So it's that time of the year for seniors, we have come to the point in the year where the students are done. It's May, I can't blame them to much. Yet as I passed out the same old review (revised to cover this years material, but still same concept of previous years) I couldn't help but think - THERE AS TO BE A BETTER WAY TO END THE YEAR!!!
I mean, ever since I was given the chance to go digital, and even to some degree before then, I have tried to not do the ordinary. You can see it in the kids face's most days, they hate school - and who can blame them. We ask them to come to a building and sit in desks, and go against human instinct - be quite and work with little breaks. And then we ask them to repeat this process over
and over
and over
and over (we have 8 periods in my building)
day after
day after
day ..... (you get the point)
It's boring.
Most teachers want to do engaging things, at least those that I read and try to emulate in my building. We are human beings as well, and doing the same thing everyday would be just of a big of beating on us as the kids. Yet knowing this - I feel into the same trap!!
I passed out a long, uninspiring review. Here do this. Define this.
What?!?! I know better!! What the hell happened!
As a teacher of seniors I'm torn - I have my college bond kids that need to be shown how to take a semester worth of information, boil it down, study and then take a pressured exam over it - like traditional college (though I hope they are changing a we below them push to change the way we teach as well). Yet I also have tons of kids that college isn't in their plan, and knowing how to create a meaningful product would be a worth while experience.
So I ask, ponder, and think about - How do we end the school year and do both - prepare students for college, yet not bore them to tears in the process?
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
It's Been a Whirl Wind of a 10 Days
So in the last 10 days or so I've ...
1. tried unsuccessfully to have my AP Macro kids take the AP test (we are rescheduled again for next Thur May 30). We missed the first date due to school closer (more on that in a bit) and the second attempt was missed due to failure to actual have the exam in our district to give to the students.
2. seen my town literally torn apart, and then come together to start to rebuild. We were hit by a EF-3 tornado damaging two schools within our district, and several neighborhoods. During the next two days, and everyday since, parents, students, community members have come together to clean-up and start to rebuild. And when another community was hit by storms just days later, while we are still trying to fix ourselves, my students are also figuring out ways to send aide. It's amazing.
3. started to reflect on myself as a teacher. Looking at what worked, what didn't work, and what is truly important to me. And I've come to some good, and yet painful, conclusions I had a lot of successes this year. I had some failures, but I learned from those and have made myself a better teacher.
I've also learned that I'm a teacher. I love to teach. I love seeing that light come on a kids face when the succeed. I love seeing the joy that comes now as we close in on graduation. I love seeing them grasp not just economics, but start figuring out life. I've come to the conclusion that no matter what may come in the future but I will always be a teacher.
4. I am getting excited about next year already. I have started started the transition to integrating technology in my class the past couple of months. My students and I have been willing to experiment, fail, and try again. It's given me something to work on and plan for. I look forward to reexamining how, why, and what I teach for next year. It's May, but I can't wait for August so I can start, try, fail, and try again new projects, lessons, and technology for my class. I know I'm crazy.
So till next time - Live long and proper, May the Force be with you, and remember with great power comes great responsibility.
1. tried unsuccessfully to have my AP Macro kids take the AP test (we are rescheduled again for next Thur May 30). We missed the first date due to school closer (more on that in a bit) and the second attempt was missed due to failure to actual have the exam in our district to give to the students.
2. seen my town literally torn apart, and then come together to start to rebuild. We were hit by a EF-3 tornado damaging two schools within our district, and several neighborhoods. During the next two days, and everyday since, parents, students, community members have come together to clean-up and start to rebuild. And when another community was hit by storms just days later, while we are still trying to fix ourselves, my students are also figuring out ways to send aide. It's amazing.
3. started to reflect on myself as a teacher. Looking at what worked, what didn't work, and what is truly important to me. And I've come to some good, and yet painful, conclusions I had a lot of successes this year. I had some failures, but I learned from those and have made myself a better teacher.
I've also learned that I'm a teacher. I love to teach. I love seeing that light come on a kids face when the succeed. I love seeing the joy that comes now as we close in on graduation. I love seeing them grasp not just economics, but start figuring out life. I've come to the conclusion that no matter what may come in the future but I will always be a teacher.
4. I am getting excited about next year already. I have started started the transition to integrating technology in my class the past couple of months. My students and I have been willing to experiment, fail, and try again. It's given me something to work on and plan for. I look forward to reexamining how, why, and what I teach for next year. It's May, but I can't wait for August so I can start, try, fail, and try again new projects, lessons, and technology for my class. I know I'm crazy.
So till next time - Live long and proper, May the Force be with you, and remember with great power comes great responsibility.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Coming to An End
Having seniors and it being May, it's that time of year when we are all done - or at least we all wish we were done. We have just a little material left to cover, yet we wish we could make it all just disappear. The students are anxious for graduation (though some are nervous about being able to actually pass to graduate).
Part of me wishes we could hurry up and it just be June 7th (our graduation date) but I know that these are also some of the best days of teaching still. I get to talk about life, not just economics. I get to calm nerves about what comes next for them. I get to see the joy of them getting scholarship and acceptance letters. I get to see relief after AP tests are done. These are the rewarding days. yet these are the hard days - we are all done.
So keep pushing and keep teaching. It'll be June before to long.
Part of me wishes we could hurry up and it just be June 7th (our graduation date) but I know that these are also some of the best days of teaching still. I get to talk about life, not just economics. I get to calm nerves about what comes next for them. I get to see the joy of them getting scholarship and acceptance letters. I get to see relief after AP tests are done. These are the rewarding days. yet these are the hard days - we are all done.
So keep pushing and keep teaching. It'll be June before to long.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Too Often
Not sure how much more I can do this. Yesterday was a hard day for my campuses. We had a student suddenly and tragically leave us. This is the fifth student that 4 years that my campus has lost. Wow we rallied as a staff and community, we are becoming to good at doing so.
I find it hard to even think about prepping my courses (and my AP kids have their test next Thursday). Losing students is something that a teacher, community, staff should never have to deal with, yet it seems to becoming more and more common. I'm getting tired of responding and feel a need to be proactive.
We as teachers love our students, we care for them. Otherwise we wouldn't do what we do. Yet we continue to watch them harm themselves. We need to let them know that we care. And not just when there is a tragic loss, but routinely.
I'm drained. I hurt for my kids, those directly and indirectly affected by our loss. I hurt for the staff and teachers that were closest to our loss. Yet I'm fearful that this is becoming routine.
We will move on. I will continue to teach, it's what I do best. I'll have my kids as prepared as I can for next week. I'll just do so with a heavy heart.
I find it hard to even think about prepping my courses (and my AP kids have their test next Thursday). Losing students is something that a teacher, community, staff should never have to deal with, yet it seems to becoming more and more common. I'm getting tired of responding and feel a need to be proactive.
We as teachers love our students, we care for them. Otherwise we wouldn't do what we do. Yet we continue to watch them harm themselves. We need to let them know that we care. And not just when there is a tragic loss, but routinely.
I'm drained. I hurt for my kids, those directly and indirectly affected by our loss. I hurt for the staff and teachers that were closest to our loss. Yet I'm fearful that this is becoming routine.
We will move on. I will continue to teach, it's what I do best. I'll have my kids as prepared as I can for next week. I'll just do so with a heavy heart.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Overcome and Be Surprised
So earlier this week I vented about the frustration (Here) I was having with technological roadblocks due to my districts' policies and lack of fully understanding the speed at which a flipped classroom can move. Well the latest is that while most of my district is onboard and willing to trust those of us that are pioneering this digital age in the classroom, there are a few that are holding on to old ways of doing business.
But we've overcome, we have found ways to work within the system we have now and still fight for more access. It'll take time.
---- ---- ---- ----
Switching subjects, students were creating video projects advising Clark Kent on how to solve an economic problem he uncovered while researching the use of kitten tears as a diet supplement (I know strange set-up but I use superheroes in the business world all the time to teach my economics class). Here are some observations I've noticed this week, keep in mind this is the first big project my students have taken on using the new technology (we got the class iPads just a week ago) ...
1. As a teacher, it is hard to give up control (at least for this OCD control freak) of exactly how and the pace of the students gain the knowledge needed to complete their projects.
2. I've learned quickly the importance of having built in check points on long the road to completion. I knew this going in, but having these check points gave me the ability to see if the students were on the right path, and to keep them moving down the road.
3. I was surprised, pleasantly surprised by the level of knowledge my kids gained from this project. They looked forward to working on the iPads everyday, and while they were on task 100% of the time (and be honest who of us is) they did a lot of work to complete their project. There were times when I doubted whether this was going to work, did I not give clear directions, was my expectation for them too high, and so on. But as they are turning in projects today, I'm seeing great work, with thought and insight.
In the end - I'm sold on blending my classroom and using project based learning!
But we've overcome, we have found ways to work within the system we have now and still fight for more access. It'll take time.
---- ---- ---- ----
Switching subjects, students were creating video projects advising Clark Kent on how to solve an economic problem he uncovered while researching the use of kitten tears as a diet supplement (I know strange set-up but I use superheroes in the business world all the time to teach my economics class). Here are some observations I've noticed this week, keep in mind this is the first big project my students have taken on using the new technology (we got the class iPads just a week ago) ...
1. As a teacher, it is hard to give up control (at least for this OCD control freak) of exactly how and the pace of the students gain the knowledge needed to complete their projects.
2. I've learned quickly the importance of having built in check points on long the road to completion. I knew this going in, but having these check points gave me the ability to see if the students were on the right path, and to keep them moving down the road.
3. I was surprised, pleasantly surprised by the level of knowledge my kids gained from this project. They looked forward to working on the iPads everyday, and while they were on task 100% of the time (and be honest who of us is) they did a lot of work to complete their project. There were times when I doubted whether this was going to work, did I not give clear directions, was my expectation for them too high, and so on. But as they are turning in projects today, I'm seeing great work, with thought and insight.
In the end - I'm sold on blending my classroom and using project based learning!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Annndddd We Come to a Grinding Halt
The kids are excited, they are willingly working, discussing, debating, thinking.
Then we are forced to divert or stop.
We are creating a video giving sound economic policy advice to Clark Kent on how to best help save the planet for his friend - Superman. The kids are excited about this project. They are digging deep to find the best solution, and to poke holes in other groups potential solutions, so their policy will be selected.
Then we are forced to divert or stop.
I had done the prep work, created the assignment, though-out what I wanted to kids to debate and discover. Figured out the steps needed to complete the project successfully for my students, so they experience success along the journey. I tested the apps needed, I even tested them on the school network so I knew they would work. I was excited. The kids are excited.
Then we are forced to divert or stop.
The students don't have access to the app. Why? Somebody at central office said so. I wasn't notified.
I'm told here you want to use web 2.0, we want web 2.0 students, we want deeper thinking students, we want engaged students - but first wear these handcuffs.
I am challenging the ruling to block the app, but it takes time I'm told. I have to submit a request, somebody has to read that request. Then it is forwarded on to the tech supervisor. They will then review the request. Then if deemed worthy, they take it up the food chain. Then maybe it'll get unblocked - this process, I'm told could take a week. A week!
We live in a technological age, and it takes a week to unblock a educational tool!
I could travel the world in a week.This process needs to happen faster.It must happen faster!
I understand, kinda, the need to limit student access to certain things. But if I'm a professional that you trust to educated 150+ students each semester, and you've entrusted me with helping start an digital push in our district, then trust me to be a digital professional teacher. Remove the handcuffs. Or at least trust me that when I request something be removed, to remove it in less time than it takes me to travel the world!
End of rant.
Then we are forced to divert or stop.
We are creating a video giving sound economic policy advice to Clark Kent on how to best help save the planet for his friend - Superman. The kids are excited about this project. They are digging deep to find the best solution, and to poke holes in other groups potential solutions, so their policy will be selected.
Then we are forced to divert or stop.
I had done the prep work, created the assignment, though-out what I wanted to kids to debate and discover. Figured out the steps needed to complete the project successfully for my students, so they experience success along the journey. I tested the apps needed, I even tested them on the school network so I knew they would work. I was excited. The kids are excited.
Then we are forced to divert or stop.
The students don't have access to the app. Why? Somebody at central office said so. I wasn't notified.
I'm told here you want to use web 2.0, we want web 2.0 students, we want deeper thinking students, we want engaged students - but first wear these handcuffs.
I am challenging the ruling to block the app, but it takes time I'm told. I have to submit a request, somebody has to read that request. Then it is forwarded on to the tech supervisor. They will then review the request. Then if deemed worthy, they take it up the food chain. Then maybe it'll get unblocked - this process, I'm told could take a week. A week!
We live in a technological age, and it takes a week to unblock a educational tool!
I could travel the world in a week.This process needs to happen faster.It must happen faster!
I understand, kinda, the need to limit student access to certain things. But if I'm a professional that you trust to educated 150+ students each semester, and you've entrusted me with helping start an digital push in our district, then trust me to be a digital professional teacher. Remove the handcuffs. Or at least trust me that when I request something be removed, to remove it in less time than it takes me to travel the world!
End of rant.
Monday, April 29, 2013
New Week, New Day - New Conquests
So Friday is dead and gone - done! Prom is over and now we can refocus our energies and finish this year strong. today has been a marked improvement over last week.
Why? New project - new excitement!
We started a new project over comparing all the different economic policies available to economic advisers The students have to take on the role of an adviser and figure out what the problem is, how different economic philosophies would solve said problem, and then give their opinion on which policy is best.
They are doing this is Vimeo and publishing (hopefully) their finished product on Friday. Along the way they will be turning in check points to make sure they are progressing well and have the correct information. It's a small step toward my eventual goal of project based learning.
I saw excitement today. I saw collaboration I saw learning. And they were just doing research. It's early in this process but today things are looking up.
Why? New project - new excitement!
We started a new project over comparing all the different economic policies available to economic advisers The students have to take on the role of an adviser and figure out what the problem is, how different economic philosophies would solve said problem, and then give their opinion on which policy is best.
They are doing this is Vimeo and publishing (hopefully) their finished product on Friday. Along the way they will be turning in check points to make sure they are progressing well and have the correct information. It's a small step toward my eventual goal of project based learning.
I saw excitement today. I saw collaboration I saw learning. And they were just doing research. It's early in this process but today things are looking up.
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