The German Curve

Well, here is yet another much anticipated (I’m sure) blog posted by yours truly.  Aside from doing tons of school work and watching MadTV’s “Coach Hines” skits on youtube about 37 times a day, I have had a little time to go visit with my SBE at the school without walls middle school.  It seems like it should be a good time.  But as for literacy, I am still yet to complete my wiki, but I intend to soon.  I liked the activity we did in class last time with the conversations that we could only write back and forth.  I never thought of it until not, but that would be a good thing for debates and opinion based things because then each side has to wait for the other person to finish their thought.  There would be no cut-offs and definitely no way for one person to put down the other person verbally.  There would have to be a time limit to how much you could write at a time though.  I don’t know how that pertains to math, but maybe some other class like SS or something.  Other than that, our classes and readings are going well.  I think that its…ttyall soon. Lades [ ]

My learning in this class is ever evolving as with any class.  I can honestly say that the learning that I have had in this class is beneficial for my future as a teacher.  I have learned that literacy is important in the classroom, and that is why when I had to make a lesson for my methods class, I attempted to incorporate literacy in it, so my ticket out the door was a journal entry to have the students write what they had learned in the math class.  It was something that I learned in the literacy class and I think that it went well since I got a compliment from my methods teacher.  I think that those types of methods are the best things to learn.  Also, with looking at the wiki, I learned how to assess an assessment and I think that is important in the classroom.

Until next time…lades [ ]

Hey yall,

So this past week has been pretty interesting.  Lots of homework, a few more things for homework, lots to read.  Yep thats about it.  Oh my intramural basketball team has a game tonight at 10.  Season opener.  I’m pretty excited; Team: Hoop Dreams. Other than that, I’ll be doing more homework

As for learning for me in literacy class.  I felt that the diagnosis project of Tommy was fun.  It was cool to try to figure out what it was that was making him behave the way that he was.  I felt that the discussion on that topic in the beginning of class in the computer lab was insightful.  It seems like everyone has great ideas, and it looks as if there are a lot of good future teachers on the way.  Now onto the important things.  I learned how to create a wiki.  I think that it is a great idea.  I learned so much about making one and how beneficial it is and I still have plenty to learn.  I can definitely see myself using that for classes in highschools to post assignments and things.  It makes it so easy.  I still need to play around with mine though, but I cannot seem to find much free time around here this semester.  Well, I think thats enough to bore you with .  Lades [ ]

The first class got me right up to speed with what we were supposed to be doing.  It is difficult coming out of a vacation and jumping right back into the groove.  I felt that the first class was a good refresher where we were able to get reaquainted with each other and make sure that all the students still understood what the goals of the class were.  At first when I heard that the blogs would not be used again I was a little bit excited that we did not have to and I figured I would just email what I’ve learned to Dr. Jacobs.  But then I thought about it and its not like we are obligated to summarize all of our readings and write a post about it this semester.  This semester we are just supposed to describe things that we learn, and I figured what a better way to complete an assignment and to tell what I’ve learned than right here in my blog.  It actually kills two birds with one stone.  I am able to complete my obligation to inform about my learning and it keeps all my ideas in one place for me to go back to later and rethink.  I have thus decided to continue using my blog for this assignment.  The Dictoglos project in class was interesting.  I felt that it can be used in certain situations with students and I look forward to learning more things in class.  I think that I learn the most there because I have so many reading assignments for my many classes that sometimes I get overbooked and I need the classroom reinforcement to help me to understand what I read.  I’ll see how close I was next class… Until next time, Chao! 

Hey y’all, I’m gonna be going to the Anberlin concert in Buffalo on Saturday night, and I’m pretty excited about it. Not to mention Kansas University football is dominating as of right now, and I’m not used to seeing that, but I will take it. The men’s Jayhawks are also starting out pretty stellar at 2-0, but they haven’t really hit any serious competition yet. Also, the Mavs are playing pretty good, but now onto the topic of discussion.

The book: Teaching and Learning Multiliteracies by Anstey and Bull was very informative. Chapters 4 and 5 dealt completely with picture books and their importance in the classroom. I totally agree that there is a place for picture books and that it will assist the visual learners, but I find it hard to believe that there are enough proper materials for this type of learning. I think math gets a bad name because it is so difficult to stray away from lecture based teaching styles. The picture book method would definitely move away from this standard way of teaching, but there is only so much that can be done with it. I always try to apply the strategies that we read about to the teaching that I will do. I like the idea and I understand its significance, but I don’t know how I would accoplish this in the high school setting especially more than once or twice. I will definitely try though.

For my article that has to do with education, I decided to look at the death of Carrie Rozelle, the advocate for the center for learning disabilities. I think it is important to honor those that attempt to gain equality for students across the spectrum of learning, and she did all that she could. Rozelle died of cancer and she was 69 years old. She will be remembered by many, and many children will get a better opportunity because of her.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/us/12rozelle.html?_r=1&ref=education&oref=slogin

WOW! Good news. I was somehow able to contract about 200 threats to my computer, (spyware, trojans, and other items) in the past few days, but one of my friends was able to destroy them tonight so my computer is back in action. That is the best news I could give. Other than that the Dallas Mavericks (NBA Basketball) have improved to 3-1, which is good. By the way, My favorite player Dirk Nowitzki, the center for the Mavericks has been playing decently so props to him.

The Frankenstein conference was very informational. I think that it was interesting to see how Frankenstein could be realated to the many different topics and concentrations in the class. The students were able to relate the story and compare it to english, biology, and even computer science. I think that it is very important for students to be able to expand their minds and see the different ways that one story can relate to the different options that there are in schools. I personally think that the speakers did a very good job getting their points across and even some that were short, like Nate the Computer Scientist had a great presentation. I think that overall it was a great experience for all of us.

Its about time this teacher got caught. A twenty-five year old mathematics teacher (no corellation between her actions and the concentration that she teaches) having a relationship with one of her students, who by the way was 13 years old, finally were found. This type of thing blows my mind, and it is no wonder that us people that are anticipating teaching have to worry, because the people that are in the profession now are giving us a bad name. It is like the scandals with the catholic preists. Ok some of them are perverts, but the actions of those few change the opinions of many people around them and it is sad to say that people then have to worry about the safety and protection of their children. I’m dusgusted, but now am glad that she was caught and will get proper punishment.

First things first as usual: The Dallas Mavericks are going to be playing this week to start off the season on halloween night. Let’s give them the acknowledgement that they deserve. Go Dirk…

We got the new readings assigned. I read chapters 8 and 9 from the Subjects Matter book and was not completely dissapointed. For Chapter 8 I find can say that I would have loved to do the independent reading workshops in school, especially in the history setting because I would have liked to have chosen an article in my favorite topic for the history class. It would have been nice to do. I also think that it would have been interesting for science classes, but then again they can tend to be interesting with the labs and experiments. Chapter 9 book clubs sounded slightly like a jigsaw type reading style, though there are differences. I think that the idea is nice, since there are sometimes when comprehension of readings can be difficult to acquire, but with a group of people that can come together and describe what was read in their own words, the debates between the people can trigger new thoughts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/nyregion/28halloween.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=education&pagewanted=all this article was interesting. I know that times are changing and it seems as if there are troubles in schools with weapons, but it seems a little silly to me that banning fake weapons for children with halloween costumes that have these types of weapons will make the world better. I think that it is part of the fun for children to play the part of a superhero of marvel that they want to be with the full attire, and that can include a fake laser gun.

Ok here it goes.  This one might be a little shorter than the usual blogs, but its okay.  I just got done reflecting on my learning and I have to say that my favorite fact that I have about my learning is that at first I did not want to have to write blogs every week, but now I like it because I can express my humor through my writings while also completing the assignments.  I actually have fun with it.

While writing about myself I realized that I have become more open minded and less stubborn as the semester has progressed.  I discussed my learning styles and what I have obtained throughout the semester.  I have to say that there is some pretty good information in the there, but it is all written in my reflection and can be obtained by any reader via email by dropping me a line at kbh08315@sjfc.edu.  I do not feel like retyping the reflection so I think it is better if I just discuss the high notes. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/21portland.html?ref=education. Wow was I surprised with this one.  A middle school in Maine is now supplying students birth control.  A vote by the school board of 7 to 2 won the decision and many parents agree with this.  This is mind-blowing to me.  I know that it is for safety, but seriously, this gives the impression that the school is almost promoting sexual activity at the ages of 12-14.  Unreal.  I can’t believe people support this decision.  I would say that I would agree more in a high school setting because there is always prom and events that trigger more and more students to be pressured into sexual activity, but middle school? I am sure that there are some students in middle schools that are sexually active.  But I’ve got to believe that is an extremely small number.  Is it really the schools job to fix this problem?  I would think that this issue should be dealt with at home, and since parents have to sign waivers to get the prescription for their daughters anyways, they could make it a private affair and get it on their own time.  Unbelievable…..seriously.

Ok starting things off..

Readings get 1 and (1/pi) thumbs up this week. Sorry for a little math humor ( maybe not really humor…oh well) anyways..

The reading from Darling-Hammond was not too bad, except for the length.  But then again, im not much of a reader.  Kinda why I got into math.  I like the numbers. But I remember doing a presentation about the math scores for the US last year compared other counrties.  This article was a complete recap of our presentation with the Timss study.  I liked it becauce we get to see how bad we are doing against other countries, although some may argue that the studies are not done in proper respect to the cultures.  We can still get the gist of what is going on.

“I stand here ironing” was good.  I liked that one.  It kept me engaged and I like that when I read.  I know one of my philosophy books is so dry i read one page 3 times and get nothing out of it.  When I can read a story and actually understand, it makes me not hate reading so much.  It was nice to see that the daughter had a great gift that she could express herself and gain the respect that she deserved in the end.  It was really nice.

The Rigor + Support = success was pretty eye opening too.  It was alarming to see some of the statistics and although these might be known, it seems that there is little to be done with the issue.  I know that there is no way for everyone to be rich, but a little effort could help.  The recipe for success is obviously a little rigor and a little support.  I got that much out of it.  And to tie it into the poverty video, talking about alarming statistics.  Wow, that combined with the quiz told me a little bit about the problems with poverty.  I just don’t know what to say about that.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/education/16child.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin thats a good link.  It kinda ties in with Darling-Hammonds work as talked about earlier.  It looks like a eduactional reform is necessary.  But I don’t think that this happens everywhere.  There are some successful institutions.

-The end

(Title courtesy of Chiodos)

Ok, here things go.  I think the first thing that I should state is that I actually liked the choice of assignments that we had this week.  I have nothing against the Subjects Matter, but I usually feel frustrated when I read it.  But we did not have an assignment from it this week so smiles!!!

The Podcast featuring Dan Brown and Jonathan Kozol was although long, full of great information.  I did at some points find myself daydreaming, but I got the gist of it.  Doug Messger(?) was definitely for “No Child Left Behind” and he loved the way that the standardized tests showed improvement over the years, but Brown and Kozol felt otherwise.  The feeling that teachers can only teach to the test under the plan was common among many of the callers and speakers on the show.  The idea that we need many teachers like Franchesca was brought up numerous times, but a point was made that even if we have millions of Franchescas and they have to teach standardized to the tests, the inefficiency will still be present.  It is something that I can agree with, and although I do not know what the particulars of the system when I get to be a teacher, I will not want to have to teach to a test.  I will have to wait and see what happens at that point though.

Teacher Man:  (Two thumbs way up!) I really liked this book, mainly because I was able to understand the language that the author, Frank McCourt was using.  He was an english teacher and did not have to attempt to show off his profession by using huge words that none of the readers have been exposed to.  I like that.  I was in the last group and especially liked the part where one black student always sat in the back of the classroom and never participated.  So Mr. McCourt used a different approach to get the collaboration.  All he wanted was a story to be written by this student and he let him tell a story of the “streets” with drug dealers and violence.  It was something that the student could relate to since the story was true of his life.  He was able to use whatever language he wanted to, and it promoted participation.  I thought that was remarkable.  Also, I just want to say that the last chapter, chapter 18 is a must read.  I loved it.  I totally agree with McCourt’s approach in this story. If the students are actively participating, they are learning.  Bouncing ideas and stories off of each other provokes learning and I intend to use that theory as much as possible in my math classes.

The online reading, “The Lesson” was also a good story.  The Children in the story learn a valuable lesson about the way that the world works by going to the toy store in the high-end of town with their neighbor Miss Moore.  The sailboat that was $1150.00 gave the children perspective on what was really important in life.  They would rather spend their money on food, something with some meaning.  I thought that this story was a very nice addition to the assignments.

My newspaper article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/business/07lotto.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&hp was about the lottery and how earnings by the states are supposed to go toward support of public education.  Many states do not meet the intended amount of money that they planned on having for public education and the lottery idea was supposed to help.  The problem is that the states are not making as much money with the games as they once believed that they would.  The new plan is that the states are going to introduce new electronic games to get more money.  The only downfall is that these new electronic games are going to be more addictive than the traditional games.  So it may make more money, but the tradeoff may hurt some people of they have gambling problems.

 All in all, I was very impressed with this weeks readings and assignments.  I would like to see more like these.  Thanks for switching it up a little bit