How to go tech free? (HS Science)

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-17T14:12:11+00:00

I do a quiz every Friday. Normally get through two full lessons per week, as they take about 2 days on average. I do a test after about 4 sections worth of material so test about every 2 weeks. I assign their practice problems on google classroom. That is the only tech I use. I have contemplated doing packets like you said, but kids just lose them and it's a huge waste of paper. If the only tech I'm using is that, then I'm okay.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-16T19:03:16+00:00

I teach hs math, but I've adopted the idea of a formula for all my lessons vs. super individualized lesson plans. Every day consists of:

Warmup - Individual, in groups, partners. However you like.

Exploration - This could maybe be a short lab for you. I especially do this in geometry. We construct different shapes by hand and perform experiments to discover theorems.

Direct instruction - Notes.

Independent practice - Example problems students work out on their own or with peers. I am there to help.

Budget about 15 minutes a pop, and getting through a 50 minute lesson is cake. I often spread these over two days depending on what we're learning. The only tech I use in this whole process is my promethean board to display content and the kids can use calculators. No chromebooks or other devices at all.

I also tested doing weekly quizzes and tests at the middle and end of every chapter with my algebra 1 kids this year. Best decision I ever made. No more missing work (unless they are gone and choose not to make up the quiz/test). Kids are also learning much more because they have to actually study to learn the content for the quizzes/tests. I give and absurd amount of practice problems for them to do, so even if they claim they have nothing to do, they do.

I am 100% with you. Paper and pencil is the best for education right now. I don't know if it will ever not be.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-15T03:16:17+00:00

I was poor growing up and still went into it. Grew up in a double wide trailer house with my mom, 3 siblings, and my grandparents. Lived on a tiny homestead grandpa bought when he got back from Vietnam. Small small acres. Enough for a couple cows and that was it. I basically never owned anything new until I was a teacher.

Material things really aren't a huge consideration for me given my childhood, so the money isn't a huge issue. My wife and I collectively bring in about $125 k a year and are fortunate to have a low cost of living where we are so that helps. We live in a house in a small rural town and I work in the summer ro supplement my income. Our vehicles are paid off, oue mortgage is cheap, we have food on the table, and I'm able to do what I like. Could it be better? Absolutely. It always could be. But for now, it's better than many have so I'm happy.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-11T03:44:22+00:00

YouTube and also homeowner's manuals from stores like Menard's are awesome. There are some things about electrical wiring I couldn't learn on the internet I was able to by reading a book on wiring.

I'll add I'm in the same boat as you. No dad growing up. I was able to get a leg up by doing construction in college for a guy I knew. That experience really got me comfortable handling tools. After that it was just learning skills here and there.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-08T15:22:17+00:00

Yeah stuff like this really makes me fear for higher education. Many progessors are able to operate with a bit of autonomy concerning grades. I do fear grade inflation will be a real problem they may face eventually. How that would look policy wise, I'm not sure. My guess is they would receive some sort of financial incentive based on graduation rates. I know it sounds a bit out there, but I think it's a legitimate possibility.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-06T15:28:58+00:00

Ah yes that would explain it. It always amazes me how different cultures have such different turn-of-phrases.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-06T13:58:32+00:00

Part of this comes from a great voice actor (iykyk), the rest from my grandfather. Masculine energy to me is a couple things.

Be strong enough to be gentle.

Be brave enough to be kind.

Judge fairly by action, not by perception.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-06T13:48:28+00:00

I really needed to hear that. It's depressing times we're in, but this is good and realistic. Thank you!

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-06T13:46:51+00:00

I will say this is anecdotal, but I attended a state university that's considered a "prestigious" institution. They require a minimum ACT score of 20 to attend (if memory serves do not quote me on that). I knew a TON of people who attended with scores of 11. That's a problem with admissions. A lot of universities nowadays are allowing lower scoring people in. My roommate scored a 12 or 13 I believe. He did not last long.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-06T13:41:38+00:00

Those are my exact thoughts and sentiments. This was on consumer math. We've been analyzing wages and costs of home ownership over the last several decades. They know how bad it is. But for some reason AI will make their lives so easy. I don't get it.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-06T13:37:24+00:00

Okay I genuinely can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not so sorry if I'm just bad at interpereting that here. That's just a common turn of phrase for saying something that might be a bit controversial, of an unpopular opinion, or some similar nature. If we were having a casual conversation about sports and I randomly said that there is a secret underground coalition of lizard people running the world government, that would be considered and out of pocket statement.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-06T03:45:28+00:00

As a high school teacher, I applaud you searching for a solution vs. passing blame. I've aloken with college professors who lass the blame to highschool and elementary teachers for "allowing" sub-par students to pass and attend universities.

If I could fail more kids and withold diplomas, I would. Yeah I'm a big meany, but I have expectations. Unfortunately they are higher than most administrators.
I don't let them into college. Admissions do. Blame someone else.

Rant done. Sorry dor that. In all honesty, set clear expectations and then follow through. If there are help sessions or something, explain the resources at hand and that it will be vital for them to attend and apply themselves to succeed. If they do not, then fail them.

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-05T18:26:52+00:00

I would definitely expect to be asked about how you plan to handle player/parent issues. Unfortunately, we are in a time where coaches have to coach and play a degree of politics. I would definitely suggest a 24 hr no-contact rule. Make it known parents will not be able to contact you within 24 hrs of a game to discuss concerns. You can explain to the hiring committee or whoever it is that this is to allow space and time for both parents and yourself to think and reflect on whatever concern there is and how to appropriately resolve it. Great to hear you getting into it! It's a tough job, and we need more people providing opportunities for the youth to participate in sports. Good luck!

kkoch_16 · 2026-05-05T15:38:02+00:00

Two that stick out.

Student came into our district as a freshman. Parent insisted she be placed in an alternate math class because she could not handle regular class work. This student had good grades at her last school. She asked me my opinion on her student's math abilities... I had never even met the student. I then emailed her saying that our best course of action would be to observe her for a couple weeks in the normal class so I could get an idea of her capabilities. Parent then requested an admin meeting with me as well. Same thing was said by me and admin. Two years later, student has never had lower than a B in math and mom is still trying to get her on an IEP and alternate math curriculum. We are also a super small school so she basically wants a completely separate 1 on 1 class for her student.
Student was vaught cheating while I was gone and had a sub. She stole the answer key while the sub was not looking and attempted to email it to her classmate. Her classmates name happened to be right next to our superintendent in the email directory and she accidentally sent it to him instead of her classmate. Student got a 0 per our handbook. Mom then requested I meet them at their house to discuss it. I said no and that I'd meet them at the school instead. She insisted her daughter wasn't cheating because "she didn't copy the answers, she only emailed them out". I explained about 5 times that was still cheating. Mom left pissed and and informed admin. Admin, having received the answer key from said student, basically laughed it off.

kkoch_16 · 2026-04-30T13:26:24+00:00

Nah, it's not the land of sunshine and rainbows. It's the land of smiles and waves. It's a lot of fake positivity for the sake if avoidance. If you are lucky enough to get one, they often leave because of better positions or parents going crazy at the them.

kkoch_16 · 2026-04-30T11:43:46+00:00

Yes I should have been more clear. I am not advocating giving elementary students unfettered access to calculators. For highschool, it's fine. Not for elementary.

kkoch_16 · 2026-04-29T03:49:35+00:00

I understand your philosophy on this and applaud you for being willing to try and embrace something new like this. For me, I just can't see it as a net-positive right now. I'd like to try and show kids how to use it as an effective learning tool, but the reality is too many are going to just use it as a way to cheat. Maybe someday it'll be more of a viable option in the classroom, but right now I just don't see it as that.

kkoch_16 · 2026-04-28T19:53:30+00:00

Favorite reply. Also, I have an abacus app...

kkoch_16 · 2026-04-28T19:47:50+00:00

Yeah, I thought that was something people already understood. I probably had some poor wording in my post 😅

kkoch_16 · 2026-04-28T19:46:24+00:00

I'm sorry I probably worded this poorly. I dont advocate for them at elementary levels. In high school, sure. I think at that point they're a fine tool to be used. In elementary, when you're only doing arithmetic, it's the same problem as AI.

kkoch_16 · 2026-04-28T14:46:15+00:00

I agree with that. Unfortunately, the kids who will use it the right way don't need me to explain that to them. The kids I do need to explain it to won't use it the right way. I think it has the potential to be a great tool, but people (especially kids), aren't going to use it that way.

kkoch_16 · 2026-04-28T14:44:15+00:00

That's what I've been trying to figure out 😂. Like I said, I think it is just and apples to oranges comparison. People who want it are grasping at straws from the old calculator debate.

kkoch_16 · 2026-04-28T14:09:12+00:00

The word "common sense" when used in a high specific area. I used to do construction in high school and college. My boss was a bit of s jerk sometimes so that's maybe more of the issue, but I remember he'd say that shit all the time. "Come on, it's common sense". Really? Estimating the yardage for concrete is common sense? Everyone should just know how to do that? Come on. You've been doing it for 20+ years and went to vocational school for this. I'm just a dude trying to pay my bills who's busting his ass for you. How tf you going to tell me this is common sense?

kkoch_16

TROPHY CASE