Summer

Last summer did not deserve the title summer - it was cold, rainy and gray. Now this summer is what it is all about; mid 70's and sunshine - all my gardens are definitely more advanced than they were last year.

This coming weekend is Eagle River's big celebration, the Bearpaw Festival. Including a 5K run that Chris will be running in!

Opening the door to my room this morning was a weird event - something had scratched huge holes in my carpet and there were papers all over the floor around my desk. Finally someone put it together - a squirrel had gotten locked in my room and was trying to get out my (non)opening window, then scratched the carpet by my door - it eventually made its way up through my ceiling tiles. Rotten way for a little squirrel to end.

Summer

Aaahhhh, the lazy days of summer - sleeping late, making sun tea, walking the dogs, playing in my flower beds. I love this, especially when the weather cooperates- last year it felt like we had nothing but gray skies and rain, and my less than a 5 gallon bucket of potatoes from 30 hills, certainly bears out that it just never warmed up. So all the sunshine and blue skies thus far are deeply appreciated and enjoyed.

Other creatures are also benefitting from the kindness of this weather. This cow moose and her twins strolled through our neighborhood last evening. Mama moose are hyper protective and everyone kept kids and dogs away from them but Chris took a few pictures of them. The one posted is my favorite.

Heres to summer, may this one remain as beautiful as it has begun.

Love/Hate

The last week of school.

I have a love/hate relationship with those words. I never feel like I have taught my students enough, there is so much more to cover and time to spend with them - but on the other hand - it is now time for myself, at least as much as Chris' soccer schedule will allow me. Time to piddle around in my gardens, play with the dogs, quilt and read.

Like I said, love/hate.

But for my students the overwhelming feeling is of relief. Relief at getting to sleep later, relief that there are no more projects due, relief that they don't have to spend any more time with whichever teacher annoys them most. But I also suspect that there is a bit of mourning occuring also - every milestone reached is a cause for celebration and nostalgia, and just a touch of sorrow as they move further away from their childhoods with each of those milestones.

Chris is experiencing that sorrow now as he is begginning to make the transition from 8th grade to freshman. He and his friends will have a fun last week of school - they are going bowling and having a pizza party. I told him next year at this time he will be concentrating on finals and perhaps the state track meet, a far different level of intensity than pizza & bowling.

Here's to change, our only constant.

Class of 2009

Seniors last day...those three words mean the world to so many kids. Whether they are the valedictorian of their class (go Artan:) or just got the word that they have a waiver for that last 1/2 credit and have definitive word that they get to walk on Tuesday (our graduation!) They are walking three feet above the ground - in January when it was cold and miserable and easy to sleep in (and three Januarys prior to this as well) despite their worst intentions they came to school - they moaned, we groaned, but we all made it through and now as the trees turn brilliant spring green they are feeling their own sap rise and as teachers, we feel pride and joy and let's admit it - relief!!

This is, without a doubt, my favorite part of spring!

Springtime in Alaska

Aaaahhhhhhh.....there is nothing like the relief of finishing up a class. I certainly feel it and I know my students are, at this point in the school year, aching to feel it too! Spring fever-cabin fever- whatever fever you want to call it, it is a real phenomenom - and here in Alaska where winter only loosens its grip after a fight, these spring days are a blessing and a curse.

The weather forecasters say we have the possibility of snow showers today and looking up at the Chugach mountains I can say that they are right. I am, however, selfishly hoping it doesn't move down here as my son is running today.

That is the other thing about spring time in Alaska, the season is a bright burst between winter and summer and the athletic seasons that mirror it are too. Chris' JH track season is 4 weeks long. In that time he has to develop and peak skills in a hostile environment. Today it is low 40's - which he says is ideal for running as long as the wind doesn't blow or that snow up on the Chugach's doesn't move down.

Let summer begin!

Golden Moments

Student creativity is truly the blessing in my business. I am constantly amazed at how they will stretch themselves on a project. It certainly makes my job so much more fun when I see their enthusiasm expressed in a project they have invested time and thought into creating, when it moves beyond "the minimum necessary to pass" and into the realm of "I get this and its cool to get this" information!

Today one of my classes is presenting their "Gold Rush games" I have my back to them and I am listening to them discuss how to play their games, put finishing touches on, and tease each other about how good their games are - this is nirvana for me because I know that far beyond my worksheets these games are what they will remember about this class. Success.

I am also watching a few students who have no game in front of them - they are trying to become invisible to me, because they know a grade rides on this game. I know of no stronger motivation than other students enthusiasm and yet, there are still those students who are impervious to it - sometimes it feels like beating your head against a wall getting them involved - but it sure feels good when you do!

Testing

Today we began our round of testing with science. I hope that my students are doing well and getting into the mindset they need to be successful in this testing. Next week the big 3 hit: Reading, Writing, Math. I will be proctoring in a section of students unfamiliar to me which will make things interesting - however, I will rely heavily on my partner who is experienced and skilled with this section!

Ash in the Sky

Mount Redoubt continues to release pressure in the only way it can - through eruptions. Several airlines have stopped flying into and out of Anchorage (temporarily) because of the danger of engine failure. Because so little ash has fallen in Anchorage it still seems surreal. We are not (yet) walking around with masks and I have yet to see any ash here, although that will probably change today.

A school community can behave in much the same manner as the volcano. There can be periods of peace interrupted by eruptions that shake things up for awhile and then everyone readjusts to the new normal. We reassure our students that everything will be fine and proceed forward. In my mind the new normal that I am adjusting to is the need to use technology in a more effective manner in my classroom to broaden my reach in teaching. I am not ready to let technology supplant me as some scholars seem to suggest we should do - but I do believe I need to incorporate it more into my teaching style. I have decided that the sky will not fall if I do so!

Volcano Music

The volcano blew Sunday night and continues to huff and puff and blow. So far, Anchorage has not been seriously affected. There were flight cancellations yesterday and I am anxiously watching the Ak Air website today as the MLMS bands are supposed to be coming home from San Diego today - in fact my son is at the airport doing check in as I write this. I won't rest easy until that plane touches the tarmac here in Anchorage.

The last blast from Redoubt occured last night after 7PM and the volcanoligists are saying we could have up to a months worth of eruptions. We cannot see Redoubt as it is cloudy so it makes all a very "distant" event. Maybe the sun will come out and the mountain will settle - it is all part of my spring wish list!

The Skinner Box

Right this minute I am thinking about sociological or psychological experiments. I haven't heard of anyone doing a Skinner test on operant behavior or spouting Watson's theories, but they underlie a project we are committed to in our school: the advisory period.

The idea behind advisory is excellent - teachers will connect with a group of students throughout their entire 4 years at Bartlett. In this 1/2 hour class we work on social issues, personal development and job skills. That is the theory, the reality is that I see many kids just wandering the hallways, I gather many "orphans" into my classroom and while I make sure to get a little bit of something in each period it often seems to be a wasted effort on my part. Maybe it's not - I have some pretty great kids in my advisory class and I certainly like them, so the idea of making a connection has been achieved.

So is our experiment a success? Are we achieving the aim we desire for the program as it exists? Are the kids better off for participating in our experiment?

I don't know.

Statistics

Only 9 Mondays remain in this school year. Okay so technically 9.25 remain as we are done with 3 of our blocks for the day. Now, I say this not to indicate how closely I am counting down to May 22nd, but more as a take on Benjamin Disraeli's quote "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics."

And the statistics I am concerning myself with right now hve to do with the P/F rate in my classes. The only class I am truly concerned with is the one that has had a "toxic" dynamic the entire school year. I definitely have more on the low side in there than in any of my other classes- by a long shot. How does a teacher negate the negative influences in a class...hmmmmmm..... well I have to say that in the same class I have a few students who are also above 100% - so perhaps it is not as toxic as I think.

It kind of puts me in mind of the whole AYP statistical analysis (again - look at the quote.) In trying to quantify a school there are all these breakdowns based on ethnicity. Now did I miss something or has there been new research basing intelligence and achievement on ethnicity. I think socio-economic breakdowns would be more honest - because people of all ethnicities struggle and achieve economically.

Oh, and there are 48.25 days left in the semester! :)

Promises, promises

I did not want to get up this morning. A phone call from my doctor yesterday disturbed all attempts at sleep last night. But I knew I had to get up - go do my workout and then come home, collect the boy and take him for his learner's permit test at the DMV. I had made a promise and my lack of sleep was of no importance. Promise made, promise kept.

I usually waver on promises I make to myself however, unless they involve chocolate! I find I am much better at keeping promises made to others - and I am (perhaps) becoming wiser in offering those promises. I no longer feel I have to extend myself 80 different ways, just a few and done well and in a timely manner. This is one of the valuable lessons in age and experience.

Over spring break I did promise myself to finish a couple of books - so perhaps I will go and keep that promise.

Cars

As I drove into Anchorage this morning I was struck by the number of vehicles in the ditch, some flipped over on their roofs - I then thought about Lorin's and my trip to Wasilla last Saturday evening where we saw at least 10 cars in the ditch - after a quick nudge to my Guardian Angel - I first asked myself what in the heck we idiots were doing on the road (especially last Saturday) then I made the connection that for me is inevitable - my students.

With all the variables that make up driving - the act of moving a heavy object from point A to Point B (and sometimes C, D, E, ad infinitum) sometimes we misjudge or under or overestimate our abilities. Or sometimes the unknown or unseen intervenes to change our lives in ways we could not have predicted. I look at my students as capable, intelligent young people - now sometimes I misjudge and occasionally, I suspect, I may even overestimate their abilities or willingness to do a project. I have my view, and then as the cars reminded me - the students have their view too. Perhaps a project I assign may look like an absolute disaster to them, they fear some component of the project as having the power to wreck them - grade wise or socially. All of my assurances that doing this project will be "good for them" may sound more like the old Gary Larson Far Side comic "blah blah blah"

I suspect I am looking for relevance here - I understand the relevance, just as I understand I must drive slower and easier on ice - perhaps sometimes one cannot understand the relevance until they have survived the wreck.

Early Morning

This morning I had a student show up early to take his test. Somewhere we had crossed wires and information and he thought I had said I show up to school at 6AM - so he came at 5:30 to do a little pre-studying. So when I came wandering in at my normal time of 6:20 he questioned my timing and his own. I commented that with the extra study time he was going to rock the test! My expressed confidence in my student's abilities are my "planting of the seed" that I always hope will help them mature into confident scholars and humans. Sometimes even I feel that I am mouthing empty platitudes, so I work harder at ensuring student success and bolstering those who do not make the mark of a passing grade.

Reading my friend Roxane's blog about the faith of a mustard seed reminded me of my purpose as a teacher. I love the content of what I teach but my real job is to help our young people become successful adults. Sometimes, beyond all evidence to the contrary, seeds grow and bloom.

Great Movie - Big Questions

Last night on my local PBS station I watched a movie called "The Order of Myths" about America's oldest Mardi Gras celebration in Mobile, Alabama. It was a study in contrasts between the white celebration and their King & Queen and court and the black celebration and their King & Queen and court. It showed fledgling attempts to cross racial lines and a Krewe that is attempting to integrate. 2007 is the year that is chronicled.

Last night before I saw this movie (an Independent Lens project) I watched our new President speak to our nation about the crises we face in the immediate future and down the line. He gave a clarion call of challenge to all Americans to step up and innovate and create as America has done in past crises situations - not rely on failed attitudes, status quo, and government bailouts. Then I listened to one of the shining stars of the Republican party answer - hmmmm....wave the bloody shirt, blame the other party, and talk about big government. But I digress, the reason I bring up the Jindal reply is that it was such an obvious attempt to answer the charge of a party in which diversity may be tolerated but it has not been accpted or celebrated other than in token attempts.

All of that, to get to this, in our school we have amazing diversity. We have 68+ ethnicities represented in our school district. We have beautiful students with so many different abilities and backgrounds. We want our school to be a safe place for all, a place to explore, experience, and understand not just who you are but who others are also. That is the dream, and sometimes I really do see kids working together and just being friends without regard to ethnicity, status, or socio-economic standing. I hope that they continue to do so. I have a stake in that future vision, not just as a teacher, but as the parent of a child who is Asian.

Opportunity Awaits

Today I was approached about putting together a new class for our department. As we discuss and move tentatively into developing curriculum and programs that will address rigor and relevance for our students as well as help them to our ultimate goal of becoming lifelong learners I am being given an opportunity to re-invent myself as a teacher.

The content is good stuff -the boom of the 20's and the bust of the 30's- but I think I am even more excited by the idea of presentation and instruction of the content. After 10 years a person needs a mental shake and our school's effort and growing pains is providing that for me. I want to incorporate some of the web 2.o tools into this new class and stretch myself out of my own comfort level to make this class outstanding and unique in the district.

Can I do it? Only time will tell.

Musings on War

So I was sitting here looking at the beautiful sunshine and thinking how positive it makes me feel when I stopped to reflect on the tenor of our school over the past couple of weeks. One of my students was filling out an incident report and telling me about another student who has been harassing her for weeks - she then commented she had seen the girl at a local store over the weekend and her mom had told her to go ahead and hit her. Considering all the fights and near-miss fights we have had in the last few weeks I would say that "just go ahead and hit" (her) seems to be a popular sentiment.
What feeds this anger? Does our culture value winning at any cost (Enron, Bernie Madof (sp?), steroids) up to and including violence. If this is so, let us be honest about it - let's resurrect the Coliseum - lets keep the animals out of the arena - and put anyone who feels they have a point to prove or a fight to win at anyone else's expense.
Open the gates - Let the games begin!

Digital Security

My first inclination is that there really is no digital security - as fast as an entity blocks something - someone else is challenged to find a way around that block. Does that mean a school should just allow everything because they can't block everything - no. I don't want to be visually assaulted every time I turn on my computer at school and I surely do not want my students to have to wade through all the sewage to find some good tools to work with. I think security will continue to be an evolving process. We need to hire the best and brightest to work with our IT systems in schools to help us be proactive instead of reactive in our firewalls and security.

Tech savvy students

I accept that my students are more computer literate than I am - in fact I can remember the first personal computer I saw in 1980 in Poplar, Montana - it had a 6 inch screen and was essentially a word processor - the teacher was very panicky about who had acces to it! I did not - then a job in the late 80's where we had a computer taht was used pretty much only to run reports...
So here we are today, when I tell someone to Google it to find out info I would have turned to a book and time to research - this is good! I use it myself.
The trick is to teach our students to be selective and not just use whatever reference pops up first as a credible source of viable information.
But I do not see it as my job to guide their networking and social time on the internet!

Digital Learning

Digital learning
I have been watching a commercial on TV where a man is apologizing to the nation and saying that we have been teaching wrong - is this true? Is thatthe message we want to put out there - I feel he implies that digital learning is the only valid type of learning, bear in mind he is selling a digital university.
Hmmmmm, is my knowledge less valuable because it is in human form...
will kids look back someday and say i had a great teacher - model 2416ADT
not, that Mrs. K sure told some great stories....