I’ve been amazed at how important it is to instill a love of reading in children. It means so much in terms developing the imagination, vocabulary, thought process, memory…. It also helps us to live vicariously through characters so we can perhaps avoid making their mistakes in our own lives. I’ve been around lots of Read More
This entry is not just because I am an Art teacher, so I’m not trying to be some kind of a ringer and freak out about this issue. But, I do really see some serious problems with children lacking quality education. I’m not just talking about being able to finger paint when you’re a kid. Read More
So, California thinks that teachers from Minnesota are stupid, so they have to take a lot of extra classes before they can get a teaching credential. Well, I’ve been notified that I need to take a course called “Technology for Educators.” Here is the description of the course: This is a basic course that gently Read More
Well, third quarter is ending tomorrow. And, suddenly, despite my pleading and prodding earlier in the quarter, my students actually care about their grades. This is what I’ve heard so far today from several students: Is there any way that I can get my “C” to a “B” by tomorrow? A “D”??? I have a Read More
I have traded classes with the Study Skills teacher for today and tomorrow. He used to be a sculptor in Italy, so I invited him to teach a sculpture lesson to my Art 1 students. So, I’ve been teaching his study skills and SDC (directed studies – math) classes. Here are some key differences: 1. Read More
I chaperoned the middle school dance tonight. Good times. I found that the biggest challenge of the night was keeping parents from going into the dance. So many of them wanted to go in to find their kid. I’d have to tell them to wait until the end, that we don’t release kids and they’d Read More
I’ve been having repeated dreams lately. They’ve all been different places and different moments…but essentially the same. I’m on horseback, looking from the perspective of my body. I can see the saddle horn, hear the leather squeaking, swat at flys trying to bite my horses ears. I have either been on an overo paint, or Read More
It all started when our school was having a magazine drive. Students were supposed to sell magazines to win cool prizes. The money basically funds all student activities such as dances, spirit days, and the like. Each homeroom competes with the others to be the top sellers and recipient of a pizza party and book Read More