Local Traditions

It is fun teaching in odd places. I know that in most schools students like football, it may be Penn State football or any old college. I know that many schools will celebrate in their own way.

I so when you go somewhere to teach, find the local team and support them. It will make you an insider esp. if you ae an outsider.

Have a happy day

Working

One of the problems with teaching is that we do not get to really work at home. The real problem is that we do work at home, however, teachers do not get paid for working at home. It would be nice if we did get some overtime.

Have a happy day.

The iPod in the Classroom

As you may know many textbooks come on MP3 format and read for the student. This is of great help for students who have problems reading. All you need is a nice MP3 player and load on the data. I would personally like some of the older ones that have MMC or SD cards in them.

This way I can have one book on one card.

To Flash or Not to Flash

Many of the new products for teachers are stopping using PDF files and have started moving to flash program.

The flash programs by Macromedia are slow and really dreadful. Macromedia really needs some diet pills for flash. The flash programs are just flat out annoying and so slow. If they run as a front end and then send you to a PDF is okay.

I will review some of the specific items in the future.

RIAA messes up again and again

While many lawyers may be looking for some West Palm Beach real estate, there are some RIAA lawyers that may be looking for a new job.

The RIAA has again been on the receiving end of a good decision by a judge in Oregon. Ms. Anderson was sued by the RIAA, and she fought back. And in good sense a judge has given Ms. Anderson attorney fees. Three cheers for Ms. Anderson!

Every black eye on the RIAA is a good thing.

What does this have to do with teaching. Odds are eventually a student that you will have, will have their parents sued.

Ed Tech

I should change the name of this blog to teaching.

Technology is an odd thing in teaching. While Dodge Charger accessories seem easy to understand, eduction technology is not.

Many people think that the mere use of technology make life easy and help kids learn. This is of course not the case.

I will discuss more of technology in future posts.

Have a good day.

Home and School

One of the things I noticed during my student teaching is the pikiness of many students. They come to school and whine that they do not have home theater furniture and wide screens when a movie is shown.

I have to question why this is the case. What are we saying to the kids when complain like this? I have to confess I am not sure.

Yes the seats are not comfterable, however that should not matter.

Have a good day.

The Environ.

One of the odd things about teacher is how much lighting affects study and the students.

As teachers were are responsible for the environment for the students. At least to the point that we can control it. In other words we are responsible for everything in the classroom.

Sometimes we need more light or less light. This may mean that we have to take measures into our own hands.

Have a good day.

Ground Control to Major Tom.

One of the science teahcers here have all the fun. He had the students each make a model rocket that would be propelled by air.

He then took them out and they shot them up into the sky. I was in awe at how high many of the model rockets flew.

Have a happy day.

Teacher Meetings

I have decided that teacher conventions are always in boring places. Let's have a convention at the state capital. That way the governor can easily show up and tell us how he loves education despite cutting the budget.

So instead of say, St Paul, MN, let's go to Branson and have a real convention. With lots of parties and free stuff.

This will make voting and meetings much easier. If everyone is drunk, no need to have a meeting.

Happy Teaching

When I was sub teaching in IL, I had a class from a teacher who was taking the senior class on a Orlando Vacation.

Now that I am teaching, I am not sure I would want to be the teacher that would be in charge of that. There is a significant amount of responsibility laid on the teacher.

In any case I would not want to do that.

Have a great day.

Teaching Everything

We often as teachers say, that we can try to teach in a vacuum. As if morals and right and wrong do not apply. After all not everyone has the same moral system. Yet we toss out the baby with the kitchen sinks water.

Morals are given on a daily basis. How else can we say anything is right or wrong or why they should respect the rules.

have a happy day.

Odd Thing in Teaching

When learning to teach . . . you often have to learn other things along the way. It is like boating when one thing lends over to another.

I have found myself using tools and tricks to get my own kids at home to behave.

The other thing: people (aka friends) will ask for advice on their kids.


More on that later.

Have a happy day.