Originality must be very difficult
You know what’s exhausting to me? It’s when I finally sit down around 11:00 at night to catch up on worldly news, and I read that the highlights for CNN are “teacher poses in risque photos and gets fired” or “teen mom sells sex tape”. Really?? That’s what we’re talking about? Have we not given this junk enough hype, already? Hollywood “stars” do the same thing. There’s no originality with people who are getting news coverage. The old saying that “sex sells” seems to remain true, but the whole ridiculous and absurd and BORING nature of these stories just puts me to sleep. Zzzzzzzzz.
Can’t somebody do something with their brain, make an actual contribution to society, and be highlighted for that?
Please show me some originality!
Well, let me get off of that subject….
Today-yes, we were back in full swing until I got a call that my oldest son was to be at an audition in the afternoon, so I rolled up teaching after lunch. We changed quickly and headed out the door. When we returned in the evening, I served the kids dinner from McDonald’s (I know. I’ll do better tomorrow.), and we started back up with academics around 8:30. I covered fractions, time, and regrouping so we ended about 10:30. Would you hate to be my child? Hee, hee. Eagle mother..
Off to get my rear on the elliptical! I’ll follow that up with applying magical potions to my skin to make it look younger and lasering off unwanted hair. TMI? Oh, the joys of middle age! I’ll likely be reading history around 1:00 a.m., so I really need to stop rambling here:)
“What most schools don’t teach”…You-tube video
Link sent to me by a girlfriend. It’s about 10 minutes in length. I”m a bit obsessed at the moment with learning more about coding and how to do it, so this was an interesting video to watch.I’ve had several people tell me that it’s useless to learn a particular language because of the fleeting nature and evolving field of computer science. Not so sure I agree on this one. Seems like if you can keep teaching all of your core academic subjects well, and are still able to squeeze these kinds of activities into your child’s world, then such experiences would only be beneficial.
I may see if I can move my family and me into the office that has the free food. That way, I wouldn’t have to cook anymore!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU1xS07N-FA&feature=player_embedded
How much influence does a teacher have on your child’s future?
Flipping through the “Education Next” website and came across an article discussing the impact of good versus bad teachers on a child’s future in areas such as salary, college attendance, and retirement savings.
http://educationnext.org/great-teaching/
Would your student benefit from the “gap year”?
Interesting topic…Lots of good articles to read on the subject.
http://www.interimprograms.com/AboutInterim/Counselors.asp
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2015783,00.html
I’m surrounded by wild things, and I love it
One thing I’m learning and appreciating more every day as I’m teaching is this: Bring the subject matter to life for your student.
The learning experience should be multi-sensorial. Make it hands-on, tie in several subjects, encourage movement, ask for feedback and interaction. Do less standing in front of many student-filled desks and sit more on the ground with them, talk in a 2-way conversation. Children have a lot of good things to say:)
What most students grind their teeth at: seat-work. Maybe it’s a must in some subjects. I beginning to believe less of that is more.
I had the opportunity today to read to a group of kindergarteners, my daughter being one of them. We read the classic book, “Where the Wild Things Are”.
I wanted them to really connect with the book, plant something in their memory so that they would remember the words and pictures and how the experience made them feel.
We did the usual storytime where I read and they talked with me, answered questions, laughed, etc. They were asked to model the wild things with their gnarling teeth and rolling eyes.
For a take-home connection, they were given beans to grow in their sunlit windows in hopes of remembering how Max’s room turned into a forest. They also took home those stick-on plastic eyes so that they could draw a wild thing and put the rolling eyes on there to bring the characters to life.
Did the ideas have an impact on them? I’ll likely never know, but it’s worth the effort in hopes that it somehow did..
Here’s to all of the teachers out there in every setting. It’s a tough job!
What are the negatives to homeschooling?
Just reading through some articles and ran across this one.
Still with the whole socialization argument-ugh…
Here’s the thing: not all socialization is good for the child. In fact, there are many scenarios where a child is being negatively impacted by their social situation in a formal school setting. Food for thought…
No doubt about it though. HS is a full time job that requires much effort and a lot of times money. It is most definitely exhausting.
I feel like I’ve run a marathon (every day)
Our boxed curriculums for next year arrived today. I’ll be teaching grades fifth, second, and first. Admittedly, I kind of sighed when I saw them because I know how much effort will be required of me to present the material effectively in hopes of inspiring them. Yes, I love what I do as a homeschooler. I feel that doing so is the right thing for our family. Would I recommend this “job” to everyone. No, I don’t think so. It’s A LOT of work, and I’d have a hard time believing someone that says otherwise..
Ivy League Homeschooling 