Dynamite Lesson Plan

How I Hope to Get my Google PageRank Back

Create Through Necessity « Katelynjane’s Notebook

I guestblogged today and it was an honor. Great blog.

Creativity is the key to excellent blogs!

Add V.A.L.U.E. to Your Blog :: “L” | Postcards from the Funny Farm

What did you learn last year?

8 Things I Know 2008

More info on inspiration, psychology and blogging here.

Have you heard how much Prozac and Xanax are being prescribed to kids?  It is astounding.  What are we as teachers supposed to do.  Don’t get me wrong, some people really need it, but I have a hunch way too much is prescribed.  What’s your view?

Article:

More info on inspiration and psychology:

Source of Blogging Inspiration: The Funny Farm Itself

We just moved into what we’re calling our “dream home.” It’s our first mortgage. We sit around talking about how exciting life is. We jump into the pool and get ideas on how to teach those really tough concepts like “mulyiple meaning words.” The house is a godsent for us. As a teacher, I feel I owe it to my students to make sure I am always inspired. Having my own home has rea;;y inspired me. I am looking forward to the kinds of lessons I will come up with in this new house. If you are a teacher, I recommend getting your “house in order.” It can help secure a solid career.

More information on this topic can be found here

On my inspiration and self improvement blog I am taking on the question of “are you present.” Everyone as a kid can remember when a grownup like a teacher or parent was too troubled with the world to give quality time. Instead of cursing the darkness (as so many do) why not light a candle? Think of the difference it makes to a kid.

I’m trying to be “present” today through one simple thing: looking into people’s eyes. I know it sounds easy, but you have to start somewhere. Try it, you’ll like it!

Something rather funny happened to me today in the workday. We were having PE and kicking the ball around while we walked/ran laps. Since I’ve been reading lately about the terrible childhood obesity levels, I’ve been working serious physical activity every day into the curriculum. Anyway, as we were walking, there came up a dead bird in our path. The girls screamed but the boys of course wanted to take it as their wife.

Using unorthodox tactics, as I am sometimes wont to do, I told the boys they could see the dead bird if they each ran two laps and the girls could stop running after the same. How’s that for differentiating instruction?

More left of center prose at: Postcards from the Funny Farm

Postcards from the Funny Farm » Blog Archive » 1999 Style Link Love

More information on this topic can be found here

Amazing Visions - Writing Contest at Postcards from the Funny Farm | Postcards from the Funny Farm

Have you ever seen that old bumper sticker that reads: “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” Cheesy I know, but don’t you agree that teachers inspire us often with no thanks?

I am hosting a writing contest at my inspiration and psychology blog that deals with people who made a lasting impression on your life. I recommend you go there and see if it’s something you might try.

If you liked this post, you can read more at my inspiration and psychology blog: Postcards from the Funny Farm

A schoolyear is both wonderful and taxing. In some years it can prove brutal in fact. This year was one of those. I have had year ends where I felt completely wiped out and this one is not like that, but I am finding myself losing things and unable to concentrate and yes … the kids just talk louder.

Instead of getting low about it, I am looking for ways to relax and rest my brain. We have a new pool that you can read more about over at Postcards … that is awesome but I am thinking of a trip with my lovely wife for a weekend somewhere. Some sand, some coconut drinks … these things will make me a better teacher. I guess when you consider the time off we get, it’s one of the best jobs in the world. make no mistake though … when it’s hot, its hot and certainly it is not for just anyone.

More information on this topic can be found here

A kid directly defied my authprity today and I was almost at a loss of what to do.  I am still questioning what I did and whether it was the right thing.  I’ll call him Devin, a 4th grade student.  Devin did not want to do what I asked him to do.  he in fact told me he was not going to directly to my face.  As a result I started to write a referral.

I have never seen such blubbering crying and carrying on.  You’d have thought I was planning to kill his puppy.

I talked to him away from the group and he begged me to not send the referral.  i agreed and told him we needed to have a deal to where if the disobedience ever happened again the “ticket” would go up to the office and there’d be no discussion.  He agreed and we shook on it.

I feel like I maybe should have stood my ground.  What do you think?

You can read more of my teaching stories at my inspiration and psychology blog: Postcards from the Funny Farm 

1. Enunciate new vocabulary clearly and slowly and repeat it in the lesson
2. Have them write concepts verbatim.
3. Have them respond to you verbally their own synthesized answers.
4. Have them do the same in writing.
5. Have them share verbally in pairs.
6. Have them share on white boards and hold up (an instant assessment tool)
7. Give them a short written test.
8. Pick a random non-volunteer.
9. Do the similar lessons after complete after 24 hour period pass.

Result?  Proficent kids!

How do you work with repetitiion?

You can read more of my posts at my blog on psychology, inspiration, and blogging.

I’d like to invite you to read my latest blog post over at http://postcardsfromthefunnyfarm.com/:

Promo Summary:
Giving kids a choice and following through with consequences is the best method I know of as a teacher.

Excerpt:
When a kid misbehaves it is either because 1) They don’t realize it and are just being “slap-happy.” -or- 2) They know it’s wrong and they do it hoping they won’t be seen or caught. In order to avoid punishing a kid for just being slap-happy, you should only punish if the child disobeys or is defiant, give them a warning.

Post url:
Kids, Choices and Consequences

Blog url:
http://postcardsfromthefunnyfarm.com/

I invite you to share your comments here or there after reading it. Thank you for your time.

Damien

The other day a fiasco almost happened because someone didn’t get my email at work. I don’t recommend this is regular personal emails because it’s cumbersome, but from now on I will be sending out a “request read” receipt on all my work emails. If people don’t mark it as read, then I will assume they didn’t get it. If they do mark it read, then I can rest easy. You might want to try this and see how you like it.

Update: After trying this today with several contacts I did learn some practical knowledge.  It is probably bad etiquette to request a read receipt on every email you send.  Having the record in your sent box is enough sometimes to give me peace of mind.  I think it’s best to have a signature ready that reads something like:

To be sure my message was received I have requested a “read receipt” on this message.  If you do not receive a notification to check, I request that you reply with a minimum of the word “received” .  Thank you.  -Mr. Riley

That way if you are sending an email that needs verification that the receiver read it, you can just add the “signature” footer to the message.  If your email client allows it, you can also select “read receipt request.”  What I learned today was that this is not necessary for every email you send, unless you don’t mind appearing overly careful.  Another problem with it is that you will have an inbox full of emails that read “received” all day long.

What do you think about “request read receipts” at work?

I work in a low-income school with a high transiency population and many many challenges.  As a result, our staff has adopted the professional learning community strategy where we collaborate and help each other with our student achievement goals.  We’ve done okay for ourselves and our school has become a renowned place  in the  district and county.

As a result of our high scores, teachers come in from other schools to observe a few of us who are trainers.  We’ve had people even fly in from Northern California.  Today, in fact, I have some teachers who want to learn edi coming to my classroom to observe a lesson.  With all this attention, it’s easy to lose the focus.  My feeling is, if I am nervous then I am worried about impressions and it shouldn’t be about that.  i should be concerned with being simply a link in a chain relating knowledge down the line.  If you are bragging, then you don’t have anything to offer.  When you are peer sharing, you are worth your weight in gold.

Do you know what I mean about teachers who brag?

Today I put everything I wasn’t using in a cabinet … unseen. The only stuff I need out is the stuff I am using and focusing on now. This is very helpful for me.

57 teaching days ’til the California Standards Test. Here’s what I am focusing on today:

• Test Prep
• Fractions Test
• Benchmark math review (reteach)
• Lunch (LOL)
• Writing. Looking at the state rubric.

It looks so much simpler than it is.

Had a moment of clarity lately?

Does this look like your room at the beginning of every year? Well, this is a pic pf mine at the beginnig of this year. I can tell you that much of this stuff you see and then some that you don’t see is still collecting dust. Don’t blame me though, I use more than most through creativity and industriousness. For example, I have used the old adoption science kits to teach synonyms and antonyms. In fact I have integrated science completely into my class across the curriculum … some of these materials are just way too good to waste.

But some of my colleagues have shared with me that their materials hardly ever get touched. They have a grudge that they weren’t trained and therefore they find many of the boxed materials “irrelevant.”

I feel the job of the teacher is to use all materials extant to teach with (not just those they have been trained in). With a little creativity you can use almost anything. Recently I decided we needed to engage our learners more since they were beginning to get “glassy eyed” with the pure EDI approach. I decided to integrate a theme of “Power,” namely electricity into math and language. The results were fabulous. Kids plugged in to the information because it became reevant and hands on. It didn’t take much effort in integrate the ideas and experiments.

We do have a lot of stuff in schools that gets ignored. That’s a fact. The solution however is not to give us less. Teachers need t be using things across the curriculum and they don’t have to wait to be “trained” to do that.

In this hectic world of ours I am drawn to people who smile and have a peaceful spirit about them. Being around these people is like an oasis. Since I know this to be true, I myself try to BE one of those people. Having a custom CD of songs I like in my car and in my classroom is one way there.

Music has both a hedonic component and an ethereal effect on the body and mind. When you hear your favorite song come on you body relaxes almost effortlessly. Having a full CD of these can be better than any medicine for fatigue or other mental ailments you might come up against. People in your sphere will be glad you are near them because your heart will be full of song and your posture will reveal someone who is truly involved in life and sensing all that’s around.

My music CDs also help me ward off what I call “bad energy.” Those people who are always negative don’t affect me as much when I am still humming my tunes.

Sometimes when I get to work I don’t know where to begin there are so many projects begging for my attention. Putting on the CD’s first tune, currently Del Amitri’s “Roll to Me,” gets me in that zone where I can laugh and think straight. Get yourself a CD made before you leave the house tomorrow, the whole world will thank you and you will thank me for suggesting it. Make your own peace and well-being a priority.

What are some of your favorite tunes?

If you haven’t seen Morgan Freeman in “Lean on Me” you need to rush out today and rent it or click on Netflix. It has a countdown in it to a Standards test for a low income/low performing high school.

While I am proud to say that our school for some time now is no longer considered “low performing,” the test is still all powerful. For this aside/announcement to my colleagues and friends, I will simply say that I know having a countdown so everyone is on the same page moving toward a goal is an amazing way to produce awareness and results for a task or goal.

Today I start the countdown to April in the mailroom. How many days to the test?

Do you have something in your life/work/family you should make a countdown for?

I’m pleased to announce my latest publishing on Edublogs Magazine. They read my blog and approached me about using one of my posts on their site. This was very nice of them. Ironically, my post was one I never thought would amount to much other than therapy for my frustration with paper and “all things copiers.” I hope my light-spirited article brings them a lot of traffic. They’re an amazing resource to students, teachers and the community as a whole. I will be writing to you more about this new exciting blog magazine as I have just become a proud member.

The Edublogs Magazine : Paper Does Not Control Me

-Damien

I wanted to let the blog know that I had my observation and post-conference today. It went very well. I received a passing score in all domains and some very nice things were said about me in the write-up.Okay I can breathe now.

I’m not one to hide fear, I think it helps the world to show your weakness. It helps people more than pretending you are always 100% confident.

You may recall I published an article on BlogCritics this month about the whole process I was going through:

My article on BlogCritics on how to survive and thrive through a professional evaluation.

(esp. note my response to the first comment about inequity in some evaluation processes for teachers … Amidst my optimism it’s important to note my view on that.)

-Damien

Lorelle has a blog challenge this week to blog about a time when you felt “big.” I thought it was a perfect opportunity to write a memoir here on when I met two of my all-time life heroes.

The first one was Dave Sharp, ex-guitarist of the eighties neo-punk arena band: “The Alarm.” If you’re age 30 and above, you might recall some of their radio hits: “Sold Me Down the River,” “Rain in the Summertime,” “68 Guns,” “The Stand,” and a few others.

Here is one of their amazing videos from 1984, it still blows me away (check out the hosts’ mullets!)

I had every album memorized. I started listening to his music when I was 13 or 14 and learned all his guitar work by ear. When I joined my own band at age 16, I was throwing out chords and riffs I’d either stolen from him or adapted to my own style. But he was more than a guitar model to me, I identified with what he said in interviews and I tried to model much of my life after things he said either in the media or live in concert (I saw them live about 10-15 times).At age 23, I saw in the paper Dave was coming to town to do an acoustic show. I wanted to meet him personally. Not only because he was so cool, but because I wanted to hire him to play guitar on a single we were recording.

After the show I waited outside a while and soon, Dave emerged with a security guy. He had come out to talk to a few fans and sign some autographs. I met him then, gave him a tape of my music with the proposal inside and within a few weeks, his agent called me accepting my offer.Well, you can imagine the blissful events that followed. I worked with him several days in the studio that year and a couple years later we did another song together. Nothing much became of my music in the mainstream, but the experiences forever changed me. Rock n Roll means more to me than it ever did before. You can hear Dave on guitar on these two songs I wrote and recorded him below:

Talk to Me
People

The second connection I had with a hero was just a few months ago. I am a public elementary school teacher and as a result, I work to increase my students’ scores on the California Standards Test every year. Countless times since I started teaching I have gone to the CDE.ca.gov website and seen the Superintendent of Instruction, Jack OConnell, on the front page. Here’s picture of Jack in my classroom. To the right is Herb Fischer, Superintendent of San Bernardino County.

Jack is the top. Not too long ago, my Principal told me he was coming to visit due to our school’s incredible growth in scores. She told me he wanted to see “EDI” which is a style of teaching we have started doing and that I am a certified coach for. He came in and watched a lesson along with the local paper and all the Principals in the district. I got to meet him and we discovered we both went to the same college, California State University, Fullerton. Wow. It was truly a “big” moment for me and I will never forget the power of working hard for something and then getting recognized in that way.

Apart from the births of my children, those are 2 of my most biggest moments: “XXL.”

Could you blog about a time when you felt “big?”

There are many more ways, but I was thinking this morning that a process always helps. Perhaps you can add your own to this list:

1. Wake up on time (alarm clock with a mellow station).
2. Make some good coffee.
3. Have your outfit all picked out the night before (not always possible I know).
4. Train your school-age son(daughter) to make the lunches (LOL).
5. Have a CD picked out with music that inspires you, make sure it is in your car.
6. As you are getting your coffee made and last minute stuff, start your car and turn the heat on full-blast (winter only).
7. As you drive to work, think about the possibilities of the day. Look at struggles and worries as merely “opportunities” to see life a new way and improve yourself.
8. Think about positive things as you listen to your music on the way. Admire the beauty of the desert all around you.
9. Consciously remember to smile at people today, you affect others more than you know.
10. Be ready, for anything … and when anything comes your way, accept it as either a positive or an opportunity.
11. Commit yourself to be 100% in the moment. This means not worrying about the future or the past. I have found they both take care of themselves.
12. Create a relevant greeting to use so you don’t get tongue tied in those stressful moments. When you see someone at work, say: ___________. (examples: Hi, 3 day weekend. Happy Thursday. Hang in there, etc.)
13. Have pictures of your kids on your desk and focus on the reasons you work.
14. Make another CD of your favorite songs and play it in your office area or MP3 player if this is possible in your workspace. For me, its in my classroom before the kids come in.
15. If you have friends at work that won’t mind, send them a short email letting them know you are thinking of them and that you hope they have a great day. The replies throughout the day are great to remind you of the same thing.
16. Take time to breathe and do nothing for a few mintes before work. Meditate, pray, think, be still … etc.
17. If a bunch of stuff has been cluttering somewhere for a while, its probably not crucial. Put it all out of sight temporarily (a cabinet, a bin, a box etc.). This will create a clear place in your work area that can help you see possibilities.
18. Structure your day with an agenda by hour and check it off as you go.
19. Say this statement three times out loud when you are alone: “I am fortunate.”
20. Accept that there is something larger than yourself and surrender that you are small in the big scheme of things. Even if you wanted to be in control of everything, it wouldn’t be possible so be faithful in the small things on your agenda and make it an excellent day.

What do you do to have a good workday?

If you liked this post, consider buying me a coffee through PayPal.

Share this post with the internet, click a button:

I made this post mostly for my kids in future years. When they start having jobs of their own, they may find this set inspirational. It’s a such a beautiful set of views every day, my hope for them is that they always stop to take pictures.

And it’s another wonderful work day filling the minds of eager youth! Use it while it’s here.

If you liked this post, consider buying me a coffee through PayPal.

Share this post with the internet, click a button: