They Say That School is a Bad Mother...I'm Talkin About Garfield High!

Well, we can dig it!

I admire the teachers of Garfield High so much! What they have done, are still doing is amazing! Not only amazing, but very brave. In the scheme of things, everyone might not see what they are doing as heroic.

However, as an educator, in this economy, in this toxic environment, the fact that these teachers stood up, and against, standardized testing by saying, "No, we won't!" is heroic in my eyes!

I wish I could be as brave as they are. I realize we each have our own level of bravery,of courage. I proudly pasted my sticker on my bumper. And no, I don't turn my car around,so that is hidden from the view of those entering the building. :)

We have our anonymous heroes, like Mr.Mell, who created the bumper sticker. People who are afraid of retribution because, face it, most of us need our jobs. Yet, even with that fear, they work anonymously to do what's right for our kids.

There are so many out there bravely fighting for our students and our schools, Opt Out of the State Test, Teachers Laugh, Diane Ravitch, Sabrina Stevens, the list is endless!

Our children are suffering because of the state tests. Low income neighborhoods are losing schools based on test scores. Teachers are teaching to the test. We are losing music, art, recess, all the "other" things that create a well-rounded human being.

Thanks Garfield High,for bringing this fight into the light, for having the courage. We all have to step up and be brave in some way, shape, or form. Even if it is just a bumper sticker. :)

That Garfield High is a bad mother

Shut your mouth!

But, I'm talking about Garfield

Well, we can dig it!

Top 3 Posts of February 2013!

"I Apologize" An Open Letter to My Students!
I am sorry.
I am sorry that, yet again, I am placing another test (or assessment if you like using big words) on your desk. I  am sorry that I am, again, forcing you to take another test.
Yes, I know this is the 3rd test in a week, but you don't understand.
In order to meet your needs, I have to collect data. Lots and lots of data. So much data in fact that I will never be able to look at it, especially since I have 25 of you sitting in my room.
But I have to do it...READ MORE




If You're Happy and You Know It...! Happy Students = Happy Teachers!
About a week ago, I was feeling pretty frustrated with this whole teaching thing. I was worrying whether or not the way I was feeling physically, had to do with the stress of my job.

And then I received an email that put a huge smile on my face. Now, keep in mind, the thing that put a huge smile on my face is not something that everyone would get excited and happy about. Understand too, that I am VERY passionate about edtech!...READ MORE



Fairy Tale Jeopardy! JeopardyLabs:This is Not Powerpoint!
When I created my Fairytale Jeopardy, I used a PowerPoint template. (And, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that).  The hard part for me was keeping score. The kids and I would get all mixed up. It was a hot mess! :)
...READ MORE

Thanks to all my faithful readers! 

You Catch More Flies with Honey! Lesson ReLearned!

It's funny because I wrote this post in March 2012, and ended the title with the words, "lesson learned". I guess I forgot the lesson.

The good part is that I remembered, and applied it. :)

A little girl in my Book Club had been driving me crazy! She was only with me for 30 minutes, but she truly got under my skin. She walked into my room as if I was the worst thing that could happen to her. She had an attitude that was defiant. She refused to read, wouldn't join in discussions,etc..

And instead of  avoiding a power struggle with her, the sensible thing to do, I engaged her. Yes, I know, I should know better. She wasn't going to get the best of me, oh no! I was going to make her change her attitude because I was the TEACHER!

One day, we began reading our new books. The kids had to watch the book  trailer and then write their predictions on an index card, which then became their bookmark. ( I used Symbaloo to post the book trailers.) At the end of the story, they would be able to see if their predictions were correct.

I stood  next to her a s I spoke. All the kids were excited about the new books. Not her. Her lip was out with a sullen expression on her face. And then I did something small that made a huge difference. I turned to her, handed her the index cards, and said, "J, will hand out the index cards.' J, please make sure everyone gets one."

She got up, handed out the cards, and made sure everyone got one. Sullen expression, gone.  She watched the trailer, wrote on her index card, and read. Yes, she actually read.

Things went well between us after that. She read. She participated. She became enjoyable, and I'd guess, she felt the same way about me.:)

"And I know no matter how much honey you put on that spoon, there are the kids who will ...not change one iota.  But, sometimes, the honey works, sometimes you catch more flies.:)"

"I Apologize" An Open Letter to My Students!

Dear Kids,
I am sorry.
I am sorry that, yet again, I am placing another test (or assessment if you like using big words) on your desk. I  am sorry that I am, again, forcing you to take another test.
Yes, I know this is the 3rd test in a week, but you don't understand.
In order to meet your needs, I have to collect data. Lots and lots of data. So much data in fact that I will never be able to look at it, especially since I have 25 of you sitting in my room.
But I have to do it.
I know, you are tired of exit tickets, formative assessments, entrance tickets, common district assessments, the weekly tests, but it all helps me understand what you don't know.
When I understand what you don't know, I can help you learn it.
I apologize that I move quickly from one thing to another, and it's hard for you to keep up, and that's why some of you have a hard time passing the test. But you have to understand that I have to follow a pacing guide. It tells me what to teach and when to teach it. If I don't follow it,  I will be in big trouble!
And most of all, I apologize for the standardized tests. The big STATE test.
I am sorry that during Read Across America week when we should participate in fun, educational, reading activities, you will be headfirst in the Math standardized test.
Bummer!
I am sorry your Recess has been cut to 15 minutes. You know it's for your own sake. It gives you more time to learn so that you can pass the state test, and I can get a good evaluation from my principal, my principal can look good, the district looks good, the state looks good, and the federal government will shine its light upon us. Passing the state test shows everyone how smart you are!
I am truly sorry for what education has become.
Forgive me,
Your teacher

photo credit: Dave Keeshan via photopin cc

Teaching in My Sleep!

Last night, while I was sleeping, I developed a Fractions Math Review lesson using Socrative's Space Race. I am serious, while I was sleeping!
I am at the end of the unit in fractions and I wanted to create a review that would be fun and productive. But, never in my wildest dreams, pun intended, did I intend to create it while sleeping!  I woke up from the "dream", and figured I would fall back into a deep sleep, with teaching off my mind, at least until the sun rose.
But, alas, the lesson reentered my dream, disturbing my much sought-after slumber.
I don't know about you, but when I have an observation coming up, my dreams are filled with lesson planning for weeks. It's also filled with any number of things that can go wrong, turning my dream into a nightmare.
And, let's not forget the first few days of school. Instead of sheep, I'm counting "beginning of the school year" activities.
I realize that I am passionate about teaching, but this is ridiculous!
Hopefully,  after I get the Math Review done, my teacher brain will shut down, and I can dream of normal things, like, never mind. :)