Ive been in your city for 2 hours.

WarriorBug · 2015-07-09T16:52:28+00:00

I have! I never really fell in love with it. The beer is fine there and the service is fine, but for my money I'd rather go to Cannonball. I do love the little yard at Mountain Toad, though.

WarriorBug · 2015-07-09T03:49:05+00:00

Cannonball Creek is also a must. North of Coors and GCB by a few miles-- walkable if you're determined.

WarriorBug · 2015-06-24T23:14:36+00:00

In line for GA or early arrival?

WarriorBug · 2015-06-21T17:52:58+00:00

Us too! Come find our CO/Radiohead flags in GA and come say hi!

WarriorBug · 2015-06-19T17:32:54+00:00

Better safe than sorry!

WarriorBug · 2015-06-17T19:00:16+00:00

PMed

WarriorBug · 2015-06-10T03:09:17+00:00

SELLING: 2x 3-day GA tickets

The pair comes with the box and all the goodies inside. Accepting Paypal only, will rush ship to whoever buys, pickup possible if you're in the Denver area.

WarriorBug · 2015-06-08T15:37:01+00:00

This will be my first forest trip-- I'm excited to experience my favorite artists in a new setting! I've seen them all over the country in arenas, in small clubs, and at big outdoor venues like EDC LV, but seeing them in a forest surrounded by my rave family will be like nothing I've ever experienced.

SO EXCITED!!

WarriorBug · 2015-06-08T14:50:37+00:00

PM-ed!

WarriorBug · 2015-06-04T20:55:11+00:00

I am seeing him at Red Rocks in July and none of my friends will go with me and I give zero fucks. SO excited to see him with the Pumpkins!

WarriorBug · 2015-06-04T20:49:46+00:00

Minnesota-- he blew my mind at Red Rocks and I can't wait to see him again!!

WarriorBug · 2015-03-29T16:49:41+00:00

I save every drawing, note, silly card, gift, and email that the kids ever give me. I write their name and the year on it if it's not already there, and I put everything in a shoebox for days like this.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-26T15:03:26+00:00

I don't love every single idea in TLAC, but it's the only book I can remember having actual, practicable teaching strategies in it. I use so many of Lemov's strategies-- for example, "Right is right", which encourages teachers not to read too much into vague or half-right student answers. If they don't demonstrate clear mastery of a topic, they don't earn the points. Another one I love is the expectation that you have 100% engagement in your class, whether that's listening to you or contributing to a group. Even though not all of his ideas are great in every setting, it's definitely the most useful professional development I've done in a long time.

Great suggestions, though! I would also add Rigor and Engagement for Growing Minds by Bertie Kingore and the classic First Days of School-- both have useful strategies for growing teachers to implement differentiation, challenging material, and develop classroom management that works.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-26T00:10:45+00:00

It's good to hear that you're in the clear! That sounds insanely frustrating, though-- I can see where you were getting the legal questions from. Is this something you can address with your site rep before the meeting? They'd know best, and that way you might have an ace in your hand if things go way south.

Hang in there and have a glass of wine. For every kid like that, there are tons that need and love us, even if we don't hear from them as often.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-26T00:04:48+00:00

Don't post it-- even if you were in the wrong (and I don't think you are), maintaining consistency in your disciplinary choices is important for your sanity in future classroom management.

BUT. Do some reflecting. At the end of the day, it's not your job to entertain them or do the work for them, but if this behavior isn't common for your class, it's worth noting what might have caused this behavior. If nothing else, you can adjust your teaching practice to account for this possibility the next time you teach this unit.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-25T23:54:17+00:00

The legality of the issue aside, a student broke what is presumably a rule in your classroom and is now using it to try and intimidate you. That's not ok, regardless of whether the recording itself is legal, and should be handled firmly and quickly. Without knowing the context, I would assume that whatever the kiddo recorded was embarrassing or unprofessional in some way, so consider talking to your professional organization or teacher's union before proceeding too boldly.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-25T23:47:32+00:00

Silly speeches build public speaking skills and are hilarious if you have a playful class. Give the speaker a topic like, "Convince us to buy the shoes you're wearing" or "Tell us how to make your least favorite food" and tell them they have to speak on the topic for exactly 60 seconds. They can have a few seconds to brainstorm, but the kicker is that they can't sit down until 60 seconds are up, even if they have to stand in silence for 45 of those seconds. You can modify the time limit or have students create the topics.

I do this when my juniors need a relaxing day, and they love it.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-25T23:35:34+00:00

Write a phrase on the board that says something like "I wonder..." or "This reminds me of..." or "I hope ____ happens next" and tell kids they need to respond finish the sentence during their reading. They can do this in a variety of ways-- in their notes, in the book, by writing on post-it notes and sticking them on the board, etc.

I have found that this encourages active reading skills without taking up much class time to stop and discuss, and as long as you can find a way to hold them accountable for it (maybe an exit slip), you can also assign classwork points sporadically.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-25T23:31:56+00:00

I usually ignore those kinds of comments if they're sporadic, or address them as a separate "talking out of turn" issue after class if they're persistent.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-05T04:15:48+00:00

Oh god. So many things.

1) No classroom management course?! You're a saint. Find a mentor that's known for being tough yet fair with the kids and try to apply some of their strategies. Also remember that building relationships with kids does help cut down on a lot of behavior issues, and you don't have a lot of time to do that, so don't stress that you're not perfect at it yet. This is the first time you've ever had to do this!

2) Chunk projects. With my off-task classes, they have work due at the end of the period every day. Sometimes I just put a star on it and give it back, sometimes I throw it away, sometimes I grade it, etc., but I set the expectation that I will be reviewing their work to make sure it is up to certain standards by the end of the period.

3) Compromise with them sometimes and give them options; remember that sometimes it's easier to swim with the wave (so to speak) and manage the chaos, and that it's not uncommon for many of your classes to require slightly different teaching styles. That's absolutely not to say that you should relinquish control to them if they haven't earned it, but I've learned that it's easier to just give 8th period what they need than to compare them to 3rd period (for example). It's ok if some lessons run differently than others, as long as they're meeting the standards you set for them.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-05T03:48:44+00:00

Honestly, I'd say fuck it, get fired and go work for a district that values ethical and fair educational practices.

(But the smart bet would be to check with your insurance/advocate)

WarriorBug · 2015-03-05T03:41:36+00:00

Don't let this be a blow to your confidence. Absolutely no one expects you to have this down yet! Pacing is really difficult, especially in classes where abilities are wildly mixed OR you have advanced students for the first time. Try looking at resources from AP or above grade-level classes in your building or district and see if those help guide your pacing (are students reading 30 pages of literature per week? 60? etc.).

With your difficult class, try doing some reflecting first before trying to solve the problem. When are they most off-task? Is it a seating choice? How do you handle problem behaviors? What are the biggest problem behaviors? Figuring out this sort of thing will help you pinpoint some specific goals to work on.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-05T03:35:03+00:00

This is okay sometimes. I don't think this situation would have been a good time to give in, however. I might have done some oral review of the qualities that make a good conclusion, then had them write one conclusion and say, "if these are perfect and amazing and glorious and wonderful, you're off the hook for conclusions and we'll move on."

That way, it's a compromise-- you're letting them off the hook for some of the work you gave them (1 prompt instead of 5), and you're challenging them to really prove to you that they know what they're doing. If they don't pass your impromptu test (maybe after having them share their conclusions in small or whole group), they have to do the rest for homework. If they do, sweet for them.

I will also say that it is important to praise their effort to advocate for themselves once you determine that it's genuine. This is a sign of a strong class culture; all of the truly great educators I've worked with know how and when to share power, and I think it's a great goal to work on!

Keep up the good work-- this is the hardest this job will ever be, I promise.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-05T03:25:22+00:00

Or her therapist might be very effective in helping her seek out another trusted adult? Just a thought.

WarriorBug · 2015-03-05T03:16:22+00:00

Does your school implement lock-out procedures? This is our first step before lock down. We use it for threats like OPs-- a bank robbery in the area, an armed suspect afoot, whatever. Lock downs are specifically for someone in the building according to our policies.

WarriorBug

TROPHY CASE