The Willie Joke Update Today I overheard Quincey say something to Willie. Willie responded by saying "It's not Willie...Call me Big Willie." Quincey was surprised to hear this come out of Willie's mouth. Quincey didn't say any penis jokes for the rest of the period. Willie's strategy worked, and I didn't even think of that. Yeaaaaaa! The kids were more involved than ever today. They are starting to come out of their shells, I think. We worked on fractions of land using Starbursts...

Now, Willie (I found out today that that's how he spells it, now) has been at NE for a week and 2 days. His first day was my first day. He seemed well mannered, shy, intelligent, and had a particular style. His style is one I 'd expect to see in the suburb he moved from. Baggy, but not too baggy jeans, no hat, some kind of silver neckless, a button down shirt, skate shoes. He looked nice, but not dressed up. He acted the same way. Relazed and put together. He held himself high those f...

During second hour today, that guy was there again. Uhg, I thought. Hasn't he cause enough trouble already? The lesson starts uneventfully, as far as kid on kid teasing goes. Then I hear Quincey (the one who wouldn't stop with the penis jokes that I apparently don't get cause I'm a teacher) start in on Willy again. Today he's saying, What's your name again? What's your name again? Come on...Say it. I am particularily concerned because this is only Willy's second week of school at NE....

We played math fraction games today again in groups. I was sitting with a group of two. Willy and Quincey. Quincey decides that I, being the teacher, haven't ever heard penis jokes before. The presumed purity of teachers...ha! So back and forth Quincey and Willey crack jokes. Quincey keeps saying things like, "Put it there, Willy" "Oh, Willy, right there" Willy, that's right" "Willy, right there, yeah" "Willy...Willy...Willy..." As a response, Willy just keeps saying "Dude ...

Today there was a volunteer from the U of M who is majoring in math education in the room. We were playing a game in groups of four during second period, which is the kids that are in the intervention math program. He is sitting with one of the groups and playing the game. It's not really important what the game is, but it had to do with visualizing fraction pieces and using benchmarks to add two fractions together. For example, a group flips over two cards that have a fraction on eac...

Long day! Eight graders can really pump out some algebraic thinking skills if they can just have a little support. I'm convinced lack of confidence is one of the only reasons they don't finish problems. They just stop part way through and say they don't get it. I ask why and they respond that they don't know. You don't know why you don't get it? Its funny, because then they do the next step, and the next step, and the next step and then they stop and look up. I nod yes, and they say th...

Introduction Tutoring Rica gave me some first hand experience in working with an English Language Learner (ELL). Through this experience, I realized the importance of Rica’s background. The challenges that many teachers face surfaced quickly, and were difficult to manage. In visiting the ELL teacher’s room with Rica, I was able to view the kind of interaction that Rica was accustomed to, which led me into one successful and one not so successful tutoring session. As my time with Rica wa...

Nothing too interesting today. I am more amazed that some adults never got a full math education. Math anxiety, some say. It's your teachers fault, you know! Teachers seem to hate explaining the hows and whys that make for a real understanding of math, instead of just number munching. I didn't understand the hows and whys of math until I started taking calculus. That's insane. It's much easier to explain these things in elementary school and prepare kids to think algebraically, ins...

We walk up the steps to the patio. He hands it to me. Breathe in. I hand it to her. Around and around. It’s been a long time, much too long a time. I couldn’t really remember, anyway. My head is in my hands, between my knees. It takes me a while to catch by breath. I hear the world before I can see it. It can’t wait, especially the sun. She has to say her final farewell. She demands I say mine. Hip, knee, ball, toe. Hip, knee, ball, toe. I clutch him. I don’t know how I go...

Today was my first day of three weeks teaching middle school math. During second period, one of the boys, who happens to tower over me, grabbed another kid's binder and whipped it across the room. Papers, pencils, and books went flying everywhere. Whew! Glad I wasn't standing in the line of fire, although I was near. The papers were at all around me. The kid who did the throwing seemed to think it was alright because the other kid touched his stuff. Damn. I found out later that last we...

A few days ago, I put up the rough draft of this curriculum letter. Well, it's finished. It's aimed at a principal to prove I know what I'm doing for literacy instruction. I'm sending it Monday morning. Any last advice (besides proof reading stuff, which I'll be doing tonight) would help alot! Thanks to those who helped me on the first draft! ll Dear Families, This year in third grade, we will explore various science, social studies and math themes using literacy-based curricu...

So, I got the go ahead from Suspeckted to post some pics from Halloween that I have of him. The scan came out a little dark, but you can still see him! He's in the Kangeroo suite, folks. Left: Suspeckted gets dirty with SameOld Rat. Caught ya. Right: Nice view of Suspeckted's rear end!

I'm writing a curiculum letter that is suppose to explain my plans during 150 literacy minutes each day for a year! I know there are a lot of teachers (and parents) on JU, and I'm calling for your input ASAP! Here is a rough rough draft. The begninning half is more finished than the end, which is just notes. Any input will be valued. Dear Families, This year in third grade, we will explore various science, social studies and math themes using literacy-based curriculum. Through my ...

I think I need your opinions, Joe Users. Breast feeding in public. I don't get the hype. Breasts serve many functions, one of which is nursing a human baby. When nursing, breasts are being used non-sexually. So, why are so many people against nursing in public. I was discussing breast feeding with a group of my friends. The two women said they would never do it in public. One of them even ripped on her sister-in-law for breast feeding at the state fair without a blanket covering her...