It is hard to believe that my boy is three years old today. It doesn't seem like it could possibly have been three years ago, when he was born. He has grown into such an incredible little boy. He has such an awesome personality! I love talking to him because he is always surprising me with what he says and what he is thinking about. Last night, we went to a "pajama party" at the zoo, and I was proud that he was the only one of the kids that knew what the African Hunting Dogs were.
We have been blessed to have such an amazing little guy come into our lives, and I can't wait to see what the next years have in store for us.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
When to write
The other big concern, after what to write every day, is figuring out when to write. Right now, the only time I have to write is after the kids are in bed. This is not much time, and I am usually tired, so it can be difficult to think clearly and write something. For example, tonight I nearly fell asleep while reading books to Reid, so I'm a little foggy and it is a little tough to come up with something interesting to write.
I do have some ideas of things to write about in the future, so hopefully I'll be able to keep it up. For now, I'm going to bed.
I do have some ideas of things to write about in the future, so hopefully I'll be able to keep it up. For now, I'm going to bed.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
At least I have something to write about
One of my biggest concerns about trying to blog every day is actually having something to say. Will I have something interesting that happens during each day, or will I have something on my mind that I want to write about? Well, today was not a day that I need to worry about that.
This morning, on my way to work, a pickup truck (or maybe it was a large SUV) ran a red light (they made have been sliding on ice and snow) and hit my car. I was not injured, but the front passenger-side wheel was damaged enough the it was no linger drivable. My questions about what happen with the other driver come from the fact that I did not get to talk to them afterwards, because they drove off.
I'm frustrated that I don't have my car and I must drive a rental for a while, but honestly the one I got has leather seats and is pretty nice, so it isn't too big of a deal. I've never really been one to care a lot about what particular car I drive (not since I was a teenager, anyway). What frustrates me the most is the hit-and-run. It is such a cowardly thing to do. I mean, forget placing blame for the accident (the roads were a bit slick, after all), they didn't even stick around to see if I was okay. I just can't imagine what goes through someone's head at a time like that to think, "I better get out of hear." No concern for the other person whose life they just quite literally came into contact with. They were obviously so concerned with whatever the perceived consequences to themself would be, whether they might be legal or financial or even real, that they let that override their possible concern for another person's well-being.
I am thankful that I was not hurt, and I am grateful that I have never been faced with a situation where I have reacted in the manner that the person who hit me did. If I can pull something positive out of the situation, it will serve as a reminder to do my best to always put the needs of others ahead of my own worries.
This morning, on my way to work, a pickup truck (or maybe it was a large SUV) ran a red light (they made have been sliding on ice and snow) and hit my car. I was not injured, but the front passenger-side wheel was damaged enough the it was no linger drivable. My questions about what happen with the other driver come from the fact that I did not get to talk to them afterwards, because they drove off.
I'm frustrated that I don't have my car and I must drive a rental for a while, but honestly the one I got has leather seats and is pretty nice, so it isn't too big of a deal. I've never really been one to care a lot about what particular car I drive (not since I was a teenager, anyway). What frustrates me the most is the hit-and-run. It is such a cowardly thing to do. I mean, forget placing blame for the accident (the roads were a bit slick, after all), they didn't even stick around to see if I was okay. I just can't imagine what goes through someone's head at a time like that to think, "I better get out of hear." No concern for the other person whose life they just quite literally came into contact with. They were obviously so concerned with whatever the perceived consequences to themself would be, whether they might be legal or financial or even real, that they let that override their possible concern for another person's well-being.
I am thankful that I was not hurt, and I am grateful that I have never been faced with a situation where I have reacted in the manner that the person who hit me did. If I can pull something positive out of the situation, it will serve as a reminder to do my best to always put the needs of others ahead of my own worries.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy New Year!
Wow, 2014 is here! 2013 seemed to go by so fast! And, looking at this blog, you wouldn't even know that 2013 happened, as I haven't posted since May 2012. I have a plan to change that, though. Hopefully, I'll be able to stick to it. Posting to this blog is just one of the things that I would like to accomplish this year.
I wouldn't call them "New Year's Resolutions," because everyone knows how well those usually go, but I do have some goals for the new year. Now, I have never had much luck with setting and achieving goals for the coming year, but I see that as no reason not to continue trying. Last year, I followed some advice and set goals that seemed really out of reach, the idea being that even if you don't make it, you will still do better just by trying to achieve such a lofty goal. I like the idea, but it didn't work out so well for me. Let me give you a couple examples. One goal I had was to read 1 book a month for a total of 12 books. I don't know how many books I read (there were a couple I got part way through and never finished), but even counting unfinished books, I maybe read six. Another goal was to run another 5k, and throw in a 10k and a half-marathon, as well. Hahahahaha! I didn't even complete the 5k, which I had done the year before.
Of course, some people will say that the reason that I didn't achieve these goals is because I didn't share them with anyone. I wrote them down, but I didn't let anyone else know about them, so I wasn't being held accountable. I'm not sure how much that works, either, but I've got this blog, so I might as well share things with anyone who happens to decide to read it. Now, there are still some goals that seem personal, so I'll go ahead and keep those to myself. Also, I'm not clear on what my goals should be in a couple aspects of my life just yet, and I've never been one to think that the only time you can set goals is at the start of the new year, so I'll probably add some along the way.
Let's get started. Here are some of my goals for the year:
1. Write on this blog daily. Again, this seems crazy, but if I actually strive for it, even if I don't write 365 days this year, I should do much better than I otherwise would have. Heck, with this post I'm already doing better than last year.
2. Read one book a month. I'm going to try this one again. I'm accepting fiction or non-fiction. I'm also accepting the fact that sometimes I get as much as I can handle out of a non-fiction book and then stop, I think that still counts.
3. Lose 50 pounds. This has been a goal of my for some time now, and was really the reasoning behind those running goals I had last year. It was also why I posted pictures of myself on this blog in previous years to try to motivate myself to lose weight. I need to lose the weight, I know I'll feel better and won't get tired playing with the kids as easily. So, this needs to be the year. It is only 4.2 pounds a month. That's like barely over a pound a week. Surely, I can do that.
Okay, that is enough for now. I need to get this post published soon, or it won't be New Year's Day anymore. Plus, I need to get to bed, we have a sick baby so sleep was tough last night and may be again tonight.
See you tomorrow.
I wouldn't call them "New Year's Resolutions," because everyone knows how well those usually go, but I do have some goals for the new year. Now, I have never had much luck with setting and achieving goals for the coming year, but I see that as no reason not to continue trying. Last year, I followed some advice and set goals that seemed really out of reach, the idea being that even if you don't make it, you will still do better just by trying to achieve such a lofty goal. I like the idea, but it didn't work out so well for me. Let me give you a couple examples. One goal I had was to read 1 book a month for a total of 12 books. I don't know how many books I read (there were a couple I got part way through and never finished), but even counting unfinished books, I maybe read six. Another goal was to run another 5k, and throw in a 10k and a half-marathon, as well. Hahahahaha! I didn't even complete the 5k, which I had done the year before.
Of course, some people will say that the reason that I didn't achieve these goals is because I didn't share them with anyone. I wrote them down, but I didn't let anyone else know about them, so I wasn't being held accountable. I'm not sure how much that works, either, but I've got this blog, so I might as well share things with anyone who happens to decide to read it. Now, there are still some goals that seem personal, so I'll go ahead and keep those to myself. Also, I'm not clear on what my goals should be in a couple aspects of my life just yet, and I've never been one to think that the only time you can set goals is at the start of the new year, so I'll probably add some along the way.
Let's get started. Here are some of my goals for the year:
1. Write on this blog daily. Again, this seems crazy, but if I actually strive for it, even if I don't write 365 days this year, I should do much better than I otherwise would have. Heck, with this post I'm already doing better than last year.
2. Read one book a month. I'm going to try this one again. I'm accepting fiction or non-fiction. I'm also accepting the fact that sometimes I get as much as I can handle out of a non-fiction book and then stop, I think that still counts.
3. Lose 50 pounds. This has been a goal of my for some time now, and was really the reasoning behind those running goals I had last year. It was also why I posted pictures of myself on this blog in previous years to try to motivate myself to lose weight. I need to lose the weight, I know I'll feel better and won't get tired playing with the kids as easily. So, this needs to be the year. It is only 4.2 pounds a month. That's like barely over a pound a week. Surely, I can do that.
Okay, that is enough for now. I need to get this post published soon, or it won't be New Year's Day anymore. Plus, I need to get to bed, we have a sick baby so sleep was tough last night and may be again tonight.
See you tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
More Change Needed
So, at the beginning of May, I took another progress picture. I don't think I'm going to bother posting it, though, because there really doesn't seem to be much progress. On the scale, there hasn't been much progress, either. I'm still sitting at basically the same weight I was a month ago. However, it does seem like my clothes are looser and I have to tighten my belt more than before, so I'm not too worried but I think I need a little more change.
This time I think I need to change my eating habits at least a little bit. I've spent a lot of time on various websites trying to figure out how I can best change my diet in a way that I can stick with and that is doable. I'm not really looking for a "diet" but a change in habit. What has made the most sense to me, and what I started to slowly implement this week, is what most people have labeled "Paleo" or "Primal." The basic premise is that about 90% of human existence was before organized agriculture, grain production, and modern food processing. So our bodies are really designed for consuming "real" food that hasn't been processed and isn't made from grain. This makes it seem like Atkins or other "low carb" diets on the surface, because we traditionally get most of our carbohydrates from bread and pasta and that stuff is out when you eat Paleo. It's not the same, though. You are still getting carbs from vegetables and fruits, you just don't load up with them through grains. It is a pretty radical change for me, but it makes sense to me, and I've seen lots of people who have had amazing results after beginning to eat this way. Not to mention, this is basically the way my dad eats, without ever putting name to it and he has maintained a health weight since he changed his eating habits.
Now, let me be clear. I haven't gone "strictly Paleo." I think that idea is kind of funny, anyway, because I don't hunt or gather anything, so I'm never going to be "eating like Grok." (Grok is a caveman.) What I decided to do (and I've been successful for three days, so far) is eliminate grains and most sugar (I say most, because sometimes I put Coffee Mate French Vanilla in my coffee) from my diet all day until dinner. At dinner, I may have some bread or pasta or corn, but I'm trying to eat less than I used to, and I've cut out desserts. So, I've been making eggs for breakfast and I cooked up a bunch of chicken on Sunday that I have been cutting up and eating on salads for lunch. I still love milk and usually have a glass in the morning and a glass in the evening (most people don't think dairy fits in the Paleo diet) and I still drink one diet coke or diet dr. pepper for lunch (obviously that doesn't fit Paleo), but I'm making some changes.
Maybe it is just my imagination, but I haven't felt as sluggish in the afternoons this week. I don't feel the need to drink more than my one 16 oz. cup of coffee in the morning and I've been drinking more water. No matter what, I feel like I am eating healthier and there are bound to be some benefits in that. If it jump-starts my weight loss, then great, but I'm going to try to keep it up either way, just to know I am being healthier. If this partial change really does make a difference, I would like to try to take it all the way into my evening meals, as well; but that is a little harder since I am eating with my family.
I'll check back in a couple weeks from now, and let you know how things are going.
This time I think I need to change my eating habits at least a little bit. I've spent a lot of time on various websites trying to figure out how I can best change my diet in a way that I can stick with and that is doable. I'm not really looking for a "diet" but a change in habit. What has made the most sense to me, and what I started to slowly implement this week, is what most people have labeled "Paleo" or "Primal." The basic premise is that about 90% of human existence was before organized agriculture, grain production, and modern food processing. So our bodies are really designed for consuming "real" food that hasn't been processed and isn't made from grain. This makes it seem like Atkins or other "low carb" diets on the surface, because we traditionally get most of our carbohydrates from bread and pasta and that stuff is out when you eat Paleo. It's not the same, though. You are still getting carbs from vegetables and fruits, you just don't load up with them through grains. It is a pretty radical change for me, but it makes sense to me, and I've seen lots of people who have had amazing results after beginning to eat this way. Not to mention, this is basically the way my dad eats, without ever putting name to it and he has maintained a health weight since he changed his eating habits.
Now, let me be clear. I haven't gone "strictly Paleo." I think that idea is kind of funny, anyway, because I don't hunt or gather anything, so I'm never going to be "eating like Grok." (Grok is a caveman.) What I decided to do (and I've been successful for three days, so far) is eliminate grains and most sugar (I say most, because sometimes I put Coffee Mate French Vanilla in my coffee) from my diet all day until dinner. At dinner, I may have some bread or pasta or corn, but I'm trying to eat less than I used to, and I've cut out desserts. So, I've been making eggs for breakfast and I cooked up a bunch of chicken on Sunday that I have been cutting up and eating on salads for lunch. I still love milk and usually have a glass in the morning and a glass in the evening (most people don't think dairy fits in the Paleo diet) and I still drink one diet coke or diet dr. pepper for lunch (obviously that doesn't fit Paleo), but I'm making some changes.
Maybe it is just my imagination, but I haven't felt as sluggish in the afternoons this week. I don't feel the need to drink more than my one 16 oz. cup of coffee in the morning and I've been drinking more water. No matter what, I feel like I am eating healthier and there are bound to be some benefits in that. If it jump-starts my weight loss, then great, but I'm going to try to keep it up either way, just to know I am being healthier. If this partial change really does make a difference, I would like to try to take it all the way into my evening meals, as well; but that is a little harder since I am eating with my family.
I'll check back in a couple weeks from now, and let you know how things are going.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Progress
Just wanted to post a quick update on my workout progress. For the last seven weeks I have been following the workouts at Max Capacity Training. These workouts are High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts created to be completed in 16 minutes. The exercises change every day, so if you follow the program you never really do the same workout twice. It has actually been a lot of fun, because it is always something new and I know I just have to push hard for a little bit and then I'm done.
However, if you look at the program you'll see, as you get to weeks 7-9 and 10-12, some of the exercises start to get pretty advanced. I found myself having to modify an exercise each of the first two days this week (week 7), so I've decided to start something different next week. I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going to do, but I'll save that for another post. (Yes, I'm going to try to actually post regularly, finally.) Knowing that I am not going to be continuing this program anyway provided the perfect opportunity for me to repeat the workout from day one to see how I have improved during the last two months.
The workout for day one, and for me today, consisted of squats, push ups, lunges, and planks done in that order, as many as you can in 50 seconds with 10 seconds rest in between for 4 rounds and a total of 16 minutes. I recorded my scores for the first round of exercises and here are the results.
EXERCISE DAY 1 DAY 21 (7 weeks later)
Squats 20 35
Push ups 20 27
Lunges 15 20
Plank 26 sec. 35 sec.
Not bad. I do have to say that I would have hoped for a little more improvement in the plank, but after pushing hard on squats and lunges, my legs felt like the weak link there, not my core. Also, considering the most noticeable difference in my body over this time is the definition in my arms, I kind of thought I would have more improvement in the push ups, but that was averaging less than 2 seconds per push up, so that seems pretty good.
I'll probably try to do this same routine in another 6 or 7 weeks and see what kind of additional progress I've made.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Modesty, Schmodesty
So, with this post, I'm going to do something I kind of never thought I would do. I'm about to post pictures of myself without a shirt on. You have been warned, and you are welcome to turn back now. Of course, I know that my mother-in-law, wife and maybe a cousin or two are probably all that will ever see this post, so I'm not too self conscious about it, but I'm still a little nervous.
Here's the deal: I started working out almost two months ago. I've tried exercising to get back in shape and lose weight several times over the past several years, but nothing has ever really stuck. I tried joining a gym and running, and I never made it more than maybe four weeks with any consistency. This time, I got sick after week one, and that could have derailed me, but I just took the week off and then kept going. So, I'm almost done with week seven of my current workout program, and I feel like I'm actually seeing and feeling some results and more importantly, I want to keep going. This is amazing to me, because in order to fit these workouts in, I have to get up before 6am three days a week, but I really am enjoying pushing myself and working hard for 15-20 minutes every morning. That's it, that's all the time I spend on the actual workout, and I'm still getting results. I love HIIT!
Tomorrow, I am repeating the workout I did on my very first day, so I can compare what I was able to do now to what I did then. That will be the true test of how much I have improved over the past seven weeks of workouts, but there is other evidence of improvement, too.
- I am consistently wearing my belt one notch tighter than before I started. (Today, I realized I could actually go another notch, but it made my pants bunch weird. So I may actually need to go down a size in pants soon.)
- I don't get tired walking down the ten flights of stairs from my office to the parking garage anymore. Yes, I'm ashamed to say it used to be a little tiring even going down.
- I can confidently push Reid up McCall's hill in his stroller without worrying about getting tired and letting him roll down the hill.
- I have lost 10+ pounds. I'm not sure I want to admit where I started, but lets just say I'm 20% to my goal.
- I didn't think to take a "before" picture when I first started, but I took on a couple weeks in on March 1. I took another on April 3. There are no drastic changes, yet, but I can see some definite differences. The biggest difference I notice is the definition in my arms and shoulders. I didn't think to take a picture flexing, but that would probably provide a much more dramatic difference.
Okay, so here is photographic evidence that I referenced a the beginning. Notice the little helper I had in the top two pictures. :)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
An entire year!
Wow! It has been an entire year since I wrote anything on this blog. (Thank you Rhonda for pointing that out.) It would seem I simply don't have to much to say in this kind of forum. When I started it almost a year and half ago, I really thought I would have something to say. I thought I would have things to say about school, technology, family, all kinds of stuff.
However, maybe writing those kinds of things on a blog is too hard (or time consuming) for me. I can write short snippets on facebook and have some of my hundred or so "friends" comment on it almost instantly. I can send out 140 characters or less on twitter and know that anyone who has chosen to follow me will see it and a couple might even reply or retweet it. When I write here, not very many people are paying attention, so it really ends up just being for me, and I guess I haven't been very reflective over the past year.
So, I guess I have to figure out if there is really anything for me to say on this blog. I'll get back to you...
In the mean time...what a year it has been!!!
However, maybe writing those kinds of things on a blog is too hard (or time consuming) for me. I can write short snippets on facebook and have some of my hundred or so "friends" comment on it almost instantly. I can send out 140 characters or less on twitter and know that anyone who has chosen to follow me will see it and a couple might even reply or retweet it. When I write here, not very many people are paying attention, so it really ends up just being for me, and I guess I haven't been very reflective over the past year.
So, I guess I have to figure out if there is really anything for me to say on this blog. I'll get back to you...
In the mean time...what a year it has been!!!
Monday, May 10, 2010
I'll take the physical challenge, Mark
Wow, it has been a long time since I last posted. I'm sure Rhonda will be happy to see my new post. :)
So, this weekend I decided to take on a couple new challenges. These are both challenges I have begun before but never completed. It will actually be my third attempt at one of them.
The first is the "Hundred Pushup Challenge." http://hundredpushups.com/
The goal of this challenge is pretty obvious, I think. By the end, you should be able to do 100 consecutive pushups. The challenge website provides workouts for 6+ weeks based on an initial test and periodic checks along the way. I did the initial test this morning and got 14. I begin the workouts tomorrow.
The second challenge is "Couch to 5k." http://www.c25k.com/
Again, the purpose is fairly evident. I currently spend way too much of my time on the couch, and in nine weeks time I will have worked up being able to complete a 5k run. I have even found two or three possible runs at the end of July and beginning of August to choose from for my culminating event. I completed day one of week one today.
I decided to post this to my blog so that the two or three people who read it will continue to ask me how I'm doing over the next 6 to 9 weeks and keep me accountable. I really want to complete these this time, so help me out by asking how I'm doing from time to time. Thanks!
Oh, just an interesting side note. If there are typos in this post, it is because it was written on my Droid, as we currently have no power thanks to a storm.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Why do I teach?
Today, my wife and I spent 5 hours in the car coming back from a concert in Texas. The concert was good, and it was great to see some friends while we were there. Apparently, we left a little too soon after the concert, because one of our friends worked her magic and got to talk with all the members of the band...but I'll save that for another post.
This post is about some of the conversation on that car ride home. As we often do, we eventually got around to talking about teaching and the state of education. As we talked, it occurred to me that my goals for each of my classes are actually very simple. In Geometry, I want them to develop reasoning and logic skills. In Algebra (especially Algebra 2) I want them to develop the ability to think algebraically. In one case, they should be developing concrete thought processes, and in the other, they should be developing their ability for abstract thought. We can break everything down to strands and standards individual concepts, but in the end, this is what I want them to learn. This is why I am there. This is why I teach.
Problem is, it also occurred to me that in very few cases are either of this things happening in these classes. My Geometry students cannot reason their way through a proof, most of of them cannot complete a simple logic puzzle, and I'm too busy teaching probability and odds to spend more than the bare minimum trying to help them develop their reasoning skills. My Algebra 2 students cannot even think abstract enough to be able to open their minds to the idea that i can be a letter AND a number, and when I try to explain that they need to be able to look at things in different ways using binary numbers, all they get out of it is that binary looks easy and we should do that for a grade.
Wow that was a crazy run-on sentence, but the point is this: Maybe for the first time, I was really able to get a strong grasp today of "Why I teach," or the reason for the classes I teach. But, when I start to think about whether this is being accomplished and what is actually in my power to try to fix it, it makes me think even more about "Why do I teach?"
This post is about some of the conversation on that car ride home. As we often do, we eventually got around to talking about teaching and the state of education. As we talked, it occurred to me that my goals for each of my classes are actually very simple. In Geometry, I want them to develop reasoning and logic skills. In Algebra (especially Algebra 2) I want them to develop the ability to think algebraically. In one case, they should be developing concrete thought processes, and in the other, they should be developing their ability for abstract thought. We can break everything down to strands and standards individual concepts, but in the end, this is what I want them to learn. This is why I am there. This is why I teach.
Problem is, it also occurred to me that in very few cases are either of this things happening in these classes. My Geometry students cannot reason their way through a proof, most of of them cannot complete a simple logic puzzle, and I'm too busy teaching probability and odds to spend more than the bare minimum trying to help them develop their reasoning skills. My Algebra 2 students cannot even think abstract enough to be able to open their minds to the idea that i can be a letter AND a number, and when I try to explain that they need to be able to look at things in different ways using binary numbers, all they get out of it is that binary looks easy and we should do that for a grade.
Wow that was a crazy run-on sentence, but the point is this: Maybe for the first time, I was really able to get a strong grasp today of "Why I teach," or the reason for the classes I teach. But, when I start to think about whether this is being accomplished and what is actually in my power to try to fix it, it makes me think even more about "Why do I teach?"
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
How can we help failing students become successful?
Here's the situation:
About 30 freshman failed the first semester of Algebra 1 in the fall. Those who did not leave the district were moved on and enrolled in a second semester Algebra 1 class. Of these, a few were place in NovaNet to recover the missing half-credit, and the rest were divided up into two "repeat first semester Algebra 1" classes.
What a strange situation for these kids. They failed the first half of the course, so now they are being presented with this material again, while also being taught the second half. In some subjects this might not be too strange, but in math, you typically need to know how to do the first half before you can attempt the second half. Concurrency does not seem to be a viable solution. Yet this is the situation they (and I, since I was chosen to teach one of the repeat classes) are in.
So the question is this:
How do I help them be successful both in my first semester class, as well as in their other second semester class?
I am not completely sure. The problem is, I think I'm a pretty good teacher, but I'm not sure I'm a great teacher, and these kids need a really great teacher. In reflecting on how best to help this class be successful, I typed up some notes. Follow this link to read them.
I just started blogging, so I don't have a lot of content to interest people, but I'm hoping some of you teachers out there have some insight into this situation. If so, please leave comments. I'd love to hear what others think or if there are others out there who have taught in a similar situation.
About 30 freshman failed the first semester of Algebra 1 in the fall. Those who did not leave the district were moved on and enrolled in a second semester Algebra 1 class. Of these, a few were place in NovaNet to recover the missing half-credit, and the rest were divided up into two "repeat first semester Algebra 1" classes.
What a strange situation for these kids. They failed the first half of the course, so now they are being presented with this material again, while also being taught the second half. In some subjects this might not be too strange, but in math, you typically need to know how to do the first half before you can attempt the second half. Concurrency does not seem to be a viable solution. Yet this is the situation they (and I, since I was chosen to teach one of the repeat classes) are in.
So the question is this:
How do I help them be successful both in my first semester class, as well as in their other second semester class?
I am not completely sure. The problem is, I think I'm a pretty good teacher, but I'm not sure I'm a great teacher, and these kids need a really great teacher. In reflecting on how best to help this class be successful, I typed up some notes. Follow this link to read them.
I just started blogging, so I don't have a lot of content to interest people, but I'm hoping some of you teachers out there have some insight into this situation. If so, please leave comments. I'd love to hear what others think or if there are others out there who have taught in a similar situation.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
I was just thinking
I'm having trouble thinking of something specific to write about this evening. There are a few random thoughts from today floating around, but nothing that I can grab onto and make a reasonable post out of. Some of these are things I may want to revisit at some time in the future, so it might be good to have them listed here as a reference. Let's see:
1. Do you ever wake up in the morning feeling completely unprepared for the day ahead of you? I did this morning, and I don't like it one bit. Of course, this feeling is understandable given the situation I detailed in my previous post. Understanding it does not make me like it. I don't want to have this feeling so often.
2. Yesterday, we got an email saying that no one will be hired to replace people who leave. Really? If a faculty member from a core curriculum that is already short-handed leaves at the end of the year, they won't try to fill that gap? Isn't that bad for the kids?
3. CES began today, and all the hype is about the new "Google phone" the Nexus One. It looks cool, but I still just want my dang Droid. Why do I have to wait until April? Surely, my overpriced monthly plan has paid for my stinking Razor by now, and I'm staying in the Motorola family, so shouldn't there be a customer loyalty incentive for something?
4. I still want my projector mounted to my ceiling in my classroom so that I don't have to arrange the desks around the projector stand and I maybe could actually use the SMARTBoard because I wouldn't have to worry about it getting moved all the time. I have all kinds of technology in my classroom that I would like to use and I would love to use even more (I have a degree in instructional technology for crying out loud) why is it so hard to get a little help for the basic stuff. I've been asking for this for years, seriously, years. [Update: I sent an email requesting something be done about this and got a couple responses that make me think it may actually happen. Fingers crossed.]
Okay, I feel like this quickly turning into a rant, so that is probably good. Just a couple more things.
5. Our dog woke up from her evening nap a little bit ago and had some serious "bed face." It looked like she had a handlebar mustache, it was seriously too cute. I wish we would have gotten a picture.
6. My wife is extremely beautiful, intelligent, and supportive. I take her for granted and ignore the little things she does way more I should, and I feel bad about that. She keeps me going when I have days like today when I am stressed from the time I get out of bed, and I can't thank her enough for that.
1. Do you ever wake up in the morning feeling completely unprepared for the day ahead of you? I did this morning, and I don't like it one bit. Of course, this feeling is understandable given the situation I detailed in my previous post. Understanding it does not make me like it. I don't want to have this feeling so often.
2. Yesterday, we got an email saying that no one will be hired to replace people who leave. Really? If a faculty member from a core curriculum that is already short-handed leaves at the end of the year, they won't try to fill that gap? Isn't that bad for the kids?
3. CES began today, and all the hype is about the new "Google phone" the Nexus One. It looks cool, but I still just want my dang Droid. Why do I have to wait until April? Surely, my overpriced monthly plan has paid for my stinking Razor by now, and I'm staying in the Motorola family, so shouldn't there be a customer loyalty incentive for something?
4. I still want my projector mounted to my ceiling in my classroom so that I don't have to arrange the desks around the projector stand and I maybe could actually use the SMARTBoard because I wouldn't have to worry about it getting moved all the time. I have all kinds of technology in my classroom that I would like to use and I would love to use even more (I have a degree in instructional technology for crying out loud) why is it so hard to get a little help for the basic stuff. I've been asking for this for years, seriously, years. [Update: I sent an email requesting something be done about this and got a couple responses that make me think it may actually happen. Fingers crossed.]
Okay, I feel like this quickly turning into a rant, so that is probably good. Just a couple more things.
5. Our dog woke up from her evening nap a little bit ago and had some serious "bed face." It looked like she had a handlebar mustache, it was seriously too cute. I wish we would have gotten a picture.
6. My wife is extremely beautiful, intelligent, and supportive. I take her for granted and ignore the little things she does way more I should, and I feel bad about that. She keeps me going when I have days like today when I am stressed from the time I get out of bed, and I can't thank her enough for that.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Really? You're telling me this today?
So, today was my first day back after the semester break. We didn't have classes, it was just a workday for the teachers to get settled in and ready for the new semester. When I headed to school this morning, here is the schedule I had drawn out in my head for what I was going to do today.
1. Finish up the last bit of paperwork that I probably should have completed before I left for break.
2. Clean off the semesters-worth of papers that had accumulated on and around my desk.
3. Check to see if any of the finals for students who missed them had been completed, grade them and put them in the computer.
4. Check my rosters to see if there are any surprises or issues of which I need to be aware.
5. Arrange my room the way I want it to begin the new semester.
6. Plan out what I want to do for the first couple days of class and get any copies sent to the copy center.
7. Catch up with some of my colleagues as I saw them throughout the day.
This would be a pretty busy day, but all-in-all a pretty nice way to ease back into the semester. I felt confident that I could get this done and have a relaxing evening at home in preparation for the students' first day back.
So what really happened today?
1. I worked on getting that last bit of paperwork done.
2. While turning the paperwork in, I was made aware of a scheduling issue in my department.
3. My department head came in and asked for my schedule, hours and number of students (this can't be good).
4. We got an email about the options for next year's calendar and were informed there would be an informal meeting to discuss it at 10 am, so I went to that.
5. I began clearing out all the papers and filling some boxes for recycling.
6. The department came in, told me that I would be losing one of my Algebra 2 classes and would be teaching a repeat freshmen Algebra 1 class instead, and asked what I would need for this new prep. Based on the tweet I sent, this happened at approximately 11:26 am. I will have this class in my room for the first time at 9:03 am tomorrow morning, less than 24 hours later.
7. I finished boxing up papers and trying to organize things.
8. I had a meeting with the ad hoc committee I am on about state assessment incentives. We are hoping that if we provide incentives for students to improve the scores from the practice test to the real test that they will try harder and our scores will go up. I had not anticipated this meeting as I was driving to school today.
9. I did get to check my rosters, which led to a couple discussions with other teachers and a counselor to find out what was going on with a couple of the students.
10. (Seriously? 10, and I haven't even done half of what I planned at the beginning of the day? Crap.) I graded a final that a student came in to take today.
11. I did spend a little time catching up with a few other teachers. Most of this time was let by me asking them for resources to help me get ready for the new class I just found I get to teach.
So, that leaves the important stuff like preparing for my classes that start tomorrow still undone. In fact, as soon as I finish writing this and grab a bight to eat, I'm heading back to the school. So much for this semester starting off nice and easy.
1. Finish up the last bit of paperwork that I probably should have completed before I left for break.
2. Clean off the semesters-worth of papers that had accumulated on and around my desk.
3. Check to see if any of the finals for students who missed them had been completed, grade them and put them in the computer.
4. Check my rosters to see if there are any surprises or issues of which I need to be aware.
5. Arrange my room the way I want it to begin the new semester.
6. Plan out what I want to do for the first couple days of class and get any copies sent to the copy center.
7. Catch up with some of my colleagues as I saw them throughout the day.
This would be a pretty busy day, but all-in-all a pretty nice way to ease back into the semester. I felt confident that I could get this done and have a relaxing evening at home in preparation for the students' first day back.
So what really happened today?
1. I worked on getting that last bit of paperwork done.
2. While turning the paperwork in, I was made aware of a scheduling issue in my department.
3. My department head came in and asked for my schedule, hours and number of students (this can't be good).
4. We got an email about the options for next year's calendar and were informed there would be an informal meeting to discuss it at 10 am, so I went to that.
5. I began clearing out all the papers and filling some boxes for recycling.
6. The department came in, told me that I would be losing one of my Algebra 2 classes and would be teaching a repeat freshmen Algebra 1 class instead, and asked what I would need for this new prep. Based on the tweet I sent, this happened at approximately 11:26 am. I will have this class in my room for the first time at 9:03 am tomorrow morning, less than 24 hours later.
7. I finished boxing up papers and trying to organize things.
8. I had a meeting with the ad hoc committee I am on about state assessment incentives. We are hoping that if we provide incentives for students to improve the scores from the practice test to the real test that they will try harder and our scores will go up. I had not anticipated this meeting as I was driving to school today.
9. I did get to check my rosters, which led to a couple discussions with other teachers and a counselor to find out what was going on with a couple of the students.
10. (Seriously? 10, and I haven't even done half of what I planned at the beginning of the day? Crap.) I graded a final that a student came in to take today.
11. I did spend a little time catching up with a few other teachers. Most of this time was let by me asking them for resources to help me get ready for the new class I just found I get to teach.
So, that leaves the important stuff like preparing for my classes that start tomorrow still undone. In fact, as soon as I finish writing this and grab a bight to eat, I'm heading back to the school. So much for this semester starting off nice and easy.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
In the Beginning...
I might have stolen that line. Should I put it in quotes? Do I need to site it? I guess I'll figure that stuff out as I go.
I've been telling myself for a while now that I need to start a blog. I'm not sure why I have felt this need, but it is there and cannot be denied. I guess my biggest problem is that while I have this urge to create something online, I don't really know what it should be about. However, I have decided not to let that stop me. So, what is my blog going to be about?
Many friends blog about their kids, but I have no kids and my dog mostly sleeps so that isn't very interesting. Don't be surprised to find posts about my dog, though. Many teachers blog about what is going on in their classroom, but I don't feel like I do anything that exciting or ground-breaking in my classroom. Sometimes it would be nice to have another avenue to express what is going on, though, so don't be surprised to find posts about teaching or what is going on in my classroom. I like to spend my free time reading or watching movies and a little TV, so don't be surprised to find posts about the books I'm currently reading or what I'm currently watching. I like all things technology and read or watch several technology blogs and podcasts, so don't be surprised to find posts about technology that catches my eye (especially if I actually get to buy it.) Basically, I just plan to write about what is on my mind, and if there are a few people out there that find it interesting, then awesome! If not, at least I'll be able to go back and see what has been on my mind.
I've been telling myself for a while now that I need to start a blog. I'm not sure why I have felt this need, but it is there and cannot be denied. I guess my biggest problem is that while I have this urge to create something online, I don't really know what it should be about. However, I have decided not to let that stop me. So, what is my blog going to be about?
Many friends blog about their kids, but I have no kids and my dog mostly sleeps so that isn't very interesting. Don't be surprised to find posts about my dog, though. Many teachers blog about what is going on in their classroom, but I don't feel like I do anything that exciting or ground-breaking in my classroom. Sometimes it would be nice to have another avenue to express what is going on, though, so don't be surprised to find posts about teaching or what is going on in my classroom. I like to spend my free time reading or watching movies and a little TV, so don't be surprised to find posts about the books I'm currently reading or what I'm currently watching. I like all things technology and read or watch several technology blogs and podcasts, so don't be surprised to find posts about technology that catches my eye (especially if I actually get to buy it.) Basically, I just plan to write about what is on my mind, and if there are a few people out there that find it interesting, then awesome! If not, at least I'll be able to go back and see what has been on my mind.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
