I think it might be time to retire this site. This blog served a purpose when I was working towards another master's degree. Even after I left the program, I enjoyed blogging about books I was reading. However, now I have a great group of colleagues with whom I can discuss the latest issues in education (and politics). My family and I are going to read some books together during the summer, and I have many other things to keep me busy.
This has been an awesome school year. In fact, I can hardly believe we only have 4 1/2 days left of school! I am already planning for summer school; I am teaching a science course (we are going to plant a garden and build rockets), a course to build and program robots and a technology website-building course. Next year, I will be teaching at Endeavor again. Lucky me! I can hardly wait!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Sunday, October 7, 2012
A Great Year
Wow! This school year is going really well. I feel I am a part of a wonderful team that is really making a difference for students. It is fun and rewarding.
Although I haven't been reading many books since school officially began, I have been reading the New York Times (at least the popular articles) everyday. This was an interesting article about working efficiently:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/business/measure-results-not-hours-to-improve-work-efficiency.html?src=me&ref=general
We're in our second week of October, and we have had only one staff meeting that was quick, productive and positive. In addition to reducing the number of meetings, I think I need blocks of time with no interruptions. Days when I can take even 15 minutes in the lunchroom also give me a positive lift for the afternoon. Even though I don't always do it, making a prioritized list helps me work more productively. Finally, taking a short break every couple of hours helps when I am working on weekly lesson plans.
People "out here" at our rural school all work hard. I never feel the need to "pretend" I am working. Actually, I feel better when I'm not here too late after school because I seem to get so little accomplished.
Although I haven't been reading many books since school officially began, I have been reading the New York Times (at least the popular articles) everyday. This was an interesting article about working efficiently:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/business/measure-results-not-hours-to-improve-work-efficiency.html?src=me&ref=general
We're in our second week of October, and we have had only one staff meeting that was quick, productive and positive. In addition to reducing the number of meetings, I think I need blocks of time with no interruptions. Days when I can take even 15 minutes in the lunchroom also give me a positive lift for the afternoon. Even though I don't always do it, making a prioritized list helps me work more productively. Finally, taking a short break every couple of hours helps when I am working on weekly lesson plans.
People "out here" at our rural school all work hard. I never feel the need to "pretend" I am working. Actually, I feel better when I'm not here too late after school because I seem to get so little accomplished.
Monday, August 6, 2012
NEW AWESOME BOOK ALERT!
I am reading The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer. I think this is the book I have been waiting for to help me understand part of the reason my work life has been less joyful the past three years. In particular, last year was really tough, and I think the ideas presented in this book have helped me understand the reasons for that change. Hopefully, I can use the authors' ideas to set goals for myself this year.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Summer Reading Continued
For the last three weeks, Josephine and Jacques have been visiting from France. Phil and I are teaching summer school, enjoying beautiful lovely long dinners, watching a variety of movies, and attending get togethers such as graduation and birthday parties, a fish fry, and cookouts. All the while, I have also been enjoying a lot of books. In fact, I'm just forming my second reading list for the summer. This time I have titles from the featured section of the Apple Book Store, recommendations from friends and family, and I have a few possible titles from a new site I'm trying called Good Reads. Finally, by clicking on MY favorite books in my blogger profile, I can see who has also enjoyed a favorite book of mine and then check out their other favorites.
Non-fiction
Mao Zedung by Jonathan Spence - I read this book because after rereading Wild Swans, I was ready to read a bio of Mao. This one (although not great) seemed less bias than Chang's bio that she wrote after Wild Swans.
Mommies Who Drink by Brett Paesel - Okay, I liked this book for two reasons; first the title is hilarious and secondly, the author and her friends meet at a bar every Friday to discuss life and share laughter. However, I can't really recommend it because Paesel and her friends are a little too stereotypically Californian for me.
America, but Better by Chris Cannon and Brian Calvert - This was hilarious! The book is the "Manifesto of the Canada Party." I thought the authors were spot on in their satire explaining why we should vote for Canada to take over the U.S.
American Gypsy by Oksana Marafioti - I enjoyed this book particularly because we were just discussing the Romani people who live near and in Toulouse, France. My only wish was that the author added more information from the time she moved to Las Vegas to the present.
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick
When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood - I liked this book. The Kennedy connection is very small, but I think valid. I like how rich and detailed her memories of the time are written.
How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - This was a very funny book. I was not able to understand some of her British references and metaphors, but this lessened as the book continued. Actually, I was a little put off by some of her first recollections, but I'm glad I stuck with it through the end.
Fiction
These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks - This was a truly wonderful story that was both surprising because it was unpredictable, but also seemed so realistic that it was difficult to determine what was true and what was fiction. I highly recommend this book.
Non-fiction
Mao Zedung by Jonathan Spence - I read this book because after rereading Wild Swans, I was ready to read a bio of Mao. This one (although not great) seemed less bias than Chang's bio that she wrote after Wild Swans.
Mommies Who Drink by Brett Paesel - Okay, I liked this book for two reasons; first the title is hilarious and secondly, the author and her friends meet at a bar every Friday to discuss life and share laughter. However, I can't really recommend it because Paesel and her friends are a little too stereotypically Californian for me.
America, but Better by Chris Cannon and Brian Calvert - This was hilarious! The book is the "Manifesto of the Canada Party." I thought the authors were spot on in their satire explaining why we should vote for Canada to take over the U.S.
American Gypsy by Oksana Marafioti - I enjoyed this book particularly because we were just discussing the Romani people who live near and in Toulouse, France. My only wish was that the author added more information from the time she moved to Las Vegas to the present.
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick
When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood - I liked this book. The Kennedy connection is very small, but I think valid. I like how rich and detailed her memories of the time are written.
How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - This was a very funny book. I was not able to understand some of her British references and metaphors, but this lessened as the book continued. Actually, I was a little put off by some of her first recollections, but I'm glad I stuck with it through the end.
Fiction
These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks - This was a truly wonderful story that was both surprising because it was unpredictable, but also seemed so realistic that it was difficult to determine what was true and what was fiction. I highly recommend this book.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Summer Reading Started
Non-fiction
Imagine by Jonah Lehrer (AWESOME BOOK - There is so much about creativity in this book!)
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen (Very good for old people like me)
The Evolution of God by Robert Wright (Interesting, if a little long-winded)
Marshall: Lessons in Leadership by H. Paul Jeffers with Alan Axelrod (Simple and fast reading)
Bradley by Alan Axelrod (Fast reading and too simple)
Betcha Didn't Know by Brian Liles (I wish I had thought of this! Very addicting.)
The Story of English in 100 Words by David Crystal (Could have been better - Some good info that I already knew- I highlighted info I could use if I teach the history of English again or etymology)
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abby by 8th Countess of Carnarvon (At first, I was disappointed, but when World War I and the opening of King Tut's tomb are described, it gets very interesting)
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg (Very good - some really useful and interesting stuff)
The Daily Five by The Sisters (There is some interesting things in this book. I will implement this program in my classroom this year as per our school district directive)
The Daily Cafe by The Sisters (I like this book better than The Daily Five because I have taught guided reading on a somewhat individual basis, worked with students on strategy goals, and I have kept similar {although simpler} records of students' current reading status)
Hitlerland by Andrew Nagorski (At first, you think why would anyone be interested in another book about Hitler. However, this book is fascinating because it shows how people can underestimate the power of a demagogue and how many Americans and Germans thought Hitler would never amount to much)
Fiction
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith (Didn't realize at first that this was the same author who did Pride and Prejudice with Zombies!)
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel (VERY GOOD BOOK - I tried reading her first book about Thomas Cromwell's early life, Wolf Hall, but I didn't really enjoy it. Now that I have enjoyed the better written book first, I will go back and try Wolf Hall again)
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (After finishing Bring Up the Bodies, this book was much better. I hope the author is planning to write a third book about Thomas Cromwell)
Imagine by Jonah Lehrer (AWESOME BOOK - There is so much about creativity in this book!)
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen (Very good for old people like me)
The Evolution of God by Robert Wright (Interesting, if a little long-winded)
Marshall: Lessons in Leadership by H. Paul Jeffers with Alan Axelrod (Simple and fast reading)
Bradley by Alan Axelrod (Fast reading and too simple)
Betcha Didn't Know by Brian Liles (I wish I had thought of this! Very addicting.)
The Story of English in 100 Words by David Crystal (Could have been better - Some good info that I already knew- I highlighted info I could use if I teach the history of English again or etymology)
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abby by 8th Countess of Carnarvon (At first, I was disappointed, but when World War I and the opening of King Tut's tomb are described, it gets very interesting)
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg (Very good - some really useful and interesting stuff)
The Daily Five by The Sisters (There is some interesting things in this book. I will implement this program in my classroom this year as per our school district directive)
The Daily Cafe by The Sisters (I like this book better than The Daily Five because I have taught guided reading on a somewhat individual basis, worked with students on strategy goals, and I have kept similar {although simpler} records of students' current reading status)
Hitlerland by Andrew Nagorski (At first, you think why would anyone be interested in another book about Hitler. However, this book is fascinating because it shows how people can underestimate the power of a demagogue and how many Americans and Germans thought Hitler would never amount to much)
Fiction
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith (Didn't realize at first that this was the same author who did Pride and Prejudice with Zombies!)
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel (VERY GOOD BOOK - I tried reading her first book about Thomas Cromwell's early life, Wolf Hall, but I didn't really enjoy it. Now that I have enjoyed the better written book first, I will go back and try Wolf Hall again)
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (After finishing Bring Up the Bodies, this book was much better. I hope the author is planning to write a third book about Thomas Cromwell)
2011-2012 School Year
This year I learned how to maintain a positive attitude with my students even during the toughest times. In addition, I am getting better and better at not bringing work home every night. By coming in on Sundays and arriving at school very early (between 5:30 and 6:30 am) on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, I finally gained a life outside of school. It has only taken me about 25 years to do it!
This past year I only spent about 2,500 dollars of my own money, and next year I am going to spend even less! In addition, I plan to work at Cascade Mountain during the ski season to make a little bit of extra money.
My biggest "Ah ha" moment this year was realizing I have the skills to make things work even when I don't have access to computers, or a reasonable schedule or much choice about curriculum. Volunteers also helped out again this year, and I found some new ways to help students overcome problems. As a result, I think I am better able to "go with the flow" and enjoy some of the things I like about teaching.
My husband, Phil, really kept me going this year with a lot of positive comments and reminders about past years (I really love that guy!) and the end-of-the-year student evaluations helped me feel the "extra" things I do for students are still appreciated.
This past year I only spent about 2,500 dollars of my own money, and next year I am going to spend even less! In addition, I plan to work at Cascade Mountain during the ski season to make a little bit of extra money.
My biggest "Ah ha" moment this year was realizing I have the skills to make things work even when I don't have access to computers, or a reasonable schedule or much choice about curriculum. Volunteers also helped out again this year, and I found some new ways to help students overcome problems. As a result, I think I am better able to "go with the flow" and enjoy some of the things I like about teaching.
My husband, Phil, really kept me going this year with a lot of positive comments and reminders about past years (I really love that guy!) and the end-of-the-year student evaluations helped me feel the "extra" things I do for students are still appreciated.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Bad Teacher
Am I going to end up being rated a "bad teacher"? Checklists and mandatory requirements for each classroom could overlook a lot. Here is an article that signals a trend that is happening to more and more teachers: Confessions of a Bad Teacher
I have personally seen and heard about situations very similar to what this teacher writes about.
I have personally seen and heard about situations very similar to what this teacher writes about.
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