Friday, October 31, 2003
The In-Service
This week, we had our first professional development day during the school year. In the last 4 years that I have been at ACS, there was never a day alloted for prof dev. This changed this year. Unfortunately, the PD day coincided with the end of the quarter, i.e., grades and comments needed for report cards. Due to this, I had a slightly negative view to taking a day for PD. The good part was that the Action Planning committee would only be in the morning and Fred Schafer's Six Traits workshop, to which I was looking forward, was in the afternoon.
Please bear in mind that it is Ramadan. Although the school tries to compensate, they just don't "get" how tiring the day is.
Anyway, the in-service was commencing at 8:15 am (due to the administration recognizing that the hours had been shortened during Ramadan--thanks to Allah and them) in the auditorium. I know that the auditorium is cold, but I forgot to multiply that cold by the fasting factor and raising it to the power of watching others drink hot liquids, which helped to warm them. Having arrived early, I went back to my room to get my fleece blanket, which I had brought to school to use in case I wanted to nap on my couch during the day. With it wrapped around me, I slowly got warm. Sandy Robinson, the accreditation facilitator, passed out some information. I cautiously put my hand out into the frigid air, accepted the material with a smile and thank you, and placed it in my ever-present backpack, as there was NO WAY that I was going to read that by exposing my hands to the arctic conditions.
Soon, George, the Superintendent, gave us the low-down on what we would be doing in our small groups. One thing that I really appreciate about George, and have told him, is that he keeps the whole group thing short. It is difficult to daydream when the time is so short, lol! George mentioned that each group would need a scribe, someone taking notes. I vowed to undertake that position because I know that by taking notes, I am forced to pay attention.
We broke into groups. Each group contained teachers from each of the schools, parents, and high school students. Our group also contained all 3 counselors because of our objective. Jen and Greta were our facilitators and when they asked for a scribe, I volunteered and mistakenly said that it would keep me awake. Although everyone laughed, that wasn't what I had meant. I had meant to say that it would keep me involved. Strike that one up to frozen gray matter.
Our group retreated to Ashley's art room, on the lower level. We wrote down the strengths and weaknesses of how we were currently meeting our objective.
I'll write more later. Must go and do grades and algebra notes.
This week, we had our first professional development day during the school year. In the last 4 years that I have been at ACS, there was never a day alloted for prof dev. This changed this year. Unfortunately, the PD day coincided with the end of the quarter, i.e., grades and comments needed for report cards. Due to this, I had a slightly negative view to taking a day for PD. The good part was that the Action Planning committee would only be in the morning and Fred Schafer's Six Traits workshop, to which I was looking forward, was in the afternoon.
Please bear in mind that it is Ramadan. Although the school tries to compensate, they just don't "get" how tiring the day is.
Anyway, the in-service was commencing at 8:15 am (due to the administration recognizing that the hours had been shortened during Ramadan--thanks to Allah and them) in the auditorium. I know that the auditorium is cold, but I forgot to multiply that cold by the fasting factor and raising it to the power of watching others drink hot liquids, which helped to warm them. Having arrived early, I went back to my room to get my fleece blanket, which I had brought to school to use in case I wanted to nap on my couch during the day. With it wrapped around me, I slowly got warm. Sandy Robinson, the accreditation facilitator, passed out some information. I cautiously put my hand out into the frigid air, accepted the material with a smile and thank you, and placed it in my ever-present backpack, as there was NO WAY that I was going to read that by exposing my hands to the arctic conditions.
Soon, George, the Superintendent, gave us the low-down on what we would be doing in our small groups. One thing that I really appreciate about George, and have told him, is that he keeps the whole group thing short. It is difficult to daydream when the time is so short, lol! George mentioned that each group would need a scribe, someone taking notes. I vowed to undertake that position because I know that by taking notes, I am forced to pay attention.
We broke into groups. Each group contained teachers from each of the schools, parents, and high school students. Our group also contained all 3 counselors because of our objective. Jen and Greta were our facilitators and when they asked for a scribe, I volunteered and mistakenly said that it would keep me awake. Although everyone laughed, that wasn't what I had meant. I had meant to say that it would keep me involved. Strike that one up to frozen gray matter.
Our group retreated to Ashley's art room, on the lower level. We wrote down the strengths and weaknesses of how we were currently meeting our objective.
I'll write more later. Must go and do grades and algebra notes.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Assigning Seats
I can't believe that a thing as simple as assigning seats has helped keep the focus of the eighth grade classes on the lesson instead of social matters. Why didn't I do this since the beginning of the year? My classes are only 40 minutes long so I feel that most (not all) students can make it through the period without resorting to their nomadic roots. First, by having assigned seats, I can have all of their papers distributed before they come in the room, which saves a lot of time. Plus, they know exactly where they should go.
Today is the second day of Ramadan. I haven't felt any adverse effects, except feeling a bit sleepy in the middle of the day. Now I feel a bit sleepy, but I will fight it or take a ten-minute power nap.
One of the topics on Middleweb right now is about posting homework a week in advance. I do this, but I am willing to change it, as the need occurs. In fact, I have been changing it quite a bit lately. The algebra classes are over a chapter behind the high school, but I feel that my students know the material better. I don't feel right if the pace is too fast for them. (Man, I cannot keep my eyes open, lol! I had better post this and try to say more later before I fall asleep at the keyboard.)
I can't believe that a thing as simple as assigning seats has helped keep the focus of the eighth grade classes on the lesson instead of social matters. Why didn't I do this since the beginning of the year? My classes are only 40 minutes long so I feel that most (not all) students can make it through the period without resorting to their nomadic roots. First, by having assigned seats, I can have all of their papers distributed before they come in the room, which saves a lot of time. Plus, they know exactly where they should go.
Today is the second day of Ramadan. I haven't felt any adverse effects, except feeling a bit sleepy in the middle of the day. Now I feel a bit sleepy, but I will fight it or take a ten-minute power nap.
One of the topics on Middleweb right now is about posting homework a week in advance. I do this, but I am willing to change it, as the need occurs. In fact, I have been changing it quite a bit lately. The algebra classes are over a chapter behind the high school, but I feel that my students know the material better. I don't feel right if the pace is too fast for them. (Man, I cannot keep my eyes open, lol! I had better post this and try to say more later before I fall asleep at the keyboard.)
Monday, October 27, 2003
Ramadan: Day 1
Today is the first day of Ramadan. I got up at 4:30 am to eat suhoor and then dressed for work. My intention was to leave immediately, but I sat in the majlis with my husband. The kitten curled up in my lap and I decided to wait until the dark had lifted. My eyes kept falling shut and I realized how difficult this month must be for kids who are fasting. My intention is to come early each day and leave relatively early (5 pm).
The best thing that I have done this year was assign seats to my last period algebra class. They have probably needed that since the beginning of the year, but at least I did it now. With success in this regard, I must do the same for the before lunch algebra class. This way, they will know exactly where they need to go upon arrival to my room. Organization, Sara, organization. That is a key to good teaching.
I'm happy to say that I have done an admirable job of managing the homework. I have this rack on top of my desk that Laurie (our securitary) was throwing out. It seems to really help me organize. Who would have thunk that a simple object would improve my teaching? Makes me wonder why I didn't do this earlier.
Today is the first day of Ramadan. I got up at 4:30 am to eat suhoor and then dressed for work. My intention was to leave immediately, but I sat in the majlis with my husband. The kitten curled up in my lap and I decided to wait until the dark had lifted. My eyes kept falling shut and I realized how difficult this month must be for kids who are fasting. My intention is to come early each day and leave relatively early (5 pm).
The best thing that I have done this year was assign seats to my last period algebra class. They have probably needed that since the beginning of the year, but at least I did it now. With success in this regard, I must do the same for the before lunch algebra class. This way, they will know exactly where they need to go upon arrival to my room. Organization, Sara, organization. That is a key to good teaching.
I'm happy to say that I have done an admirable job of managing the homework. I have this rack on top of my desk that Laurie (our securitary) was throwing out. It seems to really help me organize. Who would have thunk that a simple object would improve my teaching? Makes me wonder why I didn't do this earlier.
