That's a really lame title for a blog post but I'm going with it anyway because I'm going to try and pour some of my creative energy into this blog instead. It's been a really good Christmas break. In fact, I've actually felt like it's lasted two weeks, unlike other times when I've wondered where all the time is gone. I fell refreshed and I hope the students do too. I know, we were all ready for a break. For me, it's been a time to reset and get my feet back on the ground, if you will.
Things I'm look forward to:
Basketball Season
I'm coaching (helping) hoops for the first time. I love the sport, I enjoy watching it and I enjoy playing pick up games when my lungs won't give out on me. More on that later. I went to a clinic in October and have been busy working on drills for tomorrow. We only have three practices until our first game. I'm pumped to be back into coaching. I've missed it.
New Students
Ok, they're not exactly new, they three students were here last year but have not been at school since September. I know there will a little (lot) of catch up that needs to happen but I'm excited to see them back.
Routine
As great as it has been to stay up till 12:30am every night and get up at 9am, I'm looking forward to us all getting back into a daily and weekly routine.
Other Stuff
I'm busy getting ready for the Manitoba Games in Winkler. I'm going to be doing Rick Mercer style updates for the Games committee including goofy interviews and, of course, a rant. We want to get some pre-games videos up soon so I'll be sure to let you know where to find them. Griffin's ski season starts soon. He has improved so much since last year. I'm curious to see how his times compare.
That's about it for now. (oh ya, I'm turning 40 this year)
Cheers
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Friday, August 23, 2013
Almost Time
This will be kind of a rambling post so bear with me on this one.
Apparently I'm getting a wee bit stressed out about the start of the school year. Let's just say falling asleep has been a bit of a chore. The one thing I found that helped me relax was repeating the lyrics of Weird Al's Rolling Stones Polka Medly in my head over and over. That helped me after 45 minutes of tossing and turning. Then at 3am I woke up again and couldn't fall asleep. This has been a normal occurence. I think part of problem is when I settle down for sleep my brain decides to go through all the situations where I might get into confrontations with my students and then looks for solutions. It's not a really healthy way to live. In fact, it's kind of stupid. I want to be more positive and empowering than that. I want to be a happier teacher. Last year I felt like a little bit of a gruntz. (low german for grumpy person) I want to try and turn that frown upside down.
I do feel much better about this year than I did last year. Last year I had a classroom that was ready but not enough of a plan of the day to day teaching. I feel like I'm more prepared for that this year. I know what I'm teaching and the assessments I want to do. I have a better plan and idea of how to be consistent throughout the term with assignments and such.
I've spent a lot of time reading this summer. I'm on my fourth professional development book. The trick is now to take what I've learned and put it into practice. The three key things I'm working on are writer's workshop, lit circles and seven habits of highly effective people. I've never taught any of these things before so they are all terrifying to me. AAAAH!!! I'm taking a lot of risks.
I'm also busy getting ready for a Warhammer tournament in Minneapolis in November. I'm really excited because it's been 5 or 6 years since I've played a tournament. I've wanted to go to this one for a few years but it always conflicted with Flatlands Theatre stuff. Now that Tina and I are retired I can attend. I have about 50 models to paint over the next two months. I need to get going. One of the problems is I'm stuck on a big unit that is not a lot of fun to paint. It kind of sucks.
Anyway, that's kind of my life right now.
cheers
Apparently I'm getting a wee bit stressed out about the start of the school year. Let's just say falling asleep has been a bit of a chore. The one thing I found that helped me relax was repeating the lyrics of Weird Al's Rolling Stones Polka Medly in my head over and over. That helped me after 45 minutes of tossing and turning. Then at 3am I woke up again and couldn't fall asleep. This has been a normal occurence. I think part of problem is when I settle down for sleep my brain decides to go through all the situations where I might get into confrontations with my students and then looks for solutions. It's not a really healthy way to live. In fact, it's kind of stupid. I want to be more positive and empowering than that. I want to be a happier teacher. Last year I felt like a little bit of a gruntz. (low german for grumpy person) I want to try and turn that frown upside down.
I do feel much better about this year than I did last year. Last year I had a classroom that was ready but not enough of a plan of the day to day teaching. I feel like I'm more prepared for that this year. I know what I'm teaching and the assessments I want to do. I have a better plan and idea of how to be consistent throughout the term with assignments and such.
I've spent a lot of time reading this summer. I'm on my fourth professional development book. The trick is now to take what I've learned and put it into practice. The three key things I'm working on are writer's workshop, lit circles and seven habits of highly effective people. I've never taught any of these things before so they are all terrifying to me. AAAAH!!! I'm taking a lot of risks.
I'm also busy getting ready for a Warhammer tournament in Minneapolis in November. I'm really excited because it's been 5 or 6 years since I've played a tournament. I've wanted to go to this one for a few years but it always conflicted with Flatlands Theatre stuff. Now that Tina and I are retired I can attend. I have about 50 models to paint over the next two months. I need to get going. One of the problems is I'm stuck on a big unit that is not a lot of fun to paint. It kind of sucks.
Anyway, that's kind of my life right now.
cheers
Monday, July 22, 2013
Planning for the New Year
I'm working on unit planning for next year. I'm trying to follow Jennifer Katz's UDL model. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right which is making me frustrated. I want to ask questions and get confirmation that I'm doing this right every step of the way. It's the same feeling I think my students get when I ask them to try something new. I guess I understand why they get so agitated.
Cheers
Cheers
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Year 1 Reflections
Here are some of the important lessons I've learned this year.
1. I'm too hard on myself or "Hey stupid, try to remember you're a first year teacher."
I had a lot of expectations for myself coming into this year and every time something didn't go the way I wanted it to I beat myself up over it. This led to frustration on my part which probably meant frustration on the part of my students.
2. I take comments from kids too personally or "Hey stupid, don't take everything so personally."
I took over for a well liked teacher who had been there for 16 years. It was too be assumed that I would be compared to him. I took it personally.
3. How to plan or "Hey stupid, plan better"
I feel excited about next year because I feel like I know what a need to do this summer to be prepared for the fall. I didn't feel that way last year. I'm feeling better about everything.
4. Computer games and internet get in the way of everything I want to accomplish or "Hey stupid, do you realize you're addicted to a mindless pastime that does not benefit you or anyone around you?"
point taken
cheers
1. I'm too hard on myself or "Hey stupid, try to remember you're a first year teacher."
I had a lot of expectations for myself coming into this year and every time something didn't go the way I wanted it to I beat myself up over it. This led to frustration on my part which probably meant frustration on the part of my students.
2. I take comments from kids too personally or "Hey stupid, don't take everything so personally."
I took over for a well liked teacher who had been there for 16 years. It was too be assumed that I would be compared to him. I took it personally.
3. How to plan or "Hey stupid, plan better"
I feel excited about next year because I feel like I know what a need to do this summer to be prepared for the fall. I didn't feel that way last year. I'm feeling better about everything.
4. Computer games and internet get in the way of everything I want to accomplish or "Hey stupid, do you realize you're addicted to a mindless pastime that does not benefit you or anyone around you?"
point taken
cheers
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Nothing for a While
I haven't done anything for a while so I thought I would post a quick link. Some of you will have seen this on Facebook already. It's a really easy battery you can make with vinegar, washers and pennies.
Here is the link.
cheers
Here is the link.
cheers
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
100th Day of School
I thought it might be appropriate to post something on my 100th day of teaching. It's been a stressful year so far but I think that is normal for a first year as a teacher. Its a lot of work, but here are the benefits.
I'm in my vehicle for 30 mins a day during the week as opposed to 3 hours.
I spend 0 nights a week away from home as opposed to 1 or 2.
I am getting paid to write lesson plans and study curriculum as opposed to paying to do it.
I am getting real word experience in the education as opposed to theoretical jargon.
I have a job as opposed to worrying about whether I'm going to get one.
cheers
I'm in my vehicle for 30 mins a day during the week as opposed to 3 hours.
I spend 0 nights a week away from home as opposed to 1 or 2.
I am getting paid to write lesson plans and study curriculum as opposed to paying to do it.
I am getting real word experience in the education as opposed to theoretical jargon.
I have a job as opposed to worrying about whether I'm going to get one.
cheers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)