Of Delays & No Class

A couple of things....

My daughter had a 2 hour delay for school yesterday. Makes sense - kids don't need to stand out in -45 windchill - no one does! But, teachers and other school personnel had to arrive on time. I don't understand why. Is this to give teachers time to re-work their schedules due to a shorter day, or is there another reason? I once asked a teacher this - back in the 70's - and was told it was because they (teachers) were adults and had the responsibility to be there. Sounds like one of those "adult" answers, eh?

The other thing has more to do with college than high-school. Sometimes an instructor will cancel a class because they are ill or need to attend a conference. This is understandable. However, is it fair to students to give them in-depth assignments to complete during the instructor absence - with only basic info delivered electronically? What if you have questions? What is a good way to handle this?

I'm sure the same could be said for substitute teachers who have the responsibility to guide students toward a goal....

Mixed Bag - Replying to Comments

As promised, I'm using a post to reply to comments.

Peabody - Thank you. I'm feeling better. I did lose my voice for a few days, and my hearing for one. But, now, I'm doing well.

Celestial-Rose - That is interesting, but, not at all surprising. It seems to me that "standard" religions will pick and choose what other religions they will "tolerate" based on the "Sympathy of the Month". Thank you for opinion.

Willow - I will check out the site today. I think interpretation is a wonderful word - although I don't my Amer Lit instructor would agree. For instance, "Nothing Gold Can Stay" I read for AL and it was in the book "The Outsiders" I read for YALit. The AL Instructor had a completely different take on the poem than the way it was used - and understood - in "Outsiders". Maybe if I look at it that way - interpretations are different and dependent on person and situation - it will be easier.

Peabody - "State of Mind". I like that!

Veracious - I agree (see not to Willow above)

Willow - Yes, seems any more people are born connected to the Internet! It was a hard concept 14 years ago to think that, once my daughter was born, she would automatically get a SSN!

Well, Folks, that's all for now! This will probably be a good week in school - by good, I mean interesting!

Thank you everyone!

Illness

So, what happens when you are a teacher and you have a job and you get really REALLY sick? Do you still go in? Do you call for a substitute? Do you go in and, if you get worse, can you go home?

I ask this as I've got the flu. A week & 1/2 ago, it was a very bad cold. Now, my hair hurts...really.

I went to classes yesterday, even though I didn't feel well. I'm going to classes tomorrow, unless I can't drive.

I don't know if it is dedication, the fact that I'm paying for the classes, that I love to go to school...

When I'm feeling better, I'll post about the comments I've received and some of the sites I've found related to teaching.

Religion & Comments

Easy one first:

I am thrilled people are commenting! I will make sure to, at least once a week, write a post responding to comments. This is my plan.

Difficult one:

Religion in the classroom. I'm not talking about teaching Evolution vs Intellectual Design or teaching in a religious-affiliated school. What I'm interested in researching and finding opinions on is: Is it OK for a teacher to wear a piece of jewelry or clothing that signifies their religious belief? Are there any precedences about this particular subject?

I ask this question because more and more, I see people wearing traditional crosses and crucifixes as accessories. Could this be seen as promoting a Christian faith; or as showing intolerance for other religions? Or is it covered under freedom of speech and/or freedom of religion?

Would schools be as accepting if a teacher wore a Star of David, Islamic Crescent, symbol of Ganesha, or an upside-down Star? They are just symbols, aren't they? People are not forcing their religion on others, are they? Just because they are teachers, leaders of the classrooms, people to be respected and trusted, that doesn't mean they can't show their personal 'style', does it?

What am I studying to be?

OK, not a proper sentence, but, a proper feeling!

I had so much homework to get done, I thought I had changed professions - to lawyer or doctor!

I re-realized my weak link in my Content Area - poetry. Yes, poetry. If it isn't written by Poe or Chaucer, I have one heck-uv-a-time figuring out what the writer is exuding. For instance, T.S. Eliot "The Waste Land". I read it, read it again, and still felt as if my brain was a jumbled mush. So, I did some Internet research and I'm still at a loss as to where the poem went (to). I get that it is about isolationism and written as a stream of consciousness of many "readers". But, I just don't get it!

What happens if I find out - like in my last semester - that because I don't understand Eliot - or enjoy Hemingway - I cannot become an English Teacher! Ack! What a scary thought!!

Not yet, Scooby Doo

My Furl demonstration has been put off until Thursday. I'm calmer about it now.

Yesterday's class was spent mostly in the computer lab. This is frustrating many people in the class. They are unsure as to why we are spending so much time on technology and minimal time on "how to classroom", for lack of a better term.

I'm sure our instructor has a reason for all the technology information and instruction; I can understand people's frustrations, as we have not been told why we are spending the time on technology. As usual, I see both sides to the story.

In the meantime, I've completed my assignments and am now completing my reading. Again, I'm caught in the Piaget-Vygotsky battle.

Teaching Furl

I've been asked by my Pedagogy Instructor to give a "demonstration" on how to use Furl.
I love to give demonstrations - to teach! That is why I'm going to school again!
Anyway, being sick for the last 2 days, I just now finished my "instructions" and did not have a chance to ask my daughter to test it for me.

I think this is another "problem" I may have when I actually get out and teach - what happens if my lesson plan or instructions on how to do the assignment doesn't work - or just sucks?! Can I think on my feet fast enough to salvage the lesson? Will the kids take advantage of my "problem"?

Yikes!

I'll let you know how it goes.

For more information on Furl, click here.

Welcome!

Welcome!

I'm currently a student at Bemidji State University. I'm working too attain my license as a Language Arts (English) Secondary (Grades 6 to 12) Education Bachelor of Science degree.

I'm starting this blog to share my experience. I look forward to making some educator connections through this blog. Of course, anyone is welcome to read and comment!

Please contact me - please leave a comment - please read!