Special Thx
Taylor Mali: What teachers make
Many have seen this or read it, I know. Today it was sent out by a colleague and I decided to share. This is the time of year when we need reminding. It is the time of year when most of us are struggling through the day to day race and we are looking at the time remaining with trepidation. State tests and AP tests are no longer months away, but weeks. There are occasional glimpses of spring pulling us to be outdoors. We’re worn out. Some of us are on break, some of us are still weeks away. I used to complain about break being so early, now it would be welcome. I know that I will love it when it arrives. Despite being worn out, I am enjoying myself. My students are intrigued by Populists and Progressives. I am freaked out because the exam is May 8th and I haven’t even gotten to WWI. No pressure! The following video is a wonderful reminder that teachers really do make a difference.
Another one from Kwizgiver. I think if you steal the quiz from a blog it should probably add a little to your nerdy score, but if you actually google for a nerd quiz it should significantly increase your nerd score.
Personality survey
| % | |
|---|---|
| Openness | 69% |
| Conscientiousness | 81% |
| Extraversion | 19% |
| Agreeableness | 63% |
| Neuroticism | 56% |
Uh. not open. Not as agreeable as the survey indicates. Probably more neurotic too.
The big bad teacher…yep, that’s me.
Assignment: 63 terms and people of the Progressive Era.
Due: two days after it was assigned
Reaction? I am apparently evil.
The assignment was given to both classes. One does what it always does, they complained with shock at the amount of work then got started. The other class? One individual begins scheming. The Princess I wrote about a while back: “OK guys, we can get this done quick by dividing the work. Everyone can take 4 or 5, type it up and email it to me, then I will email it to everyone.” *Skeptical looks at each other and to me*
Me: Guys, you know I don’t care how you get the work done, as long as you know it. However, you need to know that I think this is a bad idea. If you only do a part of the work you will not learn the rest or retain the information as well.
Two students refused to participate in the scheme. The rest jumped on board. Some were still skeptical but the easy factor won out.
Understand that students knew they would be held accountable for the material. Sometimes they are allowed to use notes on the quizzes. Usually hand-written notes only. I don’t want students to do poorly, but I also don’t want them to get a free ride by not doing their own work or copy/paste material for their identifications.
Day before quiz…
Student in less lazy class: Are we going to get to use our notes?
Me: Yes.
Student: Even if they’re typed?
Me: No.
*shock*
By the end of the day word had spread. I made it home by 9 PM, turned on my computer for a little surfing and spent the next 45 minutes calming panicked students. If you do YOUR work, typed or hand-written, you SHOULD remember enough to complete a simple accountability quiz. If you failed to do YOUR work or simply copy/paste all the answers from the ‘net then you will probably do poorly! How are you being accountable for the information if you are not doing YOUR work? Why should you be allowed to use the work completed by someone else to receive accountability credit? Why do I end up looking like a bad guy because my students are too lazy to do their own work? I understand it is a lot. I understand that they want to divide it up. I truly don’t have too much of a problem with it. My problem is them expecting a group effort to be acceptable for personal accountability. It is not acceptable. If you complete the work as a group then you need to individually prepare!
When I gave them the quiz on Friday 5th period, the less lazy of the two AP classes, did fine. Of course, they did most of their work individually. Half of fourth period was furious with me. Princess tried to negotiate a deal and I informed her that her classmates were probably not interested in any more of her plans. She replies with shock, “What? Me? What do you mean me? This is my fault? Huh?” A few classmates informed her that it was her idea to split up the work. She made a very wise choice and decided to keep her mouth shut. I was shocked.
New policy: No notes…period. Problem solved.
Kontan says…
I am tired and ready to go home. Tonight? Time with my girls.
Turning in
Time to turn in. My right wrist is REALLY hurting and I have no idea why. (Carpal Tunnel sucks and I have aggravated it.) My new phone is here and it is totally cool. I also have no idea how to use all the features. Very sleek though. Nice touch screen, a little smaller than the iPhone. I’ll have to do some serious exploring tomorrow. Jem says I don’t need ‘net capability. I agree, but it is certainly handy. When our situation changes it will be a perk I take advantage of. 
American Idol was great tonight. I think it is going to be a really good season, lots of talent. My pic is Danny. He is not only talented, but really seems to be a good person. I just wish his friend had made it as well. Daylight Savings is kicking my tail. Hate it. Dark mornings make it terribly difficult to get out of bed.
Time to turn in. Thanks for stopping by.
Incite
My new phone is coming today!!!
*It’s here. It’s cute. It’s gonna be a B to learn.*
You’ve got to be kidding…
Student: I need to talk to you about the test today.
Me: *dread* OK?
Student: You see, we were on a ski trip this weekend and…
Me: You’re wanting me to excuse you aren’t you?
Student: Yeah, you see we didn’t have time to study. It was a nine hour drive and I couldn’t take my book for fear of losing it…
Me: You’re kidding. Uh, no.
Skipping
It irks me that students will skip class and then expect ME to give THEM the make up work or missed notes. Excuse me, but YOU chose to skip out on class so YOU figure out how to make up for it! At my school there is no policy in place for make up work and students who skip school. It has not been a problem until recently. The board will soon be addressing this issue, but until then… I personally have a policy. You skip, your problem. I will not accept missed work if you skipped on the day it was due/completed. However, I have another dilemma. The student skipped on Thursday and was assigned OSS Friday. On Friday we took a test. I could probably battle and say hell no you aren’t taking it, but since there is not an official policy and the test was not actually on the skip day, the punishment was, then I will simply give an alternate test. Come tomorrow I will have an official policy. Skipping = 0. OSS= 0. Sorry, you’re problem. Don’t screw up and you won’t have a problem. Please understand, it is HARD to get OSS here. We have very few discipline problems. Up until now our biggest issues consisted of cell phone violations. We have no after school detention and ISS was the cell phone violation punishment…after you had previously served silent lunch. They had one or two serve ISS last year. This year, they are seeing how far they can go with the rules. Skipping is the new problem. At a school that really stresses academic achievement and rigor, it is stupid to skip out on your classes.
Kontan says…
Bagels and coffee…great way to start the morning
Flair
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