The Smithie

A first week for the book

2008-08-22T17:40:00.006-04:00

Aaaaand the first week is done. Lets see... we had a student's water break, an all female brawl and someone took a crap on the head football coaches floor...at least they caught her (not a type-o). Wonder if they'll try and schedule around the full moon next year?

And So it Begins

2008-08-12T20:41:00.002-04:00

Opening day: The first day teachers are required to be at work. A day where the ENTIRE district gathers to celebrate the opening of school. We sit in the newest school inthe district and listen for at least two hours maybe three to administrators and then some administrators and a few mor administrators tell us what a great year it's going to be. Meanwhile our classrooms sit without us in them doing what we really need to be doing...putting the finishing touches on the real opening day, the one with the students. I hate opening day and to echo one of my colleagues this wasted morning, "Any day we are at work without teenagers is a wasted day." Yep.

Advice for NewTeachers From Ms. C

2008-08-09T11:09:00.002-04:00

Ms. C has passed this information on several different occasions. Since its first incarnation several of the edu-sphere have contributed. If you're a new, newish, or crusty old bat, this bit of advice is worth checking out.

Late to Dr. Horrible (embrace your inner geek)

2008-08-07T09:52:00.004-04:00

Joss Whedon is soooo cool. I finally was able to watch Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog yesterday. I guess Whedon put this together during the writer's strike and it is making the rounds of the Whedon geekery. It centers around Neil Patrick Hariss(Dr. Horrible) and Nathan Fillion (Capt. Hammer) as they battle for the love of a woman and control of the world. There are three episodes totaling about 42 minutes combined. and you can watch them free at the web site or do the i-tunes thing (or any number of other viewing options). It's good wholesome geeky fun.

History Teacher says, HA!

2008-08-06T12:43:00.003-04:00

marriedtothesea.com

UK Football coach does the right thing

2008-08-06T09:49:00.006-04:00

I played organized sports for a long time. I played football in college, worked in a NCAA, D-1 athletic department and I have been a high school athletic director. Athletics have been a part of my life for a long time and probably will be for the rest of my life. through athletics I have learned life lessons, good and bad. Some of the best moments of my life are athletics related moments. I have also been given perks I didn't deserve that made my life easy at times when it should have been harder. I have seen jocks (including myself) get away with all sort of things simply because of the fact that they were a jock. There are few things that can repair a spoiled athlete's ego that is reinforced for years living in a jock culture. Mine was shattered through a series of events and decisions that lead me to the realization that my "life skills" were woefully underdeveloped because of privileges I was given that I took for granted. Athletics are valuable and teach things that no other activity can, but somewhere along the line we have allowed sports to dominate instead of enhance our culture. Our athletes are held to a different lower standard in society because of it.
When a coach does the right thing as The University of Kentucky's Rich Brooks has finally done, letting his heavily recruited, talented and misguided starting QB go after the abuse of privileges he was granted caught up with him it is an exceptional act. Brooks could have done what many (dare I say most) coaches would have done and found a way to make this issue go away for the sake of maybe winning a game or two. But he did not do that. He went against what would have been perfectly acceptable within athletic culture and dismissed a talented prospect. Hopefully this is the wake up for Curtis Pulley that will allow him to see the big picture. Bravo coach Brooks.

DENIED!!!

2008-08-05T22:52:00.005-04:00

I was at school doing the normal pre-pre-preparation for the first days of school when I decided to do some quick news surfing on the interweb. I was stunned to find that our district and the Chinese government have more in common than even I thought, The Huffington Post is blocked. It was accessible when we left and now it's not during the summer when the only people in the building are principals and teachers who care enough about teaching to give up some time with the fam, unpaid to plan a little in advance.
The only difference between June and August?
A new Super.
I gots a bad feeling...

CHANGE IS GOOD!

2008-08-04T16:06:00.002-04:00

New look for a new year. I've been writing (or not writing ) here for a few years. I was simply bored with the look and the feel of the blog. So I thought some changes needed to happen. Who knows maybe I need to blank this whole thing and start over; new name, URL the whole bit. We'll see.
As I prepare for a new school year I hope to make things a little more regular and a little more interesting. Thanks to those who keep showing up here only to see the same post staring at them.

Prom Is Weird

2008-05-04T15:17:00.004-04:00

Until last night I had successfully avoided prom and prom related activities. I am no longer a prom as a teacher virgin (he, he). It was a really weird experience.
As one of my fellow prisoners/chaperons/observers of high school exclusive social oddities put it, "this is a little sad with a little uncomfortable yet unavoidable voyeurism mixed in..." For me she nailed exactly what I was thinking all night. I mean, prom is the pinnacle for many of these kids. It marks the end of something they will never get back, and some will spend their lives trying to get "it" back, and none have a clue that this will be their lives. This night, the culmination of the unique American high school experience, is eternal in so many of their minds, they can't see -yet- that they are celebrating of the end of what it is to be a high school student in America. Graduation is kind of the fade to black of high school. at that point we know the story is over and the chapter is closing. But prom somehow tricks kids into thinking that the experience is perpetual, and it's a little sad.
While making these observations and watching the kids parade into the building dressed to the nines, I can't help but feel that we, the teachers don't really belong here. This is not for us, we are intruders into this evening of high school bliss. I did my best to stay out of the way and let them have their celebration. I almost felt that I should avert my eyes as those who do own this night have fun. I think the students would be just as happy to not have us there as they politely shake our hands and smile as we tell them to have fun and that they look great. Maintaining professional distance at what is such a personal experience for the students felt unsettling. My role at school is that of a teacher, one who guides and facilitates. Prom does is not where that belongs so I sit watch uncomfortably. As the last song plays and the Alumnus D.J. calls for the final dance the teacher in me wants to grab the mike and fill my natural role and advise them,

"Smile folks this is the end...try and look around before you leave."

May Day 2008

2008-05-01T21:17:00.002-04:00

Today is international labor day. This year I have a class with several international students from nations that celebrate with time off and or national celebration. We had a great conversation in class about why other nations might celebrate workers and what workers do for a nation. Maybe if we had a little more of such reverence for our workers we might be in a different situation...

A quick article about what other nations are doing...

It's SPRING!!!! You know what that means...

2008-04-20T17:26:00.004-04:00

Testing! Ahh that wonderful time of year when teachers are desperately trying to convince students that this thing is important while rightfully annoyed students harumph knowing it has no bearing on their lives whatsoever. The stress level among teachers is through the roof as we know that the consequences for low test scores include scheduling nightmares, teacher blaming, the cutting of electives so that we can focus on "core" classes and the elimination of positions to "streamline" the test factory...I mean education system. We know that as far as the admin is concerned the only numbers that matter are those that come back on the test. But the kids? why should they care they are out of here in a year or two and none of this will impact their education directly.

I'm going to go puke before I polish up my resume.

R.I.P. Mr. Wildcat

2008-03-31T23:19:00.005-04:00

For those who are or have ever been fans of University of Kentucky Basketball today is a sad day. One of the few folks who even today made college sports worth patronizing. For those who don't know here is a bit about who he was.

Here is a local news stations story on the death of Mr. Wildcat

SPRING BREAK!

2008-03-30T19:52:00.000-04:00

Nuff said...at least for a few hours.

Why do they take that walk??

2008-03-20T23:27:00.006-04:00

I HATE signing drop-out slips! Especially when they come from smart kids who just don't fit into the system and probably won't ever fit into any institutional format. I feel like loosing these kids is on us and our inadequacy in meeting the needs of our kids where they are and not where we think they should be.

Parents and Schedules

2008-03-09T10:45:00.004-04:00

The big "discussion" (read as borderline fistfights between teachers in the hallways) this year has been about our school schedule. Currently we have a 4x4 block. Students take four 85-90 minute blocks every day and get a new set of classes after the Christmas break, they take 8 classes year. We have maintained a large compliment of elective courses and a curriculum that despite the best efforts of test blinded state government intervention and NCLB, is student focused and actually prepares kids to go beyond high school. I teach three classes a day with one 85 minute plan period. I see about 90 kids a day.
I like teaching in a block schedule though it does have some drawbacks. The biggest one seems to be a math continuity issue. It is possible for a kid to have as long as 9 months between math classes. Teachers have to do a lot of reteaching when this happens and the state test grades for math are the lowest in the school. There could be many reasons for the low test scores outside of the schedule but the schedule is an easy place to point the finger. [sarcastic aside: it naturally has nothing to do with the fact that the math dept. generally tries to teach a 50 minute class in a 90 minute block, homework time etc...] The schedule has been in place for many years and all other departments have seen steady test score growth until recently...our scores "flat lined" for a biennium...horror. SO, keeping with the model of inefficiency that seems to be education, a scheduling committee was formed to investigate the highest scoring schools in the state to see what their schedules are then recommend a change to our board. Yours truly is on the committee, joy. It turns out there is a small number of parents who HATE our current schedule and all jumped at the chance to be on this committee so that they could tell us just how much they hate it and how quickly they want to change it so that their students who are in the early stages of high school won't have to deal with our 4x4 any more.
The first option they came up with (I was out with a sick wife and 2lb baby in the NICU) would have cost us most of our elective courses and anywhere from 6-12 teachers. It was, after some drama including the formal write up of our principal, nixed. The parents were chagrined as they realized that they were dealing with people's lives not just little Johnny's ability to take consecutive math courses so that he could gain a point on a useless test...
Breath and re-focus Smithie.
Upon my return to this wonderful group of joyful folks, focused only on the needs of their five or six children in a school of 1200 the fun had begun again. A redo of teacher, student and parent surveys have shown that the majority does not want change. BUT, the Principal won't touch the committee with a 39 1/2 ft. pole, and we are about to hire a new Super, resulting in no guiding power so the wonderful 'rents have decided to force the issue of schedule change. It won't happen next year like they want it to. In fact at least one has stopped coming to meetings because of this fact. But I see change ahead. My hope is that we find something that allows us to maintain our ability to meet the real needs of our students beyond the artificial requirements of testing and keep our schools unique character in a sea of cookie cutter test factories.

Anyone know anything about 3x5 trimesters?

Again With the Technology SNAFU

2008-02-23T10:11:00.002-05:00

Because of my student teacher I have had some time to set up a useful web site for my classes. It's not spectacular but it has begun to compliment classroom instruction. This semester (we have a 4x4 block) I have finally ironed out most of the "student issues" with the site and have reached the tipping point with both parents and students getting behind its use on a regular basis. So naturally for the last two assignments the district shut down the server during the window I had the assignemnt open. The frustrated e-mails and handwritten notes from parents flooded in and the credibility of web use has fallen off drastically. When I bring this to the attention I get a shrug and a comment about weekend homework.
So I ask again, DO YOU WANT US TO USE THIS SHIT OR NOT!!?

Parent blogs

2008-02-20T22:38:00.003-05:00

I have a couple of kids now. One is well over 9lbs, see here and here for why that's a big deal, and the other is 3 years old going on 35. I have been reading a few parent blogs and a new one that I like more than a little is called On The Couch. A mom who has a sense of humor, some insight and a lot of love.
As far as you know I am in no way connected with its author.

Competent Student Teachers are Cool

2008-02-20T21:32:00.005-05:00

I have a student teacher this semester. I have never had a student teacher who was assigned exclusively to me before. Maybe I just got super lucky. Maybe it's because he's working on a graduate degree for initial certification and not just a watered down undergraduate education degree (same program I went through) . Seriously though, I want to have more student teachers...like all the time.
I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of a 15 minute movie clip and I just left the room to go to the potty like an adult in a real job can do. You know the people who can like, leave their work to run an errand and stuff? I pretended to be a real person for almost 3 minutes! It was awesome! Oh yeah and I'm imparting knowledge and helping someone realize a calling and stuff too.

Contemplation

2008-02-18T23:16:00.002-05:00

To watch the student body of a high school be collectively respectful and understanding toward each other, their teachers and administration is an amazing thing. This last week has shown what our kids are made of. This week will be tough as reality sets in for many of them. As the Head Principal said "the real fall out may not happen for a while", but I think given what I have seen in these kids, the administration and my colleagues it will be handled with dignity and respect.

Loss

2008-02-11T22:45:00.000-05:00

A child from our school took his own life this weekend. He was a beloved member of the community and until this moment was an inspiration to our small town and to all who came into contact with him. My heart is with his family, friends and the rest of his teachers.

Obama Inspires Through will.i.am

2008-02-07T16:57:00.000-05:00

My jaded, distrusting side grins at the sleekness of this man as he sells his wares to an America desperate for someone to lead it out of the darkness. The emotionalm reactive side of me that's at the edge of giving up on our beloved but broken system of the people, wants this man to be real so bad that he's willing to take a chance on him

HAPPY 2008!!

2008-01-01T21:26:00.000-05:00

A year ago I had no idea that this would be one of the, if not the most trying year of my life. I am thankful to reflect on all that has happened and smile as my family and I look forward to what could happen in the year to come.

Here's to looking forward and meeting each day with wonder as another year unfolds in front of us.

R.I.P.

2007-11-30T20:54:00.000-05:00

Goodbye to the man who inspired me to launch my Huffy halfway across my front yard to beat the neighbors record of "almost halfway". Many of the scars I have told certain special ladies were received in mortal combat with whatever perilous creature would get their attention best were actually earned trying to be like Evel Kenieval when I was 10. Here's an article in which a better writer than I lays it out for those who don't know
Maybe I'll go find a hill...
Greatest Toy Ever!

Thanksgiving

2007-11-23T11:15:00.000-05:00

Had intended to post this yesterday but things got a little busy (imagine that).

This was our first Thanksgiving as a family of four. It was one of the best on record. My wife is healthy, the oldest daughter was helpful and excited about having her new little, little, little sister at home and sharing in the family bliss. But the best part, the very best part? No one could come over and we couldn't go anywhere! The littlest daughter can't really be among the sneezing, sniffling, coughing masses for several months! Our Thanksgiving was just us, no pressure, no pretending, no forced conversation with people we have nothing in common with, no holding back in political or religious discussions with the right-wingnuts that populate my non blood relatives! We said and felt our thanks for what we have and who we are without the need to have a mini church service before or after the meal, for me it was perfect! We are together, youngest is here and healthy and we are happy, simple. And we'll be in turkey and fixins for a long, long, while.

Something tells me this little test is way off.

2007-11-16T11:42:00.001-05:00

Get a Cash Advance

ABreak From Preemie Care Yields Hilarity

2007-11-15T14:26:00.000-05:00

U.S. Military Wasting All Its Victories On Notre Dame

Milestones (again)

2007-11-14T09:05:00.000-05:00

After seven weeks in the hospital we brought our newest addition home yesterday. Though she still has a long road she looks good and seems to be adjusting nicely. Our oldest is excited about having her sister home and we're ready to work on getting our 3lb 15 oz wonder, to grow full time.

A joke

2007-11-10T00:10:00.000-05:00

Things have been a bit heavy at the Smithie house for a while now so I thought I'd share one of my new favorite jokes from an old favorite comedian. If you have read this blog over the last 7 weeks I'm sure the connection will be made. A close friend told this to me while Ms. Smithie was still in the hospital, I passed it on to the doctor who broke his professional facade to laugh, hard. He has treated us like real people ever since.

I have a freind who was born by cesarean section. He's perfectly normal except that every time he leaves the house he goes out the window. -Stephen Wright

Thanks _______. and Thanks Stephen Wright.

The little one will be home by Tuesday. The dogs have been notified.

Happening fast..then Faster

2007-11-08T22:51:00.000-05:00

The doctor told us we might want to install the car seat soon. The littlest one will have finished her seventh week in the hospital next week and she could home as early as Monday. I am going to have to plan like crazy for being out my classroom for at least a week right at the end of a unit. Anyone want to come to KY to teach the Depression, Recovery and the modern effects of both? Or better yet how about taking the baby watch shift between 2am and 5am?

Getting Real

2007-11-05T22:29:00.001-05:00

It looks like the hospital bound member of our family could be home within two weeks. At 3lbs 8 Oz she's getting to be a bit of a porker, considering she started this journey at 1lb 15 Oz. She is Nursing straight from mom now a couple of times a day and is out of her "isolette" or "incubator" or "box" as we liked to call it. Number one daughter was able to touch and give her a kiss on the forehead for the first time last weekend...it was a wonderful moment. The light is brighter and almost fills the room but damn it's getting a little real around here. We're actually going to have a baby, in our house, before Thanksgiving!
Somebody should probably tell the dogs...

Looking Up

2007-10-25T22:33:00.000-04:00

The new girl is not home yet but could be before Thanksgiving. Today she weighed in at 2lbs 11oz! She has also been attempting a bottle once a day, which means we get to hold her like she's a real baby and not just inside our shirts sitting still. The light at the end of the hospital tunnel is a pin prick in the black but it's there...

Milestones

2007-10-17T22:16:00.000-04:00

Today three weeks after her birth our daughter weighed in at 2lbs 2 oz.

As my wife held her for her one hour of "Kangaroo Care" (time spent skin-to-skin with mom) she began "rooting" looking for mom's milk. Since she's not really supposed to be out of the womb yet it's pretty exciting.
We're not sure what the milestones are supposed to be in this situation or even if either qualifies as a milestone but we were excited.

WHEW!

2007-10-13T22:19:00.000-04:00

SO! Once again stuff happens...
September 25th after an emergency c-section we welcomed our second daughter into the world three months ahead of schedule. At 28 weeks she is was definitely at the edge of "viability" but she is hanging on and growing anyway... Petty school complaints and whines seem a bit small right now so I'll let that stuff lie for now. Right now focused on taking care of mom and three-year-old.

School, Time, Friends and Stuff

2007-09-19T21:30:00.000-04:00

I didn’t realize how long it has been between posts until a couple of days ago.

Some stuff that has been going on in the roughly two months I have been off line.

Took the freshman football coaching job at the high school. Started practice July 15^th (goodbye nights and weekends)
July 21^st Decided to remain Asst. AD (goodbye any other “free time”)
July 24^th-26^th Went to a faculty retreat that was serious and great and developed a real sense of purpose and direction among the faculty as a learning community
August 9^th, Started school
August 10^th, find out that almost every senior in my Geography class signed up for school service (Aide) so they dropped, leaving me with 2 Seniors, 4 Juniors, 4 sophomores and 10 Freshmen in a class that was a “must have because of numbers interested”. Never mind that I am the least qualified person in the department to teach the class and that removing a US History section punched my and my counterpart’s US History classes to over 30 each when they could have been in the mid-20s. (there is a conspiracy theory that will likely make another post)
August 10th, Received the new US History textbook (the one we chose because we didn’t want to wait for the one that needed state board approval making it harder to get in before school started)
August13th Were told that the primary source reader we want was just ordered and won’t be in until “October something”
August 31^st realized that we will have more than 30 instructional days disrupted by everything from clubs to field days before the year is over.
September 1^st decide we should probably buy and send out invitations to the daughter’s B-Day party that happens at the end of the month (gave the last one out today 9/19)
September 3^rd-ish realized that everything that was said and done at the retreat was total bullshit, especially the stuff about academic standards and consistency (see August 31^st).
September 18^th Wife who is 6 weeks into a new kick-ass gig and a few days away from entering her third trimester was told see needs to be on “complete bed rest” for at least two weeks and possibly hospitalized after that.
September 19^th realize that we have amazing friends and family who care for us deeply and have offered their hearts and time to help us out as we contemplate what the hell we’re going to do to get by over the next three months.

So… been a bit busy… more when I can breathe.

Male Teachers

2007-07-23T22:15:00.000-04:00

I read a response to this post at Fractions speak louder than nerds by Mister Teacher about the lack of male teachers. I thought I'd toss in my paycheck, I mean two cents.

As someone who has taught on both he middle and high school levels I can say that while teaching middle school I was often the first male teacher outside of P.E. that many students had ever had. It's a powerful position to be in. Students not used to seeing males in school can be reduced to convulsions with a slightly raised voice. Several wouldn't talk to me for weeks because they were simply afraid. With some students I was the only male they had (meaningful?) contact with in their day-to-day lives.

At my current high school the faculty is split almost 50/50, male/female. It's a good mix and the genders span all subjects avoiding subject-gender stereotypes. We also have all male (3) principals. It works because all three are for the most part professionals and in my opinion good at their jobs even if, after hours, the front office does occasionally resemble an eighth grade locker room (you haven't lived until you see a principal fart in the rookie A.P's office and run out giggling).

AAARRRGH!!

2007-07-23T21:51:00.000-04:00

Last year at almost exactly this time of year Mrs. Smithie, little Smithie and I moved into our current home. We are just now getting around to meeting our neighbors etc... (they were mad because we put up a fence and made them be neighbors with two dogs). One of our neighbors teaches elementary school, so occasionally we have a little teacher talk and a little wariness over the fence. Yesterday she drops this little bomb, "So why and what do you teach in History, I mean it's pretty much just a required course right? You know, kids have to take it so you teach it?" Because I like to have neighbors that I can borrow a cup of milk from and that we don't have to duck in the grocery store, my response was short, polite and conversation ending.

Catharsis

2007-07-19T10:24:00.000-04:00

Because last year I started at a new school that fostered a completely different teaching and learning community -positive and open- than any other I had taught in before -I had an almost daily opportunity to discuss the class discussions, issues, student problems and successes- I was forced to change the way I looked at teaching and blogging. This summer this has meant inconsistent, air-headed, distraction posts while I questioned why I continue to spend time blogging when teaching has become much more fulfilling. Many of answers I keep coming to are generally vague and hard to pin down but a few have come together and have allowed me to say that I’ll stay with this thing even when it gets silly and I forget basic grammar: and spalling conventions. .

The blogshpere or however you want to refer to what is happeneing out in cyber land is one of the last places where free and open discussion seems to be taking place on just about any topic. As a history/government teacher and citizen in a democratic republic this free exchange of ideas is exciting.

I enjoy reading about other teacher’s experiences out there in the trenches of public school and the skyboxes of private school.

I like the thought that other people who have common interests are reading my thoughts on those interests and telling me (occasionally) what they think.

I know that some of my far flung friends are reading this stuff allowing me a link to friends that would otherwise fade away from my life completely and I appreciate that connection.

I can’t discuss everything I’m thinking anonymously or semi anonymously with my colleagues without getting fired or at least end up on the short end of the workplace political stick, and here I can.

It is possible to be a complete unapologetic dork and insufferable jock at the same time.

A Sick Child=Whipped Parents

2007-07-16T14:38:00.000-04:00

My 2 and ¾ year old daughter went through her first real illness this weekend. She is normally the most independent, outgoing, vivacious person in the house so we knew something was wrong when she refused to leave my lap or remove her head from my shoulder Friday afternoon. Our weekend was dominated by a scared, confused, angry, puking little girl who would barely speak three words. We parents slept little as every night time sound had us bounding to her side hoping to get the trash can in front of her before she redecorated her sheets and night gown (one 3am sheet and clothing change was enough). Meanwhile my helpful visiting father and throwing out gems like “You don’t think it’s meningitis do you? That’s why the triage nurse kept asking you about neck pain on the phone you know”. Thanks for the help pop.

Naturally the moment we made an appointment with the emergency children’s clinic her fever broke and she came swiftly back to the land of the living.

My wife and I are left trying to recover from an illness that neither of us had but may as well have…did I mention Mrs. Smithie is due in December with number 2? I suppose we are gluttons for punishment.

I’ll try to get back to regular posting. As I prepare for the fall and a new school year I have begun –finally- to reflect on last year and I have some thoughts to share that go beyond my “Star Wars nerd” posts.

Diversions Are All That Will Fit In My Skull

2007-07-09T23:56:00.000-04:00

The questions I missed were both from movies that came out after my daughter was born...Hmmm.

90%

FilmCritic.com - Movie Reviews

7/7/07 ...A Lucky Post

2007-07-07T19:07:00.001-04:00

Just for the hell of it I thought I'd try and post on the sevens... I might even buy a lottery ticket.

"Away from most media" Star Wars Reference

2007-07-06T22:32:00.000-04:00

I was on the road and had VERY little access to mass media for most of the week. SO I will give a reference from a blog that covers both the weekly Star Wars mention AND addresses the seemingly endless Evil Empire reference possibility our current administration makes possible. The reference is obvious and you can pick your favorite episode.

With that I give you Ms. Cornelius and A Shrewdness of Apes.

Anyone see one that I missed?

(In the future I will do my best to stay out of the blogosphere for my references)

· They must have been seen at some point during the week between Saturday and Friday a

· No previously viewed reruns, this one will have to be on the honor system, if we know it’s coming it’s not fair.

· Nname the episode number being referenced.

· Shows dedicated to Star Wars count.

· Occasionally I will find a reference in a non-SW movie but only in emergencies.

· Please bust me if I screw up just be nice, this is just for shits and giggles so don’t come down on me too hard.

If you see one that I miss please let me know by commenting!

Weekly Star Wars Reference From The Road

2007-06-28T19:51:00.000-04:00

This weeks reference is local in nature. The Lexington NPR affiliate had an accidental budget shortfall and had to hold an emergency four day fund drive before theend of the fiscal year. During the announcment they palyed the Imperial March sometimes called "Vader's Theme". This showed up in Episode V the Empire Strikes back.

anyone see one that I missed this week?

ROAD TRIP!! sort of.

2007-06-27T12:42:00.001-04:00

So, my dad is coming to visit for a little while. And by a little while I mean several weeks. In order to start said visit however, he has to get here. In order to get here I have to bring him. So I will fly out to the homestead in southern AZ and we will drive back together to KY this weekend . This will be the first time I have been with my parents without my family in tow in a long while. Daughter, Wife etc... I'm a bit nervous.

The physical space of the part of AZ I call home has changed drastically since I was there last (it always does between visits). More identical houses have cropped up and the area of the desert where I spent my youth hiking, biking and hunting is being cleared for more houses. The town of roughly 2,500 people that I grew up in is slated to become a town of 15,ooo over the next few years. But these changes while drastic are not the MOST drastic.

The town is/was a mining town built by Del Web in the mid 1950s. It was a company town until the mid 1990s when the company sold the houses and infrastructure to private interests and individuals. The mine closed not to long after the sell-out and this spring saw the destruction of the two several hundred foot tall icons that marked the town since it's creation. The copper smelter smokestacks. You see or rather saw the stacks as you crested the hill to come into town. You could see them from the air if you flew over in a plane. Their silhouette graced the header of the newspaper and appears on t-shirts for every town event. Those stacks held a perverse identity. Perverse because they also spewed sulfur tinged poison smoke onto and into the residents of the entire valley. It came down so thick you literally could not see across the street. On really bad days the weighty, yellow-gray smoke settled into every crack, crevasse, nostril and lung of the tiny town and became such a part of my person that as I write I can taste that acrid shit on the roof of my mouth and in the depths of my sinuses 10 years and 2,500 miles away. Their long term effects still wait to play out on those of us who spent our younger tears there.

Though they were disgusting I'm sure that as I lay my eyes on the now empty horizon of what I claim as my home town I'll feel nostalgia not disgust. Those stacks with all of their good and bad represented my town probably in a more complete way than any symbol of any town in America.

With that I go home, however briefly and try to remember something about who I was, when...

Summertime

2007-06-22T20:48:00.001-04:00

The Summer Solstice was yesterday, summer school is over so it's official, summer time is here.
With apologies to The Quaker Agitator for swiping his idea. At least I found a different version.

A Friday...A Reference

2007-06-22T20:09:00.000-04:00

My theory that there is at least one Star Wars Reference a week in first run mainstream media has managed to hold true for yet another week, though I had to look hard at the last minute to find it. It seems the summer Hiatus was probably not the best time to start this thing so we must look to the movies.

Today I saw Knocked Up. A movie masked as a crude rollick that was really a get you when you're not looking chick flick. AND FOR THE RECORD I DID NOT CRY.
Being full of gen X-rs trying to look like gen Y-rs it was full of Star Wars references so I'll just go with one. While making fun of the female lead her producer tells her she looks like "Jabba Dying" complete with tongue out gaging visual. Episode VI Return of the Jedi.

Any one see any other that I missed?

Once again the rough guidelines I follow:

· They must have been seen at some point during the week between Saturday and Friday a

· No previously viewed reruns, this one will have to be on the honor system, if we know it’s coming it’s not fair.

· I will do my best to name the episode number being referenced.

· If anyone sees one that week and wants to chime in you are welcome.

· Shows dedicated to Star Wars count.

· Occasionally I will find a reference in a non-SW movie but only in emergencies.

· Please bust me if I screw up just be nice, this is just for shits and giggles so don’t come down on me too hard.

If you see one that I miss please let me know by commenting!

SUPRISE!!! ok maybe not so much.

2007-06-21T19:46:00.001-04:00

I picked this up from Mamacita and couldn't resist. I'm actually surprised that I had any percentages at all in the "conservative side", maybe even a little concerned.... OK I'm over it.

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 15% Conservative, 85% Liberal

Social Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Summer School: "It's almost like school in there!"

2007-06-18T22:19:00.000-04:00

Not just an outstanding piece of cinema from 1987 (OK, outstanding might be a bit much) but also a harsh, 3 1/2 hour a day, 3 week reality for several "regular school year" slackers...and I'm teaching.
So far my class has lost more than half its numbers to the strict rules of summer school:

Sleepers are out for good after one warning
One absence
Accumulate 15 minutes of tardy and it counts as an absence
ANY disciplinary action outside of the classroom will get you the boot.

The first to go were the habitual sleepers. Then those who missed class the day of the test all year, missed the first then the second second test of summer school too and when the principal followed through they were stunned. The last group to go were those lulled into a false enough sense of security during the second week to smoke front of the picture window outside of the principals office.

I am now down to those who really want the credit. They seem to want to do well and have engaged the material in a way that I am sure none of them have before. It's good to see this side of students, many of whom I had in class. They know the rules and they abide. Now in our third week the survivors seem to have moved past whining and just do what is asked. Don't get me wrong they aren't blowing the lid off the curve, but they are learning, something that I wasn't sure could happen in summer school, and it makes me smile. And no one has gone to the bathroom for the entire term.

Friday References

2007-06-15T19:35:00.000-04:00

Friday Star Wars References:

A quick reminder of how this is done...

I do this mostly because I have a theory that every week there is at least one new S.W. reference in modern mass media, showing the impact Star Wars has had on our-at the very least-popular culture.

They must have been seen at some point during the week between Saturday and Friday at the time of my post.
No previously viewed reruns, this one will have to be on the honor system, if we know it’s coming it’s not fair.
I will do my best to name the episode number being referenced.
Shows dedicated to Star Wars count.
Occasionally I will find a reference in a non-SW movie but only in emergencies.
Please bust me if I screw up just be nice, this is just for shits and giggles so don’t come down on me too hard.
If you see one that I didn't please post it!

6/15
This week's reference came early, and from a relatively new show, The Loop. The main character, Sam Sullivan, in a panic over a lost valuable asks his assistant where the trash is dumped. Her sarcastic response, "hold on let me plug my R2 unit in to the system beep boop, wee zorp..." obviously referencing the Episode IV scene in which Luke, Leia, Han and Chewy were trapped in the trash compactor while C3P0 and R2 were trying to locate the trash compactors on the detention level.
Once again my theory that there is at least one new Star Wars reference a week somewhere in mass media holds true.
Anyone see any others this week?

What Do Teachers Really Make? Taylor Mali Explains...

2007-06-10T12:09:00.001-04:00

I had never seen this or Mr. Mali before I stumbled upon him on You Tube. I like it.

Images are worth...well just go look

2007-06-09T17:54:00.000-04:00

Wonderfully devastating images over at Women of Color Blog.

Friday Reference a Day Late

2007-06-09T12:10:00.000-04:00

Not a good way to start a reoccurring post, but I had one so better late...

This on comes in the form of an actress showing up in a film related show. Carrie Fisher is a judge on the reality show "On the Lot". When Princess Leia appears on a show it counts (though it may be a stretch).

Since this is a day late here is a personal reference from my week.
My 2 year old daughter loves to use paper towel and toilet paper tubes as megaphones and will walk through the house for extended periods of time with one to her mouth talking. Naturally I have taught her how to breath like Darth Vader (she does a spot on impression) and in her best two year old Vader accent say some famous phrases (Obi-Wan has taught you well" etc...). So, I took the tube and said "I, am your fatha" she took the tube and returned with in her best deep Vader accent "uuhhhh yeah...". My kid is already a smart ass.

Friday References

2007-06-01T20:25:00.000-04:00

Friday References

Rules: Unless I change my mind during the summer hiatus this is how I will sight my references.

They must have been seen at some point during the week between Saturday and Friday at the time of my post.
No previously viewed reruns, this one will have to be on the honor system, if we know it’s coming it’s not fair.
I will do my best to name the episode number being referenced.
If anyone sees one that week and wants to chime in you are more than welcome.
Shows dedicated to Star Wars count.
Occasionally I will find a reference in a non-SW movie but only in emergencies. If my theory that there is a reference at least weekly in a first run show it won't be an issue.
Please bust me if I screw up just be nice, this is just for shits and giggles so don’t come down on me too hard.

This week’s reference:

Way too easy. The History Channel’s airing of Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed. An entire show that allowed self described Star Wars geeks to wax scholarly on the series. Though I swear at several points there was some creative editing to include some of the prequels in the sound bites... It was a good little bit of fun and would be an excellent way to work S.W. into a film or English class, maybe even a History course...

May the force be with you...

I'm a dork

2007-05-31T21:54:00.000-04:00

The text we have decided to adopt has a half page inset dedicated to the cultural significance of Star Wars in modern popular culture. Why am I giggling?

Reflecting and Whathaveyou.

2007-05-27T16:11:00.000-04:00

I have finished my first year at a new school in a new district. It has been the best teaching experience of my short career. I developed professional and personal relationships that will inspire and push me forward as a teacher and a person. I am excited about public education and my place in it for the first time in a while and I can see a long term future in education, not the case a year ago. This will be the first summer that I will not run from school and stay away mentally and physically as long as I can. I will work with the other U.S. History teacher closely to develop themes, assessments and get to know the new text that we decided, together, to adopt. I may teach summer school. Really teach it too, not monitor some computer program that serves only to occupy time and teaches nothing. In short I feel like a professional…and it feels good.

30 years ago in a galaxy...

2007-05-25T23:15:00.000-04:00

OK, SO, where to begin? "Rumors of my death have been..." wait, WAAAY over used, so I'll just say...I've been places, seen things...and that's, that.

A whole lot of shit has gone down since my last "post of death". I lost interest in blogging, briefly gained interest again, had a belt of really good Kentucky Bourbon and lost interest again. I missed a couple of key deaths and the aforementioned Bourbon was likely for Mr. V...(Rest). A bunch of other things happened and this morning I was reminded that this was the anniversary of THE movie.

Thirty years ago I saw the first movie I remember seeing in a movie theatre (I was little, what?) and I have paid to see each one since -even the disavowed prequels. In the course of my fan life I have made note of the different camps of fans: Purists, George Lucas Loyalists, and people who are too young to know the difference. Purists reference "Sand People" not "Tuskin Raiders", they know who shot first AND that Han is a bad-ass...period. I am a purist. This movie dominated my play for my entire childhood and has had a pretty big effect on what I will see in the theatre, on TV and what I read. When I met my wife's male friends from college this movie is what brought us together (Dr. Snow Monkey remember the "purse incident"?). SO, to come out of hibernation I acknowledge this first of "Blockbusters" and tip the light-saber to the great space odyssey of 1977...

In addition: on Fridays when I remember I will post a reference that I see in the media (mostly TV). It might be a quote or a subtle gesture, or anything that is a tip-o-the hat to this flick. I know it's bad timing with the seasons coming to an end but I believe that there is at least on reference a week to this film somewhere in modern pop-culture. For today it will simply be the fact that this is the 30th anniversary of the movie. Turn on a Media outlet and you'll find something...

So to recap: shit happened, 30th anniversary and, at least for the summer, I'm back.
"May the force be with you ..."

Thank You Molly

2007-02-01T23:40:00.000-05:00

Your voice will be missed Ms. Ivans

Molly Ivans 1944-2007

If your a Liberal nut job and you know it say "Hell Yea!"

2006-12-11T20:12:00.000-05:00

Your 'Do You Want the Terrorists to Win' Score: 100%

You are a terrorist-loving, Bush-bashing, "blame America first"-crowd traitor. You are in league with evil-doers who hate our freedoms. By all counts you are a liberal, and as such cleary desire the terrorists to succeed and impose their harsh theocratic restrictions on us all. You are fit to be hung for treason! Luckily George Bush is tapping your internet connection and is now aware of your thought-crime. Have a nice day.... in Guantanamo!

Do You Want the Terrorists to Win?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

HEEAALL YEEAH! Finally a quiz that gets "IT" right.
[hat tip: Bitch Ph.D.]

WARNING -SEMI COHERENT VENTING- WARNING

2006-12-11T19:44:00.000-05:00

It would be nice if the technology that I am suppose to be using to "enhance my instruction" worked! The school server, or something, has been down intermittently over the last few days. Naturally we only have problems on the nights that I have either told students that I will be online using a cool new web site to answer questions or when they are to turn in an assignment via e-mail. They are beginning to loose faith in the system and exploit its weaknesses to their advantage. "The server must have been down, I couldn't get in when you said we could" or "I tried to e-mail you my paper but the school computers were broke [yes, I meant to type broke]" have already been whined in my ear and I've only been using the damn site for a few days! The problem is I have no real way of knowing if they are lying because I have had "unreliable" access too, so who the fuck knows!
If we are mandated to use tech, shit should work! AARGGH!

Raise Your Voice!

2006-12-06T21:18:00.000-05:00

Over 16ooo signatures so far. Read the Anti-NCLB petition, sign it, pass it on to your friends teacher and non-teacher.
If we don't speak we will see no change.

[Hat tip Schools Matter]

The rush

2006-12-05T22:03:00.000-05:00

[Married to the Sea]
Especially in the weeks before the end of a semester!

I teach in a straight block format. 90 minute classes and new students after Christmas. I love it. My classes are smaller and we really get into stuff with the longer class. I anticipate that the kids will not be near as burned out by the time May roles around and this teacher may have a little steam left in him come summer too.
However a full year's worth of stuff in 18 weeks can be a bit rough and this is my first time ever doing this for real, consequently my pacing is a bit off (read as I'm woefully behind) so it's about to get a little heavy in the Smithie's classroom.

I thought this cartoon from Married to the Sea was appropriate.

Call for Peace Alert!

2006-12-03T21:05:00.000-05:00

Here is the alert with all of the information for Kentucky. Call your senators and congressmen let them know we weren't kidding about the whole "time for a change" thing.

From the post:

ALERT: 12/4 Is National "Mandate for Peace" Call-in Day
Call your members of Congress to tell them to stop funding the war--
bring the troops home NOW!
- Call Congressman Ben Chandler (central Kentucky)
- Call Senator Mitch McConnell
- Call Senator Jim Bunning

Call the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask for the office
of your members of Congress.

Here's some background from the KY Justice List

BRIEF BACKGROUND:

On Election Day, voters signaled to Congress that we we want a new direction and we are ready to bring our troops home. Members of Congress return to Washington DC on Monday, December 4, to determine their legislative priorities for the session. Let's greet Congress with a flood of phone calls to remind them that we want our troops to come home from Iraq. We need to make sure that Congress puts Iraq as a top priority for the new session-- together we will make sure this is an issue that Congress cannot ignore!

If your from KY and want this kind of information regularly check out the KY Justice List.

Gramma Would Approve

2006-12-01T19:16:00.000-05:00

My grandmother, Ida May was an active member of the social activist Gray Panthers. She was a social activist to say the least. 20/20 did a hidden camera sting on crooked funeral homes in her house she ran for office in Phoenix in her early 80’s so that the republican candidate couldn’t sneak into office un-opposed (her campaign colors were hot pink and gray) among other things. I tend to hold her up on a bit of a pedestal when it comes to social action, so when I saw this article on the Anti War Grannies over at the Quaker Agitator I couldn’t help thinking of her. If she wasn’t a part of this fine women’s group she would have smiled when she read about their action as I’m sure she’s smiling with them wherever she is now.

A tip of the deep blue hat to you Gramma...

From the article:

PHILADELPHIA -- A judge dismissed defiant trespass charges Friday against a group of anti-war grandmothers who had refused to leave a military recruiting office after trying to enlist.

Loose Thoughts

2006-11-29T22:05:00.000-05:00

A Lesson: I told one of my classes about a Frog and Toad story that spoke to me recently while I read it to my daughter. It was about procrastination and making tomorrow something to look forward to by getting the stuff that’s hanging over your head done today.
I had four students from that class in my room after school looking for make-up work and extra help…score.

Creeped Out: An AP (young second year admin) came to me unsolicited while I was on duty this morning and casually asked me if I was doing OK this semester. You know, getting what I needed to get done, done etc… After the usual attempt at the required sarcasm “yea sure” and “it’ll be a squeeze as usual” he asked if I had a chance to look over my copy of the new version of the state curriculum. I said that I go online and look at all the latest updates… he responded with something about making sure I was getting all the tested material covered and then slyly slipped in a question about a hard copy of the doc my DH should have given me and how often I consult it. I got suspicious and changed the subject.
If the guy has an issue why can’t he just say he’s seen something that has him concerned related to coverage and he would like to talk to me about it? I have nothing to hide, my door is open but…the dude makes me nervous…

A real question from a real kid: Recently during a discussion about migration and the industrialization of the U.S. a student asked me if I thought that the idea of the American Dream was “manufactured” in order to get more people to come to the U.S. from poor foreign countries so that big business could maintain a cheap labor force. After the smelling salts snapped me back into consciousness, I told her to stick to the time period we are studying and we’ll talk about current events on Friday (I’m Kidding about my response). This thoughtful, full of questions and desire to learn student student has an F in my class due turning nothing in ever and will likely blow off the state test. Damnitall. (Yes there are extenuating circumstances but sonofabitch I don't want to lose this one to life)

Robert Altman 1925-2006

2006-11-21T23:11:00.000-05:00

[photo: LA times]
I don't know what it is about the holidays that seems to bring out the death watcher in me but what the hell it's what I'm reading about.

It was Robert Altman's M_A_S_H that started me watching film. It was not the first film I ever saw, in fact I saw it on video years after it was released, but it was the first film I ever saw that showed me that there might be more to a movie than comic book heroes, space ships or dick jokes. After viewing M_A_S_H I saw art in film or the first time (not that a good dick joke isn't art, it's just not the ONLY art). Altman gave me new eyes and I learned from him. And maybe this is the teacher poking out, but that was a gift. He made films, he did good, R.I.P.

Bo Schembechler 1929-2006

2006-11-17T22:19:00.000-05:00

I sat down to write a rah-rah bit for the U of M/OSU game tomorrow. Then I read the news.

Thanks Bo for helping make tomorrow’s game what it is and for having the impact that you have had on the lives of countless players including those of us who never saw the inside of a Michigan locker room.

Go Blue!

Yo Tiga, I'm gettin nauseous ova hea!

2006-11-16T22:40:00.000-05:00

I was a wee child when Rocky came out, I cried at the end. I grew up laughing at the s e q uels and I admit they are guilty pleasure movies (you know the ones you love but would kill anyone who found out about this love...ANYONE). But, there is a time to quit no matter what Rocky Balboa says in the trailer of ROCKY VI...Rocky Balboa.
I can hear Micky screaming at the top of his lungs "Hit 'em with your walker Rock!!"

Just because it's the 30th anniversary doesn't mean you have to make another movie Sly...seriously.

I'll probably see it though...

A great tool?

2006-11-09T23:51:00.000-05:00

A Fantasy Congress was sent to me by a friend (no this time it's not a type-o its fa real) looks outstanding and hilarious! Its just like fantasy sports it's just...congress. points are scored when your Members of Congress (MCs) introduce and push bills throught the process.

This from the Home page:

We The Creators of this site, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish Fantasy Congress for the United States of America.

In this game, we give you the power to draft and manage a team of members from the U.S. Congress. Enjoy our gift to you, o great nation: the power to play politics!™

- The Fantasy Congress Team

Of course my first thought was how cool this would be in class. Then came the images of kids walking down the hall all excited saying shit like "YESSSS, Charlie Rangel got that bill out of committee! Say what you want about the way the dude talks cause he can negotiate the fuck out of a tax on windfall war profits yo!" (of course I would have to write them up for "language" but I would be glowing with pride the whole time)

I'm still laughing....Anyone used it?

How about two minutes instead of two weeks...

2006-11-08T22:12:00.000-05:00

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

...and scrap that "stolen" crap too. Sometimes this well burned Lib gets carried away.

It looks as though we have a sweep! Check the link and read with a wary smile. Now all we can do is hope.

The hallway think tank

2006-11-08T22:08:00.000-05:00

Had W taken the advice of the brain trust that is the hallway in which I teach he could have come out a Republican hero instead of…well, himself. About a month or more ago he could have cleaned out his cabinet of its expired goods. Namely Rummy, Rove and friends and pressure the dead weight out of the Senate and House while projecting himself as someone who was in charge of the Whitehouse, the war and the Grand Old Party. He could have come off like a real Commander In Chief ready to make drastic changes in the way the American government did things. He could have been seen as the only oversight needed in an obviously corrupt and depraved system. Politically he could have risen above the filth that has become the Republican lead government and taken a few clean powerful allies with him. Instead he was crushed under the weight of a one dimensional, profiteering, attackattacattack, protect the loyal at all costs even if it means I take this presidency, the party, the military and this nation’s international reputation down with me, policy that will take years for us to recover from Dems in office or not.

But, thank goodness that he doesn’t listen to my hallway, or have the ability to do his job without his handlers meeting the accommodations listed on his IEP (bad education joke). If he did I may not have had the pleasure of watching the Grand Old Party scramble to throw the first of the bled dry sacrifices on the pyre of “political capital” set aflame the moment that lovely phrase was turned by the Decider himself.

Ok, I might be able to put political comments to bed for another couple of weeks until Virginia is stolen, I mean decided.

Why I'm sleeping tonight

2006-11-07T21:22:00.000-05:00

Despite my general lack of hard core political posting here, I am a political junkie. I have participated in campaigns since I was knee high to a grasshopper. My father and my grandmother (in her 80s) ran for office when I was both wee and not-so-wee. I was allowed to stay up late to watch the returns every time there was an election and I NEVER miss a vote. Tonight I go to sleep before all of the returns are in and plan to wake up and read about it (by "it" I mean the outright theiving of the election in the final hour by the current cartel in charge) in the morning.
WHY?
As I sat down to once again watch the returns it hit me that I don't need to hear the same spew that has been coming out of the mouths of those who "know" for the last month. I will listen to the post game intently and I will discuss the outcome at length with family, friends and colleagues as we plan our escape to... wherever democracy is still alive, but tonight I forgo the anxiety and got to sleep so that I might be an effective teacher tomorrow.

Goodnight Folks.

[not responsible for the content of any 3am "couldn't take the pangs of 'politics withdrawal'" posts that might pop up because I am oh. so. weak.]

You couldn’t have planned it any better.

2006-10-31T22:39:00.000-05:00

It's Halloween, kids are dressed up and wound tighter than a nine day watch (shit, I’ve been in KY too long) and the power goes out and hour before school does. Sometimes last period planning is a GOOOOD THING!

And I'm Spent...

2006-10-31T22:22:00.000-05:00

My observation was fine. I have a post observation in the next few days to review what was seen and not seen in class. I am thankful that most of the powers that be in my school understand that this is one class on one day and that anything could happen, sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s...”eh”. This class was…well I think it went fine, not super, but well enough. I will be MUCH more relaxed next time around; I just needed to get this one under my belt.

Oh Well

2006-10-24T22:49:00.000-04:00

My observation was rescheduled…how anti-climactic, uh. Oh well, I got to use another HST quote and I get a few more days to burn an ulcer through the already perforated lining of my stomach.

Funny, I have not been nervous about an observation since the first one I went through at my first teaching gig. For whatever reason (tremendous respect for the principal, school, colleagues and the blinding fear of letting them down after they took a n essentially blind chance on me…) I am nervous about this one; go figure.

Warm Fuzzies

2006-10-22T23:06:00.000-04:00

As I prepare (panic) for the Monday before my first official observation at the new school I love, by the guy whose place I took after he moved into a position of “responsibility” at said school, I find refuge in the words of Hunter S. Thompson as posted today by his widow (with whom I share a birth year; hey, that’s how he rolled) on Owl Farm Blog. Click the link and read the rest, it's a classic...

You twisted pigfucker! [Crazed laughter.] If I weren't sick I'd kick your ass all the way to Bowling Green -- you scumsucking foreign geek. Mace is too good for you. . . We can do without your kind in Kentucky."

-Hunter S. Thompson

“Twisted pig fucker” indeed.
Next time W. comes to town I'll just post this quote and be done with it.

2006-10-19T22:52:00.000-04:00

Olbermann: the beginning of the end of America

Good Stuff
Transcript here at Alternet

Random Observation

2006-10-19T22:03:00.000-04:00

The mock news and commentary brilliance that is The Daily Show got its start with original host Craig Kilborn, who got HIS start on ESPN. The more serious though often funny Count Down features another former ESPN talking head Keith Olbermann. Draw your own conclusions I’m just making an observation.

A new outlook...

2006-10-01T20:19:00.000-04:00

I have not been posting recently for several reasons. I am teaching a class that I have never taught before, I am in a new school with a very new schedule and I have taken on0 a club, something I have never done before ( I have coached but a club is very different). But the main reason for the scant posting is that I have found something that I have been missing in my first few years of teaching, a learning community within the walls of the school.

I have real discussions with teachers about education, student challenges, teacher learning, politics (not school politics but real honest to goodness local state and federal politics), dong what we do better and why we should try to be better, the list could go on and on. For the first time I feel like an educator working in a place where that word means something. When I sit down at the computer now I am not only exhausted but I feel that while I used to have so much to say and discuss and read about that I couldn’t get it out fast enough. That has changed over the last months as I have settled into this new gig. When it comes to the community I feel like I have been teaching there for ten years. I am trying to re-imagine this little space and what I do here. It is a part of what I do and I want it to be an extension of the community I have at school. I’m just trying to decide what that means.

My thanks to those who have kept coming back to check and see if I still live in the edu-sphere. Where I go from here is something of a mystery. Hell, who knows maybe nothing will change, but with my new atmosphere I can’t see how The Smithie will be the same.

Earning my idealist badge

2006-08-30T21:26:00.000-04:00

Saw this on Schools Matter. Here's the opening:

Making a student repeat a level at school has no benefit and in fact may do more harm, Australian research shows.

Do we really serve students when we hold them back? When we back up and look at the purpose for holding students back is it to help them learn or is it punishemnt? Which of those serves the student? The education system? Our future?

I have had this conversation with educators and non-educators alike over the last several years, including my pre-teacher years. If we really want to see school improvement this is one area we need to adjust. Besides, if the current powers that be get their way these high risk kids will be all that's left in public education systems, we'll have to deal with them then.

Any thoughts?

I still breathe and can almost write.

2006-08-23T23:34:00.000-04:00

We are moved into our new home (sort of), the youngin is adjusting to going to work with daddy two hours before she has ever been awake, I have mowed (and stressed about) my lawn for the first time since I was 12 (and that was a small patch of Arizona Bermuda grass that was only long enough to cut a couple of times a year), begun teaching a class I have not taught since student teaching in a new school and used all of my Jedi [edited to remove the fucking "e" type-o] training to deflect the unending requests to head or assist every committee, club, athletic team and student group from which sponsors and coaches have run screaming, in a way that conveys my desire to be a part of the learning community (I ain’t a first year teacher who cain’t say no) while attempting to maintain at least a cordial relationship with Ms. Smithie (hope that’s not too paternal). SO, blogging has taken a back seat to me trying keep from having a visit from the nice young men in the rope soled shoes and/or a nice young lawyer.

So far this year has been a liberating experience. The students at the new school are excellent, A People’s History of the United States has been used as a class reader for the last several years and I have half as many students as I have ever had before. With that said I hope that I can reflect my new found enthusiasm for teaching and other things in this here web log. However, teachers with soft ears may occasionally want to avert their eyes as my tirades may get a little rough around the edges, but dammit I’m teaching Howard Fucking Zinn to Junoirs in high school and I’m excited about it! My inner activist has been...well, activated...finally.

Moving

2006-07-19T22:47:00.000-04:00

Moving today and will not have access to the net for some time. I will resume posting as soon as I can.

Private Schools Fair No Better Than Public

2006-07-16T12:12:00.000-04:00

Shut Up and Teach posted this little beacon of light in the form of an examination of a comparison of Private and Public School test scores by the New York Times. The two studies show little difference between private and public schools and thus far has been out of the news cycle. Hmm I wonder why…

The studies looked at some of the real factors of what makes a student a student. Thestuff that is so hard to account for in education or that people try to ignore when comparing the two schooling “options”.

“The two new studies put test scores in context by studying the children’s backgrounds and taking into account factors like race, ethnicity, income and parents’ educational backgrounds to make the comparisons more meaningful. The extended study of charter schools has not been released.”

The results definitely do not jive with the mantra of our “President” and his minions that private schools and their charter siblings are the paths we should be supporting for our youth. It does however, seem to reinforce my own feeling that rich kids will continue to sail and feel that they have a superior education while the rest of our young people struggle on an uneven playing field despite an equal education. The "brand name" culture we have created is perpetuated through our image conscious education system.

[More comments on the article and studies it references: From Schools Matter, Peter Campbell and Judy Rabin. Folkbum weighs in on the fact that the report was delayed and apparently Lets Get It Right predicted the whole thing. I give the same nods to the edu-sphere that Mike gives at Education in Texas for getting this story a platform for discussion and encourage others to do the same, as it has been buried in the mainstream media.]

NERDY?

2006-07-11T12:11:00.000-04:00

This has been showing up on the blogs I frequent. I guess my jock background kicked in to keep me out of the nerd woods.

Blind Sided

2006-07-07T23:20:00.000-04:00

I woke up this morning with the most recent queue of crap to get done on my mind: Getting to summer school on time, trying to help my younger sister find a place to live after arriving from Tucson, packing for our move, trying to come to an agreement with my wife on colors for the living room, making sure the fence will meet neighborhood association specs, scheduling the "final walk through" before closing, wondering where the hell my wife's aunt is going to sleep among the boxes during her visit this week and making sure those who are left in summer school are actually doing the work they were assigned, you know normal a normal "teacher summer off". Then my phone beeped indicating I had a message. It was one of my supervising teachers from the school where I student taught five years ago. He had an unsolicited job offer...a legit job offer.

BAM!
This offer is from the one place I have wanted to teach since I finished grad-school. Pushing down my, my, giddiness I decided I needed to talk it out with a rational detached brain, “trusted assistant principal” (TAP). TAP gave me some good advice then paused and asked if I knew when the last day to tender my resignation would be and still allow me to give the notice mandated by my contract. After a phone call it turned out that it was today. The rush was on to find the teacher who called me to try and push this thing through. Three hours later I had a new, nay, my dream job and was turning in my resignation to the board office. This is not what I woke up thinking would happen today, but man what a day!

I haven’t been this excited about teaching since the first day of my first year.

Yee. Haw.

Taking The "School" Out Of Summer School

2006-07-06T23:02:00.000-04:00

I am “teaching” summer school this summer. I was drawn in by promises of money fame and power, uh, ok just by the chance for some extra cash to help the home purchasing along. I was also told that there would be a set curriculum so there would not be too much work involved even if I had to teach classes I had never taught before. Turns out the “set curriculum” is an online program piped in from Arizona. All students have to do is read a little, take a “submission” for each bit of reading and we grade sparse written portions after they are through. The reading is very specific and the written work is more regurgitation than thinking. We do so little work and get paid so well that I almost feel like a superintendent.

Naturally this makes me uncomfortable and squirmy.

Students are finishing classes at lightning speed. Many of them failed two or three classes for the entire year and are making up every, single, class in three or four days. We started with enough students to warrant several teachers with classes of 25 each, we are down to 12. Something tells me that these students who received failing grades (a few from my classes were in the single digits in May) are not suddenly becoming geniuses.

Students love it. They are completely unaccountable for their lack of action through the entire year, have a near full summer and move up a level when they come back in the fall. Guess what they are going to do next year. Guess how they will do on the state tests. Guess what they have learned about the roll of the system in bailing them out when they shirk responsibility…

Making it harder to swallow is that the district is going to sing the praises of this program because they will not have to support it financially through the entire summer term saving them some serious cash.

I am getting paid and at the rate the students are finishing It'll all be over in a few days and I can try to forget it all happened. At least until I am passing out the Fs to these same students again next year.

Eternal Struggle

2006-06-23T16:33:00.000-04:00

I first heard about the Mosquito Teen Repellent on NPR a long time ago and was again reminded of it by the Education Wonks yesterday.

At the time I first read and heard about it I thought it was funny, one of my kids brought it up in class during a current event discussion and we all had a laugh. I had visions of Chewbacca in his Bespin torture cell, only with baggy pants and a wallet chain. Then a few weeks ago I heard a bit, again on NPR, about some cheeky English kids who have turned this weapon against its aged creators. They have fashioned a ring tone using the same sound that only kids and young adults who have yet to blow their ears out of their heads at concerts or with headphones can hear. Seriously, this is so cool! I would have been all over this in school. I can hear the tone, but I am sure that with computers, the air conditioner and my yapper going I would never hear the tone in class.
I LOVE that students will find a way to beat the system no matter what, even if it only works until we old folks find a way to shut it down. Last year it was TV remote, watches that had (especially the older) teachers all in a tizzy. TVs were turning on and off all over school. We had to e-mail pics of what they looked like so that teachers would see them coming and some STILL didn’t get it. This kind of battle between students and teachers is a classic old folks V young’uns. It’s not going away because it is eternal. When this generation gets older it’ll be something else and I think it’s awesome.

Where I have been

2006-06-23T16:16:00.000-04:00

My grandmother lives on a lake in MI. We go. We Fish. We Relax. I get lucky...fishing.

If I ain't Han...

2006-06-23T10:21:00.000-04:00

Found this over at Learn Me Good an interesting blog, that had me at Jedi Master...

how jedi are you? :: by lawrie malen

If I ain't Han Solo, I'll walk the earth instead...

Good Stuff On Testing

2006-06-14T20:36:00.000-04:00

I suppose it's no secret that I HATE high stakes standardized testing. I believe that they force teachers to teach to the middle and force students to learn to the middle. They encourage staying in the box and out of real thinking. If you can ace the test you're fine no matter your ability to think or consider the things that matter. Basically everything that is in this little gem that I picked up via No NCLB. Good suff man good stuff.

What the hell was I thinking...

2006-06-14T13:03:00.000-04:00

When I agreed to teach summer school!? I got the call yesterday. I agreed to be a reserve just in case the classes overflowed. This means a few things. My blissful summer days with my daughter are ending…Thursday (tomorrow), there must have been a HUGE number of failures this year and on the up side, we will have enough money to buy a couch for the house we close on in July.

Oh yeah, one of the reasons my blogging has lagged in the last few weeks is that we have been house hunting. We hunted, we found, we offered they accepted we close in July, yea for us.

Reflection I: Me and KY Middle School Didn't Get Along.

2006-06-12T15:18:00.000-04:00

Structure, Purpose and Why I left.

In Kentucky, middle school means 6^th through 8^th grade, all in the same building. Teachers are grouped into grade level “teams”. In most schools teams have common planning periods.

The purpose of KY middle school seemed to be; make a place where students can grow into their new hormone fertilized body parts without the academic expectations of elementary or high school. This observation may be a little short sighted on my part but I left middle school a little jaded, what can I say?

Why I left: The kids had nothing to do with it.

With the normal exceptions THE KIDS were pretty alright. It was a gift to see eighth graders come in as little kids, basically still elementary students, and leave ready for high school. Many of them come an unbelievably long way in nine months. Watching and aiding that transition kept me there for three years. What I couldn’t take any longer was the “middle school mentality”.

The “Mentality”.

The structure of middle school, for me, was intense. Every move of every kid had to be watched. They all needed to be kept in check at all times. Line up for lunch, single file to the auditorium, no one dismissed from school until your bus arrives etc… It was a stifling atmosphere for me, and I thought for students as well. Every minute of every day was scripted, if you had five minutes it was snatched so you could monitor that hallway or this bathroom. Students came into middle school with a need for structure and it worked well in the sixth grade. But as the kids get older and ready for more responsibility they lash out against oppressive structure and it causes needless conflict between students, teachers and administration than is healthy. The structure becomes the enemy and the teachers and administration represent that structure, an “us against them mentality” develops. Teachers and students alike buy into this way of thinking and the conflict over it evolved into way of life. I felt a tremendous pressure to conform, not conforming put me into an exhausting no mans land almost alone. I slowly learned to pick my battles but was tired of fighting every battle alone or with very little support. So I took my secondary school training and left for high school.

Part II High School…

Bliss

2006-06-05T09:20:00.000-04:00

First Monday without school, sitting with my daughter, eating breakfast and listening to Free Wheeli'n Bob Dylan. I am a happy camper

ALLMMOST. THERE. ALMOST. THERE...

2006-05-31T20:05:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is FINALLY the last day of the year. My district has no compensation or “snow” days built into the schedule. So we add a day for every unplanned day missed. This year we added five days to the end of our regular schedule. Tomorrow we have finally paid off our districts short sighted planning and we end.

This marks the end of my first year in High School after three years in middle school. Holy crap, do I have a post or two of reflecting on the differences I've observed between the two so far! But for now I must work like hell to get all of my stuff done before I can officially say it’s over. I feel a multi-day crash coming on…

Go Ahead Take IT I Dare You...

2006-05-28T13:09:00.000-04:00

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Unfortunately 9o% of my students could not pass a portion of this test this year. I wonder how many "Legal Americans" could?

Daily Show Justified

2006-05-26T19:56:00.000-04:00

I know most teachers are at the end of our year and the last thing on our minds is planning. That said; If you love the Daily Show and find yourself thinking, "Man I might be able to use this in the classroom but it would be a hard sell to the admin" then this little write up is for you.

Paul Brewer of The Public Brewery shares a paper he recently co-authored outlining the content and (I think) the potential educational value of the Daily show. In order to get the jokes students have to understand what's going on in the world and in some cases a little history maybe some economics and who knows what else. Things like,

A content analysis examined 52 episodes of The Daily Show from early 2005. Of the 222 news stories in these episodes, over half addressed political topics; a fourth did so using issue frames. Almost half of the stories addressed world affairs.

may get an administrator to raise an eyebrow of understanding as you explain why this is an excellent addition to your civics and current event discussions.

If you already use the show I would love to know how and if it worked.

The Dark Side takes another one

2006-05-22T22:21:00.000-04:00

Teachers who think that the force is strong in them need to be careful not to yell it to the world after a night out at the cantina and then attack the storm troopers that come to settle him down or they might end up like this guy. Super human strength aside, he's no Jedi...

I imagine this is what my life will be like if I ever have a son...

2006-05-20T20:55:00.000-04:00

It also vaguely connects to the post below

Seriously, if you have a sort of off kilter sense of humor and you’re not afraid of being offended occasionally you must check out Married to the Sea.

Reflecting on the year: I

2006-05-20T20:32:00.000-04:00

This year was my first year teaching high school after three years of middle school. When I made the level switch I stayed in the district but changed worlds. I went from the vanilla, upper middle class, suburban school to the diverse, working class, older school of a smallish city.

The switch has made for some interesting observations. Naturally my observations are through my eyes with my biases worked in there and I have discussed them, mostly, with non public school teachers (though most of my friends have social science backgrounds). I have not done any proper studies or surveys (I find them less and less valuable as I progress as a “real” teacher anyway), or used any formal methodology, I just kind of paid attention. I thought I’d share some of them a little at a time sprinkled though my end of the school year posts.

Testing V. Achievement:

The schools on my old side of town boasted the top test scores in the district…by a lot. The other schools come close in one subject or another but overall it ain’t even close. And they LOVE to hold that over the rest of our heads, “you may kick our butts at football but look at our test scores” kind of stuff. However when it comes to AP scores, ACT scores number of national merit scholars and most recently number of all state academic team members our side of town blows the other side of town out of the water. When we send kids to foreign language and culture contests in the state we take home record numbers of medals and awards. Most recently when the all state academic teams were announced we had more than twice as many members as the other school. Basically our students do the stuff that gets kids into college, and on to the next level. They work hard and are proud of their academic, social and athletic achievements. And from what I understand those that go to school finish.

On the other side of town they train for the state tests…hard. They use a school wide test format that looks like the state test, they spend class time teaching kids techniques for answering multiple choice questions and how to use verbs that test graders look for in written questions and it works. They do well every year on the state tests. But they do not measure up to our kid’s success in “real” places, those places that you put on college applications and from which one takes valuable experience into the rest of their lives.

I suppose my point is obvious. This may be but one teacher’s limited observation but mandated state tests mean nothing to the main reason we do what we do; the child’s success and ability to move out into the world a little better prepared to take on the world. They stress teachers and students and for what?

[A side concern, or the exclamation point: apparently last year my current school saw a rise in state test scores, ACT scores flat lined…I’m just sayin’… it’s scary.]
Education

Yep I'd say this was about right

2006-05-19T20:08:00.000-04:00

You Are an Irish Coffee

At your best, you are: wild, spontaneous, and outgoing

At your worst, you are: too extreme and reckless

You drink coffee when: you want to keep drinking booze

Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

If you have not seen it

2006-05-15T23:46:00.000-04:00

Crooks and Liars has the opening of last weekends SNL... funny stuff. If only...

Have they no limits!?

2006-05-15T22:47:00.000-04:00

Apparently the military needs to up it's competency level by recruiting autistic children now. I wonder if this is how the decider means to get the 6,ooo troops to the border? I Hat tip Ms. C.