Get ‘Er Done
As part of my campaign to raise the level of expectation in my seventh graders – both academically and behaviorally, I’ve instituted the following. Strategies are courtesy of Teach Like A Champion. 1. Procedures for Entering the Classroom* a. Go directly to seats. b. Set everything out that is needed for class. c. Place homework [...]
Where One Hopes for The Best, and Often Gets the Worst
Well, perhaps the second part of my post’s title is saturated in a bit of hyperbole. But, I’m going somewhere with this. So, please bear with me. Things in my corner of the world are going pretty well. As I tweeted yesterday morning to a FL colleague who teaches at an independent school in Charleston, [...]
The Bane of My Existence
As a teacher, two things I detest the most are marking student work, and, computing end-of-trimester grades. Along with lost keys and mislaid eyeglasses, they are the bane of my existence. As much as I strive to be fair and balanced in my approach to assessment and evaluation, I feel that I always somehow fall [...]
The Power of Light
To those who are regular readers of my blog, I’ve been M.I.A. So, first, I would like to thank those who have continued to visit and to read, in spite of my absence. As some of you may know, Connecticut was devastated by an early winter snow storm on 10/29. Tens of thousands were left [...]
The First Day – Again
On Friday, which was yesterday, I officially embarked on my 18th year as an educator. It was a good day. Aside from the usual knuckle-headed behavior from a few 9th grade boys, the students seem interested in and willing to learn, albeit anxious, which may explain to some extent the knuckle-headed behavior from a few [...]
Memín Pingüín
This is a fascinating essay, on a myriad of levels. It offers a well-articulated, socio-historical critical analysis of Afro-Latino race relations in Mexico.
Pre-Countown to Lockdown
Dear Mom went there: She asked me if I were ready to go back to school. As soon as she asked the question, she followed with a second, which resonated better with me: “You don’t want to hear that, do you?” Anyway, today is 29 July, which means that tomorrow is 30 July, which means [...]
Exhausted, But Still Thinking
As I typed my last comment report this morning at approximately 10:22 am, my face crashed down into my laptop keyboard. I was overcome by mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion. Although I am relieved to see the year end, I feel good about the things I was able to accomplish with students. I made some [...]
Can’t Always Make Learning Sexy
At best, learning is hard work. However, many of today’s students fail to acknowledge this. Moreover, they fail to acknowledge the connection between the impact of not doing their homework on their learning and progress. At the present time, my Spanish 4s are learning formal commands. Previously, they learned tú commands, which are a bit [...]
Voki?
Perhaps I am late to the party, as it were. But, it has taken me some time – perhaps longer than most foreign language teachers – to feel the Voki love, and to jump on its wagon. Just today, I expressed in a tweet to a colleague that beyond creating a wacky avatar, I considered [...]
