This has been my most challenging class. I have learned a lot but feel that it will be years before I am able to use any of my new findings in my class. We don't have the resources or funding to make it possible at this point. I took this class because I thought it would apply towards my required credits needed for my degree. I was mistaken. As a single mother working two full time jobs and going to school full time I realized from this class that you need to have fun. This class has taught me that higher education can be fun. This is one reason why this has been so challenging. I feel like there is not any time for a fun class. I feel that because I'm a bit busy to say the least that my time is precious and fun can wait. It was so hard to let loose and enjoy what I have learned. I don't think I will be blogging or socializing through the internet anytime soon, but at least I am more knowledgeable now. It is a choice to not blogg and not a lack of knowledge that makes me that much better and powerfully educated.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Indie Teacher Blog
Indie Teacher
{ 2007 09 10 }
here's your sign
This afternoon, as students are viewing images of World War II, we see a picture of a concentration camp. The class is austere, taking in the emotional impact of genocide. It's a serious lesson which will lead into a discussion of hatred, labelling, the Holocaust, Dharfor and the hate crimes that are committed on campus on a daily basis.
The next picture includes soldiers spread throughout a battlefield. One student interupts with, "Are those people dead?" He's completely serious, but I respond with, "Nope, they're just taking a long nap. Here's your sign." I think my response might have been undignified and I am now more than a little embaressed that I was not as respectful to those who died in the war. Yet, it reminds me of the various "Here's your sign" moments that happen on a regular basis.
Common Examples:
A student will walk into my class and ask, "Are you the teacher?" My response is always, "No, I just failed the last fourteen years of eighth grade social studies. Here's your sign."
When class is exciting a student will inevitably ask, "Do we really have only twenty minutes left?" This leaves me with a few options. I can either say, "No, we actually have twenty four hours and twenty minutes" or I can say, "No, they just changed the clocks with a random daylight savings time."
When we have a fire drill a student always asks, "Is this a fire drill?" My response is usually, "Actually, the administration is quite fond of techno music. Hence the repetitive beat, loud noise and flashing lights."
After I pass back papers, a student will sometimes ask, "Did you grade this already?" My typical response is, "No, I am just passing this back to you so you can see my ability to write the letters A through F in colored markers."
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by John Spencer on 10-Sep-07 09:48 PM
{ 2007 09 10 }
here's your sign
This afternoon, as students are viewing images of World War II, we see a picture of a concentration camp. The class is austere, taking in the emotional impact of genocide. It's a serious lesson which will lead into a discussion of hatred, labelling, the Holocaust, Dharfor and the hate crimes that are committed on campus on a daily basis.
The next picture includes soldiers spread throughout a battlefield. One student interupts with, "Are those people dead?" He's completely serious, but I respond with, "Nope, they're just taking a long nap. Here's your sign." I think my response might have been undignified and I am now more than a little embaressed that I was not as respectful to those who died in the war. Yet, it reminds me of the various "Here's your sign" moments that happen on a regular basis.
Common Examples:
A student will walk into my class and ask, "Are you the teacher?" My response is always, "No, I just failed the last fourteen years of eighth grade social studies. Here's your sign."
When class is exciting a student will inevitably ask, "Do we really have only twenty minutes left?" This leaves me with a few options. I can either say, "No, we actually have twenty four hours and twenty minutes" or I can say, "No, they just changed the clocks with a random daylight savings time."
When we have a fire drill a student always asks, "Is this a fire drill?" My response is usually, "Actually, the administration is quite fond of techno music. Hence the repetitive beat, loud noise and flashing lights."
After I pass back papers, a student will sometimes ask, "Did you grade this already?" My typical response is, "No, I am just passing this back to you so you can see my ability to write the letters A through F in colored markers."
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Add to favorites: Favorite Post | Favorite Blog | Favorite Author
by John Spencer on 10-Sep-07 09:48 PM
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