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Why, you ask? </div>
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I accepted a position teaching middle school students at a private school this year. </div>
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I am excited and somewhat overwhelmed. </div>
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<i>What are you doing this year? </i></div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-84328713470610914512015-02-14T23:30:00.000-06:002015-02-14T23:30:04.030-06:00Putting on a Program<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm working at a private school this year teaching middle school. It has been a bit of a learning curve and that is why I haven't posted in awhile. Anyway....<div>
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My class was responsible for putting together a short program this week. We started discussing what to do about 3 weeks ago and my students got very ambitious and wanted to write a skit. We did some research and figured out a theme and they got all excited about performing. But...no one was willing or offering to write a script. I think they expected me to do it and I just didn't have time.</div>
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Last week I suggested they come up with some songs or something because I truly didn't think we had time to write out a script, cast it, learn lines and practice ....all in less than a week. </div>
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But they dug in and got it done. A couple gals wrote the script and I edited it only a bit. I compromised and gave up a little bit of class time so they could practice. I gave them some extra homework to make it up. </div>
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Things did not flow smoothly--- people got their feelings bruised because they didn't think they got a big enough part, and we had some absences that made us scramble. The final touch was some snow and slick roads the morning we were to perform--so getting to school on time was tough. </div>
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But.....they did it! And it was great. </div>
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What did I learn? Don't underestimate students. Always expect the best. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. </div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-74219299781432106982014-07-12T05:00:00.000-05:002014-07-12T05:00:00.733-05:00Something to think about ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Education is </span><span style="font-size: large;">the most powerful weapon</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">which you can use </span><span style="font-size: large;">to change the world."</span></blockquote>
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~ Nelson Mandela </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></blockquote>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-10490572477232256172014-07-10T05:00:00.000-05:002014-07-10T05:00:01.187-05:00Library Time !<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW330ONOlCh7dszY0Pjfa1TCek2d0i7CGUHgWNRh8Z95ltCBFlO6J4tn3IUU6wKGCxyCdWNDe0rDPDEI1XmztdTE12ZDn7mHHJ95RIdikZJwRzE_sh9O9C96EuuEvvt9l7N89K8i8cag1/s1600/IMG_3150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW330ONOlCh7dszY0Pjfa1TCek2d0i7CGUHgWNRh8Z95ltCBFlO6J4tn3IUU6wKGCxyCdWNDe0rDPDEI1XmztdTE12ZDn7mHHJ95RIdikZJwRzE_sh9O9C96EuuEvvt9l7N89K8i8cag1/s1600/IMG_3150.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
Earlier this year I had the great opportunity to sub as an elementary librarian-- now titled as a Media Specialist.<br />
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Media Specialists do not just read books and talk about books, but they must do everything media related. On my day as a Media Specialist, I taught several classes in the computer lab. <br />
I always feel like a kid in a candy store when I visit a school library. There are so many good books! You sometimes even see a bookworm !<br />
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-42170865730482735542014-05-24T00:18:00.000-05:002014-05-24T00:18:01.348-05:00A Teacher's Prayer <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I saw this prayer poem framed and sitting on a shelf behind a middle school teacher's desk the other day. I would think it is a good reminder throughout the day to keep the teacher's attitude correct.<br />
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Dear Father, hear me as I pray, </div>
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for ever child that I teach today.</div>
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That each small face may be to me</div>
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A cherished photograph of thee. </div>
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With patient sweetness let me guide</div>
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Each precious soul with love and pride.</div>
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That when I make a record sheet</div>
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No space may be left incomplete. </div>
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Then grant me grace, each mind to give</div>
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A clear-marked rule by which to live. </div>
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And they, dear Father, I beseech</div>
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That I may keep the rules I teach. </div>
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Author Unknown </div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-24006637295057139062014-05-01T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-01T05:00:00.568-05:00Planting Seeds <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't judge each day by the harvests you reap </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but by the seeds you plant. </span></div>
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~Robert Louis Stevenson</div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-18694234828948717042014-04-03T22:53:00.000-05:002014-04-03T22:53:31.457-05:00Building Roller Coasters <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I spent time subbing in a middle school science class this week and they were working on a STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Math] project. The concept had to do with energy. The last time I had been in this particular class they learning about potential and kinetic energy. Now they were putting everything they had learned into practice. <br />
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In teams of 3-4 people, they were given a task to design a roller coaster that was safe, worked, and was fun. They teams were given a budget of virtual money and they had to purchase or rent the supplies needed to build the roller coaster. For instance, tubing cost $1.25; marbles were 25 cents; and a measuring tape set them back by 50 cents. If the team decided to use a prop of some kind, like a wall or a box, they were charged a dollar. However, as the team made refinements to their plan they wrote it down and modifications earned them 50 cents for each one. <br />
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Most groups worked extremely well together. They had already done their beginning planning and were going to build the day I was subbing. I was amazed at the creativity. There were loops, and double loops, hills, and jumps on these roller coasters. Students were engaged as they tried their roller coaster out with the marble and then made any adjustments needed to make it better. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2r5WkQ1YAL6I-kEsoZwf2fXut9WoAch42nZYz1v-S4BTmIE9L1hr7EifdHkRNgwXOCE-dGOZU1avIqoJQ2wmLJO7qSROsLk6ePEZ28KTX9edeapzYprmnWw8Ebwl6xnJRarR0H2RDqFy/s1600/science+1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2r5WkQ1YAL6I-kEsoZwf2fXut9WoAch42nZYz1v-S4BTmIE9L1hr7EifdHkRNgwXOCE-dGOZU1avIqoJQ2wmLJO7qSROsLk6ePEZ28KTX9edeapzYprmnWw8Ebwl6xnJRarR0H2RDqFy/s1600/science+1c.jpg" height="320" width="273" /></a> </div>
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What a fun day watching our future at work ! </div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-18814119501116968962014-01-27T04:00:00.000-06:002014-01-27T04:00:00.524-06:00"We are in a Zoo!"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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That is the comment I heard from a couple of 7th graders when I spent the day as their science sub. The regular teacher had added a snake to her classroom animal collection and the kids had just seen it. </div>
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The newest member, the snake, was out and about in his cage slithering around. He got a bit shyer ( or perhaps was just tired) when I went over later to take his picture. </div>
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The turtle looked like he was stuck in the log! I think he may have just been chilly--although he did have a heat lamp nearby. </div>
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The iguana basked under a heat lamp all day on his branch moving nary a muscle as far as I could tell. Must be the life! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvorVBa9nUfghtb-CumTjbTWiFAHklLszTuxPjn3J2SzC3pugnCwkC7pyhGQSMB4KhzI0snYkAXo47wUJ2oMaS_G9vba8QJo1WzAEW6xu9MUYmasIyD9r5Jf8rzkArXMIpLnist23eJRNo/s1600/animals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvorVBa9nUfghtb-CumTjbTWiFAHklLszTuxPjn3J2SzC3pugnCwkC7pyhGQSMB4KhzI0snYkAXo47wUJ2oMaS_G9vba8QJo1WzAEW6xu9MUYmasIyD9r5Jf8rzkArXMIpLnist23eJRNo/s1600/animals.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>What classroom animals have you seen? </i></div>
MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-82820210747081548442014-01-25T06:00:00.000-06:002014-01-25T06:00:03.802-06:00Marshmallow Models<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3IFDxjlBLy20uscGHQG7iKO7yo9H2B17-iGs4ZUyuSGQDgj4iLfRRno5YDjSA6ih_AyUz4_JEDukS8HRTeEoKmsIjr6J1I9hlcW2PadCqX54cIvLQsuDmopdBGmZXaad4fVMAd63_F4Q/s1600/science.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3IFDxjlBLy20uscGHQG7iKO7yo9H2B17-iGs4ZUyuSGQDgj4iLfRRno5YDjSA6ih_AyUz4_JEDukS8HRTeEoKmsIjr6J1I9hlcW2PadCqX54cIvLQsuDmopdBGmZXaad4fVMAd63_F4Q/s1600/science.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I spent time in a middle school science class this week and they were studying chemistry. The teacher had set up the class the day with some background knowledge and an experiment. She burned a magnesium strip to create magnesium oxide. </div>
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On my watch, the students were to do some reading in their text then build a model of the chemical equation with mini-marshmallows and toothpicks. It was to be a discovery session as they figured out how to represent the equation with the marshmallows. At first the kids struggled some, but they soon figured out what they could do and the day was a success. After creating the model they sketched their model in their science notebooks. </div>
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At that point, some of the marshmallows were eaten! </div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-28817502570198858682014-01-25T00:27:00.000-06:002014-01-25T00:27:09.452-06:00A Sweet Surprise <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I met my cousin for an early dinner at the local bread company Friday afternoon. The young manager behind the counter greeted us enthusiastically as we approached. I gave him a second glance and realized that I knew him! That was why we got the enthusiastic greeting. He is one of my former students. He came around and gave me a hug and we had some small talk before I ordered my dinner. <br />
<br />
It makes me proud to see my students doing well. <br />
<br />
Before I left to go home, I stopped back at the counter to pick up a couple of muffins for the weekend and gave my order to the girl behind the counter. The manager, my former student, happened to walk back to that area and he told the gal-- "She was my 5th grade teacher!" <br />
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Mercy! I feel old. But I also feel proud.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Have you had a chance run-in with a former student or former teacher? </i></div>
MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-73261761700285292802014-01-21T04:00:00.000-06:002014-01-21T04:00:00.487-06:00Shoe Orphanage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kuZ3ofTOZSCuJ-ItK9Jhluw3wBr297NbbkExXqZ_AfR2Tuv81ja5HbL_CByVT3dvvfab3AFOExzZraRcSIRlaTbIPVhSTiegDymU2mKbN_4iUuL_eOLfqOgeYivf77onHX2mjDx7lBRu/s1600/shoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kuZ3ofTOZSCuJ-ItK9Jhluw3wBr297NbbkExXqZ_AfR2Tuv81ja5HbL_CByVT3dvvfab3AFOExzZraRcSIRlaTbIPVhSTiegDymU2mKbN_4iUuL_eOLfqOgeYivf77onHX2mjDx7lBRu/s1600/shoes.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
These poor shoes have been left, forgotten, misplaced, or lost during the course of a PE term. The shoes that nobody wants? <br />
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I'm not exactly sure how the shoes find themselves in this spot or how long they have been here. However, when I subbed as a girls physical education coach I did notice how many little things the girls leave behind as they prepare to get ready for their next class. <br />
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<i>Have you ever left anything behind in a class? </i></div>
MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-68953724935005341222014-01-10T04:00:00.000-06:002014-01-10T04:00:01.398-06:00Snow Day No Way! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I taught full time in the classroom, as most teachers will agree, snow days are like treats- little vacation days- like an oasis in the desert. We cherish them. We get silly and act like Oprah's audience during her "Favorite Things" show. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4KlfpYkP8khT9W_fqNz-bTTWs94IcaFl3E_zZm1pCVsHXdrOjFTIUfm7-w9IdN-Bje1lyUQHjutjxpbCxtkyjkmpN5bybo9Kt0piL-oMV9NxAVR3q4_fQYnElLgShcutRfQ2USiUKgPO/s1600/snowday+oprah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4KlfpYkP8khT9W_fqNz-bTTWs94IcaFl3E_zZm1pCVsHXdrOjFTIUfm7-w9IdN-Bje1lyUQHjutjxpbCxtkyjkmpN5bybo9Kt0piL-oMV9NxAVR3q4_fQYnElLgShcutRfQ2USiUKgPO/s1600/snowday+oprah.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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But now as a substitute teacher, I say "Snow day, no way! " For me, a snow day now means a day of no work which translates to a day without pay. So when we have snow days, I lose money. Money that I cannot make up. <br />
<br />
So while I still like the idea of cuddling up on the sofa with a cup of cocoa and a book, watching the snow and cold from inside; I do not-- cannot-- afford them. <br />
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We've had two snow days thus far this year. My neighbors to the east have had a whole week of them.<br />
<i><b>Have you had snow days? </b></i></div>
MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-50324637313824028602014-01-09T21:08:00.006-06:002014-01-09T21:09:40.758-06:00Lesson of the Day <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After several days of frigid weather where I have not left home, today I had a sub job scheduled for a half day. This was a repeat job where I was requested. It is at a good school and it is a fun class and I was looking forward to subbing as it would be my first sub job of the new year.<br />
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The only anxiety I felt was the forecast of light snow and freezing drizzle--making for slippery roads. I got up a little early and planned to add minutes to the short commute in case of bad roads. <br />
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I gathered my things, went to the garage and got in my car to leave at 7:20 am. I had to be there by 7:50 am and it was maybe 10 minutes away on a good day. <br />
<br />
BUT my car would not start. The battery was dead. I had left no light on. The doors were not left open. It is a newer car. But the battery had failed me. What was I to do??? I had to be at the school in less than 30 minutes and I can't get the car to start. <br />
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If I were working as a teacher --I would call up a friend or co-worker and ask for a ride. But there is no co-worker here. I have no one's number to call for a ride. My neighbors are nowhere to be seen. I could call other friends, but they either have to get to their jobs and helping me jump my car would make them late or they live far enough away from me that it would take 15-20 minutes for them to even get to my home. <br />
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I called the school and told the principal about my car failure. I apologized for the trouble this would cause. I then called the sub office and asked them to find a replacement sub for me and gave them the reason so they wouldn't think I was just blowing the job off. <br />
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Eventually when I was able to get someone to help, it took 3 jumps to get my car to get going! I think the combination of the below zero temperatures and the fact that I had not driven it in about a week caused the battery to freeze up or to lose its charge. I made sure that it got charged up today so I won't find myself in this position again.<br />
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Later I emailed both the teacher and the principal to apologize for any inconvenience ( I am sure my replacement sub had to get there after the starting time). I heard back from both of them. I want to be sure that my relationship with them continues to build in a positive way.<br />
<br />
Today's Lesson Learned: Always start your car every day regardless of your plans to go out or not. <br />
<br />
<b><i>Do you have a Plan B to get to work? </i></b><br />
</div>
MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-22357668013803359262013-12-17T06:00:00.000-06:002013-12-17T06:00:00.874-06:00Who's Afraid of Kindergarten? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was subbing in an elementary media center one day when a teacher came in looking a bit frantic. She asked if I would be able to sub for her a week from Friday. After mentally going over my calendar and realizing that I was not already working that day, I told her yes - I could sub for her.<br />
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"Really? Are you sure? Next Friday, can you really?" she responded. I was surprised wondering what I was getting myself in to. I assured her that I could sub for her and then I asked her what grade she taught. The answer --- kindergarten. Oh my. <br />
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I was a little afraid of kindergarten. My experience has always been with older children and I don't know if I have the patience or the flexibility to be with 5 and 6 year-olds all day long. They have short attention spans, snotty noses, tummy aches, untied shoes, and small bladders. Don't misunderstand me. I love little children. I have a grandchild who will be in kindergarten next year. But the day was set and I would be spending a full day with a room full of kindergarten students.<br />
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I went in that morning a bit anxious and apprehensive, but I left feeling pretty cool and confident. I survived and I had fun! The kids listened for the most part and they were good little learners. Some were more mature than others just like any classroom. <br />
<br />
At the end of the day there were:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>3 tummy aches ( no one sent to the nurse ) </li>
<li>25 or more bathroom trips throughout the day ( thank goodness for a bathroom in the room) </li>
<li>1 crying episode</li>
<li> 3 pairs of shoes tied </li>
<li>2 jackets zipped up </li>
<li>1 pants buttoned </li>
<li>1 ponytail redone </li>
<li>glue, scissors, color crayons </li>
<li>good books to read </li>
<li> stories ( kindergartners have lots of stories to tell) </li>
<li>laughs</li>
</ul>
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It was a good day. I am not afraid of kindergarten anymore.<br />
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-49251689779425638982013-12-16T23:39:00.001-06:002013-12-16T23:39:39.105-06:00Subbing: A New Adventure <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I stepped out of the classroom awhile back for various reasons and now I have decided to step back into the education playing field--jumping in with substitute teaching. To make the decision I considered the pros & cons:<br />
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<b>Pros: </b><br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Get to know many age levels, many buildings, many colleagues </li>
<li>hours are basically school hours - no planning or grading outside of school </li>
<li>Schedule is more your own - you can take a day if you'd like it off</li>
</ul>
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<b>Cons: </b></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Most days you don't know where or if you are working until that day or night before </li>
<li>pay is mediocre and no benefits </li>
<li>some children consider sub days a license to misbehave; they do not respect the authority of a sub</li>
<li>every building has a different climate and silent culture that must be learned </li>
</ul>
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The bottom line is teaching, education, school, is what I know and what I do. Being out of the classroom made it all too clear that it is my calling and I miss it. So, the adventure begins. </div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-24213617244881077872013-07-06T20:05:00.000-05:002013-07-06T20:05:03.509-05:00A Review of The Book Whisperer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTc7uW9KPv82AAmwR21-0DgwkiIGADFfIt-q8_baBM14n5MU2E44HrvP4LbrIGjZnjjauYIi_6dnAmniulC3-Mc4dcu4K9_cxpZlb_zez_xTjr64ywZgiA8RQHu-AG1vUhNxQ4234AOUf/s1600/BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTc7uW9KPv82AAmwR21-0DgwkiIGADFfIt-q8_baBM14n5MU2E44HrvP4LbrIGjZnjjauYIi_6dnAmniulC3-Mc4dcu4K9_cxpZlb_zez_xTjr64ywZgiA8RQHu-AG1vUhNxQ4234AOUf/s200/BW.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
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<em>The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child</em> is written by Donalyn Miller, a 6th grade language arts and social studies teacher from Texas. <br />
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In this book, Miller explains her theory for teaching children to be life-long readers. To read and to like reading, one must spend time reading and reading many kinds of books. The book outlines how she begins her year motivating students to read and gives her expectations in the classroom. It includes some student opinions and student samples of surveys.<br />
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Miller gives us a theoretical background of the reading philosophy and her rationale. She explains how her classroom library is set up and how it is managed. Students have a reading notebook and it is explained within the pages of this book. Even Miller keeps a reading notebook during the year which she tells us about. In the back of the book are appendices with some surveys and book lists.<br />
For accountability and grading purposes, Miller shares some traditional practices found in reading classrooms ( such as book reports, reading logs, comprehension texts) and offers some alternatives. <br />
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<em>The Book Whisperer</em> will ignite your reading teacher passion! After reading this book, you will be able to start teaching reading Miller's way of reading right away. However, there will be some administrators that will not like seeing this type of teaching. They are happier with tangible products of reading. They want students reading the same books and doing a certain worksheet or project to prove they have read the book or that they understand the book. Additionally, many teachers are required to teach a certain program or with specific materials. You can still incorporate Miller's ideas - it just may take a little creativity. <br />
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<br />
<br />
<strong>Needed if you are to teach like the Book Whisperer:</strong><br />
1. Access to many books --many genres of various reading levels. It is best if they are books that are either yours or can be kept in your room.<br />
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2. You need to be a reader yourself - read so you can authentically converse about books and so you can recommend books<br />
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3. Time to read - class time , stolen moments, at home <br />
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4. A belief that all are readers- be positive and dont put labels on children ( struggling reader, reluctant reader) Find the books that will hook the child in and help them become stronger readers. <br />
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If you are a language arts teacher or even if you are not: I recommend this book should be in your stack of professional resource books to read. Add it to your stack! <br />
<em></em><br />
<strong><em>The Book Whisperer: Awakeneing the Inner Reader in Every Child.</em> </strong><br />
<strong> ~ by Donalyn Miller</strong> <br />
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<em><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Have you read this book? What other books are in your stack?</span> </em><br />
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</div>
MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-19775390147984645622013-06-27T00:34:00.000-05:002013-07-06T20:27:58.403-05:00Any Questions? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2MKlNqZ_brvmtlVpOBSmyUSZWIZOvRqgKC5f4VKLyOVmsyAtvq77vhYKBDUjCTP2_H2idOvHphuDrm8g-zOjKmz8b9JUvsQXNC6KsVY7d-1fbAXiSKrduh1q2xwY4OdPvDQH8A3CIkfB/s1600/any+questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2MKlNqZ_brvmtlVpOBSmyUSZWIZOvRqgKC5f4VKLyOVmsyAtvq77vhYKBDUjCTP2_H2idOvHphuDrm8g-zOjKmz8b9JUvsQXNC6KsVY7d-1fbAXiSKrduh1q2xwY4OdPvDQH8A3CIkfB/s320/any+questions.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-25463407155034321382012-09-05T05:36:00.003-05:002012-09-05T05:37:51.972-05:00To Be or Not to Be, Cool - That is the Question <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Slowly the schools in our district are being air conditioned. It takes money to get it all done and there have been bonds that we voted on to get it done, but it has been a long road as all buildings cool off. <br />
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It seems we start school earlier and earlier every year. This year the first day with students was August 16th. Temperatures have been in the upper 90's to low 100's (35 - 39 C ) during this time. <br />
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Any new buildings are built with central air. Many of the older buildings have been fitted large, noisy window air conditioners. This requires that classrooms keep their doors shut to keep the cool in and the hallways are still very hot and humid. The superintendent stated on the news last week the plan would be to eventually phase these window boxes out and upgrade to central air for all. More money, do doubt. <br />
<br />
But as of this school year, two thirds of our junior high buildings remain unairconditioned. Now think about this. These kids have had airconditioning all through their elementary and middle school years. Most have air conditioning at home. Now they are being asked to go spend 8-10 hours of their in hot, humid conditions and to focus on learning. <br />
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The public's reaction is interesting. Through comments in the newspaper and call-in radio shows many people chide students & teachers today for needing to have air-condition. Back in the day, they didn't have air and so why do kids today need air? <br />
<br />
I wonder how many of these people are working in unairconditioned environments? <br />
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It reminds me of when my mother used to say she walked 2 miles to school every day -- in all weather -- up hill both ways and barefoot. <br />
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I don't think we can compare our experiences from yesteryear to today's experiences. Even school today is much different than school back in the day. Perhaps the people who are grumbling about kids having it too easy should spend a few days or a couple weeks at school and see what is going on. Let them experience the hot weather in an old building while having to learn. Let them see what kids are even learning today-- oftentimes much more is required now than what was required then. <br />
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<em>Do you think it is necessary to have air-conditioned schools today?</em> </div>
MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044150924138816348.post-30734522849006082332012-02-15T23:25:00.000-06:002012-02-15T23:25:06.267-06:00In the Hands of a Few<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0Wy7BY44xXFKgsdKfgYmyZz_Pkx9kc15zLqEUpzFSecMdgZ4eHuV_mybR51PDQskqqGQULV0C16hsHEp8QwPabpaDesA7OV9cKq6d3Wjers2JqXEB8cueTsY_9J92ieR8Ux-xFkLu57R/s1600/School_-_Board_Meeting_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0Wy7BY44xXFKgsdKfgYmyZz_Pkx9kc15zLqEUpzFSecMdgZ4eHuV_mybR51PDQskqqGQULV0C16hsHEp8QwPabpaDesA7OV9cKq6d3Wjers2JqXEB8cueTsY_9J92ieR8Ux-xFkLu57R/s320/School_-_Board_Meeting_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A nearby little town held their school board meeting last night. On the agenda was whether they are going to renew the contract for next year of the elementary principal.<br />
<br />
Parents in the town are upset and determined to have a voice. They have ascended upon the meeting. <br />
According to one mother, "I just want to have the information for myself, show me the evidence. I can make up my own mind. I like this principal, she is the best." <br />
<br />
Later in the evening it was revealed that the superintendent feels the principal did not turn in some paperwork on time last year. When he asked to see some of it, she was unable to produce it. Her story is that she did the paperwork as necessary and turned it in to the state as required. The state has not returned it to her. <br />
<br />
I do not know if the paperwork was done or not. Frankly, I don't care. Is that a reason to fire someone? Especially if that person has a good track record and is well liked in the community? It sounds more like a power struggle or a jealousy problem to me. <br />
<br />
This is one thing that irks me in the education field right now. One person or a few people hold the career of good teachers and administrators in their hands. If she does get terminated, she will have to move if she wants to stay in her field. She will also have to have this clouding up any future employment application. They all ask-- have you ever been asked to leave or not had your contract renewed? That right there may keep her out of a possible job. It may close the door. <br />
<br />
Now this Superintendent could be doing this out of spite, weakness, or malice. <br />
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I don't know how the meeting ended. I just know that there is a lot of bull --oney that goes on in the education field right now. <br />
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Let the teachers teach! </div>MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847657888731338351noreply@blogger.com0